So I am a U.S. law student and was just accepted to a study abroad program in France for fall 2010. My wife and I plan to travel for the month of August before the program begins on Sept 6th. We will arrive in the Schengen area on Aug. 9 and the program ends on Dec. 3 and we plan on staying in France until Dec. 9 to see the Lyon Festival of Lights. So in total, we will be there right at 4 months, a month over the Schengen visa 90 day limit.
My suggestion on how to deal with the problem at hand:
Write a letter detailing your questions and problems to the Consul General in Chicago. Ask whether you can apply in Houston and not in Chicago.
If you cannot apply in Houston ask whether you can start the application process earlier - if in doubt send in the application forms along with a letter explaining why you are applying 4-5 months in advance.
The biggest problem I see currently is that you have to go for an interview to the Consulate General. Since you will be in Texas before you leave try 1) getting the appointment in Houston, Texas or 2) arrange for the interview a long time in advance so that you know in advance when to travel back to Chicago from Texas.
It looks like my wife will need a long stay visitor visa
People with these visas have different requirements for the interview. You need to go to the interview 90 days in advance before you enter France, your wife apparently can go sooner. Since your visa should be processed together and you should have the interview together this can be your life-saver: If you go together, you can go to the Consulate General in Chicago before you leave for Texas.
Get cracking on the FBI background check now. The sooner you get that done the better.
Overstaying the visa is a very bad idea, before you do that you should try everything in your power to have a valid visa. Don't give up yet. Where there is a will there is usually a way.
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