Congrats to the 7 people selected to continue. You will be receiving a mail from me today on the next step. I planned to send out a questionnaire yesterday but I have been very busy. I shall send you the task by email and will initiate further discussions with the successful artists after this stage.

There is the possibility of someone creating something wildly off the mark, with little to no regard for any level of detail, yet expect payment because I said it will be a paid task. So I have decided to change the rules a bit: I shall send the task to the 7 chosen creators but only the best 3 will be paid.

It is not my intention to make anyone feel less of themselves or their art. If you do not make the top 3, you are still amazing but just was not a good fit for the kind of visual art I am looking for.

Also, if you do not feel confident enough about yourself or your talent to compete with 6 other people for the top 3 spot, then please do not submit anything.

I will choose who to continue with from the top 3. Good luck everyone, I'll be in touch soon.

MrDigital:
I can even create anything out of anything

Bringing your idea to life

But i dont have samples cos i have never work in that area with anyone before

You may be the first

Lets talk

I'm afraid I'm going to need to see samples of your work to enable me decide whether to shortlist you or not. If you have no samples, I may include you in the shortlist but you will not be paid for your effort. If that is okay with you, send an email to the address I gave. Do not send me a blank mail.

I need an artist that can convert an idea into visual masterpiece. Detail is important. I will give you a real life picture and tell you what I want you to do with it. You will create a unique work of art roughly based on that picture. For all interested, here is how it will go:

1. Send at least two sample of your creations to gwordsmith2014(at)gmail(dot)com between now and 1st April (next week Thursday).
2. I will announce shortlisted artists here on Saturday (3rd April) and by email.
3. The shortlisted persons will be required to complete a short questionnaire (where you state your preferences including desired pay) and a task. It will be a paid task. Whoever delivers the best work within the deadline gets a steady gig afterwards.

I intend to complete everything and have someone hired on a freelance basis within 2nd week of April. If you know a talented person that may benefit from this, please let the person know.

cc lalasticlala please help me get this to front page. Thanks.

Guys calm down. If the story is bad, Nairaland won't be the first thing on his mind, whether he promised to return or not

bkool7:


Shut ur trap kid!

Ipob is what u are. Don't be ashamed of ur plebeian affiliation.
How can u be hoping someone winning all rounds gets knocked out? Is that logic to ur grossly biased reasoning?
This is the last time I'll dignify ur childish rant.
Choke on the pics below

Guy what are you doing? Did you even read what he said or you have a problem with comprehension? There is nothing wrong with his comment and, especially, nothing at all to warrant the name-calling and tribal slurs you've been slinging with disturbing abandon. Even if he said he wanted Ruiz to win, isn't he entitled to his opinion?

Congrats to Genny on "Lionheart" and "an Oscar" being in the same sentence (even though it was a disqualification) but to be honest, like most people already said, that movie isn't worth the hype at all. It's not hating, it's just the fact. I endured it because I wanted to see my man Phyno act. They had talented people on the project (Genevieve, Edochie, Osuofia, etc) but the plot and movie direction were just way off. I still don't know why Netflix bought it but it's all good. I enjoyed Rita Dominic's The Meeting way more than that Lionheart drama.

Zoroaster:
Fine boy.. The girl is really busty

You only observe positive things

Huncho1:
Wise words what about obtaining a visa with a university and opting out for a community college does that work also

1. According to studyusa.com, "Community college, sometimes called a junior college, is a two-year school that offers reasonably priced higher education as a pathway to a four-year degree". So it's like getting admission to study for a Bachelor's degree in a foreign country, then switching to OND on getting there with the intention of switching back to Bachelor's afterwards. Don't you feel dizzy already? This is where you might argue the savings in cost is worth the trouble.

2. What you would pay as an international student in a community college is equivalent to, or even more than what you would pay in a regular, more prestigious school with assistantship.

3. When you enter the job market, you will discover that employers are not in a big hurry to hire an international student with an associate's degree (in case you decide to stop at that level) with the extra baggage that comes with hiring internationals. The education and skill set the student is bringing has to be commensurate to whatever extra legal stress they are going to take on for hiring an international student. Also, some employers do care about the school you graduated from.

Bottomline: It's better to hustle for an assistantship in whatever good school that gives you admission, GA, RA, TA, or some job on campus that remits some of your fees, than to start switching about. I don't know if switching to a community college is legal or not since the visa was based on the school that gave the admission (I am against anything illegal). I think schools have a way of working that out between themselves in such cases, but it certainly won't look good on your profile.

dwilliams707:
Please is it okay to put on a native for the interview??

The VO does not care what you wear for the interview, so long as it's decent since its a formal environment. What is under scrutiny is your travel intentions, not your predilection for European or African attire. In as much as there is a measure of subjectivity in visa approvals, it doesn't spill into whether the person loves your ankara or hates your etibo. Just dress in whatever makes you comfortable. Its a formal environment, look smart and composed. That's all. In my time, I wore a trouser, a shirt (No, I did not tuck in the shirt) and a pair of ordinary shoes. But the clothes were clean and ironed, and I polished the shoes. I had a file containing my documents and I was composed.

In my time, there was a man dressed in suit. He was denied. A family before me was dressed in native -- dad, mom and little daughter. They were denied after a really pleasant conversation with the VO, punctuated with several shared laughters (which was kind of jarring for me to witness, especially as I was the next in line after them). Some adult Boy Scouts members (or something like that) were there in the full paramilitary uniform of whatever it was they represented. About six of them. 2 were denied and the rest granted (they went one by one). Bottomline: it is not by the "kind" of clothes.

Also, I would advise against using cologne spray on your clothes because while you think your clothes smell nice, the VO could be allergic to, or put off by the fragrance. If that happens, that would make him/her impatient with you, subconsciously, and the chances of you getting a favorable hearing becomes slimmer. You do not want to risk that.

MOwasola58:
Good morning house, please what cheap university can i apply for in California ( budget is within $10k) and i don't have a TOEFL score cos my uncle said is not mandatory.. Can someone help with a university that doesn't require a TOEFL score for admission because i wish to resume by January.. course of study: Chemical Engineering

1. Most US schools will accept a letter from a foreign undergraduate college stating that you were taught in English. It is usually either that or TOEFL. However, I am not certain what the rule is for Secondary Schools/High Schools. So when you decide on a school, check. However, if you have the money, just take the test. You can never go wrong with one.

2. Is the budget to cover just tuition or are you including living expenses? If it's just tuition for a year, then you will definitely need an assistantship or a hefty scholarship. If you mean tuition and living expenses to be within $10k, then that figure is hilarious. California is pretty expensive and even for the cheaper states, $10k 'everything' won't fly.

3. Have you taken the SAT? You should take it and ace it first. That could open some 'funding' doors.

4. You mentioned your uncle lives in California so accomodation and feeding are a done deal. You sound like you intend to live in his house and commute to school everyday. In that case, you are either grossly misinformed or uninformed. California is half the size of Nigeria. How do you know whether your uncle will live close enough to the school you will eventually pick? Maybe that's the solution for you. Maybe ask his address, then look for schools within a feasible mile radius. Maybe that should be your priority, then you find out which of them is the "cheapest".

5. By the way, "Cheap" is subjective. Can you quantify cheap? Please don't repeat $10k. As an international student, your fees per year are usually over $40k without assistantship. Go ahead, google the annual cost of an engineering program in California. Whoever sold you that $10k dream should be brought in for questioning. What you can do is, check your uncle's area (remember, a mile radius that is feasible) for California State Universities. They are usually less pricey but I am not certain by how much. Start from there. And please, stay away from Community Colleges. Some people successfully obtain visas with them but the chances of you donating several +N60k to the US embassy are much higher with community colleges, and none of them would be cheerful giving I daresay.

6. I am yet to see a US school that does not accept international students, so long as you meet their requirements, academic and pecuniary.

.

Jachy4real:


* I have had too much gap in my career, hence I won't want to wait an additional year. I need to pursue my career as soon as I can.
* he is currently working at Bleep and paid Bleep. We both agreed that it won't be easy for me to cope in the first few months, so he agreed to support me as he has always done since he knows this has been my dream even before we got married.
* we know he can't work over there that's why he won't be staying all through. He just want to be able help me settle, then return to Nigeria and be free to visit anytime he wants.
* my funding can take care of the three of us while he is with us.

I hope this answers your questions?

Just asking, the US government have a place they note down on the i20 your estimated living expenses for a year. Did the school fully fund you alone or did they factor in your husband and baby? In other words, is it on paper that the school is going to fully support three of you, including health insurance? Or did you make an assumption or two?

That money is coming out of a Professor's grant or in some cases from the department. If all of you were offered such support through everything, you must either be a really good catch (and the VO may want to ask more questions about the school, your accomplishments, educational history and suchlike to gauge what potential they saw) or the school is just so wealthy that they don't mind.

If possible, do plan to include some personal savings or something. Just don't appear like all of you are going in empty handed. If not possible, prepare well and hope for the best. We may advise based on the little we know but as someone rightly said, these interviews are highly subjective.

MrCuteking:
My first time

Visa denied today.
Lagos 6:30am Walter carington


VO- good morning why are you going to the US?

Me- I want to obtain a second bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.

VO- What did you study at first?

Me- I studied petroleum Engineering.

VO- Why study Mechanical Engineering when they are both related?

Me- My time as a Petroleum Engineering student was totally unsatisfying so I intend to take a new path in Engineering field so as to become more suitable and relevant in a stable industry for tomorrow's work force.

VO- Why not go for your masters instead?

Me- I believe that the engineering system is substandard over here, so I intentd to start from the fundamental stage in a better school with good learning environment and great tools that can help me grow.

VO- how many schools did you apply for?

Me- 3 schools

VO- Name them

Me- Western Michigan University, Texas A & M in Austin Texas and LSU in Louisiana.

VO- who is sponsoring you?

Me- Since my dad died it has been my younger brother-sorry Elder brother who works in cheveron Nigeria limited Oil company that will be sponsoring me.

VO- Okay did you take any test?

Me- Yes mam I wrote GRE.

VO- Did the school tell you to write GRE?

Me- They said I should come with any proof to show that Nigeria is an English speaking country.

VO- I'm sorry your visa cannot be granted, you can apply again next time.

I've been sitting at the bus top with brown envelope like one who is depressed and looking for job.

I even forgot to tell the VO I found myself in a mechanical engineering firm. My sis has been on my neck becuas she thought that was the only thing I omitted.

Please house I need your advice.

If I want to apply again what and whatndo I pay for?

Do I go for my masters instead?
I'm confused and depressed. I feel like I'm the worst being on earth.

It is sad but do not feel depressed. It's just a setback like someone said. You just need to adjust your plan and give it another go. You are a naija guy, don't let minor setbacks defeat you. You should know that many have gotten their Visas after 2, 3 or more trials. Mine was on my second try. So you just need to plan well and try again. No time for self pity -- it's a useless emotion.

With that said, you should note:

1. For undergrad, you write SAT. GRE is for masters. Getting that mixed up alone would cost anyone a Visa approval.

2. Proof that naija is an English-speaking nation is a letter from your college. Proof that you can handle the language well enough to do well is TOEFL or IELTS. GRE is not a test of your command of the English language. To put it lightly, its like overkill if you say you took GRE as an undergraduate applicant just to prove you can speak English (but at the same time didn't take the SAT).

3. Talking about your undergraduate application, you should consider a Masters instead. Then the GRE would be useful. It's difficult to explain why you need a second bachelors degree to someone who's well aware of the financial burden of a college degree in his/her country. Many American students or graduates are in heavy debt due to college. And here comes someone who wants to do it twice for no good reason. Why? Go for a masters in Mechanical instead and tie it to your stint in the Mechanical Engr firm you said you are in, as the reason for your plan to obtain a Masters in Mechanical Engr. And please drop the bit about Nigerian degrees being substandard. Self-deprecating comments won't give you an advantage.

4. What kind of school will admit you for a bachelors program without asking for SAT or ACT or suchlike? And you gave the school your GRE scores for an undergraduate admission and they went ahead to give you an I-20 (or equivalent)? Are u doing this yourself or going through an agent? What exactly did the school request from you in the first place before admitting you? This part doesn't add up at all. Just be sure you are applying to a legit school else your coming here might just be a waste of money and dash of dreams. To get the most out of this thread, you need to come very very clean about everything.

CuteRedd:
So I decided to create a thread for grad students (post bachelors degree) to enable them share their experiences (from settling in, expenses, housing, saving tips, where to get the Best Buy,lectures, internships, jobs etc) and the whole nine yards about life as a grad student in the US.

I believe that we can help ourselves more by sharing our experiences with others. The goal is to create a strong information network as Nigerians, making the road easier for one another.

Pls ensure that your post carries the name of your school, state, your degree and state your current status (seeking internships, student, seeking opt,h1b, employed).

No information is useless. Ask questions! share! Share!! Share!!!

Nice one OP, but you should have started with yourself: what's the name of your school, state, degree and current status? That will help others follow.

Moyoskid:
is it better to apply to lagos us embassy or Abuja us embassy? which of the two grant visa the most?

No location is better. So far, I have always been favored in lag. Someone else may have nasty experiences in lag and great ones in abj. Just prepare well, pray and move. Don't worry about location.

TokeOlawunmi:
Hello everyone, I am currently trying to start the processing for my I20 and the person I found to give me the bank statements I need is my Boss In filling the financial certification form, I want to say he is my uncle but he said prefers me saying mentor and isn't comfortable with Uncle. Will a mentor also fly.

What do you think I should do? Please help me

Thank you very much and I will wait for your response.

Hmm... that's a tricky one. You will be expected to justify why your "mentor" is supporting you. One person may give it a cursory treatment, another may zero in on just that part of your application. To be honest though, 'mentor' sounds abstract. The qualification for anyone to become your mentor is subjective. So to the VO, why would a random person you adore spend that much on you? But if you cannot do anything about it, then you have to prepare to answer why a mentor with his own family and challenges is choosing to spend thousands of dollars on your education abroad; especially when the money involved is a significant percentage of his bank statement.

charlesu49:


Why do we condemn thieves and killers to prison if speaking out about a wrong is such a bad thing?

So she is now in the category of thieves and killers? She hasn't threatened anyone's safety or existence. You are judging her career choices, which is a personal matter. So before you become emboldened to point out the flaws in her career decisions, be certain you are perfect yourself. If she wears that to pick her child from school, then I'd understand if someone raises an argument on decency. Not when she is performing on stage you expect her to dress like Prim and Proper miss Prude. That's the business.

All these 'holier than thou's here shaa

Beyonce, for example, wears worse when performing. On beaches ladies wear bikinis which are even more revealing. What exactly haven't y'all seen before that her "entertainment mode" dressing revealed that got y'all this shocked? So because she is a mom, she has to appear in two full Ankara wrappers tied round her waist, a satin blouse with puff puff shoulders and mini-umbrella looking deaconess hat?

Y'all should give it a break biko, and gingerly alight from that high horse before u fall and break your spines. Many of you speaking are currently beefing your neighbour or won't help your brother yet you feel righteous because to you her "sin" big pass. Some of you maltreat your house-helps like they are animals and not fellow humans and yet you feel justified to cast the speck out of Tiwa' s eye as the better human. Please give it a break o, because some thunders just hit the gym; you don't want to show up on their radar.

This is why I am against returning from somewhere and marrying whomever you were adviced is "a nice girl and will make a good wife", without knowing the person for sometime first... maybe oyibo hubby could have detected this girl's fakeness

Only a looser derives joy from trying to bring others down. If Oprah Winfrey was Nigerian, many won't see beyond her past. No matter what success she attains or people she helps by creating employment, many will judge her for husband or this or that ... like they have the perfect life themselves. I'm glad this lady is engaged, because she has said she wants to have her own family, and because I know there is now one less thing for nitwits to hate with. And she will keep getting blessed. This is a young lady who has worked her way to enviable heights and inspiring lots of other young women. If she was a citizen of a country with a higher percentage of saner individuals, she would have more respect. Many people talking have sisters and aunts still praying for a spouse at 40 and they are calling Linda old. How is her age your business? Did your bank debit you because she didn't get married at 19? Some of these people can't even grow a N50,000 business into N100,000 and here is a lady that began with near nothing, yet grew it into an empire without an MBA or a fancy management team. Do you know the discipline it takes? But how will some of you understand when all you do is hide behind a faceless forum to hurl insults. Thank God she is now engaged, let me see what self-made haters will have to say next. She will have a happy home, have her own kids, and live a fulfilled life. Her businesses will keep thriving. And if she is bad in any way, God will extend to her the grace He extends to us all to make her better and stronger, because nobody holy pass.

Travellers: weigh your bag before getting to the airport. Aim for a weight about 3kg/2kg shy of the max weight for one bag as stated on your ticket; unless you have enough money for pay for extra luggage or don't mind leaving some of your personal belongings at the airport.

I hope those entering the States this period are checking the weather forecast of their city and dressing accordingly. So your 'story' won't 'touch'.

Plan towards establishing yours. It will be rough at first but don't be scared to take the leap. You can convert part of your home to your office if you live close to the road. Save as much as you can enough to acquire a signpost and other necessary equipment and float yours. You don't have to start with 10 desktops. You can start with one. The biggest part is to start. Once you take the leap and determine to succeed, you will be surprised where you will find yourself 5 years from now. I have seen such success over and again, in different areas. But do not quit unprepared. Save, then quit. You have the skills to start yours. You may even start with normal business center duties and online registrations as you couple that with laptop repairs. As more business come in, you can expand, then start taking in students. And so on. Also, do not neglect branding and social media marketing for your business. Very important.

damiebukie:
Hi guys,

Please help I need some list of US Universities​ that do not require GRE for admission for
Masters in chemistry.

Take the GRE. Study well and score something gloat-worthy. It will drastically enhance your reach. The value to cost ratio is very attractive.

aamstih:
Veritable I got the moniker mixed up.

Pls whats the name of your school and what's your discipline?

Purdue University.

ekiee:
Brothers, I got admitted to FIU, and visa approved, but I wasn't given funding, but as a hustling boy, I intend proceeding with the program, my questions. Goes thus
1, can I get a job at miami, that I can confidently save 3k a month, I have skills in painting and interior decorations
2, to people to FIU, I read my books well and get a high GPA, can this make me applicable for a TA,RA,GA or grants, as I really need this masters certificate,
Bros TWOOD, abeg don't start with me abeg, I'm just a Nigerian boy looking for greener pastures

3 What? On F1 Visa? No enter one chance o. Plan well. The money doesn't grow on trees here. Except you are freelancing online, it's impossible to do that kind of "hustling" here legally. And no good person will advise you to do anything illegal.

aamstih:
You did justice to that bro.

I don't know how I had the wrong notion, I had all along thought you weren't of a STEM background.

Are you in Texas?

Or did I get your moniker mixed-up?

Nah bro., I'm not in Texas. U may have gotten my moniker mixed up with someone else. And yes, it's STEM all the way for me.

scaezar:
Okay. Ive posted my situation here sometime ago but there was no major response. I feel i should post again cuz interview date is nigh and mans nervous.

First, im 28. And im going for undergraduate BA fine art. I left high school in 2006. I went for bsc in local government administration in 2010, OAU. Finished in 2015. NYSC 2016 till April 2017. Im a full time portrait artist @scaezar on IG. But im selftaught but i want to start from the roots uno. I want to be a fineart student.

Im going to troy university. Gotten admission. Only toefl was needed. Got 91. 6k scholarship because of my WAEC result. Dad is sponsoring and im using his hotel's SOA.

Im not going to ask any question in particular. Can anybody just gimme pointers or advice? What do you think? If you were a VO, what would you think? Would you believe? Am i even asking y'all the right questions? EJHUR, E HELP MI

Someone said to use your dad's personal soa. That's good advice.

1. Why Troy University? U need to have a convincing answer for that.

2(a) What would this degree do for you? If you can already sketch well and you are pretty well known on social media, then why do you want to go spend 4 years or so basically starting from the scratch?

2(b) Why do you need an art degree?

3. How did you hear about the school?


Remember, you are to prove you are a genuine student, with home ties. Someone else also gave you questions to consider. You can answer them to the best of your ability and post them here so people can critique it.

Ladson:
Good morning all
please I need your advice,because I am in between two decisions.
Base on future relevance and Job prospects, i would love to know which of the two courses is the best to pursue as Ms in US.
I have HND mechanical engineering- power and plant engineering. My project was development of mathematical model for a mini- robot arm for welding.
I did direct entry into uniben- chemical engineering.
my final year project was Numerical studies of Initial value problem for gluconic acid production using pseudonomas ovali. it's about simulation, numerical analysis application and mathematical modelling.
since my HND days I have developed interest in Energy especially alternative energy sources, my project in uniben has made me to start thinking about simulation,modelling and numerical analysis.
so the two specialization could be :
Doing an MS that focuses on alternative energy sources such as renewable energy source, energy systems.
or
process simulation, numerical analysis and mathematical modelling of complex systems as related to chemical engineering even energy systems inclusive.

I relate. My undergrad was chemical and MS is on mechanical.

You can do one first and do the other as PhD or a second masters. A numerical analysis-based degree can easily get you into any energy degree, and hone your math skills. While at it, you can then plan on how to fulfil the alternative energy aspect of your career mission. You may find out you can get fulfillment doing numerical analysis on alternative energy systems without getting a formal degree on energy systems. Or after your masters, you can get a scholarship for a PhD on energy systems and your math skills will make you shine there. Process simulation, however, is usually focused on industrial processes, reactors. Not exactly a solar and wind energy thing (the two hottest alt energy sources at the moment). Remember chemical engineering as a course was developed during the industrial revolution so as to provide knowledge for advancement. In this computer revolution age, a math degree would get you more returns going forward. So the numerical analysis part sounds good, then you can get another masters in energy systems, or a PhD if you love research and papers. I will not advice you to choose one and forget the other, if you feel strongly about both fields. You can have the two if you want.

Messibliss207:
bless you on this one. The state I'm going to is -1 today and I'm already having palpitations. I don't like cold at all. I haven't seen where to get good winter clothes here in Lagos. At least the one I'll wear to the states before I can settle and shop for real winter clothes. This scares me ee

Lol. Go to where they sell okirika and tell them you want to buy winter sweater. Or buy 2 good sweaters you can find and be ready to wear both when it comes down to it. I didn't mean to scare anyone, although I don't think any one of u can be scared into not coming again . My intention was to make new travellers take this seriously. A friend recently recovered from a bad cold case. I know the emotional turmoil the whole thing caused all loved ones, not to mention grave fiscal challenges.

brightdocare:
Am 28 years with OND, applying for bachelor degree..will my age really be an issue?urgent respond please...thanks

Nope. But what you have been doing from your ond till now and how your are able to articulate that will make the difference.