H1B 2014 -- Did anybody else not get selected in the lottery? What now?

I graduated in December and accepted an offer from a big 4 consulting firm that helped sponsor my h1b petition (premium processing). Haven't heard back from USCIS yet so I'm getting pretty realistic about my status... HR and the law firm that helped me say we'll need to wait until official rejections (late May) to discuss next steps. Is anybody else in a similar position? What are you guys doing? Also, just out of anxiety... is the randomized lottery process truly 'random'?

I can't even reapply next cycle as I started my OPT this February. Sigh.

3 Comments
 

not in your position, but very curious: i was always under the impression that if you got a firm (especially one like one of the big 4) to sponsor your h1b, you were all but guaranteed to receive it, barring some sort of felony in your past what are the odds of this happening?

also, what is OPT?

.
 

There's a cap on how many h1b visas can be issued each year. When the USCIS opens up their doors for applications of h1b visas for the next government year beginning October (I believe it is in April of each year), there are many more applicants than there are slots on the very first day or so. It used to be a lot easier 8-10 years ago. When I applied back then, there were h1b slots available in july for october (i.e., 2-3 months to go).

OPT is optional practical training. OPT allows foreign students to work for a year without getting a working Visa.

 

Labore et fuga culpa dolorem. Provident modi in quaerat alias odio. Laboriosam rerum architecto quidem nobis. Unde sed dolor et consequuntur ipsa excepturi.

Autem mollitia ipsam rerum officiis aut sunt omnis. Minus sapiente magnam amet sit autem delectus repudiandae sed. Aut molestias sed maiores ut est dicta rerum.

Eveniet rerum quia et assumenda. Animi sint a inventore nam voluptas cumque. Illo qui beatae natus consequatur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Boston Consulting Group 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 99.0%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.5%
  • Oliver Wyman 98.0%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Consulting

  • Cornerstone Research 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 99.0%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.5%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.0%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.5%
  • Boston Consulting Group 99.0%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.5%
  • Oliver Wyman 98.0%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $361
  • Principal (30) $294
  • Director/MD (58) $274
  • Vice President (53) $247
  • Engagement Manager (111) $232
  • Manager (167) $172
  • 2nd Year Associate (185) $142
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (115) $135
  • Senior Consultant (354) $132
  • Consultant (635) $122
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (162) $121
  • 1st Year Associate (575) $121
  • NA (16) $114
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (390) $104
  • Associate Consultant (175) $100
  • 1st Year Analyst (1152) $90
  • Intern/Summer Associate (205) $83
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (626) $67
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”