₦airaland Forum

Congratulations!

jaiye022:
Hi guys, good afternoon.
My cousin sent some transcripts to use to prepare for my interview like 2 months ago. I havent been able to stop reading since. Every time i read the transcripts i picture myself typing my own testimony here.
Got my visa approved yesterday morning at Abuja Embassy 7:30am batch. So unlike Lagos and being a Thursday the crowd wasnt that much. We got to the first security check outside, after checks i headed to join another queue where you submit your passport so they can tag it. From there through another security check to another queue to do biometrics. After the biometrics i joined the interview queue and sat accordingly. My heart was beating so fast and my body shivered. I asked God to cover my errors and mistakes and give me favour with the VO. Time to enter for interview, window 7 was a woman dashing denials like handbills, my heart started panting again while i prayed i shouldnt go to her. She denied like 5 people in my front without even giving them time to state their case. the guy in window 8 was more patient with applicants so i prayed to go to him but as God will have it i got the woman. Here's our conversation

VO: Pass your passport and i20
Me: Good morning (as i passed them to her)
VO: Good morning. Why Missouri State ?
Me: (In my mind i was okay straight to business) Missouri State University is one of the few schools that offers Defense and Strategic Studies to civilians and their extensive curriculum aligns with my research and career interest
VO: and what is that?
Me: (Didnt hear her well so i asked again)
VO: Your career interest, what is it?
Me: I want to be a member of the Nigerian Army and this course will help me achieve that
VO: (Types for a while on her computer) How many other schools did you apply to?
Me: 3 others. Georgetown University, George Mason University and University of Texas at El Paso
VO: How many others gave you admission
Me: No other yet just Missouri State University (maintaining eye contact)
VO: Who is sponsoring you?
Me: My uncle and his wife
VO: What does he do?
Me: He owns so so and so
VO: Do you have his statement?
Me: Passed it to her
VO: (Looks at it intensely) Is this his company's statement?
Me: Yes it is, they are paying for my studies
VO: Spell his name
Me: (Spelt it)
VO: How long as he been sponsoring your education
Me: Since 2004 when i got in secondary school
VO: We are going to critically look into these account statement and if we find anything incriminating you will be banned forever from entering the US. Do you give the permission to go through this?
Me: Yes please (smiling already)
VO: (Passes me white paper and my i20)
Me: (Picked them) what do i do next?
VO: Its written on the white paper. Have a nice day.
Me: Thank You

I was very confident that my passport would not return home with me, i froze at a particular point and in my mind i knew i had messed up but God showed up for me and covered my error and mistake. thanks to everyone that contributes to this page, please dont stop. i got a lot of encouragement from these transcripts. I wish future applicants success in their interviews. its not as hard as you think just be thoroughly prepared. I will advice that if your applying for student visa do it in Abuja, that is an advantage already cos its like they give preference to students. All the students i saw got their visas yesterday.

To answer your questions. You can be admitted to the US irrespective of your age. Considering your age, a MS would be ideal. You could get admission for an associate degree, first degree, but getting an F1 for first degree for a 32 year old will take MIRACLE. You will be asked why you are just going for this now, and what you have been doing. The VO may see you as using the student visa route to migrate. A master would have been ideal. HOWEVER, I am not the US embassy. We have seen students whose profile defy protocol and still get the visa. So, if this is what you want, start. Decide when you want to start and which admission term you'd like to get in for. Go for a 4 year program over community college.

There are a lot of schools in the US. Grab your computer and search for schools. If you have more questions, you can ask.
Wish you the best.

prety247:
Good day all thanks for vast knowledge shared here to help us.
Pls am 32 yrs old female would love to study in USA. Sorry.
Married wit kids but don't intend traveling wit my family.
Pls I want to know if I have any chances of being admitted for a degree? As I HV non wrote my waec since 2004.
Been doing agricbusiness ND due to marriage had children too.
Or is it safer to seek for a diploma ?
Which schools would you advice I apply to I would love to study agriculture, agricbusiness or Information technology (Networking, hardware or alike cos I love working with you my hands)?
pls help

Paying a semester tuition doesn't determine or change what the outcome might be. To be honest, the payment may not change the normal outcome of the interview. You could get the visa, or you could be refused. There have been students who pay deposit and still got refused. If you want to make a deposit, go ahead. Just make sure money is refundable before you make the payment. Get receipt for that, and incorporate the statement of deposit in your interview answer to "Who is sponsoring you", etc, and hope for the best. But note that this is not what determine F1 visa issuance. Good interview and, if you will agree, grace of God, does! So, I advice you prepare very well. Your tuition is actually not that high. Best

yemyem4uall:
Hello gurus in the house. I got admission without funding, the total tuition fee for one year is 23000USd and I seek for fund but d department chairman wish is my supervisor said I can only get funding for second semester but I have to be on campus before they can issue fund for my program for second semester. I think of paying a semester fee of this money wish is 11500 and ask the school to indicate the payment on my I 20. Do you advise me to go ahead ?

Kindly talk to your school to update your i-20, with GTA reflecting. Note in your message to them that it is crucial to your visa as the embassy would want to see a prove on your i-20. Nevertheless, you will still go with your uncle statement of account. Best of luck!

obaru:
Thank you sir. This is what my I-20 states. STUDENT'S FUNDING FOR 9 MONTHS
: Personal Funds: $ 0
: Funds from the school $ They left it blank
: Family Funds: $ 41,524
: On-Campus Employment $ They also left it blank
ESTIMATED AVERAGE COST FOR 9 MONTHS
: Tuition and Fees $ 21,040
: Living Expenses $ 15,484
: Expenses of Dependents (1) $5,000
Total:$ 41,524
For the family funds above, I gave them my uncle's bank statement for the school to issue me the above I-20. I have been offered GTA and my Ph.D will be funded after I was endorsed by a faculty member but I-20 has been sent since February which is not showing anything like funding. Please should I still go with my uncle's bank statement which is indicated as family fund on my I-20 or what should I do? Please I need you guys assistance. Thank you

DM!

Wretch32:
Okay
Dm? Or how do we communicate?

If your i-20 is showing personal fund, that means you have submitted your personal statement of acct for the application. You will have to go with that statement. Also, do you have funding for the phd program?

obaru:
Good day house! I have been admitted for Ph.D in mechanical engineering for fall 2019. I am about to book an appointment but don't know the documents I should go with. I'm confused specifically in the area of bank statement. My I-20 is showing personal funds. Please what should I do? Please, I'm new in this forum and I need you people's help. Thank you.

Reach out and let me do it for you from this end.

Bukunmee:
Network
I have been trying this thing since yesterday I have used different phones and laptops.
Error message : Your request cannot be processed at this time. The site administrator has been alerted.
2 User could not created. Please ensure first name and last name are entered as they are in your passport

Okay. It could be network. Use the information as appropriate. Are you getting any error message?

Bukunmee:
Good day here. Please can any one tell me what to do.
I have gotten my 1-20, I have filled my Ds-160 online and submitted. My sevis fee has been confirmed.
I am issues having on booking an appointment. Each I
time I fill my details as as a New user
I'm required to fill in my first name and last with a new password but it keeps bouncing back. I filled my names as they appear on my international passport.
I have used different gadgets for this process but I'm getting the same result
I don't know if this problem is from their site or from me.
What else can I do?

Pay the SEVIS fee, visa fee, fill the dsform to the best of your knowledge, with every information as it is stated on your i-20. Then use your dsform ID number to schedule your appointment. prepare for the interview. Which you best of luck. If you have questions, ask.

tboy47:
Good morning house. Anybody that can help me witth the visa process. Will be glad. What are the steps.? Somebody said I should pay for f-1 visa at gtbank. what else should i do? Am on my way to the bank right now. Thanks

YES!

Shehuroj:
Good evening all.
Please is the DS-160 Application ID same as confirmation number that's being asked for while scheduling a visa interview?

I want to confirm this as I want to schedule my interview before I submit my DS-160 form so as to avoid mistake.

Thanks in advance.

This is commendable! Very short interview. I look forward to seeing more approval this month! God bless you!

vinnyvince:
Visa Approved today at the Abuja Embassy.

Here's an abridged version of my transcriot to K.I.S.S.

VO: Hello
Me: Oh Hi!
VO: I can see you're going for your Doctorate in aerospace engineering at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Me: Thats correct.
VO: Are you married?
Me: Nope, I am single.
VO: Why the Univerisity of Cincinnati?
Me: My choice of schools was based on the Carnegie Classification of Institutes of Higher Education in which UC falls under the Schools with Very High Research activity(R1). I had emailed many profs with similar research interests who work in schools within the R1 list and received interesting replys from the Profs at UC. Also, they have a really strong faculty. Particularly, the first man to land on the moon surface, Neil Armstrong, was a one-time member of the aerospace engineering faculty and helped develop it. The above helped to shape my decision.

VO: **cute smile** Whats your research field about?
Me: oh I am interested in the aerodynamics of airfoils as well as the development of miniaturized satellites--CubeSats in particular.

VO: *smiles* and asks, whats your highest degree qualification?
Me: I currently hold a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering from the University of xxxx where i finished with a first class.

VO: hmm, i can see from your I-20 that you've been offered full scholarships.

Me: That's Correct.

VO: I will be approving your Visa. Please keep your I-20 very safe as you will be needing it at the POE.


I am grateful to God for his grace.

There is a thread for Canada. Here, we deal with US student visa only.

prety247:
Good day all thanks for vast knowledge shared here to help us.
Pls am 32 yrs old female would love to study in Canada.
Married wit kids but don't intend traveling wit my family.
Pls I want to know if I have any chances of being admitted for a degree?
Or is it safer to seek for a diploma ?
Which schools would you advice I apply to I would love to study Information technology (Networking, hardware or alike cos I love working with you my hands)?

I love your perspective. With this in mind, you are going to be very successful. Skills and knowledge matters a lot; in fact 20 times important than the GPA. And it is in all of us--that uniqueness! I hope these young dudes here listen and learn from all these.

sheke01:
I can relate with number 2. I took Amazon internship assessment back in February and all the technical questions could be found in Leetcode and HackerRank. Boy, na once I fail comot.

Tidied up exams today and like play like play na one year remain o. Sometimes this journey feels like a dream, it seems like it was yesterday I wrote my first GRE and asked for directions here that BigFrancis21 adviced me to switch to MIS. Mehn how time flies.

Subtle encouragement to every aspiring candidate. Do everything that you feel will aid you in achieving this dream. Write multiple exams if you must, or just for visa sake if you like. It's worth it. While going to ivy league school is good, going to a school that fits into the pocket of your sponsor or the school that offers you the best financial package might sometimes be better.

In my opinion don't sink yourself in huge debts all in the name of going to a top whatever school. A person's fate can't be determined by the school he/she attends. It's in you. Everyone is unique and let your uniqueness shine bright and you will prosper. Liverpool showed today how determination is key to success and I read an inspiring story today and I will share it here
https://www./how-being-bold-landed-me-microsoft-internship-akosua-boadi-agyemang

To everyone out there prepping for interview, success. To everyone that have gotten visa, congrats and remember not to abandon the family.

Like that peak advert with papilo says "it's is you". Never ever forget this. peace out

GCE is faster and equally acceptable.

NoQualms1:
I am applying to a school that needs foreign transcript evaluation. I checked WES website and discovered that their process is long, is there another evaluation body I can use apart from WES?

Can I evaluate more than one transcript at once?

Who has gone through it that can explain it better?

Thanks.

Message well-received. I will help you touch the stuff and send it back.

Sheq:
Good evening sir ..kindly check your pm please. Its regarding statement of purpose.. Thank you

AH! My queen! AH! Only you!

sharwama:
PRE–VISA INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT: A NECESSARY EVIL
An article by Miss Sharwama
So me and my guys we are at the bar drinking beer and enjoying Mama Nkechi’s barbecue. Life is good after all. Suddenly, Remi asks me, “Babe do you like football” and I am like “Hiaaa! What kind of question is that biko? Of course I love football”
He goes further to ask “What’s your favourite team”, I smile and reply “Man. City?” Remi asks why and I respond “Because the sky is blue and Serena Williams plays for Man. City. Did you know she scored the hat trick that won them the AFCON championship!!!
Remi instantly drops his bottle of beer, snaps his fingers in surprise, the other guys are laughing out loud and me, I burst into tears, feeling so stupid. I have succeeded in convincing them that I am neither a genuine football fan nor a fan of Man. City!
This is similar to what happens when you attend a F1 visa interview unprepared and you end up not convincing the visa officer that you are a genuine student.
So why do you need a transcript? Good question!
To fill you with substance. Dieticians say we are what we eat, but in academia, we strongly believe, you are what you read, you are what you know, you are the skills you have. So the pre-interview transcript is meant to equip you with the necessary information needed to prove genuine studentship, to show that you are sound enough to deal with the rigours and academic demands of the school/program.
For example, some students applied to schools without doing intensive research, they know nothing about the requisite curriculum, they simply applied because their friend(s) did too, or because a friend got funding or because the school doesn’t require GRE or is non-selective or they read about it on Nairaland( or other media platforms) or someone suggested it.
But if such a student were to prepare a transcript, they would have to read extensively about the school, research more on the program, courses to be taken before completing the degree, and be able to answer why they chose it, why that school or program stood out for them or even why they chose the country! They would be able to talk about their career goals and future plans? Do you see where this is going? Information is power!
So yes, the transcript is a necessary evil. It is evil because most students end up cramming it, regurgitating it word for word, back to back and when they are asked what is not on the transcript, they begin to fumble and stutter ( they never expected it).
Now, I must draw attention to this truth: knowing what to say is never as important as how you say it (your body language, your tone/pitch), how you sell the pieces of information. So knowledge is important but the ultimate test is the delivery. This is why I don’t support schools in Nigeria offering first class graduates lecturing position simply because of their intellectual capability. It is one thing to know, it another to teach/express what you know. Do you see how important delivery is?
Again and again, the transcript is neither to be crammed nor memorized. Every VO can tell the difference between a human and a robot. The transcript is meant to be your compass, pointing you in the right direction, helping you stay on course. It is meant to be your flashlight if you ever encounter any darkness. It is NOT the Alpha and Omega of your interview.
The transcript is meant to boost your confidence and NOT BE YOUR CONFIDENCE, it is meant to resonate the can-do spirit within you. It is meant to ginger your swagger so when you are on that queue even if the persons ahead of you got denied, your morale will still be high. Yes, you have done your homework!
Ultimately, on the day of your interview, please remind yourself, you already have SUBSTANCE; you just need to have a CONVERSATION. Most people love a good conversation and sometimes we go to bed with a big smile on our face, simply because we remembered an amazing conversation we had with someone earlier. BELIEVE in yourself, BREATHE, LOOK, SMILE, CONVERSE.
May the force be with you!
Written by the girl who‘s yet to have a conversation with the VO.
Inspired by anxiety

Yes

Schrodinger22:
Please, anyone?

I was about asking the same.

LagosismyHome:
Humm but who laughed and mocked you..... u sure?

Congrats!

senny4ril2424:
Let me first thank all the beautiful people on this platform...it was just by God's grace ..My interview went well yesterday and my visa was approved
I got GTA for my msc program which covers the full tuition fee for the duration of the program as well as monthly stipend

My interview yesterday went below.

Me: Good morning
VO: Good morning pass me your documents
Me: gave her the required documents

VO: how did you hear abt the university
Me: i first heard about the University during my undergraduate days through my lecturer who attended geoscience conference in the school, upon her return, she would not stop talking about the quality of academic research in the university (vo cut in)
VO: Do you have relatives over there?
Me: No No No ( I said that like 4 times)
VO: what other universities do you apply to?
Me: I applied to university of Wyoming, university of Wisconsin
VO: why this uni
ME: I'm interested in prof..... ongoing research project, this research project aligns with area of my research interest, the research is focusing on contamination and remediation of groundwater ( VO cut in) I was about saying contamination of groundwater is one of the environmental challenges in Nigeria today
VO : Did you write GRE
Me: yes
VO: your score
Me: 278
VO: what will you be doing as a graduate assistant?
Me: I will be assisting the lecturer in the preparation of course materials, I will also be assisting in marking and grading of assignments and tests (VO..cut in)
VO: when did you finish undergraduate?
Me: 2015
VO: which University?
Me: Ekiti State University
VO: what have you been doing since then
Me: I completed my NYSC 2016-2017 at national universities commission, immediately after that I got teaching job where I teach physics and geography at...... International group of school ( VO cut in is it secondary school? I said yes) I got my present job at.... Geophysical services Limited, I work as field geologist
VO: what's your plans after the degree?
Me: I intend to come back to Nigeria upon the completion of the program, I will have acquired adequate research knowledge as well as practical and field knowledge to enable me take up lecturing and research position in my alma mater (VO cut in)
VO: your visa has been approved, take your I-20 form ,you will need at the port of entry.. Take this white paper and collect your visa in three business days in the location where I circled
Me : I was like thanks thanks more that six times

My remark... VO didn't ask about how I got the scholarship ? She didnt ask about the SOA because I have deficit of 2780
Above all pray for favour and mercy of God.. Then always listen to whoever being interviewed before you. So that you can learn from their mistakes

.

You have the answer. Let's assume I am the VO, "Why is your uncle sponsoring you?" Think about it! Why is my uncle sponsoring me? post it here.

RichieCobby2019:
Hi Gurus,
I am a Ghanaian applying for F1 visa in Ghana.
I have been accepted into New Jersey City University for fall 2019.
Program of study is B.sc Accounting.
My sponsor(uncle) is in the USA, I have his bank statement.

My question is how do I answer when I am asked why my uncle is sponsoring? Because I don't want to show strong ties to him (it may let the CO think I won't return) and I also need to give an answer as to why he agreed to sponsor me.

Any help is greatly appreciated

To the best of my knowledge, this is not advisable. But go ahead. Write his name as the sponsor. Let his Statement of account carry a reference letter. defend the relationship at the embassy.

KingStefan:
Hello house, please I have question :

If my uncle is sponsoring me, but he plans to give me his own company's Statement of Account. When I'm filling my DS160, will I still write that it's family sponsorship on the sponsorship page?

2 by 2.

Charitoo:
Big congratulations to you!

Guys, I'd like to ask: what's the dimension and background of the passport photographs one should take for the interview?

Thank you.

I think this is the hand of FAVOUR! I know a student who were like him on the day of his interview, 3rd appearance though. The woman was just looking, and when the student was done with the response, she nodded her head. Then she started advising the student as if she is his mother, or sister. When he got out of the embassy and call to narrate the story, I just dey laugh. He prayed a lot though!
If you have read or heard about unmerited favour, this was a good example. Some of us are given things we do not qualify for, because it is the appointed time.

4gunners:
The VO has already made the decision before interview. The talk talk na just to fulfill all righteousness.

Congratulations!!!!

No way! You will have to carry your own cross, and appear for your own interview, with your own application!

Zanipolo:
Hi guys, my mom was granted visitors visa into the USA last year, she was offered 2 years which is to be expired in January next year, while she renews the visa is possible for her to attached a son (me) to the Dropbox, if so please what are the requirements and what are the chances of approval for me.
Need answers please

Did you get your visa too?

emhenzy:
[congrats, I was there and remember you, you wore a black suit and got interviewed by that nice VO]


[color=#550000][/color]quote author=ToluwalekeA post=78182788]My interview yesterday went below. Visa approved


VO:pass me ur 1-20 and passport
Me: gave her the required documents

VO: how did you hear abt the school
Me: i got to know about the university through an alumni of the uni(VO cuts in). you are tense and talking fast, just calm and dont tell me what you have memorised. she did not allow me to finish
VO: How many school did you apply to and how many gave u admission, name them
Me: GSU, MTU, ohio uni, BGSU , lafayette. All admitted
VO: why Ohio uni
ME: talking fast and obvious that i crammed my transcript(VO cuts in). if u have memorised everything how do you want me to know u are a genuine student, talk gently and tell me about ur research and not reputation or curriculum of the uni. pls answer my question now.
Me : i now spoke about my research in environmental geoscience. she cuts i. again
VO: how did u get the assistantship
Me: i applied then i was scheduled for a skype interview VO cuts in. all memorised she said.
VO: i will approve ur visa but next time when going for an internship u dont need to memorised or have a prepared transcript, just flow with the interview and answer the question asked. I am telling u for future purpose. Have a wonderful time in the US
Me : all smiling thanks i appreciate

As for waiting for 6 month, it doesn't apply to F1 visa category; in fact, you can apply for another interview tomorrow and appear before ending of this month. However, that is not the best advice in your case. Were you offered scholarship? If you truly want to get your visa, do try and get some sort of funding before you reapply, no matter how small. You need to talk from your heart to your department or admission coordinator. Let them know you have been refused the visa and one of the reasons was that, you were not offered scholarship, and that the VO assume you may not be able to afford it (even though this is not the case for your sponsor). I have had a few students use this emotional message to change the mind of those in charge of their admission, and eventually, though thanks be to God, scholarship was offered and a new i-20 was issued. Try this same and let me know if it works.

Best of luck!

emhenzy:
Is it necessary to wait for 6 months before reapplying for F1 visa after visa denial? My interview on Monday in Lagos the VO asked me just one question “what significant change was made on my application” and my response was that my sponsors bank statement, I ve my mums savings account opposed to the previous current account I used.
NOTE: before this denial my previous interview on February 25th the VO gave me 221g form and requested for my sponsors bank statement but after I submitted it my application was still refused.
Tuition and expenses is 25k and my sponsors has over 15m in the account.
The thing just tire me. Wha

It is for undergraduate, too. It is just that there are graduate students here.

Vhintage:
Please this thread seems like it's only for postgraduate studies...I recently got admitted to Caldwell university and am a fresh man...pls if there is another thread for undergraduates and freshman students pls kindly share the link below for me...thanks❤️

You need to look for schools. Google is your friend. I always recommend you do this on your computer as phone is limited to some extent. Use the following search string:

Affordable Masters for Forensic Accounting in the US
Best Universities in the US for Masters in Forensic Accounting

Check each page you find. You should also decide admission term you believe would be ideal for you. Then work around that. If you need anything, just ask.

afeezzezo:
Masters in forensic accounting!
I need help on how to go about it
I am yet to start anything tho

Nice program. Have you applied to any school at all?

afeezzezo:
Masters in forensic accounting
I dont know how to go about i

This thread if for US ONLY! Thanks!

Dfameguy:
Please my oga them what are the require need for one to study in Canadian nd how much will be cost of all things

What program are you going for?

afeezzezo:
Oh thanks bruh