₦airaland Forum

moravelu:
Hi guys!

I was denied today. First time at the embassey in lagos.
I had my bsc in the sciences but I had applied for bachelors in religious studies, as these is in line with my future aspirations.

vo asked me why I chose bsc and not msc,
me: my answer was off the question

I became nervous because I had studied all other questions except this shocker. I fombled.

But now I have done the needful and even covered more deeply on other areas.

Please when can I reapply? Semester starts this fall august.

As soon as you're ready to re-fire!

mistytohcute:
I want to know if there's any full undergraduate scholarship available for Nigerians

It depends.

I know I'm supposed to say YES, work hard, submit your WASSSCE results, take the SAT, and expect those funding to fall on your laps. But first, I'll lay down the facts, and let you do the math. By the way, this applies to US undergrad schools.

Only FIVE US schools offer need-blind and full-need admission to incoming International undergrads. They are MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Yale and Amherst. In other words, these schools would admit you regardless of your ability to pay. And if you do get admitted and can't pay the full price, these schools will give your scholarships and aid to make up the difference.

In other words, full funding; or generous financial aid.

How many international students from over 80 countries do they admit each year?

Harvard admitted 234 for this coming fall, 132 enrolled at MIT last year (no data yet for this year), 228 for Princeton, and 38 for Amherst. No data on international enrollment yet for Yale. So, you get the idea.

At sticker prices of $63 000 a year at Harvard, $58 240 at MIT, $61 160 at Princeton, $66 445 at Yale and $73, 250 at Amherst, you start to wonder how these schools could afford to admit international students every year.

Well, for one, those are standard fees, and depending on your family's income, you might be able to get aid to cover some/all of the fees. And for the most part, the aid comes from American tax payers. It therefore goes without saying, that every international student must be worth his/her weight in gold! Whether that be in academics or sports.

It also means that, there's an international admission quota every year for each school. So that you not only have to worry about getting admitted, but also paying the fees.

This quote from the Yale admissions website for Int'l students interested in Medicine puts things in perspective:

It is extremely difficult for international applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States to gain admission to U.S. medical schools. State-supported medical schools rarely consider international applicants for admission, and those private schools that do accept applications generally require that international students place in escrow an amount ranging from one to four years’ tuition and fees (USD 40,000–200,000). There are very few scholarships available for medical schools in the U.S., and to qualify for U.S. government-sponsored loans, the applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident. International applicants who are considering a career as a medical doctor and hope to receive their education at an American medical school should think carefully before applying for admission to an undergraduate program in the United States.

So, what are your options?

You might be able to get some funding, depending on your profile. Or you should go for undergrad in Nigeria, do well, and apply to US grad schools. US schools admit and fund a lot more int'ls at grad school level than undergrad.

Good luck!

seeker88:
Thanks a lot boss! You really inspired me. As at October when I wrote my GRE, I never had Mech Engr in mind, I wanted something closer to my current job: Engineering Management which is what I chose during my GRE. I after my GRE, I got discouraged with d course and made up my mind to go for Mech Engr after some pieces of advice from friends. Also, after reading DrHopeful profile on how she switched from Pet Engr to Materials Engr, I knew I could achieve my dreams of getting into a masters program in Mech Engr. Every single person here has been a source of motivation in one way or d other.

Your post especially, concerning my case then further pushed me to make more research on what I really wanted. That was when I had to start checking so many stuffs online and eventually wrote my SOP. It took me a while and that was why I submitted most of my applications not too early enough (Dec) even though I wrote my GRE in Oct.
I'm really grateful to my boss cutemorgan who really took his time amidst his busy schedule to fine tune my SOP. We analysed each paragraph of d SOP together .....he actually took the SOP as his , he's such a great man!

Then, why I eventually went for Mech Engr even though I did Pet Engr in my UG is because I feel that d era of petroleum is gradually phasing out and also d fact that Pet considers mainly the non-renewable energy sources (ie, crude oil n natural gas) which makes it more streamlined . I still have interest in energy though, and that was why I applied to schools with options in renewable energy systems in their Msc MechEngr. I know it's gonna be a tough one doing mech engr without mech engr in my UG, but I believe with God and with the motivations of the wonderful peeps here, I will scale through.

Surprisingly, TAMUK actually found me deficient in 9 credit hours of MechEngr UG courses and still gave me their scholarship and out-of-state tuition waiver.. ....it can only be God. I'm so grateful to HIM.

Thanks again to all of your here for being a source of motivation for me. I hope to meet some of you someday. See you at d top.

Great, that makes a lot of sense! God bless your new journey. Amen.

Time2Smile:
I guess that is it from me for this application season.

I have been accepted to the Molecular and Cell Biology PhD program of The University of Texas at Dallas with a Graduate Tuition Scholarship that covers all tuition and fees. In addition, I will receive a very generous stipend through Graduate Teaching Assistantship.

I only contacted the Graduate coordinator on April 14 and submitted my application on May 1st when the schools were trying to play cello with my future.

I appreciate everyone that has been asking after my application status. It has been arduous, but the difficulty pales in comparison to the sweet taste of success. For those still expecting a decision, don't lose hope. #TeamFall2017 Yes we can.

Congrats!! Time to rest, and re-fire for the new journey ahead. Don't be surprised when other schools start sending admit decisions! Life - so many twists. . .

seeker88:
Hello Family, it's been a journey.. .

This is an update from me. Just wanna give a recap of my graduate school application journey so far. A prospective applicant may pick something from this.

Congrats on your admissions and offer! I'm happy you made your decision already. That was one heck of a journey! Schools would overlook your lack of research experience, sometimes GPA, but it seems they're unforgiving about grad school prerequisites. I see you were willing to do anything at all to get into MechE!!

Which begs the question, why Mech Engr?? Especially coming from PetE.

Cheers!

temmitats:
It might be a tad bit faster in States outside Lagos,but one week seems too short considering the limited supply of booklets. This renewal I'm talking about someone had to go and pay an extra 4K for me to get it after I already paid 28k earlier.

Yeah, that makes sense. Booklet scarcity plus typical Lagos ish.

LagosismyHome:
The problem is there is lack of booklet so now its taking ages both home and abroad to get a nigeria passport ........most of my friends here are even given travel document since january instead of the actual passport which is out of stock .

That's serious. How booklet go finish. Since Jan??

Observer25:
To all the gurus in the house.

Can a Bachelors degress holder in Materials Engineering apply for masters in a field such as Radiology Technology or Health Physicist. This particular person is currently working in the Oil and Gas industry as a Field engineer with International certifications. However he is interested in pursuing a course in Radiation to help improve radiation safety at work. Any inputs? or he definitely needs to apply for masters in materials engineering.

If his industry experience makes him valuable to the new field, YES.

temmitats:
If you're in lag , you definitely can't get it in a week, mine took a little over a month and I had to disturb them constantly and mine was a renewal o. So prepare for the worst and pray for the best .

I see. Was talking of IB.

mistytohcute:
Good morning
does this group cater for undergraduate scholarships

What do you wanna know?

Wisely007:
Abeg who do passport recently for Lagos, I beg give me procedure because I be novice for this passport matter and I no want make them job me, your contribution will do a lot please help a brother make I fit go run the passport make I get set for fall18

PS- I need info on
1: require documents
2: amount
3: duration and the general process

Cc walspring
Oludare01
Lagosismyhome
MsNas
Texrem
Femi321
Electronic
In fact all nairalander

Documents that prove your age, LGA, state and country of origin. Speak to any of the officers on duty, they'll show you what to do, where to go, in time. You should get your passport in a week, max.

Biggy911:
This is the time i need your Advice more... GURUS:
Am going for Fall 2017 and need a good advice before i pay for the SEVIS. I need to know what school stands out better here.

Georgia southern University- Admitted - NO GA - I-20 ISSUED. (MSAE, Applied Engineering in Elect-Elect)
Eastern Illinois University- Admitted - NO GA - I-20 ISSUED. (MS, Sustainable Energy & Technology)
Purdue University Northwest- Admitted - NO GA - I-20 NOT YET ISSUED. (MSECE, Engineering - Interdisciplinary)

My undergrad Major: Elect Elect Engineering.

PLEASE ADVICE ME AS MANY AS YOU CAN OOO!!!

If money won't be an issue, go for Georgia Southern. It's a private, research hub.

mjksho:
Visa approved. 6:30 am. Lagos. Transcript loading.

Yipeee! Congrats man!! God bless your new journey.

Sweeny:
If I am correct, horizontal progress is somewhat like being on same level but moving on a slower pace?
On the question Graham asked, my response will be; look out for something that works, for everyone, especially now and give it a good brand. It isn't about starting up but having same quality 10-20 years to come.

Horizontal progress means copying what others have done. So, yes, it's moving at a slower pace.

goldenfresh:
Bro please check this out.

Take the GRE, score as high as you can. Apply to decent schools. I could suggest some, based on your GRE score. Plan to pay for your tuition for the MSc. Find out what industry employers look for. Prep your CV for summer internships, while you study.

All the best!

Shoaze:
Pls what if someone did not do any standardized exam, does that means the person chance of collecting Visa is slim?

And

What is SOP

Pls enlight me!!!!!!!

If you've got another way to show you're going there to study, and not for something else, no issues. Statement of Purpose.

frankie2K:
please house help a brother evaluate dis:

profile:


gpa:3.22/5

No standardized exam written nor required but tend to write in August or September if possible.

university of Pennsylvania

university of Maryland university college

please ur comments are highly needed including addition and subtraction of schools.
cc:Oludare,Twood,Happyday,texrem,lagismyhome,femi 321, others.

UPenn and Maryland don't require you to write the GRE??

zan1999:
Thank you for the robust response. My physics MSc thesis paper has been accepted in a peer review journal (Springer) but it is yet to be available online and I am currently putting my second paper together but GRE couple with work (Lecturing at a private university in Nigeria) are hindering its progress.
In addition, how reliable is "www.gregmattoeflnigeria.com" because their registration fee for GRE is 50K which is way cheaper than the official GRE registration fee ($205).

Nice research exp. I wouldn't know about the site.

Mosesjoker:
@happyday pls can I get ur email ad?......really need to ask you some important information about U.I Post graduate........ pls you can send me a reply messages @ mosesayansola11@gmail. com.

thanks

PM replied.

Hi everyone! Thanks to Sweeny, supergata, Bobugee, and everyone out there. Today, we move on to Chapter 1, starting on page 5.

Chapter 1 - The Challenge of the Future page 5 - 7

Quotes from Zero to One:
- "Brilliant thinking is rare, but courage is in even shorter supply than genius."
- "Vertical progress is harder to imagine because it requires doing something nobody else has ever done."

Peter started the first chapter in the book by asking the reader one of his most deep-diving questions he asks in a job interview. The question? "What important truth do very few people agree with you on?"

As with many interview questions, it appears simple and straightforward to answer. Probably not. Your answer needs be something you believe in - an ideal, a principle, a policy - that isn't popular. In other words, the following answers won't make the cut:

"Building a company that solves Nigeria's power problem would amount to billions of dollars"
"Nigeria is a under developing state, not a developing one"
"Nigerians are happy people"

The first is an obvious statement, which might be true. And depending on who you ask, a lot of people share the sentiments in the second and third examples. Like with a lot of open-ended questions, there're no clear-cut right answers. Take time to come up with a good answer. (Mine's at the end of this article).¹

So, you're asking what does opposing a popular opinion have to do with building a start up? Good question! To answer the question, you'd need to take a candid look at the future, and connect the dots backward to where you're today. Truth is, "no one can predict the future exactly", but two things are certain: the future will be different, and it must continue from where we are today.

How do you compare the future and the present, so you can figure out what is missing?

Enters the start up!

Let's have some brief definitions of a startup, real quick.

A startup is an entrepreneurial venture which is typically a newly emerged, fast-growing business that aims to meet a marketplace need by developing or offering an innovative product, process or service, so says Wikipedia². Paul Graham takes it further, a startup is a company designed to grow fast. Being newly founded does not in itself make a company a startup. Nor is it necessary for a startup to work on technology, or take venture funding, or have some sort of "exit."³ The only essential thing is growth.

In other words, the missing link to take us from here to there is growth. Or "progress", according to Peter. Turns out there are two forms of progress - horizontal progress and vertical progress.

Horizontal progress is when you build a jobs site, like Jobberman. You know what a jobs site looks like, and it's easy to imagine. Even though it might be ridiculously hard to make a decent profit, if any at all. Or starting a "college prep" program, that organizes extra lessons for secondary-school leavers who couldn't make their WASSCE papers, or get into a decent university. You know what to expect, and the competition is neck-breaking. On the flip side, what does vertical progress look like?

"Vertical progress means doing new things - going from 0 to 1". It's harder to imagine what success would look like because it hasn't been done before. The good news is, you can build "0 to 1" businesses in Nigeria, even if you're not a genius. Choose one thing and become a master of it. Choose another field and become a master at that, too. When you become a master of two fields, (say education and entrepreneurship), you can carve out a special niche for yourself because you can speak the language of both worlds, connect the two markets, build "un-stealable" products that blow your competition out of the water. You can generate ideas from both fields, create "idea sex" and make unconventional idea babies that would be hard to shun.

If you start a school that turns average students into good, and make good students great, you have made vertical progress. You know each student's ability coming in, and then your program actually helps to improve your students. You're not playing guess work. You know your onions, and have established best practices to adopt. You keep testing the norms of education practices in Nigeria, refining what works, and doing away with what doesn't.

It's harder to do than say, start the next secondary school. But you could be the one to prepare Nigerian kids for the most competitive schools in the world (every parent wants this), arm youths with market-ready skill set to start their own real, profit-generating businesses, be adept in programming or emerge as top-notch Mathematicians.

And quality trumps quantity. Graduating 25 Nigerian youths who can hold their own in building growth startups will have more effect, ceteris paribus, than teaching kids to pass WASSCE and JAMB. The former helps the kids to create, the latter encourages them to consume.

Quotes from Zero to One:
- "If you take one typewriter and build 100, you have made horizontal progress. If you have a typewriter and build a word processor, you have made vertical progress."
- "The rapid progress of information technology in recent decades has made Silicon Valley the capital of 'technology' in general. But there is no reason why technology should be limited to computers. Properly understood, any new and better way of doing things is technology."

What do you think?

^1. My answer: Don't build software or "apps" for the Nigerian market: to make progress, we need to build service businesses that treats customers excellently well. Don't build the next "PayPal for Nigerians", help people make cheaper, faster, and easier-to-use online payments. Be consistent and customer-centric.
^2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Startup_company
^3. http://www.paulgraham.com/growth.html

Bobugee:
This thread is full of powerful insights. Thaats Mr HappyDay for sharing.

I'm glad those insights resonated with you. Thanks for following!

supergata:
i have thought of a way but 80+ plants will only generate the same 2.5GW that 3 coal plants can generate so why will investors invest in it?

The truth is that those 3 coal plants won't be of much value to us in Nigeria, for the simple reason that they are highly inefficient. So, if you can find a way to generate 2.5 GW from 80 small-sized, nimble plants, that's a job well done. Unfortunately, venture capitalism hasn't taken deep root in Nigeria's business climate, so you'll need to make some economic sense of it.

Why don't you find a way to start charging for the 2.5 GW yourself? I'm sure people and businesses around you will be willing to pay, even if they can get 5 hours of constant power a day. In so far, it's guaranteed and constant. Way better than PHCN's.

Thanks for sharing!

Sweeny:
Exactly my thoughts! If an idea that works can start from a household then move further a community, then I believe we are getting somewhere.

"Constant power will not come from a lone genius or a saintly Nigerian vanishing into a jungle, and emerging with a fresh and strange innovation that changes the face of electricity usage in Nigeria.

Rather, it will happen when we think small. A single person, as you are, cannot solve Nigeria's power problem. Think small. Think one state at a time. Go even smaller."

Nice insights, Sweeny! We are always tempted to grind away at big projects, when we start comparing someone's Day 500 with our Day one. Good things take time, and Rome definitely wasn't built in a day.

Thanks for weighing in!

ABOLORUNKING:
but the issue i can't get any of them published (you understand na, its not really my work na Oga own). will all this qualify for research experience without publications?

Yes, that's research experience. But, you need to amplify what you did. What exactly was your role, in each of those? For those ones you can't define your specific role, I won't advise you talk much about it. Find a good SoP sample and grad school CV online to see how you can develop your unique story.

ABOLORUNKING:
please can you take a look at my profile
B.Eng Mechanical Engineering uniben
CGPA 4.84/5 All time best graduating
I have good extra curricula and I have done some community services too
GRE (I will be writing GRE in Aug) Dont wanna sound too optimistic, however am sure I van get a score above 325+ dint of my preparation.
schools
MIT
Purdue
Texas A and M
Montana state
I need full funding, or schools that can give me GA/RA/TA to cover for my tuition and stipends.am looking at Fall semester 2018
I need advice..
thanks

Congrats! Well done!! Your profile is super strong, that funding should be the least of your worries. Apply to all 4 schools. BUT Understand that MIT (and any top 10 program) is a reach school for you. In other words, you'll be lucky to get in. But apply still. For STEM grad schools, extracurriculars, community service don't count. Research experience, undergrad GPA, scores (not grades) in specific advanced Mech E courses, GRE score, strength of your LORs, and SoP (in that order) are the key metrics you really need to nail, in your case.

It's fine if your research experience is sub par, which means you'll need to double down on the others.

FYI, MIT Mech Eng doesn't allow straight PhD. You'll need to get in for MS first, do well, pass your qualifying exams, then proceed on to a PhD).

For more info, read this: http://alawode.scripts.mit.edu/me/?p=24

All the best!

Tella26:
hello house. i have been following this trend for weeks now and am happy i am able to see this earlier.

i am a recent graduates from OAU (finish April 2017). I have l questions to ask the house and i will appreciate the response. i searched for similar que from past post but i cudnt get good response.
firstly, i was initially thinking of not doing NYSC before which is scheduled to be November this year before applying to schools which is fall 2017. but i was convinced by my parents. the issue now is that, fall 2018 is by august/sept which is my next target but since am going to start NYSC Nov 2017 then i will be done by oct/nov which is after august. so please house what should i do? should i be looking to spring 2019? or i should still stick to fall 2018? if i will choose spring 2019 what is my chance of selection. thanks.

also, what is the recommended time that is appropriate for some one to have atleast send all documents to the preferred schools if looking fall 2018? is it atleast by Dec,Jan,Feb ?

Whatever you choose to do, here's a rule of thumb. If you want to enroll in Fall (August), 2018, plan to submit all your applications by December, 2017. That is, eight months before coming in. I hope that helps.

Also, I advice you don't rush it. Plan to serve.

Only make sure your transcripts will be out when you need them.

mjksho:
Gbogbo! Lol. We hugged them that year and they did us strong thing. That kinda strong thing that will make you pray for at least a 40 E or 45 D in a bulky four unit course like Organic Chemistry. Well sha, all na story today.

Abi na. Scary stories those years.

cmbagwu:
Guys please any response to this question? It's really needed.

If you have your F1, be ready to explain why you're entering the US with a visiting visa.

amofum:
I just like the way you write. Can you help me improve? Can I send a pm?

PM sent!

etyno:
Hello everyone, been following this thread for about 2 weeks now and I must confess. It has opened my eyes to many things. I need advise pls.

My husband studied Mechanical Engineering and graduated about 10years ago.
He has never worked in engineering field. But doing ministry work.
He has the call of God on his life and has decided to go into ministry.

He has attended a bible school here in Nigeria and was ordained minister of the Gospel April last year in Ghana.
He intends to study at Christ For The Nation Institute in Texas.

application has been accepted to study practical ministry in Christain ministries to major in youth ministry and market place leadership.

i-20 forms( for him, me his wife and our two kids) has been sent to us.
His course duration is 3years.
We all intend to travel together as we do not want to be apart for too long being married and ministers of the gospel.
We intend to travel together. He on an F1 visa and myself and the children on an F2 visa
I work in a bank and intend to have an unpaid leave for the 3 years we would be away.
My strong tie to Nigeria would be my job and a landed property.
His strong ties would be his ministerial work and a property inherited from his dad.


Being a completely different course of study from the norm, what are the likely questions we should expect at the interview.

Do we have a chance? Considering the whole family travelling together?
As a dependant (wife) would they ask me any questions? If yes, what are the likely questions?

Pls help a sister here o abeg. We want to pay for the interview so I need as much information as I can get. You all know 64k x 4 is 256k and that quite an amount in this recession... Lol

I trust God to be faithful but preparation is key.

All the gurus here oya ooo
@lagosismyhome etc plzzz

Since his work experience closely ties with his program, the engr degree won't be an issue. They expect that you should know that for the period, you won't be able to work as an F2, so be ready to answer questions along those lines - what you can do, and not do.

What does he plan to do upon graduation? Would he come back afterwards? Who's paying for the program? Would he be able to take care of you and the kids conveniently, even though you aren't working? Those would be the major concerns for the VO.

All the best!

LagosismyHome:
hummmmm so Lady or Ladies are not as smart as guys

I wish you never saw that~!

Biggy911:
will the receipt print out suffice for the Visa interview which will be in 2-3 days after the interview??

The confirmation receipt is acceptable to take to your visa interview and to enter the United States.