₦airaland Forum

OluDare01:
I used LinkedIn to connect with the guy that accommodated me for 3 weeks. I also met my classmates on LinkedIn and we started talking prior to my arrival. The problem is most folks are too lazy to search, you just want someone to link them up.

Linkedin works great. May be not @ bolded. I think using the right keywords matters.

You found your "fit" schools, passed the GRE, may be TOEFL, and applied. You hustled for "funding", kept refreshing your inbox for that good news. And here we are! You got in! Yaaay!! Wait, not yet uhuru. You needed to interview for a visa. You got that too, and now you can't wait to start flexing, enjoying, and studying in the Heaven that is United States of America!!!

OK may be not exactly paradise, but you can make it easy on yourself, if you plan ahead for these. Contrary to what you might think, people fail to do well in classes or in social circles, not because they aren't smart. Yes, they are. But, studying in a new country where, you're like the odd one out, could be something to pull off.

I bet there are a whole lot of issues affecting Nigerian students in the US, but may be due to my background, I'll be discussing 4 major ones. I don't have the solutions to these problems, and I hope others would weigh in as well to add or suggest better ways.

1. Food: So you've seen the sandwiches and hamburger in the movies, and you're thinking may be it's a good idea to ditch these local amala, fufu and eba, for something so attractive and yummy. But, call me a local dude, but of all the restaurants I've been to here, I keep comparing each dish to the local Nigerian foods. For instance, I can't really understand why someone would take Raising Bran or cornflakes for breakfast, bologna sandwich for lunch, and a dinner where the major edible things are the leaves they call 'salad'. The worst part, they keep asking you if you're enjoying your meal. Before nko, I'm so freaking enjoying this! Another plate please!!

I should have brought more Nigerian raw foods.

2. Weather: Depending on your state, the weather here is a whole beast on its own, and you could even use it as an icebreaker to start a convo with a stranger. You can't not monitor the weather reports. Around here, it might be visibly sunny, and then it starts raining. Heavily. Now you're wishing you brought a jacket to class, or an umbrella at least. And if it's really hot outside, the ACs in classes will be super high, that it would have made sense to come to class today in layers of clothing, or you're shivering already. It gets worse if you're the only one like this, cos others are 'born here' and don't feel a damn thing!

Weather is a big deal, and you should prepare by checking what the weather's gonna be like in your state this fall.

Congrats to everyone who's got their F1's'; thanks for keeping faith with the process. If you're waiting, I also wish you the best. I figure people could use some help here coming to the US this Fall, (or whenever you want to come). So here goes. Hopefully, we can switch to the other (Life in the USA) thread when y'all get here.

First, reach out to folks in your school to help you with arrival. What plane to fly with, schedule airport pick up, housing arrangements, and settling in a place within few days of arrival. Schools have the Int'l Student offices that would help you do most of these, so don't hesitate to shoot them emails, ask them about anything and everything you're worried about as an Int'l student. They won't be surprised, in fact they would be excited you're curious and eager to come. So, ask away!

Speaking of Nigerian folks in your school, Linkedin works great! Google 'Research Assistant' 'School Name' Nigeria Linkedin ; you can use other variations like 'Teaching Assistant', 'Graduate Teaching Assistant', "Master's Student", 'Graduate Student', 'Graduate Research Assistant', 'PhD candidate', 'Doctoral candidate', 'PhD Student;, 'Post doctoral candidate' and so forth.

So, if I'm looking to connect with Nigerian grad students @ Stanford, I'll use, for instance, research assistant Stanford Nigeria Linkedin
on Google. This way, you can make solid connections, ask for their help, and if they can't help you, refer you to someone who can.

"Why should they help you?" Good question. I'm glad I asked. Here's why, in my opinion. They know what it feels like to be exactly where you're right now. And more importantly, they ask for help everyday. At least, I ask for help every single day. It therefore goes without reason, that getting people to help me means I'm ready to assist others as well.

Plus, it definitely helps we're Nigerians. We 'get' each other. So, start connecting.

PS: The 'Search' function on Nairaland doesn't work quite well. Except you go right through the transcripts. And see who's currently attending your school. Hopefully, we have a decent database of something along those lines pretty soon.

That takes care of your arrival, and what not. Remember, ask questions. Don't be shy, don't hesitate. You never know who's gonna say 'yes', or 'no'.

Next up, studying in America comes with its whole set of challenges. I wish I had braced up for them, prior to arrival.

princeGee23:
The guy in question went to Unilag, is Unilag now one of the mushroom school now? All I know is that a lot of things ain't right here and I pray Nigerian youth in diaspora should come and make it right after getting there PR sha ooo..... Ile Ni abo sile oko

What happened to Nigerians at home? @ bolded, meaning?

princeGee23:
VO: Why dis you choose UNH,
Me: After extensive research and juxtaposition, I decided to choose unh cos its the only school that offer me CIS with concentration in field of AI n robotics together and come with a well structure curricula. It also has an AI n robotics forum where prof, alumni and student of the school share there research Findings, issues and solution which I already joined and will help me in a long way. I Also find current research by prof wheeler ruml in. "Method for heuristic search and planning especially in robotics" in line with my research interest and will help me improve in the aspect of machine decision making and heuristic search in other to achieve my long term career goal of developing or build an expert system to help in diagnosing health issues so as to reduce the stack of queues experience on a daily basis in our medical center.
Guys either gurus,old, fresher, silent readers any category please help me comment on this jargons I put up here.

Help Grade it over 10,
Criticise it wella either constructive or destructive
Then give any advise.

Another version loading.....

If only you'd be able to actually say this. If you're like me, you'll easily forget most of what you wrote up there. The VO just wants to know if you've put some thoughts into the school you're attending, and can say why it's unique to you. Remember this, and you'd be fine.

segunojo866:
i took both sat and toefl 2015 but was very sick for almost one year ( i had to do a life saving operation) so now both result have expired. I did d ielts january this year again. So what will i tell d consular about my Sat result.

Say what you've said here.

onicemus1:
If you used Nigeriaismyhome, that's way manly lil
Anyways, how you approach to questions are just unlike the way a Nigerian woman would.. Nigerian ladies are most time shy..

Nigerian ladies are shy What of them slay queens?

segunojo866:
My academic profile: ielts75%. Waec 7B and 2A. Degree program: bachalors in geology with 40% scholarship. Pls comment on my mock interview preparation. Vo: how many schools did u apply to? Me: four schools. Vo: how many schools gave u admission? me: 2admits and 2 still pending. Vo: Which school gave u admission? Me: washington state university and skagit valley college. Vo: why washington state university? Me: i choice washington state university because of its very good academic settings which is made up of a balance faculty ratio of 19 students per class, this will enable me communicate with d professior easily and also the professior can easily identify each student weakness and strength.

You sound promising. Rather than talk about WashU's general campus, why don't you find a strong point for its Geology program specifically? Why didn't you write the SAT? Why did you get the scholarship? Who will be funding the balance? What do you plan to do post graduation?

Think about these, as you prepare. Have fun, and good luck!

OluDare01:
Happy birthday to Prof. Cutemorgan, one of the great guys I met through this forum. God bless you richly mentor
Show him some love please

You met him here, thought you guys go way back! Cutemorgan, where's the wejewemu o?

Johnnyessence:
well I don't have the first class certificate. So I don't think I will apply ooo.

Cool!

TheGreat342:
Thank you Happyday. Can you make the payment for me. How much in # will you charge per dollar

Send me a PM.

TheGreat342:
Hello,

I just got my I-20. I don't know what next to do? Someone should please guide me on how to I can apply for f-1 visa and pay my SEVIS fee

Congrats on getting your I-20. This officially confirms that your school wants you to attend. Check the I-20 to make sure all your details are correct. Name, date of birth, major, start dates. If you've any questions or you think you spotted an error, contact the school before anything else. But if everything is good, your next step if to prepare for a visa interview at the Nigerian embassy.

That involves paying your SEVIS fee, book a date to appear for your interview at the embassy, prepare all documents required for the interview , prepare for the interview. And appear!

To pay SEVIS fee, it's easier if you have someone in the US to pay for you. For the rest, check the embassy website here: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng/index.html?firstTime=No

sayraeh:
Hello everyone, please where can i register for gre/toefl at a good rate. PS. I am in Ibadan. Thanks

You can register online from anywhere. You'd need to go to Lagos to write the tests.

Mac2016:
Please guys I need list of schools which only need official transcript submission after admission has been offered.
I intend to study PhD civil engineering. You can be of help please

This is not a nice criteria to choose schools. Esp if you'll be spending the next 5 +x years there. Most schools would let you submit your unofficial transcripts for admission, and you only send the official copy upon admission.

dephilosopher:
I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS TREND FOR OVER 6 YRS NOW. I HAVE NEVER HAD IT IN MIND TO TRAVEL BUT RIGHT NOW MY MIND IS MADE UP. I HAVE APPLIED TO VIRGINAL INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY FOR SUMMER FALL 2017 AND I AM YET TO PAY THE APPLICATION FEE. PLEASE I WILL LIKE TO ASK CAN I STILL MEET UP WITH THE SUMMER FALL 2017. I AM A TOTAL NOVICE IN THIS PLS. I AM GOING FOR MASTERS IN APPLIED LINGUISTICS WITH CONCENTRATION ON EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY. SOMEONE SHOULD HELP PLS

Summer around here starts in two weeks, so if you haven't paid the fee, or your school is yet to admit you, you should focus on Fall, 2017 which starts in August. This is based on visa and other logistics.

Johnnyessence:
please kindly enlightened me about the potentials you are talking about sir. Well am motivated in all ramifications so what else do they want. Well am not in the first class student category. I still need more of the reply. Thanks for your reply. I appreciate it.

A first class is one of the requirements. Work hard on the other reqs.

gensteejay:
Please can you expatiate what you mean by "If you do a very good job of selling yourself well..."?

I am planning to do my master's program in geophysics or medical physics. And I am a freelance writer. Last year, I used to write news reports for a website on recent scientific discoveries.

Is there any way I can use my writing skills to "sell myself" to schools offering scholarships?

Apart from getting high scores in GRE, TOEFL and the likes; composing a top-notch SOP and obtaining good recommendations from academic references, any other tips on how a second class (upper division or lower) graduate can boost their application for a scholarship, so it may be somehow close to the pedigree of application of a first class graduate?

Your experience as a freelance writer counts! There's a common trend among successful writers and speakers; they understand their audience deeply. They get into the audience's brain, speak to their pain points, assuage their fears, encourage their dreams, confirm their fears and cast stone at their enemies!

To sell yourself to the graduate admissions committee, you need to understand them; put yourself in their shoes.

If you can get high score on your GRE (330's), write a really top-notch SoP, and submit glowing hot letters of recommendation, that's it. You've basically compensated for your 'weaknesses'. Then, you can only hope for the best.

Cheers!

sirelawrence:
Greetings all.
Just a suggestion, i think we should form a whatsapp group for everyone that got admission for fall 2017, with or without scholarship, and whose visa has been approved.
This will enable us to keep in touch before and after travel and also be able to give advise to others preparing for admission in subsequent sessions.
This group has blessed me

1. A lot of pain, sweat and tears go into maintaining a forum like Nairaland, that it would be ungrateful to start a 'group' off here that mean people would essentially leave Nairaland for the Whatsapp group. So much hustling goes behind the scenes, that we have to do all we can to take Nairaland to that first Nigerian $1 bn start up!
2. There really is no 'keeping in touch' that you can do on whatsapp that can't be done here; if you're scared of connecting on the thread, that's why you've PMs.
3. If people have been forming whatsapp groups as soon as they get admitted and travel, we wouldn't be here today, would we?
4. I'd rather support Nairaland - proudly Nigerian, than Whatsapp (owned by a foreigner). If we don't do it, who will??

So no, let's stay here!

biikeys:
Not necessarily @bolded. Private schools are in categories just like public schools as well.

I agree.

chaiks:
OK.thank you.please I equally want to know if Canadian schools consider for masters scholarship without GRE.

Each school has its requirements. You'll need to check for the school you want.

Zeng:
Really? Didn't know that. I applied to only one school and got the admission. I applied there when a relative suggested it and because the application process was not difficult, despite my tight schedule.

- Be confident that you worked hard for the admission, and be able to explain to the VO how you did it
- Have money to sponsor yourself
- Be willing to come back.

All the best!

chaiks:
serious? wanted to apply but saw only those with GPA of 4.5 and above.so 4.49 can't apply?

If you have 4.0 or higher, apply still.

Johnnyessence:
thanks for your reply. Well as you can see ielts is testing on all the skills. They will test someone based on his or her listen skills,written skills,speaking skills and reading skills. From what I read so far ielts are all rounder. That's why the tertiary schools someone apply too will be tested through the ielts band results. Well sir in my conclusion if Canada that's neighbouring country to U. S can accept Ielts band results why is u.s different. Even european schools accept ielts results not to talk of asian schools. Well I have note your reply. Thanks for your reply again thank you.

Nope, IELTS doesn't test on all the skills. It's not an all-rounder. In fact, schools will easily waive it for you, if they guess that you can speak decent English, and won't have trouble speaking the language. If you're a US resident, you won't need to take the TOEFL/IELTS. But the GRE is starkly different.

US citizens, residents, Int'l students, everyone takes the GRE. GRE assumes you can speak, read, and write English well. So they take it further and test how well you can reason deeply. You take GRE for postgraduate studies, and SAT for undergrad in the US.

Can you see the difference?

Zeng:
Hmm ok. But I hope that my admission being in a private university does not put me at a disadvantage.

No, no. It's harder to get into private schools, so it's actually a plus.

Zeng:
How do I know what prof to work with? Do I just pick anyone?

You don't need to want to work with them. Just pick any research that piques your interest, and talk about it.

Johnnyessence:
thanks for your reply here I really appreciate it. Please I want to ask is that all the tertiary schools in U.S accept GRE only niiii. Well from my research so far IELTS results is well accepted in all the schools abroad. I make a lot of enquiries on it and am well satisfied. If Canada tertiary institutions can accept Ielts results why is U.S different. Well I have see different scholarship advert online on MIT that they ask for IELTS band 6.5 results on last february. Please I still need more clarification.

GRE tests how critically you can think, IELTS/TOEFL tests your English communication skills. As you can see, they test different things, and so schools ask you to do both.

Zeng:
Been reading through this thread and I'm so happy for you guys who have gotten your visas approved. The school I applied for my masters did not give me any research topic. Should I be concerned about this? Cause I've noticed most interview transcripts mentioning research and I have no idea how to answer any such question.

Use the research interests of the Prof you'd like to work with.

chuksGilb:
Don't mind me. The sentence I was expecting to hear was supposed to start with "I'll be approving.." and not "Sorry". lol

I can relate.

chuksGilb:
I have no doubt benefitted immensely from this forum. Thank you to everyone. My Visa was approved 18/5/2017 at the VI consulate. I hope this helps someone as much as some of the transcripts I saw prior to my interview helped me.

VO: Oh. Okay. Sorry, my computer is freezing. If you had studied computer science, you would have been able to help me out with this. But, I think chemistry is better for you.
Me: *almost faints upon hearing "sorry"* Well, I like to think that chemistry is life, everything around you is chemistry, but Computer science is a decent course too, computer scientists are like the doctors of today.
VO: *takes her hand across the stack of blue papers into a cabinet and pulls out one of the “whites”* your research sounds very exciting, pick up your visa on Tuesday.

I give all the Glory to God. God is good. While I was on the queue waiting for my turn to be interviewed, I could not help but notice a number of responses from people that were being interviewed seemed crammed.

@ bolded, he was trying to be funny. Obviously, you weren't in the mood! Congrats!!

Johnnyessence:
thanks for your reply here I appreciate it. Well my profile goes thus , I graduated in university of Ilorin having second class lower certificate. I study geology and mineral science too. In the Ielts exam I did of recent am expecting band results of 8.0. My main focus is applying for masters degree in u.s. Since you said its hard getting post graduate diploma in u.s schools well am opting for masters degree. I love to do masters in geophysics or petroleum geology. All this courses are some how related to my previous degree I got in the undergraduate level. Please I need more of your advice and reply on it. Thank you.

Your best bet is to take the GRE, and score as high as you can. Put in your best efforts, and try to score in the 320's. This, along with good SoP and applying to a suitable school, should compensate for your weakness.

nastydamus:
I had my visa interview today and, thanks to the transcripts of others on this thread, I knew what to expect going in.

There was a heavy downpour that kept beating till 06:20am, after which we queued up to be let in.

On a side note, I saw a guy who came for his interview in shorts and sneakers, his interview was brief and he didn't leave with his passport. He was brimming with confidence and it worked for him, just saying.

Officially, there's no standard dress code for visa interviews. As long as you bring your confidence. Congrats!