₦airaland Forum

WHat is the issue dear?

PstTobi:
Someone should please respond to me, have been so much disturbed. I CAN'T HELP MYSELF. THANKS AND GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU DO.

Consider it a minus for your application. This literally makes the consular assume you are using the f-1 visa category to join her. Just prepare some quality answers for the interview. Good luck!

Omonoba1981:
When attending an US student visa interview. will it be an issue when you say, you have aunt in the same city you will be attending college and perhaps will be staying with her while studying.

Now, I understand you. Sure. You can try your luck. Nobody can predict what the outcome may be.

Omonoba1981:
its a 3 months program and your status is not needed to be admitted for a GED program. I just got a letter of invitation to attend the GED graduation.

I started from stage 5 of GED for the 4 subject I sat for

And i also got a F-I 20 into associate program for the school.

Or can I tell VO I was only there to write the exams

I had the opportunity to change status, instead I came back to apply from Nigeria. Should that not be a plus?

You should never have done that. And you shouldn't disclose you did. You were there to visit. How did you manage to get GED with a visiting visa anyway?

Omonoba1981:
Is it wrong to complete G.E.D while on visitor permit to US?

Go back and try again.

sirjunzenblaze:
I got full scholarship. Ddnt submit any bank statement

.

Oh great! Nice degree. There is strong connection between your first degree and what you are going to study. I really wish you successful outcome.

TheSuperladyy:
Thank you for your help. My first degree is Economics. I will edit the sppointment profile as you said. Thanks once again for the reply.

Such individuals are married! No doubt!

myright:
what about people that have done traditional marriage and church wedding but yet to register at the registry, what would be the answer to "are you married?"

Okay. You are about to get married. If asked if you are married, tell them the situation as it is. You are engaged...and getting married soon, or as you may wish.
On your program of study. I think the school may not want to change what is written on the i-20, and it doesn't really matter. Prepare to give very quality, point-based answer to why you want to study Financial Mathematics. Prepare to answer "Why did you chose Financial Mathematics (which is a unique course). Prepare yourself to tell they why you chose the program stated on your i-20, not MS Finance. Please note! Other than that, what was your first degree?

As per the the error with your middle name, I think you can update the appointment profile. Just go back to that website. I hope this mistake was not on the DSFORM that you use its ID NUMBER to schedule the appointment? Good luck!

TheSuperladyy:
Good Morning Everyone.
I would appreciate if my questions could be answered please.

Background information: I got an admit for MS Finance at University of New Haven, Fall 2018.

1. When i received my I-20, The course written on it was Financial Mathematics. I contacted the school and the AO said that is how its stated for SEVIS purposes. She said its because of the course's STEM designation. My question is this, How do I answer the "whats your course of study?"question during My Visa Interview.

2. I booked my interview for 18th of July, and my registry wedding will hold on 27th of July. If the VO asked if i am married, Should I just say no and leave it at that or should i give details of the planned wedding?

3. My Visa appointment confirmation page showed I made a mistake in my name while booking. I wrote "DEMOLA" instead of "DAMOLA" as my middle name. Would this have any negative impact? If yes, How can I rectify the error?

Sorry for the lengthy Post and Thank you as you oblige with answers.

It is cool. Just know what you have changed, and be ready to say something about it if you are questioned. Goodluck!

Sirtenburg:
Good morning house, for those that have been contributing to this forum, God shall reward you guys abundantly and for those that are expecting their first or reapplied interview like me Almighty God shall go before us and speak through us. Our effort shall not been in vain,Amen.

In my first application, I forgot to indicate my u.s contact name, also I indicated have made travel plans and in my sponsor part,instead of inputting other relative,i clicked on other because my sponsor is my elder sister but now have corrected it.. my question is, when asked what changes do you have in your application now, should I say what is stated above or what is the best answer for what changes do you have in your application now?

Who told you the embassy communicates with the school? The background checking they did has nothing to do with your school. There must have been a part of your application that contradicts. But if your bank statement wasn't genuine, then maybe that is where the issue is. When they collect your bank statement, they read it... If it has not been real or handed over by the bank and transactions are not consistent, that could have caused a problem. It can be painful especially when you did not know when they later refused the visa.

sirjunzenblaze:
All my documents are legit. The school waited and waited for the call from the embassy when I was placed on AP to confirm my scholarship, but they weren't contacted and I was refused yesterday.

I have been busy lately, and sometimes I just want to come here and read about student's experience on admission and embassy. There are so many angels here threading in human forms. People who help with ideas and information on admission, SEVIS payment, who encourages, guides and you know it. The list of those very helpful posts is long.

Just tonight, let me contribute the little time permits, especially on what I have observed lately on student visa denials.
I’m in the mood to share a few unsolicited advice on the forum. I am going to write. And I hope someone somewhere will be guided. The last time I posted something like this was 2016 or so. I know we have more students here now who needs guideline, including those who wish to ask questions but don’t know how to ask. Oya, start reading…6 POINTS!

Student visa, be for undergraduate studies, Masters or PhD—is somewhat unique, and comes with a lot of opportunities once you get to the US. Those who have been to there, stay behind after studies or return would agree to this assertion. But this type of visa also comes with responsibility, especially if you are actually going to study.

At the embassy here in Nigeria, the consular expects the student to prove they are going for the purpose for which they have applied. But unfortunately, we have seen students on this forum who could not do that—or really managed to but the consular were sceptical. Hence, the cause of their visa refusal. Some people would say it is because the time has not come; some people would say the visa can be granted only by the grace of God. I don’t completely agree. Why would grace helped a few get the visa and turn its back against others? Is God partial? Or some people have 3 heads? There are many angles to think from for one to really get to the fundamental cause of success and failure in everything we attempt at every given time. Therefore, I am not going to write about this. My prayer is that we all succeed in life when we pay the price that success demands!

POINT 1, The Oyibo believe young Africans should only travel to their countries to study programs that are not adequately offered here in our country. Consider saying you are going to study African Studies or an Ed program in the US? While you have your chances of getting the visa, it is very slim. The program you chose is important, though some guru disagree. And even if it is not important or can be studied here efficiently, or if a few consular wouldn’t care, most of the consular believe you shouldn’t chose the program because Nigeria has advanced very well on them. But is there any academic area we have actually advanced well enough that our youths should not go abroad to study them? (Question for answer) You have freedom and rights to choose, but make sure the program is what you really want to do, or you will have to be ready to say something very unique as to the reason you are going to the US to earn a degree for it.
This is to say certain program naturally makes the consular frown and assume, “but this course can be studied here. Why going to the US for it?” My advice: whatever program you chose, be very sure you understand why it’s been chosen. Why did you chose this program? Sit down and reason enough points why a student like you would want to travel to the US to spend a lot of money to study the program—especially if it’s readily offered here in Nigeria.
As educationist and someone who strongly believes in the potential of young people—of which I am certainly one—I always advice: know your gifts and talents, then chose a program or course that such talent or gift can be used in. For example, if you find it easy and natural to help people, be around the sick and care for them, or by intuition you can sense what is wrong with people, consider a calling in the medical field (it is broad and you should think about where you really want to serve humanity). This is a story for another day. Please read Chapter 2 of “On Managing Yourself” by Harvard Business Review, to learn more on deciding where you belong and how to pick a program of study related to that.

POINT 2. The US embassy probably interview more than two thousands students every year (if not more; I don’t have the figure). As most of you already know, there are “fixed questions” the consular always ask, i.e. Why are you going to the United States? Why did you chose this school? Why did you chose this program? Who is sponsoring/Paying for this? You know them… They have been asking these questions since the inception of the US student visa program, and I assume that as long as this category of visa remains in their portfolio, the fixed questions remain.
But funny enough, these same consular don’t expect “fixed answers” to their fixed questions. They don’t expect fixed answers to the questions in the sense that they assume (I assume this is the case) every student applying for a student visa does so for a unique reason personal to them. So when they asked you a question, for example, “What does your sponsor do?” and you say “He’s into real estate” as I have seen in several refusal transcripts on this forum, you automatically limits your own chance. Don’t misunderstand me. It is perfectly okay to tell them what your Dad do. But I just couldn’t understand why you have to say he’s into real estate—especially when that is not his/her job, or he’s an electronic importer at Alaba Intl, but you say he’s a realtor because a friend who just got his visa used the same answer. How many houses we do build every year in Nigeria? How many of those are built by realtors? This is Nigeria, not America. So, create your own unique response to those fixed questions. White or Black lies, that is none of my business (and to the saints on this forum, we have all been scenty of rose-coloured description of who we are).

The important thing is, make your own response unique and personal to your case. “Why did you chose this program?” “Why did you chose this school?” Find out! Why? The program, the school, and you yourself have enough reasons why! STOP COPYING WHAT YOU SEE ON EVERY SUCCESSFUL TRANSCRIPT. The consular interview a lot of young Nigerians going to the US for studies. The consular are humans not robot. Based on personal and shared experiences, those who give personal, and academic-based response to the questions have higher chances of getting their visa over those who use what a student who got his visa last month used (Even Canada honour such when applying for their student visa). And who knows maybe you will be interviewed by the same consular? While cramming don’t work for every student, get familiar with your choice of answer to the fixed questions before your interview. Stand in front of mirror and say them loud. Listen to yourself. Do you make sense? Put yourself in the consular shoe. If you are a consular and a student gave the answer you intend to give during the interview, would you take him serious and issue his/her visa? While I am not defending the consular action (some of them have been unfair), the truth is, if we are in their position and our job demands that we interview people on daily basis, our response—whether or not to grant a student visa—will be very similar, especially when there’s an established rules that says, “not every young Nigerian at the embassy for student visa is actually going to the US for studies.” Think about it!

Try to be different. (I have seen a student who was denied twice (once in Abuja and Lagos) and after preparation, return to Lagos the second time (and of course, after prayer and fasting ) and the woman who granted his visa the third time started acting like his Sister, advising him on how to thrive in the US. This guy had prepared his mind on what to say. He imagined himself interviewed; he did not even use mock. He just thoroughly prepare his answers—based on the Whys he knew he would be asked. Some people would say this is a fabricated response. No! It is called preparation—preparing one’s heart and mind for what is coming. By writing his own unique response down, he condensed them. And even if fear of rejection or of the consular would not let him speak as he has thought he would, the preparation has helped. He’s in the US now. He’ll never fear such interview again.
You prepare once, very well, and you hit it. That is it! The experience becomes a part of you.

POINT 3. Write Test if You can. While this is not a requirement for a student visa, it is a bonus to say it increases the student’s chance of getting the visa, especially if asked if any test is written. Once you say No, well, only God knows what the consular is thinking about your application. But again, this is not a requirement as there are universities and programs which does not require either SAT, GRE or GMAT for admission. And to prove this is correct, I have seen/heard of cases of more than 4 students—all of which are in the States today—granted their visas without test scores. Well, are you surprised? The thing is, consular are unpredictable, and student visa happens! But as a bonus, if you can write the test, bravo. Some students are made for such. But not every student has been granted their visa because they write test.

POINT 4. Try to apply and appear for your interview early. Some of you already know the consular are unpredictable. While a confident heart may be able to envisage a positive outcome, even long before the interview day, sometimes, it takes more than confidence. Sometimes, confidence don’t work at all (I believe this is so that we may learn that no pattern of action is certain to always produce the result we want). King Solomon said something I wish I had learnt very early in life. He said, “In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.” Ecclesiastes 11:6.
I think we can take a little lesson from there and apply it here. If you are so confident that your visa will be granted the first time, you may be disappointed if it is otherwise. Successful people always leave room for the unexpected. Disappointment! No wonder they are not easily heart-broken when the negative appear on their course. So I think it's very childish to say anything is certain in this life. The further we go and learn from the experiences of successful people, the closer we are to this truth. You don’t know what will become of your application. Do you? What if the consular that will interview you during your first appearance had a fight with his wife the night before and he’s a choleric—the type that’s skilled in transferring aggression? You had all it takes. But, oh, he was hard on you! Those type of consular whose countenance says something about their mood. The one who refused to give anybody throughout the interview period except one fine old mama wearing Ankara with glasses sitting on the edge of her nose.
So in case you were denied the first time but you had applied early, you can just walk from the embassy to the nearest GTBank and pay for another visa fee, and schedule another interview that night—with 2-3 weeks interval from the first appearance. That is if you have such money and you aren’t too broken by the refusal. Several students got their visas only after they reapply. Sure, there have been enough positive outcome to wish for as well. There are friends who were able to get the visas first time—without previous travel history. No denials, no buggy questions, or administrative process or whatever. And they didn’t go through EAC. So if you apply late, and available interview dates are too close to the date your school is starting its orientation, you can defer. Then request that your school send an updated i-20—if they won’t ask you to pay for the shipment again. But if you applied early, the i-20 can be reused, and you would have saved yourself 4-5 month of waiting and those dollars. Please pay attention to this!

POINT 5. On the DS-FORM. Many student visa guru here have said it time and again that this form is to be filled carefully and properly reviewed before you submit it. I call the ds form the second window to accessing and assessing who you are—for the type of visa you applied for—second to what you say during the interview. And sometimes, the importance of the form comes first. As the consular ask her/his fixed questions, they read what you filled in. And I assume they check if what you say uniform the details on the form. Make sure and do your best to avoid any mistake on this form. If you must ask someone to fill it for you, do ensure you know everything they put in every section before they submit the form. To ensure there is no mistake, I advise that when you are through with the sections, don’t submit it yet. Print everything out. Don’t be stingy on printing fee. Print everything, and go through each page to confirm there’s no mistake. If you spot any mistake, go back, edit it, and save it again.
Once you are sure, you can then go ahead and hit submit. Another thing you must do is, keep the printed form safe. Keep it away. Should the outcome of your interview not favourable and you wish to reapply immediately or later, go back to the printed form. Fill the new ds form for the new interview with the same information as before. Be careful of changing names, such as sponsor names, previous schools, etc. While some guru on this forum may say there is no need to be cautious or alarm about changing information on the form, experience taught the class of expert I belong to disagree. American embassy HATE inconsistencies on visa application—the same way they don’t like to see a fresh graduate says he is going for business/professional conference and after the denial the lad reapply for a student visa. They can continue to deny you for as long as you apply, and funny enough, you’re given the same paper; you know that section 214 (b).
Don’t assume because the previous interview was denied that the old form you submitted is also gone. No! It is in the system. They have your thumbprints, and so everything you have ever done with the US embassy—home or abroad, then or now (except when there was no fingerprint scanner at the embassy) is in the system.
If you must change anything at all, make sure you know what you are doing, and if question arise on interview day concerning such change, well, prepare to defend yourself. This 5th point is perhaps the most important in this piece. I know someone very dear to me who has been denied 7 times because of inconsistencies on his ds form. The dude did not only change schools and programs but also tampered with preview education history he had here in Nigeria. He was a good guy who thought the change will better position him to get the visa when he applied again. He wrote the SAT test, score high, got FULL scholarship, (he even got accepted to Pepperdine University), and applied again with the i-20 from the new school that offered full scholarship, yet he was denied. Immediately after the last interview, he asked the consular to turn on his mic. The dude chuckled and honour him. He then ask, “If I were your brother, what would you do?” The consular said, “Well, I would probably not apply again!” Later, he got to know it was those changes he made that diminished his chances of getting the visa, and going to embassy in between those 7 times with different 4 i-20s. Maybe if somebody had told him he was complicating his case and chances with those changes, maybe he would have been careful. Now, I am sharing that experience he had with you. Not to freak you out, but to make sure you avoid making similar mistake, and get your visa.
Again, and finally on this, be steady on filling the ds form, but be very, very slow when it comes to changing anything if you are reapplying after previous denial.

POINT 6. It is in the interest of our dream and for the sake of our future that when obstacles ensue to stop us because we are dreamer we should never, ever give up. For some people, applying for a US visa is a play, play thing. “Abeg, make I try am self maybe them fit give me. And if them no give me, nothing do me.” It doesn’t pull a lock of their hair. But for others, it is their utmost dream. The latter category of people tend to be really broken when they are refused. It is not because they are emotional than those who have been denied but felt nothing; it is because, for them, it is a dream—something they really want to see happen in their lives. They want to make parents proud; they feel going abroad will help them become a better person; they see US education as a part of a strong foundation they need for a successful career. Their underlying reasons, I believe, is genuine. My word for you? Don’t give up if you have been denied. If you have the visa fee, and the SEVIS has not expired or you can pay for another one, or the interval has not been too long—whatever your case may be—if you believe you have what it takes to go back, go back! Reapply again.
Don’t give up just because it’s challenging. What if it’s when you go back you will get it? Thinking you’re a failure or inadequate where others thrive will on make you slip deeper into such belief. And if you don’t pick up yourself soon, it may be bad for you. We don’t give up on something we truly believe matters to our future. If it matters, try again!

Good luck to all the dreamers here!

(There are typos here. If anything comes to mind that may be useful, I will modify this post. It is 3:33am)

If you have never been denied recently, you can ask for expedient visa appointment. But you will need to scan your i-20, visa receipt, as attachment with the email requesting for such. Go to the appointment-booking page to read more about that. Goodluck.

Aronman:
Can I send a mail to the embassy for an interview date?

Depending on what you want to study, masters or undergraduate. What is your highest academic qualification? How old are you? Are you sponsoring yourself or you will be sponsored? When would you like to begin this adventurous academic journey? Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2019? etc. You need to be able to come up with answers to these questions. In fact, having the answer will guide what you do first or last. Get the answer across and there are people willing to help here. Or PM me and let talk about your options. Happy Weekend, and it is good to be here again.

browndegreat:
Good evening everyone, please I'm new here and I salute those who take out time to help others here. Please I will be grateful if someone can help me out with this question ; How do I process an F1 American visa and where I can get the necessary documents.

I am thinking the VO wants a prove that you will be able to meet the program start date. Maybe a letter from you school that it's not too late for you. One of my students was given admission for Spring 2018, which the student could not meet. She then write a letter to the POE officer, stating the student is permitted to come in later than the date stated on the i-20.

DLanguage:
pls can someone urgently help me with this. I went to interview today for f1 visa. The VO collected my passport, she gave me white paper and told me to go and upload on my electronic sevis program start date. pls what does dat mean I really need an urgent answer my sch is starting on 26th of Janaury

Did you not go with the Sevis receipt? Which I doubt! Could it be possible he wanted you to submit a document? better wait for 3 days and see what the Visa outcome is. Keep tracking the visa with the DS number and see if it is issued. Chances are you did not hear the consular very well. But I am confident you will have your visa at the pick up location after 3 days. I don't believe it will be delayed, even if the VO ask you to upload anything. This is my opinion.
Good luck

DLanguage:
pls can someone urgently help me with this. I went to interview today for f1 visa. The VO collected my passport, she gave me white paper and told me to go and upload on my electronic sevis program start date. pls what does dat mean I really need an urgent answer my sch is starting on 26th of Janaury

I was about asking the same thing.

OluDare01:
Are you sure you heard the right thing?

There is college of New York City University that can offer you admission. I will find out which of the colleges and get back to you, or send me a message to remind me. I am somehow busy at the moment. Or go to this school website yourself and find out.

dk2baba:
My uncle has been trying to get a university in USA for me but the Problem is the grade I finished with second class lower division then my
question is 1) that do u guys really think I can get a school in USA Dat would accept 2:2?
Question 2 )
and if I get a school can I apply with my student copy of the transcript or the school would have to send my transcript by themselves.
Question 3 is it possible for transcript to b altered and be used to gain admission into any university in usa

I can contribute for now because I am somewhat free. Keep asking questions until you get what you want.

Naughtyvirgin:
You 've been really helpful bro...really wish I could easily chat you up on whatsapp each time i have a question..thanks alot amd everyone on here also

I didn't get any message from you. Better write again, or drop it here.

Naughtyvirgin:
I replied your mail bro

Hmm, Nursing, 2.07 gpa. Well, Nobody knows every US schools program requirement. I have seen grad school that offer admission to 2.0 for major science program. Best thing to do is search for schools using google. Be creative and use search strings tailored to your need, for example: Graduate Schools in US that offer admission with 2.0 GPA. Chances are you will find some. Keep asking question. There is a solution to everything.

Naughtyvirgin:
I actually wanted to write the SAT and apply as a freshman because of my low cgpa from my first degree...im sure no school would accept a 2.07 coz i would love to go for Nursing...

But if you feel I still stand a chance to apply as a second degree applicants pls can you guide me through what exams to take and necessary stuffs

If you are a graduate, why do you want to write SAT? You can go for a second degree though, but depends on your age, because the VO will look into that in determining your eligibility for student visa. You need to sit down, plan carefully and go for the best option available to you.
Try to understand what you are getting into. Dream to study abroad is not all there is; there are prices to be paid.
Good luck. If you have more questions, you can write me or drop them here.

Naughtyvirgin:
Hello house I'm new on here...
I'm a graduate with B.sc in Biochemistry, I have a cgpa of 2.07 so I believe I can't use this for masters in the States.
Basically I plan taking the SAT exam d's year but I'd be applying as a freshman ..i just want to know if this is a good idea...your candid advise would be appreciated. Thanks[color=#770077][/color]

You can get unconditional admission with your gpa. Altering is not an option. You need to look for school that will offer you conditional admission. write to me and let's see how you can be guided or go through the thread carefully and help yourself.

dk2baba:
My uncle has been trying to get a university in USA for me but the Problem is the grade I finished with second class lower division then my
question is 1) that do u guys really think I can get a school in USA Dat would accept 2:2?
Question 2 )
and if I get a school can I apply with my student copy of the transcript or the school would have to send my transcript by themselves.
Question 3 is it possible for transcript to b altered and be used to gain admission into any university in usa

Sure you can!

kindaguy:
Thanks plenty for this... i appreciate...

can i pm you please?

Register for SAT.
Decide what you want to study
Prepare for the exam while you look for schools in the US states you would like to study.
You need to pass very well if you want scholarship, and if you hit scores ranging from 1250 to 1400 or even higher, there are schools in the US that will offer you full scholarship. I mean full ride! You will only be required to transport yourself to the school with health insurance fee. Then work hard every semester to protect the scholarship.
It is a step by step process and I believe being on this thread has some advantage in getting what you are looking for, and hopefully, getting your student visa.

Keep reading and keep asking questions. We have gurus all over the place. Twoods is one of them. Na him I won recommend! to guide you! The guy go help you with detailed information. Write to him, or if you have private question, contact me.
Good luck!

Brightofficial:
Please a want to pursue a bachelor's degree in sociology.... And I'm fully hoping for a scholarship...but i dont know how to go about it... Please can those with more experience put me through... I need advice and opinions on what exams to sit for ....schools to apply for and how to go about them.
Please pardon my ignorance.
Thanks alot.

. Guy you dey boil like hot water! or you are just fond of "being hot with sharp-edge words. I am not offended anyway. Alright! I am sorry. Actually, I could read and understand and you know that!
you don't have to be abusive to pass a message. You really want me to understand you and apologize. Here: i am sorry if you think I accuse you. You really, really don't need to be abusive! Trying to make me understand you while at the same time using abusive word isn't the way to spread light.

TWoods:
You made a claim, accusing me of making up conclusions (aka lying), without reading the OPs post. I have no obligation to be respectful to someone who obviously has a problem with reading and the integrity to apologize when he has impugned the character of another falsely.

The only person stooping here is me. I should not have to defend baseless allegations from Internet idiots. Your excuse is that you’re still learning... learning what exactly? How to read and think before you speak?

Learning isn’t your problem, pride is.