Clarity. Confidence. Compliance.
Support for international students and the institutions that serve them—without confusion, fluff, or unnecessary risk.You don’t need more opinions. You need a roadmap.
International students are expected to make life‑altering decisions—about visas, work authorization, and careers—often with incomplete or conflicting information.
Ask A DSO exists to replace confusion with clarity.
Start with the Community (Free)
Our free community is designed to give you a safe, accurate foundation:
Clear explanations of F‑1 rules, OPT, STEM OPT, and common pitfalls
Real‑time updates when policies or practices shift
A moderated space grounded in compliance—not rumors or social media myths
Practical guidance you can use immediately
This is the place to learn, orient, and stabilize.
Escalate When You’re Ready
Some moments require more than general guidance.
When stakes are higher—graduation, OPT strategy, employer questions, long‑term planning—you can step into more direct support:
Structured training and roadmap sessions
Small‑group and live Q&A support
One‑on‑one strategy when decisions truly matter
You start free. You escalate only if and when it makes sense for you.
The goal isn’t dependency. It’s informed independence.
For International Students
For Institutions
Compliance isn’t a checklist. It’s a posture.
Institutions don’t fail because they don’t care. They fail when policies, practices, documentation, and decision‑making drift out of alignment.
Ask A DSO supports institutions that want to be prepared, defensible, and steady—especially in periods of policy change or heightened scrutiny.
What This Work Actually Looks Like
Institutional support is not generic consulting or surface‑level training.
It’s focused on:
Risk identification before it becomes a finding
Alignment between catalog language, handbooks, advising practice, and SEVIS reality
Decision‑making frameworks staff can apply consistently
Documentation that tells a clear, defensible story
This work often supports:
Executive leadership and compliance oversight
International offices and DSOs
Cross‑functional teams navigating modality shifts, enrollment pressure, or policy updates
Engagements Are Intentional and Limited
Institutional work is:
Advisory, not outsourced responsibility
Grounded in real‑world DSO practice
Designed to strengthen internal capacity—not replace it
Support may include assessments, preparedness planning, policy alignment, or ongoing advisory partnerships.
The goal is not perfection. It’s readiness.
→ Inquire About Institutional Support
Why Both Exist Under One Roof
Students and institutions are often treated as separate problems. They aren’t.
When institutions are prepared, students are better advised. When students are informed, institutions face less risk.
Ask A DSO sits at that intersection—bridging understanding, expectations, and responsibility on both sides.
Choose Your Path
If you’re a student:
Start with the free community. Learn the rules. Ask better questions. Make informed decisions.
→ Join the Free Student Community
If you represent an institution:
Explore whether preparedness‑focused advisory support is the right fit.
→ Request an Institutional Conversation
Ask A DSO is built on one simple belief: clarity reduces risk— for everyone involved.