Fortunate4real:
Good day Nairalanders, contribute to this please, your view will be very helpful.

I was denied visa two months ago,


I am planning to re-apply,


**will I be using the same ds 160 or I will fill a new one

***I need Orientation about VISA RE-APPLICATION


I am new on this platform, please I need your guide towards getting my visa (I am expected to resume in August).

Might wanna post your transcript first. You'd immensely benefit from the critiques that follow.

Wow. Congrats, buddy.

electronic:
Visa got approved at Lagos embassy!!!

I arrived at the embassy by like 6:05 am. After missing my way :0
Did all the necessary biometrics and arrangement of documents. Then I realised that I did not have my 2x2 passport. I was almost shaking. But then I remembered that the DS160 instruction insisted that we upload Our PICs. Luckily no issues came up.
I then headed for Biometrics and Documentation. Na so interview Start OHH. Only the cute lady in Window 3 was active as that time and the first guy was given a Blue paper. (Whew).
Omo few minutes later all the VOs started arriving like Kilode. Interview dey Hot. Blue paper dey fly, few whites that were well deserved. Chinese guy just dey try communicate with one MAZI from Imo state (hilarious Convo…but the man got his Visa ohh…. no time).
I landed in Window 5, the lady gave everybody Blue paper before me…omo

VO: Good Morning
Me: Good morning
VO: Pass me your I20 and Passport
VO: So why are you going to the US (Straight Face... typing small small)
Me: I am going for a PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Montana State University
VO: What is your highest degree of Qualification (DS160 Things)
ME: Msc Electrical Electronics at Bleep Uni…
VO: What were the processes involved in your application (Looking at me eyes)
Me: I had to prepare an SOP, CV, Referee letters, write Standardised test like TOEFL and GRE and I also had a Phone call Interview with my prospective Principal Investigator. Dr. Bleep (I just dey yarn with my TV English while VO dey nod)
VO: So what would you be working on
Me: Well I would basically be working on Neuro Signalling with the aim of acquiring brain signals to integrate robotics like the robotic arm. I would also be providing solutions that interface with such devices like the Brain Computer Interface….. (I was talking kinda Fast but quite calm sha…. she had to come slightly closer).
VO: (Still Typing) So Have you travelled out of the country before
Me: No, I have not had a reason to
VO: so where do you work?
Me: I work as a Researcher at research institute in Bleep university, where we develop solutions on robotics, build software for SMEs..(Looking at my DS160 on her screen).
VO: (Second time) So Have you travelled out of the country before
Me: No, I have not had a reason to
VO: how would you be funding your Education
Me : I got a full a Scholarship and Monthly Stipend (VO looks at my I20 Again….)
VO: So what are your Strong ties to Nigeria:
Me: Well I am the first of 5kids and I have a couple of landed properties and Investments
VO: And all your parents are Here
Me: Yes mam
VO: And all your sibilings are in Nigeria right? Loking at DS160 on the screen
Me: Yes (whew….. aunty hold my passport, Open drawer…. White paper Approaching)
VO: Okay I would be approving your visa you can pick it up on bla…..
Me: Thank you mam.

I thank all the Peeps/Chicks that were here with me all through the this Process....
God bless you all mehn..

I love this. You should consider submitting a piece for an African literary competition. I already imagine how life will be when I get there, hopefully.

happyday:
Another big issue here is loneliness.

Finally, you're here. Holywood and your 'yankee' friends have made you believe these people are as outgoing and friendly as Nigerians. Turns out you're in for a shock. People smile at you, engage in small talk, but that's it. Everyone has got their cross to bear. You can't blame them.

You miss the happy atmosphere in Nigeria. You stay on calls to your family and babe(s) and boo(s) back home. Depends on how bad you are. You can't go knock on your neighbor's door, so you both can play PES. Or talk about the latest wack Davido track!

It's raining, and your American friends don't get it when you say 'weather for two', or 'based on logistics'. You see a sea of white heads, and wonder why your skin color is different. You wonder why you weren't born here. You engage someone in a convo, tell them you're from Nigeria, and they ask 'so tell me, how's Africa like?'. Damn!

You've always thought you were good looking, even handsome sef. But everyday, you see way hotter, cleaner chicks and dudes. You were always celebrated in your Nigerian University for your grades, work ethic, romantic pick-up lines or sexy legs. But here, nobody gives a flying hmm-hmm. You can't raise your hands, and ask questions the way your American peers are doing. Like you'll do in Naija, and feel like a don. You don't want to misyarn, look dumb. Or both. So, you keep shut.

You're average in everything. Every damn thing.

You graduated top of your class back in Naija, but here you're, struggling to keep up with term papers and homework. Worst part is, some of your classmates are not even putting in the effort. In fact, most of them. Suddenly, the phrase 'American citizen' suddenly makes sense to you. You now know there are as much types of visa as the letters in the English alphabet, and that your F1 is just at the low rung of the ladder.

You don't get some benefits. You might never do. Just for one simple reason. You were never born here!! Classes, and TV, and employers keep reminding you of this every day.

And then you remember Naija; home sweet home. You remember what your friends hail you for. Guys hitting on you, girls stealing glances at you, your book-smartness, your looks. And even your family. You just wanna go back home.

But hold on! Your peeps are back home are "happy for you", you don't use crap data, you're 24/7 on the Internet, NEPA (or whatever) don't show their prowess every 5 mins. Heck, you don't even know who supplies the electricity around here. Maybe straight from Washington or it's local. And frankly, you don't care.

The air here seems to smell different.

Though you can't cuddle or make out in the cold weather, at least you have a safe bed you can sleep in. The sirens remind you of your relative safety. Then, you wonder if it's possible for you to have both worlds? Be with your family, and also get a grad degree in a sane climate like you have here.

When shit gets this real, and they will, what do you do? Go online and watch more porn, come to Nairaland, and troll the pages?

What would you do

If we can stop discussing Unilag for five hours, I'll send everybody recharge card.

Chinewon88:
Slept in the office for my 7am appointment because its closer to the consulate. Got there in the rain by 5:30 or so. After all the checks, queued up and the VOs came to their desks. I wanted one other slim vo because he seemed cool and patient lol, but I was asked to meet the Chinese guy - I think he should be about 32. I wouldn't say he's strict, as the interview wasn't as scary as I feared. You just need to give him or any of them good responses..

VO: good morning
me: good morning
vo: passport, i20? so why are you going to St Cloud?
me: I'm going to st cloud state university to study for an MS degree in Applied Clinical Research.
vo: how many schools did you apply to?
me: I applied to 4 schools; the university of Rhode Island, Virginia Commonwealth university, the university of Texas medical branch and St cloud state university.
vo: why st cloud?
me: I chose to attend st cloud because the clinical research program focuses on medical device research which basically aligns with my interests and I will ( vo cuts in)
vo: did you take any tests?
me: I took the GRE and TOEFL.
vo: how was your score on the GRE?
me: it was fair enough, I got 149, 149, 3.5
vo: ooh that's impressive( inside my mind I was like that one na score, you need to come GRE thread for nairaland make you see what brothers and sisters are doing to the GRE, but I was happy to hear him exclaim that way though)
vo: you do correlation and validation studies where you work( he read it off my ds160)
what's it about?
me: I told him we do it on new medical equipments and diagnostic procedures to ensure optimal standards.
vo: what's the difference between correlation and clausation?
me; I told him I wasn't sure what the difference is ( I had not heard that word in the context he was asking so I chose to be honest instead of explaining rubbish)
vo: what will this degree do for you?
me: this program will equip me with the requisite skills to be able to perform proper and ethical biomedical research upon my return to Nigeria.
vo: what's your research topic?
me: I'll be working on biosystems neuromodulation(the guy is super fast with asking questions and typing)
vo: do you have any scholarship ( looks at i20 for less than a second)?
me: no, I do not.
vo: OK, enjoy your time at st cloud.
me: thank you.
Passed i20 back with white form and said to pick up passport in three days.
Thanks to God and everyone on here for all your help. Walspring, Mekurexx, for assisting to pay fees from WES evaluation through application circle, I remain grateful. And to a kind heart Kene for adding his money to complete my sevis and pay in less than 48 hours to my interview- after my bossom friend( not from nairaland) squandered the first money I sent to him for sevis, may God bless you. Goodluck to everyone.

Congrats!

PrinceDekunle:
Visa Approved today. 7:00

VO: Good morning (with a funny face like he wants to whine me)
Me: Morning ( I no smile)
VO: When did you finish your Undergraduate?
Me: I finished 2011 at the University of Ilorin
VO: can I see your transcript?
Me: passed him my transcript and also my WES transcript
VO: (with an irritated face) don't give too much documents I just need your transcript (for my mind I just dey vex say wetin dey worry this one. Me wey be psycho wey fit greet my neighbor today no greet am tomorrow)
Me: yes here they are, this is from my school and this is the WES conversion
(He didn't even look at the Uniilorin and just perused thru my WES transcript and nodding his head
VO: your visa has been approved. Pick up your visa at the address, take your I-20 you will be needing them at the port of entry and enjoy your stay in USA. I madesure I heard those words people claim not to hear. Lol awon deaf and dumb crew (na joke I dey oo)

Na so I snatch Yankee visa today

They ask for academic transcript at the embassy? Never knew that. I never imagined I would need mine when I go for the interview. Na wa.

Congrats, buddy.

Too many success stories on here lately. Love it!

nastydamus:
I had my visa interview today and, thanks to the transcripts of others on this thread, I knew what to expect going in.

There was a heavy downpour that kept beating till 06:20am, after which we queued up to be let in.

I was interviewed by a lady on the extreme left hand side (facing the VO's).
I was her second interviewee for the day after she'd dished out a blue paper to the first person.

The interview:

VO: good morning
Me: good morning
VO: pass me your passport, i-20 and sevis receipt
Me: did as she asked
VO: so why Drexel University?
Me: I carried out an extensive research online for schools that would match my test scores and research interests, and two universities were a perfect fit for me - Drexel University and Unl.
VO: so you applied to the two?
Me: yes, and both offered me assistantships (not the full story sha, I'd applied to four schools in the Spring '17 admission window and got rejects from all four, didn't see the need to wake 'sleeping dogs')
VO: so why Drexel?
Me: I'd reached out to a professor at Drexel University who shares similar research interests with me and she was excited about the prospect of having me as her student. She urged me to apply and made me an offer as soon as she received my formal application.
VO: what course are you going there to study?
Me: I'm going to Drexel University to pursue a PhD degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering, specializing in communications engineering
VO: I see you'll be there for 5 years with stipends?
Me: yes
VO: what was your first degree in?
Me: Electrical Engineering
VO: you also have a master's degree?
Me: yes, in Telecommunications Engineering
VO: what are your plans for after your PhD?
Me: I intend to return to Nigeria to take up a lecturing position whilst providing consultancy services when the opportunity presents itself
VO: congratulations on your funding, you'll be picking up your passport in Port Harcourt right?
Me: Yes

Thanks everyone, the transcripts on this thread are invaluable and I'll keep pointing my friends in this direction.
Goodluck to other Fall '17 F1 hopefuls.

On a side note, I saw a guy who came for his interview in shorts and sneakers, his interview was brief and he didn't leave with his passport. He was brimming with confidence and it worked for him, just saying.

Congrats, pal. Yeah I hear that one's outfit has no influence whatsoever on the VO's decision.

drhopeful:
Visa approved this morning at Lagos Consulate by the purportedly mean Chinese-looking guy. After dishing out blue papers, it finally got to my turn.

VO: Good morning Ma'am
Me: Good morning
VO: What are you going to do in the US?
Me: I am going to study for a PhD in Materials Engineering at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville
VO: Cool. Pass me your documents
Me: [Obliged]
VO: [Critically peruses my I-20 while I stare at him like one mumu girl and then he exclaims...] Wow! You got a full package from UVA! UVA is a great school. I am so excited for you and I can imagine you can't wait to start! Wow! This is nice! Are you excited?
Me: Yes, I am. Thank you. [At this point, I was just too shocked because it was not kind of interview I have been hearing about on here. I expected those their standard questions, which I had ready answers for]
VO: When last were you in the US?
Me: February last year, on vacation
VO: I am still so excited for you!
Me: Thank you
VO: Where is your husband?
Me: He is outside
VO: [Types and stares at his screen...] Honestly, everything looks perfect..... [Hands me white paper]. Enjoy Your studies!
Me: Thank you

End of interview that did not feel like interview. After all my prepped-up answers

Anyways, thanks guys and ladies. You guys have been of immense help on this thread and on the GRE thread. I try my best to help out to the best of my ability. I wish everyone success in their interviews.

Wow. Congrats, ma'am!

Mayflowa:


Must you disclose you have another master? Why are you going for another master if I may ask?

To augment the one I have. It's a professional version of it.

Mayflowa:


Must you disclose you have another master? Why are you going for another master if I may ask?

Yeah. I want to be as honest as possible. That way, it'll be easier to answer questions thrown at me.

Walspring:


Doing another master is another field is not a red flag, just be ready to explain to the VO why doing another master degree

Oh, I sure will. Thanks, pal.

Good day, everybody.

I noticed that people who got approved so far have had some form of work experience. I understand that being successful at the visa interview depends on your ability to give a plausible reply to questions asked. My case however, seems dicey:

Finished first degree 2013, went for NYSC, 2014. Enrolled for Masters, finished 2016. Now I've been offered admission into another Masters degree. I hear this is a red flag. How can I make a strong argument to defend my going to the US for another Masters? Also, would it hurt my chances that I have no work experience?

Congrats, Fola!

Folatush:
VISA APPROVED yesterday 16/05/2017
My Transcript goes below.
cant remember if i said good morning or she did
VO; why are you going to the US
me; Am going for my Master of Science at University of Idaho (voice was shaking and I didn't even mention my course)
VO; what course
Me; Mathematics
VO; what did you study for Bachelors
Me; Industrial Mathematics
VO; What are your study plans?
me; After my Master of Science i intend to proceed with my doctorate at the uni of Idaho which was part of the agreement i made with them and part of the reasons i was given Assistantship;
VO; Ohhhhhh (shaking her head and looked at me)
Me; me sef I said Yes and was looking at her
VO; so what have you been doing?
Me; after my bachelors did my NYSC where I taught Mathematics at high school level after which I got a job as a CSR with a telecoms company till now.
VO: what will you been doing as a teaching assistant
Me; grading and lecturing undergraduate students
i saw her keep my passport in the holder and she passed me my I-20 and said keep it well you will be needing it at your POE. after that mehn i didn't hear anything. i had said i must hear after because everybody keeps saying they don't hear anything after. Wow, i don't know what to say than Thank you Jesus. it has been him all the way. no single document was asked.

Am grateful to God first and then my cousin like blood brother that invited me to this forum and has been my Motivator @teejaf and @bussy123 and every member of this forum for all the past transcripts also Many thanks to @femi321 and @motifioluwasolami your transcript is on the way dear. God bless you all

iCool:
Hi all, I received admission decision number 4 yesterday morning.

Auburn University - An acceptance. Highest ranked out of all my choices.

No funding and no assistantship for now. My Transcript was sent in late March. Naija university palava.

Congrats, buddy.

Been away from here for too long. Happens when things go downhill from you'd imagined they'd look up. Got rejects from all five schools I applied to for a PhD. So I opted for an MS program, sent an application to ETSU, and roughly a month later, got an admit.

Now I'm just working on securing GA opportunities. Evening, family.

xdamson:
Dear all,

thank you for making this thread alive and active.

I salute you all.

I have been accepted for Fall 2017 at tennessee State University. please, is there anyone here who is currently at TSU or someone you know that could help put me through/answer some few questions I have.

God's blessing be on us all now and forever and I expect your urgent response.

Amen

How far? Have you gotten your I-20? I was offered admission to ETSU. Still working on getting my I-20. Kindly let me know how far you've gone with yours.

jaybiz007:
My status so far:
K-state: Admitted for Msc (No funding). I emailed my assigned faculty advisor but I'm yet to get a reply till now.

Florida State University: Admitted for Ph.D. (still awaiting funding decision)

That funding from Florida State is certain. Congratulations, pal.

Bolisticbond026:
The rate at which admission is flowing in this forum will be directly proportional to funding soonest just calm down guys and put all your trust in the supreme being (GOD) he only can grants our heart desires. Drhope just calm down your admission and funding is coming very soon.Guys i need clarifications on WES evaluation how to go about it and how to send evaluated transcript to prospective school.The second thing is when is the proper time to start sending mail to prospective faculty member in order to show interest in his research area.

I think you'd have to go to your Alma mater to find out about WES. That's how I went about mine.

As for the mailing thing, mail them yesterday. Decisions are already being made, so I suggest you send those emails right now if you can.

Scholastica16:
Regret mail from LSU. They say they hope the regret will not discourage me from pursuing graduate program in other schools. Congrats to those who got it.

Better admission offers will roll in pretty soon. Keep your head up, buddy.

Got a rejection from the University of Tennessee today. 1 of 5. My chest is heavy.

seeker88:

Thanks baba!
How far with K-State and their request for your Masters certificate, sorted out

They said since I can't get it, I would have to get a WESICAP evaluation. Did that. Still waiting for a feedback, bro.

seeker88:
One admit from South Dakota State University.

Surprisingly, that is the most recent application which I reluctantly submitted few days ago. I completed the application and ordered for my evaluated transcript from WES to the school on 8th of this month. I was utterly surprised when I saw the mail from them was a decision mail. I guess they admit on rolling basis...

However, no funding yet. The advisor assigned to me happen to be the Program Coordinator. I was told to contact my advisor for inquiries on funding which I already did.... his response was that I have been automatically entered to the selection pool for the departmental graduate teaching assistant, and that the positions will be announced at the beginning of the fall semester...

I pray it comes out well...

Wooaah. Congrats, pal. It's already come out well. Start preparing for Visa interview.

iCool:


O mennn, it isn't easy. Your panic attack makes me laugh!

I am chasing the grad schools for more money, I smile each time a mail enters my box.. It always turns out to be linkedin or some career website.

Which kind problem be this one.

No be here lol.
All those LinkedIn notifications too. ;DD
I thought I was the only one. Let's just wait and see how all this pans out.

drhopeful:
I am ripping my hair off!!!! I need a frigging decision!!! Is it just me? Ah! 3 months and counting!!!

This. This 1000x. I refresh my mail 40 times a day, give or take. Got a mail from Oxford. Turned out to be just a survey. Never had a panic attack that came and disappeared so quickly. Hope all this ends well.

Wow. Congrats Divabiola.

Time2Smile:

I think you should be unequivocal in your reply that it takes a number of years for degree certificate to come out. Let them know this is a developing country where things don't run so smoothly. Let them know they you wouldn't be able to provide it because it is in existence yet. Maybe you can get a letter from the registrar of your school to provide further evidence.

By the way, was the degree certificate listed as part of applicatios documents in their requirements?

Yeah it was listed but it wasn't mandatory. Here's how it appeared on their website;

"College Graduation Certificate/Diploma if already issued (Certified English translation and original language)"

I felt my transcript would cover for it. Not so much, apparently. It's going to be a fairly long shot seeking to get a letter from my registrar. I actually intend calling them at Kent in about an hour from now. Then, I'll explain to them, along the lines of what you suggested, the exact situation of things. Thanks, mate.

Bleep

CallMeNJay:




Hello....

Please i just finished putting up a personal statement.

I need someone to help me go through, critique and make corrections /recommendations where necessary before i submit.

Hope you don't mind if i send a copy for you.

Thanks

By all means, send a copy to my email.

andradaeze:
Please, I have a question for the house.

Events that have occurred...

I got a mail from a faculty some days back. I was informed that I can be admitted into the graduate program but might not be funded.
Then, I inquired if there was funding for fall 2017 applicants and I was told there was funding. Hence, I replied that I was interested in being funded. Since then, no reply...

Next, I got a mail from the same school asking for Affidavit of Financial Support form and official transcript. They asked for WES and I have sent that since last year, so why ask for an official transcript? And I was hoping for funding.

How do I reply that mail because I have no one kobo to sponsor myself. And I am not ready to send any official transcript.

In fact, I do not want to regret applying to that school .

I suggest you keep sending all the documents they ask of you. It could be that the department is currently not financially bouyant and is expecting more resources to fund its new intakes.

Time2Smile:


I agree with you on discussing the state of our applications. I am quite miffed right now because I have not submitted any of my applications. I am yet to get my undergraduate transcript that I requested almost 2 months ago. I have put so much into this and I won't let any sloppy school be my obstacle. I have mailed grad coordinator at UH to inform her about the delay and inquire if I can submit the transcript after the application deadline. The other deadline at LSU health centre is March 1, although I want to submit much earlier than the deadline.

@Scholastica16 , Yes, I am applying to only 2 US schools, I didn't start my application process early enough so I wasn't able to meet most deadlines coupled with the cost of applying to different schools. I am cautiously optimistic of getting in to the two schools if only I can be able to submit this damn application. In addition, both guarantee funding for all admitted PhD students in my course. (I Would never apply to a school that's equivocal about funding)

N.B: I would really appreciate anyone willing to help me go through and critique my SOP before I submit. Thanks.

I'd gladly give my two cents on your SOP. You could send an email to crablesome@gmail.com

OluDare01:

University of Tennessee Nashville or Chattanooga?

I don't wanna discourage you but
Brandeis University is a long shot.
Their tuition is high though they'd give you scholarship,you'd still have to cough some dough.
GSU is a good school and you should get in hopefully.

University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

I'm applying for PhD. All the schools I applied to assured me (according to the info on their websites), that all their PhD students are fully funded. That is, 100% tuition waiver and a monthly stipend. I'm holding fast to that information. Nevertheless, I'll send an email to Brandeis to confirm what you've just pointed out. Thanks, buddie.