Mehn AJ coming out with no entourage

@atutupoyoyo2211 you don abort mission? 2 seconds! E no easy for Ezekiel.

You may want to exercise a little patience. November 22 vs 5th December isn’t that far apart; and don’t barge the man with emails about your PhD application, be considerate at least he assured you that you are the best applicant.
He might want to take you but he isn’t the only one required in making such decisions and he may be expecting a grant or some funding.

If you cannot bear the waiting time, apply to other universities. They make admit decisions at different times so ...

Good luck

electromagnito:
thanks alot this really relief me... he has been responding to my questions regarding the article he sent to me but he has not talked about the phd although on the day of interview he told me he need to speak with their secretary about the funding

Las las 9ja and nigerians don cast

DexterousOne:

Canada is just one country

USA IS using underhand tricks (via scholarships and all) to steal out bright minds too

Australia Is doing same
NZ as well
Even Britain (with our doctors and nurses and IT)

Germany is luring our bright minds with free post graduate education
Even South Africa has critical skills visa too stealing us all...

By time you add the figures for above
And then multiply that figure by 10 years

You will see that Nigeria is doomed to be populated by complete idiots in the next 10 years...

Una never see anything

A lot of what you'll see here are opinions, tremendously helpful but aren't any less. You are also free to state yours. In fact, the more opinions the better. Take what you may, use it to prepare for your interview and don't be deterred by the ones that look like dogma. Visa applications are treated on individual basis. Except you feel you will be presenting exactly the same information and documents as Jane Doe that got denied yesterday.

martinz1:



My colleague in university he finished with 2.2 in geology, bsc, he just finished his associates degreein texas, he got his visa 2016, so how come u say someone with bsc cant go for associates

The rule is don't say what would put you in a hole. If asked better to be honest and relate it to you aspiration towards the degree in the US.

Whether one school would affect your chances, not really as long as you can show clarity why you chose the school. Fill the form and expect questions about the people on the form and practice so that when you're asked you would have what to say.

Your situation is unique and can be tailored to why you want to go for the premed. Nothing wrong at all to mention all these if you're asked, because that's the truth about your situation. Just prepare well for the interview and go for it.

Monykviv:
Thanks a lot @cptcharlesvane for the reviews. Lol @ extended family rendezvous.. Its really not like that at all. I'm not even close to that my cousin ( he was born and raised there, only being to Nigeria thrice).. Should I omit those relative when asked and just claim my aunt/sponsor? Is their a way they will know of my cousin?.. Truth is, its my first applying, I never knew I have to apply to plenty schools, I am the one that approached my aunt and not the other way round. I did cos she schooled in USA and can recommend better so as to narrow my research. She suggested two schools, one has stopped admission application by the time i applied leaving just Salisbury. Will having one school affect my chances??.. These questions from these transcript, I got from online here that's why I'm naming professors lol. Reason for switching careers... Watched my dad die due to incompetency in the hospital.. What I was doing from grad till now... In work at a pharm company.. Also did medicine here for one year in Madonna that year but stopped due to no accreditation (should I mention that?)... Thanks

You graduated High School last year and you want to go for a 20 month program in English and American Culture. Why not go to a university and get a conventional degree?

If you don't intend to change anything at your next interview then it's fair to say that the VOs won't change anything as well because they may ask you 'What has changed since the last time?' so your chances are the same as having snow in Lagos at christmas.

And please don't keep reposting your transcript along with your next comments.

DammyNwodo1999:

I graduated from high school last year 2018, so am going for a 20 months program in America to study English and American Culture, This program will enable me secure the post of an administrative assistant upon my return and international exposure will be a valuable asset. ( Am 20 years old, am married with a daughter and work as a Clerk in an Education Board)

My F1 Visa was denied in Abuja 2days ago.
This is my TRANSCRIPT

VO- pass me your passport and 120
Me- Did as he said
VO- Why Richland college?
Me- Am going to further my studies in English and America culture.
VO- How many schools did you apply to?
ME- Honestly, I applied to only one college in America
VO- who is sponsoring you?
ME- My Mum is sponsoring you.
VO- What does your mother do?
ME- She has worked as a civil servant for more than 30years, She’s currently the Director of bla bla bla
VO- Have you travelled out before
ME- No

Ok sorry you have been found ineligible for a visa but you can reapply. Bla bla bla

I just kukuma collected my blue paper and disappeared. Am hoping to reapply soon. My program starts on Oct 1st
What are my chances and I don’t intend making any changes in my next application

The rehearsals about convincing the VO that you'd return is unnecessary and it only affirms the contrary if anything They only ask indirectly 'what are you going to do with the degree? ... when you return?'

Fill your DS form yourself, I hope, then expect questions about those your uncle and sponsor aunty in the US and even your cousin in the school you want to attend. Your reason for attending should not sound like you are seeking their (the VOs) approval for an extended family rendezvous in America.

Always look at your case individually and raise questions as it relates to you. 'Why do you want to go for a Premed program after you have a Bachelors in x_x?' Assuming you have a BSc in life science 'Why not apply directly, why do premed?'

'How is the course work superior to the one in Nigeria?' Be specific. If you have time between your first degree 'Why now, what have you been doing since?'

These are more relevant than practicing on how to promise them that you would return to Nigeria and naming professors. If premed isn't undergraduate, even if it is practicing about about research and research area is moot. Look inward, don't use questions graduate students here use. You have a first degree and you want to go for another one in a school where your cousin is at already, why?

Kinesiology and physical therapy, what is it and why?

Having a degree already and having your aunty (I assume your sponsor) recommend the university, depends on perspective and how it could be presented, could be seen as your aunty just wanting you over in the US and you went with the plan, especially applying to just that university. If you really wanted to do medicine especially as a graduate you wouldn't wait for your aunty to choose a university for you. You would've done some research yourself and you would have had options not just Salisbury.

Chew on these to help you better prepare.

Monykviv:
Good evening all. Please I will like to post a proposed transcript of my intending interview here, like I have seen others do. I don't know if there is any rules to it. Please kindly critic and correct me so I can learn better. I look forward to your questions and corrections. Thanks!
V.O: Good morning. Can i have your passport and i20 form
Me: Good morning ma'am. Here they are.
V.O: What's the purpose of your trip
Me: for studies and to get my second degree in pre medicine from Salisbury university, maryland
V.O: Why do you wish to study in USA and not here?
Me: course work for my field is far superior in Salisbury university compared to what's available here in Nigeria, They do lots of research and also I want to get global exposure.
V.O: Have you ever been to USA before
Me: No, never had the need for it, till now
V.O: why have you chosen this specific university
Me: the university is well known for research in my field. My faculty boasts of 32 laboratories and 20 research lab. Its among the top 100 public universities in America and also among the top universities that offers kinesiology and physical therapy (which is the field i'm going for)in USA
Can you tell me the location of the University:
Me: its located in the city of Salisbury Wicomico county, Maryland approximately 115 miles south east of Washington DC
V.O:Why did you chose this institute and how did you find out about it
Me: my aunt recommended the school and I also researched it to know more about it. The students agree that professors put a lot of effort in teaching their classes, its easy to get the classes you want and work load is easy to manage.
V.O: how many universities did you apply for
Me: one (Salisbury university)
V.O: can you mention name of some professors
Me: Prof, Ann Barse, Ryan Taylor, Eugene Williams, Samuel Geleta etc
V.O: Did you receive any scholarship:
Me: Yes 2000 dollars annually
V.O: Why are you taking this course:
Me: I'm passionate about a career path in medicine. There are not many orthopedic specialists in Nigeria, so the knowledge I obtained will help me to stand out once I return.
V.O: Have you got any loans
Me: No
V.O: who is your sponsor/what does she do
Me: My aunt, she is a registered nurse/supervisor in ****
V.O: how many people are dependents of your sponsor? Why is she sponsoring you?
Me: None, my dad sponsored her though school, when I reached out to her after his demise, she felt obligated to return the Favour. She also believes in my dreams and know she will leap the benefits in the future.
V.O: Do you intend to work in the USA during and after completion of your studies?
Me: I'm legally allowed to work for 20hours on campus, but I want to focus on my course work for now. After studies, I intend to come back to Nigeria and get a job in ave maria, st Nicholas or reddinton hospital in Lagos.
Do you know anyone in your University
Me: Yes I have a cousin there
V.O: Do you have relatives is USA
Me: Yes I have an uncle with his family.
V.O: how can you prove that you will come back after finishing your studies
Me: my entire family is here, there are good opportunities here when I return with my knowledge and certificate, so I will definitely come back.

V.O: I will be approving your visa, *hands me the white paper�
Me: Thank you very much.

Never understand why some of you include this, it can be confusing to some of us whose eyes run super fast across the letters.

Which college abi you dey shame for the college ni? Seems you already have a gut feeling why you were denied. English and American Culture? and you said further your studies so I'm guessing you have a BA in English at least.

Well, I'm sure you knew this already. Try other schools that you won't be ashamed to write in your next transcript and another course that doesn't sound like you want to leave Buhari all by himself in our lovely country except you really really want to study american culture.

Cheer up, man! Follow the 1+1 and you'll get approved, your mom as sponsor is a plus.

DammyNwodo1999:
I want to use this medium to appreciate all the Gurus in this group. My F1 Visa was denied in Abuja 2days ago.
This is my TRANSCRIPT

VO- pass me your passport and 120
Me- Did as he said
VO- Why ....... college?
Me- Am going to further my studies in English and America culture.
VO- How many schools did you apply to?
ME- Honestly, I applied to only one college in America
VO- who is sponsoring you?
ME- My Mum is sponsoring you.
VO- What does your mother do?
ME- She has worked as a civil servant for more than 30years, She’s currently the Director of bla bla bla
VO- Have you travelled out before
ME- No

Ok sorry you have been found ineligible for a visa but you can reapply. Bla bla bla

I just kukuma collected my blue paper and disappeared. Am hoping to reapply soon. What are my chances.

You should check requirements for the scholarship with the schools that offer them. There you'll get the answers you're looking for, whether age or time after high school graduation factors in. Also importantly to avoid listening to a self-acclaimed expert here who would loosely give confabulated visa approval rates and god-knows-what-else from his toilet.

To your other questions, you haven't even began yet as all you have here is 'I intend' and 'I hope' and that's fine at least your asking. I'm sure you're aware 4 to 10 full scholarships out of total applications recieved would be extremely competitive so why don't you first take the exam then use your score and profile to match those intentions because many times reality, I mean test scores, actually fall well below one's expectations.

Wouldn't it be great if we all can get that perfect SAT and GRE score, but then again it won't be a 99th percentile score if we all did, would it?

Anyway, best of luck with everything. By the way, 21 isn't old for undergrad. When/if ever you get to NYSC orientation camp at 25 you'd realize how refreshingly young you'll feel

YoungDreamer:
I've been a silent follower on this thread. I'm a matured student who is above 21 and will be applying to schools with full ride scholarship for international and those two schools I've researched are hendrix college and Rollins college. I will also be writing SAT by October 5 and am using ixl learning for my study.

Will age be a factor the schools will consider when giving the full ride. The schools have 4 and 10 full ride scholarships respectively for freshman. I do hope to make not less than 1400/1600 in SAT, Am good in maths but the English is what's giving me concern. I do hope to transfer or better still start afresh as afresh in UC Berkeley when I get there.

What advice would you give me.

If I can remember correctly the original post named the specific program that the list is relevant for and yes different programs / departments, even within the same university, have different deadlines. So the list as is quoted on this thread doesn't help much.

Glowrie22:


Most of these fall deadlines are not for priority funding consideration. I attended University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and the priority deadline is Jan 15.

Says the retired US Visa officer with 30+ years experience

Oga go sleep!

Brown2Green:
If you're planning to apply for a second Bsc, I'll advice you.. Don't!
Approval chances is slimmer than 1%

Don't waste the money for Visa.

Still personal experience and is largely subjective. The nature of the visa process is that it is really hard to come up with sweeping generalizations even when it looks like it obvious.

What would be your conclusion if most those denied seeking second bachelors' degrees in the US must have graduated 5+ years ago and are over 35 years old. See, that's two variables right there, so would you say it's the second degree that's the issue? Then go on to add school, finance, visa application and travel history plus the majority of the people not posting on NL and those you haven't interacted with.

It cannot be overemphasized that the process is on a case by case basis and the best bet for a candidate is to present their case as a non-immigrant student as genuinely as possible. The VOs are also human sometimes they barely give people the opportunity to speak but when they listen there's a chance.

Brown2Green:



Lots of the people I engage with have no bearing with NL.

Besides, NL is a perfect frame for data analysis

Nairaland is only a subset of the whole picture.

Brown2Green:


If you're going for a second degree , there is a way to present it right from the start.
It is generally denied by all the VOs in Nigeria.

Monykviv people who get denied usually don't have/give this much information for why they want a second degree in x_x field, then plus their age.

You have legitimate reasons and you seem to know the path, the cost and what you want so just go ahead and prepare for the interview. The only crime is if you don't apply at all or change your plan because of what you read here about visa interviews for second degree applicants. At least not yet.

All the Best!

You're right about the passion aspect but it doesn't always work like that. Some schools accept only PhD graduate students, the caveat is there is an allowance for discontinuing those programs with a masters degree. One can 'master out' if it doesn't work out or it's what the person wants.

Going for a PhD from BSc is a huge leap and some students have a vague idea of what it entails, and after getting a feel, won't want to continue. The reason why there's that option. They created an allowance for it.

Masters don't get funded that much given his circumstances. Besides, the frustration wey dey Nigeria fit make somebody wey study Fine Arts manage Astrophysics PhD abroad, so 'having a knack for research' na for who don chop bellefull dey work with Buhari. A person with 4.0+ GPA from Nigeria in their field would do fine in a PhD, all things being equal.

calculator123:

Great advice but one shouldn't apply for a PhD because of better funding but because one has a knack for research.
It makes no sense to apply for the PhD, get the admission and the full funding (since that's the aim) and drop out, thus returning to square one.
P.S: there is no shame in dropping out of a PhD program but one should ensure they can finish the journey so as not to waste time and limited resources .

500k should be enough if you won't have to resit those standardized tests. Also look for schools that won't require WES and ones that waive application fees or at least <<$100. Apply for a PhD to get a better shot at funding.

AdeBensin:
Good day all, I'm a bit confused here and I need your advice. Ever since I finished service I've tried to secure a job but nothing good is forthcoming. I saved about 500K during my service year and I'm considering furthering my education and since I'm not from a financially buoyant family I'm hoping to secure a tuition waiver.

Would it be wise if I start my application with my savings considering the fact that I'll have to write GRE, TOEFL or IELTS, pay for WES evaluation, transcript and university application fees? Does anyone have an idea of how much all these will cost?

I am asking because I don't want to waste any more time, I'm 27 already and also I studied Chemistry and graduated with a CGPA of 4.38

@Tella26 better to ask for a TOEFL waiver than to submit that atrocious score. Retake the exam, it might be useful for assistantships.

@Kevwemanuel Yes is the answer to all the questions except no. 3, which is No. For 6. your application won't be considered complete until you submit your GRE scores though. Some may accept unofficial scores for the GRE until your offer comes.

7. Check the GRE thread for more information.

Funny how Nigerians abroad become elected in other countries but would never have same opportunites in the country where they are from. Sad too that even those abroad, in spite of all the privileges they enjoy in foreign lands, strongly hold on to their parochial ethnocentric sentiments when they return to Nigeria.

Congratulations @TheNoble007

@justwise I think you guys should change/modify the way you hide posts from contributors on nairaland, perhaps you notify them first that the post is in violation of stated terms, since there is an edit function for every post, before taking them down. Some contain useful information.

No be person dey tell another person say yansh dey back Na young guy, no kill 'im dream na so Nnamdi Azikiwe dem start Even Buhari sef say na him be the real change.

vickyehi:


Stop planning and just go and buy the ticket. While you are at it, please tear your American passport or renounce the citizenship.

You think say na the naija you watch for film abi . Aunty pls go back to naija and dont go with usd oooo....find a job like a regular person.

My advice: When next you go for the interview and they asked you what is different, be upfront and tell them the truth that you had rehearsed answers and became nervous when you were heard unexpected questions but now you are better prepared.

Prepare genuinely because if you lie, you need more lies to keep up and the truth is that if you're planning to be dishonest/deceptive all the way through the interview, you'll need much more preparation than otherwise

Small scratch, Good luck on your next attempt.

Jacy1995:
Hello, I’m also an aspirant for the fall program in IUP. Was it in Lagos you had your interview please?

Hi @fairheart, please I need your help. My visa got denied this morning and here is my transcript.

School: Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Session: Fall 2019
Venue: Lagos Embassy
Program: MSc Geography

V.O: Good morning
Reply: Good morning

V.O: Pass me your passport
Reply: I did

VO: How did you get to know the school, IUP?
Me: (this was my planned answer) I got to knownof the school through 2 acquaintances of mine (which wasn’t true) then she gave me the shocker....

VO: What are their surnames?
Me: I actually didn’t prepare for this so I just kinda gave her two random names.

VO: she typed on her pic and was like she couldn’t find those names in her database...
Me: I was like that’s strange cos they actually studied there....

VO: Why do you wanna study Geography?
Me: (at this point, I was already destabilized as a result of the failed name ish) I gave an answer about my main area of concentration being environmental planning and how this would help checkmate the harmful excesses of urbanization. But wasn’t feeling the session again but just kept hoping.

VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: 3 schools, IUP, Western Illinois University and Texas Southern University....(although I applied to just one)

VO: Did you gain admission in all?
Me: Yes, I did

VO: what’s your GRE score?
Me: I didn’t take any tests as they were a requirement for admission for the program.

VO: What do you do?
Me: I work as a quantity surveyor in a construction company.

VO: Who is sponsoring you?
Me: My eldest brother

VO: What does he do?
Me: he works as the head of projects in a telecoms servicing company.

VO: Do you have an account statement?
Me: Yes, passed it. (She looked through and typed on her pic for a while)

VO: Sorry, you ain’t eligible for visa at this time.
And that was it.

Please I really need your advice..... if I reapply, how would I remedy the “how do you know about IUP” question and in what other ways can I make my general case more convincing.

Kindly help a brother.... thanks in anticipation...

Talk about tenacity Lord knows my stronghead no reach this one. The VOs gats gree your own. In their minds they were like "this guy really want meet Trump o abeg carry go .. no come worry us again"

Many many congratulations bro, it'll certainly be worth it

Time2win:
Visa Approved today
U.S Embassy Lagos.

This was my 9th attempt since 2017 that I have been trying. I did alot mistakes at the beginning that resulted in the series of refusal but God showed forth today.

I will drop transcript later

No, different process.

amb001:
Do I need to go to the frsc for capturing for the int'l licence? I spoke to a staff there and she said I shd send her passport in red background. If we capture for Nigerian licence, dnt we need to capture for int'l one?

Why are you protesting for your sister or can't she write a letter or something like this herself?

Novartis:
NYSC Discriminates Benin Trained Graduates & Refuses To Issue Their Certificates

After one year of rigorous service, my sister a 2018 batch B, Stream 2 Corp member was not issued her certificate because she schooled in Benin Republic.

This is so sad

Why the discrimination ?

And please what is the solution to help her get her certificate. She has been crying since yesterday.

NYSC is claiming that they got information that students from Benin Republic universities did not pass through the four walls of universities and all bought their degrees. I doubt this is true, but then, how can they (NYSC) judge thousands of students who schooled in Benin Republic because of the misdeeds of a few bad eggs.

I know nothing about the buying and selling of degree certificates in Benin Republic, but what I am very sure about is that my sister went to school and have studied seriously from year 1 to her final year, with me remitting her school fees, not even to her but directly to the bank account of her institution.

Why is NYSC now causing her pains by withholding her certificate and that of thousand other foreign students after waisting one year of National service. This is not fair! Please give us advice and help us create awareness.

Mods Front Page please