MyAmericandream:
Visa status: Approved(8:15am) on 24/07/19
Consulate: Lagos

Sex of VO: Male
Window2
Scholarship: 40%
Deficit: 24,657
Issued: 26/08/19
Me: Good morning sir, I passed my passport and i20 immediately.
VO: Oh i20?
V0: You're going for your masters degree?
ME: Yes sir
VO: Oh chemistry?
ME: Yes sir
VO:When did you graduate from school?
ME: 2014
VO: So what have you been doing since then? I mean after you finished your undergraduate.
ME: I have been working, but before that, I ensured I observe the national youth service corps. Currently I work with Iwobi Nigeria limited as a fertility chemist.
VO: Is this company going to sponsor you?
ME: Not at all sir
V0: So how are you going to sponsor your trip?
ME: I already have a dean scholarship, then my uncle will cover the rest.

VO:Shocked (when he heard the scholarship) He quickly glance through my i2o to verify, Ok! So what does your uncle do? He's a real estate consultant, a property professional. He buys, sells and market properties of every description from lands, luxury apartment, flats to estates and industrial complexes.

VO: Please can you tell me why you choose this school? Looking straight into my eyes.
Me: The first and foremost factor for selecting this school was because of the amount quality research currently going on in the department which is closely similar to what I did in my undergraduate studies. I want to learn more and be part of the research group, the aim of this research is to synthesize marine natural product and their analogues for the design of drug molecules like antibacteria and anticancer chemoterapeutc agent. I'm already in touch with Professor Pier Cirillo and he's willing to absorb into his research group. Besides this, I will have access to the latest technology provided by bergami learning center for science, innovation and technology were ground breaking innovations in chemistry are carried out, innovations like design of drugs to eradicate leukemia completely, you know leukemia is a very deadly diseases? And another one again is to cultivate plant using hydroponic technology, most of the chief ingredients used in the pharmaceutical companies are derived from plants, this time around I will be learning how cultivate plants in water rather than soil. I'll also learn how to convert dead plants, waste materials into biofuels, you know our crude oil is drying up gradually? So I'll be bringing this into the gas and oil sector.
VO: Tired of listening and looked straight into his system.
ME: I'll not keep my mouth shut, after all I talk very fast(In my mind). And again the courses the faculty provides is different from the usual traditional masters program, were bioinformatics, computational modelling, biomedical polymers are not incorporated into the core curriculum, this program is a very dynamic one, it integrates different discipline to make a curriculum.
VO: Focused his eyes again at me, perhaps, enjoying what I was saying.
ME: I never finish oh, the school uses the tegrity learning approach as well, were I can always download audio and video after class for review.
VO: So what are your plans after this degree?
Me: After I must have gathered enough skills required to accelerate my career. I intend to return to the country and apply as a quality control specialist in a pharmaceutical firm ,food and beverage domain, Regulatory agency. I might report or resume (I can't figure out what I said here.)at association of, oh sorry, Nigerian bottling company were I interned as a lab analyst. As a matter of fact their is shortage of man power in quality control, because a bulk of the current labour force lacks knowedge in cut
VO: I'm approving your visa, he threw my 120 and white paper at me, my passport went straight to the tray.
ME: looking at the passport in the tray, Was still in awe, Is that all sir?
VO: Yeah
ME: That was how I picked race, I couldn't even locate the exit.
Thank you Jesus, coz you kept to your word. I wouldn't have gotten this with out your hand.
Thanks fairheart, bracelum, time2win and elhadji19 for vetting my transcript thoughrougly. I am grateful!
Thanks to everyone of you that has contributed in one way or the other in this forum. May God continue to strengthen you. Shalom!

Confam. I love your transcript. This is how to collect your visa with fire and with force. Just that some VOs are evil, they will just cut one short when you are trying to make sense.

spaccleinc:
Hello guys.

Visa denied last week Friday at Lagos Consulate. Please, kindly help review the interview transcript and advise if it's still worth it to apply with this same admission offer / any other advice or tip that comes to mind. Thank you.


...........................................................................................


VISA DENIED. Lagos Consulate.

Interview by a middle-aged man, probably late 40s or 50s (Indian origin) on Counter 1.



University of South Florida 

MS in Mechanical Engineering 

No funding/assistantship received 

35K deficit 




Transcript:


VO: Pass me your passport and I20

Me: *passed him my docs


VO typing and looking at his screen for almost 45seconds. Finally asks questions but was staring at his screen for most of the time


VO: When did you finish High School? 

Me: 2010


VO: Bachelor's? 

Me: 2016


VO: What course? 

Me: Mechanical Engineering 


VO: What have you been doing since then? 

Me: I went for my mandatory national youth service at Co**... (VO cuts in) 


VO: Oh... That's just one year 

Me: Yes... After that, I secured a job as a project engineer at **** Engineering Limited, and I've been there since then. 


VO: As a project engineer? 

Me: Yes


VO: And you're still working there? 

Me: Yes, currently working 


VO: You don't have any assistantship. Did you take the GRE? (Now looks at me) 

Me: Yes


VO: What did you score? 

Me: 318


VO: TOEFL? 

Me: Yes, 106.


VO: So, how come no assistantship? (VO said this looking very disturbed)


VO: How many universities did you apply to? 

Me: 4


VO: How many admits? 

Me: 2


VO: So why no assistantship?

Me: Well, I was also surprised that I didn't receive any assistantship or funding, so I contacted the schools about this and I was told that assistantships and scholarships are usually awarded on a first come first serve basis


***All this while was always typing and looking at his screen,then stares back at me .. He was still disturbed even after I told him the reply I received from the school ***


VO: Ok. So, why a Masters in Mechanical Engineering? 

Me: Well, I have career interests in Energy sys.... (VO cuts in) 


VO: Ok. Who will be sponsoring your education?

Me: My father will be paying for my education 


VO: Ok. (says this while still typing) 


VO: (Types for about 15 seconds, then brings out the pink slip). I cannot approve your visa. 

Me: Ok sir. 


He didn't ask to see any supporting documents throughout the interview

The vo was right to deny you
He did it for your own good
Are you sure you know what you are doing like this
You scored 318 in GRE and 105 in TOEFL but you can't get some funding for mechanical engineering, then that means you have not taken your application process seriously.
With your scores you shouldn't be paying school fees, look for other schools to apply. Try Tennessee tech

Oasishavenng:
Long post alert.
I have been waiting a long while for this.
I wrote my first GRE 2014 (313), first toefl 2015(106).
First set of application was 2016, 3 schools ( university of Arkansas, West Virginia University and Wayne state university) 2 rejects and 1 admit.

Rewrote GRE 2016 (320) and applied to 3 schools again. I had 1 admit again. I went to the Embassy Aug 2017 and I was denied based on insufficient funds in the Statement of account.

Started application late 2018 again, rewrote TOEFl (100) again as the first one had expired. Applied to three schools again.
Course: Industrial Engineering
Schools: west Virginia University, Texas A and M university and University of new haven.

And finally I got admit in all three schools, got some sort of funding from all. I went with wvu and I finally got the visa.

Basically just saying that our dreams are valid and we should never give up on them. It will end in a win.
Will drop my transcript soon

Oboyy Na you try pass oh

Good morning house, my status has changed to issued but I haven't gotten a mail, can I go ahead and buy flight ticket cos prices are changing fast

Felizz:

Thanks boss God bless

Do not make any change less than 72 hours prior to your interview

Felizz:
Hello house,
My visa was denied two weeks ago and i have reapply for another interview which is nextmonth.
I made a mistake when filling ds160 form and i have summitted it but i refill another one now which is correct and i went to change it on my appointment history which it has been mail to me.
My question is that the one i have filled which i made mistake that has been summitted hope it wont bounce back on me on the day on my interview?

No just make sure you login to the interview appointment profile and click on update profile to insert the new ds160 number

Stanmedix:
Hi guys
Please has anyone witnessed this...visa approved at point of interview but received a mail a day later for supplemental questions without being issued a yellow form? Again, how long after visa approval will the status change to issued? Thanks in anticipation of your response.

Did it happen to you?

Time2win:


why hiding the university name? it will help others when selecting schools

Was approved yestraday and told to pick up in 3 days but status is still AP. Is it that the status will be AP until they put the visa sticker on my passport?

Time2win:


why hiding the university name? it will help others when selecting schools

I already explained in the post

BIMestBabe:


Please kindly drop your transcript nah.. Those of you that promised to drop your transcript, please we are waiting!
Congrats to you guys

Hey guys I've learnt a lot here so need to give back but I will code some things and probably edit when I get my passport
Vo: good morning
Me: good morning Sir
Vo: passport and i20
Me: (passes them)
VO: Why do you want to go to the united states
Me: I want to go and pursue my masters degree in chemical engineering
VO: where
Me: at the university of (city) in (city)-(state)
VO: what branch of chemistry
Me: its chemical engineering not chemistry
VO: yeah what branch of chemistry
Me: am going for chemical engineering not chemistry
VO: yeah chemistry what branch what branch
Me: Biotechnology
VO: why did you choose this university
Me: I chose this university because of all the universities I applied to, this one has the strongest program for the specific area of biotechnology that I want to work in which is biofuels. Also this university is well renowned for chemical engineering and engineering in general. In fact a few years ago, this university was ranked by the Princeton review as the number 18 university in the united states for graduate study in engineering. Another important reason is my advisor prof Y, she is a force to reckon with in the field of biotechnology and she has numerous patents. Our research interests in biotechnology perfectly align and I'm convinced that my potential as a masters student will be maximised under her supervision
VO: what did you score in GRE
Me: 313
VO: how did you get this scholarship
Me: I had a good GPA, very good GRE scores and very good letters of recommendation. But I also had to do two interviews, one with the graduate coordinator and another one with another faculty, Prof Y who is now my advisor. I really impressed them during the interviews so a few weeks after I was notified I would be getting the scholarship together with my admission
VO: Who is paying the rest
Me: my moms younger brother, he is also my foster father
VO: he is also your whattt
Me: he is also my foster father, my moms younger brother
Vo: professor y, what is her first name
Me: X
Vo: I mean her first name
Me: X
Vo: no no no whats her first name
Me: (this vo is trying to confuse me abi lol) her first name is X and her last name is Y
Vo: (types)
Vo: what did you say you scored in GRE again 313 right (at this point I already felt he would give me)
Me: yes 313
Vo: (checks the UAE stamp on my passport)
Vo: what do you want to do with this degree
Me: This degree will make me one of the few and highly sought after biofuel technology specialists in this country. I intend to use this expertise to lecture in my alma mater and also serve as a research consultant for the top energy companies and institutes in this country. That is what I intend to do with the degree
Vo : (passes white paper) pick up in 3 working days........Victoria island........(I didn't hear well)
Me: (collects white paper) thank you sir, thank you very much sir (runs out to punch the air and celebrate)

Tuition scholarship: 65% of total cost of attendance
Deficit: 8.7k
Me and the VO had a good flow throughout though I was the only one smiling. Best interview I ever did

Oasishavenng:


I need to ask a private question, that is why

email

G_miller1973@yahoo.com

Oasishavenng:


I need to ask a private question, that is why

Quote one of my posts on another thread

Oasishavenng:


I sent you a pm

Can we chat here or you can quote me on another thread. I can't access the email quickly

Please someone said there is a site where students can get cheap flights

Unstoppable100:
Visa status still on AP since 9th july, pls who is having a similar issue

did they collect your bank statement?

G

LagosismyHome:


Congrats. . GOD Bless your new journey

Thank you Lagosismyhome, I know you are still upset with me but I just didn't want "possible" VOs reading the thread to think some people were trying to do something funny.

Today was a good day at the Lagos consulate. MS chem engr Visa approved after one Canadian denial and two US denials spanning two years, don't give up on your dreams, pray and work on yourself. I will post later

Wretch32:
Only the officers sir

Lol I'm a lady

Scott200:
sure naa, no one cares about your file. Just arrange your documents well

The mics in the consulate, do they work for just the consular officer or they also amplify the applicant's voice?

nelem:



your question isnt too clear though, but i assume you want to know about the statement.
is the account name in your uncle's name or the name of the company name..?
if it is in your uncle's name then you're fine,but ensure the closing balance is more as compared to the deficit on your i20

Like letter of introduction showing that he is a staff and his pay (a high amount) with their email address for verification

The bank statement is personal but is low though carries close to times 2 of deficit.

Interviewing on thursday, can one use normal 50 naira file?

LagosismyHome:


The dance for this week is too much na......... it shouldnt stop , Vo keep it coming oo. We have great talents in Nigeria that will mutually benefit the USA education system. Great news

Congrats God Bless your new journey

Hi lagosismyhome so my interview is on thursday. My uncle gave me his company-issued salary statement. Can i pass it along with the bank statement when the vo asks for bank statement?

Time2win:


let the bank issue a cover letter indicating that he is the sole signatory to the account. you will be fine

What if the vo only asks for bank statement, is he allowed to pass the letter along with the statement

Can one print just the first page of ds160 confirmation and appointment confirmation since the other pages are practically useless

LagosismyHome:


Who is the they ??

please ma

LagosismyHome:


Who is the they ??

Everyone
VOs usually ask why did you change location, or why didn't you go to the consulate closer to where you stay.
What will he now say if asked such

DonGusfring:
Location: Lagos Embassy

Date: 8 July 2019

Status: Denied

PhD Full funding, No deficit

VO was a black guy at window 9.

I was confident and I was one of the first few people in the consulate for 6:30am appointment, he denied the 4 people in front of me and one mind is saying change queue, another is saying don't worry �

Me: Good Morning
VO: Good mornind. Pass me your passport and I20 which I did
VO: I see that you're going to the University of Toledo, why did you chose the university of Toledo?

Me: Cos the department of Chemical Engineering at university of Toledo focuses on sustainability issues relating to the production materials and chemicals from renewable resources, also the research of Prof Bleep on Membrane process Optimization for carbon capture perfectly aligns with my research interest, and I was also awarded Graduate teaching assistantship that fully covers my tuition and living expenses.

VO: how many school did you and apply to and how many admitted you?

Me: I applied to 8 schools (VO cuts in)

VO: How many admitted you?
Me: 4 schools, MTU, university of Missouri, university of Toledo and University of Florida

VO: Have you traveled outside Nigeria before?

Me: Yes, I went on a week vacation to Dubai last year

VO: Sorry you're not qualified at this time ��‍♂

Like dream. Kindly advice on what next to do guys, I have full funding that covers tuition and living expenses, no deficit but excess of 9k more than the estimated average in fact.

Very very unfair. What does he mean by you are not qualified. How are the people they have been giving more qualified than you. He should have just said a visa is a privilege so I will not be approving your visa today.
But what's on your ds160? When did you graduate, what kind of work do you do, what is your salary range and do you have any family in the US?

LagosismyHome:


Definitely go again . this time go to abuja .............. Visa can be got in any location but i would just go again and change the location

Why change location. I thought they said changing location doesn't help

sharwama:

USA has been rated the best destination for higher education by who exactly? Exalting US above other nations will not get you a visa my friend
The findings are not based on just the popularity among students but also on the quality and wide range of educational programs.
Please what do you mean by this?
80% of the world research is happening in USA
Who told you this, is your source credible?
would also like to be taught by world class professors.
We have such professors in Germany, Australia and even Ghana! Why not go there?
Studying in us will not only boost my knowledge but will give me competitive edge on my return to Nigeria.
Ok this is a lil bit better, even though it's still bland.
Please work on the entire response
Why UIC
Please get a powerful third reason. Since you don't have funding, you really have to wow the VO, so puhleeze wow away
Your study plan is incomplete please, I hope you know this question is similar to "tell me about your program".
Talk about the duration, is it 56 months or 2 days, talk about the credit hours for core courses, elective courses and thesis, talk about the GPA required for graduation, would you be required to present seminars, participate in lab rotations, then you can mention some of the courses you look forward to taking until the VO begs you to keep quiet for goodness sake

Accounting is about reporting on financial statement and in the business world we have to be able to do more than just report on numbers, we have to be able to turn financial data into actionable insights to make recommendations to mgt for key decisions. There is a talent gap between identifying key data trends, technological acumen, data mining and extraction with statistical modeling 
At the end of the day, you neither answered the questions nor convinced me (not as if I'm a VO) about the need for the switch. Infact you succeeded in intimidating me with technical terms from your field, terms I struggled to comprehend because I am STEM inclined
Please this is a very important question and you need a sound response. How does accounting relate to business analytics, or why have you chosen to pursue this degree instead of Accounting. Be specifically clear about the connection and don't tell stories please.
The exam is in 3stages and it was very tedious to combine with work. I am on my last stage now.
My mind wandered as I read this
Is this a way of saying you currently don't have a job? Is this probably a way of saying you find exams stressful? Is this a way of suggesting you probably can't cope with the rigours and academic demands of a grad school
I pray you understand my point. Never leave loopholes in your response! Tie every loose end please

I really want to work as a management consultant at a top consulting firm here in Nigeria. Unfortunately, a masters degree is the minimum requirement for such a position. This degree will qualify me for this position when I return.
I would have commented on this but we both know why I won't. I really believe you can do better, honestly. Ok I can't ignore this. So how about you mention a couple of firms you've specifically got your eyes on and an appetizer of what you intend bring to the table with this degree. That way it really sounds like a post graduation plan. Girl you need to own this response, make it yours, breathe it all in and exhale in front of the VO
Let your light shine, okay? You've got this!
Does your mum really sell fabrics too
Will you be attending the interview with both SOAs, I mean from your dad and your mum? If not, then don't say parents are sponsors please.
I wish you all the best my friend and success in your ICAN coz I believe You CAN

?

Stellyhardy:
Evening fam,available date in Lagos July 27 is a Saturday,does the embassy open on Saturdays?

Better choose it and stop asking questions questions

Rosetinah:
Plz house, I'm new here.. I need advice. My visa was refused on June 19 at lagos embassy. I have GA and deficit of 8k ..plz is it true that it us better i go to abuja embassy for my reapplication or still go back to lagos...

My interview was short...by the black America lady

Vo - why r u going to US
Re - for my masters in information systems at mtsu

Vo - why masters
Re - this program will ... Vo cut me

Why this sch
Re - i have a GA offer and...VO cut me

I'm sorry ure not qualified.. U can always reapply

Are you sure this is all that transpired between you and her. What do you think is the reason why you were denied. What were the possible weaknesses in your application

RTSC:
Nigerians are benefiting from the hard work of african americans. We should give respect to who it is due.

All their civil rights struggle from rosa park, Dr king, malcolm x, e.t.c and now recently "black lives matter" movement.

Many of them paid with their lives and are still paying it.

You can't blame african americans for having a victim mentality.
They are victims of the system.

So? Are we not victims of the Nigerian system too? Do you know how hard it is to get US visa from this effing country. We have it worse here, that's why when we get there, we just behave and work and make money cos if them deport you, your body go tell