My friend is currently an exchange student with J1 visa and she would like to stay in USA for her college study. I asked the school and the school suggested that she should change her status from J1 to F1. From the USCIS website, it sounds like she should file a I-539 but really I am not sure... I also heard that she may need to leave USA and apply in her country but she is not subject to the 2 year foreign residence requirement.
Does she really need to change her status? If so, is I-539 the correct form and how long is the process usually?
Thanks in advance!

