₦airaland Forum

steve4ever:
gud day house, got some question to ask, kindly giv ur advice..... * cost effective way to get my renewed paspt disvirgin ** got deny twice in 2014 for B.sc, but now am done wit my prog, I wish to go for my M.sc, hope am gud to go considering being denied twice *** wish to change my sponsor from my Dad cus he is dead to my sister who is a usa citizen, hope dis isnt red flag, THX 4 UR ADVICE

Why do you want to disvirgin your passport? Whatever any agent or person might have told you is misleading. Many people on this thread got their visas on virgin passports so you are good to go so far you apply to a proper decent school and No your sister's SOA is not a red flag. Be prepared to answer why your sister is sponsoring you. Good answer could be that she is your guardian now since you lost your Dad.

Chidinho10:
A school where 1 person out of 300 graduates join Intel/IBM etc is not equal to a school where >100 out of 300 graduates join IBM/Intel etc

No matter how skill-dependent IT/Engineering jobs are, you can't compare the opportunities open to an MIT/Stanford Engineering student to the opportunities open to a Bowie State University engineering student in the US. Again, LinkedIn is your friend

Let's tell ourselves the truth

The only exception I've seen with this are
1. Companies having connection with some lowly to moderately ranked schools like Howard University and other HBCUs to hire their tech graduates mainly for diversity purposes.

2. Lowly ranked to moderately schools like San Jose State University, Seattle University and Santa Clara University located in excellent locations where these companies are sited


Before misquoting me;

1. I did not say people that go to lowly ranked schools cannot find good jobs. They can, but they have to work harder than the average Stanford/MIT grad to find the jobs.

2. I did not say Howard University, San Jose State, Santa Clara, Bowie State and Seattle Universities are bad schools. In fact, they are better than most Nigerian universities but in terms of US standards, they are moderate to lowly ranked schools.

Abeg no quote me. If you no agree with my point, disagree for your mind. I no fit argue today

You actually have a point but this is not the reality on ground at the moment. Maybe this is true like some 2years ago but not entirely anymore. Going to MiT or Standford or top 30 Engineering schools does not guarantee you a job as an international student in this trump era. Very few companies are willing to file for H1B visa. Most companies are not willing to employ on short term basis. Some 2years ago, almost all engineering students that go for NSBE Convention (largest career fair for engineering students) come back with one job or the other no matter the school you go, what matters is your skills set and networking skills. However, stats from last NSBE convention shows that almost 98% didn’t get any offer. Heard only cummins was willing to employ international students which is why the queue at cummins was the longest. My point is, as much as I am a strong proponent of going to top schools, going there wont really do much in getting jobs when you are restricted by visa. Nobody is going to recruit you based on the name of your school rather they will employ you based on what you are bringing to the table.Google VP, Laszlo bock once said that “There is no relationship between where you went to school and how you did 5,10,15years into your career’’. Not everybody will attend TAMU,GAtech,VTech,Bekeley,MIT etc and there are many graduates from this same TAMUC, Tenesee tech etc doing absolutely well in Cummins,Intel etc whereas there are many grads of UIUC, TAMU that are jobless. And by the way you don’t need to work harder, all you need to do is work smart. In summary, as many that cant make it to top schools, attend a ranked school that you can and make the best of it.

Gloryemo:
Are you saying no one on here has information on TAMUC, I like information from people who has passed through it or know anyone who has, sometimes it will state on website that TOEFL is needed whereas it is not in all cases and some are admitted without TOEFL. If we can all get information online, we won't be here, so please house answer pls

If its not needed it won’t be stated. Ofcourse you can get all information online, never give the information gotten here priority over your school’s website. The best source of credible information is your grad cord or dept secretary, send them emails.

sKeetz:
Oh not bad then, I'm not looking forward to going to mit or Stanford.

I was thinking its not a good score since most scores I've seen here are a 100+

MIt or Stanford? I wont want to assume but I believe there cut off will be 100. Go to your department on MIT/Stanford website and check for their requirements to be sure you meet the cut off

banji001:
Please is there anyone that has any details about SEVIS fee, I just got admitted and been told that I will need to get sevis fee payment done, I just want to know about it

You have to pay SEVIS fee at least 3 days before your VISA interview date. It is $200 and you cant make the payment in Nigeria. Someone outside Nigeria has to make the payment for you or you can go to Cotonou to make the payment. The easier option is for someone to make the payment for you but have it in mind there is a western union charge of $10. Fill the coupon here https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html and send it to whoever will make the payment for you.

sKeetz:
Please guys, is 98 a good score in toefl?

Depends on the schools you are looking at. For 70% of the schools, 98 is a very good score. However for most top schools you will need a 100 to get admitted.

scoreall:
Gud day gurus in the ous. I got admission into ETSU last yr Fall including my Visa, bt due to the chance of getting a GA I differed to this yr fall which is still not sure yet. yl looking for a backup, A friend introduce me to Maharishi University of Management which am currently processing their admission and dey are affordable nd am very likely to be admitted. Bt now they asking for the scanned copy of my Visa cos i stated dt i av an F1 visa already. My questions now are:
1. is it advisable to send the Visa page to them nw
2. Hope Dey wont compel me to transfer my sevis to their school, thereby not giving me chance to look for GA in ETSU.
3. Any other suggestions are welcome.

Ofcourse you will need to transfer your SEVIS to them before you can attend. However you cant do that by just sending your VISA page to them, so maybe they are just looking for proof or something. To transfer sevis you will still need to fill ESTU trasnsfer form. If I were you, I will ask them why they need the Visa page. Just a simple email to them should do

ayo55:
Am new on this thread, and I hope I met people who can help and I can also help in achieving there dreams. Plz can any1 help with schls good schools in canada that I can study Construction Managemennt, Project Management or Quantity Surveying @MSc.....

You are on the wrong thread. Go here https://www.nairaland.com/4390108/canadian-student-visa-thread-part

@sorelee @theamerican @lagosismyhome Glad we all agree not to derail this thread. Have a good day

LagosismyHome:
This part below ... true Mr Femi312 Without getting involved I had no roll my BIG eyes when i read it

Guess you didn't read the part they said he is a common waiter, the truth could be bitter and come out as pride sometimes. Because I dont agree with your opinion does not mean I have to denigrate you or belittle you. This is my last post on this.

theamerican:
I respect you a lot but this post disappointed me a little. It would have been ok to stop after that first sentence and you would have made your point in a clear, straight to the point and objective manner.

Secondly, what is the relevance of the third part in bold (working in a large oil company)? Good Lord, respect is reciprocal (and I don't care about age, status in life, etc.) and you should understand there's a limit to what everyone can take. Bullying is bullying. Call it what it is. Remember someone owns an oil company, or THAT oil company. Will that give them the right to bully him as an employee?

I agree with some of his opinions for example, over-dependence on God when someone is not prepared, discouraging people who just want to lie to get a visa, etc. but I do NOT support bullying. I'm sure this person doesn't talk to colleagues at work in this manner.

That being said, I agree with you on the posters not doing what they're criticizing. Name-calling, etc. should be discouraged. Again, be fair and objective with matters.

Let's get back on track as to why this thread was created. Have a nice day.

Ideally I would have ignored this but you seem like someone that one can have a conversation with and not play in the mud. 1) I am not here to please anybody, in life there is always room to have contrary opinion and its fine 2) The relevance of the 3rd part is what you explained yourself so I don't need to make that clear anymore. Additionally him not telling them what they want to hear is not bully. Times without number I have said that I absolutely agree that there are better ways to pass his message across but he never insulted anybody. The guys shouting are the ones insulting, they need to remove the speck out of their own eyes first. I don't believe he is bullying anyone, he is not trying to force anyone to do what he wants, he just gave his own opinion.By the way, there are many opinions here and its left for whosoever to pick the good and ignored the bad. You guys are the one trying to bully him into silence. Have a good day too

hilaryxoxo:
Oil company or not, he has been very ill-mannered.

On another note, what's wrong with calling him a boy? is he a girl?

Since you have decided to turn this to english, let me play along..so my Mom or your Mom are girls? Referring to your Uncle as boy is not rude to you? Boy and girl can be used interchangeably for any male and female respectively? I cant help you if you don't see the irony. Have a good day dear

Mekurexx:
Looking at the rate people apply, Nigeria for example, you personally think there is no quota?

There is no quota since nothing implies otherwise and I dont think the rate at which we apply has anything to do with quota, not related. F1 visa is at the discretion of the VO.

Mekurexx:
Believe it or not. All visas have quotas for the year. Even the popular H1B, green cards all have quotas. Do more research and you'll see. Drivers license too has quotas.

No I don't agree. Its just hearsay that F1 visa has a quota, no data to substantiate this. The only ones that have quota is H1b visa and employment based greencard (countries quota). No data to substantiate that greencard by marriage has a quota.

hilaryxoxo:
I totally agree with you @James89. That @Twoods boy is so rude! I asked a question some days ago and the lad had the guts to tell me to "Tell my“friend” to come here and ask the question herself". I was so irritated! What's his own with whoever is asking the question?

If you cannot answer, simply look away and stop trying to show what you're not. MTCHEWWWW!
Be forming bad guy when we all know its waiter job you're doing in the U.S.... ODE...

In as much as I don't support the way he answers some questions because I believe there are better ways to pass the message accross. However, you guys are doing exactly what you are accusing him of. Calling someone 'ode' or 'boy' or 'waiter' is not rude to you? Because Nairaland is a faceless forum does not mean everyone here is a kid or fresh out of undergrad. Just to give you a perspective of who he is..this person you called waiter works in one of the largest oil company in the world. Him telling you to tell your friend to ask the question is not a big deal here. I don't think its hard to ignore some comments that are not telling you what you want to hear. Never burn bridges on your way up, you never know if you will need he/she's help later in life, nairaland is not that faceless. Never met or spoken to him in my life but if I see him in life, I can recognize him. Moving forward, try to practice what you preach, just ignore and get it going

Walspring:
Lol..

What will you say to someone with adequate preparation and planning but still failed a simple question what is your name in an interview? But after he left and got outside he remembered his name.

He\she didnt prepare well or His\her village people won the battle.

johnmattew:
should I pay initial deposit of $8k of my tuition fees to improve the chances of my visa approval?

No! Paying wont change anything.

TWoods:
Prayer is the key to what?

key to student visa...Prayer without adequate preparation and planning is failure

oluwaGod:
Thanks alot for the response, please i need more responses from other people, like i said i am going pay from my pocket, so how is Phd fees and tuition like? though o will browse them now, if its now for fall 2019 maybe good as per i would have made more money to pay fees.

The good thing is, if you get a Phd offer in STEM course,it is usually funded 95% of the time. All you need to pay is mandatory fees every semester which ranges from $400 - $2500 depending on the school and sometimes your Advisor might pay that for you too. You also get paid a stipend every month of about $1200 - $3000 which also depends on the school. Forget that plan of paying for a Phd from your pocket, that will be a 'disaster'

oluwaGod:
Hello the brillant gurus of nairaland,

please i need your help, please i have done my first degree (Biochemistry - GP 2.6/4.0) and Masters degree Environmental technology GP 4.1/5.0) currently studying my Phd(Doctorate) now, but i truly want to study another MSC in environmental engineering , environmental sustenability or environmental studies related courses.

I have gotten my Toefl-IBT result already - score 90.

please my questions are these:

1. I need relatively cheap but good USA Science Graduate schools, which cheap schools do you think i could apply in USA doing an environmental related course? I thought my siblings would help take care of the school fees but i will pay from my pocket, i have kept 2million naira down now in my bank account for the fees/tuition. I will still transfer more for this purpose.

2.Can i still meet up the Fall Batch(September).


3. Since i have done my Masters already hope the VO wont wonder why masters again, well the answer is that i want a better foundation when it comes to environmental field work.


4. Are there cheap Msc Environmental courses in Maryland, Baltimore schools? as i have my sister and uncle there.

5. Do i need a GRE? (i dont want to throw away money as some schools dont need it)

Thanks alot, would appreciate quick responses as university of texas brownville i wrote just said i wont be able to join them in September as deadline has passed.

First it will be hard for you to get admitted for a related course you have a masters in already except you don't disclose that you have a masters degree already. Your best option is to go for a Phd in your desired course. Also you will have a hard time convincing a VO why you want to go for another masters degree which is strongly related to your first masters degree. its late for September entry now, plan for Fall 2019 entry and look into Phd programs. No one can suggest schools for you, go here http://www.4icu.org/us/universities/ and check a list of schools in the US by states and start perusing each school website. For Phd you will need GRE while if you are so adamant on masters, some schools need GRE while some don't. if you end up planing for Phd , try tier 1 and almost tier 2 schools

hankMacoy:
This F-1 visa thing is not tough but there's paucity or info. Actually little info on detail process. I'm lost here.
The Sevis fee and the 64,400 visa fee at Gtbank, which one comes first?
Secondly i don't know how to dash out Sevis fee amount to piple I don't know or see, so how exactly can I pay this Sevis fee?
Useful info needed pls

Anyone can come first but you have to pay the SEVIS at least 3 days to your interview to reflect or else you might be denied. If you have trust issues then take a trip to Cotonu to make the SEVIS payment, you cant pay it in Nigeria

Coxtie:
I so much appreciate your concern.. but it’s not easy to follow.. you have to also consider the fact that I have spent a lot of money and much of effort to get to this place..so I can’t follow your advice... I’m sure life in America is not smooth and easy but we should always pray that God should give us the best

Lol you are funny. I hope you won't regret this move later on. So you intend to go spend thousands of dollars for a 4years degree again when you are almost done with one. It doesn't make sense now and it wont still make sense later. Whoever is advicing is not telling you the truth. Waiting for another year to finish up your undergraduate and applying for a masters is right move. That will not only save you miney but also time except you dont plan to attend school when you get to the US. Additionally there is a way lying messes up with your confidence. Just hope the lie does not not shut the 'US dream' door against you

learner007:
And finally, God makes it 4/4. My admission season is OVER!!! I return all the glory to Him. But, please I need advice now. Since this is a PhD offer in General Maths, it looks as if PhD is more convincing to the VO but then UIUC (Master's) is ranked higher than UTA. Please I need possible advice from gurus in the house and other big guns...abeg

The decision is actually yours to make since only you knows your future plans and dreams but however consider the following 1) Funding is highly important, never choose an unfunded offer over a funded one and also consider the living expenses in each city. Doesn't really make sense when you are spending all your stipend on living expenses and you dont have a little to save for raining days 2) Do a Phd because you really want to do it and not because you think VO takes PHD more important than MSc even though that your assumption is not true 3) Future plans: If your plan is to stay over in the US after graduation, a Phd might give you more opportunities, time and paths to green card than a masters, note that very few companies are filling for H1B visa now adays and even getting a company to file is not certain that you will get it. Statistics show that this trump era has the highest number of rejected H1B renewal and highest number of RFEs. 4) Having said all that, I don't really know the math ranking of schools but I know UIUC is a top 10 Engineering school and I am a fan of top ranked schools, so if I were you my mind will be tending towards UIUC. All the best

skido04:
Hello Gurus in the house.

My school requested I show 11.5 milli in my statement of account. my sponsor has about 13milli in his account as balance. will this affect me getting my I20 or my chances at the embassy?, since it doesn't look like much. Pls help

No it wont. You are good to go ahead

sureb0y:
Nah, lost interest in staying. I heard Naija has improved, stable light, Ambode has turned up, jobs, no more strikes, cleaner Lagos, etc. Time to go enjoy with my friends and family.

Lol

Coloniel5000:
bros, have PM you, please can you reply me, just wonna ask somethings from you. thanks

You can ask here, I don't have access to that email until I login on my computer which I cant do today

Coloniel5000:
please house, I need urgent help, I have to send my uncle's statement of account by Monday to the school which i got admitted WIU and I just got the bank statement, it a company account but which he solely have access to e.g (Dickson and associate's), the closing balance on the statement is 5.8M in naira but with lots of cash transactions within the last six months but the school started that the statement of account must be above a yearly graduate student expenses of $24000, my questions now are; firstly, will the closing balance not affect the school decision in sending me my acceptance letter and i-20 and secondly, will the embassy not reject the statement been a company account. thanks in anticipation.

Yes the school wont send your i20 until you submit an SOA that can cover the full fees. Company account is not good for visa interview purpose because you will have to explain while the company wants to sponsor you.

sunshineluv5:
what if someone over there picks up the i-20 from your sch and send it via any of the courier services what would be the cost?

That is another option and the person can send it to you with less than $70, you should get it within 3-5 business days

Coxtie:
your I-20 will never be released to any of your family members.. it will only be given to you and you only.. don’t ever try to send your I-20 via FedEx or DHL directly because it might be delayed or get missing.. and the school is never responsible for the missing of any I-20.. then you can get another in the next semester after applying for another admission.. I strongly advice you to make use of eshipglobal.. your package will be delivered in 3-5days at maximum..blessings

The first sentence up there is not entirely true. Schools release i20 to anybody be it friend, Gf, brother etc. There is no sense in spending alot on eshiglobal when you can spend less and get the same service

arilewo:
Please nairalanders, I need your input.

I am a silent follower of this particular topic. Please I need information concerning M.S/PhD Chemistry program of the Mississippi State University Starkville. Please anyone schooling there or who have information about the place should reply or pm me.

Go to the school website and read up, you can also search on linkedin for African/Nigerian/indian students in that department/School. Your chances of finding someone here is slim. Just type 'chemistry Missippi state, Nigeria' in the search bar, you can also switch the keywords ..

YoungTesla:
Good day y’all, I have been admitted to a number of schools, though none of them offered full funding, but some of them offered tuition waivers to a reasonable percentage.

Now my question is, can I obtain my I-20 from lets say 2 of these schools just to compare the final cost stipulated in them or I’m only entitled to one I-20 from one school at a time?

Thanks.

Ofcourse yes, you can get as many i20 as yoy want but you can only use 1 for visa application and interview

sweetmb4real200:
Thank you Femi, so it’s late to apply to any school for fall? And does all schools require any means of standardized test before admission can be issued ?

Technically yes for students outside the US, before you start application, write statement of purpose, get LOR etc..we will be in july and you will end up just rushing and settle for less.Take your time and make proper planning. No not all schools require standardized tests but it advisable you avoid some schools that don't, no point going to a one building school. Start by reading this thread from page 0, you wont regret it