₦airaland Forum

AgreatMan:
Actually, there are different ways to say "shut up." Besides that, there is cultural difference. Telling a foreigner to shut up and telling a Nigerian to shut will generate two very different reactions.

On top of it, I read the transcript, it seems he deserved the shut ups. There was some "shut up," there was also some "listen to me."

But it all doesn't matter now, baba don collect Visa.

He deserved the shut up?

My brother Shut up can never mean listen to me in the corporate world.

Let's celebrate his approval all the same.

handoffire:
Hmmmmmm. Where will I start from? God was really involved in my admission process and visa.
I was initially denied by the school I picked (University of Missouri, Columbia). I wrote to the graduate coordinator and asked why I was denied they said my overall Gp was low, so I told them that on the school site it was said that the Gp would be based on the last two years. They said they would review my application again, and behold I was accepted.
My profile
CGPA: 3.01/5
GRE: 303
IELTS: 7.5

The interview(Tuesday Lagos 7.45)

After My thumbprinting I turned to my left to wait for where to be directed to by the CGI because 5 windows were open. As I turned to wait for the CGI a female VO (Young lady, she was quite beautiful she should be in her mid twenties) directly opposite me just gestured with her hand that I should come forward, I was still arranging the other documents from my thumbprinting.

V.O: before I arrive pass me your I-20 ( I guess she saw the Ups envelope with me so she knew I was a student)
ME: okay am coming(while looking for it, she requested my passport since it was in my hand)
VO: Where are you going to (She started typing, I didn't hear her properly)
ME: I didn't get you ma (I moved my ear closer to the glass cos she was speaking Very fast)
VO: She repeated the question
ME: University of Missouri Columbia
VO: What are you going to study?
ME: Mechanical Engineering, sorry Master Mechanical Engineering (I handed her my I-20)(My program was actually Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering but only M.E was written on my I-20)
VO: what have you been doing
ME: I finished my Bsc August 2017, went for my service January to Dec 2018 (cuts in)
VO: How many schools did you apply to?
ME: 5 Schools
VO: Mention them
ME: California State University
VO: She muttered something
ME: ehn, come again ma, ( I put my ear closer to the window)
VO: which of the CSU
ME: oh the one at Fullerton, CSUF
VO: were you admitted?
ME: Yes, am with the admission letter should I bring it out?
VO:No, continue... (as I was mentioning them she was asking and typing)
ME: Southern Illinois University Carbondale(Admit), Missouri(Admit), University of Idaho (Reject), Mississippi State University (Reject)
VO: Did you write any Standardised Test?
ME: Yes (GRE, 303 and IELTS 7.5)
VO: why didn't they give you scholarship, Missouri is a Big school and the test scores are okay
ME: I contacted my supervisor for RA but he said he had no space at this time
VO: I know what an assistantships is, am asking about scholarship, why didn't they give you scholarship with these your test scores? (She was speaking affirmative and authoritatively)
ME: (I didn't reply I was just looking, I didn't know what to say again)
VO: where are your parents?
ME: Nigeria
VO: have you been to the US before
ME: no ma. , I have not had a reason to go
VO: they should have given you at least a scholarship (I was just looking)
VO: what will do after your studies
ME: I will come back to Nigeria and work with an Energy firm
VO: who is your sponsor
ME:My uncle
VO: What does he do?
ME: he is into clearing and forwarding
VO: do you have any financial document
ME: Yes ma (As I was bringing the one page treasury bill paper out, she said no no no)
VO: I need bank statements, about 5 to 6 pages
ME: it's a Nigerian treasury Bill ma of 70M
VO: I need bank statement (She was raising her voice now)
ME: My uncle deposited it last year November so that it would have generated an interest of (V.O cuts in angrily)
VO: shut up!, I said shut up! I need bank statement (She was now typing very fast)
I was just looking on my own speechless( My mind was like he done happen lemme be packing my documents)
VO: (she muttered something but I didn't listen I was just packing and arranging my document inside my file)
She gave me my passport and a white paper while she circled the second part of additional document required
ME: I don't understand ma( I was expecting a blue paper or yellow paper)
VO: Listen, I was talking and you were not listening, listen, listen ( She was speaking like a Boss and somehow angry)
ME: am sorry ma (I dropped my documents and drew closer to the window fixing my gaze on her)
VO: Take this white paper with you and drop it with your passport at the DHL drop off point. You are to include a bank statement or liquid funds that shows $36,783. Liquid funds pls.
ME: Okay ma(I continued putting my documents in my Ups envelope they were spread/scattered on the tile b4)
VO: Please leave this place, go and arrange your file outside, there is a table outside pls( Authoritative and harsh yet somehow polite)
ME:OKAY

Immediately I called my uncle and explained what happened, he told me come immediately, went to the bank and Got his two fixed deposits of 10M and 15M plus his bank statement balance of 1.4M my fee requirement was 13.5M.

I called time2win and asked him if fixed deposit was a liquid fund because the Bank Manager said the F.D was Open Market, I said yes that F.D was accepted but he wasn't too sure if it was a liquid fund. I used it like that anyways submitting the documents the same day.

I was placed on A.P when I checked my status on Tuesday. This afternoon my status changed to ISSUED!

Na God do am oh.
Help me shout 7 hallaluyah to the Most High God!!!

Wait!

The VO actually told you to Shut Up?

Predstan:
At 24, he has OND already? After a Bsc he’s not 24 anymore. Your advice should not have been drawn from his age. He can go for a Bsc at 24 nothing is wrong with that.

Ok I you.
Go back to his quote and give the advice you think is best for him.

Time2win:
Why should he be thinking of masters when he doesn't even have a BSc. Comprehension koo

I don't have your time this morning

Predstan:
OND to Masters Stop that thing joor.

Comprehension plays a lot tho.

At 24 you should be thinking of a Masters means he should go for masters ?
Did you see my other statements on getting a Bsc and afterwards a Masters degree ?

Time2win:
I quoted you cos of the comment you made and will quote you anytime. Come and beat me

Drop your address .

Time2win:
How can you recommend masters with an OND, nawa. 24 is not bad for B.Sc, either in Nigeria or USA

Don't quote me when making your points. Quote the person that asked the question.

Jayce01:
Hi friends
Firstly, I'm 24 and only have an OND, which i don't intend to use at all. What are my chances of getting a study permit as an undergraduate?
Must my sponsor be a family member?
How much does my sponsor need to have in account before i am considered?
Can i work to support my tuition if giving an admission?
Can i also change my course completely to a different department after the admissions?
Please assist

At 24 , you should be thinking of a Masters not Undergraduate. It is better you do a Bsc in Nigeria and go for your masters afterwards.

Don't waste your money on applications, Sevis and Visa bookings only to get straight denial.

Schrodinger22:
Please Gurus in the house, help me scrutinize my propose transcript especially these key areas;

VO: Where are you going?
Me: I plan to pursue my Masters in Telecommunication and Networking Engineering at Florida International University

VO: Why FIU?
Me: It is an excellent school of technology, highly ranked in telecommunication while others school i applied to offer pure telecommunication, FIU offers double honor in telecommunication and networking but more importantly, the school curriculum aligns with my career goal and i got interested in papers written by Professor Xudong HE and Professor Geoffrey smith about IOT (Internet of things) which is the branch of telecommunication i’m really interested in

VO: Why Telecommunication Engineering?
Me: Telecommunication Engineering is a course i’ve always admired since my childhood, learning the principles of wireless communication is what have had great interest in and am more compelled now that ever with the introduction of IOT and it’s application to various industry which seem to be the new wave right now, FIU is the first school that offers IOT in undergraduate level

VO: How many schools did you apply to and name them?
Me: 4 schools, Florida International University Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Denver and George washington University

VO: How did you get to know about FIU?
Me: I did extensive research online on school that offers telecommunication and networking engineering, FIU happens to be my best fit as i got interested in the school program

cc bracelum, fairheart, time2win, brown2green, Lagosismyhome and everyone i fail to mention, i need your input on this so i can re-adjust to something more appealing

Where are you going?
I am going to the United States to obtain a masters degree in xxxxx at the Univwrsity of xxxxx in xxxxxx.

Why Telecom Engineering?
The VO is more concerned about your long term view than your childhood dreams.

Astaclover9:
Thanks.... Will keep that in mind
Secondly can I mail you my proposed transcript... Visa interview is next month, if you don't mind?
but the RA interview comes first - same next month but 12 days before visa interview -

sure
My mail Addy is on my profile

Astaclover9:
What are the questions that could be asked for the position of a RA(grad school Public health) via Skype.....
Someone help please!!

Your research interests
You should have surface knowledge of your undergraduate degree
His research work..what you understand about it
And basically a get -to-know-you session

So feel for and don't be forming phonetics .

LagosismyHome:
My friend mother went for Interview recently and she was asked why does she want to go to US... Her daughter is on H1B , the mum said her daughter just had a baby so she going to take care of her granddaughter

The Vo immediately said there are baby sitters / daycare in the USA and her going there would deny a baby sitter a job and that was it . Shows you can never predict what in a VOs mind or predict what is in anybody mind .

The other bold is highly subjective as well . Depends on who is listening to that story

I really admire your perspective to things.

segunbolawole:
Everyone has been sharing transcript, can we also talk about fluency, facial expression, body composition and other things from words.... Please let's focus on other aspect than words of mouth

That can only come from practice. Probably in front of the mirror.

Constant practice...

starboy2016:
Please guys I am in America I graduated from this forum ...I want you guys that just got visa ,I meant student visa should tell us what they stamped at the back of your passport ...hope they didn’t put NO AOS which means no adjustment of status..it’s already happening to b1 visa holders..that means you can’t get green card

To the best of my knowledge, this is only for B cat visa and I think F2 holders.
Not connected with F1

Time2win:
I am only against you saying she should defer her admission till her baby is 1year. Even her husband can't take care of the baby well even at 2years. She can be asked any question including those you mentioned

Ok.

Everything stated was probable questions. Not direct statements.

Time2win:
Yes, i have several families like that approved. It's a PhD and will take 3 to 5yrs to complete. They can't stay apart for long.

We have seen enough to work with 'I know somebody'
She has to be prepared to answer any question.
And there is a high possibility that one of those questions I asked her will be asked.

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?

You did very well I must say.
I only have concerns for your last response .

Time2win:
Stop saying all this. They can all go together and get approved if they have enough financial resources. You are not in the V.O mind

I have shared my view on it. Kindly share yours.
You're not in the V.O mind either.

Jachy4real:
There is no way I can leave my 6months old baby with him, and I will need help with her over there till I settle at least

Lol

The VO might think this way...

That can only be an excuse to run because You can defer your admission till your baby is a year.

Your husband, what is he currently doing?
How much is his pay?
Why would he leave his paid job to follow you?
Or don't you know that he cannot work over there?
How would he survive?
What will he fall back to back here in Nigeria when you're back?
What will he be doing over there?

Oya Answer the questions.

Jachy4real:
Yes... And it will cover for my dependants too

No work experience
No family
No ties

The best option would have been your husband staying back with the kids.. So he can come see you afterwards.

But its your best shot .
Just believe in Grace.

.

Jachy4real:
Good afternoon everyone. Please I need your advice. My visa interview soon for a PhD program and my husband and 6months old baby also applied as dependants, so we will be interviewed as a family. The reason my husband is going with me is to help me with the baby while I settle down and possibly apply in the same school for the next fall session for his PhD too. How do I prove home ties and that we don't plan to permanently emigrate from this country.
Also, I dont have work experience in my field. I completed my masters at the end of 2015 and while searching for a lecturing job, they all kept saying that I should show evidence of PhD program registration. Since I have always dreamed of doing my PhD in the US, I decided to focus on studying for GRE and applying. After my GRE in 2017, I applied to some schools but was not accepted. Got all my rejection letters by March 2018. When I found out I was pregnant, I decided to stay back home while I learn skills in web development and apply again for my PhD. And now I am nursing my baby. Now I have gotten 3 admits, 1 reject and the last one still under review. How do I explain this academic/professional gap without shooting myself on the foot.
Also, the school I decided to attend was brought to my notice by the graduate recruiting officer of the department after seeing my GRE score at ets. he asked I should explore the department which I did and then I applied to the school after seeing that the research interest of some of the faculty members closely aligns with mine. Do you think it's wise I state that as how I came to know about the school?
I have been reading through to see if anyone has a case close to mine, but I haven't seen, hence my reason for typing this.
Please gurus in the house, I look forward to your advise. Thank you.

.

Gloryemo:
Hello Everyone,

Thanks for the great work that is being done here.

Please I work in a University here in Nigeria, I have been admitted (MS) in US in a program that my workplace is currently looking for lecturers for. I got a full tuition waiver with stipend, however, I have about $7k (living expenses) deficit. The department I work (Employer) is willing to sponsor. On my DS160, I have filled Employer in the Sponsor part.

My question now is this, while going for interview, do I need to go with my workplace SOA or a letter of Sponsorship from the department ?

Thanks in anticipation.

The department is willing to sponsor? Cool then.
They will certainly give you a letter.
The embassy has the right to place you under AP and contact your school to verify that.

It will be safer just as Time 2 Win says if you go with both to lessen your scrutiny on funding.

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.

Everything is wrong about this transcript.

1) You have Bsc and going again for Bsc..this is a straight reject mostly
2) why are you going for a Mechanical degree?
There are many relevance of a Bsc in Nigeria and you mentioned none. Clearly makes the VO believe you have no plans.
3) you took the GRE instead of SAT
Who does that?

Like who helped you in the application?

drelicx:
My F1 Visa was denied today in Dubai. My interview transcript goes thus:
VO- Goodmoring
Me- Goodmoring sir,
VO- pass me your passport, where are you going in US
Me- I am going to university of Minnesota crookston to study accounting.
VO- Speak up
Me- I repeated the same in louder voice.
VO- Why this school
Me- I considered three things firstly, being an account student, student qualifies for CPA ........... VO cut in ok
Meanwhile this VO is in kind of rush because of the way he was bombarding with questions.
Vo- I can see you are working as an accountant in this company. What are you studying?
Me- accounting
Vo- ok ok ok I can can see undergraduate?
Me- yes
Vo- who did you know in Minnesota?
Me- I don't know of anybody in the US
Vo- How long have you been in UAE?
Me- since 2017.... VO cut in said 2years right?
Me- yes
Vo- what is your salary?
Me- answered
Vo- did u have family in UAE?
Me- No sir
Vo- who is paying for my fee?
Me- My uncle who ........ VO cut
Vo- sorry your visa is not approve this time you this white paper will explain you can try again next time.
Note: the Vo is not always waiting for my response before he ask another even at a point he was the one answering the question he wants to ask and I also noted that during our conversation, he was sniffing his nose and shaking his head frequently to the left side as if he needs he needs an urgent attention because he wasn't giving me a breathing space.

Sorry about this..

One of the deciding factor in interviews according to the over 500 transcripts I have seen is how well you can answer to why this school? and why this course?


Some trivial things count.

Why are you going to the United States?
I'm going to obtain a Masters degree in Accounting at the University of bla bla in bla bla

That's different from saying I'm going to bla bla to study accounting. Like you are making the VO figure out himself if it will be MSC, Bsc, or PhD.

Why this school?
I think you could have started better

Interviews are meant to be a conversation and not a question and answer session.

I see you're working as an accountant in this company, what are you studying?

You should flow in same manner!
Oh! Yeah I do book and record keeping alongside other professional tasks. I studied accounting.

You need to take time to go through the approved transcripts to get better outcome in your next interview.

The house might have more to say.

emamoke123:
Thanks Boss but won't you be found out if you mention schools you didn't apply to?

Yes they will find out if you didn't actually apply or properly do your home work.

For instance, you cannot tell me you applied to Brown University and not have an idea where it is located .

There are many things that raises the eyebrow of the Consular.

You should not even apply to only one State. The schools should be in various states .

emamoke123:
Abeg, is it proper to say one applied to only one us school

Nooooooooooooo

It simply means...
You're lazy
Looking for escape
Have a relative in that state
And many other things

segunbolawole:
I have two questions,
What happened to the guy they caught
Can someone go for PhD with bachelor's degree as u stated ur highest qualification is a B.Sc
Tha k you S u answer o

segunbolawole:
I have two questions,
What happened to the guy they caught
Can someone go for PhD with bachelor's degree as u stated ur highest qualification is a B.Sc
Tha k you S u answer o

Of cus you can go for direct PhD if you meet the required GPA.
Even with 2.7/4 you can go for PhD in some schools.

drelicx:
My visa was denied today. How can I rescheduled for another interview. Am not changing anything on my ds160, How can I go about it?

Denial is only temporal.

Drop transcript before the house can advice you.

Renzel1:
Can I send a pm

Oui

Javanian:
Visa approved today, Lagos Consulate. Fully funded, Ph.D in Computer science. UNT.

Was the very first person to arrive there. Not based in Lagos so I passed the night with my brother that stays at Ajah. He advised we leave early to beat the traffic so we left as early 3 a.m. despite my 7 a.m. appointment time and we got there around 4 a.m. Suffice to say, the stress of the previous days journey from Port Harcourt coupled with getting little sleep wore me out before the time for my scheduled appointment. 7 a.m finally came and we were ushered in. I was interviewed by an African American lady, probably the "notorious" one I hear about on this thread. Something funny happened before it got to my turn, the guy in front of me tried to run away from her. He tried to skip the line and move to the line adjacent to ours that had a middle aged white man as VO. The VO (middle aged white man) caught him, got up and went to report him to the African American lady and she asked that the guy be sent back to her.

It got to my turn.

VO: Good morning, Pass me your passport and I-20

Me: Passed it to her and her eyes went to the estimated costs part of the I-20, she glanced at the I-20 for about a minute and started typing

VO: So how did you find out about this school?

Me: I was looking for schools that had research labs in....(she cuts me off)

VO: So you found it online?

Me: Yes.

VO: what kind of research would you be working on?

Me: Educational Technologies for developing countries. Most of Today's breakthrough in Educational Technology were designed and built for developed countries with reliable and adequate power supply, stable internet connection and a very educated populace in mind. These advances in educational technology while very impressive are sometimes too expensive or not effective in developing countries that still face challenges of erratic power supply, slow and unreliable internet connections and lack of technical support. I am interested in researching ways in which education technology can be built to work effectively in developing countries by taking the challenges already existing technologies face in such countries into consideration and researching solutions that can surmount those challenges. The part in italics is the first paragraph of my SOP. I did NOT say it to her exactly like that but what I said was something similar. I didn't memorize it, I just said it the best I could.

She looked quite impressed

VO: So this schools does research in this area?

Me: yes, I would be working with professor X who already does some research in this area using Artificial Intelligence

VO: What would be your responsibilities as a research assistant?

Me: Write code for ongoing projects, simulation of software programs.....

VO: How many other schools did you apply to?

Me: 6

VO: Name them

Me: University of Saskatchewan, ETSU, BGSU, FSU, Stanford, Auburn University

VO: How many other American Universities accepted you?

Me: 3

VO: Name them

Me: Auburn, ETSU and BGSU

VO: What's your highest educational qualification?

Me: Bachelor's Degree

Vo; Have you traveled out of Nigeria before?

Me: No.

Vo: Do you have any relatives in the USA?

Me: No

VO: I will be approving your VISA, Pick up your passport at X location, bring your I-20 to the point of Entry...., We have a program in EducationUSA....Congratulations.

Good news everywhere!

No VO would deny such a one.
You were very well prepared to answer any question.
Congrats

Amyfid12:
$29,600

Brace up to answer questions about funding.. Don't stutter .
May the GRACE be with you!

Amyfid12:
Good morning lovely people. Please my interview is tomorrow, the gurus in the house, kindly scrutinize my proposed interview transcript and corrections will be kindly taken. Thanks as I expect your feedbacks.

ME: Good morning Sir

VO: Good morning, can I have your passport and 1-20?

ME: Sure sir

VO: Why are you going to US?

ME: I am going for a Masters degree program in Public Health at WCU, with specialization on Community Health track.

VO: How many schools did you apply?

ME: 6

VO: List them

ME: NDSU, SCSU, ISU, JSU, MSU, WCU.

VO: How many admits?

ME: 5 ( NDSU WCU, SCSU, JSU, ISU). My admission at MSU is still pending.

VO: Why did you choose WCU? Why not NDSU?

ME: I chose WCU because I'm interested in an ongoing research by Prof xxxx on Improving maternal and child health outcomes in undeserved populations. And at present, my community is undeserved haelthwise, cos we've had an increase in maternal and infant deaths. Also, WCU mandates it's MPH students to complete a 6 credits, 300hrs community service course called Applied Learning Experience. That's when students apply public health knowledge and skills gained in the classroom to real world public health problems. Its an avenue for students to interact with their community. This exposure will be of help to me when I return to Nigeria cos it will enable me plan and implement public health programs.

VO? Why MPH?

ME: Nigeria currently has a high burden of public health diseases like Malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS etc due to poor policies and inadequate allocation of resources to combat and control these diseases. My studies in public health will enable me acquire the knowledge and skills to join hands with the FMOH and other public health Non profit organizations to bring possible recommendations and sustainable solutions to the high prevalence rate of public health diseases in Nigeria, this prolonging the life expectancy of the population.

VO: Nods, I can see you're a pharmacist, when did you graduate?

ME: 2012

VO: What have you been doing since?

ME: I commenced a one year internship program at xxxxxx. From there, I was deployed to xxxx for my NYSC. After my NYSC program, I got a job as a Superintendent pharmacist of xxxxxx, where I'm currently working.

VO: Why do you want to leave your job now and study?

ME: Having worked in the hospital environment and community practice, I became interested in preventive care. Questions such as what if people took preventive measures to avoid contracting or spreading diseases? Is the government well informed before making key decisions that impact the health of the public?. Owing to these, I decided to expand beyond the traditional functions of dispensing drugs and health consumables but to pursue a non traditional career opportunities that are more patient oriented and involves public health functions.

VO: What are your plans after your study?

ME: I intend to come back to Nigeria after my studies, having garnered adequate research, practical and field knowledge and skills, it will enable me take up public health positions like monitoring and evaluation officer, epidemiologist etc from any public health non profit organizations like FHI 360, UNICEF, USAID , which are I high demand, thus improving the quality of life of people. Also, on a long term, I will love to establish my own community pharmacy and the skills and knowledge gained during my MPH studies, will also help me render qualitative, accessible and affordable healthcare services to people within my environs.

VO: I can see your aunt is sponsoring you? Why?

ME: Yea, she's one of the people that saw my huge passion for medicine and she encouraged me to go for it. She' sponsored me during my Bachelor's program and still wants to help advance my career.

VO: I will be approving your visa. Hands me a white paper.

ME: Thank you!!!!!!

I think your responses are apt.
How much is the total cost/deficit?