Visa change: J-1 to B-2

[malamala]

I am on exchange program at the university in the USA for a semester. I-94 expires end of December. I am willing to stay in the country till May 31, 2010. Reasons:

- visit friends that I met during my exchange semester
- write academic paper for the university back home (topic requires researching USA companies)
- visit some universities in order to possibly choose one for studying for an advanced degree.

These are real reason. Question: do I have to describe them all? I mean the last reason - looking for a university - contradicts with the b2 visa specification that I am willing to leave the country. Should I omit it then?

Also, I do not have return tickets back home yet - I will buy them when i definitely know when I am coming back. Is that a problem that I will not attach return tickets to my application? Thank you immensely for help

[immihelp]

You need to file I-539 to change your status to B2.

You should provide return tickets as that helps you convince that you are going to go back.