amofum:
I don't what your intentions are, but this kind of comment does not help. You may have achieved so much, but belittling other people's efforts is just sickening. It's as good as cyber bullying.

Bro, thanks for standing up to this and expressing your honest opinion, though I beg to differ slightly. Sincerely, there are people who by virtue of the course they studied or even the way they managed to graduate, don't know the most basic of mathematics. Even LCM and HCF is like abracadabra. You will be shocked to learn that some people don't even know how to use BODMAS to solve an elementary basic maths problem.

I think the earlier poster was referring to such people. Everybody knows where the shoe is pinching them in their minds. If you fall within this category, it won't hurt to start with JSS 3 maths. When you're done with JSS3 maths, then begin your GRE prep. You dont need SS1-3. Just JSS3 maths and you'll be ready to begin your GRE quant prep. Trust me. I know what I'm taking about. Budget 1-3 months for this. Arduous reading. Truth be told. Some people will attend the best lectures in the world and still fail. So, it's about knowing your nemesis and facing it squarely.

Different strokes for different folks though. Some prople in this category just go straight for good classes and they come out tops by following what is being taught and reading ahead of classes. Some go with the private classes and they mix it with general classes. But if you are in this category and need a definitive starting point, JSS 3 maths may just be the miracle supplement.

All the best!

CuteRedd:
i think you need a private tutor if u can't crack it on your own

I second this. You may need to take private classes. Go to B.Y Mafit and ask for Mr. Ufuoma or Mr. James and talk to them for private classes. I'm sure you will cover huge grounds in little time.

All the best!

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

Here you go: https://www.studential.com/university/applying/UCAS-application-guide/personal-statement-examples/subjects

But before you get too excited read my Caveat

Caveat: Chances are many schools already have a database of these essays and plagiarism is taken as a serious issue by schools. Not only can they deny you admission, they can give you an outright ban for lifting things off the internet. Many at times they have softwares that detect essays in part or whole gotten from the internet. So many people get denied admission and they keep asking why... Some think it's their step mother that is behind their case. . Not really. Google worked against you!

Pros: You can read through the plethora of essays there, to get inspiration and flow, in order to develop yours.

All the best!

mrcodebreaker:
Guys after scoring poorly in my last exam I have decided to rewrite the gre again on the 11th. Please any tips, tricks etc in answering questions faster. My issue was time in the last one. And at the tail end I was just guessing to fill up the answer slots. For my verbal I answer my comprehensions first then go back to the beginning to continue from there for those vocab questions and it gave me time to finish. But my quants is an issue I think I was too slow to be honest this was the one that had me ticking boxes in the end.

I would suggest you try your hands on more practice questions and full length practice tests. Problem many at times is that one practices piece by piece and not in a stringent simulated exam condition.

My advice would be that you go the full length at once, without any break. By the time you are on the fifth practice test, you'll begin to have an idea of where you should be at what time and you'll develop an internal clock of sorts. Also, you'll begin yo see a pattern of questions you think are easy but are either time consuming or actually difficult.

Learning tricks and shortcuts are also very paramount. There are so many shortcuts I learnt from Mafit and I guess that helped.

Most of all, be true to yourself. A Yoruba adage says "Someone who is wicked knows he's wicked. He's only looking for who to tell him" . Many at times, we shy away from the truth, rather than face it head on. We know where we are lagging behind and where we need to improve on, but use faith to carry it. With the experience you have, you know exactly where you need to improve. Focus on these areas and don't take the GRE again, until you are 90% sure you've covered them. Full funding is no joke. See this scenario, you're supposed to pay $40,000 for something and someone says read arduously and painstakingly for 6 months and I'll give you $40,000. Won't you read? Omo we die there! See your GRE in this light and you'll be fine.

Best of luck!

Olalekank:


Great experiences bro! Wishing you the very best in your endeavor and I'm glad you finally found your feet.
@bolded, so you mean, them fit change am for anybody anytime?

My brother, so many things actually are different from the way they seem at first. When I first arrived, I was carried away by the nice and amorous smile and affable character. I was smiling at everyone and wiling to make as much friends as possible. The way they will smile at you, you'll think "This babe is tripping for me o". All na wash. With time, I discovered it's all plastic. Our own madness is instant. We carry it on our face. Their own madness is in their left hand. They will watch you well before they hit you with it.

Amahjosh:
Good day gurus in the house, wrote my first gre on Sunday but i performed poorly V146 Q150, i learnt from my mistakes and i know where i blew the whole thing. Thank God for the experience, i am planning to retake the GRE in the next 1 month time and i am aiming at 310-320 but can i used this score to apply to some schools and get funding with this abysmal score and if so which schools can i apply to for Computer Networks, I have CCNA already. I need advice but sure am taking the GRE again.

Sorry about your score. I've seen people who didn't do well and did better on the second attempt. I think it would be wise to just re write the test and see where it goes from there. I would also suggest you attend lectures as well. B.Y Mafit now gives 10 weeks lectures free and also other online prep asides the magoosh, so, I believe if you harness all these, you should come out tops. If you work, there are weekend lectures as well. As I always advise, while there, interact with other students and put your cards on the table. There's so much you can learn from others doing the same thing as you.



What's your CGPA? All the best.

pragya2017:


I have and the access is only for one month which is not enough.

Thank you

From experience it's usually more than a month. They just put one month there. If you check your account, I'm sure you'll have at least 4 months. Keep enjoying your magoosh and thank me later.

pragya2017:
Anyone with magoosh account for sell should please indicate.


Thank you

Just register with B.Y Mafit and you get the magoosh account for Free. You can register here: www.gregmattoeflnigeria.com/gretestdatesinnigeria

Hello guys! I am positive many people here are working pedantically towards Fall '19. May visa fall on you!

Starting my post graduate program in the States have been an experience, though challenging, it's been rewarding. I'll be documenting some of my experiences here and hoping it encourages one or two persons and also, so, you won't make the same mistakes I made on arrival.

I must confess, it has not been easy. More especially since I got G.A and I had to ensure I maintained a good CGPA. The very strange weather, the people, the way of life, the natural response to events... These are things that are often overlooked but could really destabilize you on arrival. All these little things when put together could be quite distracting and that's why many international students stagger when they begin their respective programs and before they find their feet, they are raking in poor grades. I almost did and that was why I had to keep away from everything including Nairaland to concentrate. I can effectively say I've found my feet now. So, for those just coming in, totally forget about the social life and focus squarely on how to strike a balance between the external factors and how this affects your psychology and study pattern. One of my friends here had already started reading up like a month before coming to the USA. By the time he arrived, it made it easier to flow. You may also want to watch videos and try your hands on some resources to help you settle in fast. Study the educational process and bring out the best in you. We are Nigerians. Adaptation is in our DNA.

A great plus though is the amiable environment. Everyone is cultured, well mannered and polite. Even if it is fake and they can turn it for you the next second.

Guys, do whatever you can to get some form of assistantship o. Life here is expensive.

Once again I'll love to thank my mentor, Scholastica16, Quoran, Lagosismyhome, Time2smile and those who guided me. Most especially our grand father, Scholastica16 . God bless you man.

I'll post more!

Since It's free, I would suggest you go collect what is rightfully yours, even if you want to dash it out. I personally would rather reading a physical text to reading on a screen, so it would not hurt having something I can read when my battery is low or when I need something tangible to hold and read.

Not only should you get the books, if you can, attend lectures as well. That's also free and trust me, the lectures are great because you get to be tutored on tricks and tips you won't find on the pages of any book.

I'm talking from experience cos I passed through Mafit.

DorianD:
So guys, Mafit asked me to come over and pick a Kaplan text, + CD...Is that really important, since I have access to loads of materials I downloaded?

Lol. Wish I could give you mine.

Theflint1:



Hello house, anyone with hard copies of GRE textbooks lying idle?

I need them and I don't mind buying. Whatsapp- 07031562014

Any lecturer will do, so far as they lectured you and can attest to your abilities.

bolubej:
Good day everyone, please I need some clarification. I intend applying for PhD public health and I also have pgde(recent).my question is that can I get recommendation letters from my pgde lecturers? Or must it be from public health field

The reason I advise on B.Y Mafit for GRE registration is not just because of the registration itself but the things that comes with it. Up to 2 months lectures, free Kaplan 2018 textbook hardcopy, Magoosh premium account, etc. There are other in house benefits for those who attend classes which are not listed as part of their general package. And the lectures... They have the best facilities for that based on general feedback.

Hi guys. I'm sorry I've not been active on the forum in recent times. Been preparing to travel. Should be out of Nigeria next week. I'll try to document my experiences and while in the states, give first hand account of things that can help.

To those looking for full funding, may good luck smile on you. With a good SOP, great recommendations, good GRE scores and a CGPA that can scale through, you should do well.

The purpose of this group primarily is to help people achieve awesome scores on the GRE. Although a lot of other things has filtered in, let's try to encourage others through tried and tested means of achieving these great scores. I've seen people who do not have wonderful CGPAs but awesome scores get some sizeable scholarships, so all hope is not lost even if you didn't do exceedingly well in school.

I posted sometime ago about B.Y Mafit and how their free GRE Lectures helped not just me but lots of other people on this forum. I'm sure they are still offering that. It's the awarded best GRE center in West Africa, so, if you are in Lagos or Abuja, I would advice you use that free resource to register and attend the lectures. While there, ensure you also interact with other students and be smart. Try to read ahead of the class and go with questions. Ask questions and make the best use of what you have, since its free anyways. But trust me, the best things in life are free. The site is www.gregmattoeflnigeria.com/gre

I'll be posting information I feel will help with time. I hope I'll be able to do other posts soon.

Best of luck to all prospective GRE test takers and may Visa fall on you.

Bro, you didnt post the one for today. You left me with nothing to follow during sunday school.

My brother, It's just a 5 year ban pere. . So if you used oluwole style its time to say... FUNKEEEEE!!!! TEMI BAMI!!!!

On a serious note, if its real you've got no problem but if it's not they will surely notify you and give you a 5 year ban.

Daslimo:
How will I know I've been banned? Will i get a mail?
Any clues?

Who is attacking our great elder on this forum? Mind yourself o. The person you are attacking has single handedly taken different people to the US o. Sorry if he came off as harsh. He is not normally like that. We all can testify to that.

platypelloid:
Scholastica or what did you call yourself?
You must be daft for this rude and unmannered comment.
Why is it that you keep on being belligerent and fight all and sundry on this forum.
It appears your brain is little as that a fish.a shoulder high and good for nothing brat.i think I'm ready for you today.
If they born you well reply.

Thanks for the vital information. I'm sure this will go a long way in helping a lot of people. Just as the aim of this thread is, it's better to also have the GRE at hand. I think it would be needed to have an edge. For those who need the GRE, you may want to consider www.gregmattoeflnigeria.com/gre for free lectures, books, trainings and registrations... That's if you don't already know that anyways.

Once again thanks for the vital information.

Quoran:
PhD Position - Louisiana State University
A PhD position is available in the mechanical and industrial engineering department at Louisiana State University related to research on turbulent combustion. The project will involve experimental work on model combustors using advanced diagnostics. Applicants with background in Mechanical and Aerospace engineering particularly with any experience in experimental work are encouraged to apply. The position will start in Fall 2018. To apply, please email a single PDF file containing a cover letter outlining your interests and qualifications, a detailed CV, and contact information for three references to Dr. Shyam Menon (smenon@lsu.edu). Please include the phrase “Ph.D. applicant Fall 2018” in the subject line of the email.

.

Very true

tescoman90:
Honestly, the hardest part of the journey so far is not studying for GRE or the ups and down of your application, BUT WAITING FOR DECISION

Very informative piece. Thanks for taking out time to write this. Of course for every contributor here, our advice is based primarily on personal research, experience and what worked for us. Please post more often.

GNwafor:
Hey Chief,

I understand your concerns.

I can tell you that the best decision you have made is to use WES for your credential evaluation, to douse your tensions, when the Evaluation comes out, within 1 week, you are having a qualification that is equivalent to a US Bachelors degree. (Nigerian HND+ND = USA BS Degree). WES evaluates your HND+ND program as a complete 5 year undergraduate program. I have done my Credential Evaluation in 2012 with WES, I studied Chemical Engineering (HND+ND) at IMT Enugu, the number of credits I earned in doing 81 courses at IMT Enugu Chemical Engineering over 5 years was 184 Credits, meanwhile you only need 120-130 Credits to earn a BS degree. As there is a 1-year Industrial Attachment/Internship, and this was noted in my Transcript, WES also noted it on my evaluation report. HND = USA BS Degree

I recommend that if you only choose WES Course-by-Course Report, kindly add the ICAP Service which is an additional $45, and it simply means that WES will store your Transcript, Credential + Evaluation Report for Life, so even in the next 2 (when you will be applying for PhD) or 5 or 10 or 20 or 30 years to come, and you need it to do anything in the USA, you will only need to pay them (WES) just $10 and WES will send your Original Transcript + Certificate + Evaluation Report to anybody, organization or school in the USA that needs the report.

You can read more at: https://www.nairaland.com/370346/what-hnd-equivalent-usa

There are over 4800 colleges and universities in the USA, not all accepts WES, not all knows what is HND, but there are a lot of them that respects WES Assessment, and this is a plus for you.

Having said that, I decided to remain docile on this forum, because a lot people claim to have an over-riding knowledge in matters of USA admission. The few HND holders I have helped to transition from HND to USA Masters and PhD, I have maintained that USA Graduate Admission is like looking for a job. But a lot of people think that by getting just good grades, you get admission. The answer is NO. This is not UK!!!

Admission in the USA is like job hunting, you need a strong profile, great grades (even low grades), if you have had a strong practical experience in your field, that's excellent, Statement of Purpose (SOP), not all school require it for Masters degree, strong CV/Resume - strong leadership skills, great score in GRE (if you are a STEM student - just as you are, then your Quant Score need to be impressive), Letters of recommendation (LOR) - you dont need people with High-Title (that is the mistake most people make), you only need people who can vouch for your seriousness to study, hard-work, diligent, leadership skills. For instance, you are diligent with you Church's activities, it is more useful and worthwhile for that your small local pastor to write a carefully-worded LOR for you that will create lasting impression in the heart of Admissions Committee than for that Manager that you see once every 3/4 months in the Office. Most schools require TOEFL, while some waive it for Nigerians since we studied in English in the first 16 yrs of our life.

What I advise people to do is this: go from HND/BSc to Masters Degree (in ANY ACCREDITED school in USA). At Masters level, you get to have a feel of what research is all about. Except, you have a thorough research/lab background to go directly to PhD.

Before finishing your Masters, you already planned to do PhD, at this stage, your interest is in research, and you have been taught the background in the Masters level. The problem most Nigerians have in the USA Admission is that they are looking for "name", Ivy-League, prestigious university. At BS degree level, name is IMPORTANT. At PhD, what is important is Carnegie Research Classification of University as R-1 (Highest Research Activity), R-2 (Higher Research Activity), R-3 (Moderate Research Activity).
For your information, if you get PhD Admission in any R-1 University, you will be given full-funding throughout your PhD, so far you are making progress towards your PhD degree.

So my template is go for your Masters degree at R-3 University, and mind you, most R-3 University provide either full scholarship or Graduate Teaching/Research/Assistantship (GT/GRA/GA), which covers your tuition fees, plus monthly stipend that can take care of you while you are studying for the Masters program, and a lot people don't apply to them because their name is not prestigious. Mind you, all the 8 Ivy-League Institutions are R-1 Universities. But because there are many people wanting to go to prestigious school for Masters, you either get admission without Funding or you don't get Masters admission. Am not saying that it is bad to get Masters admission into R-1 Universities.

Just a little insight into PhD Admissions, getting in touch with your would-be Advisor/Research Supervisor/Professor whose research interests matches yours, presenting him/her with what research you have done, showing interest that you have read/studied some of his/her publications, and taking the discussion further to know if he/she will be accepting a new student in semester you plan to join (mostly Fall Semester), most of the time he/she may request for some your credentials/research papers/transcripts, this creates a strong impression about you even before you apply to the PhD program, most often, he/she will recommend that you mention him/her in your SOP that you will like to work under his/her research group. This is one of the MOST important step of getting PhD Admission, and most people just go ahead and apply and they are rejected. Again, you need strong Recommendation Letters (mostly 3) from known Professors, attesting that you were groomed under their care as your Advisor - another major reason why going for Masters in the USA first is important, because you will build the needed educational research network that will push you into PhD Admission acceptance.

Application fee waiver; most R-3 University application fee for Masters is as low as $30 (i.e. #10,800 Naira, at 1$ = #360 naira).

There are a lot resources on the internet that can help you both with Practice Tests and SOP writing.

Just note, there a lot of great schools that will like to have you in their Masters program even with GTA/GRA/GA. It is also important that you contact the school know their SPECIFIC Admission Requirements before apply.

You have not said what you want to study Masters or PhD in What??


List of Research Universities in the United States (R-1, R-2, R-3): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_research_universities_in_the_United_States

My point is that it's not a bad school. But if we take out the element of the fact that It's an Institute of Technology, and a good one at that, to the lay man, he has not heard about it before.

For an engineering student well, it could be a top choice. But as I said, it's a personal decision. I just prefer regular universities to an Institute of Technology.

smallsuper:
You have not convinced me that you know about RPI.

You have a very strong and valid point. Though from what I see this school is not on the same pedestal as Ivy league schools or even semi Ivy league schools. Of course we can't compare a school like this to a school like Rochester Institute of Technology, despite the fact that the latter is also an institute of Technology.

My submission basically is that if one will eat frog, he should eat the one that has eggs. It's just my personal opinion though. It could be a fail safe school actually. So one can apply to it. It's regionally accredited and has a reasonable rank. I just like schools that once anyone hears the name they can relate to it and it can open doors when I'm done because their alumni are scattered in meaningful places.

Quoran:
It is okay. They don't use the term 'Polytechnic' as we refer to it here.Such schools are generally research-intensive universities with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_technological_universities

Was an illustration. . But I guess you get my flow of thought.

Quoran:
Polytechnics do not award graduate degrees.

I have come across Rensselaer before. Considered applying to the school but applied the brakes cos of this scenario.

What's the essence of travelling all the way from Ghana to Nigeria to attend Moshood Abiola Polytechnic when I can easily apply to University of Lagos?

I'm sorry if you attended MAPoly. Was just an illustration.

Quoran:
How do you guys see/access this school,Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ? Seen alot about the school on Quora (Rankings and all) though I don't like the name of the school lol. I only applied because of the fee application waiver. I have been admitted but no funding ,at least for now.



Scholastica16

The decision could still come through. It's not too late as it could come when the admission letter arrives.

That being said, you may want to consider the option of student loans to offset the balance for the partial scholarship you were given, if the balance you are to pay is not that much. Despite the fact that I got full funding,
I still applied for a little loan. Sounds crazy but from experience and due consultation, it pays to have something on the side. Some crazy bills crop up that the school will not cater for. And if there is no GA that brings in stipends or if it's not enough, one could run into trouble midway. Of course we all know studying abroad ain't easy. Goes way beyond the lights and meeting friends on campus.

I decided to defer my entry not because I couldn't get a ticket and hop on a plane but because I know the importance of saving for the rainy day.

I'm sorry I went beyond what you asked but I feel it's an opportunity for people to know... It won't be easy at first but if you stick to it, it will get easy. I'm sure my boss scholastica16 who mentored me would attest to this.

rasheedtobi:
What do you guys think. I had a modest application list- 3 schools for MS EE. I was a little disappointed in my GRE scores so I felt applying to many schools would not make much difference. I was wrong actually.

I was accepted in all but nothing on full funding yet. I have a pending application for a direct phD program, recommendation letters delaying things do you think funding could still come through the PhD route given the time constraints for fall 2018..deadline is May BTW.

CSU ft Collins: Accepted
Cleveland state Ohio: Accepted
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville: Accepted+ (partial funding)

UTD - PhD....pending --Application incomplete.





GRE: 311 TOEFL 100
GPA: 3.61/4.00
RESEARCH : NIL
Relevant PROFESSIONAL work: 5years

Cc: masterforce Scholastica16 Dremanuel Yildiz


Shout out to Scholastica16. How are you doing Sir

You need to be careful with loans. During my personal research I saw some. I think for them to give you this,
you need a co-signer who is a resident.

I know some people take loans though and they keep paying until they die and their children continue the Payment.

Some are Good, some are traps. You'll need to see the blueprints.

tizentos:
Although am optimistic, but am also looking at a worst case scenario.What are the pros and cons for getting a loan to study in a school like Stanford. The school has a loan package for international students. What's your view on this?

Sincerely, many schools frown at an HND. I can't remember but I think I have made a post about this somewhere on this thread. There are schools out there though that may take you.

It's a smart move that you have opted to have your transcripts evaluated. You would need to see the comment when they are done if they would say it is equivalent to a US Bachelors degree. If that is the verdict, then you are good to go.

With regards to the SOP, I made a post as well on how to write a great SOP.

On your SOP, you may want to follow this format. It's just a suggestion and not cast in stone.

Paragraph 1. Talk about the fact that you want to apply to the school and state the course you wish to apply for.
Make it short and simple. E.g Given my passion for solving analytical problems, I wish to apply for a masters program in Mathematics in your institution in order to blah blah blah and I believe I would excel in this program as I have the blah blah blah cos of blah blah blah... You get the idea.

Paragraph 2. Talk about your background in this field. How you first developed interest. Childhood experiences, tasks you performed that opened your eyes to the course, awards while growing up and round it off with how all that culminates to what you studied and what you hope to study given that background

Paragrahp 3. Talk about your professional skills. Work experience, research topics, interests and so on. This should something related to your course.

Paragraph 4. Talk about your personality and personal qualities you have that makes you stand out and how that would influence your graduate program and your research interest.

Paragraph 5. Elaborate extensively on what you hope to do with your degree when you are done

Paragraph 6. Conclude. Keep it short and simple. Something like... I hope to be given the opportunity to flex on campus and marry a white chic. Lol. Do that at your own detriment. Okay... More like I hope to be given the opportunity to study and achieve and blah blah. Swell their head here.


There is goes. That was what worked for me. I got full funding applying these strategies.

With regards to meeting people, are you attending classes at B.Y Mafit?

Pampaya009:
Hi everyone,
I am new here and I've gone through some of the experiences shared here and I'm well pleased. I have found clues on the right materials to practice with.
However, I have questions I'd love you guys to help me with.
I am a polytechnic graduate with GPA (3.43/4.00) and (3.10/4.00) ND and HND respectively from Electrical engineering department.
I recently send my transcript to WES and it's under valuation as I speak.
I'm also preparing for GRE and my exam date is 10th of April.
I am currently looking into Florida State university where I could apply for MSc or PhD directly.
I'd therefore like to know if my HND wouldn't be a constraint, is there anyone in the house who'd been given admission as a polytechnic graduate and can help me with relevant information?
If it is possible, I want to know the kinds of schools I should be looking to, schools with application waiver, and finally I need someone to give me clues on how to write a fascinating SOP.
I also need someone who stays around Alakuko area in Lagos whom I could practice with.
Thanks in anticipation for your kind reply

It's in Ikeja, Obafemi Awolowo Way. Their contacts are on their site

ijeomaobi1:


Pls where is the training site? Would love to take the GMAT also SAT for my daughter. But I stay in ikotun. The distance is much

shgenius123:
pls op, what's the probability of being admitted in an European school on full scholarship with a cgpa of 3.168 on a scale of 4?

Which country are you looking at specifically?