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TravelRe: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 15 by d0pekellz(m): 1:58am On Nov 19, 2019
BeebarHH:
Hi everyone.

I had to retrieve my password to submit this post as I forgot it as soon as I opened the account years ago. This is because I think it's really important to also drop my transcript here as i have read several transcripts from the older threads which really helped me today at the embassy. So I'd like to thank everyone who has made a comment or another since the beginning of US visa thread (I'm not sure if 'thread' is what they call it but you know what I mean yeah?)

The pre-screening section was fine but i got a bit scared when a lady who's supposed to confirm the passport right before the bio-metrics shook her head while looking through my I-20. She didn't say what the issue was but I knew I had to start praying immediately. I then noticed pink and yellow slips being issued to most applicants. If I hadn't read through this thread from part 13, I would have assumed they were all granted the visa because some of those applicants had been the US and many other countries before and sounded legit. I personally didn't understand the reason for the denial. Anyway, lets skip to my interview.

I was interviewed by a guy at the third booth which went like this
VO: Good morning
ME: Good morning
VO: Pass me your passport please
ME: Here
VO: So you're going to Georgia state
ME: Yes I am. i intend to study for a master's degree in Geosciences at Georgia State University
VO: oh Student Visa
ME: yes
VO: pass me your I-20
ME: here
VO: (looks through the i-20) ohhh Master's
ME: yes, Masters in geosciences
VO: How long is your program
ME: 28 months
VO: how many schools did you apply to?
ME: three schools. Kansas state university, the University of North Dakota and georgia state Uni but I chose Georgia State Uni because I was impressed by its academic ranking in terms of innovation, commitment to teaching and also research. I was also interested in the work of Dr Hassan who has worked extensively on structural geology. I intend to use the acquired to further study the Niger Delta. The Niger Delta hosts the largest oil reserve in Nigeria.
VO: (nods) very good. so you intend to go for a PhD afterwards?(then he looked right into my eyes)
ME: (looking confused) No, I believe the knowledge acquired would be enough to independently study the Niger Delta. My plan is to apply to Shell Nigeria, where I did my graduate Internship, as an experienced Geologist wherein I'd use the data acquired over the years to further understand reservoir connectivity and communication which would in turn boost hydrocarbon production.
VO: (nods) very good. So you did an Internship at Shell
ME: Yes
VO: good...I see you have a deficit of $12000 aside your assistantship. Who'd be paying for that?
ME:My Uncle
VO: Pass me his Bank Statement
ME: Okay but give me a second to get it...here
VO: (looks through it for longer than I expected and I suspected that he assumed the statement was in Naira but I didn't say anything) Oh he's in switzerland so the currency is in CHF
ME: yeah
VO: (he looked me in the eye again) i will be issuing your visa (pauses for a second to process my reaction) you should pick it up at the point...(I didnt hear the rest cuz I was trying to absorb the fact that my visa was granted)
ME: (emotionless face) Okay, thank you
VO: Please go there to pay your reciprocity fees. You should always take your I-20 with you when you travel......(I zoned out again but tried to appear like I was hearing it for the first time even though my school has put me through the entire process but of course he was trying to help and I appreciated that)
ME: ( nods) Okay, thank you.

What I learned from this is
1. Don't memorize your answers. Practicing a billion times would give you an default, memorized response but try to be flexible with it so that you can think while responding. This is because most times, the tension could cause you to forget the rhythm of your response and that could disorient you completely but if you're listening to yourself speak you can always replace a forgotten response with a more logical answer....Half of my responses weren't delivered as rehearsed.
2. Don't wait for the VO to ask every question. if you've gone through this visa posts long enough you'd see a pattern in the questions. e.g which schools did you apply to, why that school and what are your plans after the degree. Answering them before being asked shows that you actually have a plan already and didn't just cook something up because they asked. While sounding smart with your brief and combined response, the VO also wouldn't have the opportunity to pay special attention to each response like if they were asked individually.... I learned this while rehearsing with my Kid bro last night
3. Please don't lie. there was a man who said he hadn't been denied by any country as he has traveled to so many countries only for the VO to roll his eyes and say "really? are you sure?" then he started to confess and ultimately got denied. You can't tell how much info they have of you.
4. Please please and please, practice your response with the intention that you wouldn't stay any longer in the US than the degree you're going for. The PhD question that was asked of me was a trick i believe. If I had said yes then it would have shown that I wasn't eager to come back and that I'd stay back in the US at the slightest opportunity.. I actually didn't realize this until after the interview.
5. Be prepared. Practice as much as you can and be confident. If you're a genuine student with the intention to study for a better future, remind yourself of that every time because you deserve the opportunity.
6. Speak up and speak out. Don't frustrate the VO by sounding like you've got a sore in your mouth. If you have stage fright like me and tend to speak at a low tone in an interview, lean closer to the receiver. Also, once you notice that the VO is struggling with an Info, especially funding, clear the air before he gives you the pink slip. I should have spoken out immediately i noticed him struggling with the Bank Statement ... Thank God he realized it eventually but not everyone gets that lucky.
7. I don't need to tell anyone to pray. That's default. You should go in with the conviction that your prayer has been accepted. That can loosen up the tension a bit and also improve confidence.


I'm so sorry for the long post, i just wish to give back as much information as I gained from Nairaland. I hope this helps a lot of people.

by the way, hold your reciprocity fee. Its N40,700 or $110. You must show the fee in *CASH*in either currency before you even get past the second checkpoint and there are about 5 of them before meeting the VO (but they'd only confirm that you have the fee once). If you get the Visa you'd pay the fee and if you don't then you'd take your money away with you.

Finally(I promise), don't pray for the VO to retain your Passport because the system has changed. the VO would return your passport to you with a tiny pick slip and the usual white paper which you'd take to the booth where you'd pay your reciprocity fee. that's where they'd retain your passport and the tiny pink paper.

Thank you.
Congrats!
TravelRe: Share Your Nigeria To Abroad Stories Here by d0pekellz(m): 10:50pm On Nov 08, 2019
Anacondaprick:
Op hustle hard and save like 6million
.Enter Norway or Germany. All my guys there are ballers
can someone here advice, between Norway or Germany which is favorable to international students
TravelRe: General German Student Visa Enquiries Part 7 by d0pekellz(m): 8:35am On Nov 08, 2019
Hello Guys, pls i want to ask if it's possible to do Germany summer application with the U.S fall application concurrently.
Jobs/VacanciesRe: In Urgent Need... by d0pekellz(m):
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RomanceRe: How Can I Control My Sexual Urges In School Environment? by d0pekellz(m): 11:42pm On Oct 26, 2019
Zane2point4:
Hahah, this can be a very serious problem in school those days.
Trust me these girls ain't helping niggers atall.
They walk around almost unclad, with no bra and pointing those headlamps everywhere they go.
Well nigger get a pen and paper...

Make a list, and start counting census..
Anyone u tidy, tick am good.
Just buy a cartoon of indomie and egg, flash am for ur kitchen where them go see am

Enjoy yout university days, blc once you graduate, real world is no fun atall..
Dont focus too much on book, e no help anymore.
Word!! but not on marble...lol. Guy enjoy your self responsibly while you can. It's the time to have some of the best time of your life while learning. You might not get a chance to be in such environment with such vibe after your grad. It's a jungle out here in the real world
TravelRe: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 15 by d0pekellz(m): 4:44pm On Oct 18, 2019
Phocusjosh:
Many thanks for your kind words. I got my passport back yesterday and visa issued. Wish you speedy and successful feedback.
congratulations. Is your programme fully funded?
TravelRe: Nigerians In Oslo, Norway by d0pekellz(m): 2:52pm On Oct 18, 2019
Summer 2020. Who has started the application
HealthRe: Please Help, Insomnia Is Killing Me by d0pekellz(m): 1:04am On Oct 04, 2019
smoke weed when ever you want to rest or sleep.
RomanceRe: Runs Girl Strips To Her P@nties At The Gate Of Abuja Hotel To Disgrace Client by d0pekellz(m): 9:57pm On Oct 03, 2019
greatdeal1408 : abeg send me the link to the group chat. Thanks
SportsRe: Lionel Messi Named 2019 FIFA The Best Men's Player by d0pekellz(m): 11:27pm On Sep 23, 2019
If you don't like messi, it is not that you don't like great football; It's you don't know what great football is!! Humble your sef and watch him play, devoid of petty sentiment; only then will you appreciate this alien. The Best!!
RomanceRe: Join An Erotic Whatsapp Group Drop Your Number. For Matured Minds Only by d0pekellz(m):
a
PoliticsRe: See What LASG Is Doing To Major Dumpsites Across The State - Photos by d0pekellz(m): 11:08pm On Sep 16, 2019
sonnie10:
Recycling is not sustainable in most cases. North America companies knew that ever since, that is the reason they ship their sorted plastic wastes to China. Now China have seen that it is not profitable and they have stopped receiving those waste. Even China is dumping their cheap recycle d metals in African markets.
Only if these folks here knew how it's cost ineffective to recycle plastic. About 30% of the world plastic is recycled- that should inform you that it ait cheap. Secondly it's not sustainable in this clime going by our bad maintenance culture . No government would spend that much for something they know posterity won't maintain and sustain.
SportsRe: Ukraine Vs Nigeria: International Friendly (2- 2) Full Time by d0pekellz(m): 9:26pm On Sep 10, 2019
who did we offend in this country, can't we have a smooth sail in anything? :'
SportsRe: It's New, It's Different, It Can Change Your Life Forever. by d0pekellz(m): 11:21pm On Jul 18, 2019
kindly add me-07030744183
SportsRe: Nigeria Vs South Africa: AFCON Quarter Final (2 - 1) Full Time by d0pekellz(m): 11:02pm On Jul 10, 2019
RTSC:
If chuwkueze get in the hands of kloop or guardiola, he would become one of the greatest African players ever.
Guatdiola that doesn't like African players?
CelebritiesRe: Kaffy Condemns Naira Marley's Soapy Dance As Dog Joins by d0pekellz(m): 4:47pm On Jul 03, 2019
I think there nothing wrong with masturbation or a dance promoting it. In a country where stds and adulterated drugs are steadily on the increase, the medical system is in a mess (even the president can attest to that), i think it's safer to masturbatate than to be ''burnt'' down there.
SportsRe: Missing Funds: Nigeria Escapes IAAF Ban As Dalung Makes U-turn - Premium Times by d0pekellz(m): 4:28pm On May 30, 2019
Next time when blaming yahoo boys for destroying our reputation to the international community also don't forget to include the Nigerian govt. Money that was mistakenly sent for few years now has still not been refunded. what does that tell you?...That the Govt is also into scam activities.
European Football (EPL, UEFA, La Liga)Re: Chelsea Vs Arsenal: Europa Cup Final (4 - 1) On 29th May 2019 by d0pekellz(m): 10:39pm On May 29, 2019
I was actually impressed with the way Iwobi played.

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