Congrats!

ElDeeVee:
I was at Lagos Consulate this morning. I was slated time was 6:30am so, I had to leave home very early. I got to the Consulate around 5:45am.
Security checks lasted like forever but alas, I got into the interview hall.
Initially, white papers were flying left, right and center but, this changed later as blue papers were also coming out.
My interview was quite short and the VO (in his late 40’s) was pleasant and nice.

Transcript below;
VO: Hello, good morning
Me: Good morning Sir

VO: Pass me your passport, I-20 and SEVIS payment confirmation page
Me: **Passed it**

VO: What are you going to study in the US?
Me: I am going for MS study in Math

VO: Why did you choose this particular school over others?
Me: I am going to the school for 3 major reasons. First, the school offered me a full GTA with tuition waiver and monthly stipends. (*** VO cuts in)

VO: How did you get the assistantship?
Me: The members of the committee in charge of selection for assistantship were quite impressed with my profile and previous academic and professional achievement.

VO: Which other schools did you apply to?
Me: 3 other schools – UNI, BGSU and UL Lafayette (Stated all in full with their respective cities and states)

VO: Tell me about the MS program.
Me: The MS program is a flexible program that focuses on key math areas like Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Numerical Analysis, Applied Math and Operations Research.

**VO typed for some seconds and then gave me the white paper.
**Me smiled and left the hall immediately.

I appreciate everyone on this thread for their wonderful tips. Special shout out to @tolutweety, @profojah1234, @texrem @oludare01, @jesusbabygirl, @libber, @toakins, @folsy, @femi321, @happyday, and everyone who has contributed to this great thread.

Tips
1. If you have funding, state it as one of your reasons for going to the school. I feel this worked for me;
2. Be bold and confident. This cannot be overemphasized;
3. Prepare, prepare and prepare - know your stuff (your course, your program structure etc);
4. Please don’t cram. Just go there and chat with the VO. The interview is nothing out of the ordinary.

Good luck, people and see you at the top.

How time flies. I've missed this thread.

OluDare01:
Igbonerd did his graduation today. Congratulations bro!

YOOO! Thanks, brother.

Slimmy05 What's good, boss? Been in Tennessee for about two weeks. Registration and orientation have been overwhelming me, to be honest. When I heard guys saying a car isn't a status symbol, but a necessity, I thought it was jokes. One is so crippled here without a car. Just got my SSN last week, so I wanna go get that temporary license sometime this week.

warriboy21:


De asked me to bring my i20 since it's a one way ticket

Thanks for responding, chief. What bank abeg?

Is there a bank that sells PTA to customers with a one-way ticket? First Bank is needing me to have a return ticket.

anikemoses:
this is it,jettison the idea of seeing a friend in NY except its most pressing and u ve the funds to fly from NY to TN,coz using greyhound should be more than 18hrsbon the road,coz greyhound from MD to NC is about 15hrs and TN is still after NC..so the choice is urs to make..also know that the only way u can make ticket reservation is to call the cc of the airline to make reservation for u which might not really be for the particular price of ticket u saw while surfing..so if u have ur card ready and the funds jst go ahead and pay online..peace.

Thanks, big boss. The reason I want to put up with a friend for a day is still to save cost. The cheapest connecting flight from New York to Tennessee would be a day after I land in JFK; I wouldn't want to spend that in an airport, when I have a place to go.
Thanks for the insight on ticket reservation. I will do just that. Will it be it issue at the POE in JFK that I wouldn't be leaving the same day for Tennessee. I appreciate you response, man!

Stewee:

Hey Bruh!
I agree with you that making travel plans can be really stressful. Getting a visa is surely not the end of life's troubles.
But don't get worked up...
About your booking, I think you should start your reservation all over. I took the liberty of going through their site and its almost the same with Qatar. You should be able to make a reservation and pay in 72hours. If you still have any issues your should call their helpline. Just relax and pay attention.
17hours is not so bad compared to what people on here have had to endure. The downside of getting a cheap ticket is a long ass layover. Prepare yourself for the layover and you just never know(i had a 20hrs layover in London and I was allowed entry without a transit visa).
JFK shouldn't give you any trouble. Just have all your document carry on luggage.

Thanks, Capt. Stewee!
If the price difference isn't significant, I think I'd go with Qatar based on the positive reviews I've been seeing on here about these Arab airlines. Bless you, brother.

Turns out getting a visa is just the start of an exhausting travel process. I am trying to reserve a flight on Royal Air Maroc, but I can't see the option of doing that. They are prompting me to make my payment online immediately. Also, they apparently have a 17 hour layover at Casablanca. Interesting. Will I need a transit visa for that? I don't want to be blindsided by any unforseen travel policy.
My school is in Tennessee, but I want to come in through JFK, New York. Plan is to put up with a friend in New York for a day, then set out out for Tennessee. Will the POE officer in JFK frown at that? Will s/he demand to see evidence of a connecting transport - flight or Greyhound ticket - to Tennessee?

Please, I'd be grateful if someone can throw some perspective on this for me?
Thanks, guys.

Stewee:


After a booking, you usually have 72hours to pay or your booking is cancelled.

Are you having a challenge?

Thanks, brother man. Yeah, I'm having one. After selecting the date I want to travel, and filling out the necessary details, the next page I see is one prompting me for payment.

House, abeg can I a book a flight and pay later? Do I have to pay immediately? I can't understand this Royal Air Maroc people o.

HoneyBronzed:
its the pick up mail.

Thanks a lot!

warriboy21:
Guz is dis d pick up mail?
Your document(s) have been collected from the US Embassy/Consulate

The passport number being returned is A********

You have chosen to have your documents delivered to the following location:

Isolo - Lagos, DHL House. New Airport Road Junction,, Isolo, Lagos

If you have any issues or concerns, please contact us at www.ustravel

Got this mail too. House, does this mean the passport is ready for collection?
It's confusing because the address circled on my passport is at Victoria Island.

slimmy05:
exactly, I came in through Chicago too. Where in TN are you going to?

Tennessee Tech in Cookeville.

BloodyMitch:
Good day Everyone, Please i just paid for my emirate ticket at Firstbank and sent them my payment evidence, how long does it take for the e-ticket to get issued and how long does it take for one to get an acknowledgment that they have received your payment evidence. Also what is the email address you used to send your payment receipt,

Thank you.

Hi, how much did it go for?

slimmy05:
Congrats igbonerd.

Thanks, big boss! Which POE would be better for me to come into Tennessee, New York or Chicago? Does the the POE really matter? Can I just pick the one that will afford me the cheapest itinerary?

Bro, you do not have to cancel and reschedule your interview, because you filled out a new DS-160. I also filled out a new DS-160, and my interview date was not affected. (I have had my interview.)

Just go to your account and try to update your profile with the new DS-160 confirmation number. It will likely generate an error message as it did, when I tried updating mine - something about an error loading a Visualforce page. Panic not.

Send an email to support@ustraveldocs.com stating your intention to change your DS-160 confirmation number on your account. The mail should contain the following:
Surname
Name
Date of birth
Passport number
Old DS-160 confirmation number

Attach to the mail, the confirmation page of the submitted new DS-160 and also the data page of your international passport. They should respond to you promptly.
Good luck.

meritdee:


Jeeez! Benin does not require visa and I didn't have a passport when I went to Cotonou. WTF!!!

warriboy21:
i just booked now fr lag to newyork via emirate for 927 dolss(prices jus de fluntuate nyhw..e de 1.2kdolls before..but as we enter tuesday omo 9 e drop com 927 o....who no likwe cheap tin )..wil b paying via bank transfer at ist bank..though im heading to indiana

oya o..diasporans which us airline do i book from new york to indiana,,n hwmny hours space shud i gv for poe...or make i take greyhound bus(dat 1 na like 22hrs o)

advice needed o

Abeg what website did you go to book that?

DARKLIGHT:


Congratulations, boss!

Thanks, Mr. Mysterious!

innovativeame:
Congratulations igbonerd, the Lord is good always.

Yeah, he sure is. Salute!

bigfrancis21:

Yes you need to. A GRE score is critical in getting a scholarship or funding.

I didn't get funding in TTU, so I plan on attending a semester there and possibly transfer to Michigan Tech, which is actually cheaper. Is this a wise idea?

djmakson:
Congrats bro.

profojah:
Igbonerd, Congratulations!.. Your head is there

fregkay:
Igbonerd,congrats bro!

Thanks, guys!

godG:
igbonerd, you did it! Congrats, man. See what we discussed? Everything boils down to the applicant. Greater things ahead in Jesus' name.

Man, you were a real confidence booster. God bless you plenty, bro.

chummygirl:
Congrats!!!!!!!!!!! So happy for u. Pls my question is this- the uncle u used does he bear the same surname with u?

No, he doesn't. I don't see why he should, he's supposed to be my maternal uncle. Dig?

Hi guys!

I had my visa interview today at the Lagos Consulate. I should state from the outset that I was denied a B1/B2 visa in September last year.

After a very restless night, I got to the consulate at Walter Carrington at about 5:20am. My appointment was for 6:30am. We were ushered in for the preliminary screening under the pavilion by 6:45am, and I got into the Hall of Judgment by 7:00am. At this point, memories of my last denial rushed in, and my stomach starting turning me. Don’t know if it was sheer nervousness or I actually had to go. I did my biometrics, had my passport scanned, and quickly entered the restroom to check if the toilet looks like the one in my house.

The visa officers resumed by around 7:30am, and it was time to play ball. The first lady – who was with her infant - that was called wanted to go visit her husband who was studying in the states. The kind VO gave this woman twenty minutes to make her case, but every word she said appeared to draw the blue paper even closer. Felt pity for her. Some dude was asked why he chose the school he did, and he said it’s because the school is the oldest school in that state. The VO kept asking him why that was important, and I was wondering same. Man, at that point, I was just blessing the day I clicked on the link that brought me to this thread.

I was called to Window 3 around 8:00am. The VO was some middle-aged, slightly bulky, white man and the following conversation ensued:
Me: Good morning.
VO: (Smoothly ignores me) Place your right four fingers on the scanner.
Me: *presses fingers against scanner like my visa depended on it*
VO: So you are going for study?
Me: Yeah.
VO: Do you have a first degree?
Me: Yes, I do. (Like say I dey take marital vow.)
VO: You can take your fingers off the scanner now (when he see sey I don press life comot for the scanner).
VO: (Scanning my I-20) It says here that you’re going for a doctorate.
Me: Yeah, I was given a direct PhD admission.
VO: Where did you have your first degree?
Me: Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria.
VO: When was that?
Me: 2013.
VO: What have you been doing since then?
Me: I worked for six months, then I went on my mandatory national youth service in 2014, and I finished that in February 2015. A couple months back. (Had to add this, make the bros know sey e never too tey.)
VO: (Glancing at his computer) What did you do during your youth service?
Me: I served as a youth corps member. (Duh!)
VO: What kind of work did you do? Did you teach?
Me: Oh, I worked as a Works and Housing Engineer in the local government. (I pray o! Me wey serve for my house.)
(I made sure to give a reply that tallied with what I filled in my DS-160.)
VO: So what was your first degree in?
Me: Electrical & Electronics Engineering.
VO: Okay, so you’re just continuing along the same line…
Me: Yes, I am.
VO: I see you’ve previously applied for a tourist visa (which I was denied).
Me: (My heart skipped two beats.) Yes, I did. (Na mistake, no vex.)
VO: So who will be sponsoring your education?
Me: My uncle – he has been my academic sponsor since my undergraduate day. (Cold zobo)
VO: What does he do?
Me: He is a Senior Financial Analyst with Chevron.
VO: *typing away*
(At this point, I couldn’t tell the kind of impression I had made so far, but I knew I hadn’t really fumbled, so I was just praying and hoping.)
VO: I’m going to approve your visa, you can pick it up at *this* address (Oh boy, if na Pluto e dey, I dey go pick am). You’ll need your I-20 and SEVIS….
Me: Thank you!

The bank statement I carried wasn’t the traditional statement of account, but some fixed deposit certificate of investment, so I was reeeaallly counting on him not to ask for it. Thank Heavens, he didn’t. Although I was armed with an arsenal of documents, he didn’t ask for any test scores or Bachelor’s degree certificate – no documents whatsoever! It seemed, to me, he just asked some initial questions – my job during my NYSC, especially - to verify my authenticity, and, afterwards, my word was good enough for him.

To you guys who were kind enough to reply my PMs, mails & mindless questions, God will always provide an answer for you. Thanks Slimmy, BigFrancis, godG, Walspring, Urchie, and Innovativeame! Innovativeame, you this smooth talker, our mock interview and your encouraging words worked magic on my confidence. God bless Nairaland.

(To those yet to go for theirs, please pray to God in whatever way you know how to. God is alive and prayer actually does work. My interview is a perfect example. I had ready answers to virtually any question the VO was going to throw at me, but God closed his mouth like the lions, when Daniel was in their den. I wasn’t asked how I got to know about the school, I wasn’t asked about why I chose the school, or what the degree would do for me, or what I planned to do when I returned or any question along those lines. It’s what prayer can do!)

spazio:
Preparing to take my GRE exams..Can anyone please help me with study materials Plsssss


Regards

Send a blank mail to selfstudy360@gmail.com. Good luck with your preparations.

Nabylet:



Congrats.! I tap into this. My visa approval transcript coming up in less than 12hours Wait for it.....

All the best. God will favour you!

meritdee:
I've compiled all the VISA interview transcripts from Page 1 - 229 of Part 7 for personal use. Both Approved and Delayed transcripts.

Its in PDF format and can be downloaded from the dropbox links below.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tkt7zz6y583qhna/APPROVED_VISAS_Part_7.pdf?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3nq0ft9sr52twe7/DELAYED_VISAS_PART_7.pdf?dl=0

NOTE: Transcript authors' names were removed.

I don't know if its against the rules tho, just tryna help in my own little way.

Oga Justwise, abeg forgive me if its against the rules o.

You're awesome.

Teeswift:
I think its better u use the contact of the person(cordinator) written on your form i-20.

djmakson:
That's ok. Sometimes people use their admission advisors. As long as the contact is in the school it's ok.

Thanks, guys. I'll go with the school official's name on my I-20 to avoid wahala.

Hi guys, a quick enquiry.
Who is the most appropriate person to fill in the section of the DS-160 form that asks about "U.S. Contact Information"? I already filled in the contact details of the professor (in the university I'm going to) with whom I have been corresponding, but I just I'd run it by someone else before submitting.
Muchas gracias.

My interview isn't for another two weeks, but I'm already getting the chills. Wish all those who have theirs this week success.

I have two enquiries:
1. There is a section in the DS-160 that asks if one has already made travel plans. Would answering in the negative raise red flags i.e. would it cause the VO to deem you an unserious student?

2. I'd booked an appointment with a previously filled, signed & submitted DS-160, then I spotted an error while reviewing it. Now, I'm filling out a new one. Will I need to book a new appointment, or can I somehow tie in my new DS-160 to the current appointment date?

Thanks, buddies.

ikuyinminu:
I want to thank everyone that has contributed to this thread in one form or another. Especially those who has gotten into the United States years ago but still have the time to come here to give a little helping hand.

You see.. thats how life should be. if you dont want to end up the only champion in your village. Being the only champion makes the like every other person in your village. but when you decide to lift others with you. you automatically become a KING.

I have been reading interview transcripts since January that I started this MSc race. By 28th July I will be going in for Visa Interview. everything is set. I did TOefl and GRE. I am also an engineer in my father's petroleum firm. I pray for good success and a good testimony to teach others that working hard and praying do work.

I can't mention names.. but the idea of this write up is to Thank everyone.

we shall celebrate!

Amen!

WhiteWalker1:
Hey Guys. Any Update?

Success mails have been rolled out already.

Howyouseeit:


Hi brother,

Sure you’re at your AC atm. I really hope it is going well.
If you don’t mind, kindly share your experience with us whenever you can.

Thanks.

It was gangsta. The HR said the Assessment Center was going to be conducted for only one batch of manufacturing MT applicants. So, it's unlikely that they'd send out anymore AC invites. Two top performing candidates were picked after the day's exercise. Word is, there is only a single slot to be filled.
But, boy, that BAT factory is heavenly. The other MT applicants were awesome guys. The whole experience was great.
Akpan, Emmy & Trish, I bet y'all would read this. You guys were too on point!

kobe79:


where u are coming we have bin living and rearing children 11yrs now andstill counting JJC

Relax, bro. No need to get snide with your comments.

Howyouseeit:


Hey brother,

Please what date is your AC scheduled for? I have traveling plans to make, so I’m trying to see if I can do that ahead of time.

Many thanks.

Wednesday, 8thJuly.

coolbibz:


That's my nigga! Go pepper them.

Na to dey sleep for church now remain.