elmadavida:
I wonder why travel agents (wakanow.com and travelstart.com) have cheaper flight fares compared to the airlines themselves

bartino:
Hope this issue of visa printing comes to an end,I did mine on 12 June in abuja,yet nothing till now.

The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs is currently experiencing technical problems with visa systems. This issue is not specific to any particular country or visa category. We apologize for the inconvenience and are working urgently to correct the problem and restore full operability.

We are currently unable to print most immigrant and nonimmigrant visas approved after June 8, 2015. In addition, U.S. Embassies/Consulates are currently unable to process new applications submitted on or after June 9, 2015. Applicants with interview appointments scheduled for this week, June 14-120, are asked to reschedule if they submitted a DS-160 online application after June 9, 2015. Appointments can be rescheduled by following the instructions located on (insert vendor’s website). Nonimmigrants visa applications who submitted their DS-160 online application prior to June 9, 2015, should plan to attend their scheduled appointment.

Individuals with urgent travel should follow the instructions for expedited emergency appointment found on this website.

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng/index.html?firstTime=No

Visa approved in Abuja this morning.

I could not sleep last night...not sure i slept for up to an hour . Mom came to my room at 5:30am, we prayed together and she wished me well. Drove out of the house at 6am for the 7:30am interview. Had to stop by to pick a friend whose interview was same time as mine. We arrived at the embassy at 6:45am and were ushered in at 7:25am.

After all the formalities, at 8:20am interview commenced...at this point, my heartbeat increased but after listening to a number of interviews i was more confident - I can't imagine while people seeking F-1 visa should go to the embassy without writing at least one standardized test. I listened to at least four student visa interviews and none of them wrote a standardized test and of course all got denied. At that point i knew I had greater chances of sealing it. Fast forward>>> the lady in counter 7 (wearing blue) kept issuing denial forms. It got to a point that a young girl had to excuse herself claiming she was pressed and needed to use the toilet all in a bid to avoid counter 7 . I was now praying that the counter 7 lady should not interview me since she has not issued any visa after 4 interviews. Then i changed my prayer point and said God, let whoever who will issue me visa interview me.

At 8:40am, i was called to counter 7. Below is the transcript:

Me: Hi, Good morning
VO: Good morning

VO: Pass me your documents
Me: I gave her my I-20, Sevis receipt, DS-160 and GTB receipt

VO: Where are you going to?
Me: Montana State University

VO: Why Montana State University?
Me: The department's curriculum aligns well with my intended course of study and their research area suits my career plan. The department also has a research laboratory

VO: Have you traveled out of Nigeria before?
Me: Yes, i have been to United Arab Emirates twice

VO: What did you go there for?
Me: Vacation

VO: Where do you work?
Me: xyz company, a health care management consulting firm

VO: How long have you been working there?
Me: 5 years

VO: What do you do there?
Me: I work as a Data Analyst

VO: What will this degree do for you?
Me: I intend to return to Nigeria to continue with my current job as i have been granted a study leave. I also expect the degree to further equip me to be a better Statistician and Data Analyst

At this point she was typing very fast

VO: So who is funding you? She was looking at my I-20 while asking
Me: I got a full tuition waiver and stipend through Teaching Assistantship. However, my elder brother will provide me with monthly stipend. In addition, i have my own personal savings

She smiled

VO: Do you know Montana is very cold
Me: Yes i know, i spoke to Prof. John a professor in the department who told me how extreme it can be

It now became a gist o

VO: Yes, it can be very cold. Same way Nigeria is always hot is the same way Montana is always cold.
Me: I even check their weather on regular basis online and i can confirm that

VO: Don't buy your winter jacket in Nigeria. You will get them in Montana
Me: I smiled because i knew it was a done deal Thank you for your advise ma'am

VO: Your visa has been approved...it will be ready for pick up before the end of the week at xyz...you cannot enter the United States before 30 days prior to resumption which means you can only arrive the US after 16th July...
Me: Thank you! Thank you!

She return my I-20 form and the letter stating where i should pick up my passport. I turned back excited heading to the exit and did the "sign of the cross".

I give God all the glory. He is my Number 1. The gurus in the house have been my source of inspiration. Special thank you to Slimmy05 who assisted in paying my SEVIS fees. To my new found friend and brother, Innovativeame, God bless you plenty plenty - i owe you a lot. To bbdd, imperiouxx, Walspring, Bigfrancis21 and zeezahbee, your contributions on this thread have been valuable. Thank you!

Way forward for prospective applicants:
1. Confidence is KEY during the interview
2. Write at least one standardized test - if possible two (SAT & TOEFL; GRE & TOEFL; GMAT & TOEFL) or as demanded by your program
3. Follow the contributions on this thread
4. Pray, Fast and Let God take control of everything..

THANK YOU

DARKLIGHT:
Visa approved around 7:45am today at Lagos embassy consulate. My profound gratitude goes to Bigfrancis21, Slimmy05, Profojah, Akin, and bbdd. Also to all gurus, intermediates and newbies, I appreciate you all.

Furthermore, my innumerable appreciation goes to God because no document was asked of.

Interview transcript loading soon.

ebdib:

Why would you need a SoA if you're going to be funded?

profojah:

Your graduate cordinator is in best position to answer this question...Send an email to the grad coordinator and ask if your statement of account can be scanned and sent via email .... Some schools accept scanned copy of SOA through the email while some want it to be sent directly to them...

mbeenox:
Please who applied to West Virginia university? I'm still waiting on their decision. Is it bad if u hv ur undergraduate in civil engineering n applied for masters in petroleum.

slimmy05:
I would advice that you wait so that your GA would reflect on your I-20 for the VO to see. You know those funding sometimes usually give a little edge during visa interview. Which courier does your school send I-20 with? If it's a private courier then wait as your I-20 will always get to you in 3working days. But make sure you have your sevis fee with you and a means to facilitate the payment and start working on your DS160. If possible pay your visa fee and keep before dollar goes up again.
Did you ask them when they are likely to reach a decision?
Full your dad as your major sponsor and during your interview you can also make it known to the VO that your company will also be sponsoring you as well. But if you get a GA, your father or your company will be ok along with your GA funding

aanowai:

From my last F1 visa application interview experience at the US embassy, part of the reasons why my visa was delayed was because when the question "Who is sponsoring you?" came up, I only answered "My father", instead of answering "My father is my major sponsor but I also have money in my savings account which I have used to receive my salary from the company I work for". This proves that you have enough money to take care of your tuition and yourself, throughout your entire duration in the States. However, I came prepared with my father's SOA and mine. So I will strongly advise that in your DS160, fill in your father or mother as your sponsor, and then go for your visa interview with any of your folks SOA, including a letter from your company stating that they will also sponsor your MSc program and when thay question come up (because it will surely be asked), answered it the way, I have just stated. I hope I have been able to be of help. Respect..

idmanzik: Dear Justwise and Vicjustice,
I have been offered an all expense paid one week overseas trip by my firm and i have choosed to go to UK. Please how do i package my application considering my firm will be my sponsor? I earn just over 200k (don't have much in the account though), but could get the company's statement of account and any other documents required. I have only travelled outside Nigeria once...went to Dubai last December on hols.
Please what are my chances of getting a UK visa...assuming i package based on my firm being the sponsor.
Thanks

justwise:
How big is your company? Limited or plc?

Foxy_Rebirth:



Mr. Idmanzik.... I hope you saw that... Now tell me the justice in the whole stuff.... News reaching me now is that the painted bus drivers have now blocked the road in protest. You just can't stop something without providing an alternative na....

Foxy_Rebirth: You posting pictures... Why don't you take a stroll around on your crazy arse and see the number of people stranded. I personally got to the office around 9:30am.... Tell me, if the "arabas" are around, and the BRT not designated to a particular bus stop, would that happen>>

Chelcy10: CHELSEA CAN STILL QUALIFY IF JUVENTUS
DRAWS
European champions Chelsea can still qualify if
Italian champions juventus draws with group E
leaders Shaktar, the group E standings show
P W D L GF GA Pts
Shaktar 5 3 1 1 12 7 10
Juventus 5 2 3 0 11 4 9
Chelsea 5 2 1 2 10 9 7
Na'jalland 5 0 1 4 3 16 1
Now, Chelsea 3rd placed can qaulify on goal
diference ahead of Juventus if the Italian
champions will draw against shaktar, chelsea
needs six goals to nil to stay ahead of juve, but
if
juve gets a one all draw against shaktar,
chelsea
will need a 7-0 win against the Danish side, the
more the goals in the juve-shaktar draw, the
more chelsea needs to add to the must atleast
6
goals.
Now the big Qs? Here is, can chelsea score
atleast a 6 goal under interim coach Rafael
Benitez?
Chelsea had just scored a goal in 3 matches
since under the care of Benitez.
With Roberto Di Mateo, the man who brought
attacking flair into the chelsea team, one
perhaps, will be sure chelsea can get a pounce
out of this whole situation.
Dear friends, what do you think?

prudjone: @idmanzik, pls I like to know how I can check admission status of unizik using Jamb's website.
@storm2, thanks for the update, I just hope they release Medicine also

STORM2: Guys, only two new developments. First, I think all the direct entry name were uploaded today. A friend of mine just got in via DE. No word still on the fate of mbbs hopefuls like us. Next, the former VC of UNIZIK is rumoured to have been kidnapped. Now I kinda hate the school (only because they bleeped me up) but haba! Kidnapping university officials? What for na? I hope he is released soon. How can somebody work for his money only to have some dumb ass thugs kidnapp him and make away with all he has earned? Its unfair! Very unfair.....emmmm UNIZIK, I hate u right now.....peace y'all.....I think by this evening I should be closing this thread (if its my place to do that I mean) lol....nighty night.