Johnnyessence:
please what of those that have Ielts results please. In five days period from now I will be collecting my ielts results. I have read your advice here but am really really scared. Even if it is somebody applying for post graduate diploma I won't mind applying to it. Please if you know about scholarship too please let us know. Thanks for your reply here.

Either TOEFL or IELTS is fine. US schools don't offer post graduate 'diploma'. Mostly MSc/PhD.

I can't really say much, unless I know your profile. And your plans. Your undergrad degree, GPA, GRE scores (if you've taken it), etc.

gensteejay:


I am quite familiar with scholarship programs of the Saudi Arabian schools and plan to do my master's program there. But I have US or UK schools in mind for PhD program at a later time.

I don't know why Nairaland does not notify members sometimes when their moniker gets tagged on a thread.

Thanks for your contribution.

Makes sense! Do your best in your Master's, and the dots would connect down the line.

Hi all! Just seeing this, so I figure I should drop a hint or two. FYI, US (post)graduate schools don't advertise admissions the way other countries do theirs. It's a standard practice that every year interested and motivated students would apply to schools of their choosing, based on what they want from a US graduate degree.

For the most part, you have to DIY. To apply to US grad schools (esp STEM), you'll need to send your transcripts (which include your undergrad GPA), convince 2/3 people to recommend you, write a statement of purpose explaining your reason for getting a grad degree, take tests (the most common for STEM courses is the GRE), and also the TOEFL (to prove you can survive on English-speaking campus like those in in America).

These should get you admitted, if you choose the right mix of schools.

The other part is the money. If you do a very good job of selling yourself well, (and you're lucky!), most schools will cover your tuition, and then pay you a stipend every month, so you can help some Profs with their research. So, you get a degree, and alongside get paid to get research experience. A good deal, if you ask me.

All the best to everyone!

Johnnyessence:
oga oooo so na only first class graduates they need. What of the second class graduates and third class graduates too. Baba God do your wonders ooo.

They don't need first class graduates, they want those who are motivated and self-driven. The theory is, students who are motivated often finish with first class degrees. If you happen to not graduate with that, you'll need to show them your potential through other different ways. Apply still.

gensteejay:

I created this thread to connect with Nairalanders, who are either studying abroad or have completed their programme there; so that prospective foreign students like us can learn from their experiences.

But sadly, other than few kind Nairalanders, like HungerBAD and the other commenters above, most of the people I tagged in the opening posts have not yet made any contribution.

I didn't see the thread on my Mentions list. I only stumbled on the thread. I guess it's the same for others you tagged.

gensteejay:
This might help a prospective research student.

"Advice for Prospective Research Students"

https://www.cs.virginia.edu/~evans/advice/prospective.html


" Standardized tests and grades have minimal influence on your chances of admission and reveal very little about your potential as a researcher."

Credit: ogunsinamayowa (Nairalander)

Forget it! This doesn't apply to Nigerian applicants. How else will US schools assess your ability, if not with your GPA or test scores? Is it through the non-existent research experience we have here?

If you're really passionate about studying abroad (esp US), collect your transcripts ASAP, sit your butt down and prepare very well for the GRE, score as high as you can, find 2-3 people (lecturers or employers) who can recommend your work ethic, and reach out to people who can help you write a stellar Statement of Purpose.

Select good schools that fit your profile, apply and commit your journey into God's hands.

All the best!

michael1385:
Pls do I need to have a research topic before I go for interview....in case the vo ask me. I have been offered admission for m.sc physics but no research topic yet n I don't know what to tell vo if I am being asked. I need advise pls

Review your statement of purpose. Whatever convinced the program to admit you would do for the VO.

poohbearie:
hi guys i love the fact that people are willing to help.. keep it up yall. pls guys i need someone to put me tru application process to universities that give FULL scholarship, tuition waivers, stipends or Assistantship e jor and The names of such unis plssssssssss. i graduated from uni With a cgpa of 3.83 studied Biochemistry and am about writing my GRE as well as gettin my Transcript. would also need GRE materials pls pls i have little knowledge and have been reading the tread judiciously Thank you

Prepare for the GRE. And write it. Go through the thread, for the GRE study pack. And get your transcript as soon as you can (very important!). You'll know a lot as you keep reading.

GrandCommander:
Hello everyone, I recently took the GRE test and I had 150 in both quantitative and verbal This is the first time that I'm taking the test and i'm not so happy about it. Is this a good score? Which schools can accept this kind of score?

Do those scores reflect your ability? If you think you can do better, you should re-take.

iCool:




Help me make a choice then for Industrial engineering, I got admitted to all 5 -


Lamar Univ, Beaumont, Texas

Texas A&M Univ, Kingsville

Univ of Houston, Texas

Auburn Univ, Alabama

Louisiana State Univ, Baton Rouge

I listed in the order I was accepted.

I'd go for the bolded, if funding won't be an issue. Disclaimer: I'm affiliated with LSU.

But for real, Texas and Louisiana are key states for things industrial, especially down here in the South.

femi321:
When it comes to IVY league, that statement in bold doesn't apply. NOBODY says No to an IVY League, at least nobody with a thinking brain

It depends what you mean by 'Ivy league' though. If I have to choose between Caltech or Harvard for[i] any[/i] Engineering program (undergrad or grad), Caltech wins hands down.

baronjay:
I want to make a big shout out to God and also to everyone on this thread who has in one way or the other contributed to the success of people on this forum....my visa was granted this morning May 22nd on my first trial. Here is a brief stats about my educational background.
GRE 312, TOEFL 99, CGPA 3.52/5 (was never a serious student only read to pass exams nothing else, became serious minded during my NYSC after i was mentored by a man i aspired to be like. Graduated in 2012 joined one of the biggest oil and gas servicing/construction company in the world in 2016). I got a fully funded phd program in chemical engineering without any assistance despite been discouraged by friends about my low cgpa and no little research background.

VO: So why NMSU?

ME: Because of my interest in working with Prof. Hongmei on her research project

VO: Whats the title of her research?

Me: Modelling and simulation of multiphase fluid flow in porous media using computational fluid dynamics

VO: How many schools did you apply to?

Me: 7 ( I really did apply to all 7 schools, one acceptance, 4 denials, 2 waitlist)

VO: What is your dissertation topic?

Me: I don't know yet but i will be working with prof. Hongmei on her research.

VO: Why did you choose NMSU?

Me: Because of my interest in prof. Hongmei's research and because it is related to my current job in Nigeria

VO: Where do you work?

ME:XXXXXXXX Nigeria Limited

VO: What do you do there?

ME: I work as a research and process development engineer

Then he nodded and said congratulations, I'm going to approve your visa for studying in the USA, Pick up your passport in this location after three business days, and I said thank you and ran out with a smile. It can only be GOD... I prayed just like I did on other days, I did not fast though, I gave alms, but mostly to broke and poor relatives (charity i believe begins at home), I fulfilled every promise i made to GOD.

P.S: Not a single document was requested.

Congratulations! You failed, but you refuse to give up. At the end, all we need is ONE acceptance.

Onicemus:

Vo: then why SAU ?
Me: the core of my decision for choosing SAU is because I'll be part of an ongoing research that forcuses on cyber security under professor ..*** .. group .. I mean it's quite obvious about the current situation of our country Nigeria in terms of cyber security, so being part of this course will equip me with the expertise that'll enable me thwart cyber attack and ensure Nigeria is safe as far as cyber security is concerned

I want to say a big thank you to God almighty, I know he answers prayer especially after I was denied visit or tourist visa last year.. I love you mum for the support, (my family... siblings) my uncle Sheldon and uncle Dan for their support both financially and with prayers , God bless them for me ,to @texreem who gave me a mock interview a month before this day ... thank you baba.. to @osazee, whom I learnt a lot from.. God bless your hustle bro.. I'll read your transcript soon, to bimpe.. my baddest guy, you contributed.. and to Lagosismyhome, though you refused to review my transcript because of your busy schedule, I thank you for your contributions here .. I've learnt a lot.. I asked God for a stress free interview and that's what he did .. thanks y'all.. and I wish every fAll applicants success ...

Oh boy! Looks like an acceptance speech! You nailed it with the bolded! Congrats bro!!

slimmy2005:
I just received my I-20. Whats the next step.

Start contacting Nairaland mods if they have funding in their labs.

Senate111:
My profile
Bsc. Agricultural Economics & Extension
CGPA: 4.55
GRE:302
Sponsor: elder brothee
Work Experience: 1 yr NYSC University of Agriculture Mkd finished Oct 2016
And currently working in my Dads Company ( Agricultural base ).

Please help me critique my profile against the above schools. What are my chances of getting admission and possible funding.
Do schools give scholarship during spring session.
I eargly await your response.

Some schools are very strict on ONLY FALL intake. You'll need to check with each school. If you're getting sponsored, you need to be sure you're getting real value for your money. This means, you'll want to go to a decently-ranked school. And if you want funding, top schools are also your best bet.

According to this list, https://ideas.repec.org/top/top.agecon.html, the top 5 AEC departments are UC Berkeley, Cornell, Iowa State and U Maryland.

Either way, you need to work on your profile. Your GPA is set, you can't do anything about it. If you didn't do research during the NYSC, it doesn't count for much. Your work experience lacks context. There's no way to compare where you currently work with established companies.

Which leaves you with two things to handle very well. Your Statement of Purpose and GRE. You can't spend a week on your SoP and expect to kick ass with it. Except you're a really good writer, your best bet is to find rock-solid ones online, think long and hard on how to convey your life's experience, and future goals, and write accordingly.

It's a big bonus if you can get good LORs. If you can, retake the GRE, the higher you score, the better.

Apply to 2 schools from those 5 above, one from 11 - 15, another one from 18 - 26. Adjust to your taste and pocket.

All the best!

benugo:



Thanks for your kind response.

Kindly criticise schools below.

U of Pittsburgh
U of Tennessee Knoxville
Northwestern University
North Carolina State University

I will appreciate any information that will influence a successful admission process.

Those are good schools for your profile.. Find out the app requirements for each school, identify your weak spots, and compensate for them.

segunojo866:
God abeg help us o. This visa stress fit make someone die young o. Somebody go pass all standard test and be accepted by a top college after 2yrs of preparation for f1 visa and still go for interview to hear 'sorry u re not qualified for visa at this time' nor be witchcraft this oyinbo people dey practice for we blacks.

The good news is, if you could get into a top college, you'd not need to worry about the interview. Especially with funding.

benugo:
Please, can a good heart recommended a good school (fee waive + G.A role) for PhD in Civil Engineering.

My B.Eng - 3.98, M.Eng- 4.49.

Worry about getting into a good PhD program. The fee waiver and GA part would sort itself out. Your GPA's ok. Get a list of schools you would like to attend, and you can then ask people here to critique for you.

You already passed the interviews while applying to schools. Getting a fully-funded offer from a prestigious program is no beans. Congrats Ma.

drhopeful:
Visa approved this morning at Lagos Consulate by the purportedly mean Chinese-looking guy. After dishing out blue papers, it finally got to my turn.

Anyways, thanks guys and ladies. You guys have been of immense help on this thread and on the GRE thread. I try my best to help out to the best of my ability. I wish everyone success in their interviews.

Ezehrobinson:


Good morning happyday.

Seems you've got Lotta insight to mck recruitment.
Please I'd appreciate if you can provide insight to stages beyond PST.

thanks

If you've proceeded beyond the PST, that's good. In most McKinsey offices, you'll have two interviews (first round) - each interview half case and half behavioral fit. Then, you'll have the second and final 2-4 interviews with partners in the local office where you applied to. Prepare very well for the cases, find case buddies to prep with (use PrepLounge.com), and brainstorm on some outstanding achievements for your behavioral fit interviews.

All the best!

adey2014:
good evening guys,
firstly i really have to appreciate what u guys are doing on this thread. may God bless u all.
i want to find schools that give funding for phd in chemistry. i am currently doing my masters. undergraduate degree 4.54/5.0 and masters currently 3.66/4.0 with a semester of coursework left (hopefully 3.8/4.0) . toefl 97/120 which would have expired by the time i. apply and GRE 301 (qua 157 and ver 144). which was okay for when i applied for msc. i really want specific schools for phd in chemistry. thanks all

There are good grad schools that fit your profile. Ask the Chemistry dons on NL : OluDare01, curemorgan.

On a general note, re-take the GRE. Score as high as you can. Find 3 profs who can write outstanding letters of recommendation for you. Start thinking hard about why you want a PhD. And your likely plans thereafter. Google "US chemistry graduate schools" and contact a few profs in those schools who're working in your research areas of interest. Start applying.

Nigerian Experts Adopt New Local Nigerian Names for "HIV", "AIDs, "Prostitutes"¹

A team of language and medical experts from various Nigerian universities and specialist hospitals, led by Professor Herbert Igboanusi of the University of Ibadan, have created new names for HIV and AIDS in Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba with the aim of eliminating stigmatisation and discrimination of persons living with HIV and AIDS.

They made this disclosure in Ibadan on Friday after a two-year research titled “A metalanguage for HIV, AIDS and Ebola discourses in Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba” sponsored by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

The researchers agreed that the appropriate name for HIV in Igbo is Ori Nchekwa Ahụ (ONA) (that is, something that fights or weakens the body immunity) while the appropriate term for AIDS is Mmịnwụ (a condition that causes emaciation).

In Yorùbá, the appropriate term for HIV is KòkòròApaSójà Ara (KASA) (that is, “that which kills the body immunity”) while ààrùnìsọdọ̀lẹàjẹsára (a sickness that completely weakens body immune system) is the appropriate name for AIDS.

In Hausa, Karya-garkuwa (that which weakens the body immune system) has been chosen for HIV while κanjamau (“capable of emaciating one’s body”) has been chosen for AIDS.

Speakers of these languages are advised to strictly adhere to the use of these chosen terms in order to avoid confusing HIV with AIDS, and consequently reduce the spread of HIV through behavioural change. It is the researchers’ belief that behavioural change is only possible when the people are familiar with the appropriate terminology for HIV and AIDS in their own languages.

The experts have embarked on the lexical modernisation of HIV and AIDS’ nomenclatures in Nigeria’s three major languages (i.e. Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba) in line with current developments around the world in the management of the two health conditions.

Since it is now more acceptable to refer to certain persons as “commercial sex workers” rather than “prostitutes”, the researchers agreed for Ndị mkwụ̣gharị (people who hang around) for commercial sex workers in Igbo, Gbélépawó (women who stay at home making money) in Yoruba, and Mata (da maza) masu zaman kansu (that is, “women who are living independently”) in Hausa.

People are therefore encouraged to stop using inappropriate terms to refer to commercial sex workers.

1 - http://www.ui.edu.ng/news/linguists-medical-experts-adopt-new-names-hiv-aids-and-prostitutes-hausa-igbo-and-yoruba

kelvinreality:


Thanks..... 'Beer parlour discussion is never the place to get information' ( this is how we have belittled Nigeria degree during an offline discussion). No matter how childish the question i asked might look, I am happy I got possible answer.

Thanks and much love

I understand why you would ask such question. Makes sense! Which is why you need to be confident about what you have. From here on out, (and you'll need this if you want to apply for admission, visa, a job bla bla), be proud of what you have. Of who you are. Don't put yourself down even if others do.

primeson1:
Do US schools accept gmat too?

Yup.

pandamonium:


Thanks for the swift response.

If that is the case for 1. above, I hope that my GPA would be above 2.75/4.0 when it's evaluated.

Secondly, the school said something about[b] issuing a revised I-20 if I get a GA which comes with tuition waiver[/b]. I guess this bolster the point you're trying to make right?

Yes.

pandamonium:
Good evening gurus and experienced pros in the house. Pls there are somethings that have been bothering me for some time and I need clarification on them:
1. I had a really low GPA : 2.60/5.0. However, my latter days in school were much better that the former. When WES is evaluating a transcript, do they use the full academic transcript or do they use from 3rd year or 4th year in a 5year program?
2. I have already applied to a school with a rolling admission but they insist on me providing document of financial support before I'm given admission. Is this abnormal

Please, anyone who has an answer to these questions should pls not hesitate to respond.

Thanks
Cc: walspring, slimmy2005, DeeTus, ponpon, saninwa

1. Schools will want to see the whole transcript, so yes, they use the whole thing. But it'll be a plus for your final GPA if your grades in the 4th and 5th years are better than the rest.
2. They mean your admission depends on funding. They would only be able to admit you, if you can provide your own funding.

Djpunpin:


yes I have a graduate degree from naija. yes I am doing an undergraduate degree presently but I want to transfer. The school am presently in is not offering masters in English literature. I mean going for schools that will give admission and offer graduate ass without GRE.

That's not "transfer". You're completing your undergrad, and want to get into grad school. Simple!

If, for any reason, you don't want to continue in your present school, you'll need to search for grad schools suitable for you, confirm their requirements and fulfill likewise. And that includes taking tests.

Coquette86:
I've been a quiet follower. Thank you all for the useful information you drop here. It helps.

I got into US yesterday afternoon. I was armed with so many document, I even took my marriage certificate sef. (used none). Traveled with my spouse and son. The immigration officer only asked 3 questions:

Q: Are you planning to have your baby here?
A: Yes. My spouse jumps in and says maybe.
Q: How long do you plan to stay?
A: 4 months. My husband is here for 3 weeks then he's off.
Q: Forum you have any food?
A: Yes. All dry foods

He says great then says he needs to verify some things and sends us off to the dreaded inner office. We sat there playing and gisting till I was called. The Officer asked where I was staying. Told him and he stamped me in for 6 months. He nicely walked us down to baggage claim and welcomed us the US. The End.

Please excuse any typos. My brain is barely alert.

N.B. my Visa was a B1/B2 that our family got last year before I got pregnant. I sent in a change of Intent notice as advised here. Thank you all and do have a pleasant week ahead.

Welcome! Wishing you a safe delivery.

djavu82:
Dear House, please at what point do u defer an American admission for M.sc.
Is it after u obtain ur I-20 or before it.

Kindly advise

Tell them the moment you got the admission decision.

Chinewon88:


Hi Silva094,
If someone scores 40/120 on the TOEFL for instance, what does that say about their communication skills?

They might not be in their best form on test day, s/he should consider a retake.

Silva094:
Please does someone's TOEFL score affects his or her admission?

It only shows you won't struggle to study among native English students. So yes, it might affect admission if e.g. your Speaking or Reading is too low.