₦airaland Forum

John Hopkins, of course. Great school. I always read the university journal. It is not just the best school for public health, but has one of the best hospitals in the world, with many breakthroughs and well-funded research. You'll enjoy the school. Congrats!

mojeezy:
GOD IS FAITHFULL!!!
I'm a silent reader here. In fact Just started following this thread 4 days ago. My interview was yesterday morning.

Below is my transcript: **it's long o.
She asks for my passport and I give her both passport and i20.
VO: so ur going to jhu. Did you get a scholarship or??
Me: no. My parents and aunt are funding.
She then asks for the financial documents and i gave her.
She asks for what my parents do while going through them. Starting with my dad's.
VO: he didn't have much in the account initially.
Then she scans it through to the end and says ok.
VO: How much do you have?
This threw me off balance as I wasn't expecting this kind of question since I'm not sponsoring myself.
Me: emm, I have a car that costs about... **she interrupts
VO: no how much do you have in the bank
Me: about 600k
Wasn't sure whether to mention a very high amount or lower. Didn't know which would favor me.
VO: when was the last time you went to the US
Me: last year
VO: what did you go there for
Me: went to check out some of the schools i wanted to apply to like Emory and uc Berkeley.
This is actually true. Including for vacation though. Didn't mention that.
VO: so were you accepted by those schools
Me: yes
VO: really
Me: yes
Wanted to bring out the acceptance letters then she said never mind.
VO: which other schools were you accepted into
Me: besides the above, Tulane
VO: tulane? Wow. **she nods
VO: so why jhu
Me: because besides the fact that it's currently the best school of Public Health in the world, it's program is shorter, then I'm at liberty to customize my degree the way I want it, especially for those of us whose interests don't fit precisely into their concentrations
VO: So what are those interests
Me: i love infectious diseases and... ** she interrupts smiling very heartily
VO: u love infectious diseases
Me: **smiling back over heartily. Yes and reproductive health
VO: so what will you do when you return
Me: I just explained something on health in Nigeria... Can't remember exactly.
Then about my documents, I couldn't hear her well, but what I could pick was
VO: I'm giving this to our fraudulent bla bla team. If anything fraudulent is found in the accounts you'd be barred from entering the US for life. Are you giving me the permission to go ahead?
Me: no problem. It's fine
VO: assuming there's no fraud in them, here
She gives me 2 white papers.
A smaller one with congratulations on your student visa bla bla bla
A bigger one with how to retrieve my passport.

See ehn it was just God. Someone was denied for Stanford University. Another for Boston. One for glaring health reasons. All denied.
Couldn't pay attention to more than these coz I was busy working on my nerves before my turn. I was shivering, my heart was racing and my teeth were cluttering.

I'm extremely grateful to God and to you nairalanders. God answered my prayers and You guys were very helpful. Thanks.

oh good!

Predstan:
I’m always here ooo. I day here day chop sharwama’s transcript. The thing sweet pass sharwama

Brown2Green:
But @sharwama I have done my part in congratulating you. So when you get your approval I'll just mention you and smile.
The next Congrats I'll say to you is when you marry .

Lols. You come here tonight.

Predstan:
What a good name to qualify your sense of humor

Well, what can I say! You said you're a writer and you just proved that! 100% We make people believe our story, which you have done perfectly well! Nevertheless, as the lady thinketh, so she is! You write about your approval, so let it be so! I send you French royal kisses

sharwama:
Master I was only writing my heart out

PM dear!

CuteRedd:
pls can you state those schools? It would be of great help thanks.

My queen!!!!!! Ah. Noo! Are you joking or serious??

sharwama:
TALE OF AN APPROVED VISA
Written by Miss Sharwama
I remember my heart pounding as I had my bath at 4:30 a.m. yesterday. I was so afraid, I couldn’t even sponge properly. I kept asking myself, “Sharwama after all the noise you have been making on NL, what if you get denied?” “What if you stutter and can’t make eye contact with the VO”… As I applied cream on my chocolate skin, I remember hearing a very gentle voice “Sharwama be still and know that I am God, I have gone ahead of you to make the crooked places straight”. This really gave me courage.
My uncle drove me to the embassy; my interview was at 6:30 a.m. and I got there right on time. I followed all the processes and protocol kini and then I came face-to-face with the visa officer. I paid no attention to the window number. I said a mental prayer “Father, the hour has come, glorify your daughter” and the Lord spoke to me “Sharwama, I have glorified you before and I will do it again”.

VO: Good morning and how are you?
Sharwama: Good morning. I am not sure how I feel; I have butterflies in my stomach.
VO: (Smiles) I understand how you feel, this won’t take much time. Pass me your I-20, passport and SEVIS receipt (I did)
VO: Why do you need this visa?
Sharwama: I want to pursue a masters in Biology Program at East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee. I can’t do that if my visa isn’t approved.
VO: I see here that your sponsor is your mother but you also have a graduate assistantship, I am impressed!
Sharwama: I am glad you are.
VO: I will be approving your visa (hands me the white paper with circled location. Gave me back my I-20 and SEVIS receipt. Said the whole tyonteugdfvcvnm,jklpewszxcvbnmi but I didn’t hear anything. When she was done talking, I was still staring at her. The next person was already behind me)
VO: You can leave now
Sharwama: Is that all? You didn’t ask why I chose ETSU, the schools I applied to, what I have been doing since, you didn’t ask my study plan or even what this degree would do for me or my plans after completion?
(She was about interrupting but I burst into tears)
Sharwarma: Do you know how much the bank charged my sponsor in order to print statements of her multiple accounts? Or the stress it took to colour-print my GRE and TOEFL scores? I nearly had an accident you know. So what would I do with these papers now? Maybe you don’t know this, but I spent the last three months of my life, waking up in the middle of the night to rehearse for this interview and all you did was ask THREE questions? Would you please interview me again?
Her mouth was wide open, her eyes were all out of the socket, and she was in utter shock! Next, a security officer approached me. I knew he would show me out. As he led me, I tightly held on to the white paper and my documents. For some reason, I turned to the VO and saw her smiling at me. I wiped my tears and smiled back. Right there in that moment, I knew she would go to bed with memories of a crazy girl who had her F1 visa approved effortlessly and just couldn’t believe it.
Yes, I remember tasting something in my mouth, kinda tasted like Ribena and I kept licking my mouth till I opened my eyes and saw Martins, my little nephew with Ribena in his hands. It was 7:30 a.m.; I jumped out of bed, knowing I would be late for work. I hurriedly had my bath, brushed my teeth, there was no time for the normal early morning pooing. I ran out of the house, stopped Keke and entered. As he drove me, I couldn’t help but smile. Although, I knew my boss would query me for coming late, I was grateful because my beautiful dream was worth it…
Written by the girl who keeps seeing V.O’s in her sleep.
Inspired by samdgreat2011’s approved visa

I think I told ya. Congratulations!

samdgreat2011:
Woke up intermittently between 1am and 3:45am when I finally rose to dress. Got to the consulate around 6:30 something. After so much checking/biometrics, I finally found myself in front of the young man in window 2. Friendly but thorough (he spent close to 30 mins with a family in front me, and gave a yellow paper)

Below is my transcript. Note that I couldn't use word for word what transpired.

vo: what are you going to do in the US

me: I'm going for a PhD degree program in Physics at Florida State University. I would be specializing on condensed matter physics.

vo: why this school.

me: I chose it because of the research facilities and the researches being conducted there. The National High Magnetic field lab, which is the highest powered lab in the world is located there. Researches on magnetic fields and the likes are carried out there which is what I'll also do.Dr xyz research on fabrication of nanomaterials which are used for solar energy harvesting attracted me too. And considering Nigeria for example, our hydropower has failed us, and people are going solar, so there's a need for more researches there because of the growing demand (he listened to all the story, typing on the system, looking at me, and nodding)

vo: can you name the top schools in physics

me: Harvard, Stanford and ehmmm British Columbia

vo: How many programs did you apply to

me: I applied to 7 other schools

vo: Is FSU your preference

me: ehnnnn, I actually have FSU and USF as my preference.

vo: what do you do

me: I teach Physics in an advanced level college.

vo: do you have a degree in Physics

me: Yes, I have a first class bachelors degree in Physics and also a masters in Physics.

vo: which school

me: University of Ibadan, here in Nigeria.

vo: who will be funding you.

me: I have an assistantship and also the deans doctoral scholarship from the school.

vo: are you traveling alone

me: yes

vo: you're married

me: yes, with a child

vo: so your wife will be coming to join later

me: ehnmm, yea, not yet because we have a little baby. she has nothing doing there for now.

vo: what is mustard seed unilab (he picked that from my ds 160)

me: it's an educational center that prepares students for utme; university admissions.

vo: what's the meaning of mustard seed

me: its a very small seed that grows to become a very large tree, ..

vo: when will you be traveling

me: ending of July because school resumes August 2.

vo: (gives my i-20 and sevis back to me, includes the EducationUSA orientation stuff. Searches for the white paper) Pick your bla bla in 3 working days

me: (receives white paper with a smile, just put in my folder jejely with what he earlier passed across) Thank you sir.

Saw one handicapped guy selling white handkerchief outside; bought with joy and overpaid wella.

We pray for more of this. Thanks to all who contributed something here that helped

I did not get any email from you.

Amyfid12:
Good morning All. Please Boss Fairheart, I sent a mail to you yesterday.

Great idea. This should work. Which school is this?

JohnnyAmhan:
Yes boss.

I have done that and I think he was talking about visiting the admissions office on campus.

What do I do about that ?

Then get the relative attest or write a letter, and get the scholarship. But you will have to ask the school if that option is acceptable.

JohnnyAmhan:
I need help real bad..
I felt I wouldn't need to do this, but time is running out.

I got an undergraduate Full Tuition and fees scholarship and the school refused to give me the i-20 unless I pay the room and board fees which is 8k ( I have 3k, but I need 5k through loan, and I don't have a cosigner)..

Another option is if there is a relative in Little Rock, Arkansas who can attest that I will be living with them..

I don't know if anyone here can help out with any of the options. Because my scholarship will be taken away if I can't provide these alternatives in due time.

Thank you fam...

And how long have you been following this thread?
If I tell you this is not disappointing, I'd be lying. This is a self-made refusal. You should have done proper research before you go ahead and apply to a community college. While students with strong career goals are taking 2, 3 steps forward, you took the steps back, and the VO thought, huh, you're not serious and doesn't know what you want. You're 27 year! There are things you can do in the US; if you try them before you get in, you will chop refusal tire .

My advice for you is to calibrate your vision and academic plan. Do you really want to go to a community college after having spent 4 years in college? What do you need an associate degree for at 27, when you could advance and get a Masters?

Don't make any plan to reapply for now. You've taken a wrong step, but you can right your own wrong. When that is done, go back and get your visa. Wish you the best!

leyman10:
Visa denied today at window 11. A young lady in her early 20s.
Me: Good morning
VO: pass me your passport and i20 (which I did)
VO: where are you going to
Me: Bunker hill college in boston
VO: you have a bachelor degree
Me: yes
VO: how old are you?
ME: 27
Then she handed the yellow paper to me. A very short interview. What could have been wrong please?

Let there be a reference letter linking your granpa name to the company account. Tell Grandpa to request for the statement along with a reference. Wish you the best!

Arebjosh:
good morning naira land,pls I would like to ask, am using my grandfather companies account for my interview, do I need any other document to back it up? will be grateful for y'all response

Lol. The original poster got things right. He'll get his visa.

Abdulrahmon68:
Brother, why na?

There is no difference in your input from what this man posted. You are still saying the same thing with his response . If you ask me I will say his responses to those questions are very okay and intelligent. They are very short and on point. Am very sure he knows how respond to other addendum questions maybe that's why he didn't include them. So save yourself from stress.

I hope this helps also

You are doing fine. This is a transcript a visa will be issued for--if everything goes well during the interview. So, I expect you to come back here and share the news of your approval. This is a good transcript. The question is, can you calmly and confidently deliver this in front of a VO? A mock would reveal. Find someone and do morning and night mock with.

Best

samdgreat2011:
Hello Gurus in the house. I need a scrutiny on my proposed transcript. My interview is this Friday 17th of May.

vo: what are you going to do in the US.

me: I'm going for a PhD program in Physics, with specialization in condensed matter physics.

vo: why did you choose US

me: US is a superpower. the research facilities available are world class. The highest powered magnetic laboratory in the world is in FSU where I'll be studying.

vo (cuts in) so why Florida State university.

me: As I've said earlier, there is the presence of the national high magnetic field laboratory which is the highest powered lab in the world. The research work of Dr xxxxx who will
be supervising me was a huge deciding factor for me because it matches my research interest. he is working on the fabrication of nanomaterials with improved optoelectronic, biological, and chemical properties suitable for use in solar energy harvesting and LEDs.

vo: how many other schools did you apply to?

me: 7

vo: how many gave you admission.

me: 2 though another 2 are yet to respond.

vo: who will be sponsoring you.

me: I have an assistantship and a deans scholarship that covers my tuition and stipends.

vo: what qualified you for that?

me: the strength of my application did. I graduated with a first class for my Bsc and also a distinction grade for my Msc. my robust teaching experience with students ranging from secondary school to university students is also a factor that was considered.

vo: what are your plans after graduation

me: I intend come back to my alma mata to pick up a lecturing appointment. I was appointed a Tutorial assistant there during my masters program and it will be a delight to be back there.

vo: Are you married.

me: yes with a baby.

vo: so why are you not going with them.

me: our baby is just 7 months old, and the change in environment, particularly weather condition, may likely tell so much on him, and I don't want to take that risk.

vo: I will be approving your visa. pick your passport in the address circled (hands over the white paper) in 3 working days time.

me: thanks so much.

Please I need scrutiny. I actually envisage a short interview.

There is nothing like Nanny work visa. The name for US work visa is called H1B, and new rules are coming up regarding this kind of visa. Nobody here, to be sincere, can say what the outcome will be. Given that this is not a professional job, you may not get the visa on travelling to the US as Nanny. You need to talk to your friend in the US and make appropriate plan. If you truly want to travel to the US, you can still do so and study. You just need to position yourself in a way that the system will favour you. This plan, to me, may not fly. Go back to her and think through together. You are young and so, student visa will be your best choice. If you can write GRE test, you may get get funding, etc. Wish you the best!

The H1B visa is an employment-based, non-immigrant visa for temporary workers. For this visa, an employer must offer a job in the US and apply for your H1B visa petition with the US Immigration Department.

democrat101:
Good Day everyone! I need someone to reply me on this. I already asked in other threads I feel it's related to my topic but I'm yet to get a response that's why I'm bringing it here.

There's this American woman (First Class citizen) I've known for years now. It never occurred to me to discuss traveling with her since I was still in school all those years and doing well plus things was still better off in Nig a little.
fast-forward to now that I'm done with nysc plus finding job been difficult, the current situation of the country and so on. I then informed of my plans to come over to the US to work since I don't have enough funds to go via student route.
She suggested she is going to get me a nanny job (ps I'm a guy) reason been that that's the best way to get me in. she said she's going to convince a rich American Family to sponsor me on work visa etc.
After she told me all this I came online to verify but I didn't see any thing of such kind of visa (nanny work visa) so I need you all to help me shed light to this. Thank you all

I have schools in the West with full GA for data analytics, although competitive as most funding. You just have to search and contact schools until you get what you want!

Brown2Green:
No doubt non research inclined courses get funds.

But you see those 3 courses I listed, my brother no funds. The best you can get is partial tuition waiver.

You are still concluding based on what you have personally seen, based on the schools you applied to. Maybe. To get funding, apply and get the admission and push for the funding. Not every funding comes automatically. The programs you listed have nothing to do with determining GA, GTA. If you apply to schools with need for graduate assistants for administrative works, teaching, and other on-campus activies, GA will still be offered. What you don't know, you don't know.

Brown2Green:
No doubt non research inclined courses get funds.

But you see those 3 courses I listed, my brother no funds. The best you can get is partial tuition waiver.

No. That is not true. You could still get scholarship to study them. More so, Funding is not always about research activities on a program and the funds available to conduct them. GA means Graduate Assistantship (including GTA (Graduate Teaching Assistantship), which means it is not offered based on your program, but availability of position for graduate assistants or for the duties therein.

If the department the programs you listed below need Graduate Assistants, or Graduate Teaching Assistants, GA or GTA will be offered to students--irrespective of the program. There are students going for these programs with GA and GTA. The same reason is why we have MBA students with full GA. Do you understand?

Brown2Green:
There are courses that are very difficult to get funds for MSC due to low research activities.

Data Analytics
Business Analytics
Cybersecurity

The term "2nd degree" is often used on this thread by students considering a fresh bachelor in the US. It is why I ask about his age. So, as you said, it will be a mistake. But I am assuming he finished early and the student is in his early 20s. Even then, MS would be ideal at this stage. And yes, he would not need a foundational course. The two programs are closely related. You cannot do Pet. Engineering without some Mech. engineering courses, which he already has.

bracelum:
I don't understand what you mean by "2nd degree".

Is it a second BS degree? If yes, then it seems you have made a wrong move because if I were in your shoes, I will proceed with an MS in Mech Engineering even with my BS in Pet Engineering. The worst you can do is to take some foundation courses but I don't think you will face such a situation because you already have a foundation in engineering

Is it a second MS degree? If yes, it looks redundant. A PhD would be better. If you don't want the PhD, you can withdraw after securing your MS degree component of the PhD program provided that you can get an OPT with the MS degree.

So, what do you mean by "2nd degree"?

Congrats!

Emeraldtommy:
Good morning good people. I'm a silent reader here. Thanks to everyone whose transcripts and timely information have helped. It was my first time ever at the embassy today and was issued my visa at the Lagos Consulate. I'll post my transcript soon.

First thing first! Do you understand! Accept the offer and I am sure this will push the school to the next level and process your i-20. You will then know what is at stake. You should be very happy for what you have in your hand. Not many students have that!

bidemi1190:
thanks, i will accept the offer. next will be to order for i 20? don,t know if the offer cover fees or any other deficit?

First, how old are you?

MrCuteking:
I've been thinking of the best way to convince the consular on why I chose a 2nd degree in Mech Eng. instead of going for my masters in any other field. I studied Petroleum Engineering. Who can help me out here please?

Well said

Brown2Green:
Some people sha!
I know someone that has 5 admits with full funding and has gotten Visa approved but is still yet to decline the remaining 4 funding offer.
Thus, leaving the destinies of 4 people hanging

Pls make your funding decisions on time so that the funds can be given to others that are placed on wait.

Don't be stingy

Accept it!

bidemi1190:
We are also pleased to offer you a financial package for three years in the form of six semesters of full support (20 hours per week) either as a Teaching Associate (TA), Graduate Assistant (GA), or a combination of TA and GA. The total award is worth up to $67,000, depending upon actual workload. Support beyond the first three years will be available based on department need and applicant qualifications.
This offer is contingent upon the University receiving necessary funding and meeting enrollment expectations, approval of the Dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and upon you meeting the eligibility requirements for University employment. This offer is also subject to federal and state taxes. You must be in good standing and be making reasonable progress towards your MS degree at all times. just got this offer from California state university long beach. please house i need your contributions, i have till may 20 to accept.

If you prefer transfer, someone in the US will have to walk to the Bank of America to make the payment. There is a guy here going to St. Cloud who paid last week. Get in touch, I may be able to ask him to help you pay the fee.

dwilliams707:
Please help guys.how do I make payment on eshipglobal..i can see PayPal and wire transfer,I don’t have PayPal and how can I go about the wire transfer?

I wouldn't mind at all. I thrive around women, especially if they have sense of humour like you

LagosismyHome:
You have to come and be my manager ooo...

I PM you! Check your email and reply.

Sannisege:
I have tried this and there's no option of changing the visa type.

Try to update your profile and see if the option is there. However, it is not a big deal. The information that will be used would be taken from the DSFORM. So, I believe you should be fine.

Sannisege:
Yes I have filled the DS-160 form and stated the correct visa type in it. But in the appointment confirmation page, I picked F1 rather than J1, and I can't change it again except I reschedule and possibly make another visa payment. Is the visa category showing on the appointment very important? and please where is the appointment page required at the embassy on the appointment date?

Try to update your profile and see if the option is there.

Sannisege:
Yes I have filled the DS-160 form and stated the correct visa type in it. But in the appointment confirmation page, I picked F1 rather than J1, and I can't change it again except I reschedule and possibly make another visa payment. Is the visa category showing on the appointment very important? and please where is the appointment page required at the embassy on the appointment date?

You blush, smile and laugh at the same time. Make I do my own:

LagosismyHome:
,,,,,,,,,,,

seen

What is the issue now? Have you submitted the DS form? [

Sannisege:
Yes I am please. Exchange visitor's program