OjaP:

Ivy League schools guarantee you atleast 70% success during the interview. That is if you are not 35years old and just going for undergraduate studies or going there for a Masters in Physical Education or Swimming.

Hehe, funny man

OjaP:

Did you apply there as a STEM student?

Espice: I already got admitted into 2 schools for an MS Environmental Engineering program: New York Institute of Technology & Rice University

kingcobra2003:


Ivy League schools guarantee you atleast 70% success during the interview. That is if you are not 35years old and just going for undergraduate studies or going there for a Masters in Physical Education or Swimming.

I dunno how to manoeuvre my way in this forum, I am brand new. But I must say that it may not be totally true. I applied to Columbia and still denied.

FutureDon:

Hehe, funny man

Square65:

It's quite surprising to me too but you still didn't respond to OjaP's last question. Did you apply to a STEM program? If you don't mind, you can share your experience and get some invaluable pointers to what you can do/say in your next attempt. I'm sure you will come back with a different story.

kingcobra2003:

for Oja P's question, I don't knw the meaning of STEM program

Square65:

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

kingcobra2003:


I think this assertion is not totally true. yesterday my visa was denied after over 15 mins interview and I applied to an Ivy League college to do masters in law.

Bimmey: Pls am considering reapplying and was just tinking that it seems hard to get a new date now,if I pay for visa fee now n couldn't get date can I use it another time say for spring or fall nxt yr

OjaP:

Ivy League schools guarantee you atleast 70% success during the interview. That is if you are not 35years old and just going for undergraduate studies or going there for a Masters in Physical Education or Swimming.

kingcobra2003:


oh, ok. I applied to study for a master's degree in law (LL.M). I am a lawyer in a leading law firm in naija

ola_gov:

Mail not correct.

Thanks,Help me to send it to either (justbuddie@yahoo.com or justbuddie2@gmail.com

kingcobra2003:

Guys, I really want u to get the full picture of hw it went. I am in d office now but will try.
it went thus:

VO: Why do u wanna study @ Columbia?
Me: Columbia is an Ivy League school one of the best categories of uni in d world. It has a rich array of courses germane to my practice areas.
VO: OK,wat course are u going to study there?
me: LL.M,
VO: (LOOKS AT MY I-20) I see here advanced Legal research/studies, general.
me: it is just nomenclature. it is a higher degree in law, also called LL.M. Its the same thing.
VO: Where did u do ur undergrad?
me: mentioned
vo: when did u graduate?
me: mentioned, plus d yr
vo:what hav u been doing since then?
me: after uni, I went to law sch and then work
vo: so u are already working as a lawyer?
me: yes, as an associate in a leading law firm (showed her my ID Card also told her abt my employment letter)
vo:wats an associate?
me: first step in a law firm, after which onw can be promoted to partner which is the highest position
vo: so, who's sponsoring u?
me: my uncle
vo: why would ur uncle sponsor u?
me: he grew up with ma father who took absolute responsibility for him. saw him thru sch and now he has a sort of obligation to do same. I have no dopubt about his sponsorship
vo: how much does he earn monthly
me: he owns an integrated services firm and doesn't earn monthly as an epmployee
vo: gimme an estimate of his monthly earning
me: it may be difficult to say as he doesn't earn monthly salary, he gets his pay as he performs contracts
vo: ok, how much does he pay himself monthly
me: (at this tym I was forced to mention a figure since she insisted so much) about 15 to 20 million
vo: (she looked at a chat that has d exchange rates)do u hav financial docs to show his earnings?
me: yes (showed it to her)
vo: (looks thru it and looks back at me) the figures here don't add up
me: that's the statement I got from him
vo: do u have another statement?
me: no
vo (types in something in the computer) unfortunately, I cannot issue u visa at this tym, the reason is contained in this letter (issues me their usual letter)

babsharon:
Sorry for denial !!! You can defer †̥o spring 2014 because getting date for fall will be somehow difficult. Just an advise bro.

Yes u can use †̥o apply for visa another time

yomifowe: 'We offer academic scholarships to international students who score certain SAT or ACT scores, in combination with their high school GPA'

I got this from a sch in Texas where i am applying to for undergrad studies. How do the calculate GPA using SSCE/WAEC? Sm1 pls help o.

babsharon:

Sorry for that !!! Two things need †̥o be amend on your interview next time.
First, please always state the course written on Ur i-20 †̥o the VO. What u mentioned was totally different from what on Ur i-20 though †̥o u they the same but don't won't know that because they are looking α gap †̥o nail applicant.
Secondly, I think u can't defend Ur sponsor statement of account very will. You should always give figures that are equivalent †̥o what u are holding or having in d statement u want †̥o present.
Reapply or defer †̥o next semester and correct that bro.

babsharon:

Baba Ur own DON pass don jazzy oo !!! Congrat and av α wonderful stay in U.S

kingcobra2003:


I think this assertion is not totally true. yesterday my visa was denied after over 15 mins interview and I applied to an Ivy League college to do masters in law.

OjaP: @ Kingcobra

I knew you are not a STEM student immediately you posted you got denied. However, your answered the V.O's question intelligently and I must confess you really tried. The only red flag I noticed is the statement of account but there are several other factors which I think also affected you.

Law schools here are very expensive, the Nigeria law system is so different to the US. Me and you know that Naija is British oriented. How will America Law degree be useful to you when you get back home after graduation? These maybe some of the things going on in the VO's head. Who knows?

If I were you, I will force the V.O to dance to my tune. Want to know why and how?

zynnnie:

wanting to do masters in law in US is one strong reason to deny u. Why will u do that. We dont ave same legal system. An Immigration intent was seen. U want to read American law to live and practice in America,

zynnnie:

wanting to do masters in law in US is one strong reason to deny u. Why will u do that. We dont ave same legal system. An Immigration intent was seen. U want to read American law to live and practice in America,

OjaP: Why and How??

V.O: Why are you going to the US?

You: For a Masters degree in LAW with concentration in International Law

V.O: Why the school or Int'l Law?

This is where you will force him/her to dance to your tune (Condense the reasons I gave below as much as you can so you won't spend more than 1min on it. Re-arrange these points and let them flow logically. I am only typing it as it comes to my brain)

You: I hope to work with the United Nations, African Union etc after graduation. I have keen interest in the laws that govern the conduct of independent nations in their relationships with one another. The United Nations (U.N) role in economic development, enforcement of human rights, international security and ultimately the achievement of world peace is commendable and informed my decision to study International law.

Studying law in Columbia will be a life experience rather than simply gaining a law degree. My English language skills will improve beyond all recognition because the world is becoming a global village and English is the language of communication. Thus, a Master’s degree in Law from Columbia with my proposed concentration in International law means I have an international work passport allowing me to communicate, negotiate and transact on behalf of clients, no matter where they are located.

International law strategies demand lawyers with international skills and training - Your reason for choosing the US. My national and international clients would need both local and international advice. A graduate degree in Law from Columbia will set me on the right career path to fulfil these requirements as well as my personal ambitions.


Change your concentration to Int'l Law. That is more reasonable and will justify your reason for coming to the US to study Law.


Don't ask me how I know this, my kid sister is an Attorney.

kingcobra2003:

Wow! Sounds soo credible. Thanks @ojaP. Is it that there are no lawyers in the house? Everyone seems to be STEM