Gloryemo:
I guess they just ask those extra questions so that applicants can't easily know what went wrong.

Yup. That's why they also ask 'are you married' and 'do you have kids' at the end of interviews, even though you've already told them that through your DS160.

BigUgo21:
PLEASE gurus in the house help critique my proposed f-1 visa transcript. My interview is next week. Thanks

Me: good morning sir/ma’am
VO: good morning,
Me: how was your night?
VO: fine thank you
VO: pass me your passport and I-20?
Me: passes it over to her
VO: you were denied twice last year, why apply again?
Me: yes I was denied F-1 Visa under section 214(b) ... because I could not articulate my study plans well and I was rejected.
VO: so tell me your study plans
Me: Upon resumption of school, I will register 3 courses with a total of 9 credits hours for both first and second semesters respectively. Thereafter I would work in my research concentration in my second year with focus on AM Technology and Industrial Automation at the Industrial Robotics and Manufacturing Lab to equip me with the technical knowledge and on demand skills which will give me an edge to become a senior industrial production engineer on a managerial level at bleep xxxx or a lecturing job at my Alma Mater the University of Nigeria’s newly established department of Industrial and Production Engineering (though currently awaits full accreditation status from the National Universities Commission, NUC) to help pioneer its eventual take off. I will also write some professional certification courses like the Quality Engineer and Six Sigma Black Belt exams to increase my employability in the job market.
VO: What’re the courses you’ll be taking at Morgan State University?
Me: I would be required to complete 33 credit hours of course work in 24 months inclusive of 18 credit hours of core courses, 9 credit hours of elective courses, 4 credit hours of research thesis, and 2 credit hours of seminar with core courses such as: Rapid Prototyping I & II, Stochastic Processes, Quality management and statistical process control, Reliability, Non-traditional manufacturing processes, Advanced quantitative methods in systems engineering, Risk assessment and systems reliability, Engineering optimization processes, Assembly automation & product design, Supply chain and logistics management, Engineering design process, Advanced production & operations management, Computer integrated manufacturing, Engineering statistics & modelling, Production sequencing & scheduling, Human performance engineering, Research in design & manufacturing systems, Design simulation
VO: Which of the courses is more of interest to you & why?
Me: Rapid Prototyping is of more interest to me because it deals with the fundamental concepts in the development of computational algorithms for the design of machine components and assemblies, and other engineering systems. It’s a vital course for AM Tech & Industrial Automation research.
VO:

It's good that you know why and what you're going for and you have done your research, but I'm surprised that you've been to the embassy for an F1 interview before and you're still not aware that there isn't time to deliver epistles to the VO. The VO would cut you off during almost every response and you would sound like you crammed if you don't prepare a far more concise set of responses.

You need to make your responses both concise and convincing.

flairlady:
Visa Transcript

VO:Why are you going to the United States
Me:To obtain a doctorate in Nutritional science from Texas Tech University.

VO:You have applied for a student visa before
Me:yes

VO:Where did you get your previous degree from?
Me:OAU and FUTMinna (In full)

VO:Where do you work?
Me: I am a lecturer at .....

VO:Are you married
Me:Yes

VO:Do you have children?
Me:No

VO:Is your husband going with you?
Me:No,he has a job

VO:Will you be returning to Nigeria
Me:Yes(I wanted to explain,she stopped me)

VO:Will you be returning to you current job?
Me:Yes,because I am going to get a study leave.

VO:Your Visa has been approved.
I stopped listening to everything she was saying at this point.

Note:I am fully funded.I got fellowships and a research assistantship.

Thanks to everyone.I learnt a lot from this forum.
Brown2Green,thank you.

Congratulations!!!

sharwama:

This Queen needs no stress. I have hired people to handle all that. My duty is just to enter inside plane and tell the conductor my last bus stop
Please let me know if you require additional information

Keke airlines

tboy47:
Please gurus in the house i greet y’all
Here is my proposed transcript.. any help i can get will b welcomed ��

*** Good morning

CONSULAR: Pass Your Passport and i-20 Please

CONSULAR: Why Are You Going to the US?
ME: I am going to the us to study masters in physics in Texas A and M university

CONSULAR: Why the US?
ME: There is a very high level of teaching and research at US Universities, and I would have immense opportunities to learn from highly qualified professors in the field of physics.
CONSULAR: How Did You Get This School? / How Did You Hear About This School?
ME: I first read about Texas A & M during my search for universities that offers specialised courses in physics on usnews and report. I then came up with 5 schools and later streamlined the list and applied to 3schools which all offered me admission.

CONSULAR: How Many Schools Did You Apply To?
ME: I applied to 3 universities! University of Idaho, Connecticut state university, Texas A and M University,

CONSULAR: What Do All These Schools Have In Common?
ME: They all offer Masters in Physics and I applied to them because I meet the program admission requirement.


CONSULAR: Why Did You Choose this School?
ME: I Choose Texas A & M University because I was awarded a graduate assistantship that covers my entire tuition and fees. More importantly, there is an ongoing research that align with my career interest and essential for professional advancement in the physics sector I hope to work upon my return to Nigeria. The program curriculum structure stands out compare to other schools I applied to. For example, I will be learning about experimental research in solid state physics, x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron, auger electron, appearance potential spectroscopy of surfaces, signal analysis of speech signals, microcomputer hardware and software development, and digital electronics. Other schools I applied to do not offer all these courses combined. So getting a degree from this school will not only equip me with the expertise to be highly employable, but will also deepens my technical know-how to work better as a physicist.


CONSULAR: Why Masters in physics)?
ME: Master's in physics are highly paid in this \country because it's a rare field that is growing up so fast in this country. I already have a bachelor of science in physics and due to my love and desire to work and advance this field, a master degree in physics will allow me to understand advanced areas of physics that my undergraduate studies did not teach me. \

CONSULAR: Tell Me About Your Academic Background?
ME: I studied physics in Delta State University Abraka and graduated in 2015
CONSULAR: what have u been doing since u graduated?
In 2016, i worked as IT at HBB integrated service limited, after which I went for a compulsory NYSC program in 2017.
After my service, i got employed at LEE construction company which is where am working curently


CONSULAR: What are those courses you’ll be taking/ Tell me about your program?
ME: The masters in physics is a 30 credit hour program and I am expected to maintain a 3.0 GPA in order to graduate in 2 years. I will be taking courses such as electricity and magnetism, mathematical physics, quantum mechanics, mathematical physics, quantum mechanics, and I will be carrying out a research at the end of every semester.


CONSULAR: Tell me about your Research?
ME: I will be researching on Organic semiconductor physics, and there is another research called Surface science research. The surface physics in physics laboratory at Texas A & M University -Commerce offers a wide variety of experimental research opportunities including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and soft x-ray and so on.


CONSULAR: Did You Write Any Standardized Test?
ME: Yes, I wrote the GRE test

CONSULAR: Are you married?
ME: NO

CONSULAR: Have You Travelled Before?
ME: No, had no reason to
CONSULAR: Do u have anybody in the US?
Me: Yes, my elder brother
CONSULAR: whats its status?
Me: pending permanent residence
Consular:Is he married?
Me : yes he is married

CONSULAR: Who Is Paying For This? / Who Is Sponsoring You?
ME: I have a full scholarship and My elder brother here in Nigeria will support
Consular: what does he do?
Me : he works in chevron Nigeria limited as a senior staff
Consular : how many children does he have?
Just 2

CONSULAR: What are your career plans / What is your plan after graduation?
ME: There are many lucrative job opportunities in my field here in Nigeria, I will Return back to Nigeria and use the expertise this degree will equip me with to achieve my utmost career goal which is to become a geophysicist in various oil firms. because I will be highly employable since this is a new field that is not fully explored in this country yet...
CONSULAR: What will this course do for you??
Me: Masters degree in physics will allow me to understand advanced area of physics that my undergraduate studies dis not teach me. And also, it will enable me to possess the knowledge and expertise required to work in various oil firms and industries in nigeria

Are there really only 5 schools in the US that offer specialized courses in Physics according to US News?

You need to strengthen your response to 'Why master's in Physics?' What particular job position in Nigeria are you looking forward to obtaining with that degree? The VO is an immigration officer- he would be more interested in you having a solid reason to return to your country with the degree than with you advancing your education in Physics.

You also need to make your response to 'Why this school?' more concise, while maintaining or improving it's convincing nature.

Davidkking:

i would fill it in......and then complete my ds-160 tommorow

Okay. Good.

Davidkking:

oh ok......can i go ahead and submit my visa application tho so i can get a date? and then complete my ds-160 tomorrow with a new photo

You can book your visa appointment without submitting DS160- so I heard.
Buh you need your ds160 application number.

Davidkking:
please i don't understand what this means

"The photo you have submitted did not meet quality standards. You will need to submit a new photo with your confirmation page and passport.

Additional instructions are provided when you return to the Visa application."

Check the photo eligibility guidelines. Your photo did not meet one or more of them. Check and upload a new one.

Wait. Where did you see that error message? Us travel docs or DS160 application site??

iwriterng:


From what I’ve read here and on quora.

They get really suspicious of you saying or presenting what is not requested. It’s considered a distraction and as such they’re trained to frown on such.

They’re also very time conscious. So the quicker the better for them.

I’ve never appeared for an interview so you might want to just read my contribution in passing.

LMAO don't say that. You're right.

JoeBazz:
No spy here, they actually visit this thread. I once saw a system in the xray scanning room at the embassy with nairaland page on the monitor.

WTF

Brown2Green:


Let me burst your bubbles.
VOs read this thread every now and then.

They are here with different monikers and as guests.

Matter of fact the VOs had a thread where they responded to questions at a certain time before it was closed.

More reason why we must not come here talking about things that will jeopardize us .

Lord.
Yes, I remember seeing that thread when I was still a Nairaland guest...was wondering what they were doing on Nairaland.

Wretch32:
You might have said this as a joke but it’s actually realistically possible
Like can someone explain this? Twoods? Lagosismyhome? Anybody?

I actually said it as a joke but after I sent it I had a second thought...It might be possible

LagosismyHome:


I think VOs read this thread and wanted to send a message that they are unpredictable

Very very possible.

Kapapa:
I thought they said they don't give Nigerians students visa again but someone got f1 visa today doe it mean the information is false

Search the news online again and all you'll see is news about the US embassy saying it's FALSE.

Wretch32:
Two seemingly good transcripts today (with graduate assistantships and funding) yet denied

What’s going on

I've been wondering too .. funding is no longer the new ivy.
Maybe the VOs have done meeting regarding that.

Or wait, what if there's spy on this thread that is educating the VO of our tactics...

Stanmedix:
Yes

You should have told the VO that you weren't given an official letter but it's stated on your I20

.

omofola93:
Lagos Consulate 6:30...Wednesday Morning (19/06)
V. O: What's your highest degree
Me: I have a bachelor of Pharmacy degree
V. O: When did you complete this
Me: 2016
V. O: What have you been doing since then
Me: I worked for a couple of months as a locum pharmacist before I went for my one year internship program to become a licensed pharmacist, then I went for my compulsory one year National Youth service, which I completed in April, I was retained where I served and I work there till now.
V. O: Did you apply to any other school
Me: Yes I did
V. O: Name them
Me: SDSU, OUHSC, WSU
V.O: Were u admitted in any other school
Me: No, I was rejected at wsu and ouhsc and waitlisted at sdsu
V.O: What will you be doing as a research assistant
Me: I would be working in the laboratory of Dr Wood, who I would be assisting in setting up of laboratories ans working on his current work in d development of immunotherapeutic for the treatment of cancer
V. O: Thank you, what would you do after your program
Me: I would return back to nigeria to work as a research scientist and academic at my undergraduate university, where I would promote the local production of pharmaceuticals in Nigeria
V. O: Are u married
Me: No
V. O: Do you have any kids.
Me: No
V. O: your passport would be available for pickup in d next three days, seems your pick up location is isolo? Have a nice day
Me: Kukuma Catwalk out with grace

Thank y'all for being a part of this Journey.

Congratulations!!!!

I've been wondering..what's the use of 'are you married?' and 'do you have kids?' when VO's can see all that in their system.

I've seen those questions in the end of delayed transcripts with Yes and Yes as the responses, and in the end of approved transcripts with No and No as responses.

These VO's are trying to make us oblivious of the responses that led to their decision.

Tomiwaa:
6:30am
Visa delayed.
Good morning pass your I-20 and passport.


Q. How many other schools did you apply to?

Three

Q. Name them.

UCR, USF, LSU.
Q. How did you hear about the schools?

Last year at the annual conference of the Nigerian chapter of the American Chemical society, I networked with a few colleagues who recommended the schools I applied to.

Q. How many gave you admits?
I was rejected two and one waitlist for one.


Q. What kind of work will you be doing?

I will be working as a graduate assistant.

Q. Did you write the GRE?

Yes.

Q. What was your score?
301.

Q. What will you be doing when you return?
I will be returning to conduct research in organic medicinal chemistry. Will be using knowledge of chemistry for organic synthesis of new drugs that can be of medicinal use.

Q. Who is paying for the remaining 12k?

My Uncle.

Q. What does he do?

He imports and distributes building materials.

Can you pass his statement?

Q. Why is this statement not in your sponsor's name?
(froze, in my mind I think I said)
A.. It is a corporate business account owned by my sponsor.....( attempts to flip through the SOA)

Q. What is the name of your sponsor.
Told her.

Game over.
Pink.

Deficit of 12k after Tuition waiver and Assistantship. Sponsor's SOA was his business account.

Your uncle should have requested for a letter of attestation from the same bank stating that he is the sole signatory of the account. That would have helped. You should have also carried his personal account too.

fairheart:
I never said it is not campus employment o. Haba, are you saying I did not know it is a form of employment? I know, sister.
What I am saying is that, hardly do I see "employment" written in the place of "Graduate Assistantships", or "Tuition Waiver Scholarship", which would have been better. I am still not sure if employment is actually stated. But if that word is stated, the consular might been thinking differently, and in my opinion, this is what I see as a major reason for the refusal.

Even as an undergraduate, I had on campus employment stated on my I20 and I had no clue about what I'll be doing. My Visa was still approved. So I guess it is not abnormal, or the reason for the refusal.

Passion2009:



When I visited the U.S last summer, I stayed for about 3months and that did not stop me from getting my F1 visa some days ago. I think she needs to be prepd more and try to reapply - don't give up on schooling in the US, it will be more convenient for the two of you.

She just needs to be able to give a concrete explanation why she stayed that long. As far as the length of stay is within the law, the VO needs to be sure that it was not because of immigrant intent. She should have explained better when she was given the opportunity.

Justabama:
PLEASE HOW LONG WILL I STILL WAIT FOR THIS AP THAT HAS LASTED 2WEEKS NOW?

Chat up both the embassy and the pick up center.

brainy02:
Pls is it so difficult for some in the US to help pay the Sevis fee..... Most of the WU outlet entered don't seem to get a grip of it even after presenting the coupon form.


What could be the reasons or are their specifics

It isn't difficult for someone to pay the SEVIS for you in the US. A friend in the US could help me do mine through Western Union without any hassles.

Brown2Green:


Dr. Saleh is gone incognito.

He's finally confused and overwhelmed at same time.

LMAO

Beekorly:
Hi guys, my visa was approved around 9:50am today at Abuja.


After I had replied the VO's greeting and request for passport and I-20, these followed:

VO:- Why Tufts?

My response :- Tufts is a highly prestigious university and its CS department offers ML research specialization which is of interest to me.

VO:- Where did you have your bachelor's degree?
My response:- Here in Nigeria at Bleep university.

VO:- What will you do after your program?
My response :- I would return to Nigeria to pick up a lecturing job at my Alma mater.

VO:- Your visa has been approved.
My response :- Thanks
VO:- You're welcome.


All thanks to God.

Thanks for reviewing my mock transcript @Brown2Green and @Bracelum.

Congratulations. The school played a major role in your approval.

CptCharlesVane:
A big shout out to Lagosismyhome, Fairheart and the rest of the guys that are dedicated to this thread.

Visa approved. Abuja

Me: Good morning!
VO: Good morning, your passport and I-20
(passed it)
VO: Have you ever traveled out of the country?
Me: Yes
VO: Which countries?
Me: A few countries in Europe and Africa (didn't say this. I just named them)
VO: Are you married?
Me: No
VO: What do you want to do with the degree?
Me: I intend to use the specialised skills that I'd acquire in organic synthesis to explore local plants with pharmaceutical (nodding) and cosmetic potential here in Nigeria where it is in abundance. (not as fluent as written but she got the point) I also wo.. (interrupts and passes white paper and explained when I'd get my passport back)

** I must admit, reading through this thread made me take my whole life's documents along. Birth certificate, bank statements, sponsor's letter of consent, waec, neco, nysc, association membership card, nepa bill, police clearance, estate levy etc except my GTB receipt. Well, better over-prepared than not at all.

Travel history and funding might have played a role for me but one thing I understood well and is the essence of the interview is that it is a non-immigrant visa application and everyone is presumed an immigrant until one proves otherwise at the interview. The DS-160 form is the other part, very important.

I prepared by anticipating a lot of questions that may arise from my submitted DS form, information on I-20, and my program...under the theme of "PROVE NON-IMMIGRANT INTENT" as the VOs on suspiscion of immigrant intent are by law, bound to reject such application.

Good luck to other hopefuls and those on AP.

It would be good practice to use an inverted pyramid approach in answering questions, sort of the style they use in writing newspapers where the all you need to know in an article is in the first paragraph. The interview is short, barely over 5 minutes and everyone gets interrupted at some point. so better to eliminate all the wordiness and go straight to the point. To the pith and core of the matter.

Good luck again. See you in Stockholm at this year's Nobel's.

What course?

CptCharlesVane:
A big shout out to Lagosismyhome, Fairheart and the rest of the guys that are dedicated to this thread.

Visa approved. Abuja

Me: Good morning!
VO: Good morning, your passport and I-20
(passed it)
VO: Have you ever traveled out of the country?
Me: Yes
VO: Which countries?
Me: A few countries in Europe and Africa (didn't say this. I just named them)
VO: Are you married?
Me: No
VO: What do you want to do with the degree?
Me: I intend to use the specialised skills that I'd acquire in organic synthesis to explore local plants with pharmaceutical (nodding) and cosmetic potential here in Nigeria where it is in abundance. (not as fluent as written but she got the point) I also wo.. (interrupts and passes white paper and explained when I'd get my passport back)

** I must admit, reading through this thread made me take my whole life's documents along. Birth certificate, bank statements, sponsor's letter of consent, waec, neco, nysc, association membership card, nepa bill, police clearance, estate levy etc except my GTB receipt. Well, better over-prepared than not at all.

Travel history and funding might have played a role for me but one thing I understood well and is the essence of the interview is that it is a non-immigrant visa application and everyone is presumed an immigrant until one proves otherwise at the interview. The DS-160 form is the other part, very important.

I prepared by anticipating a lot of questions that may arise from my submitted DS form, information on I-20, and my program...under the theme of "PROVE NON-IMMIGRANT INTENT" as the VOs on suspiscion of immigrant intent are by law, bound to reject such application.

Good luck to other hopefuls and those on AP.

It would be good practice to use an inverted pyramid approach in answering questions, sort of the style they use in writing newspapers where the all you need to know in an article is in the first paragraph. The interview is short, barely over 5 minutes and everyone gets interrupted at some point. so better to eliminate all the wordiness and go straight to the point. To the pith and core of the matter.

Good luck again. See you in Stockholm at this year's Nobel's.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!
You carried Nepa bill , police clearance, and estate levy

Shortcess:
Thanks @dreambound
I'll make the changes as you advised
Are there any other questions I should be aware of?

Yes.
What are your plans after graduation?
A very important question that you left out.

Shortcess:
Please, can I print out my bank statement like 9 days prior to my interview?

Yes.

360gospelvibes:
Good evening kings and queens, please kindly help me with my proposed transcript

Vo: Y r u going to d US?
Me: To pursue my Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

V.o: How did u know abt dis school?
Me: I attended an Education Fair organized by Education USA, Where I met with representatives from the school, then I did some research about the school using usnews.com, Princeton review and study.com

V.o: What research did you do
Me: I researched the location, tuition, and scholarship opportunities, the opportunity for co-op and internship programs, International enrolment rate and international programs, accreditation of my program

V.o: Tell me abt ur program
Me: My course duration is 55months, the required credit hour to graduate is 125, also a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 18 credit hours is required each semester. Then i would mention my courses

V.o: What's ur highest degree?
Me: Ordinary National Degree

V.o: Year of grad?
Me: 2018

V.o: Wat av u been doing after ur OND
Me: I went for an internship job at Highland Energy Services Limited

V.o: What role were you performing
Me: I was evaluating electric systems, programs, applications, and components.

V.o: How many applications?
Me: 3. UCO, Northeastern University, University of Cincinnati

V.o: Tell me what this program would do for you:
Me: It would afford me a deeper understanding, knowledge, and insight into designing, developing new technical skills and programs needed for quantum computing, embedded systems designs, multimedia processing, and photonics

V.o: Why this course:
Me: This course would expose me to the theoretical and experimental skills needed in the feeds of Digital Electronics, Control systems, power engineering, mechatronics, and digital signal processing

V.o who is your sponsor
Me: I have a global diversity scholarship of $5000then my uncle would cover the rest

V.o: what would you do after your program
Me: everybody knows the major challenge in Nigeria is power and energy, i would be coming back to my country to work with the Ministry of Power, works and housing to bring in new renewable energy options my country can delve into to stop our over-dependence on hydroelectric power which during dry season, causes epileptic power supply.

V.o: Why this school
Me:
1.Due to the global diversity scholarship I was offered and the affordable tuition for my sponsor,
2. Due to the international program the school offers, called CRISP - community responding to international students program where an international student is paired with an American family and mandated to meet a minimum of once in a month.
3.i choose the school. because of a new center started by the college of mathematics and science called "CURE-STEM. Centre for undergraduate research education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics where a STEM undergraduate is opportune to carry out research in their respective programs with the vision of creating new technologies that can change the world
4.Opportunity for Co-op programs and Internship: after my second year, I would be going for an internship program which would expose me to the practical aspect of my program, etc

A part of your response to both 'what would this program do for you' and 'why this course?' should align with, and point out, what you want to do in Nigeria after your studies.
Your response to Why this School should be more concise..you wouldn't have time to say all that..and you would literally sound like you crammed it even if you are given the opportunity to say it all..prepare something that's both concise and convincing.

TWoods:


I struggled to grasp what you’ve said. I’m not an atheist neither am I a religious moderate. The Christian experience is one that balances both joy and pain, laughter and tears. Jesus did not promise us mountains without valleys and a genie-in-the-bottle experience, which is all Nigerian mega Christianity is all about. It’s now a Christianity where Jesus is personally involved in granting visas but has no interest in helping Nigerians fix their country for the benefit of those too poor to seek exit visas. This “god” is indeed a strange one.

Please don't leave this thread again.

anfela21:





someone got approved today

It's called SARCASM