Getting through F1 Visa

Congratulations!!! By now you must be all geared up for your US visit. One of the first thing which poses an issue before moving to US is procurement of F1 visa. I went through the same issues when I heard that one of my seniors had to wait for 3 months to get his visa.

Here is what happened during my visa interview which was held at Delhi consulate:

Interviewer: Sir, how are you?
Me: Good. How are you?
Interviewer: I am good. Thank you.
Interviewer: So what is your purpose of visit?
Me: I am going for higher studies.
Interviewer: < there was a smile on his face. >
Interviewer: So which program are you joining?
Me: I am going for MS/ PhD integrated in Chemical Engineering at SUNY Buffalo.
Interviewer: Good. You are going to State University of New York. Its very cold there.
Me: < Pause. I didn't say a thing > ...I think he was expecting some response.
Interviewer: Ohh...so you are getting an assistantship and that too TA. Good.
Me: < Pause > ...I think he was expecting some courtesy here.
Interviewer: So from which university you completed your under-graduation.
Me: Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
Interviewer: Sir your paperwork looks good but we need some more time to process your visa. Please move to the last counter.
Interviewer2 (Indian Guy): Sir,we need some details on your research background. Do you have your CV and university offer letter.
Me: < I handed over my CV and university offer letter to them.>
Interviewer2: Sir, you are through. Please check your status using this case no. written on pink slip. As soon as it says 'Visa Processed', collect your visa from the embassy.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE:

1)Show courtesy to your interviewer.
2)Don't even speak a little about your research work. Not a single technical word.
3)Even if you get pink slip or visa delay under 221(g), don't panic. Contact embassy after 2 weeks from the date of your interview and check status from them.
4)Don't rely solely on the case no. mentioned on the pink slip.

RESULT:
My visa was processed in 25 days and I never came to know about it unless and until I contacted them. There are no updates on the website hence relying on it makes little sense.