haywhy17:


Wait guy! Are you thinking of not adding it it before?
Those that got visa approval here do add o.. that's why they all got their visas approved. Just remember to put # in front of your username when you want to add to further boost your chances.

You and this your sarcasm ehn

haywhy17:

This wrong... you will keep getting a score lower than your correct GPA

Ok bro.

Ok. I used it before I evaluated my transcript and i got same figure after evaluation. But ok.

Tomibob:
Actually, that's not the right way. You'll get the wrong value using that method.
You should just login to wes.org and use the free calculator to get the right estimate.

Your GP multiply by 4 then divide the answer by 5.

Y * 4/5

Where Y is your GP.

Waposh:
Pls I will like to know what’s 3.0/4.0 GPA of US grade equivalent to in a 5.0 scale in Nigeria grading
I would really appreciate answers

Finally here. Took long but worth it.

Favour1998:
Hello guys! Please I need your advice.
Am trying to fill the DS 160 form.
I don't know the reason I was previously denied. What other reason can I give for being denied the first time?

Write what is written on the blue paper they gave you.

Anyone schooling in Western Illinois University who can help to pay application fee?

Amenmay:
Good afternoon everybody in the house. I’m a graduate of Information Technology, I was refused B1/B2 visa twice in 2018 and 2019. Now I’m up again please I need a PGD computer related in USA school with no application fee, no any international exam like IELTS and school fees maybe between 10kUSD. Please help a brother thank

Japa things

Please who have been able to apply successfully?

After filling the form, i have uploaded all needed documents through my profile but clicking save and continue it will not go.

Somebody should help please.

Sequence001:
Application ends in 3days time

Have you been able to register? After filling theform, clicking save and continue isn’t working except save and continue later.

shawnmich:
Good day all the guru in the house.
I want to confirm some information and how visible it is , whether my past record will affect me or not?
I went to us embassy in the year 2011,2012 and 2013 and was denied for my bachelor degree, but now I want to go again but this time for my master degree. I have change my first and middle name because it's my father's name so I have change it to my other names but is different from the other name I have in the previous record with us embassy before. For example Surname: Aderibigbe first name: Samson middle name: ifamuyiwa (which I used to apply previously in the year 2011,2012 and 2013) but now change my name to Surname: Aderibigbe First name: Michael Middle name: Gbenga. Won't this new name affect me during the interview because they may be wondering why I change the name, though I have documents to back it up but being the fact that us are strict with data monitoring, won't it reduce my chance of getting visa?

Please kindly assist with advice so that I can know the way forward either to proceed or go to other country .
Thanks in advance

Fingerprint alone will reveal that you are the same person that came in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Sebi you sha know the reason why you change your name? Tell them.

KemLaughs:
A thousand miles they say start with a step!

The journey started in 2014/2015 during my service year (National Youth Service Corps) in Abuja Nigeria when I met my mentor. I call him Abu Umar meaning Umar's father. He advised I should consider going to the US to further my studies because he could see a lot of potentials in me as a fresh graduate who is so passionate about IT specifically in the field of Computer Networking. One thing I could remember was he always laid emphasis on taking the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), reiterating that the GRE could strengthen the profile of the prospective student in getting scholarships (Full Tuition waiver+ Monthly Stipends) which can either be in form of Graduate Teaching Assistantship or Graduate Research Assistantship. I thought about it and decided to do my research on studying abroad specifically in the US since it is the hub of Information Technology (IT) in the world.

As one who thirsts for knowledge, I Google searched “How to study in the US as a Nigerian Student”, I stumbled on an article written by Dr. Farooq Kperogi a professor, Journalist, newspaper Columnist, Author and a blogger based in Greater Atlanta Georgia, USA titled “Studying in America: What you need to know” and also an article on his blog titled “From HND in Nigeria to Ph.D. in America” this story specifically galvanized my graduate school journey and this was the turning point of my life. I also stumbled on a Nairaland thread titled “General U.S.A Student visa Enquiries” while searching the internet.

I studied the process of applying to US graduate schools; the application documents required to apply such as standardized Exams (GRE&TOEFL), Transcript (GPA), Letters Of Recommendation, Statement Of Purpose, Resume and other supporting documents that can boost my profile, classifications of schools in-terms of Ambitious, Moderate and Safe schools based on my entire profile. I learned about these processes the best I could.

All through 2015/2016, I learned about the entire process coupled with learning how to convert Nigerian CGPA (/4.0/5.0/7.0) standard to American standard (/4.0) called transcript evaluation using evaluation bodies such as WES, ECE, FIS, GCE, SPAN TRAN, etc. (N.B make sure you use evaluation bodies that belong to NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services).

In 2017, I started preparing my documents, requested my undergraduate transcript from Lagos State University (LASU) which I sent to my place of work so that I could have an unofficial transcript handy to apply to various schools of my choice. During this period, I started preparing for Graduate Record Exam (GRE). I met some amazing people during this period; people like OLOLADE OKANLAWON and ALEXANDER SHERIFF. These guys took me like a brother, introduced me to several WhatsApp groups such as NEW GRE GROUP, BDGI, etc in order to aid my GRE study preparation. Thanks to them and I will forever be grateful for impacting me positively.

I prepared for the GRE for several months, though my preparation was epileptic because I was combining work with my study and it was really stressful for me. After several months of prep, I had the shock of my entire life. I had a score below 300. I was almost knocked down by a car when I came out of the exam center because I was depressed. I was advised to make another attempt for the test of which I decided against after much thinking and meditation.

In September 2017, I stumbled at the University of Maryland College Park (UMD) during my research on schools that matched my profile. I applied to the Master of Engineering (MENG) in Cyber Security program without my "low" GRE score because GRE was not a requirement for admission into the program. Prior to that, I intended to go to a certain school in Europe (The Netherlands) because they had a particular scholarship for international students of which one of my cousins benefited from.

I intended to do MSc in Bioinformatics in the Netherlands using the scholarship, however, I was not awarded the scholarship even after being admitted into the program. The scholarship was going to take care of my flight to and fro from Nigeria to the Netherlands and from the Netherlands back to Nigeria, my accommodation, feeding, health insurance, and Full Tuition waiver. I had to concentrate and channel all my energy on my UMD application. I got admitted to MENG in Cyber Security at UMD, I was so happy because I never believed my profile could fetch me an admission in such a well-ranked school like UMD.

I started learning about the alternative ways of sponsoring one’s tuition in US schools so I found myself in some WhatsApp groups about graduate school journey. This was the period I learned that prodigy finance and N-Power gives loan to international students who want to study abroad. My Cybersecurity program at UMD would have to be sponsored by Prodigy Finance. I had an uneasy feeling that it was a big risk and I was really nervous about taking a loan. Though, I understood the entire process and how students will pay back their loans after their program at their respective graduate schools abroad.

After my admission at UMD which was the first phase of the entire graduate school process, came the second phase which involved paying SEVIS Fee, Visa Fee, booking of visa interview date, and preparation for the visa interview. I prepared for about 2 weeks and my visa appointment date was for December 2017. The D-day for my visa interview came, prayed to God for divine favor before hitting the embassy at Walter Carrington Lagos, Nigeria. On getting to the embassy at about 6:30 AM Nigerian Time, I did all the pre-screening such as fingerprint, checking of visa fee receipt, SEVIS fee, etc. During the interview, the Visa officer asked me some questions which I believed my answers were too technical for the Visa officer to comprehend.

The interview lasted for just 2 minutes and I was denied, unfortunately. (N.B: Make sure you don’t use technical jargon when answering during the visa interview. Try to answer questions using simple English Language). I was depressed but I shared my experience with some knowledgeable people who told me what went wrong during my interview and they also encouraged me to give it a second shot. This time, I was broke to the extent that one of those who encouraged me to give it another shot paid half of my visa fee.

I booked another visa appointment dated the first week of January 2018. Again the interview was at the USA embassy, Walter Carrington, Lagos, I was interviewed by a tall white American guy who drilled me with so many questions. The Interview lasted for about 6 minutes and unfortunately, I was denied again making it my second attempt at the embassy.

After my second interview was a rough period in my life. Depression set in and I was broke like never before. During this period, I met this beautiful and soft-hearted young lady and some other people who always assured me that everything will be all right. I was always unhappy at work, thinking about my life and my rent was also due. Also, my flatmate left the flat we were staying in because he got another job on the Island and he had to move closer to the Island.

I was left to saddle the responsibility alone along with the graduate school journey because fall 2018 application period was around the corner. I spoke to Emmanuel Ogunkunle my wonderful scholar who encouraged me and also made mention of Austin Peay State University (APSU). I had never come across such a school during my school search. I told him I’ll put the school on the list of schools for fall 2018 application cycle.

Fall 2018 application cycle began, I applied to Eastern Illinois University (EIU), Austin Peay State University(APSU), University of Cincinnati (UC) and Gannon University (GU) got admitted to all the four schools. This brought a lot of smiles again to my face after several weeks of depression and unhappy moments in my life. I started seeking Graduate Assistant positions at UC and APSU because the other schools told me there were no available funds for my program.

I applied to Graduate Assistant (GA) positions in 6 departments at APSU and in the school of Information Technology at UC. I got a GA interview at UC from a Chinese Professor in the School of Information Technology, but I lost the GA position because I had no experience in Machine Learning and Data Science. My last hope was APSU waited for several weeks after which I received four rejections emails from four different departments I applied to. All I wanted was just one department to turn the table around for me.

During my application at APSU, I met 6 Nigerians who were so instrumental during my application process because I was guided by virtually all of them during the entire application. I remembered one of them asking about my GA application of which I told him I was expecting good news, but I already had 4 rejections from other departments I applied to. One day, he contacted me on LinkedIn and advised me to change my concentration from Information Assurance & Security to either Math Finance or Predictive Analytics which are also in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.

I said to myself Math Finance is not a good area for me because IT is my life anything outside IT in graduate school won’t make me happy. I researched Predictive Analytics which was my best option because it is an emerging Technology under Data Science which is also an emerging technology in the IT field. I changed my concentration and also updated him that I had changed it to predictive Analytics.

He then told me to apply for the GA position again because he overheard in the department of Mathematics and Computer Science that there are still available positions for GA and some students just graduated during that period. I did as he advised, composed a nice e-mail, and attached my application documents; resume, transcript, and my professional certifications so that I could have a better chance at securing the GA position.

I waited for several weeks without even an acknowledgment e-mail from the department. I almost gave up because I already paid for another GRE to start prep for fall 2019 Ph.D. program in either Computer science or Information Technology. I had already made up my mind about Ph.D. for fall 2019 when I received a congratulatory message from the chair of the department about the GA position I applied to.

I wept, with tears of joy streaming down my eyes for it was the happiest day of my entire life. In-fact, I paid for people’s transport fare from my office to their destinations because I was coming back from the office at night after working a 12 Hours (8 AM - 8 PM) shift. I requested for my I-20 from APSU and it got to my place of residence within a week.

Exactly July 2018, I booked my visa interview dated July 30th 2018 which was later postponed to August 4th 2018 (Saturday morning). Prior to the D-Day, I prepared extensively did up to 5 mock interviews with some guys already in graduate school in the US and some in Nigeria. I also fasted for 9 days. On the D-day of my visa interview, I did all the usual screening such as fingerprint, checking of visa fee receipt, SEVIS fee, etc.

I was instructed to stay on a line which was the counter of the visa officer who previously denied me during my second attempt and I knew he could not interview me again based on their rules. On getting to him, he asked for my passport and I-20 which I obliged, but he returned my passport and I-20 saying he was sorry and that he already interviewed me. I was instructed to go to the second line where they had this young and pretty visa officer who already approved two people before me.

During the interview, the visa officer asked me several questions. She referred me back to the last 6 months with the previous visa officer which was my 2nd interview at the embassy. She stood up from her seat and went straight to the previous visa officer asking him something about my profile. When she came back, she asked me another set of questions which I responded to the best of my ability. She stood up twice again to talk to the previous visa officer.

At this moment, I was really scared, my heart was beating very fast, but tried to compose myself and never stop chanting my prayers and also tried to look into her eyes when answering her questions. In the end, I was given a white paper but placed on the administrative process for 4 days and got my Visa approved on the 5th day.

I left Nigeria for the US on August 20th, 2018, I flew from Lagos Nigeria to DOHA then DOHA to Miami and Miami to Nashville then Nashville to Clarksville (Austin Peay State University, Clarksville Tennessee USA).On getting to Miami which was my POE (Point of Entry), I was delayed for several hours because I got to Miami at about 5 PM in the evening and my connecting flight to Nashville was 8 PM in the evening.

I was taken to a private room for interrogations by 3 Armed men. I must confess I was scared, but I just had to display confidence since I did not have any skeleton inside my cupboard. I was asked series of questions such as Why I decided to attend APSU, my parent's Date of Birth, How I got my GA, where I worked in Nigeria before coming to the USA, did I informed my school I was coming at that particular date? They went as far as calling my school DSO to confirm if I was a genuine student, also asked what are my job roles where I worked last before coming to the US? Are my religious? Did I belong to any political party? I was referred back to what transpired last 6 months at the American Embassy in Nigeria that why didn’t I pursue MENG at UMD again and why did I change my choice of school and program? I answered all their questions diligently and confidently.

Lastly requested for my phone and PIN wrote down the serial number of my phone and searched my phone thoroughly, but they did not find anything implicating. I was asked to go out of the room to wait outside. After 15 minutes, the man who requested my phone came out of the interrogation room and handed over my phone and international passport to me and gave me a resounding welcome saying “WELCOME TO AMERICA AND ALWAYS TAKE SMART DECISIONS”.

I carried my bags to board my connecting flight to Nashville and then took a Taxi from Nashville to Clarksville. I got to my place of residence at about 2 AM in the morning. This was my graduate school retrospect which I believe you can learn a thing or two from my story.

Fast forward to April 2019, I was in the library with a friend where I received a LinkedIn message from a Network Engineering Director at Dell EMC who happens to be my manager. He contacted me because the summary on my LinkedIn profile indicated I was actively seeking an Internship position in Computer Networking and Cloud Computing domains for summer 2019. He scheduled an interview the same day, conducted an interview the second day and I was given an offer that very day at Dell EMC in their Network Infrastructure Solution team.

Words on marble: “Always believe in your struggle and let your faith be bigger than your fear”. I wish everyone who wish to pursue graduate education abroad all the very best. You can connect with me via LinkedIn Click here to connect with me on LinkedIn


Credit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hafiz-matti-bbb3a490/


SOME USEFUL RESOURCES to start your GRADUATE SCHOOL Journey:

https://www.4icu.org/us/a-z/ - A-Z Universities in US

https://www.farooqkperogi.com/2016/09/ibrahim-waziri-from-hnd-in-nigeria-to.html - From HND in Nigeria to Ph.D. in America

https://www.farooqkperogi.com/2011/11/studying-in-america-what-you-need-to.html- Studying in America: What you need to know

https://www.nairaland.com/6354180/general-usa-student-visa-enquiries-part- This Great Thread

https://www.naces.org/NACES_Members_by_membership.pdf- National Association of Credential Evaluation Service Members

https://www.scholaro.com/gpa-calculator/- Foreign Credits CGPA Calculator

https://applications.wes.org/igpa-calculator/- WES IGPA CALCULATOR

https://gregurublog.com/free-gre-practice-test/- https://gregurublog.com/free-gre-practice-test/

Wishing you all starting out the best!

This is so inspiring. I am so sure he would have forgotten those days in Nigeria when he was depressed and anytime he looks back he will surely smile.

Duisburg:


Can I have your number, man?

Just seeing this. I sent you a PM.

Duisburg:

Thanks, Bruv.

Like is this the step by step way?

1. VISA FEE (Please where do I pay it?)

2. DS-160

3. Book appointment (I guess on US embassy website, right?)

4. Pay Sevis fee.

Please let me know if this is the step by step method.

If you have collected your I-20, that’s the step. You can use Gtb ATM to make the payment for visa fee.

Euegene100001:
I have 1.5 m I want to go to South Africa to study and possible make a living can this cover ? Or what country would do? . Pls advice
Those that want to advice to staying in naija avoid this topic Abeg . I be gather almost 3m na una make me Invest for naija waste money and time[b][/b] .

Lmfaoooo

Search for the US students visa thread on here and you’ll find answers to your questions. Best of luck.

You’ll go to your secondary school and request for your SS 1-3 transcript to be sent to the school.

Duisburg:
Hello house. I'm one of those Germany die-hards who got disappointed by the German consulate in Nigeria.
However, I got accepted by Western illinois university yesterday and I believe it's a better option for me. But you see, because I've never been into US visa stuff like Germany, I can hardly understand all the f1 visa process well. Could anyone please help with the steps to follow?

Many thanks.

Sorry about that bro. Germany dey really do you guys strong things. I was following the thread before i left. Cat A and Cat B. Lool.

You’ll need to request for your 1-20 by sending the necessary documents to WIU, pay for your visa fee, fill your DS-160 form, book appointment, pay sevis fee and prepare very well for your interview then go get your visa.

NB : It is not so easy as it is listed up there but still much easier than Germany own. Lol. Good luck.

Hope this helps?

fantabulous08:




Please I want to verify this

What if you filled that you have a brother in the USA on your ds-160 form and you stood on your ground during the interview that you have no one there. Will they still find out you do? (Especially if he’s a citizen)
I thought people say they ask questions based on your ds-160 and what you have on your I-20

Nothing like saying the truth bro, as you’ll not need to rack your brain before you defend any question being asked. If you lie, you’ll have to plan another lie to cover up your lie therefore putting yourself in more problems.

Also, having someone in the US doesn’t mean you won’t get your visa, just look for a way to show hometies. I read a transcript here yesterday or so, the person have 3 or so relatives in the US and he/she still got his/her visa.

Good luck

Osmund6:
What if I was asked to explain my father's financial status, please someone should help me out

You are the only one that know your Dad financial status hence you are the only one that can explain it.

If there is any issue which is giving you any concern then explain it well and let people help you.

$205

Imustreturn:
Brethren please how much is Wes fee online?

EmmyteeTosin:
Is a SOA needed to be taken along to the embassy
if the program is fully funded?

If there is no deficit, it is not necessary

Imustreturn:
Guys please how do one send transcript to WES?

PLEASE I NEED THE PROCESS.

You’ll need to register at www.wes.org and select the country you want to further your studies either USA or Canada.

Also you’ll select course by course (I Cap) evaluation after which you’ll make a payment of 220 dollars or so( i am not so sure, confirm). Enter the details of all your post secondary and print out transcript request form.

After printing it out, fill it and send to your school. They will process it and ask you to pay. Make sure your school add your reference number to the Transcript they will be sending. When you make payment to Wes, the reference Number will be generated.

Hope this helps

EmmyteeTosin:
What if one has a dollar domiciliary account card to pay won't work ?

I don’t know sir

angels1:
Pls for those that paid sevis from Nigeria how did you do it?

You can’t pay Sevis from Nigeria. Either you travel to Benin Republic to pay it (I don’t know if it is still possible) or you simply contact @Walspring, he will help you.

BigDawsNet:


I never knew it's a must to present a bank statement at the US embassy

My dear, no VO will request a statement from you...you can come along with it...tho exceptional cases maybe required to present one...but the fact is that a US interviewer will never request one...

You account balance is not a criteria to qualify for a US visa...

Acquire 100m if you not qualify to get one
You try again

All what i am saying is what if the VO ask for his statement of account to confirm if he can fund his trip?

Whether the VO will ask or not, it is not advisable to go to the US Embassy without it.

BigDawsNet:



DIY

59grand visa fee

Flight ticket 500grand

Covid test 60grand I hope

Hotel u can get as low as 21grand a night in Texas * 7= 210k

BTA get more money to cover that...

Remember it's a short visit not relocation

Which statement of account will he present to the VO on the day of his interview? Abi you want him to use genje, so that he can land himself and his household 10yrs ban.

BigDawsNet:



Apply for a US visit visa

Visa fee 59grand or so

If you qualified...you pick up ur visa

Book a flight ticket
Book a week hotel
Get more money to handle ur bta

Travel to the states for a week holiday and return back to your country....

The experience is enough

You can always visit the US till ur visa expires...

Good luck

Don't over stay

With 750K?

Styles3six:
Good day everyone
My visa was denied yesterday
Lagos office

V.o good morning and pass me your 1-20 and passport

Me- good morning and passed it on

V.o- so what are you studying and and school

Me- I will be studying automobile automotive mechanics at salt lake community college

V.o- how will this program help you

Me- Always had passion for repairs and maintenance , so getting quality education at this college would enquip me with the right knowledge to be a top automobile expert since my location in nigeria lack adequate professionals .. I can render efficient services unlike the roadside mechanics

V.o I will not be granting you and passed me the blue paper

Note- the blue paper says lack of home ties , am 34 going for my first degree , I don't have a kid yet , my sponsor is American and not family

Advice needed on reapplying for a new interview .. can I say I have a kid in the next 1-20 form I fill to get better home ties .. is it possible
Should I go to abuja next?

Everything was not your in your favour hence your denial.

At 34 and you are just going for your first degree. You are not even going to a university but a community college and also your sponsor is an American. This shows nothing than an intending immigrant profile.

In your next DS-160, if you say you have a child as you are already contemplating on doing so, why did you not include it in your first application? Abi na now now you don born? And this is not about running to Abuja or Kafachan.

Go back to your drawing board and come up with a convincing application, if you have a first degree apply for Masters and see how it goes.

Sirjendon:



Please how can u educate me on sat and toel.

If u want us to chat or talk on phone I will be glad

Search for centres close to your address of residence online and register. It’s that easy. Prepare very well sha, materials are online.

Paxxcarl:
how much is the least in naira when funding your block account?

Like 4Milli

I will advise you choose Germany. Hustle money that you’ll use to fund your block accounts before you go and also to get appointment now na big task. Check Germany student Visa thread for more info.

Canada without sponsor or scholarship is a no cos you are only allowed to work 20 hours per week and how are you going to fund your studies with that.

I don’t know much about Poland.

If you can write SAT and ace very well, then you can try US and hope to get funding.