₦airaland Forum

Samuel5555:
Please do they make reference to your previous denial for November last yr?

No. I was attended to like it was my first time.

Visa interview transcript
Profile
School: MSU
Program: PhD Sociology
Scholarship: Full funding + Teaching Assistantship
Deficit: 3k
GRE: YES
TOEFL: Nil
Bsc in Sociology (Federal University)
Highest Educational level: Msc, Criminology (Federal University)
Undergraduate Gpa: 3.44/4.0
Msc Gpa: 3.2/4.0

No of F1 Attempts at the US embassy (3), denied in 2019 for Masters in Criminology with zero funding at West Texas A&M University. Denied again last year November with full funding in the same school for which my visa was approved today. (I posted my last denial transcript here. You can click on my profile to read it, if you like - of course.
Status: APPROVED
Abuja Embassy July 12th 2021

My interview lasted about 3 minutes. Here we go:

Massive palls of grey and black clouds hovered above the beautiful city of Abuja, a clear indication that Rain was warming up in the sidelines of the heavens, as I hopped into the waiting Bolt taxi which I had ordered a while ago. It was my first time in Abuja, I should say. As we drove from my lodge to the embassy, I admired the smoothness of the broad roads, how it gleamed in the distance, how it reminds me of the head of Papa Ajasco of Wale Adenuga production, and the many towering, foggy and greeny hills which rose like the back of an elephant from different corners of the city.

I arrived the premises of the embassy around 6.40am but we were not allowed in until it was about past seven. As expected, there was an heavy presence of people I would, I beg your pardon, call "embassy rats", those people who try to sell you water while you are in the midst of an ocean. Those who would say, Bros you go need passport o. Bros make we staple your form. Bros this. Bros that. But I ignored them all, except for a woman, I would later find her name to be Rose, who volunteered to take custody of my phone at zero cost. I rewarded her handsomely later, anyways.

Once the order came that we could proceed into the interview venue, I joined other applicants, mostly students, into the interview venue. We waited for a long time before a Nigerian man came into the waiting lobby to begin what seemed to me as a confirmation of appointments and documents. To save the reader's time, I went through other protocols before my turn to meet the VO, to meet with destiny eventually came. The place was window 8 and sitted there was a pretty, young, and stern-looking white lady who was just dishing out rejections like Akara.


VO: Good morning

Me: Good morning ma


VO: Pass me your i-20 and passport then place your hands on the scanner for the biometric capture.

Me: Okay ma. (I passed the documents to her and placed my hands on the scanner)

VO: I see that you're going for your doctorate in Sociology at MSU

ME: That's correct.

VO: Tell me about the research you plan to conduct

Me: My research is in the area of cybercrime and access to economic opportunities. Precisely, under the supervision of Prof XYZ I will be investigating the correlation between access to economic opportunities and youth involvement in cybercrime.
VO: Okay. Alright (kept typing into the system). Is your research going to focus on Nigeria?

ME: (VO give me through pass, I no gock am) Yes. Nigeria has had several issues with cybercrime in recent times. My research will be focused on Nigeria.

VO: Tell me about your plans after your studies

Me: I plan to return to Nigeria to take up a full-time lecturing job. I've always wanted to become a professor of Sociology. I also plan to publish academic papers that would interrogate and proffer solutions to the challenges of Cybercrime in Nigeria.

VO: Okay. So you plan to become an academic?

Me: Yes.

VO: Okay. I will be approving your visa. (Hands me the white paper and begin to talk about Covid-19 protocols bla bla bla. My ear don already block like ghetto soakaway. Lol

Me: Collects white paper with thanksgiving in my heart and left smiling.

NB: Take your case to God in prayers even if you're an atheist. The issuance of visa at the embassy, in my opinion, is 30% hardwork and 70% grace, if you like call it luck. However, this is not a liberty to relax. Work hard and also pray hard. I will advise whoever is attending the interview to be straightforward with answers. Only say what you are asked to minimize the risk of saying things that might potentially be used against you by the VO. Also try as much as possible to make your responses unique.

SPECIAL APPRECIATION
I am grateful to my friend Seun in the US who helped me throughout this visa application process. I am also thankful to my friend Babs who never gave up on me. Of course, I also thank all the beautiful people here whose transcripts and inputs have helped me tremendously. Big shout out to Fairheart who gave his expert opinion on my last rejection and encouraged me to apply again. To those who are still dreaming, don't give up. Cheers!

Hybeesalau:
Hello guys. Please how's the record for abuja concerning emergencies. Are they ghosting Pple like Lagos too.?
I want to switch to abj and request emergency there that's why I'm asking pls. Lagos has ghosted me for abt 2 weeks now.

I will advise you not to try it. My emergency appointment got approved in Abuja for today but I couldn't book the date. I called the embassy since the beginning of the week and I was told that appointments are on first come first serve basis. I think you should be patient. Earlier dates will come up soon in both Lagos and Abuja, I believe. Cheers �

Congratulations man

Hello everyone, please I need your assistance. I requested for expedite interview on Friday and got a mail yesterday to the effect that it has been approved. The mail then instructed me to reschedule for 25th of June. The problem now is that 25th of June remains unavailable each time I log into my portal to reschedule. Please I need urgent help on how to handle this situation. Thanks all.

Hello everyone, I'm having an interview at Abuja on August 6th but that is very close to my resumption date. So, I want to schedule an earlier date but I am not able to see any available dates whenever I log into my portal. How do I go about it? I'll be eligible for emergency interview by the middle of next month. If it comes to that, how do I go about it. Thanks guys.

Friedpotato:
Visa Approved
Undergraduate
Funding: Full ride
Graduated high school 2013
Second attempt.
Abuja Embassy
White V.O

Noticed from transcripts posted on here that the white V.O usually comes early and the black V.O starts later, so I decided to go very early even though my appointment was 8:15. I got there by 6:20 but the interview started few minutes to 9.

Me: Good morning
V.O: Good morning

Me: Before we start, I'd like to say that I'm very nervous and when I'm nervous, my talking is fast and distorted so if you don't hear what I'm saying just tell me to repeat it.
V.O: Don't worry, no reason to be nervous. So why are you going to the United States.

Me: I would be going to continue by undergraduate degree in biology at Edward Waters college in Florida. I started taking classes for the fall semester in Nigeria because of the pandemic and ended with a 4.0 GPA, I have my result with me.
V.O: wow, 4.0, that's great. (Then, Takes a look at my I-20), oh I can see you have a full ride, that's great.

V.O: (looks at me and sees that I'm kind of nervous) no need to be nervous.

V.O: so what will this degree do for you?
Me: I love biology, it's like my favourite subject in high school but most importantly I plan to pursue a career in biomedical research and biology would be a great foundational course for me. Also, this degree would enable me work at the Centre for excellence in reproductive health initiative where my uncle works.

V.O: Good, so where is this place you say your uncle works? Lagos or Abuja?
Me: Benin.

V.O: I intended to issue you your visa, this form contains information on how to pick your passport.

I'm really very happy and I thank everyone on NL. I started this journey in 2018 and I'm glad that God has crowned it with success. I paid MRV four times between November and now. Thankfully all the money I've used since I got admitted from SEVIS to MRV four times to samsung tablet, data and feeding while I was taking online class were external scholarships I got while taking classes this fall. Nothing is too much for God to do at all.

Congratulations man. I know your story a bit and I am glad that it has ended in success. And for those of us still hoping and dreaming, may God show up on our case. Amen.

fairheart:
One thing I have learnt about consulars at the US embassy is that they are fast thinkers. Within 3 minutes, they can see what you didn't see in 9 month of your entire application before you stand before them for the 3-minutes-or-less interview. Working with an NGO ring different types of bell in the VO's head. If you have been refused before, it is possible the previous VO left a remark the new VO made the decision to refuse you on. I am just suspecting. If you changed something critical in your DSFORM and it appears to the VO as a lie, it could also cause refusal. The exact reason for your refusal, in my opinion, cannot really pinpoint. Only God knows what no man has access to!

I also need to tell those who have been refused before: Note that not every applicant will be approved their visa. Not every applicant will get it the first time, the second time, a third time. We have seen 4th attempt, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and even 9th. I once read of a story of a student in Asia that was refused 9 times and got it on 10th attempt. Why 9 refusals? Only the God and the embassy knows.

It is painful to see your refusal, but keep hope alive. My advise for you is to re-evaluate the reason you applied in the first place? Why? Can you still find that reason? Are you still convinced that you truly need this visa, to study and return to Nigeria? Or you are doing it because someone you know somewhere has done it and it worked for them? If there's still genuine reason and conviction, then try again. In life, you cannot be faster than your time. The time is ahead, you follow. This means until it is time for something, you may not actually have it (Heyo, this is my philosophy and should not be taken as the ultimate reality of your situation).
All the best!

Thanks a lot Fairheart for this fine evaluation of my situation. I found the much needed inspiration in your feedback/review. I am looking at trying Abuja again, if I am still able to find a date before or around the start of my program in January. If not, I might have to defer and try again in Fall, which in any case was supposed to be the ideal resumption period save for the interference of the pandemic. All hope is not lost yet, as you say, and everyone has an appointed time. I will be glad you I get chance to speak with you privately. Thanks.


PS. I have sent you a mail. Thanks.

Milkshakes01:
How old are you?
Do you have a Bsc already?

I remember your transcript vividly. Seems you were on suit. The guy in window 11 turned on the volume of his mic (more like putting it on loudspeaker) and said anyone getting close to any other person should have their mask on to avoid infecting others. I wish you all the best, man.

Chonco:
I'm waiting for the Good news.

Well, not this time around.


Visa interview transcript
Profile
School: MSU
Program: PhD Sociology
Scholarship: Full funding + Teaching Assistantship
Deficit: NIL
GRE: 300
TOEFL: Nil
Bsc in Sociology (Federal University)
Highest Educational level: Msc, Criminology (Federal University)
Undergraduate Gpa: 3.44/4.0
Msc Gpa: 3.2/4.0
No of F1 Attempts at the US embassy (2), denied last year for Masters in Criminology with zero funding at West Texas A&M University.
Status: Denied
Lagos consulate, Nov 20th 2020

My interview lasted about 10 minutes. Here we go:


The moment I entered the hall, I noticed that there were three VOs interviewing people at the counter, two females and one male. I realized immediately that the male was the guy who denied me last year and started praying that I should not come across him again. He had already denied about three to four persons right there in the hall. Unfortunately, I came across him again.

The moment I passed my passport and i20 to him, he looked at me and said, "I denied you last year and sorry I cannot interview you this time." He then directed me to another VO, an elderly woman. I can't remember the window. Now the interview proper.

Me: Good morning ma

VO: Good morning, pass me your i-20 and passport then place your hands on the scanner for the biometric capture.

Me: Okay ma. (I passed the documents to her and placed my hands on the scanner)

VO: Where are you going to?

Me: I am going to MSU, Starkvile, to pursue my PhD in Sociology with concentration in Criminology.

VO: I see. So, why this university?

Me: I settled for MSU because I was able to find a wonderful Prof. in the person of Professor XYZ who not only shares my research interest but believes in my abilities to excel at graduate school. For me, that's priceless. I also settled for MSU because the program is fully funded.

VO: I see that you've got full tuition waiver. Who's paying for the decifit?

Me: Please check ma, I do not have any deficit. The stipend from my assistantship covers my living expenses.

VO: Okay. Alright (kept typing into the system)

VO: What other school did you apply to?

Me: I also applied to Northeastern University, Boston, but I was not admitted.

VO: Did you write GRE, if yes, your score? (I was asked this same question the last time by the male VO)

Me: 300

VO: Where do you work? (I asked the last time too)

Me:I work with XYZ, a Lagos based NGO

VO: Have you travelled out of the country before? (Was also asked the last time)

Me: No


VO: Sorry bla bla bla and hands me a green paper.
Me: (dumbfounded)



PS: Gurus in the house, Fairheart, Walspring, Chonco, and the rest what do you guys sense as the reason for my rejection? I'll appreciate your views because I intend to reapply. Thanks.

Chonco:
Pls, i want to know if the US embassy is on strike.

Where are all the transcripts?

Friday I think is the next appointment date. Expect several transcripts including mine. Cheers!

Mosminic:
Max of #2000

Thanks man

Hello everyone, I will be having my interview on Friday November 20th. I will like to know how much those guys at the gate would likely charge to keep a Samsung phone until after the interview. Thanks.

vc1177:
Transcript Title: I Escaped Window 7 By Divine Favour

School: University of Idaho
Course: PhD Physics
Undergraduate: BSc Physics and Astronomy 2014
GRE: None
TOEFL/IELTS: None
Funding: GTA (Full ride)
Appointment: 9:00am
Arrived Consulate: ~5:00am
In Time: ~7:40am
Interview: ~5minutes
Out Time:~8:24am
Status: Approved
Window: 6

I was directed to a lady’s window, vertically opposite window 6(window 13, I think). She checked my documents and made sure they were well arranged before I was directed to window 6. I greeted her twice, before submitting my documents, and when she answered the second time, I liked her voice(like seriously). She was like, “I answered you the second time.” I almost fell in love with her voice. She was cool and helpful. In my mind, I was like, “Is she my VO? It will be nice oh.” But unfortunately, she was meant to check documents before the proper interview. E pain me oh. But I composed my self and moved on.

Interview With Main VO:
ME: Good morning Sir (With smiles/happiness, yet somewhat tensed)
VO: Good morning

VO: Pass me the documents
ME: Okay Sir. Passes the documents (With somewhat shaky hands)
VO: Relax
ME: Thank you Sir (With smiles)
VO: Why are you going to the US?
ME: I am going to the UI for my PhD in Physics (The next line to fire escaped my mind. The pre-interview stage was somewhat stressful, emotionally)
VO: What area?
ME: Nuclear Physics
VO: Have you done Nuclear Physics before? (looked at me with this suspicious side-eye, to know whether I’m sure of what it is I am about to do)
ME: Yes (Sir) (Although, I didn’t do a full research in Nuclear Physics, but I offered an extensive course work in this area, and was the best in the course, during my final year)
VO: What is Nuclear Physics?
ME: Tries to explain in a simple way…VO cuts in…
VO: What equipment will you be using for your research? (This might not be the original question, but it looks very much like it)
ME: Equipments like LHC(Large Hadron Collider)
VO: …in Nigeria? (Something of this nature)
ME: No Sir (Felt the urge to say that Nigeria does not have it, and that is the reason for going to the US…but VO cuts in…[I liked the way he cut in regularly. He helped me keep my answers very short and to the point(Smiles)])

VO: Have you traveled out of Nigeria before?
ME:No Sir
VO: Married?
ME:No Sir
VO: …have kids?
ME: No Sir
VO: Okay (…cuts in…the tells me to place my right four fingers on the biometric gadget…I did that…but I felt something had changed at this juncture)
VO: …open your mask a bit
ME: ( Quickly remembers the instruction to always smile…quickly activated “smiling face” mode before opening face mask)
ME: At this point, I sighted white papers on his table, and was seriously believing God for one of these papers to be given to me, while the VO was busy looking at his “judgement-day” screen
VO: (Rearranges document on his desk and says the long awaited words…) So I am going to be approving your visa…do have…something something…window 22. He gave me a white paper and a yellow slip placed placed in between my passport.
ME: (I could not believe what just happened to me. In my mind, “so these are the famous white and yellow papers I have been seeing on transcripts.” I didn’t know when I started saying, “Thank You Holy Spirit/ Thank You Jesus,” in the hall. It was a dream come true! I lost my job during COVID19 lockdown, and things became “very easy” for me. When embassy gave news that they were about to resume, I almost cried because I didn’t see any physical means of pursuing the visa applications. It was the only full ride I had, after getting series of scholarship rejections from UK, Germany, Canada, Australia and New Zealand . I never wanted to go to US at first.

After paying the reciprocity fee, I quickly zoomed off, carried my bags and went out to board a vehicle home. The junks and military lifestyle I tasted the previous day almost changed my system. I was just praying that my stomach should not upset me. Las las, I enjoyed the adventure. By His Grace, I have a story to tell about my experience.

Side-Notes/Observations:
1.It is all by the Mercy and Grace of God. God is not dead. I got this frequent advice from approved transcripts here. So I will pass it down to upcoming approved applicants that, “God still does miraculous works.”
2.I prayed to God that I didn’t want to encounter any VO that will not be nice to me. He answered.
3.Once anyone started talking about rejection, I avoided that person on the queue. It helped me maintain positive vibes/energy.
4.Please confess positive things to your application materials. It works. I told my reciprocity fee and passport that, I was never going to return home with them. God had mercy on me. Tell yourself, “your visa has been approved,” and believe it.
5.Out of curiosity and in the spirit of verification, I visited the consulate twice, 6th and 12th of November, 2020. I had heard a lot about VOs and the consulate, and I wanted to verify whether these people had horns or two heads. Funnily enough they were/are just humans like you and me. This helped me feel at rest, to a large extent.
6.Please know what works best for you. I had only two mocks, and saw series of videos about US F1 visa interviews. I also did self-presentations even on the road. Some people mistook me for a mad man.
7.Please know some stuffs about your field, especially your research focus. These guys are smart. They are informed.
8.Honestly, my appointment was largely influenced by Divine Favour. I would call my appointment an informal chat. No document requested, except the basic documents. VO was the one encouraging me to relax. The man is well-informed, for him to have been conversant with events in my field. At a point, I never liked how I responded to the VO, because I thought I was giving the wrong answers each time he cut in. But I had to readjust to his leads.
9.There was this little girl I met on the queue for 9:00am applicants. Her name was Aisha. She was friendly and helped me feel relaxed the more. God bless you Aisha.
10.You see that idea of dressing in a simple, smart and convenient way, it works very well.
11.Million thanks to this family: everyone who posted questions and transcripts; everyone who responded to questions; everyone who gave suggestions. We shall continue to grow in Grace. Amen!

PS:
All Glory to God; All errors are mine.

Congratulations man. God has a way of rewarding his people. Cheers!