tescoman90:
hello, house!

done with the exam but the outcome wasnt good at all

157V and 142Q total 299

Good! What are your stats?

Senorita123:

Oh... Really

Yeah, you need to be able to convince others why you want that degree, or it's going to be a hard sell. So ask yourself, why biz admin; why now?

Senorita123:

For Msc, I am considering business administration or finance

You don't sound like you know what you want to do with the degree.

shayhune:

Scholastica16, I tried to code it but you figured it out . You don burst my bubbles. Yea. He's in UT Austin. In fact, he even got a good offer from Georgia Tech(full funding for Phd) but rejected it for UT Austin. What got me perturbed was why MIT, Princeton and co would bounce such strong profile even with a very good GRE score, SOP and LORs.

By the way, are you an Akokite

Those schools don't get "very good" apps. They get perfect applicants.

Senorita123:

Thank you. I studied economics as an undergraduate

Nice! So, which field are you thinking of focusing on for your MS/PhD?

tizentos:


Thanks for the concern everyone, I believe this is an academic forum thus, engendered presenting my profile in that format. To be candid, I don't rely on the so called degree to get what I want, most times,if not all - I don't mention it in conversations I engage in.

I am hopeful, my profile will give me an edge over other applicants and its still work in progress.My final project has a little bit of research work in it and I have a paper to my name with intention of writing one or two papers before the year runs out. In addition, my PPA is a research institute in my state of service. In terms of skill-set possessed in the IT industry and my field, its not that bad for a fresh graduate, I just can't start scribbling it out, as usual, its still work in progress. I am still researching on schools to opt for, I am considering K-state, Penn state univ, TSU,Michigan,Duke, Stanford or Caltech(I won try my luck o ).

My opinion about those first class guys that performed below expectation, the degree was earned as a result of the energy they put into their studies back in Nigeria. Moreover, if a student can survive in this country's "morale-enervating" education system, I believe he can survive in virtually,any academic environment in the world- reason might be ; they lost focus or were simply distracted by the luxury of obodo-oyinbo.

still repping team fall 2018.

Don't judge people. You never know what kinda battle they are fighting.

Senorita123:
Hi guys... Keep up the good work. I just started following this page. Please I need your advice or someone to put me through. I graduated with a gp of 3.34 on a scale of 5. That is second class lower. However, I wish to go for my masters abroad. I contacted an agent and he requested for 350k. I can't afford this neither can my parents. I have managed to save some money from my teaching job but even if I continue saving for the next five years with the job, I still cannot afford the tuition. Please what will you advice I do to get the necessary funding considering my low gp. Which country should I consider? I don't av any idea regarding this travelling stuff. All ideas, arguments, advices and constructive criticism are welcome. Thanks and God bless.

Hey! You're welcome to the thread! Feel free to hang in here, ask questions (like you've done), and help others when you can! But first, you need to chill. It's a lot to juggle around, but trust me, if you can take it one step at a time, and ask for help when you're lost, you'll be fine.

First off, forget about the agent. If you have his number on your phone, delete it. He's not gonna help you.

Next, you need to be self aware. You need to know your profile, or "stats", it's a big part of the game. To get what you need, you need to know what you've got. Your GPA ain't bad, but you'd need to work a lot harder for admission, and also funding. Just like for any good thing in life.

What did you study in undergrad? Are you interested in research? What do you plan to study for grad school?

drhopeful:
I just wanted to add...and not trying to be funny at all. Many of our first class graduates get to foreign schools and cannot even make a merit in MS. It's appalling and I can understand why US schools don't trust our nigerian degrees. In my MS class for example, we had 6 first class graduates from Nigeria. Not even one of them could make a distinction. One managed to make a merit and the remaining graduated with pass! The three people that made distinction all had 2.1 in their BS.

Oh, really! I can imagine how these guys would laugh at us, when we keep saying there are brains in Nigeria but the system is killing them. But it's true, only it isn't obvious. How were the classes though? Did you have more of classes, tests, and exams, or there were group discussions, class projects, term papers, and what not? That could def explain the cause.

drhopeful:
Let me chime in with my little experience..... Nobody for US send your first class degree with no research experience from NIGERIA. They don't even trust your degree!!!! And our reputation is getting worse!!! UK schools will send you small because they sorta love first class degrees. That said, if I were in his shoes, I will take my first class to a top European school, gain as much research experience and come back to the US for a PhD.

Bottomline, a first class degree from Nigeria can never compare with that from America, Europe or even China and India. Let's all wake up! You need to work extra to stand out.

@happyday, those schools u mentioned except for LSU and KSU are ranked among top 50 in the US and top 100 in the world. Please give them more credit! You would be amazed that they would still turn the guy down!

Funny how things work. I wrote the bolded in my reply, and later removed it. Yes, they don't. The average American has a warped impression of an African, more so a Nigerian. Yes, many think Africa is a country, and it's all full of mud houses and stinking swamps. Esp the Gen X & Y's.

Those schools I mentioned are actually reach schools for any Nigerian first class applicant. Spot on!

tensazangetsu20:

Well if a Phd is his aim, it's going to be very tricky but it's still doable. Letter of recommendation from professors here would not even carry any weight because we don't do research in Nigeria. Well if I am him, I will try to study in a world-class university in Europe or Asia, try and do very well get that research experience and then apply to do a PhD in the USA that's only if that's his aim though.

I agree.

tensazangetsu20:

Top 500 like seriously, maybe those are the Nigerians you have met. MIT does not admit for an Msc, you are admitted to a phd program and you get your Msc on the way to your Phd and he needs a strong research experience for that. A friend of mine from university of lagos with a 2 1 in English language rejected an offer to Upenn, a full funded scholarship and i have other Nigerian friends who have studied in top ranked programs without having any research experience. Like i said earlier on the USA isnt the only country with world class universities. Left to me he should aim top 50 in the USA and try other countries afterall TU delt sub saharan african scholarship program is opening soon and with his GPA , he stands a very high chance of getting in and its one of the best engineering universities in the world ranked far higher than many universities in the USA.

He wants a PhD, so everything I said applies to a PhD, MIT or anywhere else. STEM admissions is extremely competitive (anywhere), and honestly, I think it's unfair you're using an "English language" example. You can study with no research experience. But it's harder, and you should feel like casting your seeds upon many, many water. Cos that's exactly what you're doing when you apply.

I mean, I had no research experience. Which means I had to be uberly grateful for getting a spot. I guess he wanted US schools, cos he mentioned Duke.

babyfaceafrica:
lolz.....bro forget first class and what is low..even schools in mid 100 are very good schools..imagine even our so-called ui and "great" Ife is not in top 1000.....some if those students in this "low" schools are actually way better than you..but if you feel you deserve better,no problem,apply to top 20 schools and see how it will go.......admission sometimes is not on first class or second class..SOP ,catchment,GRE scores and others play a vital role....try schools in Canada and UK too...best of luck

Spot on Sir! So, we have catchment areas too for US admissions?

tensazangetsu20:

Disclaimer: I'm not familiar with UK/Canadian schools.

Isn't that too low for a first class graduate or is the USA the only country with world class universities? I don't think it's worth it to study in a low ranked masters programme anymore. I know people who made that decision and have lived to regret it.

Mid-100s schools in Electrical Engineering aren't low ranked. I'm talking UM College Park, Michigan State, UC Santa Barbara, U Wisconsin Madison, Ohio State, LSU, KSU. Depending on what rankings you're looking at, those are good schools in EEG and not low as you think.

At least for a Nigerian first class graduate. We don't deserve anything, and frankly, if the strongest item in your app is the first class, one should be grateful to attend even a #500 school in the US. We need to stop feeling entitled, and quit the idea that finishing top of your class in Nigerian engineering schools actually mean anything in the developed world.

It's why Nigerians are very underrepresented in US Engr grad programs.

Truth is, US schools don't trust those degrees, and if that's the only strong thing on your app, you need to stop thinking outside the box. It's even worse with a 2/1.

MIT EECS would even refuse to see your GRE scores, and ask specifically that you don't send it. First is research experience. Whatever else you got going for you, with minimal research experience, be grateful you got in (esp with funding), and not feel like you deserve a slot. Cos honestly you don't.

And then your grades. They're only interested in your grades in specific classes (they even ask for the curriculum and the textbooks you used), plus an A here is in the 90+ range, not the 70% in Naija.

tizentos:
Good morning bosses,

I have been following this thread for quite sometime now and I think its expedient I introduce myself.I am currently doing my youth service (NYSC). My profile goes thus;

Discipline: Electrical/Electronic Engineer,
CGPA: 4.68/5.00,

Most Preferred Graduate Program; PhD (embedded systems/electronics or communications)
Alternative : Masters in the aforementioned field @ Duke or very good university.

I just started GRE prep thus, I need your invaluable contribution to help my ministry.
#fall2018

Regards.

How strong is your research experience? If it's little or none, focus on your GRE, and score very high. In the meantime, select schools in the mid-100s on rankings. It seems you already know schools you want to apply to. So yeah, GRE is the focus now.

ridsan4real:

hey tuffpuff. sorry about your denial. I believe it will surely end well. You can reapply against fall 2018 if u have a decent profile. According to SirRiddy, make contact with the professor before application and apply EARLY! Early application is also very important! if you have d financial capacity, apply to 2 schools above your profile, 2 schools within your profile and 2 schools below your profile and slot in your application around Sept/Oct....and I believe it will surely end well. If you have d opportunity of rewriting GRE...you can proceed....this is my one cent opinion tho.I believe you can do it!

@ tuffpuff, this! Thanks ridsan4real

hotboss:



Wow
. Thank you for your reply.. I just took test1. Verbal 142 Quantitative 155

I think I need strategies on comprehension passage. Then the vocabularies.

I also have to master the GRE Quantitative patterns.

I think I would have to face verbal for now. I have this regular poor scores in anything verbal..

@happyday thank you so very much..

Please does anyone here know aboutique North dakota state university?

Good, now that you know what to do. Fire on.

hotboss:
Thank God I have finally registered for GRE. I have been following this thread but have not said a word because I have not been able to pay for GRE.

I have downloaded powerprep2 and there is a kaplan hard copy given to me when I registered.

Would these be enough from me to prepare?

Also, is English test a compulsory thing? I am only considering financial implications.

I would need a mentor on my journey.

I had a CGPA of 3.788/5.0

Mechanical engineering.

Would January start be possible at this point? My test date is 23 June ..

My questions are just too much. I would appreciate a reply from one of our brothers/sisters here.

Thank you

Download the official GRE guide, and take the practice test. Or take the one on the CD. And then, you'll identify your weaknesses and tackle them one after the other. For now, focus on your GRE, and you still have enough time to choose the four schools by test day. Try to score as high as possible on the GRE. The better you do, the more you can make up for your GPA. You might not even need to write any English test.

BenNash:
Hi,I'm about to apply for a visa but I'm in a dire situation. The problem is that I'm being sponsored by a family friend. This family friend has been sponsoring my education from my secondary school days and she is ready to sponsor my education in the u.s as she is very rich and her only son is already a successful politician. Infact I did not even know she wasn't my aunt till my senior years in school.Please what can I do cuz I can't get a bank statement with the same surname as mine.

If you can make the VO believe that you won't be stranded in school, you'll be fine. Get her bank statement, and try to prove you've been enjoying her support from way back. If you're confident in your answers, and appear genuine to the VO, he won't even be asking for the statement.

primeson1:
please is there any gmat thread on nairaland?

There's one I know; here: https://www.nairaland.com/3690019/official-thread-graduate-management-admission

But it's quiet and I don't think it's what you're looking for. Why not take the GMAT, ace it, with the mind to come and share all you learnt, and then be available to help others? Oga Danjaninja did the same with the GRE thread here. Look where he got us.

Levels731:


Pls I need assistance to clarify an issue, my question goes thus: is it possible to walking in to another university in US and manually enroll as a student within 3months of entry as a student?

Eg: I got admitted for Master's at school A, can I walk into school B and enroll/register manually as a student with within few months of arrival in US?

Also, if it is possible for me to secure another admission within the US, would I still be legible for graduate funding, tuition waivers, RA, GA etc

Pls I would appreciate response from gurus
Lagosismyhome, imperrioux, slimmy2005, teewag, goyedgaD etc

Pls guys help a colleague

Yes, you can be admitted to another US school.

MasterforceII:
Good day good people of this thread. Good to be here. I must say, reading your GRE success stories and admission stories has done a lot to inspire me on my quest for admission come Fall 2018.
I am making assiduous preparations to take the GRE in 2-3 months time. Everybody says the Manhattan 5lb is the best practice text for Quantitative. Infact, you are not going to score 160+ in the quantitative section if you do not practice with the Manhattan 5lb. Although the aim is a perfect 170 in the quantitative, my verbal still needs a bit of work. Unfortunately, I have seen some not so good reviews for the Manhattan texts especially in the TCs and SEs sections. However, I am taking it upon myself to improve my vocabulary on my own through voracious reading on sites such as theatlantic, newyorker, naulitus as well as vocabulary.com and quizlet.com as prescribed by various GRE forums online. My question is thus: Is there any such practice text for the verbal that is as "standard" as the manhattan 5lb text where there are a myraid of practice questions that are of GRE standard?

Questions in the Manhattan verbal booklets have ridiculously hard words - that's the problem. And thing is, ETS is testing how you can reason critically, not how much big words you know. So, you might start with the Manhattan to get a feel of how the real test looks like.

Apart from that, there are official Verbal Test booklets released by ETS themselves, apart from the Official Guide. You could get those. But only practice them in real test conditions. Those questions are as good as what you'll get on the real thing, and you don't want to waste them.

Or go for Magoosh. Almost all you need in one place. Plus they've got a big question bank to practice with.

LagosismyHome:


Where is the data to prove Africans are the worst CULPRPITS...even naija to naija marriages within naija are hardly lasting 5 years self .....

Anyway man must help him or herself to survive so if it means pay for play. Carry go ... . Even the foreigners in naija are using our heads in many ways to survive and prosper

I tire o

Glowrie22:
Hi Everyone,
It's been long since I've been here, I just want to quickly share my testimony.

PS: The school is University of Arkansas and my course is Agricultural Economics (MS).

Thanks! I'm super excited this worked out so well. Welcome to America!

[quote author=COOL10 post=55632839][/quote]

If your goal is to eventually study Medicine in US and others, state schools won't get you anywhere. Those 5 schools (add UNILAG) really know good stuff when they see one. If getting in were easy, then everyone will be doing it, and it won't be much of an achievement, would it?

Forget about state schools, and prepare to work your butt off to get into federal schools. There are a bunch of other options apart from Medicine, but you'll need to sweat it out, whatever you plan to do.

Plus, to study outside Nigeria, you're going to need a lot more than "loss of motivation" in the Nigerian system.

tescoman90:
Hello everyone, I want reschedule my gre exam due to a complicated health issue.

Then, do it.

Walspring:
Even though His son was arrested and killed a day before my birthday I will still give thanks to Almighty God for giving me the Grace to see another year..

God bless me more and more

Happy birthday boss. I wish you long life and prosperity. Enjoy!

COOL10:
Good morning people and a Happy Easter Celebration to you. My humble request is pretty simple. I want to travel out to study Medicine preferably in the USA and I'd love anyone who's currently doing so explain the process. How long do I need to do a pre-med program,one month,one year or do I need to do full four years before starting as a Medical student? Pls I'd love to save some costs too and if u know of cheap universities either in the USA or any other country(that is safe to study in),don't hesitate to list them down. Thanks in advance for your replies.

Hi! Seasons greetings.

Anywhere in the world, Medicine and cheap don't go in the same sentence. Anywhere you go to in the world to study Medicine, they see you (an Int'l student) as a cash cow. You need all the money you can get. Even native Americans take crazy loans for their kids to study Medicine, with the hope that the money they make later will pay back those loans. A pre-med program is a standard four-year degree, during which you satisfy the requirements to get into a Medical school. In the US, you can study Biochem, Math, even Philosophy; as long as you're able to satisfy the app requirements during those four years, you're good.

So, your options: -

- Apply for the Federal Govt scholarship to study Medicine abroad (if it's still active). OR
- Find someone with a deep cash pocket to pay. In the US, it's 4 years of pre-med, and then 4 years of Med school. Thereafter, you might offset the costs, if you'll be getting a PhD in clinical research, which would then be free. But expect no free money for the first 8 years. In Ukraine or Russia, it's six years of Med school, right after O'level. OR
- Sit down and work really hard on your O'level courses. Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Math, English. Read until you get it. Turn off Facebook. Resist cramming. Take UTME, post-UTME, and get into a top Med school in Nigeria. E.g. UI, UNIBEN, OAU, UNILORIN. They don't have great Int'l standings, but for now, they're the best we've got. Of course, work hard, and complete your med school in any of those.

Then, if you think of practicing abroad, UK is easier than US.

Even if you stay in Nigeria, work on option 3, make enough money to send your kids to those Harvard, Yale, Stanford Med schools.

Cheers!

akandry:
Hello house I came up with this deferment letter I will be sending to my school cos I was denied visa at my first interview I want you to help me go through it if it's okay. Thank you house


Dear **
I am writing this letter in reference to my admission confirmation for the associate degree in engineering(course code). While am absolutely thrilled about this news, I would sadly like to defer my admission for the next academic semester(fall 2017).
I was unable to meet up with my visa processes which hindered my travelling to united states of America as at said date for school resumption.I will like to defer my admission from summer (2017) to fall(2017).
I really don’t want to miss out on this great privilege and opportunity of becoming one the students of this great institution which has been my long time dream and goal. I would be glad if my request is kindly considered. Thanks for your usual co-operation.

Don't use corner words. Tell them plainly, you were denied visa. Schools know there are good chances anyone could be denied a visa, plus we all like those who speak in plain language to us. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to enroll in your school, however, my visa application was denied at the US embassy in Nigeria on so and so date. I therefore plan to re-apply against this fall (2017)." And then the rest.

Cheers!

The Ivy League is a collegiate athletic conference comprising sports teams from eight private institutions of higher education in the Northeastern United States. The conference name is also commonly used to refer to those eight schools as a group beyond the sports context.

The eight institutions are Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Yale University. The term Ivy League has connotations of academic excellence, selectivity in admissions, and social elitism.¹

As for Nina, she got into all 8 except for Brown. Truly awesome!

We all can give gifts like this to our kids. It's a chain reaction. Yes, a chain reaction. Things like this don't just happen overnight, or by someone merely getting lucky. It took parents and children a lot of work. Hard work.

Stuyvesant High School's the best public school in New York, and getting in is truly remarkable on its own. It's a magnet school that prepares high school students for the best schools in the US. How?

By accepting 800 students out of over 30,000 eighth and ninth graders who take take the  2 1⁄2-hour Specialized High Schools Admissions Test each year.² And then putting those 800 through a very rigorous, fast pace STEM and liberal arts curriculum. On full scholarship for all 4 years. $0. Just prove you're Stuy material, and then you're in.

In Nigeria, Loyola Jesuit comes close, but full-ride scholarships are very few. Students pay tuition in hundreds of thousands a year.

With this kind of curriculum, Nina was able to: -

- Write a research paper for Bio Regeneron Research on fat metabolism and longevity in C. elegans.
- Combine academics (scoring all A's), with memberships in the National Honors Society branch at Stuy and also a cheerleader.
- Run the Black Students League as president.³

Which prepares Stuy students for schools like Harvard where they want academically exceptional students, with deep achievement in an extracurricular field they're intensely passionate about.

When people say only people from certain tribes or with certain brains can get these results, tell them "No." If you're a parent, or an aspiring parent who wish to raise kids like this, you can. You'll need to pursue excellence in your field and put a lot of efforts in teaching your kids how to also pursue same.

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivy_League
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuyvesant_High_School
3. https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/nina-uzoigwe-ivy-league-schools/

saninwa:
Good morning all. I wish you all the Joy of this season. May you be filled with joy and peace. Happy Easter!
Please I got a little question to ask.
I am going for a 4 years undergraduate degree. But the time period between my program start/End Date is 5 years. August 2017 - May 2022; as written on the I-20.

Please what should I fill in the Intended Length of Stay in US on the DS-160? 4 years or 5 years ?

Use 5 years. You can always refer anyone to your I-20 to clarify.

Allylic:
i want to pay my SEVIS fee bt i need some1 in USA who can pay it for me in dollars..promise to pay the naira equivalent to the person's naija bank account...
PLS who knws anybody in Louisiana state university, Baton Rouge...pls i need a contact asap...thanks

Hi! I know somebody.

jeffery23:
Hello good day house, i ve a bsc in accounting, I 've 3.49/5.00 cgpa in a skul here in nigeria and I want to apply for masters in management or any business related course available to skuls within LA but am confused which exam to write btw Gmat and Gre, buh was told gre is beta tho i want to confirm from gurus in the house, i have ietls already, m just confused which exam to write base on the skul or embassy requirements, and if anyone have any suggestions of skuls to choose in LA, will really appreciate


thanks and God bless

Why LA? You should be open-minded to schools, especially if you're aiming for MBA programs. Take the GMAT.