₦airaland Forum

naira0:
What a comic relief! Baba you're spreading fallacy here. Success is when opportunity meets preparedness. Location doesn't matter once you fail to do your home work. VOs don't care who is who except you have a diplomatic fiat.

I just grinned at his assumption.

AgreatMan:
I think you need to figure out why a lot of schools turn u down first.

8 applications r quite a lot. Your test scores were average but they r adequate. Can u share your CGPA? If your undergraduate CGPA was tight, the only other thing we can blame is your SOP n LOR, relevant software or experience.

Can u handle softwares like MATLAB, ORIGIN and ABAQUS? You don't hv to master them before u sneak them into your CV (ask d Indians n Chinese). The Indians n Chinese don't only claim knowledge of things they can't fully do, their overall presentation is usually neat. They also spend money getting people to Behind up their application. Even your CV might not have been worded properly.

Did your recommenders wrote great stuffs or did they just wrote a few lines?

The most important document in my opinion is your SOP. was it well articulated or will they have a hard day deciphering what u wrote because of grammar n punctuation usage? If I am to make a guess, your SOP is probably the biggest culprit.

Find out what the problem is first.

Regardless of all these stated, it is still difficult getting funds for MSc Engineering

fairheart:
SUCCESSFUL VISA INTERVIEW NUGGET TWO If you complain that this is too long for you to read, I'm afraid to say you're not a student

HERE WE GO! First, I want you to understand I am sharing whatever you read here from personal experience as Study-abroad Consultant and as someone who has many students in my circle. Just take what you know is helpful and leave the rest. I'm going to use many words to explain few things. That is the trick of world's education system!

NOTE that the US embassy wants you to come for interview because they want to see and hear you first before they know you’re eligible for the category of visa you’re seeking. If not, there would be no need for interview. So, in this sense, you are required to prepare to be well seen and heard well.

Your next homework in preparing yourself for a successful F1 visa interview is to be psychologically calm—so that you can be seen (as genuine) and heard by the VO. Effectiveness begins in the mind, not from the documents, or the people you know. You must tackle fear, anxiety, and self-doubt rooted in lack of confidence in your own abilities. If you have never had any major interview or breakthrough a very difficult professional goal in your life, you could be a victim of fear and tension. I remember how I used to avoid eyes contact when I needed to talk to people. But now, a man that's not afraid will look you in the eyes, smiling and able to express exactly what he wants to say. So, the goal is to stand in front of the VO and remain psychologically calm as possible. To achieve this state of mind, especially if you are afraid of your upcoming interview, you may need the following:

ONE: YOU NEED AN INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT.
Get that ready as soon as you can. List all the generic questions you know the VO usually ask during F1 interview. Take each question at a time. What do you think would be ideal to say to a question like, "How did you hear about this school?" Write the response down. It should be moderate, simple and unique according to your academic and career goals. No story! If you find it hard coming up with a fine response, seek for help.

TWO: HAVE YOUR TRANSCRIPT IN YOUR HIPPOCAMPUS
I saw a transcript here last week in which the applicant quoted the VO as saying he did not need to have a prepared transcript for the interview (and visa was granted). How ignorant of the VO! The fact that he/she is a VO does not mean they have absolute understanding of how interview is conducted. Ask the VO if he/she did not prepare for the interview that got him/her the consular job? One of the things that portray a student as “not genuine” in front of a VO is inability to talk well during the interview. Believe me, this is one of the strongest reasons most F1 visas have been refused. The fundamental reason for interview is to check on the student whether he’s genuine or just taking advantage of the F1 visa category to migrate and “Japa” as some persons here would say.

So, how did you pass the exams that got you the first class, or second class upper or lower on your certificate? Because you studied your textbook, of course! Because you studied it and became familiar with the information, you kill the questions related to what you have studied on examination day. Even Presidents of nations prepare transcript for interviews, because they know they could mess up if such is lacking. There is no man that can speak and express himself effectively (especially when tense or under pressure) except the information has been well-stored and familiar with. There are not so many students who have trained their mind to be creative with words and expression when under pressure. Most of us shut down temporary and unable to say what we really desire to say or should say when under pressure and afraid.

So, for a student going for a major interview in a decade, except you really know what to say, you may not be able to say it. You should know what to say. You should know what you want to say based on your unique case ahead of the interview and that is why you need prepared yourself a transcript for the interview. Know it! Review it! Ask yourself questions and answer them about it. If I tell you that you will not be afraid upon citing the consular at the embassy, I may be wrong. Fear and doubt are a part of our existence as human being, and it is okay. Your duty as a student going to get the F1 visa is to rise above them and say what you should say to earn an approval.

I remember a time in 2016. As an advocate for youth education and our role in shaping future society, I was invited to speak at a church with over 100 members. Due to work, I did not get to outline what I will be speaking on, though the pastor sent me a topic my sermon or talk should revolve. I wanted to go on stage without a prepared speech, but when I look at the fact that I need to quote certain bible verses, I changed my mind and prepared heading and sub-heading for the speech. I then read, revise, and read what I will be saying. When I got on stage, with all eyes on me, I greeted the audience and delivered a very motivating speech. Because I had prepared what to say—knowing that the audience is aware of the topic—everything went well. The same is necessary for the F1 visa interview.
Though things may go wrong due to certain things outside our direct control, yet, preparation against possible fear, anxiety and doubt attack attracts success.

Research shows that the hippocampus (a part of the limbic system in the brain where information and memories are retrieved) lags when your mind is under pressure and fear. Now, imagine if you've nothing stored up related to this interview and your fear of “what if I am refused” captured you? This is to say you may not be able to express yourself well; confusion! The consular may think you’re not a genuine student. Though, there is exception for students who stammer.
So, read the transcript from time to time. Get familiar with it. Does that mean cramming? You call it cramming; I call it PREPARATION FOR A MAJOR INTERVIEW—one that is a defining moment for the rest of your career and even life.


THREE: BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
I have seen professionals at the top of their career who have strong self-doubt in themselves. Once you tell them to go achieve something new, they come up with all sort of excuses that, if you trace the root of these excuses, you will find them in lack of confidence. Young, old, educated and uneducated all have issue of personal faith—depends on the level of success we are trying to achieve. You need to tell yourself that if others have done it and get their visas, you can do it, and do it better. A prospective student going for his interview soon told me that this evening. That's confidence!

I broke the chain of my own self-doubt several years ago, when I started reflecting on how strong I have been in the face of difficult situations. You, too, have seen a lot. You need to remind yourself that if you could go through what you've been through, be it your undergraduate education, professional training, personal growth--or whatever, you can also handle this coming interview. Revisit the list of your progresses, academic and professional experiences and endeavours. You have had your own success here and there, although you remember your failures more. So, don't listen to any shallow voice saying you can't have a nice interview and get the visa. Even Bill gate, Warren Buffet or Jeff of Amazon have times they take care of their self-doubt too. Take care of yours too, so you can do things confidently pursue and achieve your heart desires.

You need a lot of “I can do it”; a lot of "I am going to smile in there and talk to the VO”; a lot of "this is what I want for my career, and I'm going to get it." Tell yourself all these positive stuffs to heat up the root of your self-doubt and observe them dry.


FOUR: DRESS WELL & NEAT
I do not have much to say here as "well and neat" have different meaning to each person. But I will recommend you wear something you are comfortable in. Look your best. But mind you, simplicity is the best! Don't dress to the interview like Olosho (smile)


FIVE: HOPE FOR THE BEST; BALANCE YOUR EXPECTATIONS
As a young person, life has taught me that it is erroneous to think everything will always go the way I want. Sometimes, we are victim of circumstances we know nothing of, and that we cannot control—even after we have done our ultimate best!

Do not see the F1 visa as do or die, except you want to experience high blood pressure. If you have done your best, allow things to happen. Exhale all the worries that “what if I am refused” may have induced. What if you’re refused? So? You reply! What is you’re refused again? You reapply!

But have you also thought of “what if I am one of those good number of students Fairheart saw in his dream that got their visas in 2019? Of course! Think about that too!

This is what is called balanced expectation. Sometimes, life is 50/50! But this does not mean you should follow the erred opinion that what will be will be. No, most times, things be because we make them be. You still need to do your best. Just make sure you balance your expectation. Funny enough, balanced expectation on results we expect from our endeavours induce calm state of mind and boost confidence. Try it and see how all your worries and anxiety will be lifted. This is a magic pill I have used to liberate myself from unnecessary worries and anxiety when pursuing something I badly desire.

A balanced expectation is vital as we go through life and its modus operandi. King Solomon once said there is “factor of time and chances” at the centre of events that occur to every human being in life. Some things will go wrong even when we do the right thing. Some things will go right, even when we make mistakes and mess up. Why? Time and chances! These are forces of fate. You could be refused in May and get the visa in June or July. I always quote a close friend who was refused 8 times and got it the 9th time. I still ask why and what he did wrong during those 8 times appearances at the embassy. Just imagine it too!

SIX: LAY YOUR CAUSE BEFORE GOD
This is my last advice for all of you going for F1 this fall. Whether you believe in God or not, there is God. There is God o! And one of His attributes is that, He listens to genuine prayers of those who have faith in Him. I am not trying to motivate you. This is the reality. God hears prayer! So, if you are worried, pray. If you are unsure, pray. If you think you may experience hard luck, pray. If you have stubborn confidence that you will get a visa approval, pray.

A friend told me that each time he fast and pray on a particular thing he wants, door always open. He then said if fasting is not part of the prayer for the request, he hardly see the result. We both laughed. I almost took him for a prayer warrior. But then, I remember Jesus saying in Matthew 17:21 that without fasting and prayer, certain miracle will not happen.

Hey, maybe you should pray and fast too about this favour. Because you may need God's favour or good luck (the secular term for favour) to supplement your preparation. This could be the last thing to do to open the door.

Alright dreamers! I will try and re-post this for Spring 2020 students. Don’t forget, the approval rate will be higher than refusal this year. Keep counting the visas. God bless!

Nice one bro

hayzedd007:
,I checked them out already ,they don't have PHD program in mechanical engineering. Can I have ur contact to private chat u beta.Regards

beezee719@gmail.com

hayzedd007:
Please I need a very cogent advice. I applied to up to 8 schools, only 3 gave me admission with no funding except New Haven DAT give 50% scholarship. I have issues with funding as I don't have a sponsor. I have 301 on my GRE and 94 on TOEFL. I want to study Mechanical engineering for my MSC program. Please I need advice on schools I can re- apply to for full funding. Thanks

As your fellow engineer, I'll tell you that getting funding for engineering programs are very difficult.

PhD is an easy way out as PhD can be easily funded.

Check out NIU for next fall if you can wait and I will advice you how to get a full tuition waiver.

For all looking at an undergraduate degree, check out Berea College. They give full tuition waiver to all international student's worth up to 150k dollars over the period 4 years.

jennybaybee:
Good morning everyone, please I am new and will be needing urgent assistant, I have read the FAQ in terms of USA student visa but I don't how to go about, low confidence becos am not d talking type n I also feel my responses to questions are usually short and also need motivations because it will be my first interview and my interview is next week in lagos, pls how do I practice and I Ve heard about narialand n read lots of good testimonies n I also want to share mine, please I need someone to talk to, motivate me and scold me if need be Dats if am not getting it right n I also believe dat if am put tru d right path n well informed, I will do just fine...thank you as I await your responses....N.B pls I don't also know if where am posting this is the right place, still new here n don't know my way around.

PM me

JoeBazz:
@Brown2Green I sent PM to you boss, I need to talk to you. Thanks

OK responded

emhenzy:
Is it bad to state that you have a sibling in America? Especially that the sibling has PM, though went there to study initially. Could it be a reason for previous denial even when they never asked if one has any relations in US?

I don't think it is bad. As far as the relative is in status, when asked if you have a relative you can say yes.
Were you denied previously?

Marjoribanks:
Please do I need to notarised my sponsor's letter or is his signature enough? I want to send his financial statement to obtain my i-20.

Signature is sufficient.

If otherwise, the international office will notify you accordingly.

brainy02:
Explaining to her how having some sort of funding can increase my chances of approval

I think persuade or convince should have been the better word

Just free the I20 and work on getting a legit SOA.
And be very careful with agencies.

fairheart:
What is the certificate program under?

I was looking at Vocation which is M1.

bidemi1190:
not at all. still awaiting response of seven schools..

Jesu!

From June we will enter injury time . till then, wait for the rest after which you should mail the GC and grad school to know your fate.

bidemi1190:
please elders in the house should assist in this question, so i will know what to do with the offer?

MTech has very low funding purse annually.
You should shoot your shot. Contact your GC and inform him of how excited you're on getting admitted. Then inquire if you can be considered for a TA position.

Is that your only school?

Exceedingfaith:
Thanks for your reply. I actually saw a certificate course in ucla with information on getting f1 visa for the program. I already have several multiple visas to the us and my last one is still valid. Wanted to do a short course while on vacation but they all require f1 visas.

OK nice.
I was actually looking from the perspective of the VO.
Most certificate courses are readily available online and most common is MBA.
So get a proper F1 Visa that will be feasible.

Time2win:
Michigan Tech University is a stingy schools . Don't put hope on them but just be hopeful.

Boss are they stingy ?
They are one of those nice schools that don't charge a dime for application.

Exceedingfaith:
Hello all. Please I need advice. My GPA is too low for MBA so I'm considering going for a certificate in business management. I want to know if this is a good idea. If not can you please give me ideas on what school and programs to check. Thanks

And you can easily obtain such from Nigeria via Online learning.

What's your GPA and UG degree and why going for MBA?

Time2win:
Is there even an option for school when it comes to who is paying for the trip on your DS 160?

Trip .. The only option as an alternative is Other Person.
Still it will ask for relationship

tactmayor:
Thanks. Even if it is graduate assistantship and cost that is left to cover by family is very small. Do I still put family?

School
You show SOA if they ask for it.
The I20 also shows the breakdown

bwiizy92:
Hey guys...my interview is coming up soon...if anyone is willing to do some mock interview with me...I will be glad

You no be girl o. So you go load my phone.

Mayorsmart005:
Yes, there are no tracking numbers for standard mail, hence you just have to wait and keep checking the address you mentioned it should be sent to. I really would not advise anyone to request for I-20 using the standard mail, as it is a 50:50 thing. You may be lucky to receive it and even early enough or never get it.

When my I-20 was to be sent in January, my school gave me two options - standard mail or eshipglobal. Since I had enough time, I opted for standard mail delivery option just to avoid the cost of using eshipglobal. My school sent my I-20 on January 31, 2019. It would interest you to know that as I type this comment, I am yet to receive that I-20. What I avoided in the first case was what I eventually did - having to pay. After waiting till March ending, I reached out to my school to resend another I-20, this time through eshipglobal which I paid for. I got the new one just the following week it was sent.

So, I'll never advise anyone to use the standard mail. You may or may never get it.

I used standard mail to request for my WES unofficial report last year July. As we speak, I am still hoping to hear from it.

.

sharwama:
Thank you so much for sharing this with us tonight. I did learn something.
God be with you my friend.

Waiting for yours friend.

KingStefan:
Please house,

Are DS160 and visa application payments a linear thing? I mean does it mean that immediately I fill the DS160 form, I must book visa immediately or before?

I want to fill my DS160 now but wait till month end to pay for my visa fee. Is that doable?

Yes
You can book anytime before your resumption date.

jaiye022:
Hi guys, good afternoon.
My cousin sent some transcripts to use to prepare for my interview like 2 months ago. I havent been able to stop reading since. Every time i read the transcripts i picture myself typing my own testimony here.
Got my visa approved yesterday morning at Abuja Embassy 7:30am batch. So unlike Lagos and being a Thursday the crowd wasnt that much. We got to the first security check outside, after checks i headed to join another queue where you submit your passport so they can tag it. From there through another security check to another queue to do biometrics. After the biometrics i joined the interview queue and sat accordingly. My heart was beating so fast and my body shivered. I asked God to cover my errors and mistakes and give me favour with the VO. Time to enter for interview, window 7 was a woman dashing denials like handbills, my heart started panting again while i prayed i shouldnt go to her. She denied like 5 people in my front without even giving them time to state their case. the guy in window 8 was more patient with applicants so i prayed to go to him but as God will have it i got the woman. Here's our conversation

VO: Pass your passport and i20
Me: Good morning (as i passed them to her)
VO: Good morning. Why Missouri State ?
Me: (In my mind i was okay straight to business) Missouri State University is one of the few schools that offers Defense and Strategic Studies to civilians and their extensive curriculum aligns with my research and career interest
VO: and what is that?
Me: (Didnt hear her well so i asked again)
VO: Your career interest, what is it?
Me: I want to be a member of the Nigerian Army and this course will help me achieve that
VO: (Types for a while on her computer) How many other schools did you apply to?
Me: 3 others. Georgetown University, George Mason University and University of Texas at El Paso
VO: How many others gave you admission
Me: No other yet just Missouri State University (maintaining eye contact)
VO: Who is sponsoring you?
Me: My uncle and his wife
VO: What does he do?
Me: He owns so so and so
VO: Do you have his statement?
Me: Passed it to her
VO: (Looks at it intensely) Is this his company's statement?
Me: Yes it is, they are paying for my studies
VO: Spell his name
Me: (Spelt it)
VO: How long as he been sponsoring your education
Me: Since 2004 when i got in secondary school
VO: We are going to critically look into these account statement and if we find anything incriminating you will be banned forever from entering the US. Do you give the permission to go through this?
Me: Yes please (smiling already)
VO: (Passes me white paper and my i20)
Me: (Picked them) what do i do next?
VO: Its written on the white paper. Have a nice day.
Me: Thank You

I was very confident that my passport would not return home with me, i froze at a particular point and in my mind i knew i had messed up but God showed up for me and covered my error and mistake. thanks to everyone that contributes to this page, please dont stop. i got a lot of encouragement from these transcripts. I wish future applicants success in their interviews. its not as hard as you think just be thoroughly prepared. I will advice that if your applying for student visa do it in Abuja, that is an advantage already cos its like they give preference to students. All the students i saw got their visas yesterday.

All I see here is preparation , not location.
You calmed the inquisitiveness of the VO when you said you're intending to join the Nigerian Defense and that was a well calculated answer.

So forget about your Lagos and Abuja approval denial talk ..that's not true.

Jaydepearl:
Hello Everyone. Happy Friday
Please I would love you all to answer my questions.

I am a 300L student in a federal university in Nigeria. I am finishing with my program next year August and I want to apply to the US for my masters. However I want to start applying late this year/early next year. I will write my GRE and Toefl this year and have my results ready but I want to go immediately after my last exam here in Nigeria. Like if I have my final paper on July 3rd, I want my visa ready by then such that the following week I will leave but I have been reading the thread and it seems I have to have my transcript and GPA for me to secure admission and funding. This is cool only that my complete transcript might not be ready by then and they might still be accumulating our results. Sometimes it takes a year to have your result and certificate and I don’t want to wait a year after I am done.
Are there universities that accept just GRE and toefp for masters and if you have done something similar to what I want to do now can you please let me know how you did it
Thank you

No school , I repeat No school will give you full admission without seeing your transcript even if it is in form of spreadsheet.

piro2rule:
I think it is because the are only doing cost for 8months and I think the second semester falls within the 8months.

Do you have a letter showing your 6k scholarship?

piro2rule:
Good day everyone,

I need gurus in the house to help me here. I was given $6000 merit scholarship which I will benefit from after the first semester [1st sem -$0, 2nd sem - $3000 and 3rd sem -$3000] and the tuition fee is about $25k. on the i-20, estinated cost for the first 8months says I have a merit scholarship of $3000. The rest funding is from my parent. my question is how do I reply when asked about my funding? do I state that I have a merit scholarship of $6000 or $3000 as stated on the i-20 for 8months cost?

Don't say anything that cannot be backed with official documents. If you have a letter that says that then by all means say it and if asked why it is so, present the letter.

But what is stated on the I20 carries much weight. So why would your school put 3k ?
I really don't understand your school sha

NefT:
[/quote][quote author=NefT post=78266002]

Please if you have the means, pay the money.
While you follow up with the guy.

The Feds are always watching.

Brown2Green:
Risky thing to do.
The cash is non refundable

Its better you present SOA that offset the amount and deposit that money in your account.
So if asked who's funding, you'll say self and other

yemyem4uall:
Hello gurus in the house. I got admission without funding, the total tuition fee for one year is 23000USd and I seek for fund but d department chairman wish is my supervisor said I can only get funding for second semester but I have to be on campus before they can issue fund for my program for second semester. I think of paying a semester fee of this money wish is 11500 and ask the school to indicate the payment on my I 20. Do you advise me to go ahead ?

Risky thing to do.
The cash is non refundable