₦airaland Forum

MyAmericandream:
Good day all, I heard their are no bookings for interview until January 17th. How true is this?

Not true bro. There's interview spot for as early as October 02 at the Abuja office. Just check on the website

LagosismyHome:
No you don't need to pay another SEVIS as it valid for one year but before you go again . Ensure the school is worth it . Don't go to a school that is unknown or not accredited

Thanks much.

100kobo:
People who go there to do "cram and pour" are usually unsettled once the grammar is adjusted. Program Schedule was simply a synonym for Study Plan. I will advice anybody going there to avoid memorising question stereotypes. On the contrary, master the essence of each and every visa question with the aim of realising what it is testing out. By so doing, you won't be caught off guard even when the questions are reordered or rephrased.

Bro come on... I honestly truly appreciate your very candid advice, but, haba, generalizing this way shouldn’t be na. I suck at cramming sef.

It’s aii sha. Thanks for the heads up bro!

Adhheir:
Nope; you don't have to, its valid for 12 months

Gracias... is the initially filled DS-160 still valid, or i’ll Have to fill a new one?

Flaame:
do not cause issues for urself,just request for a new I20

Thanks boss! But may I know why you’ve said this?

NYPD:
Bro i stay in California and have never heard of this University and this hybrid course option is a red flag too. Just reconsider your school and program choice so u wont just keep wasting money for visa.

But if you really feel convinced as anything is possible GO ON.

@NYPD Thanks boss! Your very candid advice is very much appreciated!

Guys I intend reapply for visa using same I20.

Please I wanted to ask- would I need to pay a new SEVIS fee?

sheke01:
First, "What kind of school is this"?
A quick scan through of the school website revealed that the school has just two faculty; business and education faculties. The website even emphasized more on the "online (innovative virtual class sessions) and part time" schooling than on the hybrid session. The VO seemed to have a bad blood for hybrid programs. I won't be surprised if another VO you meet have the same bad blood too. The school website did not do much to help your case.

Second, "What's your schedule for this program"?
In my opinion, This was where you gave the fatal blow to your "slim" chances. Why did you go about saying what you were not asked. Why did you bring up the fact that you will only be having classes once a week? Just pray that the VO did not input this into your profile, else you will be dashing them 57600 over and over again if you keep going there with same school and program.
Next time "schedule for your program is "how many credit hours you will be taking, "the duration for your program", "how many semesters". Don't over sing your weakest point.
If you are the VO, would you believe that someone that have worked for over 4 years in the banking industry, heading different units, will go to school just once a week and sit idle for the remaining 6days of the week??
I think the outcome of your interview was decided at this point.

I am not an expert in visa matters, but in my opinion, I think you should give it another shot and hope for the best. If your best is not good enough, you might want to consider applying to another school that does not offer online MBA program. From what I've read here over the years, it's most time difficult to convince a VO that you want to spend a lot of money on something you can easily get online from the comfort of your home country.

I hope this helps you.

This is very much appreciated!

harriseen:
Hello fellow nairalanders.

So I got the blue paper today at the Abuja embassy. Feels very sad, but I hope to try again. School resumes Oct. 22, 2018.
Despite the outcome, I really do thank y’all here, cos the extent to which I prepared was because of what I learned from you guys

Below is my transcript and please I will need your assessment. I don’t mind overly frank comments. My own na to learn, refire and get my visa approved

VO: Good morning.

Me: Good morning.

VO: passport and I20

(I passed it)

VO: So I see you’re going to Westcliff University in Irvine.

Me: that’s correct. Irvine California

VO: what program are you going there for?

Me: Master of Business Administration with a concentration in International Business

VO: So where did you first learn about this school.

Me: I first saw it on LinkedIn, on a former schoolmate’s profile, he did his MBA there. I then went further to do a personal online research on the school, including on the school’s website.

VO: so what kind of school is this (honestly this kicked me off balance, until this moment I thought I was very confident and fluent in my expressions, didn’t really understand what she meant. I sha answered that it’s a school that offers both undergraduate and graduate programs, they basically got only a faculty of Education and a college of Business. She cuts in and asks: “is it an online school or what?”)

Me: oh, that... they offer both online and hybrid options, but I chose the hybrid option as it is more involving and robust. There’s student mentoring and the cross cultural learning to gain. Besides Westcliff has an arrangement for hybrid students to have a few days internship experience at selected firms. (Nodding her head and typing seriously, and not smiling at all)

VO: what’s your schedule for this program?

Me: (this was where I feel my problem started). So classes are once in a week. (She cuts in and asks: “So what will you be doing on other days?” “Cos one problem with these hybrid programs and in your case where you go to school just once in a week, is that students end up working, and that’s illegal.” I sha told her, apart from classes with lecturers there are student discussion groups and engagement, “besides I don’t intend to go doing anything illegal, that’s something I have never done in my life”). We will be doing courses in Organization behavior, managerial accounting, financial management, marketing management, strategic management in globalized economy, managerial economics and of course my concentration- International business.

VO: when did you finish your first degree.

Me: 2011, although the session was officially 2009/2010, the semester dragged into the first quarter of 2011.

VO: So what have you been doing since you graduated.

Me: oh, so much. After my NYSC in 2012, I worked briefly as an intern producer with abc tv station. I then joined xyz bank as service quality officer in the loans department in 2014, later that year I moved to abc bank where I was a customer service officer and funds transfer officer. Since 2015 till date I have been with xyz bank as head abc unit in one of the branches where I’m responsible for xyz of the branch, supervise a team of xyz who are in charge of “this this this and that”

VO: So what will this degree do for you?

Me: (I feel I also messed up here, some how I failed to mention how this degree would enhance my growth with the bank or give opportunity for a specific role). Even though I have had this vast experience in banking operations for about 4 years, there still is that foundational gap, as my first degree was in the arts- English and Literature ( at this point she stopped looking at me, quickly typed and was staring at her monitor); so this program would help me with in-depth understanding of organizational capabilities needed for operations, especially in specialized functions as Finance, marketing and Human Resources. (I know I didn’t really do well here, somehow I didn’t say all I had prepared to say, and the way she was staring at me didn’t even help. Lol).

VO: who will be paying for this program?

Me: I have been able to save up over the course of... (she cuts in)

VO: Pointedly, tell me who’s paying (tapping her wrist), time, time.

Me: oh, I will be partly paying, my uncle takes care of other expenses. (Almost forgot to add) I also have a certain percentage of scholarship.

VO: can I have documents for that. ( handed her my statement, uncle’s and scholarship letter)

Me: (while she was going through the SOAs) my statement is a money market account statement, but I have a letter of introduction here from the bank stating that it could be liquidated at anytime.

VO: why would your uncle wanna pay for you?

Me: he’s my foster father, he’s been very much involved in my education, especially after my dad’s sight got inpaired, also I’m like the child he doesn’t have.

VO: what does he do?

Me: Primarily he owns a bureau de change and also imports and sells tiles.

She then types ooooooo, next thing na blue paper, stating that I have not proven strong home ties.

I need very candid advice here on what next to do. Sch resumes Oct. 22.

Also one guy got pink paper, he left frowning and very embittered. But what does the pink paper mean?

Pls guys I wanna immediately reapply for visa before resumption- October 22. How can I go about it. Is it even possible? I have logged on to the page with same user name, but there’s no option for fresh application. Do I sign up all over again? Would it not give me the error msg that there’s already a user with such details?

CapitoneMax:
Personal opinion though, I think you did really well at the interview. Your responses were direct, straight to the point and clearly explained your genuine intention of obtaining an MBA. However and to me, the program structure especially the delivery (hybrid) was the major and probably the only disadvantage your interview had.
Let other experienced gurus on this thread offer advice

Thanks boss!

kfrosh:
@harriseen.

Here is my take on your transcript. You seemed prepared for the interview but should have worked on your responses by going straight to the point.
Going straight to the point while responding to questions won't have given the V.O the chance to ask more probing questions that will catch you off guards. And truly like you said, your once a week classes was what most likely finished you(It immediately put a doubt in the V.Os mind of your credibility).

Next time you're going, write out your responses on all possible type of questions and practise with it for a month (practise doing mock interviews several times). Share these responses with those who have gone through the process before and You should double check to see your responses are logical to you and if it will seem logical to any V.O too as well.

Thanks @kfrosh

Humble11:
Abuja embassy uses blue paper and pink paper for visa refusal. It has same content

Aii thanks

Hello fellow nairalanders.

So I got the blue paper today at the Abuja embassy. Feels very sad, but I hope to try again. School resumes Oct. 22, 2018.
Despite the outcome, I really do thank y’all here, cos the extent to which I prepared was because of what I learned from you guys

Below is my transcript and please I will need your assessment. I don’t mind overly frank comments. My own na to learn, refire and get my visa approved

VO: Good morning.

Me: Good morning.

VO: passport and I20

(I passed it)

VO: So I see you’re going to Westcliff University in Irvine.

Me: that’s correct. Irvine California

VO: what program are you going there for?

Me: Master of Business Administration with a concentration in International Business

VO: So where did you first learn about this school.

Me: I first saw it on LinkedIn, on a former schoolmate’s profile, he did his MBA there. I then went further to do a personal online research on the school, including on the school’s website.

VO: so what kind of school is this (honestly this kicked me off balance, until this moment I thought I was very confident and fluent in my expressions, didn’t really understand what she meant. I sha answered that it’s a school that offers both undergraduate and graduate programs, they basically got only a faculty of Education and a college of Business. She cuts in and asks: “is it an online school or what?”)

Me: oh, that... they offer both online and hybrid options, but I chose the hybrid option as it is more involving and robust. There’s student mentoring and the cross cultural learning to gain. Besides Westcliff has an arrangement for hybrid students to have a few days internship experience at selected firms. (Nodding her head and typing seriously, and not smiling at all)

VO: what’s your schedule for this program?

Me: (this was where I feel my problem started). So classes are once in a week. (She cuts in and asks: “So what will you be doing on other days?” “Cos one problem with these hybrid programs and in your case where you go to school just once in a week, is that students end up working, and that’s illegal.” I sha told her, apart from classes with lecturers there are student discussion groups and engagement, “besides I don’t intend to go doing anything illegal, that’s something I have never done in my life”). We will be doing courses in Organization behavior, managerial accounting, financial management, marketing management, strategic management in globalized economy, managerial economics and of course my concentration- International business.

VO: when did you finish your first degree.

Me: 2011, although the session was officially 2009/2010, the semester dragged into the first quarter of 2011.

VO: So what have you been doing since you graduated.

Me: oh, so much. After my NYSC in 2012, I worked briefly as an intern producer with abc tv station. I then joined xyz bank as service quality officer in the loans department in 2014, later that year I moved to abc bank where I was a customer service officer and funds transfer officer. Since 2015 till date I have been with xyz bank as head abc unit in one of the branches where I’m responsible for xyz of the branch, supervise a team of xyz who are in charge of “this this this and that”

VO: So what will this degree do for you?

Me: (I feel I also messed up here, some how I failed to mention how this degree would enhance my growth with the bank or give opportunity for a specific role). Even though I have had this vast experience in banking operations for about 4 years, there still is that foundational gap, as my first degree was in the arts- English and Literature ( at this point she stopped looking at me, quickly typed and was staring at her monitor); so this program would help me with in-depth understanding of organizational capabilities needed for operations, especially in specialized functions as Finance, marketing and Human Resources. (I know I didn’t really do well here, somehow I didn’t say all I had prepared to say, and the way she was staring at me didn’t even help. Lol).

VO: who will be paying for this program?

Me: I have been able to save up over the course of... (she cuts in)

VO: Pointedly, tell me who’s paying (tapping her wrist), time, time.

Me: oh, I will be partly paying, my uncle takes care of other expenses. (Almost forgot to add) I also have a certain percentage of scholarship.

VO: can I have documents for that. ( handed her my statement, uncle’s and scholarship letter)

Me: (while she was going through the SOAs) my statement is a money market account statement, but I have a letter of introduction here from the bank stating that it could be liquidated at anytime.

VO: why would your uncle wanna pay for you?

Me: he’s my foster father, he’s been very much involved in my education, especially after my dad’s sight got inpaired, also I’m like the child he doesn’t have.

VO: what does he do?

Me: Primarily he owns a bureau de change and also imports and sells tiles.

She then types ooooooo, next thing na blue paper, stating that I have not proven strong home ties.

I need very candid advice here on what next to do. Sch resumes Oct. 22.

Also one guy got pink paper, he left frowning and very embittered. But what does the pink paper mean?

Hello good people of Nairaland. Great work you guys are doing here. Pls my interview is next week and I got a problem. My sponsor is out of the country on a business trip and may not be back before my interview to make a request for a fresh SOA at the bank. I, however, have one dated August 09. Pls would this be suitable.

Help a brother pls.

I know @jelmusboy already said it’s ok and I truly appreciate his response, but I would still wanna hear others’ opinion before I make a decision. I really need this pls

Thanks in advance!

jelmusboy:
Yes, it is suitable

Thanks man. Cos I was thinking the statement should be in same month of interview

Hello good people of Nairaland. Great work you guys are doing here. Pls my interview is next week and I got a problem. My sponsor is out of the country on a business trip and may not be back before my interview to make a request for a fresh SOA at the bank. I, however, have one dated August 09. Pls would this be suitable.

Help a brother pls.

Thanks in advance!

ITABABE:
Everyone must use Alagbon for pcc. It is stated clearly on cic

Ok... So how easy is it getting it? well, for our naija uniform guys Na about òwó. So like how much Dem go wan collect?

dannio:
Na so o

ok, can someone pick it up for you?

Pls for the police certificate must it be gotten from Alagbon, Ikoyi, can't it be gotten from and other place outside Lagos?

Same here o. But mine is Edo state

& so d year winds up & MBL stil playz d snub. I hope dis doesnt turn out a sad tale 2 tel

Congrats guy

@Audinowing Kaduna?

I heard som persons did medicals last wk. Com on guyz, pls let us knw wat's going on, so we'll knw who has gon in & who's still waiting 2 go in. Audinowing how was ur 1st day @ work?

Teghtegh hw far na? Hw u dey?

@kimi awo u mean submit & start all over? Na wah o. MBL hw far na?

Audinowing Congrats. I can only imagine d relief u're feeling nw. U're resuming in Abj, right? Which Dept?

Right now I dont evn knw wat 2 think abt dis MBL again. I dont evn knw if being hopeful is a good idea anymore. I wish all dose stil waiting all d best though

@alazeen are u scheduled 2 c d GMD? Plus are u frm Nextzon pls?

@Chimeziepaul hw fr? Dey've not gotten baq 2 u?

@Audinowing hw fr? Hw was ur interview dis time?

Abj again? No, I dont hav his no. I spk wth him thru d HCM no.

@Audinowing Dapo is based in Lagos, but is in Enugu @ d moment. U got anoda invite 4 nxt 2moro? Whr dis time? Lagos or Abj?

my God! Like seriously?