₦airaland Forum

sammie241:
Hello,
I just got admitted to UNCC.
Will like to chat/link up with you as well.
I sent u an email already.

Congrats. Happy seeing people coming to UNCC

Zicky024:
Hi Chief
I just got admitted to the MPH program at the UNC at Charlotte as well. Community health concentration. I’m a Pharmacist btw.
Looking forward to connecting with you and meeting you this spring.
Mind if I send a PM?

That's great. Congrats bro.. sorry for the late response. Had alot I was going through

sammie241:
I just got admission for the 2023 Spring semester.
Just about to book a visa appointment. Congratulations on your successful visa interview

Thank you bro. What department were you admitted to

WatchYourSix:
Yes naaa....naija never commot for your blood
Wetin u want use cash do....u fit no use cash for a long time if you like

Lol. E better for me now.

Thanks for this clarification

WatchYourSix:
Politicians have packed foreing currency because of election ....hence the scarcity
Access is now issuing card with what your buy instead of raw cash becos of the scarcity

Will one be able to withdraw USD with this card when in the US?

omohakin:
@cyingfreeman. Do you specifically need someone going there or someone already there?

Any bro.

Someone there so that I can look up affordable accommodations and reserve and for many other reasons

Someone going there so that I'm not alone. Atleast I have someone I could run things with

WatchYourSix:
Usually the policy is u must return...
But whem u het to the branch their HOP or someone from head office will have to approve your request of you dont have return ticket.....only students and work visa holders are permitted buy one way

This information really helped alot.

Thank you

Cyingfreeman:
Hello people.

Do we have anyone going to University of North Carolina at Charlotte or someone currently there?

I'll be resuming in spring and I'll like to reach out for one or two things.

Anyone?

verminnel:
Please what is COA,RA ND deficit? Thanks

COA- Cost of Attendance

RA- Research Assistantship

Deficit is Cost of attendance - funding from school.

Sorry for the late reply

Hello people.

Do we have anyone going to University of North Carolina at Charlotte or someone currently there?

I'll be resuming in spring and I'll like to reach out for one or two things.

1st Attempt
Visa Denied
Lagos
17th August 2022
MPH
Black American lady
COA-46k
RA-21k
Deficit-25k


VO: Why this School and course?

Me. Public Health basically talks about preventive medicine. It's easier to prevent illnesses than treat. As a medical doctor, I have managed cases where patients presented with complications and endstages of diseases which could easily be prevented. Diseases like hypertension, diabetes, Cancers could be prevented leading to less morbidty and mortality. Also, Nigeria has been plaqued with atleast 5 emerging and reemerging Infectious diseases like Ebola, Lassa.. with this degree, I'll be equipped with the skills and knowledge inwhich I'll use to mitigate the problems of public health in Nigeria especially when it comes to chronic diseases and infectious diseases.

I choose Charlotte because I'll be opportuned to work with and be mentored under a renowned professor of Public health, Prof... who's research interest is purely on chronic diseases and Infectious diseases and it's tandem with my line of interest.

VO: Who's covering your deficit?

Me: apart from my research assistantship which covers my welfare and part tuition, my dad Prof... who's a Prof of business management, university of ... for 25 years and also a public servant for over 35years... (cuts me short)..

VO: I'm sorry...



I felt really bad and downcasted. Was supposed to leave for my place of work the following day but decided to leave that same day out of frustration. On my way to my place of work, I contacted my professor who gave me the assistantship and told her of my predicament. She felt bad and told me that my RA Is still reserved for me. I also had to contact my department for readmission because they don't defer graduate admission. So I did that and I was readmitted in few days time.

I then purchased a new mrv and applied for EA and it got approved again, but this time Abuja. There were no favorable EA dates in Abuja.. so I decided to pick the best date (1st September) as there were no dates In October, November until December.

Mind you, I was yet to get my updated I-20. I was just working with faith. Few days to 1st of September, no I-20. My EA was valid for 1 week. I then checked and saw 8th of September available, I immediately went for it.

To cut the whole story short, I got my I-20 on the 7th of September by 8:30pm. Had to search for somewhere to print it out.

2nd attempt
Abuja
VO: Bald man
COA: 46k
GA: 26k
Deficit: 20k

VO: I can see you're going to UNCC..

Me: Yes, I'm going to UNCC for my MPH program with a concentration in Epidemiology.

VO: What do you currently do?

Me: I work as a medical doctor at Xxxx, one of the biggest private hospitals in Xxxx where I manage patients with chronic diseases and infectious diseases like hypertension, diabetes, HIV... I also manage common paediatric illnesses like respiratory tract illnesses, gastritis... I work in collaboration with the Bleep state government where I'm part of the surveillance team in charge of contact tracing of suspected cases of lassa fever and monkey pox, I perform medical outreach programs in rural areas of Bleep where I educate, counsel, screen the locals on chronic diseases and infectious diseases...

VO: What's your post study plan?

Me: I'll be returning back to Nigeria to assume the role of a Senior Medical Officer at my current place of work where I will employ the knowledge and skills gathered during my course of study to mitigate the problems of public health especially when it comes to decreasing the incidence and prevalence of chronic and ... (Vo cut me short)

Pointed at my deficit and asked..

VO: I can see you have a deficit under family funds. What does it mean?

Me: Aside my GA which covers more than 100 percent of my tuition, I also have a 50% paid study leave. The deficit will be covered by my parents, Prof and Dr. Mrs Bleep. They are successful university professors (thanks to Mr. Shannon for this)... as I was saying this, his hands were reaching for the white paper.

... they make a combined annual income of Bleep. My dad has been a professor for over 25 years..

VO then hands me the white paper. Only God knows what he said from then hence forth as long as he was keeping my passport with him.



I really thank God for all of this. The process wasn't an easy one. I had faith and believed God will do it. It can only be God. I kept on singing worshiping songs in my mind until I was called on for my interview.

I even saw a guy going over his handwritten transcript. I was surprised. One shouldn't be doing that at that time. All you should hope and pray for is calmness instead of going over your transcripts right there and then.

Thank God once again. Mr. KASH with the baritone voice, thanks brother. You started the drilling process. Chief Anonymous and my brother Jervis, your selflessness can't be over emphasized. You guys really did well. Nonso, Frank and Teresa.. thanks for the usual support. You guys were like my brothers in arms. Ebi, Victor, Mark.. I doff my hat.

Mr. Shannon70! You were very responsive to emails and also very encouraging. Thanks alot.

And to everyone who supported and encouraged me in this journey, God's favor and blessings are yours.

May the force be with you.

Nozino:
You’ve attended the interview before so surely you know that the VO might not give you enough time to explain yourself.

I would recommend you get a spring I20, print the GA award letter or the email and explain it on your Ds160 and during the interview.

Alright, no problem.

I know the VOs work strictly with the I-20.

The VOs still won't look at any award letter presented to them. We all know they hardly read or ask for any document.

It's actually a dicey situation.

Nozino:
Is the I20 for spring? Most VO would ask for your I20 and not your admission letter.

You're very right.

My current I-20 is for fall. And it captures my GA funding.

I could still go ahead and request for a spring I-20 but it won't capture all my GA funding because the hiring officer is yet to effect those changes.

My reason for thinking this way is because I read a transcript where a lady went with her fall I-20 for spring but she told the VO that there was a delay in getting her spring I-20. She was subsequently issued a visa, but was told to submit her new I-20 and passport when she's within 120 days of resumption.

Nozino:
Don’t do it. Your admission was for fall, if you don’t have a spring I20, it means you don’t have admission for spring semester. On what basis then do you think you should be issue a student visa without a valid admission? The VO won’t look at your face at all. Coupled with the fact that you’ve been denied before, this screams desperation and that isn’t a good look. Don’t ruin your chances of ever getting an F1.

I get you bro.

I have my admission letter for spring. It's just that it's only part of my GA funding that's reflecting. I have tried every possible means to contact the hiring officer of the department who gave me the assistantship but to no avail.

Hello.

What's the probability of going for spring with a fall I-20 and getting visa approved?

My school is yet to issue me an updated spring I-20 which captures my graduate assistantship funding after making several calls and sending several emails.

My appointment is early next week. I probability of getting my I-20 before then is low.

Can I still go with my fall I-20 and explain the situation to the VO?

Thanks

Greattestman:
@Cyingfreeman with your response, I don't know how the vo came to the conclusion that you don't have strong home ties to be granted a visa.She didn't give you the opportunity to express yourself.Maybe she don't just like you Ah hope you didn't dress like one Alhaji from Kano state.

Some things happen because they are meant to happen.They happen to make us stronger, to make us better persons.

re-Apply sharpaly and get your visa approved.

Unless you are not feeling the impact of the Buhari Administration, you can chiken out

May we all be given the GRACE to japa.

Bro, you have an email

I have some issues.

My EA just got approved.

I'm yet to get my spring I-20.

My school don't update I-20.

Fall classes began since 22nd of August.

With the delay in approval, i then thought I will use this EA to get a date in October or late September. By then I would have gotten my Spring I-20.

So I proceeded to pick 1st September for my interview

Is it possible for me to go to the embassy with my fall I-20 and get an approval even when school started since 22nd?

Then I can now defer to spring.

Cc: Moshkom, Greattestman, Shannon70 and other generals

Dejesse:
Visa approved Abuja
Windows 10 woman
Masters
Tennessee state university
No funding

It’s God ! God and God alone .
After biometric
VO: where do you work?
I work in Lagos nigeria in an IT firm and my duties are as follows , I listed them
VO: who is funding you
My sister and myself , she did not ask for bank statement
VO: what will you do after your program?
I will be coming back to my own country to take up a senior role

She just gave me the paper , it was not white, it was green so I was shocked until I read it .
She kept my passport
That’s all
Once again , Only God could make this happen . Thank you

Congrats bro.

When I read your transcript, I still wonder on what basis I was denied. This visa process is mentally torturing.

Spanishmilf:
why are you not interested in other countries

Countries like?

Shannon70:
Going to emphasize this. If anything US visa policy encourages brain drain. A Consular Officer is not thinking "oh got to keep the doctors in Nigeria." And agree good quality school.

Thanks alot for this clarification

Greattestman:
Good! And make sure you put on a tie But why do I have the feeling that you will be approved? Make sure to know what has changed in your application before your next interview.I wish you success.

Hahaha.. I love the feeling you're having. That feeling must come to pass. I'll definitely get a tie and put on. Lol

Thanks bro

Nostradamus1:
If I am getting u right, then u are a medical doctor going for that course.
With the brain drain of doctors in Nigeria, It is suspicious to any VO.
Attempting it in a lesser known uni is still suspicious

Hmm. Well, there's actually brain drain of doctors. However, I have seen alot of doctors going for their postgraduate degree and were issued visa. And it's public health some of us are going to study which is very important for Nigeria at this critical time.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte isn't a lesser known university. In North Carolina, after Chapel Hill is Charlotte. So I doubt the choice of university is an issue here

kingjonez:
I think she just didnt like us cos i was right behind him �. She asked me just 3 questions & by the third question, she was already typing & not paying much attention to me
She asked why the course & the school, travel history & sponsor. Nothing about current job, post-degree plans or even relationship with sponsor

Exactly same things she asked me

Greattestman:
@Cyingfreeman with your response, I don't know how the vo came to the conclusion that you don't have strong home ties to be granted a visa.She didn't give you the opportunity to express yourself.Maybe she don't just like you Ah hope you didn't dress like one Alhaji from Kano state.

Some things happen because they are meant to happen.They happen to make us stronger, to make us better persons.

re-Apply sharpaly and get your visa approved.

Unless you are not feeling the impact of the Buhari Administration, you can chiken out

May we all be given the GRACE to japa.

Lol. It's too late for me to reapply. I'll be sending in another application for spring in my school as my school doesn't defer admission. I'll change my location to Abuja. I'll then find one proper coat to wear on that day. Lol

kingjonez:
I think she just didnt like us cos i was right behind him �. She asked me just 3 questions & by the third question, she was already typing & not paying much attention to me
She asked why the course & the school, travel history & sponsor. Nothing about current job, post-degree plans or even relationship with sponsor

Hahaha. You were behind me??

Lol. Be like say that woman no just like us. She might be wondering what kind of doctor is this looking macho? Hahaha

I was feeling really bad. Like baaaaadddd. But what can I do? It's to pick up the pieces and move on

Greattestman:
Oh! Apologies for that.Could you please list out your home ties? I mean what you told the vo to prove your home ties.

This was exactly how it went...

Visa Denied
Lagos
17th August 2022
MPH
Black American lady
COA-46k
RA-21k
Deficit-25k


VO: Why this School and course?

Me. Public Health basically talks about preventive medicine. It's easier to prevent illnesses than treat. As a medical doctor, I have managed cases where patients presented with complications and endstages of diseases which could easily be prevented. Diseases like hypertension, diabetes, Cancers could be prevented leading to less morbidty and mortality. Also, Nigeria has been plaqued with atleast 5 emerging and reemerging Infectious diseases like Ebola, Lassa.. with this degree, I'll be equipped with the skills and knowledge inwhich I'll use to mitigate the problems of public health in Nigeria especially when it comes to chronic diseases and infectious diseases.

I choose Charlotte because I'll be opportuned to work with and be mentored under a renowned professor of Public health, Prof... who's research interest is purely on chronic diseases and Infectious diseases and it's tandem with my line of interest.

VO: Who's covering your deficit?

Me: apart from my research assistantship which covers my welfare and part tuition, my dad Prof... who's a Prof of business management, university of ... for 25 years and also a public servant for over 35years... (cuts me short)..

VO: I'm sorry...

Greattestman:
Kingjonez your responses are all good.I don't know why the vo should deny you.But I still feel the denial is as a result of funding, tho yous SOA is good enough to cover the deficit.Maybe the vo is concerned about your sources of funding: RA, personal savings, your father who is a prof and a civil servant will foot the remaining bill if your RA and personal savings isn't enough to cover your expenses and you didn't mention if he has a major business establishment, did you?

Chief, it's like you're Mixing my transcript with that of Jones. Lol.

Well, as for the funding I told the VO that apart from my RA, my dad will be covering the funding. I was telling her what my dad does before she cut me short. I was yet to mention what he earns yearly and his other businesses. Could that have been the issue?

Because the blue slip given to me was 214b. And when I researched, it was talking about lack of home ties. All questions she asked me, I always emphasized I was coming back to Nigeria to implement what I had studied.

Shannon70:
I think there is a large number of people who would have been approved in my time that are not being approved now and I don't know why. Trying to dig around for some data.

I was so calm, confident and honest with my responses until she gave me the blue slip. It felt like a movie. After spending sleepless nights searching for appointment date.. my school doesn't defer and I'm going to lose my RA. Hmm!!

Visa Denied
Lagos
17th August 2022
MPH
Black American lady
COA-46k
RA-21k
Deficit-25k


VO: Why this School and course?

Me. Public Health basically talks about preventive medicine. It's easier to prevent illnesses than treat. As a medical doctor, I have managed cases where patients presented with complications and endstages of diseases which could easily be prevented. Diseases like hypertension, diabetes, Cancers could be prevented leading to less morbidty and mortality. Also, Nigeria has been plaqued with atleast 5 emerging and reemerging Infectious diseases like Ebola, Lassa.. with this degree, I'll be equipped with the skills and knowledge inwhich I'll use to mitigate the problems of public health in Nigeria especially when it comes to chronic diseases and infectious diseases.

I choose Charlotte because I'll be opportuned to work with and be mentored under a renowned professor of Public health, Prof... who's research interest is purely on chronic diseases and Infectious diseases and it's tandem with my line of interest.

VO: Who's covering your deficit?

Me: apart from my research assistantship which covers my welfare and part tuition, my dad Prof... who's a Prof of business management, university of ... for 25 years and also a public servant for over 35years... (cuts me short)..

VO: I'm sorry...

@Shannon70, what do you think?

Others could also give contributions

Shannon70:
Think strategically. Frequently we read on this forum people sorting through the tactics of getting their visa. This is all done at the last minute with people struggling over what are really minor details. Those minor details are rarely the things a decision turns on.

Remember what I said earlier about the Consular Officer making a lot of decisions and suffering from decision fatigue. Make their life easier by making it easy to say yes.

You probably are looking at a one-year planning horizon.

First, think about why you want to go to the US for school. What do you want to study? Why? When you can answer those two questions, then start looking for schools. The United States has hundreds of good schools. They all are accredited, they have conducive learning environments, those things do not set them apart. Affordability, the community, and recommendations from friends will help set you up for success in a selecting a place you will achieve your objectives.

Take admissions exams. Don’t look for schools based on whether they are required, even if ultimately they are not, serious students take them.

Apply to the schools of your choice, be able to explain to yourself why you want to go there. For example –

“I want to go to Northern Arizona University because their business school has a solid reputation is educating entrepreneurs, Flagstaff is a diverse city, and I would like to visit the Grand Canyon. Northern Arizona is like no place I have every been and I want a new experience.”

In that statement you have given a solid educational goal and told someone you have really considered the place you are hoping to spend the next 2-4 years.

After you have admissions figure out your funding. Obviously some of this will be going on in parallel, but you need a solid plan in place that you can easily explain to the Consular Officer.

Once you have all of that in place apply for your visa. Make sure the DS-160 is accurate, but do not get into extraneous detail. Remember we are trying to make this easy for the Consular officer to say yes.

If you have been working on this that long your interview will be easy. You will naturally explain why you are a bona fide student, how you are paying, and what your ties are that are going to compel you to return.

This is very insightful. I feel many people complicate things for themselves because of one reason or the other.

Yet to get my visa. But I remain very hopeful.

Thank you

erwinschro:
I think this is a much better situation but because your interview is before the start date and you have permission to resume late so it shouldn't stop them from giving you a visa in theory. At least if I was in your position I would still carry on and not defer. I don't know what the actual timeline is to receive your passport but its supposed to be 3-5 business days. If you think you can collect your passport and *arrive* in the US by the 26th at the latest then by the grace of God you should be fine, although you might get tough questions at the port of entry

Thanks for the reply boss.

I actually asked my school for an extension which should be reflected on my I20. Rather than do that, they issued me an extension letter.

erwinschro:
I think you 100% can be denied for this. Overall, your start date on your I20 is what matters. Even if they give you the visa, you can be denied at the port of entry if you arrive after the start date on your I20. The school is able to give you permission to arrive 1 week late, and in most circumstances this should be fine at the port of entry and they understand the sort of backlogs we have in Nigeria. Anything after 1 week and the chances at the port of entry get dicey. So if your visa appointment is already 1 week after your start date and it takes another 3-5 days to get your passport then the best option is to defer. The consular officers also know this, and likely won't grant you a visa if you will be arriving at the port of entry 2 weeks after the start date. I was in the embassy this morning and it was mostly F1 and they made it a point to tell all the people they gave visas not to arrive after their program start date or they will be sent back to Nigeria

Wow!! My program started date is 22nd. My EA just got approved. But while trying to pick a date, account was frozen. However, people said that the earliest EA is 17th of August. So I hope to pick 17th of August once my account is unfrozen. Worse case scenario, 18th.

Putting into consideration my program start date on the 22nd and likely date of interview which maybe on the 18th, what are my chances? Is this a red flag?

Anyone with an idea could also give an input.

Thanks