Hi Homodele, was your visa approved? homodele:
Please guys,, help me review my revised transcript. MY INTERVIEW IS TOMORROW...Questions with asterisks means I'm not sure if their responses are well constructed.
ME: Good morning Sir/Ma
CONSULAR: Good morning
CONSULAR: Pass me Your Passport and i-20
[ME]: Okay Sir/Ma (passes it)
CONSULAR: Why Are You Going to the US?
[ME]: I am going to the US for my Master’s degree in Econometrics and Quantitative Economics at the Western Illinois University, Macomb.
***CONSULAR: How did you hear about this school?
[ME]: After coming across a research paper written by Professor Shankar Ghimire which was very useful to me during an undergraduate study, I grew interested in the scope and works of Professor Ghimire. Furthermore, I complemented Professor Ghimire on the excellent knowledge he shared in his research paper and I also informed him of my strong desire in having a graduate degree in an analytical field of Economics. Professor Ghimire who happens to be the program advisor of the quantitative economics program at the Western Illinois University informed me of the scientific economics program they run that would fit my description. Upon Professor Ghimire recommendation of the Western Illinois University, I carried out an extensive personal research on this school by making use of search engines such as 4icu, US News, The Grad Café, and I was better informed and at the same time convinced with the high analytical program offered by the western Illinois university that perfectly meets my academic desire.
CONSULAR: How Many Schools Did You Apply To, how many gave you admission and name them?
[ME]: I applied to 4 Universities, and all 4 gave me an admission. They are; Western Illinois University, University of Colorado Boulder, Rowan University, and Youngstown State University.
CONSULAR: Why did you pick this school/ why Western Illinois University?
[ME]: I picked WIU because it shifted from the traditional economics coursework which comprises of Economic theories but rather emphasizes on data analysis, data optimization, and data interpretation as courses to be undertaken in the program. This would give me a more practical and scientific approach to my career as a financial analyst. Furthermore the quantitative economics program of the western Illinois University is classified as a stem degree as opposed to others which are non-stem. This would expose me to unlimited researches and scientific analysis which is an essential tool to my career growth.
CONSULAR: What is this course about?
[ME]: Econometrics and quantitative economics is a branch of economics that focuses on the systematic study of how to make use of mathematics, statistics and data analysis to analyze economic phenomenon and problems in a scientific manner with the aim of providing practical and scientific solutions. E.Q.E is a field of economics that depicts and explains economic theories using mathematical models, statistical diagram, and data analytics.
CONSULAR: What will this degree do for you?
[ME]: The Quantitative Economics degree will provide me with the analytical skills needed to achieve my short term career objective as a Financial Analyst at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Nigeria. In this position, this degree will provide me with the expertise needed for analyzing financial situation. Furthermore this degree will provide with the knowledge needed to manage data effectively for business decision. My long term goal however, is to become a financial consultant and advisor to the Federal and State Government of Nigeria.
CONSULAR: Tell Me About Your Academic Background?
[ME]: I graduated from the Osun State University in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Second Class Upper grade. As an undergraduate, I was an active student in the research department of my undergraduate institution. At the time, I was involved with carrying out researches and analyzing related data because I am competent in the mathematical analysis of economic phenomenal. In addition, due to my selfless act, I organized tutorials and tutor my colleagues and junior students on various economics courses.
CONSULAR: What Have You Been Doing since you graduated?
[ME]: After graduating from Uni Osun in 2019, I undertook the compulsory Nigerian Youth service scheme. In this scheme I was deployed to the Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, where I contributed to sourcing for development partners’ ready to collaborate with the Lagos state government on various developmental issues, I also attended stakeholder meetings where deliberations were made on the review and Implementation of the Yearly Lagos state government budget. After a successful completion of this scheme, I got a job as a Financial Analyst Trainee at *****. In this position I am being trained on analyzing various financial trends, providing statistical analysis for various financial decisions, and researching on business opportunities and threats.
****CONSULAR: What are those courses you’ll be taking in Fall semester?
[ME]: I will be taking 6 core courses and 3 elective courses. Some of the core courses are; Macroeconomic Theory and Policy by Professor Ghimire, Price Theory by Professor Lin, Econometrics 1 by Professor Kassing, Statistical Software for Data Management and Decision Making by Professor Jessica. The elective courses are; Thesis Research and Thesis in which a supervisor will provided to me upon decision of the departmental graduate faculty.
CONSULAR: What are your Study plans?
[ME]: I will be taking a total of 30 semester credit hours , which comprises of 6 core courses and 3 elective courses namely; Macroeconomic Theory and Policy, Econometrics 1, Price Theory, Econometrics 2, Advanced Mathematical Economics, Statistical Software for Data Management and Decision Making, big data for business decision making, and advanced data mining for business. I am expected to complete my program on the 12th of May, 2023.
CONSULAR: Did You Write Any Standardized Test?
[ME]: Yes, I took the GRE test, with a total score of 300.
CONSULAR: Are you married?
[ME]: No, I am not married.
CONSULAR: Have You Travelled Before?
[ME]: No I haven’t had a reason to travel out of the country.
CONSULAR: I understand you have a deficit of $18,000, Who Is Paying For This?
[ME]: Thats right, the total COA fee for my program is $22,600. However, I received an international commitment scholarship in the sum of $4000 due to my impressive undergraduate academic achievements which would be covering a portion of my tuition and my mother will be paying the deficit.
V.O: What does she do?
[ME]: She is a successful business woman in the Nigerian hospitality industry. She specializes as an Hotelier owning three 4-Star Hotels, 2 in Lagos state, and 1 in Sagamu, Ogun state. She also has a home appliances Supermarket in Ibadan, Oyo state and a total staff strength of 35 employees who works for her.
V.O: Has she Traveled before? (This question was asked at my previous interview and I replied with NO SHE HAS NOT, but the moment I said no, i felt it in my body, like I should have said YES)
[ME]: Yes, as a business woman, she's traveled to Dubai, China, and she recently got back from India.
CONSULAR: What do you do presently?
[ME]: I am currently employed as a financial analyst trainee at *****, a Private Firm rendering financial and accounting services, where I am gaining experience which will prepare me for my Masters in Quantitative Economics. In this position I analyze financial instrument, examine various financial decisions made by our clients, prepare statistical model to aid the firm’s senior management decision, and I carry out SWOT analysis for various client, amongst other functions.
V.O: What will this degree do for you?
[ME]: This degree alongside the experiences I would be gaining from this program will move me higher in my career ladder to the position of a full time financial analyst.
V.O: What are your plans after the completion of your program?
[ME]: Upon completion of my program, my immediate plan is to return back to Nigeria to work as a full time Financial Risk Analyst specifically at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Nigeria. In this position I will work in the capacity of a consultant rendering financial risk analysis to selected private institutions in the Financial Industry. My medium term plan is to work as an Investment Analyst at the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority. In this position, I will analyze the investment decision of the federal government, and give necessary recommendation on the most profitable and viable investments. My inevitable long term plan is to establish a financial consulting firm, rendering advisory and consultation services to the public and private sector. |
Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 16 by Ivoryb: 5:04pm On Jun 17, 2021
