I am a solo single Filipina planning to to a DIY Europe - Netherlands, Germany, Italy and France. I am funding the trip on my own. This has been my long time dream. I will be staying in Italy the longest hence I lodged my application in the Italian Embassy.
My Schengen Visa Application experience:
June - lodged a call with the Italian Embassy's call center.
July 22 - pick up of documents
August 5 - got a call from the Italian Embassy inquiring if I have any companions. I said no, but I booked a couple of group tours there. She said "Ok mam, thank you". She was actually nice. But I already had major anxiety on the outcome of my visa application since that phonecall.
August 17- received my passport.. and a letter of visa refusal from the Italian Embassy (letter was dated August 12).

I sent a letter for requesting for reconsideration of my application the same day via fax and email.
I researched and double checked with their call center - reapplication can be made immediately but an appeal needs to be lodged within 60 days. To appeal, you need a lawyer in Italy who will appeal your case in the Court of Lazio. I don't know anyone from Italy so I was determined to get a personal appearance appointment for my reapplication. Para rin ma-explain ko ng mabuti. Ang hirap kasi that I will be judged based on the documents lang.
I was really really heartbroken with the denial. I cried a bucketload of tears on that. Hindi ako nagbabasa ng European Tours and Italy Thread dahil nalulungkot ako. It sucks. I am a traveler at heart and when I got denied, parang pinagbawalan ako gawin yung pinakagusto kong gawin.
August 23 - sent another email requesting for a personal appearance. I indicated that my date of departure is September 19.
August 24 - Italian Embassy replied and they granted me a personal appearance appointment on September 6. Email indicated na at least 7 working days daw yung processing time.
Cutting it too close. But I am very thankful to be given a second chance. This time, I intend to establish my rootednes in the Philippines by presenting more assets and even showing they bookings of my future local trips. Hopefully, it will have a poitive outcome this time. If not, then I gues my plan is not HIS plan.
Wish me luck. *fingers crossed*