Hey guys long time lurker here - I'm a sophomore looking for summer analyst positions for next year (Summer 2021). And I have some questions regarding recruiting for international students. When filling out online applications, I noticed that a lot of firms ask the following:

1) whether you're legally authorized to work in the US
2) whether you hold OPT
3) whether you will need sponsorship either now or in the future from [X firm]

So as a F-1 student, my understanding is that I am legally authorized to work in the US under the condition that I get my OPT in time, so usually my answer to #1 would be yes.

2 is kind of confusing because I don't CURRENTLY hold an OPT as I have never used it before but I'm wondering if the question is asking whether I'm eligible for OPT or whether I have OPT right now? Would appreciate some insight on this.

3 is the most interesting one. I have a STEM extension to the OPT so technically I can work for 3 years in total. Although if I want to keep working in the US, I will need to get a sponsorship, but since most analyst programs are 2 years anyway, technically I wouldn't NEED to have sponsorship from whichever firm I'm applying to - so is it fine if I answer no to this? I think this is the question banks use to weed out internationals (if they don't sponsor) so I was wondering if it's fine to say no to get through the online portal (and I wouldn't be lying)

Please help out a fellow international! Thanks