₦airaland Forum

sharwama:
PRE–VISA INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT: A NECESSARY EVIL
An article by Miss Sharwama
So me and my guys we are at the bar drinking beer and enjoying Mama Nkechi’s barbecue. Life is good after all. Suddenly, Remi asks me, “Babe do you like football” and I am like “Hiaaa! What kind of question is that biko? Of course I love football”
He goes further to ask “What’s your favourite team”, I smile and reply “Man. City?” Remi asks why and I respond “Because the sky is blue and Serena Williams plays for Man. City. Did you know she scored the hat trick that won them the AFCON championship!!!
Remi instantly drops his bottle of beer, snaps his fingers in surprise, the other guys are laughing out loud and me, I burst into tears, feeling so stupid. I have succeeded in convincing them that I am neither a genuine football fan nor a fan of Man. City!
This is similar to what happens when you attend a F1 visa interview unprepared and you end up not convincing the visa officer that you are a genuine student.
So why do you need a transcript? Good question!
To fill you with substance. Dieticians say we are what we eat, but in academia, we strongly believe, you are what you read, you are what you know, you are the skills you have. So the pre-interview transcript is meant to equip you with the necessary information needed to prove genuine studentship, to show that you are sound enough to deal with the rigours and academic demands of the school/program.
For example, some students applied to schools without doing intensive research, they know nothing about the requisite curriculum, they simply applied because their friend(s) did too, or because a friend got funding or because the school doesn’t require GRE or is non-selective or they read about it on Nairaland( or other media platforms) or someone suggested it.
But if such a student were to prepare a transcript, they would have to read extensively about the school, research more on the program, courses to be taken before completing the degree, and be able to answer why they chose it, why that school or program stood out for them or even why they chose the country! They would be able to talk about their career goals and future plans? Do you see where this is going? Information is power!
So yes, the transcript is a necessary evil. It is evil because most students end up cramming it, regurgitating it word for word, back to back and when they are asked what is not on the transcript, they begin to fumble and stutter ( they never expected it).
Now, I must draw attention to this truth: knowing what to say is never as important as how you say it (your body language, your tone/pitch), how you sell the pieces of information. So knowledge is important but the ultimate test is the delivery. This is why I don’t support schools in Nigeria offering first class graduates lecturing position simply because of their intellectual capability. It is one thing to know, it another to teach/express what you know. Do you see how important delivery is?
Again and again, the transcript is neither to be crammed nor memorized. Every VO can tell the difference between a human and a robot. The transcript is meant to be your compass, pointing you in the right direction, helping you stay on course. It is meant to be your flashlight if you ever encounter any darkness. It is NOT the Alpha and Omega of your interview.
The transcript is meant to boost your confidence and NOT BE YOUR CONFIDENCE, it is meant to resonate the can-do spirit within you. It is meant to ginger your swagger so when you are on that queue even if the persons ahead of you got denied, your morale will still be high. Yes, you have done your homework!
Ultimately, on the day of your interview, please remind yourself, you already have SUBSTANCE; you just need to have a CONVERSATION. Most people love a good conversation and sometimes we go to bed with a big smile on our face, simply because we remembered an amazing conversation we had with someone earlier. BELIEVE in yourself, BREATHE, LOOK, SMILE, CONVERSE.
May the force be with you!
Written by the girl who‘s yet to have a conversation with the VO.
Inspired by anxiety

I know most of this is spoken to self. But I got this loud and clear.

fcnaxo:
Yh I have an idea. SOA funds weren’t enough cane with the exact figure in my 1-20. I hope seriously hoping they wouldnt ask.Close to the she asked for it. The rest is history.I saw someone posted here about appealing to the grad school via mail for some sort of funding. I just did that and I am keeping an open mind. Thank you chief.

Also Note that you can apply for assistantship in other departments within and outside your faculty. Most people don't know this!

Few peeps have gotten assistantship in such manner.

fcnaxo:
Chief it was a denial. Besides I have been laughed at and mocked from some members of this forum concerning this.there no need posting a denial transcript. I would post my approved visa transcript by the end of the month. Thank you once again.

So sorry bro.
Do you know the reason for the denial?
You'll get an approval surely.

fcnaxo:
lol I remembered u. The guy on blazers with first class u kept mentioning first class first class. To avoid stories that touch. Congrats tho

What of your transcript?

emhenzy:
Sounds nice but no assistantship or funding opportunity and my course is masters of science in Aeronautics

I feel your pain.
There has to be a significant change that can wow the VO. And that change is not likely SOA.

Think of something else.. Let talk be smooth until you're asked for statement of account.

It could be professional certification, change of school, and so on.

Just think of something to use to calm the inquisition

emhenzy:
Is it necessary to wait for 6 months before reapplying for F1 visa after visa denial? My interview on Monday in Lagos the VO asked me just one question “what significant change was made on my application” and my response was that my sponsors bank statement, I ve my mums savings account opposed to the previous current account I used.
NOTE: before this denial my previous interview on February 25th the VO gave me 221g form and requested for my sponsors bank statement but after I submitted it my application was still refused.
Tuition and expenses is 25k and my sponsors has over 15m in the account.
The thing just tire me. Wha

Try and get full funding.
At least get partial funding.

Leave all these my sponsor bank statement.. E no go work.


So what has changed since your last interview...

Oh I was offered a graduate assistantship under the research team of Dr. Malik Stanjida.
Now how does that sound?

ToluwalekeA:
My interview yesterday went below. Visa approved


VO:pass me ur 1-20 and passport
Me: gave her the required documents

VO: how did you hear abt the school
Me: i got to know about the university through an alumni of the uni(VO cuts in). you are tense and talking fast, just calm and dont tell me what you have memorised. she did not allow me to finish
VO: How many school did you apply to and how many gave u admission, name them
Me: GSU, MTU, ohio uni, BGSU , lafayette. All admitted
VO: why Ohio uni
ME: talking fast and obvious that i crammed my transcript(VO cuts in). if u have memorised everything how do you want me to know u are a genuine student, talk gently and tell me about ur research and not reputation or curriculum of the uni. pls answer my question now.
Me : i now spoke about my research in environmental geoscience. she cuts i. again
VO: how did u get the assistantship
Me: i applied then i was scheduled for a skype interview VO cuts in. all memorised she said.
VO: i will approve ur visa but next time when going for an internship u dont need to memorised or have a prepared transcript, just flow with the interview and answer the question asked. I am telling u for future purpose. Have a wonderful time in the US
Me : all smiling thanks i appreciate

Assistantship is the bomb.
Congrats baba

heeedreeez:
Georgia Southern..But no funding yet,.

Georgia Southern is broke bro.
So is MTSU and most schools.

The number of applications were too much this year especially from Nigeria.

lalavita:
I’m in a similar situation. So I feel you on this. I would say it depends on the overall strength of your application and interview. For example, can you share a very strong career reason why you are going for this course? How relevant is the program you are enrolling for? Do you have funding? My 2 cents is pray, fill your form well and prepare for your interview.

Mine is more complicated as my spouse is filing for F2 and our children are USCs �. We are really not trying to migrate at all. My program is competitive and I have full funding. Just want to go for 1 year and be back. Praying for favour.

If you're a man then you're very good to go.
Your wife and kids can easily come see you after 3-6 months.

Predstan:
Is there Any MTSU or Georgia Southern University applicant who got Funding for Fall 2019

Drop your email let's talk

ubigurl:
goodmorning fam,please and please i got admission and working on my visa interview and i need to work on my home ties,i have two kids that were born in the USA im considering telling the VO that intend leaving them behind and they can always visit when they are on break,do you think its strong enough for a home tie? and my husband will stay back too because of work.(even if we change our minds tomorrow it wont be an issue because they already hav their us passport and wont need the f2 visa).We also plan on taking some documents of the landed properties we have just to show the strong ties at home,is it also strong enough?

It is easier for a man to use his wife and kids as home tie and his wife goes to visit the man with kids.
Flipping the coin around is a 50:50

You'll be asked why you're not going with your kids because it's a norm that mom take care of their kids.
Why would you leave your kids with your husband to study?
What does your husband do? How will he take care of your kids, work and sponsor you (if you're not on full scholarship)

If you take your kids your husband will hardly be allowed to visit you as he's a very strong home tie.

You need to think things through.

And your kids were born abroad is no counting point in this situation.

Shehuroj:
I just got my I-20 form yesterday afternoon, and behold, it was only F-1 that was sent for me alone no F-2. Seems God has answered my prayer. When I asked for the reason F-2 for my dependents were not sent, she said she was sorry, it was a mistake. She then requested for another attestation with my sponsor stating that he will sponsor my family too, statement of account with the required amount.
I just told her not to bother again as time is no more on my side, I will do theirs later.
Please, what is the next step? Should I pay the visa fee and sevis together same day and book for my visa interview? Where will I fill the DS-160 form (link)?
Thanks for your advice on going alone instead of going with the family.

Happy for you man.
The next thing is to pay for Sevis using the Sevis number on your I20

LagosismyHome:
Patience is a virtue .....

Some people wait to have their passport in their hand before sharing a transcript .

You made a valid point

Beekorly:
Congratulations.

BTW, while filling your DS-160 form, what did you put in the who's sponsoring your trip column?

I don't think there is any need congratulating those guys anymore until they drop their transcript.

Are they waiting to be cajoled?

greatkingdavid:
I keep seeing conversations centered around masters and PhD. Please is there no one going for a short course?
Are Visas easily approved for people attending short courses?

Short course visa Like Vocational?

That's are not too common.

All that matters is how prepared you're. Answer the questions and impress the VO then you got no worries.

LagosismyHome:
Chei.... It so annoying.. i didnt even know its possible for two universities to have such similar names. Usually in business its not allowed

Imagine one Lincoln is regarded as an Ivy while the other one was almost unranked.

Time2win:
Yes. Some v.o might confuse the two and approve visa for the one in Oakland lol. It's confusing atimes

Lol
Plz don't kill me with laugh.

LagosismyHome:
There are two Lincoln university so please be more specific ....

Lincoln University in Pa.....(the HBCU is alright) .

The other Lincoln University Oakland, i never heard of it , only on nairaland post

Lol
I cracked a bit

fairheart:
This is confusing. We are talking about how non-accreditation of a school (which would have mean all its academic programs) causes visa refusals at the embassy. This is where you guys came on board . Do you know how many schools in the US not accredited by CEPH, and yet they offer excellent MPH program, and students still get visa with their i-20s?

Well I am very sure you're not in Lincoln or Virginia International.
So I rest my case.

The ones that seek the easy way out will come back and tell the story.

fairheart:
I ask, what does it mean for a school to be non-accredited?

A school is approved does not mean it is accredited. It means that the college can operate as a business in that state. Accredited colleges in the US meet the standards of a recognized reviewing agency. Accrediting agencies are private educational associations recognized by the government.

Everyone should be guided on this note

Predstan:
Bro the way that Guy is painting it is like those schools are here in nigeria. The only reason VOs denied Visas is because of the thought that it’s only an unserious student that will go apply and want to attend those schools. But many have been able to prove to them that it’s their best fit and yes they were granted Visa.

To say that they are Red Flag doesn’t mean they are not Accredited like Bown2green was painting it. The I-20 is directly from the US homeland security database so how can a non accredited school issue the I-20 for an international student?

Lol
So you don't know that a non-accredited school can issue I20?


Go and check again

Time2win:
You don't need to talk much on this, those that want to apply there should apply. It's their money, any outcome they get, they should accept it. Yours is to advise and move on.

I just don't want the innocent ones to be entangled in the web of ignorance.

All these red flagged schools are mostly used by agents because admission is a seamless process.

Time2win:
Don't encourage people to apply to this red flags school. Yes, some get visa with it and majority are refused. Good to avoid them than gambling with one's chances when getting the visa is already hard on its own.

Lincoln university, Virginia international university and many others are well known red flag schools

Thank you o!
I am shocked they don't know

fairheart:
Once a school is SEVP Certificated, it meets basic standard, and that is why they are allowed to issue i-20. This is not the same for program accreditation to teach certain program. For example, Council of Education for Public Health may not accredit/recognize a school public health program, yet the school have SEVP certification. A red school for me is a school that lack basic amenities a student needs to thrive academically. If the school is set, you may then say, "I want more than the basic", and go for high ranking schools. And by the way, some VO doesn't even understand the SEVP system some of them are employed to work with.

I know a school that shares blocks with a strip club and it can issue I20.

You tell me that's not a red flag .

You sound like the VO are dummies. The worst mistake anyone would make is play with their intelligence.

fairheart:
What does your "non-accredited schools" means?
And how do you think a school that has not meet educational standard of US Department of Education issue an i-20, with school code and registration date?

You know the ASIC accreditation body right?

beejhay69:
Got a friend that got his visa approved going for Lincoln uni.
Red Flag or GREEN FLAG....Bro, i feel its just by God's grace.

Lol
Don't mislead people with this your "I know someone"

There's always a someone.

We have red flagged schools and the VO knows them.

I Don talk my own.

fairheart:
You are the one who call them red flags. There is nothing like it. It all come down on the type of consular interviewing you. Most of you would call American National University a red flag school, but I have seen a student on this forum got a visa with its i-20. I have also seen a student with a refusal. It is not the school at all, but the consular, the student, the way interview was conducted. 5 students in a row could use a well-funded public school and perform poorly during the interview and get refusals. If you go to the US embassy in another country outside Nigeria with these so-called reg flags schools, you will get your visa. The problem is not the school!

Non-accredited schools will be issued visa is what you mean?

I don't agree with you in this.

There are red flagged schools and Lincoln University is one of them.

fairheart:
It is a good school. US doesn't have a bad school! The country is not Nigeria Why are you asking?

US has lots of red flagged schools baba.
In fact lots of people had their Visas denied for this purpose.

Davidkking:
Please abeg��

Yes na.

Wetin apun?

Bricke:
The cash flow has been a lot. Its normal for the account. I'm just worried that the returning half the money just before printing the SOA would raise some hackles.

It is very conspicuous!

The VO will spot it and ask the reason.
So you must give a valid response. .

Since the cash surpasses your fee , you are advantaged.

ToluwalekeA:
[/quote][quote author=Goma10 post=78145279]

How far baba dem?
Drop the transcript as e dey hot Biko

Bricke:
Hello everyone, please I have a question about the statement of account. If the money in the account is twice the school fees but half of the money is being taken out and returned right before the SOA is printed, so the actual balance is still twice the fees.

I hope this doesn't come as a red flag to someone viewing the account.

Cash Flow.
Within the 6 months.. How has been the cash flow?