Remen:
Just got an admission letter from University of Florida Gainesville

UF is huge... they should fund you, have you contacted the graduate coordinator, POIs?? What's your course?

insight001:
@All @Scholastica @frostc @Ponpon @Quoran @Elevatedmind.
I need help in writing my Letter of Motivation.

Please help I have less than a week to submit my application.

check this link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SVhX85DKS_kY2IHkD2W9v5BXAUwRFcCr, one of the egbons here uploaded a dope book. The book has got outstanding SOPs... Read and get inspiration/ideas of what to write... please, don't copy any of them o... admission officers have access to this kind of stuff.

Cheers!!!

Quoran:
Congratulations elevatedmind.

Hopefully, many more folks will testify this year.

Thank you Stanford man. Your posts were some motivation... some mad GRE score after the previous setback, tips for Skype interview et al... thumbs up Sir.

Emmalondon:



Congratulations to you once again.

Thank you Sir.

MasterforceII:


Super happy for you. Congratulations.

Thank you Sir

Mikkyboy:
Congratulations bro

Thank you Sir.

fairheart:
You deserve it. America is waiting for you (if you have not traveled already).

Thank you Sir

calculator123:

Congrats man, your story was uplifting..

Thank you Sir

Olalekank:

Congrats man. This is some cool stuff here. What year did you grad?
I'm sending in a Pm

Thank you Sir... 2017

TheZed:
Congratulations bro

Thank you Sir

ponpon:
UGA is a big one! Congrats chief !

Thank you Sir.

Visa Approved. Dec 21st

VO: What are you going to the US for?
Me: my Master's degree in Plant Pathology at the University of Georgia in Athens.

(I think he noticed my GRA)

VO: What's your research going to be on?
Me: Molecular diagnosis of plant pathogens and development of effective disease management strategies

VO: What is molecular diagnosis?
Me: DNA-based method. Advancement of morphological technique. E.g. PCR... this involves DNA isolation and PCR analysis and subsequently search on the NCBI (I said the meaning of NCBI here) database to determine the genus and specie. (I said this all a little haphazardly).

VO: Are you married
Me: No

VO: Do you have kids
Me: No

I will be approving your Visa now. Pick up in circled location in 3 business days.

************************************
The Spring admit+funding story above isn't as sugar-coated as it appears (it's been summarized, don't want to bore you guys), there were times of extreme exhaustion/close to giving up on it all (e.g. after getting 307 in the GRE despite the intense prep, after contacting 5 Profs who you thoroughly read their publications and got no reply, etc) but it's all history now... Seems like it never happened in the first place (that's how it will be after getting it, so guys, VIM ON... God's gonna crown your efforts).

Thanks to the originator of this trend (Danjaninja), and all those who shared their stories/contributes in one way or the other. And to ponpon (Boss registered me for both exams), thanks.

Special thanks to my mentors in the house (toakins and jumybecks/bassmana... God bless you both real good).

Wishing Fall 2019 the very best.

Cheers all.

Been following this trend since 300/400 level. Got inspired by the stories of sirRiddy (I think that was one of the first elaborate story on this trend), happyday (Spring 2017, this gave me more Vim to chase admission + funding for Spring term)... And the several other stories, thanks to you all, they were all sources of motivation.

I took the GRE April, I had 307 (155Q, 152V 3.0 AWA)... you can check my previous posts. I knew I bleeped up big time during the exam (slept less than 4hrs a night to the exam and made silly mistakes during the exam). Wanted to write again but was advised by two mentors of mine (both from this trend) to work on other sections of my app. Wrote the TOEFL May, I had 104 (got 28/30 in the writing section and explained in my SOP that the 3.0 AWA in the GRE isn't a true proof of my writing ability).

Started contacting Profs immediately after my GRE. I contacted about 50+ Profs, most didn't reply, a few did and said no funding and I ended up with 3 Profs that seemed promising. I applied to the schools of the Profs: Uni of Kentucky, Illinois State Uni, Uni of Georgia.

Uni of Kentucky decision came first, my intended POI wasn't able to secure her grant so since no funding for me, no admission.

Had 3 Skype interviews for Uni of Georgia, 2 with the Prof I initially contacted and one with a Prof that picked interest in my app after submission, he eventually offered me admission + funding the following week. The new Prof that picked interest in my app spoke with the other Prof that I initially contacted and told him he wants me to work with him. And this was great because the Prof I initially contacted was undecided between me and another applicant (he told me this when we had our second Skype interview... Half of his lab members wanted me and the other half wanted the other applicant, they had a vote... Really twisted something.... Reason for the second Skype interview, reevaluation of me and the second applicant).

For Illinois State Uni, I spoke with the Prof 2x via Skype and Graduate committee (consists of 5 Profs) once. Admit + funding came two days after the interview with the graduate admissions committee.

So all in all, Spring term was a 2/3 victory. I went with UGA and declined ISU.

It was all God's Grace + strength, never imagined myself going through the rigorous process but it was all worth it in the end. Admit + funding decision came in last week of Oct/first week of Nov. I-20 arrived two weeks later and I applied for expedited appointment date (earlier dates were not available). Below was by Visa transcript:

Visa Approved. Dec 21st

VO: What are you going to the US for?
Me: my Master's degree in Plant Pathology at the University of Georgia in Athens.

(I think he noticed my GRA)

VO: What's your research going to be on?
Me: Molecular diagnosis of plant pathogens and development of effective disease management strategies

VO: What is molecular diagnosis?
Me: DNA-based method. Advancement of morphological technique. E.g. PCR... this involves DNA isolation and PCR analysis and subsequently search on the NCBI (I said the meaning of NCBI here) database to determine the genus and specie. (I said this all a little haphazardly).

VO: Are you married
Me: No

VO: Do you have kids
Me: No

I will be approving your Visa now. Pick up in circled location in 3 business days.

It was all God's Grace.

Thanks to all that contribute to this trend selflessly and responded to my questions including (but not limited to) Lagosismyhome, Ubah1, gboyegaD, 100kobo, fairheart... God's gonna bless you all immensely.
Special thanks to Jummybecks/Bassmana and Toakins... Words can't express the help they rendered to me.... God bless you both real good.

iyaaliyah:
Thank you. Just did that now. Issue now is that start date of program must be within 60days. Mine is first week in January, within 12days. It doesn’t look like I am qualified.

Your are more than qualified.

Interpretation: in your case, you are qualified to apply for expedited date as from first week of November.

omoobaadeNGR:


Ok, congrats. I guess you were approved. I heard some people saying you have to attach your passport to your printed form DS160, although it sounds absurd to me...just trying to clarify and avoid those touts at the consulate whenever I go for my interview.

Yes, it was God's Grace.

I didn't attach any passport to my printed DS160 form. I only went along with a passport photograph that was similar to the one I uploaded in my DS160 and they requested for it though they gave me back.

Hope you uploaded a passport when filling your DS160?

iyaaliyah:
Hi. Did you call or you sent a mail? There is no option of expedited appointment on profile.

I think after scheduling an appointment with the available dates, the option to apply for the expedited appointment will appear.

omoobaadeNGR:


Great! When is your appointment? And is there a particular way to affix one's passport photo to the printed form at the consulate?

Dec 21st. I will drop my transcript soon. Affix passport to which form??

omoobaadeNGR:


Thank you. Was your request successful?

Yeah

omoobaadeNGR:


Ok, I guess the festive period has some effect on the process too...I requested since Saturday, yet no response

Okay. All the best.

omoobaadeNGR:
Does anyone know how long it takes to get a decision from the consulate general on expedited interview appointment request?

A few hours. I requested for such in the early hours of the day (say between 2-4am) and I got a response 7:17am (I just checked my email to confirm).

Sheq:
please who has a file on statement of purpose samples please... no plagiariasing for sure...thank you

check this link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SVhX85DKS_kY2IHkD2W9v5BXAUwRFcCr, one of the egbons here uploaded a dope book. The book has got outstanding SOPs... Read and get inspiration/ideas of what to write... please, don't copy any of them o... admission officers have access to this kind of stuff.

Cheers!!!

Gospelozy:
Good day all. Please where can u get samples of SOP and résumé. Please don't refer me to Google.
Thank you.

check this link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SVhX85DKS_kY2IHkD2W9v5BXAUwRFcCr, one of the egbons here uploaded a dope book. The book has got outstanding SOPs... Read and get inspiration/ideas of what to write... please, don't copy any of them o... admission officers have access to this kind of stuff.

Cheers!!!

jerrypeacelinks:
Please who has applied for an expedient appointment and how did the letter to the embassy look? I wish to apply for one but want to know how to address it and how to draft the letter.


Any suggestions or demo will be appreciated. Thanks.

Just state your reasons in the letter (that your program start date is near) and you need sufficient time to make travel plans. For addressing it, a "Dear Sir/Ma" will do.

Attach your I-20 too

doublezero7:
This would be a long read. So I'll break it down into 2 or 3 posts.

Visa delayed on the 21st of November.

I booked my appointment on the 15th of October and although i saw earlier dates, i chose November 20th. Partly because it was the most recent with an appointment for 6:30.

Since i had been practising and perfecting my transcript since around May (with Tolatof, Ubah, 100kobo, etc), it was easier for me to get ready for the interview proper.

I got to the consulate around 5am on the D-day. Then found out that i wasn't with my visa fee payment confirmation printout. Our ogas lurking around the consulate said I'd have to pay 10k for them to help track and print a new one.i just walked away and straight to the queue. Since i couldn't have booked an appointment without a trace of my payment with the CGI officials, i proceeded to the first checkpoint. Fortunately, the visa fee confirmation wasn't a problem. Unfortunately, i was told to go fill out a new DS-160 form and print a copy. More bad news is rhat i had 20 minutes or i wouldnt be allowed back to the pavilion. Paid 3k to have that done and rushed back. By now, it was around 7:30.

Cleared the other checkpoints and then got in. Everywhere was rowdy mehn. The queues were too long. Stood to interview for over an hour.

Interview proper at 8:45am.

VO: why are you going to the US?
Me: I am going to the United States to study for my masters degree in Healthcare Management at the California State University, Los Angeles.

VO: Did you apply to other schools?
Me: Yes i did. Aside CSULA, i applied to 4 other schools (mentioned) and got admitted into all.

VO: So why did you choose CSULA
Me: I choose CSULA because they have an ongoing research specifically in the area I am most interested in which is Medical intelligence and surveillance service systems. I mailed the program director, Dr Andre Avramchuck my paper on how i thought effective MIS can be crucial in controlling epidemic outbreak in Nigeria and Africa in general. He was not just happy with the quality of my paper, he was also very much impressed with my years of experience in the Nigerian healthcare industry, my GRE scores, my certificarions in healthcare management and most importantly my love for knowledge

VO: Who is paying for this?
Me: my mom is. She is a medical doctor and owns hospitals in 4 states and also a pharmaceutical company in Lagos.

VO: Do you have her statement of account?
Me: Of course ma'am (passes it)

After glancing through and typing almost at the same time.

(Looks up)

VO: what would this degree do for you?
Me: This degree would afford me the opportunity to manage and grow subsidiaries of my family's healthcare companies upon my return to Nigeria . With courses such as Leadership in Healthcare Management, Healthcare Law, compliance and ethics and financial management in Healthcare, I would be better equip to takeover the day to day operations ofthe company

Also, with my research in Medical Intelligence and surveillance systems, I would be able to collaborate with the Nigerian govt through the Federal Ministry of Health in providing creative and innovative consultations on issues bothering on epidemicoutbreaks and how to control such situation.

She types for a minute, goes through my statement of account, looks up, types again and brought out the famous paper.

VO: you're not eligible at this time. You can apply again. However, I'd advice you go through our website to know more about the student visa procedures.

Me: (still shocked) Thank you and have a nice day.

Congratulations Bro!

Just inquisitive.. why were you told to fill out a new DS-160 form?

100kobo:

The emergency option would be your best bet. It is unlikely you'll get an earlier date seeing that we are in the season of student interviews. The rush is usually crazy.

Thank you Sir for your reply.

Hello Gurus,

I have got a question. My school starts January 9th. Interview dates available: Lagos Dec 31st, Abuja Jan 3rd.

If I pull the emergency option and request for early Dec... Will my request be granted or should I just chill and keep checking for earlier dates? Have anyone been in my shoes and what was the outcome??

PS: I know of the 60 days rule but I have also seen post here on this trend of those that made the request and got denied.

Thanks a lot. I await your response

cc: 100kobo, lagosismyhome, walspring, ubah1, gboyegaD Mayflower, fairheart

fairheart:
If you have handled other questions very well, this will be fine. In fact, it portrays you as a genuine student. In my own opinion, you'll do fine. This question alone and your response to it will not be the only determiner of the interview outcome. With strong point and response for other questions, you should get your visa. But funny enough these days, these questions may not even come up during the interview.

Thank you Sir for your reply and advice.

Bassmana:
You may want to leave out the intent of progressing to a PhD... focus on the bird at hand. Do not shoot yourself in the leg

Thanks Baba for your advice.

100kobo:

Personally, I won't advice you say this since the funding does not cover the PhD program. By reason of logic, you may need to violate your visa conditions to support your next program. Sponsorship would be their primary interest here (since we are not sure how you'll survive the extended stay), and then migration tendencies (just maybe).

Thanks a lot for your reply and advice Sir. Really appreciate

GboyegaD:


I did in my days and talked about what I want to use my PhD for.

Thanks a lot for your reply Sir. Really appreciate

LagosismyHome:


Why don't you focus on one thing first . Focus on the msc and the value it would bring when you come back to Nigeria or if you mention phd. Be sure to end it by what value it would bring to Nigeria

Thanks a lot for your reply and advice Ma. Really appreciate