I think you're going by the books. From my understanding, you need to qualify in two requirements to get a visa to 'come' to the United States regardless of you holding a clean record to go with good academic/professional background - 1. You need to prove that you can support yourself financially (unless you're gonna attend a University on scholarships), 2. You need to prove that you have strong ties that will convince your visa counselor that you're going to return back to the country. 

I heard a shocking story of a girl who was denied visa (F1) to join her husband because the embassy told her that her primary motive was to live with her husband, not study. I've also heard of another woman who had her visitor visa application denied. 

Anyway, thanks for your input.