The person that wrote this piece has never been to the US or UK.

LagosismyHome:



On the topic of students on f1 that caught my eyes . I wonder how students are doing in all this. Hopefully on campus job is still ongoing and worse case able to do it from home?

As far as my school is concerned, graduate students still get to keep their job. But funding is going to be tough this fall. I know that because I’ve seen faculty briefings (my supervisor shared one with me) and every single bullet point ends with “funding cut”. So it’s going to be an interesting fall semester for sure.

Lots of undergrad lost their job, since you can’t help in the library online, or work as an undergrad assistant online. It’s an interesting time to be in America for sure, and I can’t wait to see what happens in November.

If you think people in the US don't want you to come over here because of the advice they're giving you, you can't be more wrong.

Your absence or presence does not cause anybody any harm, so why would they discourage you from coming?

Sometimes, we just like hearing what we want to hear, and this is exactly why religion is a big business in Nigeria.

If you think students on F1 visa have the luxury of time to wish you bad luck, wait until you resume and see how busy and stressful your life is; much less invest the little free time you have into discouraging others.

Most people already in the US are either more interested in us staying alive than travelling to the US or hoping we dont get to the US like them. This is because, most of them jump at every opportunity and magnify every post that reads : " you cant travel this year". They also have posted some things about these impossibilities in the past, and are hoping to God things dont work out so they can say: "I said it". I wouldnt know why, maybe just to preserve their ego or ...

.

I can’t wait to hear feedback on these online classes from Nigeria.

America is kuku not running away. Even here, sometimes it’s difficult to have a good class experience because Webex or Zoom is being used by everybody; your internet isn’t even the problem; it’s their capacity.

Not to discourage anyone; but if you can get funding from a school, they can also keep the funding for you until you’re able to attend, at the very least, know for sure that if one school thinks you’re good enough to be funded, more than a dozen school will fund you if you’d perform due diligence and apply to them.

Y’all should really not forget to share your online experience with us.

PS: If you think taking classes online increase your chances of getting a visa, you can’t be more wrong. They don’t care.

Dansuqi:


You lie.an average Blackman dislikes anything research, publication or writing so it is in order.

Speak for yourself and your lineage bro.

You can publish junks in papers with zero impact factor. What you should care about is h-index. Clearly, Nigerians on that list have better h-index number.

Geewin69:
Can you guys please cut the crap about standardized tests and transcripts?

That's how some started ranting about GRE and covered 3 pages!

What do you people even gain from these pointless rants?

Leave trash for LAWMA biko.

This is the problem with most people; knowledge is boring.

Sefa2018:



Go tell that to your LSAT, MCAT, GRE, Dental, nursing or medicine board examiners that you had a worst menstrual cramp or your pet died and they will smile at you lol.. Come on man!! This is real life we talking about. How do you think all those kids get to Harvard and co..no excuses whatsoever. Overcoming adversity and excelling is even a test by itself..

You clearly missed the point, but it’s ok. People fail MCAT, LSAT, GRE, board licensing exams all the time. They retake it until they’re deemed qualified to progress, that does not mean they’re not intelligent. And don’t drag Harvard into the conversation; if test score is the key to getting into Harvard; almost everybody will be in Harvard.

I’ll let this rest now. But I hope the people that need to understand my point will read and understand it.

Stay safe!

Sefa2018:


But the ability to master the material thoroughly and apply the rules to any game or exam scenario suggests your intelligence right? It really does. You contradicting yourself here.

Same way we all get tested at all levels of our education so the system can determine who is fit/qualifies for medicine, engineer or not even fit for university.
Standardized exams do test your intelligence....we can't deny that. You all provided with same material to study from..no magic questions from anywhere.

If you earn a 160 on GRE quant and I obtain a 140 score, It's fair to say to you are smarter than me in math. Simple, no excuses.

I’m not necessarily smarter than you. Your pet could have died a day before the test. If you’re a woman; the test day might be the day you had your worst menstrual cramp. You might even be having a bad day for any reason you can think of; maybe a boil on your left butt cheek.

Point is; a 4hrs exam is not a TRUE test of your intellectual capability.

Sadly, most responses on this issue are geared towards justifying intelligence based on GRE score; a four (4) hours exams that can be mastered; given enough time and resources. The admission committee understands this better than anyone else, and this is why they make you submit your transcript (4 or 5 years effort), they ask for a statement of purpose, which is meant to ascertain your intention, as well as recommendation letter from people you've worked with.

The sole purpose of a standardized test like GRE is to filter applicants out; what that means is that; all you need is the minimum in other for your application to be considered. Once you get past the filter, the score is USELESS. Nobody cares about it anymore, if the minimum requirement is 300, that's really all you need; getting 320 won't put you ahead of others with 300, especially if the GRE score is the only strong aspect of your application, because the committee would spend more time reviewing your transcript, SOP and recommendation letter, and in some cases, they would arrange an interview to make sure you're as good as you claim on paper.

All of that points to the fact that; GRE isn't a TRUE test of your intellectual capability. NO record agrees with the assumption that those who ace GRE do well in graduate school.

It's important to do your absolute best, and ace it, in fact, score 340 if possible, but if you don't fall in the 320 leagues, don't let anybody make you feel inadequate, by flashing some random statistics jargons. There are people with average score on full funding in great schools; what they lack in standardized test scores, they make up for it in other aspects that matter.

Sefa2018:



...And u think only Nigerians drive/journey hours to write standardized tests? Its same all over the world. In my field here in the states, you might even need to fly hours to write certain board exams. The GRE is a 4 hour exam, not a big deal. Wait until you write an 8-10 hour exam back to back within 2 days.

Like someone suggested above, time for us Blacks to stop all these excuses and work hard. We can do it!

If you read my response clearly, you'd see that the crux of the matter is not the hours spent driving to the test center. And I'm certainly not making excuses for failure, but it's sheer ignorance for anybody to conclude that Nigerians are not intelligent because they don't get 320+ on GRE. It's just a 4 hours exam, it justifies nothing but your ability to master the MATERIAL and apply the rules when taking the exam.

sexylassie2:
Lets be sincere, do you think most Nigerians will be able to score high in an IQ test?

Can Most Nigerians solve a Rubik cube?

Sigh, can’t believe I’ve wasted my precious time responding to a troll. ����

sexylassie2:


I still do not understand from the examples you gave why standardized test are not true measure of intelligence.

So what is true measure of intelligence?

If you don’t understand a statement as simple as that; then I’d suggest you be more worried about your score in verbal than black people average quant score.

sexylassie2:


So what tests are designed to measure true test of intelligence? Test generally test intelligence

Lets be logical, if in Gre test, Black people scored low, do you think they will perform better if they are given a test that measures their intelligence?

Test isn’t a TRUE measure of intelligence.

Let me give you an exam; I wrote the GRE twice.

First time; I travelled to Abuja by road, sat for 8hours in a bus and took the test the next day; sitting for another 4hours. I did poorly. That’s not a true test of my ability to ace the test.

Second time; I took it in Lagos, slept well the night before, and did well on the second attempt. Hopefully that gives you an idea of why standardized test is not a TRUE test of intelligence. It’s just a 4hours run, people with long attention span will do well, that doesn’t mean those with short attention span are not smart.

Gerrard59:


I am not ETS, take your wahala to them. I am concerned about the poor scores from predominantly black countries and last I checked, Nigeria is not the only poor country where her citizens take the GRE. Regarding my linkage between GRE & Nobel Prize, attaining a good score can get one into a top school like we have seen. The probability of winning a Nobel in the science category is high when one attends/conducts research in top universities, so yes, getting a high GRE score has link to winning Nobel prizes (science category).

https://www.nairaland.com/3937181/why-there-been-no-black

Please, share your GRE score. It might interest you to know that most top universities are dropping GRE. In the end; graduate education has very little to do with acing exams; which is what GRE is all about.

sexylassie2:


every test black people score low is always skewed, so which test is the best for black people?

None. Because excelling in school or in a test isn’t just about the test day.

sexylassie2:


GRE Test measures intelligence

No, it’s not. Standardized tests are not designed to be a true test of intelligence.

Gerrard59:


Before you find it, please know that Asians are also classified as people of colour.

Sigh... Factor Asian performance on Verbal section to your argument as well. It’s no secret that Asians have great aptitude for maths. This is also well documented.

Gerrard59:


Just to buttress it, the only black dominated countries that had quant scores circa 150 are South Africa, Ethiopia and Sudan. Meanwhile, most Asian countries had quant scores above 150 with tiny red dot Singapore having scores above 162. If I talk, I would be accused of elongating a debate. But hey, what do I know? Probably ETS & GMAC are racists.

Can’t find the paper right now; but there is a research paper on how skewed the test is, against people of color.

The report gained some attention, ETS had to address it https://www.ets.org/gre/institutions/admissions/using_scores/underrepresented/

Gerrard59:
Honestly, with those scores I saw eh, black people will find it hard to win a Nobel prize in the science category. GMAT is worse sef, no wonder plenty black people no dey top companies' management teams.

Sorry for digressing but those stats are way too appalling.

Maybe YOU should post a screenshot of your GRE score.

What has GRE got to do with Nobel prize?? GRE is not a true measure of intelligence. A 4hours exam that can be easily mastered if one choose to invest time and effort. The question is always the same style every year.

Yes; it’s important to do your best in other to stand out, but you guys should stop talking as if Nigerians are intellectually incapable because of ETS Data. The variables that goes into taking and acing GRE as a Nigerian is way more than that of an average student in a developed country.

When you write about how “appalling” the scores are; think about how hard it is for most student to pay for this exam, how they had to travel in Lagos traffic to work and come back tired in the night to study for the exam.

henrye27:
Menh... dude @stanford guy... you’re bad ooo. You’re the only person I have seen with a GRE score higher than mine. I’m not saying there are no other person with a high score. But I duff my capito. My GRE is 314. Q= 159, V= 155, AWA= 4.0. Ielts =Listening 9.0, writing 6.0�, Reading 6.0, Speaking 7.0. Total band score : 7.0. I got an admission with a scholarship offer of up to $10k which automatically Qualify me for a instate tuition. And other scholarship awaits me upon arrival and Also a TA job. I can’t imagine paying $76k per year For tuition. I’m glad I have to just pay less than $25k. Emergency Interview already booked. Waiting for an approved date and time for my interview. I pray the VO act right.

Lol � you’ve not seen lots of profile then �

Saying no Americans can do the job is wrong.

A more informed way to say it would be; very few Americans are qualified to fill those positions; resulting in skill shortage in some sectors.

fairheart:


You can't see it because you're not a politician and one of those advising Trump, but I can tell you the President and his team have their reasons this decision was made. Even if it is 100K jobs, it is something to politicians. It matters to them when earning public trust and playing politics determines their political future.
That is how I see it.

Our argument does not influence anything, but I’m not sure you get the idea when people say the restriction will harm the country’s economy in the long run.

The sectors that hire H1b the most are not laying people off right now. As a matter of fact, the systems (technology) that America economy has fallen back on in the last couple of months as a result of lockdown were built by companies that are currently run by people that were either on H1b or still on H1b. Think about Amazon, Google, Facebook, Netflix, Uber, etc.

When you read about millions of people losing their job, these are jobs that people on H1b will never get.

Nobody on H1b would be allowed to work as a waiter or store attendant. Maybe J1, which further reduces the impact of the restriction to a negligible number.

But in the end, our opinion does not matter; if Nigeria was half as good as America, we most probably won’t be having this conversation.

Friedpotato:


H1B jobs till the end of this year is about 250,000. So far Americans have lost 30 million jobs. So how is this number significant if not for his unnecessary propaganda.

The 250,000 figure is calculated with the total number of jobs taken in 2019 by H1B divided by 2. But this year won't even be up to 250,000 Because employers would want to prioritize US citizens.

So I really don't see the economic and patriotic importance of this rule.

Trump supporters don’t care about data. He knows this and his advisers know this as well. It’s all about saying “he’s preventing foreigners from taking American jobs” end of story.

AdoChel:
Okay. Would a freelance online job be calculated as part of it? Even if one was engaged in it before leaving for the US.

Setup payment to go into your Nigeria bank account (or make sure that your SSN is not connected to the payment). A freelance job is considered real job in US. Even YouTube earnings are considered income when you're on visa e.g H1B.

Key is to make sure that you don't associate your US identity (SSN) with your freelancing business; that includes routing your income to Nigeria and not supplying your SSN on those platforms.

Northeastern:


Oga tendency, please wait till November. You think because you’re in the US you can sell unfounded sentiments here.

Like I said, wait till November. I no get time to argue blindly.

Sigh...

Northeastern:

They should not back it and let’s see how they’ll survive the impact on undergrad and graduate level jobs done by international students.

The bunker man doesn’t know that fear and hate stoking will not save him this time around. His defeat at the polls will be unmistakable and clear. The racist magas that he appeals to should brace themselves for wailing.

All these his ill advised policies will be speedily reversed.

As sad as it may sound, the tendency of Trump winning the election is way higher than him loosing.

NwanyiOkpa:
Good day,

what are the questions to expect for a funding interview with a professor? this is urgent.

Thanks.

From my experience here, they just want to ascertain that you can communicate effectively. Don't expect any technical questions that you won't be able to answer. If you're genuine on your CV and listed experience, then you don't need to study for the interview.

PS: They know you don't know. So don't think they expect you to impress them with your knowledge of science or whatever your research interest is.

THEprometheus:
It is a full assistantship.

Talk to family members, friend's parents, uncle, cousins, open up to people in the REAL world around you, those that might actually help.

Truth is, you won't get practical advice on here as regards to showing proof of fund. Also, don't be overly desperate to the extent of going for your interview with a fake SOA, it will hurt you badly.

It used to be easy when uncles can just provide a letter with their account statement, stating their willingness to support you if there is a need to, but with EFCC and FIRS on the lookout, nobody keep their money in banks anymore.

The take-home point here is to open up to people around you, and carefully establish your case; help often comes. Don't be overly secretive about your move; to people around you.

PS: Make sure you actually have some money too. I mean maybe not $8000+ but make sure you're not coming to America banking solely on Assistantship income. It's not as easy as it sounds; in reality.

Pjomo:
Wait. Una dey mad ni?. If una wan talk about covid this is not the thread for it. You people should kindly go to another thread and discuss that. This place is for Student traveling to the USA for studies. Don’t derail this thread. @justwise, Oya delete all these useless posts & arguments and lets this place come back to normal.


What’s going on about I-20, GA, Sevis Payment and interview??

Such an unenlightened way to respond to good intellectual conversation. Their conversation is in no way derailing the purpose of this thread, you can't talk about visa interview and overlook the impact of the current pandemic.

Snakedoctor1:
Again, the students on funding, did they continue paying your stipend on this time out?

Most schools are on break now, and you don't get paid when you're not working.

But when we transitioned online, we kept on working (online), and we got paid. As long as you are able to perform your duties, nothing stops the stipend. I do know that some people that work in the library or bookstore (mostly undergrad) lost their job though. But I haven't heard of a Graduate Assistant with such experience.