₦airaland Forum

I guess it is the right time to revisit this thread. �

All I see is a signature GRE score; 331! @user4321 you have successfully taken your profile to "Next Level". Congratulations!
And @akinsolaoyelola your score is equally outstanding! Congrats!

In line with what most other scholars advised, you guys should make best use of these scores by contacting faculties in your target schools and ensuring your essays are equally superb. My thought is that since 311 gave people like me funding(not in MIT, Standord, etc. ☺), 320+ can give you guys funding in any US school.

Good luck to you guys and those yet to take their GRE and TOEFL.

wip7:
Very interesting research areas you have selected. Why not tweak your Research Topic to focus on Water Reclamation and Reuse?

Focus on the following:

Energy and Nutrient recovery
Agricultural and Industrial reuse
Urban reuse including landscape irrigation (non-potable)
Groundwater recharge
Small-scale/decentralized systems

Best wishes

Thanks for that suggestion. Those areas constantly surface each time I have research discussion with my advisor. Now that you have emphasized on those I will definitely consider them.

Hi Scholars,

Very glad to identify with this thread!

I am a first year Ph.D. student of Chemical Engineering(Michigan Tech. Univ).

My Research Areas: Membrane Separations and Process Safety

Research Topic: Water Reclamation: Particulate Removal and Microbial Risk Assessment

Currently working on a review paper. Because of my coursework, I have not been very much involved in the lab. However, this coming summer will be exclusively for research. So I guess I found this thread at the right time.

My special appreciation to all the learned intellectuals in the house who have been providing invaluable research tips and advice.

A Wrong Time for Nigerian Leaders to be Arrogant.


Atiku, in his mind, justified his absence in today's debate on grounds that Buhari did not make it for the event. Left for me, that is a perfect example of 'Arrogance' at work. Because, he probably thought the debate would be a platform to reveal to the masses what we already know — that Buhari is a failure. To make it concise, Atiku displayed gross arrogance today because he thought having a 'word battle' with Buhari was more important than presenting his blueprints to millions of Nigerians made out time to listen to him.


On Buhari side, he simply 'redemonstrated' his sheer incompetency today. Do not try to 'cook up' stories on why he was absent because for whatever reason he did not participate in today's debate simply showed that he neglects the audience and desires of millions of Nigerians. If the reason for his absence is health-related then it calls for our concern and prayers. However, a president who cannot plan ahead and receive the necessary medical attention prior to this day is not fit to be the president of the giant of a continent.


What about other candidates? The truth is that, going by the perplexity that characterize our politics, today's presidential debate will have an insignificant effect on the outcome of the presidential election. The reason is simple; none of them can individually pull the numbers needed to win the election. If you followed the debate, you would agree with me that these candidates(Muoghalu, Durotoye, and Ezekwesili) have wonderful(and similar) ideas on how to bring the desired change in Nigeria. The interesting but unfortunate thing is that even when these candidates have similar ideas on how to move us to the right lane, they failed to reach a consensus among them. It simply tells you that 'Arrogance' had a field day by stopping their coalition. Just think of how formidable Moughalu/Durotoye or Durotoye/Ezekwesili presidency would have been. Such coalition backed with concerted and consistent grassroots campaigns would have won hearts of many Nigerian youths especially in the south. And while APC and PDP divide the Northern votes, the 'ego-conquered' Coalition would most likely win because they would sweep votes from the South. Unfortunately, we lost that golden opportunity because they(Muoghalu, Ezekwesili, Durotoye and Sowore) could not resolve their differences to form the needed coalition.

As an engineer and someone who have been deeply involved in victorious campaign before, I know the significance of numbers in politics. And sadly, none of these candidates(Muoghalu, Ezekwesili, Durotoye and Sowore) can separately pull the needed votes to win the election.


To be realistic, the two parties contesting are APC and PDP. And I feel PDP is a better option because I know Obi will likely make more net positive change in Nigeria than his APC counterpart. I say this not because I don't know that Atiku will be the chief decision maker but because I know that Obi is not someone you can easily coerce into conforming with policies against his belief. On the other hand, Osibanjo is a great man with nice ideas but he is not radical enough to resist the influence of cabal in Aso rock that is why we are still where we are today.


My humble submission.
God bless you as reflect on the state of Nigeria.

Lakesyd32:
hello guys, please myself and my friend are stranded in JFK now cos our flight to Charleston was cancelled. we need a place to crash till our flight is rescheduled. anyone in NEW YORK who can help?

Hello Lakesyd32,

if you have not found a place to crash,I suggest you sleep over at the Airport cos it is quite safe and even more convenient for you considering the fact that you may likely have some loads(luggage) with you. I had to sleep over at Hamad Int'l Airport, Doha last night before departing for Chicago this morning, and I can tell you that I did not regret spending the night there.

Safe journey as you continue your trip.

Realizrel:
[Husky14]

Good day all,

Initially, I wanted to post my Transcript when I collect my passport at my preferred collection centre, but the thought that some fellows here might have visa appointment(and can equally learn from my experience) before I finally get my passport has propelled me to post it now. Also, since my status has changed from 'Administrative Processing' to 'Issued' leaves me with little need for worries.

I was among the last ten persons that were interviewed that day so you could imagine the kind of patience that was displayed that day.‎

My Visa Transcript on Thursday at US Embassy Abuja. Was called to Window 9

VO: Pass me your passport and i-20, fast please
Me: I passed them
VO: How did you hear about this school?
Me: I got to know about Michigan Tech University when I was researching on top chemical engineering schools with research area on membrane separation technology

She was busy looking at my i-20, and immediately raised her face and said to me"wow..you are going full scholarship!" I smiled back blushingly.

VO: How did you get it?
Me: I had Skype Interview with my potential supervisor after which he recommended me to graduate committee for consideration

VO: Can I see your offer letter?
Me: I took my time and found it in my file and gave it to her

She read it for a while and continued..
VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: I also applied to University of Texas, Austin and Auburn University, Alabama
VO: How many admits?
Me: This is the only admit I got
VO: Where did you do your Master's?
Me: I am interested in Research that was why I opted for Direct PhD
VO: What will you be specialising on?
Me: I will be specialising on membrane separation technology, we will be researching on the use of membrane in treatment of water and industrial wastewater, and also for gas separation.

VO: The two other schools you applied were they Masters or PhD?
Me: I applied for PhD in all of them

VO: Do you have any family in the US?
Me: Not yet

VO: What will you do with this degree?
Me: On completion of my program, I will have equipped myself with research expertise and necessary knowledge that will enable contribute to evolution of Engineering in Nigeria. It will also make me more productive when I return to lecture in Unizik.

It seemed she asked another question but I didn't hear that......she typed for a while and told me something I didn't hear completely, ".......... pick up your passport after 4 working days, congratulations and be careful..."She gave me the white paper and my i-20..
‎
More grace to those about to go for their appointments..
Thanks so much to everyone who has posted or commented on this thread; your inputs served me greatly during my preparations. I am most grateful

[Hello, Pls how can I get in touch with you bro.I am also going to Michigan Tech this fall]

You can reach me on ***/@mtu.edu
Hoping to hear from you

Realizrel:
Hello Husky14
I am also going to Michigan Tech this fall.Can you drop your mail so I can reach you.Thanks bro

PM received and equally replied.

lalahhh:
Im sorry but my post will be long. I decided to post this after seeing that my AP status changed to issued. First I’ll like to thank God for everything, Sorelee I thank you so so much, words can’t express how grateful I am to you. Ubah1 thank you for encouraging me. Kekenation thank you too. You guys are amazing. I have been to the embassy 7 times , 4 times last year and 3 times this year. I don’t think my last year’s transcripts would be necessary. So here’s my first interview transcript for this year.
Me- Good morning
VO- pass me your I 20 and passport
VO- where are you going to?
Me- North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina for my masters in( VO cuts in)
VO- what are you going for?
Me- My Masters Degree in History
VO- how did you get this assistantship?
Me- The department’s Chair was impressed with my GRE, my transcript, statement of purpose and essay.
VO- so why did you change course and school ?
Me- sorry? I didn’t get that.
VO- the last time you were here you were wanted to go to Arcadia so why change to NCCU?
Me- Arcadia gave me partial scholarship while NCCU gave me the full ride and in NCCU, I get to minor in courses related to Peace and Conflict Resolution.
VO- so who would pay for other expenses
Me- I have family funds
VO-which family?
Me- My Uncle
VO- what does he do?
Me - he works with the Kwara state government, at the Lower Niger River Basin.
VO- where does he live?
Me- Kwara state
She looks at the I 20 for a while then drops it
She asked for bank statement which I gave to her
She stared at it for a while , typed somethings ... In my mind I was just praying , then she asked
VO- why is your Uncle paying
Me- my parents sent his to school so this is more like a more thank you and he has the money
VO- how many siblings do you have ?
Me- 5
VO- which Uncle would be paying for them?
Me- I am the last child
VO - what’s the name of your Uncle
Me- I said his name
Then she picked up the I 20 again .... looked at it again and asked
VO- are you married?
Me- NO I’m not
VO- do you have children?
Me - No I don’t
Then she finally said I’m sorry you are not found eligible at this time.
This was lagos embassy. I was advised to try Abuja embassy and I did. Interview was for June 30th.
VO- Good morning , Pass your I-20
Me- Answered her while passing it.
VO- I see you have been denied in Lagos , why come to Abuja ?
Me- after being denied I informed the school and I was asked to please try again but I checked Lagos embassy and I couldn’t get an early date but I got here in Abuja.
VO- while nodding her head, what are you going to do in United States of America
Me- I’m going for my masters in History in North Carolina Central University
VO- how many schools did you apply to?
Me- 4. University of Wyoming, Texas A&M, North Carolina A&T and NCCU.
VO- I see you have full tuition waver
Me - Ohh yes while opening all my 36
Then she picked up the white paper, in my mind I was saying Ohhh yes, come to Mama... I’m right here baby , then she looked at me my heartbeat increased rapidly.
VO- where is you sister
Me - Confused n lost .... sorry?
VO- I said where is your sister?
Me- she’s in USA on OTP
VO- why isn’t she back? When did she travel? When is her date of birth? When did she travel?
Me- ahhhh I don’t know the answers to all these questions.. we are not so close
VO- wait I’m trying to help you out here
Me - shaking, already disorganized
Then she finally said it ... I’m sorry I won’t be issuing your visa.
Me - why? What’s wrong?
So I got home, with the mind of this is the end , called my sister and explained everything to her . She explained the part I mixed and begged me to go one more time, reluctantly I said ok. Luckily for me, we got July 19th on that same day. Truthfully I wasn’t so hyped about the last interview, I was dressed casually. I got interviewed by this middle aged woman on Ankara. A very nice woman I must add infact the nicest VO I ever came across. So here is the third transcript
Me- Goodmorning
VO- Good morning, you passport and I-20 please
I gave it to her
VO - ohhh NCCU
Me - yeah North Carolina Central University
VO- so who’s sponsoring you?
Me- I have full tuition waver and family support
VO- family support?
Me- yea my uncle.
VO- what does he do?
Me- he works with Kwara state Government at the Lower Niger River Basin
VO- Kwara state?
Me- yea Kwara state.
VO- where is that on the map? While looking at her map
Me- can you see Oyo state? It’s right beside Oyo state.
VO- ohhh wow , I can see it now .
VO- I see you have been denied twice , what has changed about your application?
Me- the last time I came here , i noticed the VO kept asking me questions about my sister that I didn’t know about and she ended up denying me. I went home, called my sister and she explained everything to me.
VO- so explain it to me too
Me- I did . Told her everything
VO- you see the main reason why you have been denied all these while is because of your family history, you sister finished school and she didn’t return.
Me- but she’s still in OTP and that’s my sister not me
VO- i know and that’s why it’s called family history . il do you a favour , il overlook it
Me- thank you so much
VO- wait
Me - in my mind, mo daran kilotun sele bayii
VO- il place you on AP , if we find anything fraudulent about your documents, you will be banned from entering the USA for life.
Me - No wahala , they are all real.
VO- Are you sure? make sure you travel before classes starts or else you will be turned back at the port of entry.
Me - ok ma’am. Thank you . Please can I pick up a tissue
VO - sure please do, take as much as u need .
Me- picked up the tissue and left
I might have forgotten some questions asked sha but this is all I can remember. I have found this thread really helpful. The main thing is be well prepared, be organized and learn from people. Thank you so much once again
Sorelee
Ubah1
Kekenation
Ekebs I really hope they issue yours too soon.

Wow...congratulations!
Your perseverance finally paid off

Jaked:
@ patsodek, Tunmise100, TheGrandChemist, Tohlou, TheSuperladyy, Nitta08, Longhite01, ghs007, aribolseg, NeverSayNever11, PHUMEELAYO, ajxii, Husky14....pls help on my recent post...need a mock interview
Thank u

Okay..make arrangement for the mock interview and let me know

lalahhh:
A big Amen to that. What time was your appointment?

10:15 am but was interviewed some minutes later

imperiouxx:
Husky14, do you have a husky dog pet?

#Smiles... I am working towards that..lol

lalahhh:
Congratulations!!! I did mine too on the 19th of July in Abuja by a middle aged woman putting on ankara. A very nice woman I must add and was placed on administrative processing I hope the next time I open it I would read Issued so I can post my transcript/ thanksgiving.

Thank you.

You are right; I noticed most of the VOs that day were friendly and even gave people enough chance to express themselves. ...

Relax, your status will change to 'Issued' soonest.

solastar2:
Congrat.

Can you please share your profile?
GPA, GRE score, TOEFL, publication and work experience.

GPA: 4.8+/5.00
GRE: 311 (Quant - 160)
TOEFL: 102
Publication: None yet
Work Experience: About 2years of relevant industrial exposure.

I think what sealed the offer for me was my performance during the Skype interview..of course, God's grace made that possible

Tunmise100:
Congratulations. Go and Excel

Thank you.

Nahum777:
When was your interview?

On 19/07/2018

Good day all,

Initially, I wanted to post my Transcript when I collect my passport at my preferred collection centre, but the thought that some fellows here might have visa appointment(and can equally learn from my experience) before I finally get my passport has propelled me to post it now. Also, since my status has changed from 'Administrative Processing' to 'Issued' leaves me with little need for worries.

I was among the last ten persons that were interviewed that day so you could imagine the kind of patience that was displayed that day.‎

My Visa Transcript on Thursday at US Embassy Abuja. Was called to Window 9

VO: Pass me your passport and i-20, fast please
Me: I passed them
VO: How did you hear about this school?
Me: I got to know about Michigan Tech University when I was researching on top chemical engineering schools with research area on membrane separation technology

She was busy looking at my i-20, and immediately raised her face and said to me"wow..you are going full scholarship!" I smiled back blushingly.

VO: How did you get it?
Me: I had Skype Interview with my potential supervisor after which he recommended me to graduate committee for consideration

VO: Can I see your offer letter?
Me: I took my time and found it in my file and gave it to her

She read it for a while and continued..
VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: I also applied to University of Texas, Austin and Auburn University, Alabama
VO: How many admits?
Me: This is the only admit I got
VO: Where did you do your Master's?
Me: I am interested in Research that was why I opted for Direct PhD
VO: What will you be specialising on?
Me: I will be specialising on membrane separation technology, we will be researching on the use of membrane in treatment of water and industrial wastewater, and also for gas separation.

VO: The two other schools you applied were they Masters or PhD?
Me: I applied for PhD in all of them

VO: Do you have any family in the US?
Me: Not yet

VO: What will you do with this degree?
Me: On completion of my program, I will have equipped myself with research expertise and necessary knowledge that will enable contribute to evolution of Engineering in Nigeria. It will also make me more productive when I return to lecture in Unizik.

It seemed she asked another question but I didn't hear that......she typed for a while and told me something I didn't hear completely, ".......... pick up your passport after 4 working days, congratulations and be careful..."She gave me the white paper and my i-20..
‎
More grace to those about to go for their appointments..
Thanks so much to everyone who has posted or commented on this thread; your inputs served me greatly during my preparations. I am most grateful