₦airaland Forum

I have been away from thread for some time now, so I don't know much about all that has been going on. I remember that Sanciro was denied once, and he planned to go back again. Sanciro whats up na? Have you gone back again? What's the gist?

@ naggy & masepat,

Thanks for your response. I was thinking towards your direction before, but I wasn't sure. But thanks for the reassurance. You are highly appreciated.

@wilfrem

Thanks for your contribution too. Actually, there is nothing special I did to get the appointment date. I got error messages over a thousand times, but I got through eventually. From my observation, I see that it easier to book at the middle of the night or early in the morning, than during the day. All those dates I see, I see them at the middle of the night, and not during the day. I had sleepless night between Monday/Tuesday before I could get that date. I first got Nov 22 by 4:30 am. But because I didn't type fast, he page went off. And I didn't get it again till 4pm in the evening. And yes, I was always by my system all through. And by the time I could find the available dates, it started from Dec 1. which means that all the November dates I saw earlier in the morning had been taken in a matter of hours.

Another thing you can do is this. If you have a friend in the US, who can afford to stay with you online, he can book for you. You can always download the appointment letter here when he is through. You will need to be online at the same time, so that you will be providing him with all the information he/she needs. Why I suggest this is that my friend in the US sees those dates 24/7. I have also heard from other guys in US who say they see those dates each time they visit the website. So, all those error messages I am talking about feel strange to them.

since I can't find a date in Abuja, I have finally settled for Lagos. If you are still seeking a slot in Abuja, I will advise you not to waste your time anymore. While I was still waiting for Abuja to open its slots, right in my eyes all the October slots in Lagos were taken. I sent a mail to Abuja, since that is very close to me. while still waiting for their reply, the slots from November 1-17 were taken in Lagos. As at yesterday morning, November 22 to the end of November was still available. In the afternoon of same day, all the dates in November had been exhausted. Why I'm I taking my time to say all these? Just to let you know how things are happening fast. Don't wait for Abuja anymore, unless you won't mind going for your interview next year. If things are going this fast, I won't be surprised if the whole of December will be taken in less than 3 days. Remember a lot of people will want to travel for Christmas holiday too? Just my advice! Bottom line; I had all I needed to book in the first week of October, but I ended up picking a date in December (2 months wasted) all because I was waiting for Abuja. So, learn from me. If you do not mind travelling as far as the US, then you should not mind travelling to just Lagos for your interview, since its for your own good. Just my own advice!

By the way, I have never visited the US embassy before. So, I have a question. When you enter the website of VFS, a pop window comes up with this information below

Dear Applicant,

Please note,the new location for VFS U.S.Visa Application Centre,Lagos from 6th April,2010 is as below:

U.S. Visa Application Centre
Block 94, Plot 23, Providence Street,
Lekki-Epe expressway,
Lekki scheme 1, Lagos.
New Helpline Number: 01- 951 5183

But my appointment letter reads thus;

Confirmation of appointment for a U.S visa interview
at the US Consulate-Lagos
2 Walter Carrington Cresent
Victoria
Lagos, Nigeria

So, from the two addresses above. Please where do I appear for my interview on my appointment date?

No insult please. I admit I don't know where to go among the two because I have never had anything to do with the US embassy or her visas. Thanks!

Hello house,
I paid me sevis fee last week. But there is still something I worry about. I will not like to give my information here, but I can still explain it in a way everyone should understand. Now, lest assume my names are JAMES BROWN LAWSON. That is the way my name appear on my I-20. When I paid my sevis fee, the online receipt appear as BROWN JAMES LAWSON . You can see that the arrangement of my names had been rearranged. I sent an email to SEVIS, telling them that my name had been rearranged by them. I told them that I need it exactly as the way it is on my I-20. Till now, they didn't reply. Should I just leave it like that? Because I am thinking of bombarding them with phone calls, since they are not replying to the email. But I just want to be sure I am doing what is right, should I follow up with them. All the gurus in the house, please help!

I'm still waiting for answer from the house, before I start initiating the call. Please, is JAMES BROWN LAWSON the same as BROWN JAMES LAWSON on the sevis system? My names were rearranged on my online receipt, and they have not been responding to my email. what should I do ooo!!!

Hello house,
I paid me sevis fee last week. But there is still something I worry about. I will not like to give my information here, but I can still explain it in a way everyone should understand. Now, lest assume my names are JAMES BROWN LAWSON. That is the way my name appear on my I-20. When I paid my sevis fee, the online receipt appear as BROWN JAMES LAWSON . You can see that the arrangement of my names had been rearranged. I sent an email to SEVIS, telling them that my name had been rearranged by them. I told them that I need it exactly as the way it is on my I-20. Till now, they didn't reply. Should I just leave it like that? Because I am thinking of bombarding them with phone calls, since they are not replying to the email. But I just want to be sure I am doing what is right, should I follow up with them. All the gurus in the house, please help!

@OjaP

@ Benom,if you are getting any letter from USA through their regular mail,Use a Post Office Box Address(P.O B0x) Thee post office people wont bring letter to your door step when it is not DHL or FEDEX or UPS.I think u get it.Normally,u get letters from USA between 6-10 working days.My admission package was sent to my po box and got it after  working days,my WES Evaluation was after 7 working days.So,there is a problem somewhere even with your new address.I suspect your report is in the post office.Go there to verify and complain.

Yeah, you are perfect!

I want to assume that those statements are directed at me. I want you guys to know that every applicant doesn't reside in Lagos. In fact many don't even reside in the South West. For economic, safety (by avoiding the death traps on our bad roads), timeliness and convenience reasons. Is it not logical for an applicant who resides in Abuja or will be spending the rest of the year in Abuja and its environs to give much preference to the embassy in Abuja first before Lagos?

It's just logical for me to explore all the possibilities of the closest embassy to me first. If it's evident that I can't get a slot there, then I will have no other choice than to go to Lagos. Anyways, the embassy Lagos or Abuja has never been an issue to me. No be the same visa dem they give? My major head ache is why I can't find dates, using my own computer, and I have made up my mind to go and try on another network if the problem persists.

All the same, thanks for your concern guys.

@vandops

well if that is the case, nothing do you then, helped check abuja embassy for free dates but its all booked bu there are open spaces for the months of november and december, so maybe you should check them out, All the best

Thanks so much. I appreciate your help.

Not to worry. U are doing just the right thing. I suspect you may be having issues with your link. You should do it on another network and probably not during pick period when there are too many users on that site. Early in the morning or late at night should be perfect. How far have you gone with all your application documents?

4ril, I meant to say peak period .

@masepat

Thanks for your reply man. Pick or peak, wetin concern me and grammar? As long as I understand what you mean to say, then I'm good. Even if you don't speak English or at least pidgin, if you go as far as speaking in tongues, I will still understand you as long as this thread is concerned

As regards my document. Well, I will say I am almost ready. My wife-to -be lives about 30 minutes drive from my school. So, she has collected my I-20 for me. I asked her to use the information on the I-20 to pay my sevis fee. Then she will put the sevis online confirmation (receipt) into the I-20 envelope, and mail everything to me at once. I also asked her to scan the front page if the I-20, and send it to me via email. I can use that to book my appointment and fill my DS 160, while waiting for the hard copies she is sending through express mail. Because if I keep waiting till those hard copies get here, before booking it might be getting late. But I will never tell the consular that my wife-to-be is there. In fact, I have not even heard of US before, and not to talk of having anyone there

As per my network, I think it's now cooperating with me. I can now see the appointments calender using my PC, on same network. Once again, thanks so much for your encouragement.

@ Cappadona123

Pls can anyone tell me any school in usa that offers masters and doesn't need toefl?I want to apply for my wife!

which state are you presently? Or you don't mind studying/residing in different states? which program? I don't have any school in mind now, but I can search at my spare time if I have those information. Better still, you can search by State (location) here http://www.univsource.com/region.htm

Why the mad rush about Abuja? Dou your interview in lagos and leave Abj for the politicians and the bombers
Spring hopefuls should have gotten their I-20 by now if they are really mean business so as to avoid the Xmas rush hour.
Got I-20 for my Younger Bro since August and he his going for the interview Oct 18 so i will keep u guess posted.

I wonder o, people got theirs in lagos so i wonder wats so special about abuja, Anyways goodluck to your brother applying o,

I want to assume that those statements are directed at me. I want you guys to know that every applicant doesn't reside in Lagos. In fact many don't even reside in the South West. For economic, safety (by avoiding the death traps on our bad roads), timeliness and convenience reasons. Is it not logical for an applicant who resides in Abuja or will be spending the rest of the year in Abuja and its environs to give much preference to the embassy in Abuja first before Lagos?

It's just logical for me to explore all the possibilities of the closest embassy to me first. If it's evident that I can't get a slot there, then I will have no other choice than to go to Lagos. Anyways, the embassy Lagos or Abuja has never been an issue to me. No be the same visa dem they give? My major head ache is why I can't find dates, using my own computer, and I have made up my mind to go and try on another network if the problem persists.

All the same, thanks for your concern guys.

@4ril,
From what I can see, there are no available dates in Abuja anymore. I was however able to see lots of dates in Lagos for the week you intend to be interviewed. I suggest you don't wait too long before you make your date reservation as a number of applicants will be receiving their documents, and subsequently making their reservations. You may also want to send a mail to Abuja to enquire about their dates before you decide.

Thanks so much. I appreciate your response so much. I will send an e-mail to Abuja first. If it's ascertained that there would be no more interviews for students in Abuja for the rest of the year, then I will head straight to Lagos. Then as per the error message I have been receiving as I try to find dates using my computer, I guess I will have to go and do that on another network. Because I don't understand the reason why. Anyways, thanks again. You're appreciated.

@ 4ril,
I am not sure you are doing some things correctly. I booked last week and there were dates in September, October and November in Lagos but non in Abuja for students. That error message you are getting is quite unusual. Please advise us of where and when you intend to have your interview so we can do a check for you

.

@Masepat
You are very right! While just exploring the website las week, trying to see how it works I saw all those dates you are talking about too. But I didn't bother to book since my documents were not ready as at that time. I prefer Abuja in November, but couldn't see any date as at the time I checked  last week. But this week as I try to check if November dates have been opened for Abuja, all I kept getting is that error message. I tried same for Lagos, and still that error message. So, I don't really know. I prefer first or second week of November at Abuja. I will only choose Lagos ONLY IF there would be no student Interviews again at Abuja, for the rest of the rest of the year.

Each time I try to book an appointment at VFS Global services website, this is what I keep getting

" Error Occoured

Details:

Your Session has been expired.

Click here to go to Home."

I have been getting this since the beginning of this week. Meanwhile, some time ago, I could see all the available dates in September and October. I was only waiting for November dates to be releases. Can any one tell me why i keep getting that error message? I have been using internet explorer, and my internet speed/connection is excellent. So, I don't think it has anything to do with my browser. And I was never idle for up to 3 seconds while trying to get an appointment. So, what is the problem?

@chux4liv

@4ril , I don't think it is the age, its the consular that has the final say. if a consular have the mindset of denying a visa from the onset, there is no matter of plea you can say to convince him. I have two people who where given visa one was 27 years while the other was 28 clocking 29. Unless Sanciro did not wish to tell us if he was asked about his age, but if he wasn't i guess it will be in the consular decision not to issue that is just the plain fact.

@ Sanciro, You can re-apply again but make it in the early week of the month. that way you might get a say.

Regards

Alright sir!

@ Sanciro, sorry about your denial. But, I'm still wondering why you were denied. Is there something you didn't mention to us? The best way to help yourself is to let the house know which questions you were asked that you think you bleeped in responding to. From what you posted, I see no reason for the denial. Or was it your composure? Be more detailed.

I agree with Superbrain,you have to be more open and dont feel shy in letting us know where the fault came from.I knew where my fault came from at my first refusal and immediatelty threw it to the house for advice.The same questions were asked at the second time and i answered correctly, But it was because i have learnt my lessons and was fully prepared bro.Be open and let us know what the koko is.

@Ojap & Superbrain

You guys have spoken my mind verbatim!

@Sanciro

Honestly, I see that something is missing here. I have read lots of interviews here, and often times we can see why people are denied. I remember I gave you some advice which you didn't take because you were somehow in a hurry. I remember others gave similar advices too. In case any of those warnings might have cost you the denial, or any other reason might have caused it, try to open up completely. No one is here to laugh at anyone. You may not believe it. My heart is broken here too. Since you didn't come up on time to give the testimony, I had been smelling denial, and I had been refreshing this page restlessly since yesterday. Sanciro, I feel so sorry.

Given the information you provided here, I see no reason why you should be denied. But I never conclude that you are lying either. Should you be considering to apply again, I will still advise you consider my initial advice which you ignored. 27 years old for a Bachelors degree is a red flag, while its not a red flag for graduate degree. From what you said here, the consular did not say anything about your age. But what if that was what he spotted on your I-20, and refuse to ask any question about it? I still wish you open more about the interview though. So, try some graduate schools. with a good G.P.A from WES evaluation, you might still be lucky to get admitted with your HND.

So, don't give up. Keep trying, and you shall make it next time. I still feel so sorry  .

@4ril,really appreciate your concern.about the last question u asked,i believe an HND holder cant go straight for masters except applying for postgraduate which is a year duration then go for masters after that but in the state there is nothing like postgraduate that means you av to apply as transfer student for an undergraduate to spend 2 to 3 semesters which is also a year and i believe that covers postgraduate indirectly or wat do you fink ma bro and the fellas in the house cos i need to be more enlightened before the d day.

This is the major reason why I blamed you in my earlier post because you spoke up when you have just few weeks to go. I don't know if it interests you to know that I applied to a graduate school with an HND, and I was admitted for masters. Yes, I was given a pre requisite to take. But I was not given a prerequisite because I applied with HND. I was given that prerequisite because  I need some knowledge of OOP (object oriented programing) for my Masters, which I didn't take while in my HND program. So assuming I took OOP during my HND, I would have been admitted for the Masters straight! That I'm sure. I think my GPA of 3.56 on 4.0, my work experience also helped me too. So, some schools can still admit you graduate studies with your HND. If you are applying with HND, just do your WES evaluation. Once you get the report, it would be converted to Bsc equivalent. Then when the school receives your WES reports, what they see is Bachelors and not HND.

@4ril, I'm applying for a Graduate Course, (Master of Science in Graphic Communications.) Although the required GPA was 3.0, but after the WES evaluation, my GPA was 2.89 as against the required 3.0, but I learnt on the school website that lower Gpa could be considered, based on experience on some of the aspects like photography, desktop publishing, colour mixing, etc. They do not also require TOEFL too, but I sat for one & I got 71, I'm thinking of applying to another institution, just not to keep all the eggs in one basket. I've been on the application issue since January, but the delay was between WES & Poly Ibadan.

@ wilfrem
Please look for other schools as well. You may still find some with G.P.A of 2.50 on a 4.o scale. but you have to do the research yourself. You may try http://www.univsource.com . You can search by state or type of ownership (either private or public). Then I will advise you take GRE or GMAT depending on the test required by the school. This way, even if your GPA is low, they may still consider your test scores if its high.

l hail all the gurus here,l have just started learning from this wonderful thread.l had given up on going abroad for studies not untill l stubbed at this very informative thread.Pls l need a solution to the challenge of going to study at graduate level in the united states.l finised from a Polytechnic,Yabatech.l had a CGPA of 2.94 over 4.00 total,in Business Administration.l want to know if l am to apply for PostGraduate Diploma or MBA.
l need experienced people to please help to tackle this challenge.l dont want those who will rain insults on me in the name of profering solutions.

deevick246
Please apply to a graduate school, and yes! Masters directly. If you have 2.94 on your school transcript, I am sure you will have above 3.0 on your WES evaluation. I am too sure about that! But you have to take GMAT. The exam is much more important for those going for MBA. Infact, if you go to MBA.com ( http://www.mba.com ) it will take you to the website which gives you information about GMAT. This tells you how important the GMAT is, for an MBA program. If you have a very good GMAT score, with a good WES evaluation of your MBA, its likely that some schools will admit you. For example, University of the District of Columbia (http://www.udc.edu ). I met with thew director or International programs and Exchange of that school last year when he came to Nigeria. He told me all I am telling you now. When he got to the US, he presented my case with the faculties. And they have been contacting me since to send my application. In fact, they said I am qualified, and Yes with the HND. It may interest you to know that the Associate Dean of the graduate school of Business is a Nigerian. An Igbo man. Please find below a copy of his last email to me.

"Thank you for your interest in the University of the District of Columbia graduate program. Please find attached the School of Business and Public Administration graduate admissions requirements. I encourage you to complete and submit your application for admission as quickly as possible and notify me. As you can tell, I am also a Nigerian. Rest assured that I will do my best to facilitate your admission and enrollment.
Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Chigbo Ofong

Chigbo Ofong, Ph.D., Associate Dean
School of Business and Public Administration
University of the District of Columbia
4200 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington DC 20008
Phone: 202-274-7000
Fax: 202-274-7105"


Why did I take my time to give you all these info? I just want to encourage you. Even if some good for nothing schools in our own country (Nigeria) will still not admit you directly for a Masters degree with your HND, some nice schools in the US will still appreciate what you have. See why the US is also called the God's own country?

@Wilfem

@4ril & Superbrain, I'm also a Spring hopeful too. Although I initially applied for fall, but I experienced some delays with my Transcript evaluation from WES & Poly Ibadan. The evaluated transcript just got to the institution about a month ago. I'll still continue to keep in touch here and I'm quite sure that the Alpha & Omega will see us through. Kudos!

Welcome. Which program are you going for? Graduate or undergraduate. In WES evaluations, your OND could be equivalent to an AS (Associate degree in the US) while depending on your GPA (if strong) your HND could be equivalent to a Bsc in WES evaluations. So, in case you have a HND, please look for graduate school. Lets assume you are admitted with that. On the interview date, present your WES evaluations, which would have converted your HND to Bsc. It's safer to apply for a graduate school with your HND (provided your GPA is strong) than applying for an undergraduate course with an HND. Just the same way the consular could say; why do you want to get an Associate degree in the US since you have an OND already? The same way they could say; why a Bsc since you have an HND already.

Though, some schools might not admit you for masters directly with HND. You might be given some prerequisites for you to take. And to me, that is still cool. Far safer than applying for a Bsc with HND.

So, in case you have an HND, try to apply to some graduate schools. But if what you have is an OND, then you are cool with undergraduate courses.

You are welcome once again

@sanciro

@ojap,really appreciate your concern.in a nutshell,i am applying as transfer student so that i could earn ma degree cos i have HND in ma major here in naija with ma nysc dischsrged certificate and i have gotten all the necessary docs including a letter from a notable company that will offer me job after ma schoolling in the state.just want the good guys in the house to put me thru with likely question that might be asked cos got 5days and some hours to go, hope to read from you guys ASAP.

SANCIRO

Welcome, and I understand your position. But I am not too comfortable about something. Why are you just speaking up when you  have just few days to go? Reading all through the post from page one to the end, would have given you all the answers you need. But I'm sure you don't want to hear that. Another short cut is for you to the skim through the pages, take note of the interview questions of some people then try to find your own answers to that. You have lots of interview questions from page 1-127.

Often times, be ready to tell them why you want to study in the US? why the school? how you knew about the school? how many schools you applied to? Of recent, the location of the school? also of recent, why you choose the particular course you are going for? the relevance to your job/career development? the relevance to the development of your country? who is your sponsor? if its not your biological parents, why would some one who is not your biological parent want to spend millions of naira on you? his account statement? then how to show you will come back.

That is not all my friend. I don't expect they will ask you all these because of limited time. And of course, the questions may not be limited to the ones I gave here. But you don't know which they will ask. and that is why i still advise you explore all pages of the thread. Hear on NL, I read about some one who was denied because he didn't know the location of the school on US map. another was denied because he couldn't answer some questions about the standardized test he took. Another was also asked to solve some arithmetic or mathematics (but these are very rare cases). But how do you know the one they will ask. So, I don't expect you to rely soly on what I said here. Do your research yourself, by trying to explore all the pages of this thread. When I first visited this thread, I read over 70 pages in a single day! So, if you are just looking for interview questions alone, you can do that in a day too. (except you choose to read other things that are irrelevant to you). And as  you can see, I have never been to the US embassy before. Most most of the the answers I am giving you come from this same thread.

The is one important question I want you to answer. Lets assume I am the consular, and you are the applicant:

Cons: How old are you, and what program are you going for?
You: I am 27 years old, going for a bachelors degree as a transfer student.
Cons: 27? why are you just going for a Bachelors degree at age 27? what have you been doing?
You: I was studying here for an HND.
Cons: So, you have an HND?
you: Yes
Cons: How many years did it take you to get your HND?
You: 4 years, plus one year IT making 5 years
Cons: So, why are you going for an undergraduate degree (transfer student for Bsc) with your HND? why not a graduate degree?
You?

So, please look for a good answer to that before your interview date

@ house. Just as I always said, I have never been to the US embassy before. I only made my inference from what I read on his thread, and I can't even count the numbers of those that have gotten their visas since i joined this thread. I may not be right with my advice to this guy. if you see anything wrong in what i said, please correct it. Then give your inputs too. I don't wish to mislead anyone. Thanks

@ Wilfem

@4ril & Superbrain, I'm also a Spring hopeful too. Although I initially applied for fall, but I experienced some delays with my Transcript evaluation from WES & Poly Ibadan. The evaluated transcript just got to the institution about a month ago. I'll still continue to keep in touch here and I'm quite sure that the Alpha & Omega will see us through. Kudos!

Welcome friend. We shall all smile by the grace of God.

@femiap

@4ri l& superbrain, gimme your yahoo AIM

glytunde@yahoo.com. But please always let me know when you would be available to chat. I hardly use messenger, but I could sign cos of you.

@ house, My documents were received by my school,GMAT was waived coz of my 3.2gpa on d scale of 4
but i already did GMAT coz of the consular.so house am waiting for my admission letter and I-20.

exactly what I did.

@vandops

cool, we'll be neighbours, i reside at laurel, about 15mins drive to bowie, its all good anyways, looking forward to hear your good news

Nice to hear that. Ihear about laurel too. I dropped my yahoo IM with femiap. Please add me. Hopefully, I will get the visa. I shall need your input when planning for my housing. Although my fiancee is in Silver Spring, but it's very unlikely I move in with her because she lives with the parents. It's just honorable I get a place of my own. So I will need your input when seeking an apt. So, please add me.

@benom

@4ril, thanks for all the posts, Its really nice to have someone willing to share, Ayone heading to sprinfield or michigan

You are always welcome. I wish I could have an answer to the second question. I hope you get an answer to that soon

hanks for visiting us again. I pray and hope to join you in MD at spring -but I plan to attend a different school from yours

@ vandops

Amen o, so what school would you be attending?, UMCP, UMUC, Howard , ?

Its Bowie State University, also in MD. Thanks

Brodas,  Plz I need help, I am writing TOEFL on the 25th this month plzzzz anyone with some ebook should plz help me out.

@kwizzy212
You may try any of these two links. One is a website, that mates you take some practice tests online. The other is a PDF which gives you more guides and info about the TEOFL test. Those two are for free! You can still get more study materials on the ETS website, but you would be required to pay for it.

TOEFL practice test website:  http://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/prepare/sample_questions

TOEFL IBT Tips: http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/TOEFL/pdf/TOEFL_Tips.pdf

You need your PC or any other computer to which you have lots of access to enjoy this information. You might not enjoy it in a cyber-cafe. Because you need to save them on your PC.

If those are not enough, you may also check here: http://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/prepare/

But you you could be required to pay for some books on this third link. If you are really good in English language, I expect you to do well with the first 2 links above. They are free!

@mohaka  

indeed u rily r the captain of the spring session.tx a million pal & u right its rily hard 2 properly present something that u cooked up.I will follow your advice and when asked i'll just say the truth and i'll leave tha rest to the almighty

The Almighty God is the Captain here. It only gives me joy to see me helping out in my own little way. And Please, stick to the truth since it's easier, and it does no harm.

@keneyinks

Thanks 4ril, You are the captain of the house for spring 2011 session. am applying to illinois state university and Gov state uni, just filled my application. May God help us all.

Just as I told mohaka, God is the Captain here. But if you must acknowledge a man, let it go to the guy who started to thread from page one, and to others who have been keeping it alive till date. I can't mention all their names, but I drop my cap for them  . RESPECT!

And as per your application to Illinois University, I wish you success on that. May you smile eventually. Enjoy!

@ stancozy
Although, this thread is strictly for intending student Visa (F-1) applicants. However, I have taken my time to search for you. Similar question should go to the general travel section. We do not need any form of distraction. Please try to understand. Well, find an answer to your question below. You may also click on the link below for details.

DV Lottery 2012 Online Registration

The online registration for DV-2012 DV Lottery begins noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT -4), Tuesday, October 5, 2010, and ends noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT -5), Wednesday, November 3, 2010.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1318.html

Hope that helps

@Mohaka

4 ril & aroy thnx 4 tha advice.Also i remember the consular telling me that if i would have applied to a 4 yr university he would rily b of help wich i think means issued the visa.As a matter of fact the guy kept on telling me that i had a very good case since i was young,had good academic backgroung,financially stable parents and ol that and concluded the interview by advicing me to go for a 4yr university and reapply and then i would have a 90% chance of securing the visa.I wasnt listenin to ol that coz i was pissed since i was the only student denied but hopefully i'll go bak n get that visa nxt tym

Initially, you didn't tell us what the consular said before/after he denied you. But I only guessed he could have advised you that way especially if you have a good case. Often times if you are young, having good academic record, backed up by financially stable sponsor, they see that as a good case. But if they deny you because you choose the wrong institution (college instead of university), a nice consular will always advice you to apply to a university and re-apply for your visa again. I observed that from the posts of those who were once denied because of similar reasons. That was why I advised you to respond like this "I was denied because I applied to a 2 year college. The consular who interviewed me then advised that; if I am really serious about studying in the US, I should go back and apply to a University and that is when he could be of help.

Though, I gave two responses in my last post to you. If I were you, I will stick to the truth I typed in bold. The truth is easy to remember. Lies involves a lot of hardwork. It gets your brain unnecessarily worked up. It also puts lots of pressure on your memory.

@keneyinks
We welcome you here. How runs naa?
@vandops
Thanks for visiting us again. I pray and hope to join you in MD at spring -but I plan to attend a different school from yours 

@ benom

@4ril, my uncle is sponsoring me too and we don't have thesame surname. I strongly believe in allowing God to do His work. I got admission to study MIS.
The main thing now is prayers so that we can say the right thing at the right time and get our visa.

which school admitted you?

Ok lest go there.
I have a laminated weac certificate. What do i do about it. Does it need some form of authentication before i use it? I'm asking because someone told me laminated documents cannot be verified @ embasies hence not accepted. How true is this?

What program are you going for? Graduate or undergraduate?

I also have my WAEC result laminated, but I choose not to get worried for the following reasons. First, I heard that the embassy only boarders so much on WAEC for undergraduate degrees. But I am going for a graduate degree, so I expect them to focus more on my transcripts or standardized tests. I will still go with the laminated WAEC with a scratch card. I heard here on NL too that laminated result could still be verified. But in case that is not true, then the scratch card could help in their instant verification. So, either its true or false, I full house for them. But I think the safest is that we shouldn't present any document to them, unless they ask for it. And do not make statements that could let them to ask for any documents to prove what you just said.

@ Mohaka
Welcome on board

well spring guys count me in coz am also going 4 undergraduate n waiting for the admission from the school i applied to.my main worry is the fact that i got denied a month ago because i was naive enough and applied to a 2yr college rather than a proper university.but God willing the nxt time i go back to the embassy i'll be mo prepared and focused.my main worry now is what to tell the consular when he brings about reasons of my previous denial,any suggestions would rily boost me.

Well, if I am in your shoes, I have two ways of answering that question. First, the complete truth. Second, I will say the truth, but spice it up with some lies that  would "rily boost me". So, you can choose any one you are comfortable with.

First response (The complete truth)

I was denied because I applied to a 2 year college. The consular who interviewed me then advised that; if I am really serious about studying in the US, I should go back and apply to a University and that is the when he could be of help.

Second Response (The truth with some spice ups (lies) "to boost me"(as quoted)

I applied to a 2 year college and 2 other universities. Unfortunately, the admission letter and I-20 of the college came faster than the universities. To meet up with the with the enrollment deadline of the college, I hurriedly appear for my visa interview without knowing the implication of what I was doing; and I was denied eventually. If the consular gives you the time, you may patch it up with past of the first response like this " The consular who interviewed me then advised that; if I am really serious about studying in the US, I should go back and apply to a University and that is the when he could be of help.

Note: Saying you applied to a college, and two other universities in second response could serve the purpose of "to boost me". So, you must try to go and find out two other universities to tell them. I will even tell them that one of the two universities admitted me eventually. If they ask me for the admission letter for that university that admitted me then, I would say I only bring the I-20 and admission letter that is relevant for this visa application.
On a final note: So, if you are not comfortable with telling lies, you may give response one and stop there. But if you are comfortable with telling lies, response two will not be a bad idea.

So, depending on how "spiri-koko" you are or your religious belief, you may choose which to tell. The truth or spice up the truth with some lies.

Please the gurus on the house; come and help this guy oo. I have not travelled to the US before. I only put myself in his shoes, to look for answers. Your answers might be better than mine. Come out and help!!!!!!!!!!

@kwizzy212

I am also here for undergrad spring 2011, sure we will all make it this spring again

Welcome on board!

@femiap

@4ril, bro i feel you,which skool and course u looking @

Thanks for contacting me. I am going for a Masters Degree in Management Information Systems, to specialize in E-Business at Bowie State University, MD. No GMAT is required for the program, but GMAT and GRE is required for MBA and some other Post graduate programs. Though GMAT is not required for the program, but a strong G.P.A is required and WES evaluation is compulsory! The GMAT is not required, yet I took it because of those naughty consulars, and so that I can apply to other schools that may require it. The graduate school says that the minimum GPA of any applicant should be 2.50 on a 4.0 scale. But according to my graduate counsellor, its unlikely that G.P.As less than 3.0 will get admitted because the low G.P.A requirement leads to some competition among applicants, and those with higher G.P.As are considered first. Well, I gave them a G.P.A of 3.56 on a 4.0 scale. I got admission decision over the phone in 2 weeks (though I initiated the calls), and my admission letter for Fall 2010 came a month latter. But I deferred to spring 2011.

That is all about my admission status. How about yours?