₦airaland Forum

sirRiddy:
Thanks for feeding us back, oga FM. I also want to apply for MS computer science and FUNDING ni KOKO. Any info you can help with would be appreciated.
Having such a high number of nairalanders make sense o. Enjoy your stay.

Try TAMUK..If you have a good profile and you push for it, you should get some funding.

boofydon:
Thanks a lot. Didn't know I can cancel it within 24hrs. Its past 24hrs, so I'll just stick with united.

Oh okay...

famousguy01:
NEED UR URGENT HELP MY FELLOW RUMMIES

I've just got admission to a college in us with my i20, but the problem is that I didn't have any visa on my passport yet. And a friend is telling me that I don't have a chance at all in getting the visa, pls how true is this? help shed more light

Not true

boofydon:
Ah! I already booked on united airline's site.

You can cancel within 24 hours..get a refund and go for a cheaper option rather than directly on their website

honeyad:
Yea but I wish to have a good idea of the road networking and all before applying.. I still haven't made my final decision Tho.. What state are you?

Maryland, but was in TX for about 3 years..You can always familiarize yourself with traffic rules and other stuffs by riding with people for a while

honeyad:
It's allowed here in Texas.. I know of someone who is using it at the moment sha.. I was just thinking it won't be necessary to write the exam and take the test if I have an international drivers license from Nigeria. Thanks anyway

You're welcome...you'd still have to go for the drive test eventually though after a year

MsNas:
Nope. Not possible. At least in Arkansas where I live. I know some states allow you to drive with Intl drivers license for a while before getting the state issued one but AR doesn't allow that.

I had to do the written test first, then a permit will be issued. A waiver can be issued so that you don't have to wait the mandatory 4-6 weeks after you get the permit before you take the toad test....That is if you have your Nigerian Drivers License with you. But you def still have to do the written and road test.

You shouldn't be fearful of the test though, it's not that hard. Lol. Mine barely lasted 15mins and most of it was in the inner streets not a major highway.

@honeyad which state are you heading to? Some states let you drive with it for a while with your insurance..

jenns:
Hello house, please help soolve my curiosity

Do I need to take my Dad SOA at POE
What are the necessary document I need to have with me at the POE
Is there a certain amt in USD I need to have in my pocket at the POE
What is the best excuse to use if I arrive 28days before resumption.
Finally , is there any procedure in answering the Immigration office at the POE.

There's no big deal with the PoE. Just have your passport and I-20. Have your other documents in your carry-on just in case you're asked..rarely happens though. Don't check them in with your baggage! There's no procedure..just answer whatever is asked without any unnecessary explanation unless warranted. If you decide to carry cash with you, carry less than $10k or you have to declare it. Just have a few bucks with you in case you need to pay for taxi,food etc. right after landing.

For the arrival date, anything less than 30 days to the date indicated on your I-20 is fine..just tell them why-maybe you want to get settled own before the semester starts. But only tell them if they ask you.

slimmy05:
I just booked with qatar and paid via card. My flight confirmation have been sent to my email. Please, how do I select seat and how do I know which is close to the window. Kindly assist. Thanks

I don't think you can select seats before check-in if you booked directly on their website. If you booked via a third party site, then they typically permit you to select your preference.. if not give them a call and tell them seats you prefer.They can get you a window seat based of availability.Seats are not guaranteed though until you actually check-in.

squash1986:
This is very funny,nobody can help a brother with an information. Its very sad.

Yes your CGPA is low, but you can always get schools that fit your profile. I would say write your GRE/TOEFL and try to get really good scores, get good letters of recommendation, SOP etc. Those enhance your profile. Research and focus on Mid to Low Tier Universities, and don't limit yourself to a particular state. Good luck!

GboyegaD:
I'm in Nigeria for now so you can reach me on my MTN.

Wait..you kept your old MTN line?? Mine got transferred to someone else

Femicrux:
I heard pharmacies in the US don't sell drugs except on doctors prescription. What sort of drugs can one take along? I'm thinking Actifed, panadol, procold. Any other suggestions?

You can always get tylenol, ibuprofen which are pain relievers, and other cold and flu medications at grocery stores/CVS/Walgreens without needing prescription. You only need prescription for more powerful ones. You can always take those naija stuffs with you too if you want.

slimmy05:
individual case is quite different, Gboyega got his doesn't mean he should toll that line as well. Do you know if Gboyega has previous visit to the US before his F1 visa?

My advice for him is not to take any chance. You know you need to be very careful with the VO. Well if he feels he can defend himself that would clear immigrant intent then he is free. So PM GboyegaD and seek for advice

ok

dicapino:
Thats serious.....never thought about that. Slimmy should i give up then? i dont have any sponsor here in nijja

GboyegaD's sponsor was his Aunt here if I remember correctly..and he got his visa, so I don't think it'll be a problem

slimmy05:
House, please I intend taking along some drugs like malaria and thyroid drugs. I hope its accepted at poe

I had some medication on me when I came in..it shouldn't be a problem, once it's not in large quantities.BTW they interpret 'drugs' differently here

slimmy05:
mine is whooping 1600usd. That's crazy Abeg. Which kind thing be that one and they asterisked it meaning it's mandatory. Nonsense, even my company HMO here I've not used it.

They just want to enjoy my free 1600usd.

Meanwhile check if you can get a waiver...you might save yourself some money..except you don't mind though

slimmy05:
thanks for the heads up. Well I dont intend going for another one though. I just wanted an idea just incase. But if the insurance mandatory? What if I don't want the health insurance?

It's mandatory as far as I know..the good thing is that you get some "free" vaccines which cost quite a bit out of campus.

slimmy05:
I also need a better insurance scheme. My school charges 1600usd for insurance. Well if it's good at that price then no problem. Imperiouxx, you're the insurance scheme expert.

Make sure whatever insurance policy you're signing up meets up with your school requirements for a waiver. Many schools have been more stringent with that with the introduction of the Affordable Care Act. You might not be able to get a full refund if after signing up for something, you find out it doesn't comply.

I don't know the requirements of your school, but check out www.isoa.org...a popular alternative

ttmacoy:
Hi,

This is a very tricky situation because if the embassy know your husband is a resident, your visa will most likely be rejected as they will see you as a potential immigrant.

One option is to exclude the fact your husband is a resident and maybe say you are single to get your student visa. Risk is will it impact your application for residency later on?

I am leaning towards the fact that it should not have an impact especially if you are yet to do the church wedding etc, but those who think/know otherwise are free to chip in.

If you are successful with the student visa then he can submit form I1-30 for you in the states for your green card which may take up to 3 years.

zesweedie don't put yourself in a corner. Do your best to enhance your application with documents/good scores/very good schools, and be completely truthful. It may be tricky, but since your husband has not yet started your green card process(I'm guessing), it shouldn't be as tricky...Pray as well. Like some people have mentioned on this thread, sometimes it's not all about showing home ties. Your profile weighs more.

seangy4konji:
That's nice but did you tell the consular you are planning to get get a job close to the White House after graduation or prior graduation it's been your dream to work in Washington, D.C.?

I studied in TX though...

seangy4konji:
But does stating this to a consular not give an incite that you are not willing to come home after the studies as you intend staying back and looking for a job and immigrate??

I had all universities I applied to in the same state..

bigfrancis21:
Wow...ok. You must really be an old member of this forum...welcome back sir.

Which school did you attend?

Not really bro my ogas @imperiouxx ,@GboyegaD and co are here.. UT Arlington

bigfrancis21:
Nice. You're an F1 student here too? Which school?

No, I was. Currently working...

bigfrancis21:
Silver spring initially but moving to college park soon, closer to campus.

How about you?

Cool...Germantown

bigfrancis21:
Nice. Based on your experience, what are those things the IT industry wants?

IT jobs are plentiful in well-known IT areas such as California (aka silicon valley), DC, Maryland, Virginia e.t.c. You might consider applying in these areas.

Most, if not all, of them are interested in the hands-on thing(experience or training)...based on my own experience..your certifications will get you the interview, your actual skills will get you the job and help you keep it. If you get some training with Kaplan for example, they give you their certificate too, which adds to the value of the certification too in a way

bigfrancis21:
@bold...sorry to hear that bro. It can be quite difficult getting a scholarship if you're working and earning high or if your spouse is. Earnings are posted to one's SSN and you're required to provide your SSN during the admission application process. And, the university has access to one's earning records via the SSN. A friend of mine in Texas also faced the same issue.

I'm reading on my own. I got the textbook from my school library and I also have some dumps and ebooks. The CCNA exam costs $295 to register and take.

Where are you based in MD?

bmdflo:
thumbs up to the owner of this thread and everyone that has been contributing, i congratulate those that their visa has been approved, this post is actually informative but i need advice on Msc admission requirements, i finished my degree late 2014 in mechanical engineering with a GPA of 3.8......i'm planning to apply for a school in Maryland cause my aunt nd her family ar there. pls i need advice on which skul is the best in maryland when it comes to engineering discipline and other necessary factors to be put into consideration in selecting the right skul to apply for.

If you have written the GRE already and you have good scores, you can give UMD in both College park and Baltimore a try. They're good, especially UMD College park.

slimmy05:
Can you state instance or name of the scholarship?

The ones I've seen are Departmental merit scholarships, Corporate scholarships, certain Memorial and Honor scholarships...very competitive, but mostly you only have to maintain a certain minimum CGPA to keep it..in those cases, you don't have to work for/with a Professor or the department

slimmy05:
Without working or serving the department?

It's possible

amen1967:
I heard someone saying that international student never get funded, How true is that?

Not true!

unnamdi79:
OK thanks. I could be wrong and I stand to be corrected. A little advice I got from someone who has been in the military for 10years, he doesn't encourage anyone who comes to America for the sole aim of schooling to join the army because you can't just sign up and start receiving benefits without serving them, you have to leave school for a while and go on to serve the country then after some time, they'll permit you to return to school before coming back to finish your contract with them.. Like I said, I stand to be corrected, I no sabi all things

You're right, but nothing goes for nothing! You serve and they 'serve you later'..

slimmy05:
I am much aware. Have couple of friends there. But found out they are in Nigeria and don't have their Naija contact for now. I didn't keep in touch. I know it's a funny little place but where am heading is not more a crime prone area. Thanks

Check for any facebook association for African students or something related...you might find few Nigerians there