₦airaland Forum

mantleguy:
Hello gurus,

Can someone get a graduate assistantship in the US with a Nigerian second class lower degree . Is this possible and what could one do to brighten the possibility. Thank you

Anything is possible. A second class GPA can be 2.5 or it can be 3.46. So it's better to be specific, also you'll need to take standardized test like GRE and TOEFL (Depending on the requirements of the school).

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EzekielMab:
I get your point though..


OK.. just help me start somehow ,

I finished with a second class lower with 2.88 CGPA in computer engineering

I want to study M.sc in Information Technology professional


What some he first thing for me to do??

Which school fit into that course and CGPA

Post from femi312:


There is this saying that says ''If we don't fight we have failed, but if we fight we can either fail or succeed''. So forget the tuition part for now and put in some work. First, you need to decide on the course you want to study, To save you some stress start from this website http://graddecision.org/ to know the application process, So step 1) Decide on the course you want to study 2) Search for schools using a)www.msinus.com (open this website with a laptop, you should see a list of school and ranking for some of the most common courses, you can start from there b)www.gradschools.com c)www.google.com (you can just type 'msc in bla bla in the us in google' d) www.usnews.com e) www.4icu.org . 3) check up the website of the schools you find, to see the requirements. most schools will require GRE and some will require both gre and toefl . 4) Register for standardize exam and take it. You can register for gre as soon as you are ready and prepared to take the exam. Its done online at www.ets.org. You can also get all the information you need about the exam on the website. You will get adequate materials to prepare for the exam in this dropbox I created https://www.dropbox.com/sh/t9ot6d07hp1lkm7/AADL_dTihjEvNBRCBsmAcoXja?dl=0

TOEFL is an English test required by some US universities. though, some schools waive due to the fact that Nigeria is an Anglophone country.
For toefl, all you need are the speaking noteful videos in the link below, the ets toefl guide is enough to ace the exam for other sections. Just download the toefl ETS Guide from there website and the simulation test.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/45tvc3ifi8wh8sh/AACXR5j6l3nsWK8vZx5P28TVa?dl=0

As for the Tuition, if you have good results (GRE, GPA, Toefl), SOP and LOR; US schools do offer assistanship to graduate students. This can either be Research Assistant, Teaching Assistant or Administrative Assistant. Depending on the school, if you get an assistantship, your Tuition will be waived and you will also be paid a monthly stipend that can take care of your living expenses. One advice, once you shortlist schools, send emails to the grad cord of the schools and ask specific questions relating to that course and funding opportunities, be very explicit.

Lastly, there are basically 2 admission session in the US, Spring (Jan) and Fall (August). Schools admit more students in Fall, so Its advisable you plan towards Fall 2018. If you plan to resume in fall 2018, make sure you submit all your application documents before ending of Dec 2017. If you don't give it a trial, you will never know.My philosophy in life is to always do my part, with that I don't get to regret later. Above all, if you believe in God,pray to him..if not, good for you.

If you have any question, drop it here and you should get more than one good answer.

EzekielMab:
I can apply anywhere around where-ever you are..

I haven't applied yet..


Nothing is just working for me here in Nigeria

lol just because where I am worked for me doesn't mean it'll work for you. And vice versa.
That kind of desperation you came with will not even make people respond to you. This thread is for information on schools, admissions and visa interviews. So the appropriate thing to do is first understand what you want to do. If you want to school, make enquiries as to how things are done and how to go about them, when you've read part 10 and 11, then you can come and ask an intelligent question that can be answered. Like "which schools of all the ones you've shortlisted will your undergraduate CGPA meet", or where to write standardized tests etc. No one will agree to accommodate a desperate person, so just calm down and take it step by step because you can't say just because you're frustrated you'll walk into Walter Carrington and demand visa because their embassy is in your motherland

EzekielMab:
Hi guys , as I wrote this I'm frustrated already about Nigeria.

Who can accommodate me to his place and I pay little from work I get there as I'm going to do masters in USA.


I'm a guy at 25 and I'm frustrated already..

B4 I COMMIT SUICIDE

*SAVE A SOUL*

You didn't state your school.
You didn't say the state.
You didn't say if you've gotten visa.
You didn't post any transcript.
And your question sef isn't straightforward enough.
Clarify.
If you commit suicide, neither the embassy nor POE will close.

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martclems:
US student F1 Visa finally approved after two times denials, just this morning. Glory to God Almighty, thanks to my mentor, my coach and teacher, Gaviria who I met on this platform. The bros help me sha. At a point I was wondering if we still have Nigerians like Gaviria. Bros thanks a lot. May the good Lord bless you richly. I'm very very grateful. So here's my transcript.

Interview was scheduled for 7:45am.

The same guy who did my biometrics was the same person who conducted the interview, I was coincidentally directed to him the second time by the CGI official.

VO: good morning
Me: good morning

VO: Pass your documents pls
I did

VO: where are you going?
Me: I'm going to Boston, Massachusetts, USA. I'm going there for my masters degree at Hult International Business School.
(VO jst happy wen I answer like this, he expressed this with a smile. I was surprised)

VO: how did you hear about this school?
Me: I carries out an extensive research using academic websites. I used usnews.com, gradschools.com and then google.com. (At this point I paused then I remembered I haven't completed that statement, then I continued and added this: I further streamlined my search to schools who's courses aligns with my area of interest.

VO: did you take any rest?
Me: I took the wonderlic test with the school
(the guy nodded like he knew what the wonderlic test was about)

VO: what's this test about?
Me: (for my mind I was like... And u nodded like u knew about the test??) it's an internal based test conducted by the school to test my verbal skills, communication and technical skills.... (Trust me I wasn't prepared for this question)

The VO nodded again with excitement. I was jst thinking, Na so this guy like my face. Well, his smiles gave me confidence sha.

VO: so what are your plans after graduation?
Me: I will be coming back to Nigeria to set up my own business.

VO: what kinda business?
Me: a recycling company.

VO: why this company?
Me: this is an area many Nigerians haven't really gone into. We have very few recycling companies in Nigeria (and I added a few spoil that even me myself knew I was explaining spoil)

VO looks at my i20, raised his head and said you have a scholarship from the school.
Me: yes, I do. (With a big smile)

VO: how did you get it?
Me: I wrote a scholarship essay.

VO: what's the topic of the essay?
Me: (I actually forgot the topic) future leadership essay it is (I think it's the topic anyway)

VO: what did you write about?
Me: I talked about my future goals, how I'd like to rule a company on my own and I also talked about my academic achievement over the years.

VO: where did you study for your first degree?
Me: University of Benin, EDO state.

VO: What did you study?
Me: Mechanical Engineering.

VO: you graduated in 2016,have you done your youth service (i least expected this question but Gaviria has earlier on advised me on what to do about this part as I currently serving)
Me: I will be rounding up next month and my program starts in September.

VO was jst smiling at me and he told me the good news. Your visa has been approved. With all the many talk. Jst smiled back at him and left after he gave me back my i20.

Congratulations bro. God did it! I really liked your doggedness and determination. I'm so happy for you.
God bless your new journey.

Oseni007:
Long Post Alert ooooooooo
I can say I am one of the chairman on the board of trustee of the people who say “I am a silent follower/ reader”
From 2012-2014, I applied for F1 5times, same blue paper, same white building.
VO- Good morning
Me-Good morning
VO- can I have your passport
I passed it and he started typing, typed for like a minute and said why are you going to the US
Me- I have a short break at work and will like to go to New York for sightseeing and tourism. Said ok, typed for another 2 and said I am sorry you are not eligible for visa at this time. Just one question, this one strong ooooo, let try Canada again since SA no drop visit visa, US no drop B1/B2.I had paid tuition to Mohawk College prior to my first two refusals, lemme transfer to Lambton College since it is well accredited too and dem get my proposed course of study , transferred over 1.4m for first semester and applied again. Got dispatched 5months later with insufficient funds and purpose of visit, dis people don reduce am from 4 to 2, didn’t even bother to request for GCSM this time.
Then December 2016 came, a friend called one hot afternoon and was screaming on the other end of the line” Drizzy dem don give me, Drizzy dem don give me”, give you what I queried “ visa oooo, visa oo” which country I asked, he said US, but wait oooo, you didn’t tell me you applied again, although okelola had traveled before to SA twice, he had 3 refusal from the US for a B1/B2 application and 1 from Canada embassy , he had gotten it on his second attempt in December, wired tuition via flywire and just waiting to say goodbye. How did this happen, I had organize GMAT and GRE classes for this people o, oh I forgot to mention one of us got F1 in 2012 and he no dey gree reply messages since then ,we had tons of argument on who was going to get a PhD first back in school, now I am FAZE alone. This travel history issue is giving me headache, let me try SA again since na Abuja I go b4, Lagos dispatched approximately one month later with the same story. Okelola visa approval had triggered something that afternoon, he reminded me of our PhD conversation of 012, but the last one question interview threw me off balance and I wanted to send a mail to the consulate to inquire about my status cause I had surf the net and the 214b INA Act don dey get another meaning to me( I no do any misrepresentation, didn't fill anything fraudulent even when na agent, a family friend filled my first two applications, I tripled check b4 submitting so what the fuzz about,make dis people put me on administrative processing sef and confirm all my info ).Applied for admission and visa for my immediate younger brother in January and he got it on his second attempt even with 30k salary, I earn a reasonable fair salary but dem no gree give me.
Shey I go dey write GMAT or GRE again to get funding ontop brain wey don dey close small small, younger bro no even write anything and I get admission and visa for am in a month , make I apply the school

Damn! Really had me at Desmond Doss. Your congratulations deserves to be gold plated. Mehn one can only imagine. Lagoon front dreams can now be fulfilled.
Congratulations!!!
Greatest Akokite.

iekene:
Hahahaha.. You can .. put in a white transparent plastic container ..Dont put any liquid and join sha..

Lol. Thank you.

OluDare01:
150k small
Agent told me to bring 500k

Lmao. Me I was told $400, the guy even bill me for dollars . I sharply went online, me that I can use google for the planet. Found what I needed to do and did it, when it's not that I didn't go to school and can't search for information. I didn't even know this thread existed till they gave me shoki at the embassy . Google directed me here

LagosismyHome:
This famous question again..... when it time for a new session this question comes up. What is it with my people and this .... Are u sure it really does anything

Lmao. Some of them work wonders.

Please can someone carry Agbo Jedi?


cc: femi312, Lagosismyhome, biikeys, oludare01 and others

caul:
My high school transcript ain't ready here with me...but I hope to continue with the app and submit that later....Is there any other necessary documents I need to get ready?

SAT and TOEFL depending on the school's requirements. Application fee, check if they give scholarships and wait for them to review your documents after sending.

femi312:
He/she doesn't need to book any accommodation, in most cases people don't find accommodation until they arrive. Very few people will make payment for an accommodation they have not seen. Using a friend's address is not out of place.

I know that, I just meant "have an address you can state/write down at the POE"

Rheenah:
I like as u just dey question am. As d guy just dey drop one one sentence as if we sabi ein mind

Lol. Abi. You want to apply somewhere so what's the issue gan gan? Na we b dean or bursar or we dey read minds?

TheLee:
I got my visa approved today. I am grateful to you all who give tips, helps and mock interview and people who have shared their transcripts. God bless you

Transcript
V. O:Good morning, please pass your documents
Me: (passed it) Good morning
V. O: What's your highest level of education
Me: I have a Bachelor's in Microbiology
Vo: When did you get this degree?
Me:2014
Vo: What have you been doing since then?
Me: I finished my youth service in Oct 2015 and I've been a freelance writer since then
Vo:How many schools did you apply to?
Me: Two
Vo: Georgia Southern University and University of Memphis
Vo: Why did you choose this school
Me: I chose the school because the curriculum allows me to specialize...
Vo: What's your specialization?
Me: community health. While also taking core competency courses in other vital area of public health. Also, Prof Lawrence's research interest in Sickle Cell Disease....
Vo: Who is sponsoring you?
Me: My dad
Vo: What does he do?
Me: He owns a plastic factory
Vo:Have you gotten your accommodation yet?
Me: No, I will when I get there
Vo: No, you have to book it before traveling...
Me:Yes that's what I....
Vo: Listen please. At the PoE, you would need a forwarding address and so you must have one where you will be living
Me: Of course, thank you.
Vo: I will be approving your visa (circles white paper)
Me: (blanks out, collects white paper, packs documents and walks like a whined robot out of the room)
Took a minute for it to register that it was approved.
A lot of blue papers were flying and I got the VO I had hoped not to get yet my case was different.
3 factors helped a lot: God, Preparation, confidence
I'm grateful to my friend for the mock interviews
Thank you all so much for sharing, teaching and correcting. God bless you

For those that didn't read the transcript, the bold is an important public service announcement.

Congratulations.

caul:
I wanna apply at California state University Bakersfield for an undergraduate degree in computer science

And?

caul:
Hello everyone...am new here and a brother of mine sent me the link of part 11 which I have gone through and decided to join in directly...I hope to get positive reply and help in here.....

Good work by you all so far

Positive reply to?

Victorgold:
I know ESL .... I have done couple of application before now ...... I just thought there is a way I can skip the tofel I guess I would start from there how much and how can I register am in The Enugu I paid 150k

You're supposed to collect your money back. And you don't know ESL. If you do, immediately the agent told you the admission is for ESL you'd reject it because you told him/her you wanted masters. Like Lagosismyhome said, the best thing is to start from beginning. Except you're in a hurry to go to obodo oyinbo by all means, then try your luck at the embassy the VO might have won a million dollar lottery the day you go and he/she is in a good mood , just know the odds aren't in your favor at all. But if don't want to waste money on visa interviews (besides there's no much time again before fall semester starts), just apply for spring '18 if you're in a hurry to leave here and you have money to pay for school fees. But if you're not and you don't, just chill till fall '18 follow the threads you're supposed to and it'll be a piece of cake.

Classic90:
You have a very good GRE score. Check Texas A and M, College station

The GRE doesn't ascertain admission into college station. And you also have to ask what the undergrad GPA was.

LagosismyHome:
Their website states its €150 euros per extra luggage .... that the range most airline charge . Usually it best to pack 2 bags and weight before u get to the airport unless u dont mind paying 150

https://www.royalairmaroc.com/int-en/Travel-Info/Baggage-and-service-fees

Table 3...second line

Okay, thanks ma'am. I actually won't have extra luggage or one with over 23kg. I just wanted to know if 2 small could take the place of one big bag. But now that I know they can't. I'll just use one of the small bags as the 2nd 23kg bag. And the other small bag as my hand luggage which will fit in the overhead compartment.

femi312:
Yes so far the bag will fit in the overhead compartment. Check this link for price range https://www.luggageforward.com/excess-baggage-fees/ http://lifehacker.com/how-much-it-costs-to-check-bags-on-nine-major-u-s-airl-1717212944

Thank you very much.

LagosismyHome:
What airline

Royal Air Maroc.

femi312:
No I don't think so, that's why sometimes they tell someone carrying 2 boxes with one that is less than 23kg and one more than 23kg to move some of the stuffs in the more box to the less box. Its advisable you buy a big box to avoid unnecessary charges. By the way, IF you are connecting a flight in the US, you will pay for all luggage

Alright thanks a lot. But can I use a small duffle bag as hand luggage to keep with me In the overhead compartment? Yes I know one will pay for luggage, but hope it won't be too much, around what price range is it usually like?

olarich30:
good afternoon my nairaland peeps , can i buy a one way ticket to the states with an F1 visa without having a problem at the port of entry or it's mandatory i buy a return ticket ?

abeg make una advice me . thanks

Yeah one way is the advisable ticket for a student. Except you want to buy PTA in banks that's where you'll need a return ticket. But your one way ticket doesn't give any issue at the POE as they don't expect you back so soon.