Zino55:
Hello guys. Thanks for the good job. I'm an ardent follower of this thread and iv learnt a lot I must say. I made a promise dat I'd share my transcript whether approved or not so someone can learn from it.

Thanks to airich01 who helped pay my sevis, although I had contacted sirddy, Mayflower and walspring who also agreed to assist pay. Thanks guys.

Visa approved today 28th 7:15 am appointment, Lagos. Was asked only 3 questions.

Back date to 27th, arrived lagos at about 7:00 pm. Fesobi (thanks bro) already told me how to locate a hotel at Lewis street obalende. Checked in and was seriously hungry from the journey. The hotel had only EBA and eguisi soup. Haa..I didn't want to eat anything that would affect my body system as I and eguisi have not been on good terms for a while now(make I nor go dey sh*t for embassy). Went out to look for something more suitable to eat. All the while, the visa interview was on my mind (how would it go? Hope I get a white paper? What shud I even wear? Hope my punk (hairstyle) will not disqualify me? Hope a Jean won't be too casual? etc)

I just took the food back to the hotel, ate and revised the 3 questions I felt were most important to me( what are u goin to do in the USA?, How did u find out about this sch?, Why did u choose this school).  I knew I'd be able to handle any other question thrown at me, but those 3 questions had to be given perfect answers).

Interview day. Arrived the consulate at about 6:30am. Waited for a while then a man told those of us for 7:15 to queue up. Did all d formalities and we got into the hell.

A lot of persons were being denied cos I was seeing blue slips.  Didn't loose focus tho. Was trying to strike up a conversation with some peeps while waiting for biometrics but no one was willing to talk (in my mind, I was like: haa! Why una just serious like dis nawww).

While waiting I heard someone's interview and he was really doing great with the while Lady VO at the extreme end. When he mentioned the name of his school, I just knew who it was cos we had been in communication via contact gotten here on NL (he is right here on this thread). His visa was approved too (the Lady VO obviously had no choice).

Now my interview:

VO: Goodmorning Hw are u
Me: I'm well thanks (smiling)
VO: Pass me ur passport and i-20
Me: Here u go (passing it to him and smiling)
VO: Types for a while...(checks the i-20 again and murmurs *Valparaiso* How did u know about this school?
Me: My senior colleague in the office had his Msc in this same school. He is pretty good with his job. That is enough testament to the soundness of the program...(paused for a while) then continued talking.... Hence, I thought to apply and I got admitted.. And here am I today.
VO: You said you work for .........company, what does the company do?
ME: Its a conglomerate into several business segments of the Nigerian economy from shipping to maritime to oil and gas to IT etc.
VO: Okay. Passes me the white paper..Pick up your passport at Isolo after...bla bla bla (didn't even hear the other things he said: I only heard have a nice day and I said thank you and left).

I was surprised cos I was expecting more questions. No documents, didn't even ask about sponsor, or the number of schs applied to..I really give thanks to God and this wonderful thread.

Someone gave me an advise that I used and (maybe) it worked. Maybe it will work for someone too:

1). Don't be nonchalant with the interview but find a way to come through to the VO as really interested (but not interested) in the visa. Be calm when speaking and be bold too.

2). Dress comfortably. A suit may not be necessary. Wear something that ud be confident in. I wore a Jean and v-neck T-shirt. When I looked round the interview room, a lot of peeps wore suits or at least tucked in their shirts. I almost let it affect me (tinking I was under-dressed) but I didn't. Trust me when I say I was the only one wearing a jean and T-shirt (with good shoes tho ) cos that's how I dress. I'm not really a suit person (last time I wore one was during the job interview where I currently work).

So, be comfortable in whatever u put on (whether suit, jean or native).

3). Be confident, maintain eye contact with the VO.

Above all, Pray and let God take control.

Wishing u all the best.

Congrats and enjoy your stay in Obamaland

OluDare01:
welcome to obama land.
I hope say cold no catch you?

Cold de ooooo.... Na New York I de now, waiting for my connecting flight to Durham

shout out to all my nairalanders out here doing some very great job.

i personally made a short checklist to meet those that have contributed in one way or another during my days of GRE, TOEFL and interview etc.

SO, This year i saw

@Darklight at Dayton,Ohio during the summer (but i was on transit so we didn't spend much time though). The dude is a funny guy and correct one for that matter.

@BBDD was very nice to me, even took me for a treat and shopped a cherished knicker for me. i stayed over at his place for a night of which he gave me VIP treatment.

i have two more before the year runs out : Dicapino baba (Arlington) and Raji (LA, carlifornia)

i want to also use this avenue to thanks all those sticking out there necks to assist fellow forum members. God bless you all.

All those genuinely seeking for admission with full funding (that have written GRE and TOEFL). your dream shall SURELY come to pass !

@walspring i salute !!! we go see for that side abi

seasons greeting to you ALL !!!

gentledoj:
Good Morning my people, please I have an issue on renewal of passport. I applied for renewal on November 8, 2016 at Osogbo and till today, no booklet to renew the passport. I think is a general problem in Nigeria now.

My passport has been stamped for renewal, stamp with CHECKED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. I have booked my flight since last Month for December 5th, next week Monday. The passport will expire in April,2017.

Please, wat can I do now? Am just confuse here ooooooooo

I can help you with a insider link in Lagos (if the man never go for course) or Abuja (but calculate your cost and stress but free accommodation for you) if you are interested..

OluDare01:

Me too.wind cone dey blow cold

If wind blow you, Abeg punch the wind

gunther6:
I greet everybody o, how every The cold has been brutal, exam, oral defenses on top of the CFA I'm writing barely a week from now but God dey... Mekurexx, Fortissimo, Oludare I sight una. plauses, calfavour, cutemorgan and Riddy y'all owe me mails. I greet imperiouxx and Darefadi(London is my home).
And as for prospective students, this is the year of Trump which will make US policy fluid and in a state of flux at least for the next 4 yrs. There is at least going to be a potential crackdown on H-1B visas for encroaching on 'American jobs'. This has become a really clannish place.
Again build yourself, toughen up before coming here. A lizard in Nigeria will not turn to an alligator in North Dakota and you will not start pissing rosewater when you get here. If you are coming in for economics and you have no solid quantitative background be prepared to work thrice as hard or boy you are in for one hell of a ride.
I It has been up and down here, I have been robbed, I have been towed in front of a NLders apartment (cost me $300 give a few dollars the week a few bills were due) and I have been in an accident (20th Nov) which was ruled by my insurance company as a 50/50 even though I was hit from the back, I'm getting a lawyer and disputing that verdict and going for therapy as I have been unable to walk since the accident.

Its been a while and sorry about the accident stuffs, Abeg you need prayers oooooo

few weeks ago i sent message but no reply via whatsapp

Mekurexx:
Lol you are funny

Nah so PTA meeting once in a term

kingadebayo:
Hello Nairalanders,

Please,Its 1 week now that am supposed to get my passport from the pick up station,I checked online and it says "The visa is undergoing administrative processing"

What does that mean please?

Thanks

Go and relax, your visa is coming soon

Songitto:
Glory be to God,visa approved today at lagos u s embassy around 8:30am, transcripts will come very soon

Congrats and enjoy your stay in Obamaland

gentledoj:


Cold de ooooo.... Na New York I de now, waiting for my connecting flight to Durham

Safe bro

okesammie:
Please advise, I sent 200USD via moneygram to a friend in US for SEVIS payment but he said the bank said they have not been able to pay SEVIS with western union for almost 2 weeks. Please is there any payment option one can consider. Thanks. Texrem and Lagosismyhome. Please help so justice to this. Thanks

Let him go to WU office because not all banks in US have WU same way naija banks operate both

poshestaunt:
Not so silent follower. . Appointment was for 9:15 and I arrived by 8:00 a.m at the Lagos Consulate. The queue was very long and by the time we entered I was already tired and couldn't wait to get it over with.

Anyways here's my transcript
VO. Hello again ( he took my finger print earlier on )
Me : hello (with a smile)
Vo: Can u pass your passport and i20
I handed it over to him
Vo: What will you be doing in America
Me: I am going to pursue a masters degree in business administration and management at stratford uni in Virginia
Vo: how will an mba help you
Me: It will give me a competitive advantage when applying for top management positions
Vo: in your current organization ?
Me: Yes
Vo.: who will be paying for your trip
Me: my elder brother who has been responsible for my education
Vo: what so u do at the moment
Me: I'm a company secretary at an oil servicing company called xyz Ltd
Vo: I will be approving your visa pick it up at.... ( I no hear the rest..
Me : Thank you so much (I run commot)
No documents asked. Nothing. It can only be God

Thank u nairaland family. I learnt a lot from here.. God bless everyone. Bleep . America here I come..

Congrats and enjoy your stay in Obamaland

robedolu:

My God will definitly do cseejah own.

Amen in Jesus name...

ecaaychukwu:
Finally, my visa was approved this morning. it's been a rough one for me but God has been faithful. I got three denials mid this year for Fall session and it was like I wasn't gonna make it thru again. But I thank God, that I ade it thru this last attempt.

Here goes my transcript:

VO: How are you doing?
ME: I'm great sir and you?

VO: Can you tell me your study plans?
ME: I'm going to Valparaiso University to study a Master's degree in International Commerce and Policy for the period of 18month. I will be taking up courses like International Trade, International Business, Economics, New Venture Creation and International Relations. These courses will equip me with the right skill set to be able understand the application of Business with Trade, Economics, International Relations and Public Policy. *VO cuts*

VO: Tell me about the programme
Me: Like I earlier said, the course is for a period of 18 months and I will be taking the aforementioned courses and at graduation, I must meet up to 3.0cgpa and must have completed 25 credit hours. *VO cuts*

VO: How many schools did you choose?
ME: 2 and the other is George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.

VO: Why did you choose Valparaiso University?
ME: During my research on the course, I found out that Valpo happens to be one of the few skls around the globe that offers such course with robust combinations of course from 4 areas such as Trade, Economics, International Relations and Public Policy. And I am *VO cuts*

VO: What did you study in your UG?
ME: Business Administration.

VO: from what skl?
ME: Lagos State University, Lagos.

VO: Why do you like Unilag?
ME: * I became confused here and told him to repeat the question*

VO: Why do you like Unilag?
ME: You mean Unilag? *VO replied YES* I didn't attend unilag, I attended Lagos State University which is also called LASU. It's LASU not Unilag

VO: okay okay.

VO: Valparaiso University and George Mason University are top schools in the US, why didn't you choose them then instead going for University of Bridgeport?
ME: *The Question confuse me small but I just started saying anything* After the denials I got, I just realized a course that perfectly suits my interest and that is International Commerce and Policy(ICP) and the course has to do with the connection of business with economics, trade, international relations and public policy. More so, ICP is more of a concentration of MBA and So I just had to make the switch. And after the completion of my programme, I will return back home to work with the Bank of Industry and see to how I can formulate strategies to help startups, SMEs grow in Nigeria.

VO: *nodding his head. Bringing out the white paper* okay okay. Just keep your i-20 safe because you will be needing it at POE.
ME: *with so much excitement* thank you very much sir and God bless you.

Thanks to DeeTus and texrem and other gurus in the house for their contributions. God bless you all.

Congrats and enjoy your stay in Obamaland

I believe the VO purposely ask of Unilag to be sure if you attend Lasu or not

slimmy2005:
Relax o. We are recounting the votes!!! We no go gree

Lol....

elektra:
My people, I greet una oh!

I have full coverage and pay $93/month (including renters insurance). Now, I've never been in an accident so I don't know how good my coverage is (even though i have read the policy we all know these insurance companies are crazy). I've used the emergency towing service though at no out of pocket cost.

I renewed my visa at Abuja today. Most of the students interviewed by the woman on window 6 were not approved. A lot of the applicants were ill prepared, many of them could not answer simple questions.
Q: Why did you choose University of xyz
A: I decided to go to the US because it has some of the best schools

Consular officials know that anyone that wrote and passed the GRE shouldn't answer questions like that. I thought some sounded genuine but they were still denied. Please do a thorough investigation on your school and subject before you go because that woman was not playing around.

Congratulations to those who got theirs for the first time! Good luck to those still trying.
Cseejhay how far?

We greet you too

lionlee216:
Abeg I need UK transit visa. I wan go see lagosismyhome

Lol...

No need, Just take BA and during your transit she will come and check on you..

brightify:
For where dickoflife dey

My guy dey jack to break record

lionlee216:


Someone saw him at NY working at Trump hotel lol

I no fit laugh oooo

Chiezzh:
I was denied visa today ....I answered all question asked very well I guess it's because of that 6 yrs...pls what can I do b4 I reapply because my school resumed January 17 and is it safe to reapply at lagos?

Sorry about your delay... But you need work on your lapses and refire back

Chiezzh:
Here goes my transcript:

VO: good morning
ME: good morning ma

VO:why east tenessee state university

ME: made contact with few student I was told east tenessee offers great reserch in my course of study
*

VO: what's your course of study

Me biomedical enginering

VO: what has engineering got to do with biomedical

ME: biomedical is application of enginering principle and design concept for health care purposes
She keeps look at her computer for like20 Seconds


VO why did you finsih secondary school

ME: 2010


VO: What where you doing since then

ME:I got admitted in the first two years inot an institution but did t go because I was not given the course I wanted ...then I appied the 3rd yr and dad persuaded to go ...after 1st semester I cud not continue so I left and started working with dad at his hospital
Dad Taught of flying Me abroad to schol then I applied and got admitted

VO: still checking at the screen then she gave me blue paper ......what is the fault and what will I do....I want to reapply ..pls help me...I did diploma in civil engineering will it contradict it if I add it...pls help me

You are the fault because you gave the gun with bullet for the VO to shoot you but you don't know

DeeTus:
Visa interview answers are well-structured. Rather, you chose to answer questions like guys at Alaba Market. If you've been here and answered questions like this, it means something is wrong somewhere. No VO could have issued you visa today, even if you filled in your diploma. It's really pitiful.

We put in a lot of efforts here to see folks succeed but you decided to let us down just like this.

Lol.... Nah so Alaba people dey answer question abi

You no go kill me with laugh

larmeedeh:
evening guys,
Plss is JFK really far from LaGuardia airport like what's d distance like n if I've a 6am flight to catch , what's d timing like?
dunno if I placed my question right , I hope someone understands me

Less than an hour but consider the traffic and landing time in JFK as well

OGreene:
Pls i know this page is for student visa, at least una pass thru d GRE. I want to reschedule d exam this night UNFAILINGLY but the ETS site is rejecting my card.

Who has done it before on their website. Please i need info on what to do.

Your card limit is the reason... Sorry about that

Chiezzh:
I want to know why my visa allocating was denied ...please who has the contact email ?

You ain't serious at all... The reason was stated in that paper that was given to you...

sobastical:


I tire my brother, He thought the the VO would have pity and be touched by his super stories

Mr! Do your home work and read over all the transcript here and schedule for yourself mock interview

LOl...

Chiezzh:
I want to know why my visa was denied please who has the contact email ...help me .thank you

I guess you are kidding...

Do you even attend the interview at all? because VO gave you the reason in a paper but you didn't listen when (s)he was telling you and you didn't bother to read the paper as well

TWoods:


As a silent reader (more out of interest since i went through the exact same journey a few years ago - although it appears to have been easier then) who never posts here, bro your posts are just flat out funny!

You want the contact email to who? The embassy, DHS secretary or the president?

Don't mind the guy, The answer he is looking for is with him already

kingadebayo:
Dear Nairalanders.

Got the Visa yesterday.

Thanks to @ Lagosismyhome: though he wan cut my mind.

Please anyone going to Pennsylvania?

Transcripts coming soon, though very short( Less dan 2 minutes Interview)

Congrats and enjoy your stay in Obamaland

mcearnie:
Pls, doesn't US stamp passports? I want to b sure cos i just collected my passport n can't see the stamp on it.
Thanks

But do you see your visa there?

Ewedusoup:
Good afternoon Nlanders,first time I'm applying for a bible college in the state,my main issues are 1.bank statement,2.never work before but Serve as NYSC just concluded 2016,but i have a distance relation in the same state where the school is located,my question is would the VO ask for her bank statement? plz i need to be guided thanks.Thanks

Spicyella..i will like to know the procedure and steps you took before gotten your I 20,pls this is my email..oluwasogoemmanuel1984@gmail.com thanks

Congratulations!

Occassionally VO ask for bank statement but you need it but didn't you send bank statement to school before they issued your i20 for you?

alteco007:
Visa approved this morning at exactly 7:30am. Want to thank everyone for their contribution. Y'all really helped one way or the other. Shout out to Texrem, Deetus and Meritdee for the mocks and corrections. Really gained from the group. @Meritdee, thanks for the last minute encouragement, hope you wake up to see this as we discussed. Once again, thanks y'all. Transcript to come soon.

Congrats and enjoy your stay in Obamaland