Visa, the Ultimate Test of Nerves !!!

Well back again....
Last few weeks were spent in running about many offices. I need a German Student-Visa and this in turn, requires many documents, and they require many more and as a poet said, "it's a vicious circle". Well, basically you have to submit your passport, a DD of the relevant visa fee, and 2 copies each of your degree certificates, TOEFL certificate, filled up application forms, "Declaration of True and Complete Information", a cover letter from you(some consulates require a German translation of this), and most importantly, your admission letter... and "proof of financial means". Now, this is the tough part. Proof of financial means means the loan sanction letter from the bank with a copy whatever you have submitted to the bank as security. Generally, people offer their real estate property as security and hence a copy of the Evaluation Certificate from a Chartered Engineer will do. Also, it is a good idea to somehow show about 20% of the total expenditure amount as savings in a bank account in your name or your parents' name. Then, you have to take a one year statement of that account too. Also the loan sanction letter's German translation is required for some Consulates. Make sure you have many copies of your passport and acceptable photograph. F the photograph, best thing to do is to go to the nearest GK Vale shop and get Schengen Visa photo taken. They do it right. It is very important as I have many people being sent back for not having the right photograph.
With all this, you have to go to a VFS Center closest to you and submit them there, paying the VFS' processing charges in cash. If everything is alright, the people at VFS will tell you an interview date and give you a receipt containing the interview date and time. Now, you have got to go to the concerned German Consulate office and give the interview on the fixed date. It's good idea to land there about 45mins before scheduled time, as sometimes there aren't many student visa candidates and the interview will be done quickly. The interview is generally simple, they just want to you don't have any RDX bomb plans in mind(!) when you go there. They see if you know something about your intended study, and something about the city you are going to. Anyway, after this you come back home and wait.
In about two more weeks' time the VFS guys send back the passport through courier if asked for the service else they call you to their center so you can collect it. It will be stamped with the information that you have attended the first interview.
Then you wait for some more time, may be two more weeks, when the approval letter comes, if all goes well. Once the letter comes VFS people call you and inform you of the arrival. Then you have to go back to the center and collect the letter and fix a second interview at the Consulate through the VFS. Then, you have to make the travel arrangements, like booking a flight ticket, getting a travel cum health insurance for about 90-120 days etc(make sure to check whether the insurance provides required coverage). Most importantly, you have to take a DD in your name, for an amount equal to the expected cost of living as projected by the Visa office(currently it is €7020/-). Then they stamp your passport with the visa(Generally for three months, to be extended once you land there).
Whew....There.... You are ready to go!!!