Are there any requirements for Defending Student Status that are different for international students and domestic students?
International students may defend any time during the semester using DSS, IF their principal activity is other than that an F-1/J-1 student enrolled full-time in pursuit of a degree. Examples would be students already on OPT or Academic Training, or in H-1 status returning to the university solely to defend, or students returning from their home country for a defense. International students who defend within the first 15 days of the semester may use DSS to fulfill immigration requirements IF you begin your OPT before the beginning of the semester, or change to a different visa status within 60 days of your defense and submission of ETD, or leave the U.S. within 60 days of defense and ETD submission. Scheduling of the final examination and defense means that you have completed all work on the thesis/dissertation and the only thing left is the taking of the final examination and defense. International students who have some work remaining on their thesis or dissertation and who plan to d
