arshy:

@Godeagle,
It is such a pity it happened to you. Nigeria is always Nigeria. Even thou the test is an international test, all the people supervising it are Nigerians, and you know most Nigerian organizations don't open on Sundays.

That aside, I feel you should try and pay the $50 and re-schedule it for an earlier date, because definitely your scores can't get to your school in a week. I have not even received my Essay score up till now. If you compare what you will loose if you do the test on Sept 10th (when the deadline for your school is Sept 15th), and paying the $50, you will agree with me that it pays you to pay the money.

Anyway, I registered mine yesterday and I will be taking it on Sept 1st (Next week Tuesday).

As per the Kaplan CD, there is nothing you can do with the file, if you don't have the CD. I have to be taking the CD home and bringing it to the office since the software won't work except you insert the CD. You can still prepare with the POWERPREP, if you have it or the GRE Bible. Infact, i don't really think the questions on the CD is that relevant except that it helps you to be time conscious. The test i did is very very different from the questions on the Kaplan CD, but very very similar to the questions on the POWERPREP and GREBIBLE.

Thanks arshy. I'm still considering the situation. I might just leave the exam for that date; apart from paying $50 for their own error, the situation may get further complicated. I'll try to contact the school to give me an extra week or so and pray that events unfold favourably in my office before making the decision on whether or not to reschedule. I heard that ETS is quite reliable when it comes to sending scores to the schools. So, even though your writing score has not reached you, it would have been received by the school. I'll take your advice about studying with just the other CDs. I've been studing with POWERPREP lately. I agree that it mirrors the style and difficulty level of the actual GRE. I also realized that one can retake the practice tests several times with only 2-3 questions repeated. So, it's not easily exhausted. The GREBIBLE, on the other hand, was useful but I found it quite low in terms of difficulty level, especially in Quant. It also contains a number of errors. I'm yet to use the barrons CD.

emmyclev:

pls guys i need a little help, i received a confirmation mail that have been registered by First logic from ETS, but the problem is the initial of my middle name (U) is ommited, First logic says no problem, that i just have to bring two form of identity,

But the problem now is can i include just that letter U, on my test date as a form of name correction and can it pose any problem during my admission process,

The issue is, not all my document have that initials but my certificate and passport does,
Pls need clarification,

Thanks

I think you should contact Prometric to include your initials in their records. Their number is in the confirmation email sent to you. You can also ask them if any correction made on the exam date will be effected on your score report. I think it is important that your score report bears your complete name. You may not know where such a small error will matter.

Superbrain:

Has anyone ever tried using a GTB mastercard to pay for the GRE? I have a dorm account with them and i intend getting it there.

I haven't used it. But go ahead and try it. It should work since it's mastercard. Besides, you have nothing to lose even if it doesn't work as you'll be spending from your dorm account and not tying up your funds in a card account.

NB: I just called Firstlogic. They said that GRE exams only hold from Monday-Thursday weekly. So, why does Prometric misrepresent this, misleading people on their website? I had scheduled the exam for Sunday, since it was not a work day and the website indicated that it was available.

Hey guys, I'm really really mad at Prometric. I just received an email from them rescheduling my GRE from 30th August to September 10. They said that the centre will not availiable on the date I scheduled it and that if I could not take the exam on the new date, I should call them for assistance. I called to have them fix it on the earliest available date, which is Monday, 31st August. But they wanted me to pay a reschedulment fee of $50 or else no fixing. I dont understand those guys; is it my making that they had to change the date of my exam to an inconvinient date? I'm at a loss now. One of my deadlines is 15th September. So 10th september is too close (or should I say too far?) for comfort. What makes it so confusing is that I may be out of town on official assignment on that week.


By the way guys, I lost my kaplan prep CD. Please can anyone be so kind as to send the file (the CD, Not the Book) to my email:ekejiubad@yahoo.com. Thanks.

Nice one SEFAGO. You're a real Scholar Well, I'm not going into alternative energy right away. For now it's Oil and Gas. Hopefully, by the time I'm ready, alternative energy would have been developing in Nigeria. Otherwise, I'm bringing it in myself. You're applying to so many schools. For us in Nigeria, that would cost quite a fortune. I'm applying to five schools, yet I feel they're too much. Actually, just okay. Take care people.

Wow! I'm absolutely loving the activity on this thread. I seem to be the only that has not contributed lately. My job has been real tasking and any spare time I get is used to fight the GRE. I just can't wait for this rigor to be over.

Superbrain:

I'm enjoying this thread! I support the idea of applying to safety schools and initially i hoped to apply to three universities in Texas and four others but right now, i have just four schools in mind and none is in Texas! Most Nigerians are applying to the top tier schools (especially the ones in Texas). I no want make dem use their hip-hop spoil my fuji,

Well, I'm going for LSU, ULL, Colorado and MSU.

@ Superbrain, that was fast. lol. You guys are all running away from Texas like if there's a curse there. Anyways I'm still considersing Texas along with the other nice schools outside Texas. It will be folly to put all one's eggs in one basket. I really like Colorado and LSU. Those places are beautiful. Does your Colorado refer to Colorado School of mines?

SEFAGO:

so if everyone does chemical engineering, what about the other fields that need development in nigeria. I know a lot of people are doing chemical enineering wityh the hopes of getting a job in the oil sector.

I don't mean to draw us back. But I think the energy sector is one area that can't get enough professionals since global energy demand is rapidly increasing. The oil companies are even in the forefront of developing renewable alternative energy. The sector's salary is not bad too. For me, I can't wait to start contributing my quota towards meeting this need and, of course, to start earning the fat salary.

To guarantee admission, I reiterate the advise of others. It is best to work on all aspects of your application as if each of them matters the most and to apply to a number of schools including the great, the good and the okay ones.

Hey Superbrain! let me welcome you to the forum. Your brain must be super, indeed; aiming for 1500 is no small dream.
I don't know much about cheque payment to prometric, but I suspect that something is not right. It seems like something happened to the cheque along the way and I hope there's a way to track it. I also hope there is a way to take the exam without the confirmation.

For the GRE, I strongly support online payment. Either of mastercard or visacard should work. I used a Skye Bank prepaid visacard for my registration. Regarding financial aid, I think you stand a good chance as you are going for a PHD. I heard that most PHDs get financial aid.

@ arshy,

Thanks o, I feel u jare. That's why I'm spreading my tentacles too. I'm applying to Colorado School of mines, Louisiana State Univ and New Mexico Tech. They may hold even better promise than the oh so popular Texas. I wish us well in the times ahead. My GRE is in two weeks as well.

Wow. It's a small world indeed. That guy is my cousin. in fact, he called me today. Catch u later.

@ arshy,
Yes o, we can only keep praying for ASUU to call off the strike. Meanwhile, I will contact the schools regarding collecting copies of transcript. Did you contact the graduate coordinator or a member of the admissions committee? Did u contact University of Texas @ Austin too? My preparation is going fine, I'm focusing real hard on the quant, so my verbal preparation seems to be suffering. My challenges are in RCs and sentence completion. Once I'm comfortable with my mastery of quant, I will review the verbal section again and practise excercises especially from the big book. For the analogies, I think the key is to master the vocabulary wordlists and to be familiar with the different sort of bridges that link those words. For that, I think barron's list and a review of the analogy section will do. Of course, you will need lots of practise too.

@ netotse,
What I have is actually the 27 verbal tests from the big book and not the entire book. I'll send it to you.

@ p.oj,
My pleasure. The paper test is not available in Nigeria; It is only available in places where the Computer Based Test is unavailable. I hope you are preparing seriously. The exam may be in November but u need all the time you can get. The exam no be small thing o.

Hey P.oj, Welcome to the forum. Yes, I did register with a Skye Bank prepaid visacard. I read somewhere (I think it was this thread) that someone registered successfully with an Intercontinental Mastercard and another with a Zenith websurfer card. So, I guess that almost all debit cards (I don't know about credit cards) work from Nigeria despite the notice on ETS's website that credit and debit card registration is not available in Nigeria. It seems you will be taking the exam soon, please do let us in on your strategies for attacking the exam.

@ all, how is the prep going? I have a challenge and it's not about preparation for the GRE: I'm wondering if the schools I'm applying to will accept scanned copies of my transcripts as this ASUU strike seems not to be ending. Even getting my lecturers to sign the letters of recommendation is a challenge. The deadlines are fast approaching.

Thanks SEFAGO. I'll be looking out for those (MS/PHD). All the best with our preparation.

Thanks SEFAGO. That's really clarifying. But how can they know if one is not interested in PHD straight after? Hopefully even if one doesn't get financial assistance when admitted, one can get after one semester.

By the way guys, it's official, I just registered for the GRE yesterday. I will be taking it on August 30th. I hear that centers fill up quickly, so don't procrastinate your registration.

Yeah arshy, I agree with you.

Hey netotse, welcome to the thread. There's no better time to prepare for the GRE than when you're serving. Sorry I dont have any contacts in the dept you're asking about. Try navigating properly from the school's site to the dept's, the contacts should be there as every department usually supplies the email and phone numbers of its staff members on their webpage. There's also a contact for the department itself.

@ SEFAGO, I dont quite understand your last post. Please throw more light on it.

Oh my goodness! I thought it was the norm in the US for schools to give Financial Assistance to grad students. I even know a couple of students there currently enjoying it. It seems this is a recent development. I mailed UT last month about my intention to obtain financial assistance when I get admitted; this is an excrept from the correspondence:

Me: I am hoping to get financial assistance in the form of either a scholarship or an assistantship. Is it feasible in your program and how do I go about seeking these?

UT Graduate Coordinator: Once you are admitted, you will be put on a list that is circulated to the faculty for fellowships and assistantships.

Well, I'm hoping and seriously praying to get financial assistance. Apart from the savings in monetary terms, it increases one's chances of obtaining a visa as the consulate officials will feel the school really needs you. I intend to get a PHD much later, probably after a few years in the industry, after I have had a clear picture of the direction of my career path.

arshy:

@Godeagle,
U are da bomb menh! The software opened live and direct. I will check the school again, i think it is Texas A&M that i mailed

Thanks men. All the best with it.

Wow, it's good to know we're in the same field.

So, you downloaded the material and it's asking for password. Well, if you downloaed the document in a folder, there's usually a MS word document in that folder titled GRE BibleCode. Look in the folder for the password corresponding to the username appearing in the message by using the Ctrl-F function. It should be there.

Are you sure UT doesn't have spring admission? They have in my course and the application deadline is oct 15. Check well, they should have. Regarding financial assistance, I heard that you can still get after you resume.

You're welcome arshy, we're all trying to help each other. As for the PP software, you could have simply downloaded the material from ETS's website. I never heard of the NIPOST strike, it seems every office in Nigeria is going on strike these days. I hope they resume by the time I'm ready to mail my supporting documents as I can't imagine using a parcel service to send them. That will be way too expensive. Let us know if you successfully downloaded the GRE bible. Someone in my office gave me the material recently.

@ SEFAGO, you're probably right. I don't know much about grad school admssion decisions in the US. But I'm trying my best to improve my chances. I made a 2:1 in petroleum engineering and I'm applying to a number of schools including the top school (by US news ranking): University of Texas @ Austin.

@ Tboy, welcome back and thanks for the link. So how did the entire admission process go. Did you get in? Any general advice for us based on your experience?

be hearing from you.

Hey arshy, I'm really sorry about your disappointing verbal score. But I'm glad you're motivated enough to give it another shot. You need to develop a good plan to attack attack the verbal, assuming you're very comfortable with your quant score (this will depend on the program you're applying to as some engineering programs require as much as 780/800 for admission). However, you still need to pay some attention to quant so that your score doesn't drop-that won't be good for your application.

I don't know how you prepared for the exam, but it seems like you didn't use enough material. I would recommend you get Barrons; I've heard so many good things about it: it contains comprehensive reviews, exercises, and a 3500 word list that encompasses almost all the vocabulary appearing on the GRE. I also heard that the Big Book, downloadable at www.4shared.com and esnips, is perfect for verbal. Practice all the exercises in these books; the key to verbal is pactice, practice, practice. Finally get the ETS powerprep software and take the tests when you start feeling confident of your verbal ability; they are the best predictor of your eventual exam score. You may need to give yourself more time, say one month, to really get a good mastery of these material, before retaking the test. However, this may not be possible if the release of score results encroaches beyond your application deadlines, in which case you have to do the best you can within the available time.

Dont forget to check out the website I recommended in my earlier post. It's loaded with advice and practice material from GRE test takers and veterans from around the world.

All the best.

Wow, I'm so delighted you guys responded. I thought the thread was dead for good.

@ bumdish, have you registered for the exam and what's your expected score/intended major?
@ arshy, Oh my! your exam's tomorrow. I wsh you resounding success. Please do tell us how it went.
@ smartkid. I have an old edition of the GRE Big Book on PDF that I'll try sending to you. I dont have the GRE Bible though; I even need it myself.

Well I'm hoping to score above 1500 and to study Petroleum Engineering in one of the top programs in the US. I'm using Barrons, Kaplan, Nova and big book for my preparation. Barrons and Kaplan (Pirated versions) are sold in various places in Nigeria, mostly in Lagos and Porthacourt, while the rest are not readily available (One can download them online though; just google the required material). I also recommend a site that I find most helpful for test takers, whether you're taking GRE or TOEFL: www.urch.com/forums. Cheers guys.

My Edjeba bound people!!! I just tought I should drop by and holla at you guys. Wow! 4 days to go; I wish, I wish, I wish.
@ Edoblakky, my person, I'm delighted beyond words for you. Now that somebody I know (Edoblakky of course) is in, hopefully I can connect with more of you guys. Y'all have a splendid 12 months in Edjeba and a fulfilling career ahead.

My best wishes and prayers also go out to all those on the waiting list. The God that did it for Edoblakky will surely come to your rescue. Rest in Him and let him lead you to your destination.

Hey guys, I intend to take the GRE exam in late August. I have a full time job, so studying is quite challenging. Anyways, I'm going to schedule my leave such that it falls close to the exam date. By the way, I have a question. I'm considering registering for the exam via my Intercontinental bank Master Card as against going through accredited agents because I heard it was possible. I understand that ETS says credit card registration is not availiable in Nigeria, but are there people out there who have done it successfully? I need to know so that I can credit the card. I also need to know if there are disadvantages to registering the Card way.

Thanks guys, Holla back!

Hey guys, I thought I should revive this old, helpful, thread. I happen to be preparing for the the GRE myself and I know that there are Nairalanders out there doing same. Let's share our experiences so that we can make the best out of our preparation and eventually fulfill our dreams of studying abroad.

@ C JAY, Me sef, Eyo, tboy, Dividends, trillions et al. Please share your stories -successful or not, I'm sure we will benefit from them.

I intend to take the exam in late August. I have a full time job, so studying is quite challenging. Anyways, I'm going to schedule my leave such that it falls close to the exam date. By the way, I have a question. I'm considering registering for the exam via my Intercontinental bank Master Card as against going through accredited agents because I heard it was possible. I understand that ETS says credit card registration is not availiable in Nigeria, but are there people out there who have done it successfully? I need to know so that I can credit the card. I also need to know if there are disadvantages to registering the Card way.

Thanks guys, Holla back!

aguyemd:

@ Godeagle while not overflogging the issue, I'm sure that those of us who were given offers, and those to come,  were/are not necessarily the best, neither were/are we the smartest. Its just God's placement relative to His timing for each and everyone of us. He sure has a placement for you some where that just suits His purpose for you or His timing for shell is yet to come. Either way, do not waiver in your faith in Him. I admire your courage. Pls keep in touch. We love you.

Hey guys, I'm thankful for the encouragement and advice. It's interesting to see how this our "reality internet show" is playing out. Yes, I liken it to a reality show, the only difference being that we don't have real names and faces as it is on reality TV shows. A little presonal touch won't hurt as I would love to relate with us on a more personal level, but I doubt if Nairaland has the feature that enables one to send a personal message to another on the forum. One thing is sure though, the show is not over yet. And like some of the hopefuls of previous years that were rejected, I would love to drop by sometime in future to testify of where the Lord has brought me to in spite of,  Long live Nairaland! long live this thread! I love you guys!

Thanks babake, I am thankful to God for everything. It seems I am not destined to work in Shell. I appreciate your advice and I'm doing just those. All the best to you.

Hey People. After disturbing Ben Enahoro with mails since last week, requesting for feedback from Shell, I got a mail from them that basically says that I was unsucessful. I must say that I am relieved. I also appreciate being a part of this forum where I interacted with so many great people. I am better than yesterday in so many ways. You know what they say: ''whatever don't kill you, can only make you stronger". I can now focus my greater energy on my next project/plan. And you bet it's better than Shell Nigeria! God bless you all.

Hey guys, I'm new to d thread but I've gone through all the pages and I find it quite compelling. Well-done guys.

I did play the online game on three occassions with the three pins given to me when I sent "PIN" to 345. I guess it is addictive as I intend to continue playing. It wasn't easy, though; I only made it to question 10 (out of the 15) on two occassions and flunked at the second question on the third. The link has a provision for you to see the persons ahead of the pack for both the week and month. I think 6 out of 7 of them got all 15 questions correct. I'm wondering how I will do that. In all, I think it's a game worth playing whether online or on TV. I dont see it as gambling, more like a fun, knowledge-building activity with d added possibility of winning money. It's hard work, as you have to learn constantly to improve your chances of winning as opposed to gambling, which is a Lazy man's strategy to becoming rich. Although it all depends on your attitude to d game.

Congratulations guys!!!!!!!!!!! I'm happy for you and celebrate you all to Edjeba.

aguyemd:

@ Godeagle, I salute your courage. I am humbled. To think that you discovered a regretted status and still had the courage to post on this thread is to say the least quite humbling.

Thanks aguyemd, It's called hoping against hope. One of us here, Osina wata, had the same status on their website. Although his had an explanation, mine seems more discouraging. Anyways, I have made attempts to contact them and have them state my status clearly. Meanwhile, Is there anyone in the house who has not heard anything from Shell since SRD like me? Cheksa and co. where are u guys?

My people! It's been a while. To Edoblakky, pepperyboy, onDcrox, Easy T, jibzgal, wumwum007, I believe congratulations are in order. We must thank God for the fact that you guys have crossed another hurdle and there is still reason to hope. Nevertheless, I mourn for this country when I see what outstanding graduates have to go through just to get that dream job. May God deliver us.

As for me, I have still not heard anything from Shell and with my status on their website showing "regretted", my circumstances don't look too good either. But I'm a believer and I'm expecting a med IV. I'm also believing the best for all offer letter hopefuls cos the letters will surely come. Shalom!

Hey everyone! the week we were expecting has finally come (believing pepperyboy) and I know that God's favour is upon us. He has already done it.

@ douecho, u no need to buy tuesday guardian again na, ur own na settled case. Why u dey wahala urself? As for me, I no get dat power, e no easy at all. I did that for almost one year before I got my current bank job. I'm not saying I don't intend to move, it's just that getting the big multinational oil jobs without connection have become too competitive. So, if God closes the door of Shell, a master's degree from a reputable University abroad will be more like it. You feel me?

Hey everyone! Jibgal, onDrox, pepperyboy, edoblakky, otr, it's good to have you guys back after the long time away. I urge us to to Keep up the Faith. God has moved and will continue to move on our belhalf.

@ hussyhassy, I will excuse you by saying that u didn't take time to understand the situation before posting your comments. However if that is not the case,
then yours must be a case of narrow mindedness and a propagation of unjust Northern dominance and inequality in a nation that is supposed to be democratic, and free. All that has to change.

Well done guys. Glad to know we still have reason to hope.

onyeka80:


if u asked me i no that the letters wud be positive ones, AMEN, can i hear that again, AMEN

we had waited and fasted without losing faith, God will reward us, AMEN

Chillax pples

I believe you. AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! to that.

Hey people. welcome back Easy T. Yeah, the week is almost over and it's unlikely we will hear anything from Shell today.

Amen to your last statement. God bless us all.

Thanks, Jisola Mar, for taking time to encourage and brief us on your medicals. The activity on the thread is dwindling everyday as our issue

appears to have taken centre stage. It appears no one wants to talk about anything else so that they wont seem insensitive to our plight. Guys, it's

okay to take the thread to other directions while we hope and pray for our IVs. Let's hear gist about when the offer letters will be coming,

plans for ELV and so on. We are already in by His grace, so dont just abandon the thread like that.

No way, nkenke. We're still hopeful cos we know it aint over till God says that it's over.

Yeah, the fasting and prayers are on and we will win. Have a blessed day all.