₦airaland Forum

crowntoro:
please this is more than 24hours since I have asked this question, I need response(s)

"ONE SOLID BOOK" won't do the work. You'll need to combine materials for effectiveness. Check the very first post on this thread for ideas on how to do that, without the overwhelm.

@iCool said it all.

Scholastica16:
Just want to update the house. My AWA came out as 5 today. 93rd percentile. Saying I am excited does not do justice to how I feel. I was expecting the same 4.5 or 4 because I didn't feel I wrote better than my first one.

I looked at CrunchPrep, Barron, ETS, Nova and Princeton for the AWA but this was before my first one. In the second one, I didn't even practice let alone look at any material.

One thing that changed from the last time was the use of transitional or linking words. I noticed that higher scoring essays rarely made use of firstly, secondly etc but instead used Moreover, However, Additionally etc. My recommendation is that for the Issue-based aspect one should stay away from the use of first, second etc.

As per the Argumentative aspect, the mistake many people make is that they could identify the loopholes but not state the implications/assumptions made by the author and the modifications that could be made to plug those loopholes and make the argument more robust.

For example, if you say "first (yea in the argumentative aspect you could use this but avoid it entirely in the issue-based) the author states that X will happen". You have to add- "by stating this he assumes that Y and Z must have happened. This is not always the case as A or B could have been the cause. By doing so, the author unwittingly makes a fallacy of a false correlation. To make his argument more logically sound, he could have added C and D, that way we can know bla bla bla".

Ofcourse, I am not an authority. I am only stating what I did in both essays to have gotten 4.5 and 5. Having a template to work with also helps. I think I dubbed HappyDay's own. Also take note of some always recurring fallacies like hasty generalization, false correlation and the use of polls. In fact, if your argumentative prompt mentions a poll or survey or questionnaire, begin by questioning it. You can never go wrong.

At the end of the day, the topic you see in the both of them should be favourable to you. I pray it is the case for all members of the forum.

Scholastica16 out!

Great one there! Congrats, boss.

seeker88:
Happy belated birthday boss.....wishing many more years of greater achievements. Cheers!

Amen, thank you!

tescoman90:
anybody in the house?

You're going to need this thread. Everything you want is in there. https://www.nairaland.com/1832477/how-achieve-high-scores-gre

Cheers!

fatanu:
Please I need someone to guide me on this

Depends on where you stay. Most private hospitals won't have the vaccines, or if they have, they might come at exorbitant prices. And most general hospitals won't have them.

If you're in Lag, check LUTH. If you're in Ibadan, check UCH or Oluyoro Catholic Hospital. Ask them of the immunization department. Hold 25k to be safe.

And to the only wise God be all glory, honour and power. Today's my happy day! I'm thanking God for making me +1 today!

To every member of the house waiting for their application decisions, you will have to cause to laugh and celebrate before this year runs out. And for all December visa applicants, start picturing that US visa powerfully stamped on your passport, because it's happening to you already. Have faith, not fear.

God bless every member of this wonderful family.

And to the only wise God be all glory, honour and power. Today's my happy day! I'm thanking God for making me +1 today!

To every member of the house waiting for their application decisions, you will have to cause to laugh and celebrate before this year runs out. And for all December visa applicants, start picturing that US visa powerfully stamped on your passport, because it's happening to you already. Have faith, not fear.

God bless every member of this wonderful family.

layez:
Krazzy scholars here oooooo..........
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all the best in the applications @drhopeful,scholastica etc

happyday, its been a while, at my end though

Hi boss, hope you're doing great? Thanks for checking up on me.

Scholastica16:
I wish I had a better testimony to give but this one will make do for now afterall, it is the end-goal that we are all interested in and by end-goal I mean Admission and funding.

I am a second time writer. My first was in late October perhaps about the same time that Drhopeful and Seeker88 wrote theirs. I had just about 2 months of preparation which started with some online blogs and slowly graduated into using the materials that were provided on this thread.

I read HappyDay's post on how he got his 5.5 and I think I emulated his template (without his content obviously ).

Waoh! You just smashed the test! Plus you wrote so lucidly. Thanks for this very detailed update. You've no idea how much you've helped us here. Like people have been saying here, "have faith, not fear". I'm hopeful your AWA would be awesome as well.

My boss, go straight to the applications. If you're going to be denied admission, I tell you, it won't be because of your GRE. Work hard on the SoP and the LORs. Make sure you really nail the SoP (esp if you're going for a PhD?), and do all you can to make those profs write you glowing hot letters of recommendation.

Good work! God bless you!

Cheers!

OluDare01:
Only for undergrads

Alright Sir.

OluDare01:
Those of you that don't wanna write toefl, be warned! I didn't write toefl so getting funding wasn't easy.When I got here, even guys from Bangladesh India Sri Lanka got TA and me that my English is top notch didn't get anything.
The grad school said I'm proficient in English but my dept said no. No be small thing o. My solid background got me funding. I am not taking any prerequisites unlike other incoming students. In short, write toefl. Abeg.
My fellow students said I speak good English You go wan fear sexy voice na

Want to ask; Didn't your school organize an English Placement test for all new Int'l students? Thank God you got funding through another means.

TJ0987:
Dear Friends...

Any useful tips for destroying Reading Comprehension?

I believe if i can master it, that would be easy points...

Thanks friends!

RC is hard. I think you need to not that first. So that you can be easy on yourself when you're practicing. And what makes it harder is the structure of the passages. Once you see any passage, dip yourself into it, and tell yourself you'll find something to love about the passage! Cos the more you run away from the passage, and try to go answer the questions, the more time you're wasting. Time you don't have.

- Read the passage once, noting why each paragra you're through, you should be able to describe in a sentence or two what the passage is trying to convey;
- If you don't understand any word, don't waste time brainstorming on it; try to guess by looking at words around it. Especially if you can get the big picture, knowing the meanings of individual tough words won't drop your score
- Once you're through with the passage, read each question with the aim of providing an answer first before reading the options
- Only when you have a likely answer based on your understanding of the passage should you go ahead and pick the closest to it among the answer choices.

If you wait to put this to practice on test day, it might be too late. The goal is to use these tips, so that they become second nature. So that, come test day, you'll be applying them without you even knowing it.

Priceless200:
That's my proposed plan, but I want to get my exams rights before proceeding, (scholarship is non negotiable for me ) if I have to let this fall go, fine. I am not so much in a hurry shaa.

Alright. I'm hopeful everything will be fine. Get some well-deserved rest.

Priceless200:
Hmmmmm..
So I finally felt first hand what it is to write GRE, wrote today in Abuja.
It was all it is said to be, same scenario with the Ets power prep mock test I used to practice, did just once.
All I can say is that I joked with my preparations. The greatest thing that worked against me is the timing. So up coming test takers please practice with time. My results ain't that what I expected, definitely gonna re write. And this time no more distractions. Will post my complete result when I get the official result including my analytical.
Thanks everyone for encouraging me to take this bold step. Gre actually scares the hell outta me.
Thank you Gunther for making this happen, SirRiddy, Happyday, Walspring.. . Keep up doing the good work. Gracias..

Great work! In your words, "you felt first hand what it feels to write the GRE". I tell you, nothing else beats that experience. It's what qualifies you to know your strengths and where you need to work on, moving forward. Thanks for posting your test day transcript. You've given hope to people.

I like your spirit though. No success is final, just as no failure is. It's the process that matters.

Are you applying for Fall, 2017?

OGreene:
More prep for me ooooo
I have read but havent practiced enough

Hmm, that's a valid reason then.

OGreene:
Pls who has rescheduled for the GRE on ETS website before. How did you do it. I need help!!

Hi, why do you want to re-schedule? When is your test date?

Priceless200:
So who is writing tomorrow... ?
Abuja centre here...

I wish you the best of God, Priceless diva! ETS wants to give you a special new month present Go and conquer. You've come so far, and just like so many of us, you didn't finish ALL of the materials you think you need. But, success isn't by that. I wish you a successful test-taking experience.

And kindly come back to share your test day experience.

All the best!

ModestGal:
pls who knws how to go about doing International passport in Ibadan immigration,what are the requirement and how much?

Hi, I did mine there, sometime late 2015. It was N25k then. Budget N30k now. Just go there with two passport photographs and birth certificate. Approach any of the officers, so he can show you what you need to do, in a faster way, and how to get everything done in time.

Aig84:
Thanks a lot, between your advice and OGreene's I think the key is to get something in at any free time. No I haven't picked a test date yet, will pick one at the end of December, I intend writing sometime in January.

Yeah, great summary! I wish you the best. No problem with a Jan test date, since by Dec ending, you'd be in a better position to know if to write or get a few more weeks.

TheGreat342:
Hello,

I will be glad if anyone can send me a copy of a letter of recommendation. One of lecturer said I should give him a sample. My email is thegreat0342@gmail.com

Sent.

Aig84:
Somebody please

- Schedule to memorise the GRE vocabs any chance you get during the day. During breaks, while waiting in line, on the bus, in your spare time. >> A GRE Vocab app will be appropriate for this.
- I honestly believe you might have to be resting immediately you return from work, with the condition that you wake up later in the night.>> To work Quant problems, review your mistakes and make sure you don't make the same mistake twice.
- Also, set aside some few hours on weekends to review what you've done during the week. Resist the urge to keep cramming in new material every new week. You've a better chance of retention and application, if you take out time to retreat and review what you've learnt in the outgoing week; for the Vocabs, Quant concepts, and the mistakes you made.

Have you picked a test date?

believerspraise:
To all aspiring test takers, applicants and graduate students, I just want to encourage you that if you set your mind to do anything, be determined enough to persevere in-spite of the disappointments you may encounter in the process of striving towards your goal.
I will write in detail in my next post; I have to do that to give back as I have received. If you are reading this right now, the first thing you have to overcome is fear. Fear you might not pass the GRE, fear you might not get the Visa; replace that with faith. Believe you can do it, understand how things work i.e the exam, the visa interview and then prepare yourself. I had a 2.2, 304 on the gre and still got accepted into LSU for MSc Petroleum. I know Graduate admission is competitive; when you have honestly gone as far as your effort can take you, have faith in God.
Hope this helps some one out there. I give God the praise, shortly I'll share the rest.

Congrats. Go Tiger! "Have faith, not fear"> I got that! I'm thanking God on your behalf.

Ride on, bro.

I'll PM you shortly.

poshestaunt:
Visa approved! Lagos consulate. Chinese guy. Transcript loading in a bit. >

Congrats sir. May this be the beginning of greater things for you in Jesus Name.

Perotti:
Hello guys, what's your take on Profs advertising research assistantships (mostly PhDs and PostDocs) in their lab or through other websites? I have been seeing PhD positions related to my field in Netherlands, US, Switzerland,and I have been applying tho no concrete response yet. Has anyone gotten an offer like this in the past, because this route is somewhat slightly different from the usual 'apply to a Department and get admission+TA' because its the Prof that is recruiting altho the Department must assent to the final candidates.

Just like EmanA1928 said, it depends. But generally, it's harder to get in this way. Cos most times those profs would only want to fill one or two positions. Very few when compared to a standard departmental admissions process. So, in a case of advertising like this, the prof will simply rank order the applicants,and choose the BEST. Plus, since such positions are usually competed for by candidates globally, research experience weighs heavily more than test scores or GPA.

So, rather than wait till the Prof advertise, why not keep sending those emails to them,so that they can assure you of a place in their lab. Then, you can apply to the department, get your app scrutinized by the grad ad comms and then get admitted with funding, if you want/need it.

All the best!

Ndawe:
Thank you. I'm seriously considering it again and hopefully it works out this time

Yeah please do. I'm sure everything will work out fine this time.

All the best.

Daxruss:
The question is will i get a date for 29th today being 27th.

There's only one way to know for sure: ustraveldocs.com/ng

Daxruss:
So do i have a chance within that period.... If i should book now and expedite it and still get my visa and travel before the said date?

If you book for November 29, and your visa is approved, you should get your passport on Friday/Monday. And make flight arrangements right afterwards. I'm assuming available interview dates for student visas and yours are similar. I'm not sure . . .

Daxruss:
Please!!!

Have you booked an interview date? You can only expedite if you already have a date.

beeesko:
Abeg how much be F1 visa fee now?

The visa fee has not changed for a veeery long time. It's been $160. It's the exchange rate giving birth to all these rumours. And luckily, US embassy is using a friendly rate (N340/$). So the visa fee is N54 400.00

saninwa:
Good day everyone!
Please I wanna ask a little question. After filling applications to the schools and paying all application fees, in the case that admission decision is made, will I receive my I-20 right away from all schools that offered me admission, or will I be required to pay enrollment fees before an I-20 can be generated? Thanks everyone

@ bolded, No. At least, in most cases. If you've been admitted, the school's International Office would check if you got any form of funding with the admit. If yes, they will calculate and give you a heads up if there's a balance you need to come up with, or it was full funding. If you'd need to pay, they would ask that you send a credible document to show that you can pay for the first year, at least. So, you won't need to actually pay, but it's better to have the cash stashed up somewhere, and show them an evidence.

Thereafter, you'll get your I-20.

Hope I haven't confused you the more. . .

OGreene:
"Are you applying to other programs/schools?".

This is a ques i came across while filling the application form. Na wa ooo. Dont they know ppl apply to diff schools. I really dont knw why they are asking.

No, some of us have only one school in mind, and only applied to others to "satisfy all righteousness". I'd just advise that you say it as it is, if you say "none", they might interprete it to mean that you've purposefully researched your career plans, and reasoned out that they would be the best fit.

Or it might mean that you couldn't take enough initiative to apply elsewhere, as you're not really sure you could be admitted. I guess this second case applies to getting student visas. Whichever way, whatever you say here would be used in context of other parts of your app (see SoP, LORs and others).

sureb0y:
QUICK TIP!!!

This is for those who want to write strong letters of motivation. I figured a way that might work if executed properly. I wanted to transfer from my department into another department which to be honest, I don't think I'm very qualified for. What did I do? I scheduled an appointment with the department's Graduate Coordinator. I went to her office and I asked her questions about the department. I asked stuff like how ranked the department is in the US, what the course is really like especially the courses students are mostly scared to take, placement of recent graduates and what they went on to do with their lives, I asked if they admitted students with backgrounds from totally different disciplines and the chance of getting in (and if so, what are they really considering from such students), what the department was moving towards in terms of development, etc. It was a trap She told me everything about the department, what they're looking for, was indirectly bragging about how this and that, etc. Lobatan.

I went back home, and composed a letter of motivation. I wrote about myself in a way that plugged into everything that was going on in that department. I personalized everything she told me and made it look like that's what I'm really looking for. Don't want to go into much details, but I really wrote it in a way that reflected all she told me during our meeting. Even my future plans mirrored what most of their recent graduates went on to do. I picked particular interest in that course she said many people didn't like haha I submitted my application on Monday, Tuesday afternoon, they had already made a decision and she asked for another appointment to come so she'd show me around again and get me more familiar with the department. Na my $255 Paco Rabanne perfume work that one, She wan see baba again

Now, how to execute this plan. I think you should call the grad coordinator of the department you want to gain admission into. If possible, schedule an appointment via email and let it be a convenient time for them to talk. If you can't call, email could work too. Have a list of questions to ask. The point is to get them to tell you about the department, about the students already in the department, what they're really looking for, what students have gone on to do with their lives after school, etc. Get them to talk, talk, talk. After the conversation, carry your fingers and write a letter that's going to plug into the scope.

Don't know if this makes any sense, I rushed it. Apologies for any typos and incoherence. Cold wan finish my fingers. it's 24F/-4C here. Bye.

Too helpful! Thanks. Curious though: why do you want to leave your department anyway? Plus, how would you handle credits transfer?

All the best!