₦airaland Forum

Chibzee2:
said should be o, was just a straight conversion i did. if it is more, then i am literally jumping up right now , cause id be glad as i will be favoured as well o.
that means 3.62/5.0 will give me well over 3.0/4.0 right?

I had 3.69/5.0 and it was evaluated as 3.29/4.0

lol... Presidents pay for their own food in AMERICA.

MackyNaija:
Use jalapeno, it's the flavored one I talk about.

Or cook 2 - your own with atarodo then use jalapeno for her own.

Thanks chief!

MackyNaija:
Habanero, yellow pepper wins!

All those green and red bell peppers na jonsing.

Some stores have grinded pepper too. E deh work also.

E get one green finger-like pepper that adds flavor to my stew. Na my wife deh buy am for me, I can check the name when I get home. Some deh for fridge.


If you need 'heat' or spicy as they say here...
Buy yellow pepper plenty but start with like 3/5 for beef cooking/stew to take check your spicy power.

I noticed their pepper strong pass our own for naija. Also my gf can hardly sample any of the food, cos of the pepper level.

Oga Mack, let's talk about pepper... How do you find a balance when you cook?

This is how you know the country isn't getting better any time soon.

solihp:
Congrats and welcome to Georgia State, Atlanta awaits you

Oshey chairlady, Atlanta division

Hi guys, if anybody is interested in life sciences graduate program opportunities, below is a link to current opportunities in the field. Usually the professor updates it every week, and they're mostly opportunities you wouldn't find on the school's website.

https://www.nku.edu/~boycer/gradopps.html

Goodluck!

iamclime:
What specific niches or subject matters are you looking for?

Position filled.

Thank you.

If you've got a decent writing skill, with the knowledge of how the internet works, there is an open opportunity for writers, and you're advised to apply.

Working with my team gives you the flexibility of working at the comfort of your home, while you earn a reasonable amount of money on a weekly basis. The workflow is designed in such a way that, you can earn as much as you want by picking up different topics submitted by our clients.

The standard rate for a beginner is #2-#3 per word.

Payment is made directly into your Nigeria bank account once article is submitted and vetted. If your work is rejected by the chief editor, it remains your personal property, and in most cases, the editor would tell you what you should do in other to fix the article for re-submission.

If this sounds good to you.

Please send an email to (adeaugustus@gmail.com) with two samples of your work, or links to previously published article.


CC:
Youth Corps
Undergraduates
Graduates
Freelancer Writers

WristFashion:
But money still dey dis Nigeria sha
I see lekki guys turning this car to corrolla just like they've done to Bently
Seen this Maybach 4tyms this week alone..Twice at Falomo..Once in Ocean Parade..And yesterday or dayb4 yesterday Inside Mega Chicken
Neva knew it was this expensive

Abeg MackyNaija follow me buy watch make i comot this country..Naija mata tire me

Stolen money you mean...

Muleriders:
OK my friend. Take a glass of water and let's re-analyse the entire thing to see the blanket you are talking about.

This was his post.



And this was my reply


Now that you have taken a glass of water, now read through the two content and tell me where I laid emphasis on GETTING ADMITTED into a competitive program.

I only empasized on getting a full funding for educational course with a 2-2 as almost impossible because of the little funding available for it. And I adviced him to consider masters in CHEMISTRY been a STEM course to have a partial funding advantage with his 2-2. and not on getting admitted with a 2-2


Once again, I appreciate your criticism, but I will advice you to always read and understand the context of an argument before throwing critics.

If its that easy for 2-2 to get full scholarship, then 80% of Nigeria graduates should be in US by now because almost every graduates I know had Atleast 2-2.

Peace

Yeah, you're right. Sorry about that.

Muleriders:
Nice contribution my friend. But if you check his post very well, and also check my reply that you quoted. You will notice that it centered on "full scholarship with a 2-2 degree from Nigeria" and not about admission.


I myself came here with a poor 2-2 from naija. If you check my replies to another user, you will see where I said I have a friend in alcorn State University who is running masters on conditional admission with a third class from naija.


It is what it is. Ask anyone schooling presently in US or any of our ancestors like lagosismyhome, they will tell you how educational courses are poorly funded in USA,.

Where stem is getting over 100million usd endowment, MBA may get like 40m while education may get less than 10million usd. And with the little funds available, you are competing with other people who have higher cgpas. That is why I said he has a better chance with chemistry than with science education (chemistry education).



Its good to contribute and give constructive criticism, but lets always understand the context of the argument first.

Peace

Your response laid so much emphasis on cgpa.

I don’t need to ask anybody, I’m in the US as well; getting a graduate degree, so I know how it works.

I’m just trying to curb your blanket statement on reasons why he/she won’t get into a program because of how competitive the application Pool can be.

Peace to you too

Muleriders:
I don't think US universities accept PGD transcripts for masters, I may be wrong though.

What career are you pursuing exactly in the masters level?, chemistry as a science? Or education?


If as science, with GRE score of 300+, you may be lucky for partial funding because its a STEM program. I use the word partial because with your 2-2, you are competing with others with 4.9/5 first class applicants.

If you are pursuing education chemistry at master's level. You have a very low or almost impossible chance for funding because

1. Education courses are poorly funded in the US unlike the STEM counterparts.

2. Since the program is poorly funded, you will be competing with other first-class students for the little available funding.

This is not necessarily a good advice.

If you convert your CGPA and it meets your school minimum requirement, please apply.

The admission process in the US is not just a thing of grade. Even when the application pool is competitive (GPA-wise), they still think alongside diversity in the class population.

EconMajor:
This is my opinion and you don't have to take it.

I think you should focus on getting your master's first. Getting into a PhD program with a bachelor's from Nigeria is extremely difficult, if not impossible, because undergraduate and graduate economics programs in Nigeria don't prepare you for the quant-heavy economics PhD in the U.S. and admission committees know this. In fact, the economic theory being taught in Nigeria and other parts of Africa is outdated. Here, people talk about game theory, rational expectation, DSGE models, and so on.

To prepare for PhD, try to take Calculus 1 and 2 while doing your master's. If you can, also take calculus 3, linear algebra, and probability theory. If you want to get into elite institutions like MIT and University of Chicago; then, you should take differential equation and real analysis too. Try to complete a decent economics research paper (under an advisor) and present the results in a conference. Learn how to use Stata (the statistical package for economists). Start thinking of retaking the GRE, PhD admission is becoming tougher.

For your master's, apply to schools that don't have PhD programs to improve your chances of getting funding. The American Economic Association has a list of econ graduate programs in the U.S. and different rankings of these programs too.

Good luck!

Take this really serious.

My roomie is in PhD economics program. He did not get a masters degree, he told me he won’t advice his enemy to do the same, no matter how huge and attractive the offer is.

Doesn't make much sense.

I left secondary school very early, agreed it came with its own demerit, but the time I thought I gained, I wasted it in the Univesity, due to strike action that extended for over two years.

In a country where age is a thing when it comes to Job hunting, this policy should be kicked against.

DammyNwodo1999:
If you can’t be useful please keep quiet

He’s being blunt, and I think that’s what you need right now.

Please don’t waste your money or add to the refused statistics by going to the embassy with that admission.

Go for a degree program at the very least, get some funding and also if you will be sincere, read your transcript you’d see that, you’re not even convinced of your own intention.

I wish you the best when you make the right move.

samdgreat2011:
First week of lectures here, like three weeks of moving around on campus, and I'm thinking what we've actually being studying in Nigeria.

To everyone starting lectures this week, receive understanding beyond your amusement in Jesus name. Amen

They will come for you as an enemy of the country.

femijohn21:
Thanks, you so much. I think you are a leader that knows how to address issue. Receive your Visa in Jesus name.

Visa ke? Veteran lo da e loun na.

CastedDude:
iwriterng only stated the obvious truth which everyone knows that our leaders have failed us. Why are you people now criticizing him for saying what even Buhari knows its true. I schooled in University of Nigeria (UNN) and I have professors that never even came to class to teach for one day, we (students) only saw them during exams. Yet I struggled, studied their handouts and still came out with a good result. That does not mean the system is working WELL.

The former VC of UNN, Prof Bartho Okolo spent most of his time in India during his tenure. Till now, nobody knows why he chose the South Asian country as a "vacation" spot but students and staff hated him badly. We even revolted against him and held a violence protest during his absence. Whether you like it or not, our leaders have failed us.

I still had few lecturers who can never give student an A in their course no matter how intelligent or brilliant the person is. Most of our lecturers derive joy when students fail their courses..this means they are "tough". The worst part is that the teachers themselves won't even teach. Or should I talk about how some of our computer graduates don't know how to operate Microsoft word or to format a system.

Abi na lecturers wey dey only pass students wey buy their handouts. The system is really shitty but we still strive to soar high and come out excellent due to our determination. We are responsible for our sucess.

N.B iwriterng never criticised the school degree but the education system which is a fact unless you want to keep deceiving urself. Our system, is below standard

For now there is nothing we can do than to get a better education abroad and may be come back in the future to invest in the system.

Thank you for understanding me. That does not happen often on this thread.

fairheart:
Yes, the founding fathers failed us. May I ask, what are you preparing to do to make a difference? See, it is not about the past anymore; it is about what we--young men and women of this generation (who know better)--are willing to do. Everyone knows Nigerian failed its youths. Fine! But to whom much is given, much is required. I challenge you to hear your own call. Those who hold the perspective that the country own them everything but gave them nothing will not do anything to improve things. It is why almost every student I have met from this thread have said they will not return after studies. We are all running. I once challenged my Dad what role he played to make things better than when he was born in it. He couldn't give me a convincing answer.

I pray from the dept of my heart that may our children-even the ones we plan to give birth to outside the shore of Nigeria--grow up to be bold enough to ask us, "Daddy / Mummy, you left Nigeria many years ago because the country was not working for you. But what did you do to make things better after America equipped you with opportunities that Nigeria did not give you?" Amen!

You paid and self-educate yourself, yes. But you are a product of this nation, for our environment shapes our growth and influence our identity. Look at things from another angle, and carve out plan of what you will do for Africa and Nigeria after your education in the US. This is your task as a young African. The bad things in Nigeria we complain about is a call for us to do something about. Hear your call! God bless!

I agree with you, it goes beyond ranting about the failures of our founding fathers, if our generation fails to do something, then the same woes await us. And our kids would probably end up cursing us like we curse those ahead of us right now.

You made a valid point.

Marjoribanks:
Please, how much did you pay as tuition fees while in Nigeria.
You guys are not ready to pay, you are not ready to sacrifice nothing yet you want good things.
These same institutions you paid less than 500 dollars as tuition was able to nurture you to be where you are today.

You all should just shut up jare.

You’re blind to the truth. The institution did NOT nurture me. I self studied, I passed exams. My lecturers got paid for doing nothing but print Wikipedia as lecture materials.

You’re missing the point, and you think it’s me rebelling against the system or the country.

Just learn to read.

And you asking how much I paid, education is expensive, we all know that. But you can’t chsrge premium when classrooms barely have chairs.

I’m just sick of reading comments about “the system nurtured you” etc.

Our school is trash, the founding fathers failed us, and we keep building on that failure. It’s that simple.

Stop making it look like I’m a bastard saying bad stuff about Nigeria.

Brown2Green:
I beg to differ.
The school you're are so much detesting is the platform for Nigerians getting money in the bag via TA/GA/RA and lots of generous scholarship.

The Nigerian degree is even more valued and respected outside Nigeria than in Nigeria.

You can barely see a school in Nigeria that will accept you into a masters program with a HND.

Our Schools are messed up, not our degrees.

Kindly read my comment again.

AgreatMan:
Na so, once we all cross to the other side, we begin to curse where we came from.

That "shitty" BSc you and I got from the Shit-hole was enough to get you an Msc admit and perhaps, an assistantship.

That "shitty" BSc placed you and I on the same level with fellow American graduates, Chinese, Indians etc. The same BSc made a lot of Nigerians among the top in their graduating class. Everything is a ladder to another greater thing. Without d transcript from that our "shitty schools;" we will never get admitted to something better.

that Bsc was not so shitty afterall.

Quite sad that you missed the point in my post.

It’s good that you’re positive though. But the truth is, the system is terrible. Imagine having a system as amazing as this in Nigeria.

God! We did not go to school in Nigeria. Our universities are so damn right shitty! ��‍♂️

Whatever you need to do, please do, but make sure you get this abroad education. God �

I weep for Nigeria abeg.


Toured my school yesterday, and all I can do is curse our leaders. I’ve always known that we’re backward, but it slaps differently when you get to see a real standard for comparison.

I won’t lie, we’re not getting there at all.

Good luck to those applying this spring and next fall.

TheNoble007:
Visa approved this morning at the Abuja consulate. I was scheduled for the 15th of August, but was fortunate to have rescheduled to 9th of August and do you know that I did that on the 7th of August?

Profile - BSc. ( Hons) Physics from the University of Jos Nigeria ( top of graduating class of 2017), 2 Published papers and abstract. Two awards from the American physical society. GRE physics -91 percentile (s). One Harvard e-print( NASA/SAO).

Funding- merit scholarship of $22,627 + teaching assistant position starting Spring. The merit scholarship has nothing to do with the teaching position. Course- masters in optics / optical sciences

Interview : window 8, had rejected someone already before I went to meet him..

VO - Good morning, pass me your passport

Me - hope you slept well! Here is my passport and i20

VO- okay why are you going to the City University of New York?

Me- Apart from the fact I was awarded a generous merit scholarship which of course I am grateful for, I chose this school because of the on going research of my..... VO cut in... He was amazed at the scholarship amount.

VO - how did you get this scholarship?

Me - my excellent undergraduate grades, previous research and awards... Cuts in again.

VO - which school did you graduate from?

Me- University of Jos, Nigeria

VO- that's a very good school you know.. I concurred.

VO- okay, what's optical science?

Me- I was surprised at the question, but I went ahead to give him a detailed answer.

VO- from your answer, I must tell you that you are a credible student.

Me- thank you sir.

VO- Great, but you know that New York is very expensive.. I have been there when I went for a burial.. I couldn't hear him clearly.. I don't want you to go and struggle even though you will be given stipends.. So where are you going to stay? Your accomodation? I don't want you to stay in an uncomfortable housing?.... We both laughed and our laughter echoed. Okay I will be approving your visa but I will advice you, make sure you study well, and don't forget to come back home if things go rough... Congrats again on your scholarship.. Then passes the white pick up paper, and the congratulations slip.. Have a great day.

Me- Thank you very much sir.


NB - I really thank Jesus Christ. If you don't believe in God, please I do. He has led me through since my undergrad days and during the demise of my dad. And I believe He will make me perform exploits..May God name be praised.. I wish those who are yet to be interviewed, a successful visa interview...

Congratulations man!!!!!

dumbiri99:
It was clear the first vo denied because he/she saw a deficit of $24k x 5 years = $100k when most PhDs are fully funded. Most unfunded masters cost less than that $100k altogether

People get denied for several reasons. We’ve seen transcript of VO advising student before visa approval to please come back to Nigeria if they can’t afford the fee after the first year.

My point is; you can’t just say someone won’t get visa approval because of the cost of their education.

If he’s going to a good school for a good program with high ROI, the VO could care less about how much it will cost.

richforever1:
very correct my friend
Though F1 students are permitted to work 20 hours per week( which must be on campus jobs ) .
Also 40 hours a week during summer breaks

At most $700/month if the person works on campus for 20hours per week.

Double that for holiday.

Depending on the city, you’d be spending close to that amount on living expenses per month.

If he has some amount on him, he can consider transferring to a cheaper community college. That’s the only feasible option. But abandoning education and working illegally? It’s a bad idea.

Pharmz:
Appointment details
Venue : Abuja
Date : Thursday, August 8th, 2019
Time : 07:30 (37)
Deficit : $25,876
Funding : Aunty, SOA - $42,000
GA - $2,500 application submitted but interview will be in person.

Me: Good morning.
VO: Good morning, pass me your i20 and passport.
Me: passed it.

VO: why are you going to the US?
Me: I'm going for my masters degree in Applied Clinical Research at the St Cloud State University, St Cloud, Minnesota.

VO : But you studied Plant Science ?
ME : Yes, I studied courses in ethnobotany and biotechnology which exposed me to the phytochemical relevance of plants to the pharmaceuticals and to human anatomy including its technological applications.

VO: How did you learn about SCSU?
Me: I carried out a personal research online about SCSU after I heard about the school at a seminar presentation at FRIN in Ibadan and their entry requirements matched my profile.

VO: Did u apply to other schools?
Me: I applied to two schools : St Cloud State Universty, Minnesota and East Tennessee State University, Tennessee.

VO : Why did you choose two schools ?
ME : Ï met with their requirements and I was qualified so I did not bother to apply to any other schools, also their tuition fee which is quite affordable.

VO : How many admits?
ME: One from St Cloud State University.

VO: Why did you choose US ?
ME: US takes pride in technology advancement and has made sure all spectrum of the educational institutions are well equipped with latest technologies. Technology plays a pivotal role in research and development, hence it will afford me to be introduced to modern methods and new skills in medical research. Moreover, it's a new scientific and research course that is not available in Nigeria Universities, few that are willing to offer do not have the financial capacity to purchase to purchase instruments and keep the laboratory running, hence work only based on theory is not good enough for analytical scientists. No doubt USA is the best, offers a conducive atmospheric environment to acquire skills and gain knowledge of academic research career in order to become a leader in clinical field.
Research and training facilities and opportunity to meet with world reknowned Academia.

VO : Why did you choose St Cloud ?
ME : It distinguish itself in offering the only clinical research program in the US that focuses specifically on medical devices and the flexibility of its program affords me the opportunity to inculcate courses outside my major to fit into my academic and career plan.
Industry expert faculty 75% of who are or were executives in the pharmaceutical or biotech industries teach all classes using real world examples and projects.
They also collaborate with world class medical research organization e.g Mayo Clinic and Syneos health.

VO: Any standardized test?
ME: I wrote GRE.

VO: what was your score?
Me: 285

VO : When did you finish your first degree ?
ME : 2009

VO : What have you been doing since then ?
ME : Ï did a year National Youth Service Corp at Ministry of Natural resources, I was a biology teacher between 2011-2015, presently working as a research assistant with Africa Cassava Agronomy Initiative, a research grant sponsored by Bill and Melinda Gates.

VO : What are your roles as a research assistant ?
ME : Establishment of project trials and plot dimensions
Monitoring of tillage and ridging prior to planting ba
sed on the trial treatment.
Planting of inputs to ensure correct placement, accurate distance within rows and plots, facilitation of fertilizer application and weeding, sprout count and other observations.
Growth evaluation, weed assessment, disease incidence and name if any, ceptometer reading, yield by root category and others as required by the modeler.
Data analysis.

VO: I can see you don't have an assistanship ?
ME: I actually got an offer for Graduate Assistance which covers part of my tuition fee and monthly stipend, all documents have been submitted and interview will take place in person at Plymouth campus in 18th, passes email proof of APPLICATION FOR GRADUATE ASSISTANT sent from St Cloud State University.

VO : What are your responsibilities as a Graduate
Assistant ?
ME : Represent the Graduate program at off campus and on campus events including identifying locations and tracking prospects.
Conduct research for program directors as needed.
Organize and host prospective students and group visits to campus as needed.
Assist with program marketing, including social media.
Track prospects and initiate communication flow.

VO : What are your study plans ?
ME : I will be offering a minimum of 34 credit unit coursework and will be taking courses in : Evidence based medicine, biostatistics for clinical trials, applied anatomy..physiology, ............and phatophysiology, clinical risk management and safety.
I'm required to have a culminating project experience which will result in a written research paper and a minimum of 2.5/4.0 for my graduation.

VO: what will this degree do for you?
Me: A masters degree in Applied Clinical Research from a recognised institution like SCSU in the US will undoubtedly make me develop a deep and broad functional expertise in medical and pharmaceuticals clinical research so I can consider going for PhD on getting back to Nigeria but I'm not thinking about that now because situation changes overtime, will rather leave that for future to decide. But I will be able to secure employment in medical research institutes (e.g Nigeria Medical Research Institute) or offer consultancy services to medical professionals, Govt health institutions ( Federal or state), policy makers in health sector, clinical trial funders. Even presently government agencies need clinical researchers to serve as watchdog for new medicine, treatments and diagnostic products hitting the market on a daily basis in Nigeria.

VO : What do you understand by Applied Clinical Research?
ME : It is an area of healthcare focuses/ascertain on the safety, efficacy and effectiveness of everything ranging from medical devices to pharmaceutical products and diagnostic products. Some of my research processes will include Gas Chromatography, Mass Spectroscopy, Infrared spectroscopy etc.

VO: Are u married?
ME: About to get married to my fiance, we've already booked a date at the marriage registry. (I actually planned to put a date that will fall during the 1st semester break).

VO: who will take care the deficit?
ME: My Aunt

VO: Can I see your aunty's statement of account?
Me Passed it and she perused it thoroughly.

VO:What does your aunt do?
Me: She's a director at Federal Medical Center, Abeokuta. Also owns BISAD Medicare Ltd ( sales, services and supply of medical equipments and pharmaceuticals .

VO : Do you have any relative in the US ?
ME : No (even thou I have).

END

I’m not an expert but here is my contribution.

- You most probably won’t have the time to talk as much during the interview.

As you work on your transcript, have these three questions in mind.

1. How will you show that you’re a genuine student?
2. What will establish that you’re coming back home?
3. Can you afford it?

Now it’s important to know that the VO is rarely interested in “how smart” you sound. So being a bookworm with all those thick educational response might not help much.

You need to make him or her understand that you need the degree as part of your overall career plan, tie the career plan to coming back home after your studies.

Also don’t pass any document that is not needed.

You’ve left school for a while, so be prepared to talk about what you’ve been doing since then, and how this degree will further help you in your current job. (This is really important)

PLEASE DONT LIE.

Good luck