₦airaland Forum

Congratulations.

Adaigbonile1:
MY TRANSCRIPT
Date: 25-06-2021
Venue/Time: Abuja, 8.30am
Merit Scholarship: $26,000
Deficit of $50,000
Number of attempts: 1st
Status: APPROVED
School: Syracuse University College of Law (SUCOL) New York.

V.O: Good morn(with a warm smile on her face), can I have your passport and i20.
Me: Good morn(I gave her passport and i20)

V.O: I see you're going to SUCOL for your LL.M
Me: yes ma'am

V.O: which area of law will you specialise
Me: International Environment law and International Human Rights Law

V.O: I see you have a scholarship of $26,000 and deficit of 50,000. Who's paying for the deficit ?
Me: Mr XYZ, my guardian
V.O What do you mean by your guardian, is he your uncle or cousin or immediate family, does he live in Nigeria, what does he do?
Me: No, he's someone from my community who has shown great interest in my education from time immemorial, even during my undergrad days when my mother died. (She nodded). He lives in Nigeria. He's an established business man that deals in automobiles, auto transport and logistics business. I have been under his retainership as the legal representative of his company since after my call to bar. He's also into properties and real estate. As his legal rep, I always conduct due diligence in his real estate deals.

V.O: do you know anybody in the U.S
Me: Yes, I know Mr ABC. (Note: I filled mr Abc in my DS160 as my contact person upon arrival)

V.O: what's your relationship with him, is he your uncle or cousin
Me: he's a distant relative

VO: what do you mean by that
Me: he's not my immediate family. I met him on facebook and I got to know he's from my hometown and I made arrangement for him to pick me up upon arrival and take me to SUCOL where I'll meet my DSO for documentation..( note, at this point I was almost loosing focus, sweating and stuttering. Anyways, VO nodded after I laboured to give this answer)

V.O: What do you do currently?
Me: I work in Xyzzz law firm as an Associate

V.O: how many years practice experience
Me: 6 years

V.O: what are your duties
Me: Litigation generally, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Legal representation of companies upon retainership, property and real estate

V.O: what aspect of litigation
Me: Civil litigation
VO: (looks suprised) you mean you represent clients in court from inception to judgment?
Me: yes ma

V.O: how many lawyers do you have in your firm
Me: 10 lawyers

V.O: what are your plans after studies in SUCOL, will you return to the firm or are you quitting?
Me: I'll definitely return

V.O (types for a while) I see you got this admission last year and deferred twice.
Me: yes ma'am, because of the pandemic last year.

V.O : I'm going to approve your visa. Take your i20, you'll need it at the POE and remember there are a lotta restrictions at the POE...blah blah blah

*During the interview I maintained close eye contact with her especially when she's not typing. I didn't memorize any answers, I made sure my confidence was intact.
Anyway, I struggled a lot to hear her cos she was speaking very fast, so in two occasions I told her to repeat the question. She was quite patient with me.
One thing is, you can't lie to them and get away with it easily, so make sure you stick with whatever you filled in your Ds160. They like to hear that you have work experience too. That was my biggest selling point. She didn't ask me about sponsor's bank statement nor any other documents. I also want to believe that they don't like hearing "uncle or cousin". The reason she emphasized on it in two of my questions.
Note: this whole questions and answers happened under 3-4mins. I also noticed many F1 students were granted visa that day.

TAKE YOUR ADS ELSEWHERE. DO BETTER!!!

heyzedd:
Am new here.. Can you pls enlighten me more on how to do this..

Never meant to spam or do anytin annoying

Lag or Abj?

Greenman2020:
Hello everyone, please I need your assistance. I requested for expedite interview on Friday and got a mail yesterday to the effect that it has been approved. The mail then instructed me to reschedule for 25th of June. The problem now is that 25th of June remains unavailable each time I log into my portal to reschedule. Please I need urgent help on how to handle this situation. Thanks all.

Congratulations. Was this Lagos or Abuja Consulate?

ayotycoon:
Hi everyone , thanks for the continuous tips and updates y’all drop every day. I had my interview today and I got the visa. Here is my transcript.


VO. What are you going to do in the US?
ME. I’m going for business ( VO looks at me )…. Oh sorry. I’m going to study business information systems and analysis at the university of arkansas Little Rock.

VO. I can see you have a fully funded graduate assistantship.
ME. Yeah and I would be getting a monthly stipend of 1500$ while I work as a software engineer at cosmos the universi…. (He no allow me complete )
VO. I’ll be issuing your visa.

Can someone please respond to this a friend is also facing this ?

Haryans:
Good morning everyone, please I really need help. I was refused visa on the 7th of June. I want to reapply as my program date is in August. I just paid another MRV fee yesterday and I found out that the available date is September 7 which is so far. I changed to Abuja and the available date is August 26. Please what can I do. I was thinking if I could change my ds 160 location to Nigeria Abuja May be I will get a closer date.my dashboard is also saying my passport is still with the US consular when I have my passport with me. Please help me @TWoods
@Walspring @ Lagosismyhome. Thank you

I wish you all the best.

Pefuele:
Please kindly read between the lines before you respond next time. If you dnt understand what you are reading you can ask for clarification.
When you are scheduling interviews on the appointment portal you put in your SEVIS ID. However, once you have scheduled you can't see it again. It can only be accessed on the back end by calling CGI. Except you want to book for another interview.Also, your SEVIS ID will also be written as you complete the school information section on the DS-160. So, both should tally.

You may have to call the care line for assistance.

Greatajo:
I've updated it but still can't schedule an appointment. When it got to the stage of inputing my receipt number, it kept on telling me that the number isn't correct and try again bla bla

Grace. Congratulations

Ajibfo:
After I got admission from the school with admission letter and tuition, I got scared cos the COA has increased from 50k I saw to seventy sth or maybe I didn't get their tuition right when applying but they gave me scholarship of 8k. I applied to 2 other scholarships but was not given. Then I was told to pay 1k enrollment and tuition deposit before my I20 can be sent. I was confused like deposit ke and visa is not guaranteed, was confused but I later did.
Fast forward to interview
Date June 4 2021.
Time 10am I had to snap another passport there cos the first has dot or sth.
VO: good morning
Me:gm ma
Vo: you are going to *** for your master in management sciences
Me: no ma, I am going for my masters of science in supply chain MGS is the sevis id for my school.
Vo: ok, what will this course do for you.
Me: with this course I will be able to apply to major supply chain companies in Nigeria like Nigeria brewery and Nigeria bottling company and also I will be able to push my project am working on which is green supply chain, the impact of supply chain to the environment and it's effect on the environment.
Vo: have u travelled before
Me: no ma
Vo: who is so so ( my sponsor)
Me: my aunt, she is paying for my education
(No document was asked, just my I20, it was even while waiting for my turn I realized I forgot my aunt' statement of account at home. I was like should I go print another or just risk it )
Vo: ok I will be approving your visa blabla
I can't even remember all she was saying again
I just want to thank God, cos while I was sitted waiting for my turn the only thing I kept saying was Jesus son of David have mercy on me and he did.
What I want to say is don't let anyone discourage you, pray and pray noting is impossible for God to do.

You do not have your SEVIS ID written on your DS-160 and Visa Appointment page. Don't mislead people.

Pefuele:
You will see the barcode on the DS-160 confirmation page and on the VISA Interview appointment page. Below the Barcode you will see the DS-160 confirmation number. This number must be same both on the DS-160 confirmation page and on the appointment page. Otherwise, you will not be Interviewed.Also,your SEVIS ID on the appointment page should be same as that on the DS-160.

Thank you.

nestkojex:
There are hotels around but it depends on your preference.

*Demlis hotel can be found inside the Federal Civil service club and it's along Awolowo road. Just a few minutes walk(1km or less) from the Embassy or you find a means to get there.
Price range: 6-10k

*Bayland guest house is another hotel located at 54 Forsythe Street and less than 8 mins to US embassy.
Price range: 5-8k

Westwood Hotel Ikoyi located at Awolowo road too.
Price range: Unknown

Atlantic Hotel: Location is very close to USE
Less than 8 mins
COPIED

You do not need to pay another mrv fee. Simply Update your DS 160 number on the CGI portal. It will be reflected on your visa appointment confirmation. Then reprint. Goodluck

Greatajo:
I was told at the embassy that i wouldn't have to pay another visa fee

Thank you. Location/description please?

nestkojex:
Optima Hotel. 8k for first night and 7k for subsequent nights. The embassy is just a 10 minutes walk from the hotel and the light is good as well.

.

Kindly recommend affordable hotels.

nestkojex:
You will miss it o.
If you haven't done the interview, I will send you hotels closet to the venue she cheap.

Wow! God factor I must say. Congratulations. Kindly share your transcript.

Ajibfo:
Thank u jesus, I just got approved in Abuja, no traveling experience, COA is 78k dol, I told people here but they said I shouldn't waste my time. Well what God cannot do does not exist. No document was asked just my I20

Congratulations. Kindly share your transcript.

sankofa:
Just writing this to encourage someone. Don't fret if you do not have scholarship or graduate assistantships. It helps to not have had past refusals, and to make sure what you are going to the US to study has bearing on your work experience. I got my visa today with $43,000 COA -- no scholarship or graduate assistanships.

Congratulations. Kindly share your transcript.

osigiepurr:
I got my visa approved last week and I just need someone to help me with information on how to book a cheap ticket and other pre-departure plans.

I plan to fly from MM Airport (Lagos) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).

Please, help a brother

Congratulations to you and your sons. Kindly share your transcript so others can learn one or two. Thanks

chibertha:
Thanks
However I am going to get passports for my sons.
I got my visa approved on monday 24th may 2021 and picked up my passport from DHL on friday 28th may 2021

June 12 is Democracy Day!

Acube2:
Democrazy dat

What public holiday is that which Nigerians are not aware of?

Acube2:
Hi Everyone

My appointment falls on a public holiday. June 14th.

What will probably happen?

Congratulations

MistaJoey:
Finally i can post my transcript at Abuja embassy on 27/05.

PhD course: Polymer Engineering

Status:Approved

Financial Aid/Funding: Fully funded

It was one short interview,

------------------------------------------------------
So i Arrived at 7:36am and did the usual checks

Interview proper.

Vo: Good morning, passport and i20
Me: Good morning, here you go.

Vo : I'll be needing that ds160 confirmation page to scan the barcode...(So I gave her.)

Vo: i see you're fully funded for your PhD studies right?
Me: yes, I have a full ride scholarship for my PhD at the University of Akron

Vo: that's nice, Ohio right?
Me: yes, Akron Ohio

Vo: what's your thesis on?
Me: my research will focus on the advances in polymeric materials for sustainable paints and coatings

Vo: do you have family in the US?
Me: no I don't

Vo : here you go, I'll be approving your visa.

Then the usual bla bla bla that you won't even be able to hear because of joy��

Thanks to all who have always posted here. I have always to contribute to this amazing forum.
This was my 3rd attempt. Glory to God.

FALSE! Your SOA should be at least within 6 months.

opeyemioguns:
U need a more recent one. I think it should not b more than 15 days earlier than ur interview date

Congratulations. Please where did you have your interview Lag or Abj? Also, was your i20 signed by you and your guardian or was taken like that? Can one sign by he/herself being the person is above 18?

NonImmigrantStu:
Good morning!

Thank you all for sharing your interview experience on this platform. I have been following the thread since April.

Had my interview on Thursday, 20th of May, 9:30am
Status: Approved!

I was interviewed by a Black American Lady.

V:O- Good morning, please may I have your documents?

Me: Morning, sure! (Passed my I-20, Passport, SEVIS Fee Receipt )

V.O : What are you going to the US for?
Me: Masters degree at the *XYZ University .

V.O : Did you apply for Visa in Canada,
Me: Yes, I did in 2015

V.O : Tell me about your Bachelor's Degree
Me: I did as she asked

V:O I see you are a Lawyer
Me: Smiles, that's correct

V:O : One minute please, she stood up, shut the little opening , and Walked away.
Me: Adjusted my Jacket & said, Father Lord, Let your will be done!

She returned, while standing. She asked who is paying for your trip?

Me: I have a Merit Aid Scholarship from the University and my parents will pay for my trip.

V.O : detaches my other passports, I will be approving your visa and would like to feature you on our social media platforms.

Me: Thank you very sincerely.

V:O Slips the White paper, and returns my I-20. Watch out for an email from the embassy. Congratulations

Me: Cheers!

Congratulations

thoughtT:
Transcript.

Visa Approved (May 20)

Lagos consulate.

VO: Good morning young man. How're you today?

Me: Good morning. I'm fine. How're you too?

VO: Fine, too. So tell me what are you going to the US for?

Me: I'm going for my Master's degree in Literary and Textual Studies program of the department of English, BGSU.

VO: (typing) You said architecture?

Me: (quickly cut in, and almost shouting at the top of my voice) I said Literary and Textual Studies. It's a concentration under the auspices of English. Literature part of English studies.

VO: (stopped typing) Alright. How many schools did you apply to?

Me: Two schools. Namely, NCSU and BGSU. Both offered me admission.

VO: So why BGSU?

Me: I chose BGSU because of its innovative English program blends both broad based literary courses with practical and flexible courses such as Technical and Professional Editing which for me are greatly responsive to the skill-demands of the present age and align with my own publishing career objectives. More so the opportunity to take additional graduate certificate in the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is attractive to me. So those key considerations will allow me hone and improve my expertise in not just editing, but also in writing, research and pedagogy. (Through out this point, his eyes peered, almost were poring into my own eyes, obviously confirming my genuineness.)

VO: How did you know about BGSU?

Me: I got to know about it via Internet searches, especially USnews.com, having gone through and followed EducationUS posts about studies in US for a couple of months.

VO: What will this course do for you?

Me: It will avail me the opportunity of taking up a senior editorial role in a publishing firm *UPON MY RETURN TO NIGERIA*, as I'd have acquired the necessary skills and expertises as well as the graduate degree qualification the role required.

VO: I see you have full funding here, so who's gonna fund your trip?

Me: My uncle.

VO: What does he do?

Me: He's a thriving businessman and runs hotels in Ogun, Oyo and Lagos states. (The VO fixed his gaze intently at this point also, and I thought perhaps he needed clarification, so I chipped in, 'the hotels are five in number, two each in Ogun and Lagos and one in Oyo.)

VO: Fine. What do you currently do?

Me: I am a publishing editor at **** one of the leading literary publishing firms in Nigeria. (VO nodded)

VO: Are you like a writer also? (He obviously picked this from my Ds-160)

Me: Yes. I've published poems, short stories and various-type articles in journals, literary blogs and pages of newspapers.

VO: That's great. Think we're good here. I'd approve your visa. So I'd hold on to your passport. (Slid the famous white paper to me and literally droned on about things my overwhelming excitement didn't hear)..

NB: The interview wasn't as long as the transcript suggests. In fact it ended as soon as it had begun. I really do not have much advice to those that will soon go for their interviews; just want to say, make sure you tick your boxes very well, know and be sure about why and what you're going to study and it's not bad to check out what you filled in to your Ds-160. I had overheard another VO asking an interviewee why he contradicted what he wrote on the form he filled.

Good luck to everyone�

Fantabulous! .Congratulations.

Musbeni:
Visa approved
8am Lagos usaconsulate
Vo: pass me your passport and I 20
Me: passed
Vo: why are you going to USA
Me: I am going to university of south Carolina to start my PhD in chemistry with concentration in heterogeneous catalysis
Vo: chemistry?
Me: yes
Vo: what will you be working on
Me: MOOH
Vo: who is sponsoring you
Me: I have full funding
Vo: are you traveling with your family
Me: no
Vo: we will be approving your visa

Everything is not more than a minute.

Thanks @meritdee for the mock interview.

Congratulations.

Debbss:
Visa approved at US Consulate@Lagos early last week.

No standardized test
I have GA with tuition waiver and monthly stipend

Here's my transcript;�


Me:Good morning
VO: Good morning, how are you?
Me: I'm fine, thank you!
VO: Pass me your passport and I-20 please (I passed to him)
VO: Where are you going?
Me: I'm going to University of West Georgia at Carrollton for my Master's degree in Professional Counseling with a concentration in College Students Affairs
VO:How did you get to know this school?
Me: I carried out an extensive research using Google and some academic websites to search for schools that offers my course of interest and I found a few schools that I met their requirements amongst which was University of West Georgia
VO: Who's sponsoring you?
Me: My cousin will be covering my deficit. I have a graduate assistantship that covers more than 80% of my tuition fees and with a monthly stipend.
VO: What does he do?
Me: He's an IT Specialist
VO: Where does he live?
Me: Little Elm, Texas
VO: Did you apply to other schools?
Me: Yes, I applied to 2 other schools, Georgia Southern University and Western Illinois University
VO: What will you do when you return to Nigeria?
Me: I'll be taking up a lecturing job at my Alma Mater and also work as a Student Affairs Professional with educational institutes here in Nigeria

VO: Okay, I'll be issuing your visa and you can pick it up in the next 3-4 days at your pre selected location. Also, don't forget to go with your I-20 when traveling as it would be requested at the airport, have a nice day( believe me, all of these�was less than 1 minutes even tho it may look longer than that.)

Thanks be to God�....please pray, pray, pray and also prepare(very important too)

Yes. Min of 6months is what they need.

kayuz40:
Please can i use a bank statement issued in April for a visa interview that will hold in July?

Congratulations.

Debbss:
Visa approved this morning at Lagos Embassy, I'll post transcript soon.
A very big thank you to God Almighty and Lex04 for being a true and supportive friend. God bless you and yours. I also appreciate Esther, Akeem and Victor for the mock interviews and your time, thank you guys!

Yes change to dad if he's SOA covers your deficit.

Ikenna04:
but in my ds160 it's my aunt's name that's there do I change it to my dad's?

Abort mission or you risk a denial. You can go with both SOA, but show only your Dad's SOA as your Sponsor (that's if it covers your deficeit).

Ikenna04:
how do I do that. Do I change my ds160 sponsor to my father? Or is there any other thing to do. I'm thinking of carrying both bank statements and telling the vo my main sponsor is my father but during my admission process I used my aunt's bank statement. Is that ok?