The first tip for successful entry into a U.S. school is to learn all you can up front. Prior to completing a visa application, visit the U.S. Department of State's Web site to become familiar with deadlines, interview tips and travel advisories. It is vital that you get this information directly from the source; while you may have friends and family members who have studied in the United States, visa requirements change frequently, so you may risk being turned away if you arrive to the visa interview unprepared or misinformed.

Take a look at some other common visa mistakes to avoid:

• Missed deadlines.Believe it or not, poor planning is one of the most common (and preventable) reasons for a rejected visa application. Save time and worry by organizing a detailed schedule that includes electronic reminders of tasks and deadlines via your cell phone or e-mail account.
• Dishonesty or failure to cooperate. Visa officers have access to some of the most comprehensive database systems in the world, and they are charged with regulating the flow of traffic into America's campuses. It is unwise to conceal information at any stage of the visa application process. The more forthcoming and cooperative you are, the better your overall chance of success will be.
• Financial instability. Student visa applicants are required to show proof that they can afford to live in the United States. Contact your nearest embassy or consular office to find out what types of forms you will need to provide.
• Lack of English fluency. Some inexperience is OK, but if you're struggling to understand basic concepts in English, you may want to wait and reapply after you have had more a href="http://www.usaeducationguides.com/guidance/articles/080725-practicing-english.jsp" target="_blank">practice with the language. Remember that you will be expected to complete coursework—listening, reading, writing, and speaking—entirely in English, so be sure that your skill levels are where they need to be.
• Failing to appear serious about U.S. study. Many visa applications are rejected if the candidate is perceived to be seeking nonacademic interests or circumventing certain immigration proceedings. One factor that visa experts use to gauge an applicant's level of academic seriousness is to compare the person's connections to people within the United States with their obligations in their home country (i.e., job, home, family).
• Submitting incomplete forms. If there are portions of any form that you don't understand, get the answers you need by contacting an embassy or consular representative. Review each form carefully to ensure that your application is not rejected due to a misplaced or skipped piece of information.

By Hannah Roberts, staff writer