与申请比起来，签证所需要的材料似乎相对简单得多，interview也似乎少则一两分钟，多则十分钟，远不象申请MBA那样，至少20分钟到半个小时，一个小时。很多网友说，看签经好象个个都过得很轻松，也就两三分钟，问了些简单不能再简单的问题，然后就给撕条了。这样的看法很普遍，特别是那些对签证了解不深的朋友中间。客观说，签证确实没有申请复杂，不需要涉及太多因素，然而签证的形式以及短短的interview时间，却给申请者增加了难度，减少了可把握控制程度。其实，很容易推理，试想给你20分钟去向admission official 陈述自己过去经历以及将来的职业发展，你都觉得并不轻松，那么仅仅给你2分钟时间，让你向一个事先假定你有罪的人，申明自己学习的目的，资金充足，以及有理有据的归国计划，又怎么能称得上容易呢？
M: Good afternoon, Sir(届时已经等到了12:30) （VO可能这个时候有些着急吃饭，不太耐烦）
V: en..hum…
M: Here is my Card (拿到了心爱的酒红色, 还不错)
V: So, you are going to *** University?
M: Yes, to pursue my MBA education, to obtain more sophisticated....
V: (Took a look at my I-20 and calculated) Hum… You are going to spend *** in two years! （打断puma，不耐烦的表现，实际上他已经看到了puma的症结，两年的MBA学费不是个小数目）
M: (Smile) Right, It is a related big investment, but I think it worth, because …
（其实，我认为在这个时候这个VO就已经决定据我了，剩下的问题都是为他的决定找理由，而且，在我据理力争和陈述的时候，他就一直在摇头，一副不信任的样子，几次都准备举起那个该死的章子，而且在后来已经说出了”I am sorry that…” 此为后话，暂且按下不表）
V: What's your current Job? （此VO说话声音很小，很难听清楚，可能是届时中午，还没有吃饭吧）（(想进一步求证他是出不起这笔钱的，或者说虽然出得起，也是倾家荡产的大投资。) （想验证puma的资金来源）
M: (声音太小,我听错了,Faint), I will ***.
V: I am asking you what are you doing now. Okay, so what will you do with your MBA degree? （极度不耐烦，但是仍然对puma的回答有所警觉，感到puma这么想说归国计划，是不是归国计划也有问题）
M: Oh, I apologize, I will…. In fact, I have discussed this with my ex-bosses and my career advisors who are all executive level managers in this industry, and they all support my plan that I will have a bright future if I can combine the MBA study from *** University with my previous working experience…（归国计划空泛不具体，除了提到ex-bosses和career advisors算具体了些）
V: (shaking head) （对回答不满意）
M: (不理他，继续！) The idea of pursuing the MBA program was initially aspired by the story of my Ex-manager, who has just returned from the United stated with her **(Top 5) MBA degree and …. （回答不错）
V: What more did your advisors say?
M: (刚张嘴)….
V: Now let’s back to what’s your current job now? （不太想在归国计划纠缠了，还是想解决刚才资金不足的怀疑）
M: I am ***
V: How Long?
M: ***
（注意,这个时候第一个圈套来了）
V: so how much is your current salary? （直入正题）
M: My total income of salary and bonus and….
V: I only ask you about your salary! （又表现出不耐烦，也是想压一压puma,看看他反映）
M: ***
V: And what did you do before that? （对于这份工作的收入没什么可说的，想验证以前工作的收入如何）
M: ***
V: Salary?
M:***
V: How Long?
M: ***
V: it is good in China, why are you still want to go to study? （显然觉得收入还不错）
M: Because…
V: (在草稿纸上计算)However, it is not enough for you to support your study in the US for two years.
M: beside the salary…（在这中间，VO一直就在打断我的话，根本不听我说完，可惜，他在这中间大概是太想据我了，犯了个错误，所以，对后面的事情反而有所转机，大概是想弥补吧）
V: So, you have only worked for * years, and you are going to invest such a big money into study. If you can’t find such a good job when you come back, I am afraid that you will in deep water. I am sorry that….. （很高兴自己算出来，感到puma的资金来源不够支付学费，想尽快结束这场interview，回去吃饭）
M: （我毫不犹豫，马上打断！）Excuse me, sir, but I am afraid that you have made a mistake and I suggest you take a careful look at my forms, I have been working for more than & years, not only * years. I also worked for ** for ** years and && for $$ years before that, you just didn't finish listen to me just now. （puma始终保持镇定，在最后关头仍然一字没漏签证官的每句花，并果断地打断。虽然没看到他当时情形，从他自己的备注可以清楚看出他表现出来的愤怒与不满，言辞也很激烈。特别是最后一句话，对于签证官不停地打断自己陈述给了有力的还击！）
V: （长大了嘴巴，哼哼了两声， 有点害羞），突然说道：So you have changed your job many times, it is not so good that… (其实是想挽回面子, 强词夺理) （大大出乎意料，没想到这个中国人并不太柔顺。签证官后面一句话确实有些强词夺理，感到下不来台阶儿。）
M: 我毫不示弱,马上应到(In fact, my income doubled every time I changed my Job!
V: (还在强词夺理,而且有点生气被抓到把柄,有点老羞成怒): So all you should do is just changed your job again and again, and you salary will be doubled and doubled again, and you will be…（同意作者自己的点评，虽然puma是情急之中不得以的反击，但确实让签证官很难堪）
M: (我马上把话题引开) That’s why I choose to study right now, because I feel I am stunned on my career progress, and I feel a little frustrated so that I need more sophisticated managerial….
V: (Impatient) no No NO…
M: That's why I choose this university over the other two offers with even full tuition scholarship.. （这是一非常好的明确学习目的的回答，我去读书不是因为钱，不是因为想去美国，而是为了我将来的职业发展）
V: （他又听错了，翻到我的I-20，用笔敲着上面说）Scholarship? I didn’t see any scholarship. （真是不在状态，屡犯错误。）
M: 我很耐心地解释: Sure this school didn’t offer me any scholarship, I meant that there are other two schools offered me scholarship, one is full tuition waiver and the other is 40% tuition waiver for two years.
V: which schools? （puma这次表现非常好，上次是不得以，才给予痛击，否则不能挽回大局，这回却要留些情面，让已经不堪的签证官下台阶儿）
M: ** University and ** University, both are also top MBA programs.
V: Do you have the prove materials of these scholarships you mentioned? （显然很满意这个学习目的的回答，想进一步求证）
M: (push over the documents), Sure, you can find it on page 3 and page 4.
V: (很仔细地看着第二页，但是那个学校的Admission和Scholarship是分成两张纸的) I can’t see any scholarship information here.
M: (still patient) it is on the next page, they are separated on two pages.
V: hum…. （Look carefully at the two pages containing scholarship information，后面还有我准备的各个MBA的排名情况,并用High lighter 把所有录取我的学校标出来了）
M: 趁机说道: I chose this school over those two with financial support means two things, first, I do think it is worthy investment, and second, my purpose for the VISA is only for study, otherwise, I will choose the one with full tuition waiver for any other reasons…（趁机明确阐述了自己是为了读书职业发展的原因，而不是为了去美国）
V: (还在考虑我的学费问题,没转过弯来) You should take the offer, full tuition waiver…
M: I still insist on my decision, just as I choose **University rather than Tsinghua when I entered the undergraduate university…
V: (又听错了,感觉抓到了我的小辫子)跳起来说”Tsinghua? You said Tstinghua? But on your I-20…
M: (这次我是真的没有耐心了, 我一字一顿地说) I~ Chose ~** University~ Rather~ Than ~Tsinghua~because this university is the best in this field, though my scoore can garuntee me the admission of Tsinghua! （这个难堪给得没太大必要，反而又增加了签证的波折）
V:….
M: (乘胜追击), My score was the highest in my grade and my student ID was ended with 01, which meant that I enter the university with the highest academic performance, do you want to take a look at my transcriptions? （实际上这个回答没太大意义，VO也不想看puma到底有多优秀，这次给VO的难堪没太大必要。）
V: (这时的气势已经完全被我压倒,默然无语)
M: (开始询询诱导): This University only admitted * from ** applications this year, it is really a good chance for me to get a better career that I should cherish. I have a supporting letter from Mr. **, who is … would you kindly take a look at it? （这个supporting letter又开始节外生支了，关于supporting letter的阐述请见第七谈）
V: （木然拿过,看了看,突然两眼放光）Is this man a Chinese? Or is he an American?
M: （知道他又以为有机会了，但是还是实话实说）He is an American working in China now. （这个回答非常妙，美国人在中国）
V: so, what's does this matter your situation?
M: （予以无情的打击）First, his letter represented ***that …. Second, As you can see, such a successful business man also come to China for his future career…. （又给一次难堪）
V: I see…. (然后开始语无伦次) but… I still.. I am …hum…（这个VO可能因为不在状态，确实被打蒙了，但是也下不来台阶儿）
M: (这个时候,我知道他的决心已经动摇了, 我采取了古人的兵法”一张一弛,文武之道也”) Sir, I would be very, very appreciative if you could seriously consider the all facts that I presented and stand in my position to think about future career, why I gave up the full tuition waiver, why I chose to invest two years and such a big amount of money into my education…（这里puma意识到了，表现不错，把和VO的敌对状态拉回来了）
V: Silence…
M: Silence…
V: Okay, please give me your financial supporting documents （基本已经投降了）
M: （知道有戏了，飞快地塞进去）Here you are, sir.（然后一条一条解释）
V: (还在最后负隅顽抗, 指着我最前面一个Contract 说): The salary was so low, how could you…? （其实已经投降了，心理还有些不服气，确实是接二连三的难堪）
M: Sure, this was the salary of my first year of working, please look at the next page, it indicates what my salary was after my promotion. （然后不失时宜地加了一句）You can see that I brought all the information here just to tell you the truth. （最后一句话非常好，虽然没有实质内容，但是却表现了puma的坦诚自信，在人格上打动VO。）
V: （完全投降，深呼吸，然后敲键盘，有点无奈地说）Okay, man, I will approve your VISA application, but remember to come and see me when you come back to China. （不仅投降了，还对这个年轻人有了些好感）
M: （心平气和地说）Sure, thank you, sir. Actually, we might meet next summer when I come back for my internship.然后就等着我的小黄条，但是…. （非常出色，最后一分钟也没放弃警惕！还提自己会回来做internship!）
V: I apologize that there are some error with the SEVIS system, it is not common, but I am afraid that you might have to wait for our phone call and then to pick up your VISA the other day.
M: It is all right, thanks and have a nice weekend!
vo: which school
me: uni of Notre Dame for MBA program.
Vo: ........(see ds , i 20, find there are fellowship) (VO发现是全奖，这里开始怀疑他的学习目的，也导致了后边问他都申请了哪些学校)
me: do you love football? （Fu很机灵，虽然表面上没打动VO, 仍然不失为很好的尝试。）
Vo: oh, yeah, uni of Notre dame is quite famous for football.(依然面无表情）
Vo: you plan
me: I will come back to my current company to assume a manager level position and my boss will send me to be in charge of a joint life insurance company. （这里出现supporting letter）
Vo: any guarantee? (显然产生怀疑，进一步求证)
ME:(show the support letter from my boss and the contract with my company.)here you are.
VO: Why your company won’t pay your tuition fee since you return to your current company?（可见VO的老辣，对中国国情非常地了解，这个问题提得太好了，非常尖锐。）
ME: (这个问题说实话我没怎么仔细想过，急中生智) There is no such policy in my company, it is just the personal guarantee from the boss.（没从根本上回答问题，人家VO问的是既然你不会回去，为什么公司要给你出这个supporting letter.）
VO: (不停摇头)ordinarily your company should pay….. (不满意，这个疑问没解释好，但是也不够就直接拒掉他，这个VO也比较有耐心，很认真)
当时谈话刚开始才三四分钟，我感到很危险，仿佛他随时可能句我，于是从那时起我开始殊死一搏。
VO: tell me how many you apply, how many admit and financial aid, and what are they? （开始审查学习目的）
ME: I applied for 5, three give me financial aid, Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Notre dame.
VO: show me your G score?
ME: here you are.
VO: (find a Canadian school on the score report list)What is that? （想验证一下fu是胡乱申请的，没太明确的学习目的，或许仅仅是为了奖学金）
ME: I took the test in year 2000, I just selected it randomly, how can I know which school I will apply then?（回答很好，诚实坦白，后面VO也很满意，不再追问了）
VO: What is your current salary?
ME: around 80,000 RMB.
VO: That is not a high salary in Beijing, will you return, 哼…（又绕回归国计划了，显然对于刚才的supporting letter非常不满意）
ME: The salary level of a state own enterprise can’t compare with foreign enterprise.（还是没能解答VO的疑问）
VO: So you will return to a state own enterprises with low salary? 哼…(轻蔑笑) (表现出不相信，其实也是等待fu来反驳)
VO: Normally people pursue MBA after 4-5 years work, why you just have only 2 years? （又采取不相信轻蔑的态度来重新试探fu,同时也给他申辩的机会）
ME: (不知该如何回答，又问了一个没准备的问题)Because I am excellent! （fu终于被激怒了，表达了信心）
VO: Excellent? （有点满意，想继续听下去）
ME: Yes, because I am excellent, the famous university gave me decent fellowship for my MBA study, it is very difficult for students, especially international students to get financial aid for MBA, that proves my excellence; and also I participated with two huge projects in my company, my boss will send to be in charge of a joint life insurance company. And the profit is quite huge, I can easily get high bonus if I assume the leading role…… （有些门了，表明在公司有些联系，表明了回来可能的机会）
VO: (不理我，玩电脑) （等待更有意义的东西）
ME: (感到我不能等死) Sir, a managing director from an American company, who has known many young executives in China, also knew me well. He wrote a support letter for, would you please take a look? （good try）
VO: （耸耸肩，做轻蔑状）
ME: I hope you can have a look(加重语气，同时递入letter) (终于表现出要回来的坚定自信)
VO: （终于转过身来,用了大概十秒时间浏览一边，依然面无表情）So you will attend his company after you graduate from MBA? （继续诱导，老辣）
ME: NO,no, no （不错，很坚定）
VO: (不理我，继续完电脑)
ME: （继续垂死挣扎）I can have more than 200, 000 RMB for annual income if I assume the manager level position, and there is a lot of material income; the bonus for the joint venture will be quite profitable. Would you like to see the strategic blueprint of the joint venture? I have established strong business relationship in China while I have none in US? Relationship in China is very, very important for doing business in China, if your were me, will you stay in US to struggle from Zero while abandon your foundation in China….. （终于回到点儿上来了）
Me: Good morning, sir. Here is my business card. Nice to meet you.
Vo: It’s OK. (把我的名片粗暴推开。他刚据了2个人，杀气很盛)(看来是遇上恶魔了。)
Vo: So, how long have you been working for xxx?
Me: About 3 years.
Vo: How much is your monthly salary?
Me: It’s about RMB XX,XXX. Would you like to see my monthly payroll and income statement issue by the firm?
Vo: No. How much do you spend every month?
Me: Approximately RMB 2,000.
Vo: I cannot believe it! You never go shopping? (sneering) (开始嘲笑，挑衅，肆意表现自己的情绪)
Me: Well, I live with my parents, and most of my living expenses such as meals and transportations are covered by the company expense. (这个是真的，我自己一直记帐，每个月个人花销也就在2000到2500，其他的费用公司几乎都cover了，电话费也是公司付的呀) (piscean在被别人以如此恶劣态度第一次指责说谎时，虽然在为自己辩护，可是看起来表现很温柔。)
Vo: I personally know quite a few consultants in China, and they don’t spend that little. (继续sneering) (签证官显然对piscean的表现不太满意，对她的话真假不太确认，继续冷嘲热讽。)
Vo: Have you brought the receipts of your tax payment? (想换个角度来检验她收入问题有没说谎)
Me: Sorry, I haven't. (我心都凉了，我以为只要带了公司的工资单和收入证明就可以，没有顾税单这一茬) (显然资料准备不完整，在这个时候，又让VO再一次失望，增加了一分疑问。Piscean这里也犯了一个错误，你既然没有税单，还有别的啊，要主动自己说出来，不要等着别人来问。)
Vo: Well, how can I believe that you earn that much? You’ve just worked for 3 years. Did you have the banking record, say, for year 2003? )(其实这个VO还不错，提醒piscean出示别的证据。)
Me: I didn’t take it with me as I thought the original payroll and income statement issued by my firm are sufficient for the application. (死马当活马医……心里狂郁闷狂后悔) )(果然被问到的另一份资料也没带)
Vo: （这次冷笑得更厉害了）These do not mean anything to me. As long as you are in the firm, it’s easy for you to get this kinda certificate. )(再一次通过冷嘲热讽来试探piscean是否说的真话)
Me: XXX is a decent AMERICAN firm, how comes you think it will help me cheat the US Embassy? （我出离愤怒了）)(piscean表现不错，终于表现出一个被侮辱说谎的人条件反射地护卫自己的人格尊严。)
Me: （不过我还没晕，开始主动进入另外一个议题）Would you like to see the bank certificate of my father’s savings? I can also show you the historical records of the stock transactions. )(这个反映也非常好，既给VO下了台阶儿，又终于主动地提供些信息了，把VO往自己准备好的方向引。)
Vo: OK. Where is the bank record? )(VO显然比较买帐，对piscean上面的反映应该还算满意)
Me: My father put most of him income in the stock market, as he’s been working abroad for six years and his salary was paid in USD. （这也是真的，我有2000到2005年的股市交易清单，今年年初钱被分成几次取出来，存入了银行，和存款证明上的日子是一致的）
Vo: （今天vo爱上了冷笑）His company directly transferred the money to stock market? )(股票市场是大批签证申请人用来解释大块资金入帐的办法，显然签证官们已经对这个解释很敏感了。)
Me: No, he was paid by cash. That was before year 1999 when he’s in XXX （国家名）. Later he returned to XXX working as the vice general manager. Here’s his business card and the income statement issued by the company.
Vo: （指着证券公司打印盖章的明细交易单）In China, you can get this easily in the street. )(继续通过侮辱的方式来试探。)
Me: What? （我差不多要说ridiculous了）Haven't you seen the company stamp?
Vo: Ha, I can make one by myself here in China （我最看不惯他张口闭口China）. I’ve seen faked documents every day… It’s ridiculous （阿呸，他竟然先说了ridiculous）)(继续宣泄自己的情绪，试探对方，给对方以压力。)
Me: This IS a REAL one and so is my payroll. If you do not believe it, go ahead and call my company. )(表现很好，表达出不满，也表现出坦然但定，还提出验证的办法。)
冷场几秒钟，我赶紧接话：I’ve also brought a supporting letter issued by our firm. It welcomes me back after graduation and I will join the company as an XXX. I can show you if you’d like to take a look. )(既给VO下台阶儿，也提出自己新的证据，往自己准备还算充足的强项上引。)
Vo: OK. （竟然拿起来，逐字逐句地读，还把老板签名对着灯光看，把公司的水印信纸对着灯光照——显然已经完全不相信我）)(这个VO看来还真是老辣，一丝不苟。)
Vo: Why didn’t you apply for any Chinese business schools?
Me: 说了大段关于unparalleled faculty, world’s leading MBA program之类的废话，然后引出正题：Actually most of the junior consultants at XXX will pursue their MBA degree in the United States, after they’ve worked for XXX for 3-4 years. Upon graduation, they will rejoin the company as XXX and will receive global pay. I'm just following the common career path at top consulting firms. )(回答不错，自己往归国计划上引，特别是举例自己身边的人。)
Vo: Did you apply for any other schools? )(看来对上面回答比较满意，没再追问，提出了新的方向。)
Me: Yes, XX and XX.
Vo: Why don’t you go to XX? （真不知道他是不是那个学校毕业的？）
Me: blahblahblah. （感觉他也不是真想知道）
Vo: Show me your transcript。
Me: （我终于带了他要的东东！！！）Here you are.
Vo: （仔细看每一科成绩。这个我倒不怕，正本成绩单，而且很不错）OK
Me: blahblah
Vo: (sneering) The more you talk, the less chance you will have to get the visa. )(上面的问题，都没有发现可疑处。这里的反映已经表现出他已经有些想给piscean签证了，只是这个人脾气实在说不出什么好听话。)
Me: （怒，给脸不要脸）Sorry, I will shut up.
突然，他拿着我的I-20，DS表和公司的supporting letter走开了。大约离开了5分钟，然后回来坐下，也不说话，狂打字。我有个感觉他要给我visa了。
约莫过了烙一张大饼的时间，他抬起头来。
Vo: Actually it is very close for me to refuse your application, coz I don't believe you only spend RMB 2000 monthly. （我的心拔凉拔凉的……想破口大骂）However, I’m still going to issue you the visa this time. （大喘气，sh*t! 我火的了。）)
Vo: Coz you are a very bright and capable young professional. You have a decent job and speak really good English （是不是拿俺跟前面的探亲大爷比？）I believe you will be truly successful no matter in China or in the U.S., and I believe you will return to China after your graduation. （现在开始believe了，晚了！我不会原谅你的）So I wish you a brilliant future and enjoy your stay in the US! Please go and wait for your visa. Oh, actually, as the system was down, you can pick your visa this afternoon at around 2:30. )(这个VO其实还是有可爱的一面，很坦率，把自己整个判断过程和盘推出。)
Me: Thank you, sir. Have a nice day!