₦airaland Forum

Skillset11:
Please, can you suggest schools with good funding for me

Fisk University

ObodoNaija:
Please house, is it possible for someone to schedule an appointment before paying visa fee

You need the receipt number to activate the place where you can pick a date.

And dates are filling up real fast. Be quick.

handoffire:
Waow, thanks boss; nawa oh people absconding from us to Canada is quite funny to me.

What if I just tell the CPB officer I have someone who lives in New York legally and I just want to use a few days with him before proceeding to Missouri? What do you think?

Straight plane back to Nigeria.
Shows you have no plans for studies.

You MUST be on your way to your state from JFK.
That Officers there will drill you enough to ensure that.

segunbolawole:
OK, I am confused, I I just visited the link were VO responds to questions and all I am seeing there is, statement of account is not required but then a couple of transcripts here indicates disqualification due to financial reasons, is Abuja process different from Lagos abi how?

You might need to start reading this thread from part 1 to understand what needs to be understood.

Flaame:
If you're honest about the score and GPA, you honestly deserve better schools than that

In this journey any school that can give good fund is a good school.
A poor school will not even get funds from the government and private organizations.

And funding is very key.
I say it again that Funding is the new IVY.

handoffire:
Hello guys, glad to be in part 15, lemme open the floor for questions.

1. My school is in Missouri but I already booked a flight to JFK from Lagos. Hope it wnt cause an issue, flights to JFK(215k airmaroc) were cheaper than flights to STL in missouri( about 600k on delta). I also intend to stay in New York for a few days with a mentor before going to missouri.

2. Also I know have already booked the airmaroc flight but is their services okay or at least moderate?

3. What is the range of amt of money I can bring in as a student .. I was advised 1k to 2k

4. Please what's the cheapest way to get to Missouri from newyork? Bus, flight, or train? I intend to travel to missouri after spending 3 to 5 days in NYC.

5. Any suggestion of a nice place to visit while in new york for a few days. .. my birthday would be two days after arrival

6. Also what are the likely questions I could be asked at the POE and should I bring a bank statement along. ?

Thanks, I love you all.

1)
JFK is known to be an escape route for people that want to use US to abscond to Canada because it is very close to the Canadian border so the officials there are very strict with immigrants.

Kindly book a hotel in Missouri to show you have no ulterior motive.
The rest of your questions are no issue.
Be very prepared for the POE at JFK.

Much respect @justwise for moderating this thread efficiently.

martinz1:
But before scheduling, you are asked to make sure uv submitted ds160 on the site, that's y I suggested it

Ok

martinz1:
No, you submit before schedule

Point of correction.
You can book before submitting DS 160.
And that's even advisable.

Leoney:
Hello everyone,
My visa was approved on May 24th at Abuja, sorry it took long to come back and give thanks to everyone in this group, work has been tight and I only just collected my passport yesterday (not an excuse though). Thank you all for your wonderful contributions to this thread and also @Time2win for the mock interview a day before the interview, your drills were just what I needed to put my mind at ease, even asking questions that up until that moment I had not anticipated.

The interview was very, very brief. To provide a context of how short it was, I had my interview after @Amyfid12 and her interview went exactly as she described, I thought she was very articulate and spoke really well, but she was stopped right after she said Aunty. After her interview she was just outside the interview door arranging her documents when I met up with her, and we walked out together. I genuinely felt for her, I just think the lack of assistantship was the issue.

To the interview proper.

Me: Good morning (she did not smile or really look up)

VO: Pass me your passport (I did), I-20 too (I did also)

VO: Why this University?

Me: This university is unique to me for several reasons. Firstly, it is a research active institution and the research of Prof. Madsen who is a pioneer of sorts in geophysics also attracted me to the institution. Secondly, (VO cuts in)

VO: I see you have full funding from the university.

Me: Yes, I do

VO: Congratulations, your visa has been approved blah, blah blah.

So, thank you all for your continuous contributions to this thread.

You went to the Interview with grace and full funding.
Congrats

Once Deficits starts climbing $20k , chances of my Uncle and my Aunty funding me to work out is very low.


Direct relatives is preferred.
Dad (perfect)
Mom (perfect)

Sibling is shaky.

shogunley:
Visa denied yesterday 7/6/2019, Window 5
VO: Where are you going to in US
Me: University of New Mexico, Alburqurque, NM
VO: For what purpose
Me: To pursue a doctoral degree in Statistics
VO: What will this degree do for you
Me: It will give me a better chance of getting a lecturing job here in Nigeria at my Alma mata and also will be able to conduct meaningful research.
VO: Did you write any standardized exam
Me: Yes………….. Toefl: 92, GRE 302 ( wanted to show her but she said I should not bother)
VO: Any scholarship? (she rushed to check I-20)
Me: Yes Partial scholarship
VO: ok…..so who’s paying for the remaining
Me: My uncle, Mr……
VO: (Typed for some seconds) Am sorry, you are not eligible for Visa now

Total cost: 36,512
Funding: 12,082
Deficit: 24,430

Please don't go to the embassy without funding for PhD.

Statistics for that. Matter! Hot Cake.

Don't reapply . Look for safe schools that would embrace you with funding.

ksumnole:
I was interviewed by the same VO as @Leone26.

I've heard before that each VO has her/his own approach to interviewing. The VO in question, I observed, focused on your (current and perhaps previous, if any) DS-160 records and would often capitalize on aspects that appear to raise a flag. Case in point: I watched a man that appeared to be in his 50's get denied because he could not explain why he spent 2 months in the States when his (previous!) application had shown that he would be spending only a few weeks. I guess it took him by surprise. I also watched another man struggle to explain an extended stay (not overstay) even though it seemed to have been for a genuine (medical?) reason, or so I thought I heard. He was denied too. While these may have been B1/B2 instances, the same VO was involved (I think), and as you'll see in a bit, her approach to an F1 case was approximately the same.

It also seems––and this is only an opinion, albeit based on what I've heard before––that in most cases, the applicant's "fate" is often decided (perhaps algorithmically (hello, it's 2019)) even before she/he appears for the interview (dunno, but running a visa status check shows that one's "case" is "created" only a few days prior to the appointment date, then updated at the end of the interview). Further emphasis on "most cases." The other cases, I heard, are the ones that are hard to decide without an interview; that's when a successful outcome is 50-50. Perhaps that explains why the VO had predetermined that she would need that many (pink) rejection sheets and so few white ones. Perhaps it's just statistical expectation or a combination of both.

On to the anecdote you're probably waiting for....

Oh, before that I'd like to state here that I'm maybe paranoid about social media and privacy; writing this puts me way outside my comfort zone in this regard, regardless of anonymity. As such, I may redact some details that I consider even the most remotely personally identifiable. I apologize in advance. I don't exactly recall verbatim the questions I was asked (or the order thereof), same for the responses I provided (I didn't quite get enough sleep the previous night). What I seem to recall better are my concurrent thoughts. That being said, I will try to describe the session to the best of my (current) ability.

Moi: (Steps in front of the VO, don't recall saying hello.)
VO: Pass me your passport (then notices my I-20)... and your I-20.
VO: (Scans my passport, looks up at her screen, starts to type a couple of seconds later.)
VO: (Continues to type for longer than I expected.)
Moi: (Okay... this had better be good; at least, it shows a different pattern from what I have so far witnessed––she's not asking me questions right off the bat.)
VO: (Continues to type. Still doesn't say a word to me!)

The VO typed for what appeared to be like forever; all the while she did not say a word to me. Not a single question. I suppose time dilates when you're standing in front of a VO but it did seem as if she'd typed for what was the duration of a typical interview. No, I'm not kidding (but consider the psychological context).
Here's what I think was going on: She had observed that I've had a B1/B2 in the past and was trying to make the usual verifications, plus she was taking time to diligently scan my current application (as @Leone26 mentioned, she gives back to you the exact information you filled in the DS-160).
Further context: I spent more than 5 years (junior-mid management) at an American MNC here in Nigeria, have a fairly decent travel history (Europe, US, UK), have not worked since 2017 (since I'm crazy enough to take sufficient time off to focus on career change/prepare for grad school; no, not really––it's what I believe God wanted/led me to do, however unpopular that may seem), and I did not hesitate to make all that information available (including the "unemployed" part) on my DS-160.
Back to the interview....

Moi: (Oh no, I just changed posture. I hope she doesn't think I'm beginning to get impatient. Gotta look well behaved here.)
VO: (Fetches my I-20 and continues to type. She appears to be copying information from the document. She eventually speaks.)
VO: How did you get to know about this school?
Moi: Online research (no, I don't think I said more than that).
VO: What other schools did you apply to?
Moi: (I mentioned 2 other schools. VO did not ask me if I got accepted at those schools).
VO: (Types on. At some point, she places my I-20 on the stack of pink papers as she typed, still picking information from the document.)
Moi: (Thank God! Looks like she's not gonna need any one of those pink papers for me.)
VO: What's your highest qualification?
Moi: Bachelor's degree. (She'd asked about my major; I mentioned one of the mathematical sciences.)
VO: Do you have family in the US?
Moi: No.
VO: I see you were awarded a Graduate Assistantship... what will your responsibilities be?
Moi: I'll be a Teaching Assistant, and... (VO cuts in).
VO: Teaching Assistant? What will you do as a Teaching Assistant?
Moi: I will teach and prepare labs––computer science labs. I will also be assigned to a faculty mentor to conduct research in any one of these areas: Software testing, Programming Languages, Big Data Analytics, and Cognitive Computing, depending on her/his area of research.
VO: (Types on as I said that last part; not sure she was listening.)
VO: I see you're unemployed.
Moi: Yes, I'm taking time off to focus on my career change goal....

This part, this very part, was the only anxiety-inducing part of my entire application. For what it's worth, I am genuinely taking time off to focus on changing fields and to prepare for grad school. However, I am not sure how the average Nigerian or American would perceive this. Could I have done this in spite of a day job? Maybe, but I don't think so; it's not my achievement style. Plus, I don't do ordinary anymore. Life for me begins at the extra mile. Extraordinary focus, time, and sheer hard work. I place a premium on the ability to build intuition about fundamental concepts and to skilfully synthesize insight in novel ways. In fact, I've had to turn down several opportunities to "return to Egypt" (for those who know the Bible) since week 1 of my self-styled sabbatical. No, it wasn't always easy, and I guess I do not need to tell you that it wasn't a welcome decision with quite a few people either.

VO: Where were you employed before then?
Moi: (Relieved that she actually didn't see being unemployed for that long as a big deal. By the way, I'll attribute that to sheer divine favor. Don't care if you try to water it down .)
Moi: I was <insert role> at <insert American MNC> for about 6 years.
VO: What position did you hold?
Moi: (Told her. Seems she was checking my DS-160 for confirmation all along.)
VO: (Types on, for a long time. At some point, she pauses to read through what she'd typed. She looked satisfied with herself )
VO: (Changes tone unexpectedly from indifferent to stern, a tone that instantly reminded me of previous sessions I had witnessed, where she promptly dished out denials.)
VO: Why change fields now?

Allow me to say, I was somewhat shaken up. My fluency took a bit of a hit––I was briefly inarticulate. My heart raced and apparently, so did my speaking pace.

Moi: (I start to explain, intent on being as convincing as possible.)
VO: (Cuts in. Don't recall what she said here but she thought I was saying too many things too quickly (obviously!) and needed me to take it slow.)
VO: No offense, but can you summarize what you've just said? (I was relieved!)
Moi: I've always wanted to be involved in technology. I was hired into the <insert business-related field> function of <insert American MNC> but found myself gravitating towards core tech aspects of business. In fact, I worked much outside my major area of responsibility... (don't recall what else I said, sorry, but I'd previously attempted to give examples of technical work I did developing tools from scratch, before she cut in).

Turns out it was a false alarm. It seemed she was simply trying to document my responses. It seemed she'd determined early on to approve my visa. Thank you, Jesus!

VO: How will you fund the cost not covered by the Graduate Assistantship?
Moi: Out of pocket. I have personal funds.... (GA and Out-of-State tuition waiver cover 2/3 of the ~$40k 9-month COA and I-20 shows that I will fund the rest myself. Note that the VO did not ask to see a bank statement.)
VO: Give me a moment (she steps away from her post).
Moi: (Oh yeah, this is looking good... I think.)
VO: (Returns with a few copies of EducationUSA pre-departure orientation information sheet. Apparently, she hadn't kept any with her, perhaps because she wasn't expecting to give out more that day. She removes one, tucks the rest away... she picks up the coveted white paper. )
VO: (Says something about approving my visa.)
Moi: Thank you. (Oh no, should I really have said that? I bet she'd merely done her job; she wasn't doing me no favor.)
VO: (Starts to say something about my "original I-20." She was emphatic. I guess it was the usual POE speech.)
Moi: (I didn't quite hear what she was saying, perhaps it was the rush of positive emotion.)
VO: (Nods and smiles at me. All of a sudden, she seemed like a friend who has your best interest at heart, not kidding.)
Moi: (I was elated.)
VO: Pick up your passport...

At this point, my legs had begun to move, I must confess. She was still speaking; I didn't catch the last thing she said. For a split second, after I had left her window, I thought she'd have the CGI guy call me back so she could complete what she was saying.

Sometime after I got home, I ran a visa status check and my application was on Administrative Processing. I did that again earlier today and... "Issued."

Yesterday I mentioned the place of prayer. I wasn't just referring to firefighting, or to prayer that began at some point before or after I applied for the F1 visa. I believe God does process, not magic. I was referring to the place of prayer when I joined an American MNC years ago, when I got to go on my first overseas trips (sponsored by the same organization), when I got to apply for a B1/B2 armed with an "American MNC" job home tie plus some travel history, and when I got to add even more travel history––just because I could then afford personal trips.

What's the upshot here? My F1 visa success story was apparently years in the making. God doesn't just answer prayers because you prayed; no, you don't get to use Him to achieve selfish ends. As far as answered prayer is concerned, your lifestyle counts.

Everyone has a message, and I hope I just got mine across.

God bless you!

To be sincere , this your transcript is beneficial to only those preparing to take GRE.

Cool post, thanks for sharing.

iwriterng:
The fault is not from the school, my uncle won’t be around till mid June for the SOA I intend to use as proof of fund.

That’s the cause of the delay. All I can do is wait and hope mid June won’t be too late.

Your uncle can request for SOA from anywhere in the world.
Softcopy can be mailed in seconds from bank.
Hard copy can be shipped to anyone.

So what else is stopping you?

iwriterng:
Good evening, from experience is there a time when it will be totally impossible to schedule student visa appointment for the fall season?

I’m slightly worried because my I-20 is taking longer than ever �

Like I do advice others having delays in their I20 delivery, contact the international office and request your Sevis ID and school code ( that's all you need to pay for your Sevis fee and proceed to the rest process)

This way, you can book before the arrival.

Some school even mails a soft copy of your I20 on request

So make the call right now .

[quote author=wolexino post=79113878][/quote]Basically who's taking care of your entire study.

CaptainDee:
Good day to you all. In a case where the program of study on your admission letter is different from the major on your I-20, however similar though, which one should one input in the DS-160 form?

Also, is there a way to still mail an already submitted DS-160 to yourself just to go over what you've submitted again?
Thanks

Anyone.
I would put the offer letter.

NewAjala:
Anyone here who can help me with schools that don't require application fee?

Google will bring out more answers than all of us put together.

ODAVI:
Please where you asked to pay an deposit?

How did the scholarship come, immediately after admission or later.

Please respond.

Thanks

I wasn't referring to myself.
When it comes varies but it comes.

Anapuna01:
Pls my transcript is below...
Pls help me review n criticise!!!

Vo. Why r u here?
Am here for my F1 student visa interview.
Vo. What r u going to do in d us?
Am going for my masters studies in public policy and administration @ Jackson state uni Mississippi
Vo. How did u hear abt JSU?
In my undergraduate studies in 2013, I used a textbook material on management and administrative theories published by prof......xyz. I made further research to discover that prof...xyz is a product of jsu and he lectures at jsu
Vo. Why JSU?
Jsu is one of the top HBCU in d us and d program offered by d PPA dept has NASPAA accreditation, that's y I prefer jsu
Vo. Why MPPA?
MPPA will afford me a better opportunity &be at advantage to work with d govt( both local and state govt) when u return to Nigeria because d govt values young pple who av gained international exposures from there studies exp in d us.also d program will enable me build professional competencies in d public sector and d dept requirements matches my profile.
Vo. Who is ur sponsor?
My dad..he's sponsoring both my tuition n living expenses($29,104)
He has a business that deals in supply of fuel products to private n govt institutions.
Vo. Any scholarship or G.A funding?
Not yet, I emailed my dept chair Dr....xyz abt scholarship n GA he said once d session resumes that there is a partial funding assistantship available....

This is below par . Not good response for one going for a Masters degree.

I don't even know where to start in giving advice.

PM me.

Leone26:
Hey guys, so my visa was approved this morning at the Lagos consulate 7a.m. appointment. Na today I see as una talk say dem dey bounce people. Now sef na pink paper dem dey give o.

I was directed to the sweet black American lady at window 7 ..Yeah she drilled me wella and cut me off a few times when I was trying to speak at length.

After greeting her. She asked how I heard about the school.
Me: In the 3rd year of my bachelor's degree I used a textbook on mechanical engrg design published by Dr. Asiabanpour, (she cut me off here saying so the text was recommended to you by a Prof, which I replied in the affirmative).

She then asked me to list the other schools I applied to.
Me: The University of Texas @ San Antonio, and Wichita State University, Kansas.

She then asked when I graduated and what I studied.
Me: I completed my BS in 2014. Studied Industrial & Production Eng.

So she asked what I've been doing since 2014, in fact she read out what I filled on my DS form about a 2-month internship I did in 2017 where I worked on an offshore pipeline construction project as a Junior QA/QC Engr.

So she asked what I do presently.
Me: I am currently a Project Engr. with zzzzz International Ltd in PH, and it is a Nigerian EPCI contractor (engrg, procurement, construction, & installation). I provide technical support to more senior mechanical systems engrs in the planning and execution of mechanical construction projects at offshore/swamp facilities operated by Shell Nigeria.

I could tell that she was reading through my DS form throughout. Pls fill your forms very well, clearly and professionally explain what you do at work here.

She then asked why do you want to study this course (MS Mech & Manufacturing Eng. at Texas State University, San Marcos).
Me: I will have better opportunities and be at an advantage to join a major EPCI contractor like Subsea7
as a mechanical systems engr. when I return, because they value young engineers who've gained international exposure from their studies especially in the States. Also this program would enable me build technical competencies across 4 key in-demand disciplines: advanced materials eng., mechanical eng. design, micro electro mechanical systems, and additive manufacturing. (I speak very fast and gesticulate when I talk, and this helped here).

She then asked who's paying for the rest of my fees. My I-20 details are: tuition - 7,890 + living exp - 19,225 = $27,115. I got a graduate instructional assistantship that qualified me for instate tuition and a salary of $13,002.
Me: My Dad would cover the rest. He works as a Senior Project Engr. with xyz in PH and my mum would be supporting him. She manages an elementary school owned by her and my Dad.

Next I heard was congrats your visa has been approved. You can pick up in PH, let me get the new pick up location address for you. Na so I just dey talk thank you Ma. thank you Ma

Biko guys try and prepare your responses very well. I had to record mine on my phone and listen to them everyday on my earpiece and this really helped. Trust me I was tensed due to the rate of denials I witnessed, but I just shut them out even when a well dressed dude before me was denied by the VO. The guy was telling her that he likes teaching and wants to give back to the society, when she asked him what his course would do for him.

Lemme go and book my flight men...fly emirates or Qatar air. I go like see that Dubai airport way my aunty dey use yab PH own...(I have never travelled outside this una country).

Thanks to God for everything, and also to folks like @brown2green and @fairheart who critiqued my transcript. Yes, I did the GRE (303) & TOEFL (105). Pls folks make out time and read previous threads especially towards the May, June, July times. They really helped in my prep.

Your efforts and hard work paid off.
Congrats.

Bossoflife25:
Please help

Carry out personal research using google on schools that offer your desired program in the US.
Contact the Coordinator for undergraduate studies attaching your credentials in the mail.

Compose a draft mail for enquires on admission requirements and funding opportunities.

You will narrow your search down to maybe 4 to 10 based on the the course content/structure and feedback you get from the Coordinator.

Delaztyx:
Abeg make una help me scrutinize oh...thanks

This is quite a long one.

With this course will you be working in same capacity? Like are you likely to get promoted to a higher position? It yes, mention the position.

If you have the Chance in all questions regarding to why this and why that , always see how you can link it it back here for application as should be reflected in Why this school. Why are you interested in the Professor's research? Don't say things if you don't plan to make perfect sense out of it.

What would you be doing after your program is also same thing as what would this course do for you.
The VO might ask both to check for your consistency.
You seem to be dancing too much over there.

You have good funds .

Quonchovsymenez:
i just made a mistake in my ds-160 form but i have not paid for visa how do i correct it

You can fill another one.

Kindly take time to confirm your information before submitting.

NewAjala:
Pls can you help me with names of these schools? Needed for a friend. Thanks

Kennesaw State University
Western Kentucky University
Southern Illinois University
University of Memphis...

pronto543:
Hello everyone,
Here is my proposed visa interview transcript open to inputs and criticisms. My interview is coming up next week Tuesday at Lagos Consulate.

Tell me about the program you're going for.

I am going for Ph.D in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering at The University of Kansas (KU), Lawrence. I’ll be required to take a minimum of 42 credit hours (minimum of 24 credits hours of graduate course work and 18 credit hours of research). My project topic which will be jointly decided by my supervisor, Dr Bleep would broadly relate to surface water quality and transport.
I would take courses like: Physical, Chemical and Biological Principles in Environmental Engineering Processes, Concepts of Environmental Chemistry, Contaminant Transport, Water Quality and Modeling, Chemical and Microbial Hydrogeology.

What is Surface Water Quality?

Surface/Environmental Water Quality has to do with monitoring quality parameters (chemical, physical, biological and radiological) of water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and oceans. Natural water bodies are receptacles of large amount of toxic pollutants from commercial and industrial activities as well as discharge of treated and untreated sewage and agricultural runoffs etc. In surface water quality and contaminant transport, environmental scientists/researchers work to understand the complex interactions between biogeochemical processes and surface water quality and in turn identify sources and fate of contaminants. Through sampling, real-time monitoring, chemical analysis and modeling and simulation of these processes and contaminant transport, we gain a better understanding of the ecosystem which in turn helps environmental lawyers and policymakers to enact legislations aimed at maintaining water at appropriate quality level for its intended use.

Why PhD in Environmental Engineering (Water Quality), I can see your first degree is in Agricultural Engineering.

My desire to pursue a PhD in the field was ignited in the course of my MSc research project where I worked on removal of dyestuff from textile industry effluent using activated snail shell carbon. While collecting wastewater sample, I witnessed indiscriminate overland discharge of untreated textile effluent into waterbodies – a practice poses serious risk to human and aquatic life and ultimately lowers water quality and place pressure on water treatment and sanitation facilities. The experience further heightened my interest in surface water quality and wastewater treatment, management and disposal.

Besides, according to a report compiled by National Academy of Engineering (NAE) in 2008, access to clean water has been identified as one of the 14 Grand Challenges of Engineering. My research project would likely leverage biogeochemical processes to improve surface water quality.

Why USA?

My aim is to become a reputed researcher in the field of Civil and Environmental Engineering and I plan to achieve this lofty goal by acquiring world-class education and sought-after skills through this PhD program. Making USA my top destination for my PhD program was a no-brainer due to the high level of ongoing research and funding of Environmental Engineering/Sustainability related projects in most top USA universities. Also, most US research-based institutions boast of state-of-the-art research facilities and renowned faculty who keep breaking new grounds in their respective fields.

How many schools did you apply to?

I applied to 5 schools altogether viz: NCSU, USF, Temple, UMBC and of course KU. I was admitted into 2 viz: KU and Temple, Rejected by 2 viz: USF and UMBC and waitlisted by NCSU.

How did you hear about KU?

I learnt about KU through extensive online research and checked program rankings on US News and World Report.

Why University of Kansas (KU)?

Firstly, my research interest on leveraging biological and physico-chemical process to enhance surface water quality and water treatment methodologies closely aligns of with that of my advisor, Dr. Bleep. Also, I had discussed at length on phone with Dr. Bleep about the research opportunities in her research group shortly before she offered me the GRA. In addition, I was offered $7k scholarship by the School of Engineering as one of the outstanding admitted students.

Lastly, KU is Kansas’ flagship University and a premier institution. It’s one of the 62 members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) – a confirmation of its standing as one of the nation’s leading research-based institutions. The Association of American Universities (AAU) is a bi-national organization of leading research universities devoted to maintaining a strong system of academic research and education. It consists of 60 universities in the United States, both public(34) and private (26) and two universities in Canada.

What else do you know about the state of Kansas?

Geographically, Kansas is located in the middle and in the Midwestern part of USA. It’s one of the nation’s leading agricultural states, a large producer of wheat and other grains, producing one-fifth of all grain produced in USA. Kansas' capital is Topeka, and its largest city is Wichita.

Who will be sponsoring you?

I was awarded Graduate Research Assistantship & Departmental Scholarship worth $51,991. The offer covers my full tuition, fee benefit and 12 month stipend per annum.

What are your duties as GRA?

I am expected to work 20 hours per week work on research projects that will lead toward the PhD degree.

What will this degree do for you?

A PhD degree from a well-recognized institution of learning like KU will undoubtedly increase my chance of gaining employment as a senior lecturer cum researcher after completing my program and returning to Nigeria. Also, I stand to gain advanced scientific knowledge through this degree and benefit tremendously by working with renowned faculty and through exposure to world class research facilities at KU.

By acquiring a world-class education and sought-after skills, I will be well equipped for a lifelong career as a reputed researcher and assist meaningfully in eradicating the scourge of incessant water-borne epidemic outbreaks in developing countries and my country, Nigeria falls in that category.

Did you write any standardized test?

Yes, I wrote TOEFL in October 2017 and had a composite score of 101. Also, I wrote GRE in August 2018 and obtained a total score of 315 and Analytical score of 4.0.

What are your plans after graduation?

I will return to Nigeria to apply for a senior lecturing position in a University whilst providing consultancy services when the opportunity presents itself.

Why PhD in Environmental Engineering?
Oh yeah you discovered your new interest during your research that's nice to say.

Now how's that goona help you?/what prospect does it hold back here in Nigeria? That's what the VO wants to know after the sermon.
What is the ROI of the degree back here in Nigeria?

Not in all occasions will the VO ask why this course and what will this course do for you.
It is better to tailor your responses to both .

If you respond well to why this school and how did you get to know about this school, the least of your worries would be tell me about the location.

Your responses are very apt from my view.

LilyMaris2010:
Hello everyone,
I have just received a full graduate assistantship offer to study for a PhD in US. Can I be assured of successful visa?
Thank you

My brother or sister..
Only the VO can answer this question.

Don't get complacent with the offer.
Prepare very very well.

Kay100:
is Nigeria the only country affected by this rules or its general?

Focus on your F1 . Verify every information you get .
Some of these people come up with false information to build traffic.

icagbons:
What it simply mean is that you can't change status anymore. If you are in the US to study you must study o, you can't say you want to marry there so that your status will change... Kole work ooo. This people mean business

That is currently for only B category Visa

icagbons:
Sudden Change In US Visa Rules That Affects Nigeria

May 28, 2019 | The Nigerian Voice


The United States Government last Week, without prior information or notice, launched a New Immigration Policy called "Build America" It is a new merit base visa application system that seeks to increase the standard of scrutiny of visa application to prevent people of questionable reputation, economic immigrants and People without travel history from getting US visa.

Under this new rules, key changes have already been implemented without notice, as follows :

1. End of Drop box (automatic visa renewal without interview for existing visa holders is cancelled. Existing visa owners will now apply and be interviewed like everyone else when their visa expires )



2. Green Card to be scrapped
3. Applicants for B1 or B2 visas without adequate travel experience will now be automatically denied.

4. Applicant with monthly income below $1700 will now be considered as economic immigrants and denied.

5. Strong ties & attachments (compelling proofs of what can bring you back )to Nigeria now to be strongly emphasized.

If look at the attached picture, you will see No AOS stamped on the passport. AOS means Adjustment of Status.

https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/amp/news/278550/sudden-change-in-us-visa-rules-that-affects-nigeria.html

This is no new news na.

shoyoyebiodun:
somebody should please help me out on this

It is not the company funding you I believe.
You should put the name of your direct sponsor and go with financial support document stating your brother as the sponsor.
I also want to believe your brother owns the company.

dwilliams707:
Thanks boss,how about passport book number coz I saw my passport no

Does not apply