You are right, some Nigerians lie. However, the original poster is also making assumptions about the standard of living in the USA. Just the same way I get frustrated by comments Americans make about Nigerians and 419. Yes, if you come to America today to hustle without papers, it’s going to be extremely difficult for you. I don’t dispute that at all, especially if you were a bank manger in Nigeria.

If you come in legally, the opportunities are limitless. Yes, there is discrimination in America, but with persistence and determination you can still achieve a lot. All I shared was my story and I can share other stories of very successful Nigerians here who are business owners and professionals.

Nigeria would be an amazing country if we all had an equal chance at success; where success is not determined by who you know. Unfortunately we’ve not been blessed with leaders who have foresight. I’m still hopeful for Nigeria and the potential it has.

thebosstrevor:


But your story seems to generalise,maybe you are one in a millions but please do not generalise about life n the US,some Nigerians are broke as hell there and many especially the young Nigerians doing illegal stuff like identity fraud,credit card fraud etc

from experience,i never believe all stories told to me,so what is wrong with doubting a story or being critical about a story.In Nigeria,we are accustomed to many lies told by Nigerians living abroad,we see them enjoying life on social media and we are tempted to visit those countries,on geting there we notice the lies and we are disappointed.

Thanks for your comments. It’s never too late to do anything in life. You have to weigh the cost vs. the benefits of an MBA. What’s your end goal? There are Executive MBA programs out there that might work for you. The following schools have very reputable Exec MBA programs: Cornell, NYU, University of Pennsylvania etc. Someone commented about you getting a student visa, which the Executive MBA can help you with. An Executive MBA program is for older and more experienced applicants.

Good luck!!!!

dustydee:

Thanks for sharing your story. I am considering doing an MBA but at 38, do you think I am at a disadvantage? I am considering Oxford and Cambridge. Thank you.

Thanks for your comments. I don’t want to be known, I’m not here to brag about my standard of living. Most wealthy Americans don’t brag about what they have and you may be living next to a millionaire and not know. Humility is virtue that i’ve learnt over the years. I was sharing my story to say that everyone’s experience is different and we all take different paths. Education is not the only key to success, there are many ways to be successful in life. The fundamental keys to success never change: humility, kindness, honesty, perseverance, self confidence and faith in God. BTW: I’m very involved in mentorship programs here in the USA and in Lagos. I don’t care for accolades or recognition. David became King not the traditional way, but because God had pre-ordained him as king. He had to overcome many obstacles to become king, he was not a perfect king either.

Wishing you all the best.

Pidgin2:


Can you please tell us what you have achieved with your $200K bonus so far and how have you contributed to Nigeria in any way or form? You are stating your success story with no logical backing. You cannot prove all you've stated as nobody here knows your real worth and none can attest to your claim especially as you are a stranger to Nigerians in Nigeria. Even in the US I'm sure you are not known so how do we verify your claim

I know a young man that buys cargo ship from UK yet he lives in Nigeria, he earns millions and there are many like him in Aspanda, trade fair, tincan, etc earning millions and travelling round the globe yet they do not have more than primary six education. That's the difference between Nigeria and US. Down here, you don't need to attend Harvard business school to make millions ask those into importing and exporting business.

Nigeria is a land of opportunities even without formal education one can make it, especially if you dedicate time to study how and what legit business men and women are doing. Can you make such money without education in the US?

Thanks for your comments. I’m not here to argue with you. Here is my problem with us Nigerians, just because you’ve never experienced what I described does not make it a lie. Those who understand how department budgets are managed, know that you some latitude within your department’s budget or cost centers, as department head. America is a big country and not everyone works or lives in Silicon Valley. Most big companies have “location differential “ to account for the cost of living in certain areas. I only shared my story to say, that everyone’s story is different. Wishing you all the best.�

As a Nigerian in America, I've been reading all the respective comments on this thread and it's been quite entertaining. I'll like to add the following comments to the thread. Not every Nigerian is hustling in America; if you come here and go to school, you are bound to succeed. Education accelerates your earning potential. The key difference between Nigeria and the USA is how we treat one another and how are respective employers treat us. Decency is word, that is absent from our dictionary in Nigeria. Companies treat their employees with disdain and employees treat their employers with disdain. Don't get me wrong, it's not perfect in America, but there is a strong ethical culture (it does not work all the time, it works very well at least 90% ~ 95%) of the time.

I was recruited from business school by a Fortune 100 company, before graduating (6 months before). As part of the interview process I met with the CEO/Chairman of that company for an hour, this is a company with over $40 billion dollars in annual revenue. I was accepted to the company's executive training program, which until last year I was the only black man in that program. I am one of the Senior executives in one of our $1 billion divisions and the only black man and most senior minority. I don't come from a wealthy family in Nigeria, to the contrary I was able to take advantage of the opportunities before me.

Today I manage a team of people with MBA's from some of the best business schools in the world. This past month, I promoted a young man on my team who is barely 27. Five years out of the University he is easily making over $100K per annum and this does not include his annual bonus. Can this happen in Nigeria? He came to me earlier this year and said, Sir I would like to pursue my MBA and it costs $80K, can the company sponsor me? I said absolutely, I will pay for your MBA from my departments budget, because I know that we are investing in him. This is the way great companies in America operate. I recently hired an entry level analyst, I tried very hard to look for a minority to hire, but did not get any resumes. The entry level job, fresh out of the university is $60K per annum, no Nigerian makes this straight out of the university.

The arguments we are having here don't make any sense, because we are not comparing apples to apples. Nigeria has potential, but it not yet the USA. To end, let's not talk about salaries, let's talk about bonuses where people are paid annual bonuses exceeding $200K per annum in addition to their salaries. We need to elevate our discuss and say how can our country Nigeria do better. This is my personal experience and I hope it encourages someone out there.

I could not agree more with the comments posted by AreaFada2.

Traveling abroad (Europe, Australia, Canada, America)is not for the faint of heart. People who are legal residents of these countries struggle to get by how much more, someone without papers. We are not trying to discourage anyone, but everyone's journey will be different. You can come to hustle, and make money and you can come legitimately and manage to get by. The key difference between Nigeria and these countries are the (leaders, structure, infrastructure and genuine spirit). If you come without papers, just brace yourself for some suffering and humiliation!!! It is bound to happen, because people will use your lack of papers to take advantage of you.

About people not wanting to help others back home, until you've walked a mile in a persons shoes, you should not judge any one. It takes years of people to adapt in the respective systems of these countries and some still barely survive. I was in NYC a few years ago waiting for the parking attendant to bring my car and heard some older men in their 50's speaking Yoruba. They were parking attendants; they were lamenting about coming to America, that even with papers they were barely getting by. After 15 minutes I introduced myself to them speaking Yoruba (i'm not Yoruba) and they were kind of shocked. These were men who had amazing careers in Nigeria, but gave it all up to come to America (Architect and Manager at an Insurance company). They said, that they felt like they had no choice, in addition, some of their friends recommended they do some menial jobs when they arrived. I personally told them that they were better off finding a way to get advanced degrees and return to their field of study. They said I was the first person who has recommended that option to them, after 7 years in the USA. I was heartbroken and shocked; however, I understood plight.

The lesson is not to discourage any one from leaving Nigeria, but leaving Nigeria to do what? You need to have a very good plan, because people die in the process of going abroad illegally. If you do make it to one of these countries, brace yourself for the humiliation and suffering that it comes with. All the best and I hope that success finds you wherever you go.

AreaFada2:


You raised many issues. Very nice. I am not trying to convince you but I will say it as I know it & possible reasons from experience.

You were processing to come to UK as what? A professional in specific skill shortage category, tourist/visitor or student? This is important. Maybe you do not know, but many people reading here will know why. This is a public forum.

Were you gainfully employed in 9ja that 3 years ago? Till now?

You mentioned that she has lived in UK for 30 years and works as a nurse as evidence of living very comfortably. That may be wide off the mark. Nurses are probably the second professionals I know the most. Their pay in UK is not all that. With long years of service & working overtime, they earn decent. But by far not rich. Plus UK is a very expensive place.
The only error your aunt made was to promise things. But maybe she did to save face, appear nice or just genuinely could not redeem it.

Now imagine that you arrived in UK and found that you and your kids have to live in her parlour.
You will be the first to be on phone home telling everyone that aunty London does not even have a room for you and your family.

I remember a close friend years back. A nurse of 9 years experience who deputized for the ward sister frequently. A white girl in her own country o. She had to stay in her colleague's tiny spare room to save money for mortgage deposit. Still her parents had to help out to meet deposit amount.

You said you were surprised your aunt has no idea about papers needed to invite someone. Now see it like this: if she has been there for 30 years, let us assume she has been a British citizen for 15 to 20 years now. Why would she know documents needed to invite? Except if she invited friends or family before. Even then, the documents needed do change. You as Nigerian citizen can you tell me by heart what documents you need to invite a foreigner to Nigeria?
The embassy issues visas and the documents needed in a particular country is their prerogative.

Your aunt was also very correct to say that immigration rules have tightened. Remember Nigerians used to visit UK without a visa. From around 2001, using excuse of 9/11, immigration laws increasingly got tighter. Even EU citizens in UK right now are not sure of their future status. That would have been unimaginable just two years ago.

As for believing they fear your success, it is a very funny way people see things n 9ja. Look, here nobody gives a damn about what you have or do not have. I have cousins in same country that I have not seen for years. We all talk on phone often. Everyone is damn busy minding his/her own business.

Some of them have enough means to build fine houses in 9ja but not interested, aside a small bungalow for holiday. Others have nice houses there. So they won't be jealous anyone.

Now to the fate of those I discouraged from coming, I am not in same country with all of them.

And most importantly, many that I advised are ok here. Some have even returned home with their certificates and secured good jobs in 9ja. Because they followed the better route of postgrad studies. The point of my advise has always been to avid coming unplanned. Like hoping to declare as a refugee. Or just overstay a tourist visa.

The thing is always simple. If you're determined to travel, listen to nobody. But at least you have been forewarned. That should put you in the frame of min to bear whatever comes your ways once abroad.

As for me, a friend we suffered froze to death on the street. It could have been me.

I chose to come abroad to study, against advice then. I suffered but survived. But If I knew better, I'd have come as a postgrad, not undergrad.

Hitting your wife or any woman is unacceptable. We need to break this cycle of domestic violence in our homes and in our society as a whole.

Ejikeben:  sorry to tell you this, there is no way to modify your visa without going back to Nigeria.  Even if you were to enroll in a college or get married you have a couple of potential obstacles to clear.  You can no longer adjust your visa in the U.S either as a student or a visitor without leaving the U.S.  

Secondly, you have to convince an immigration officer that you did not intend to get married in the U.S, which is FRAUD.  I would personally advice you to keep to your visa's restrictions.  It is almost impossible to get a job in the U.S now without the proper papers.  Illegal immigration from Mexico is at an all time low, because they realize that the economic situation no longer provides those opportunities.

It is a very hard life working in the U.S without papers and would say you are almost better off living in Nigeria.  I don't expect you to listen to my advice but I hope it influences you in some way.  

Good Luck and all the best as you determine your next steps.

JeSoul: I live in Malden, I currently in Dallas, TX at the moment on a temporary assignment. Thanks for looking out for Mafe, and hopefully we can all catch up when I return to MASS in the summer.

I would like to thank all those who contributed in one way or another to Mafe's trip to the U.S. As unbelievable as it may sound, Mafe's story turns out to be very true. My wife and I helped Mafe get a copy of his birth certificate from the hospital he was born in 2006. I also met Mafe two years ago at my sisters wedding in 2009 in Nigeria. Mafe and I are distant relatives and I was completely unaware of his plight and I am very grateful for all your help, words of support and advice.

Mafe and I are very much related and it is amazing how small this world is. I am in touch with Mafe now and he has a good head on his shoulder, I can assure you.

May God bless you all.

Hi Mafe,

I've been following this thread online. Welcome to the U.S.A. I'm also based in MASS and would like to assist you in finding a job. Feel free to use me as a resource for your job search or career advice.


Send me your email address and phone number and I'll give you a call to discuss further. My email address is rayofhope@msn.com

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Missojugo:  My younger sister came to NYC last month.  She is seven months pregnant and plans to have her baby in NYC and she had no problems or questions from immigration.  There is really no monetary requirement, however a couple of things you do would make it a lot easier for you.  Whatever you do, avoid travelling through the U.K, you are better off flying Arik Air direct from Lagos to NYC.

Confidently answer the questions posed to you by the Immigration Officers and tell the truth.  Immigration Officers have the discretion to send you back to Nigeria, which they often exercise.

I don't think you need to show any financial proof, however you should at least have some money on hand e.g $2K just in case you are questioned about your pregnancy and your intentions.

Good luck!!! I doubt if you will have any problems but be prepared, I know "Foreigners giving birth the USA is a big issue right now."

agbeero:

Hello Friends,
I have a Valid UK Visa (multiple) entry for 6 months (I applied as a tourist). In that period , I plan to go on a vacation to UK. After the vacation, I am supposed to go back for a 2-3 week Official training . Can I still use the same Visa for the business trip or do I need to apply for a business Visa??
Please advice??

I would advice you to get a business visa for this particular trip. Since your company is paying, it is very advisable to do that. Also you will most likely be given the visa, since you still have a valid visitors visa. It also helps to improve your standing with the High Commission for future visas. You will be asked by the immigration official what the "intent" of your visit is and I would advice you not to lie because they could decide to search your bag and find information to the contrary. Doing things the proper way helps you avoid problems down the road. All the best.

Congratulations!!! It is indeed a wonderful story, we thank God who opened all these doors for you and believing him to open more doors in the U.S.

My only advice for you after living here for about 13 years, continue to hold close to God and he will take you to greater heights.

PS. I would strongly suggest you work applying to graduate school for either Chemical or Mechanical Engineering.

Wishing you all the best

I had mine done in October of last year. You don't need a guarantor, it is only for first time passport applicants. You need to print all four pages of your personal nformation, and a copy of the payment confirmation page.

That's all you need, good luck.

Interesting question, that will be me next week. I heard Nigeria is "HOT" may the Lord help us.

Tougher US air screening for 'terror-prone' countries  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8438803.stm

The new screening comes into effect on Monday
The US authorities are introducing tougher screening rules for passengers arriving by air from nations deemed to have links with terrorism.

Reports say people flying from Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Yemen and Cuba will have pat-down body searches and have carry-on baggage searched.

President Barack Obama condemned lapses following the alleged Christmas Day bomb plot against a US plane.

He promised "to act quickly to fix flaws" in the security system.

The new security directives will come into effect on Monday.

But hours after the new measures were announced, there was a security alert at Newark International Airport near New York City as a man entered a secure area without being screened.

Terminal C at the airport was locked down, and passengers were evacuated from the secure area and re-screened following the incident. Flights from the terminal were grounded.

Random checks

The Transportation Security Administration said in a statement that the new rules apply to passengers flying from or through countries on the US State Department's "State Sponsors of Terrorism" list - Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria - and "other countries of interest".


  We're determined to destroy al-Qaeda, whether it's in Pakistan, Afghanistan, or in Yemen

John Brennan
US deputy national security adviser
Nigeria and Yemen have been linked to the alleged failed Christmas Day plot.

The main suspect is Nigerian, and Yemen-based militants have claimed the attack.

The BBC's Jane O'Brien in Washington says it is unclear whether a pat-down could have detected the device carried by 23-year-old Nigerian accused Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab in his underwear.

But Mr Obama has been under pressure to make visible security improvements, she says.

As part of the new guidelines, passengers travelling from any other foreign country will also be checked at random.

Earlier, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown gave the go-ahead for full body scanners to be introduced at Britain's airports.

Officials said the machines would be installed "as soon as is practical" at London's Heathrow Airport.

Also on Sunday, both the US and Britain closed their embassies in Yemen because of what officials say are continuing threats from al-Qaeda.

'Determined'

John Brennan, the US deputy national security adviser, said the group had "several hundred members" in Yemen and was posing an increasing threat there.


Mr Brennan added: "We know that they have been targeting our embassy, our embassy personnel."

Last week an organisation called al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula urged Muslims to help in "killing every crusader who works at their embassies or other places".

In an internet statement, the group also said it was behind an attempt to bomb a transatlantic airliner on Christmas Day.

On Saturday, President Barack Obama said the organisation appeared to have trained Mr Abdulmutallab, who is being held in a US prison.

The US mission in Sanaa was the target of an attack in September 2008, which was blamed on al-Qaeda, and in which 19 people died, including a young American woman.

Also on Saturday, Gen David Petraeus, head of US military operations in the Middle East and Central Asia, visited Yemeni President Ali Abdallah Saleh to pledge US support for its fight with al-Qaeda.

The visit came a day after the general announced that the US would more than double counter-terrorism aid to Yemen this year

NYU is a good school, but I did not like the way we were treated when we attended an information session. My company is paying for part of the program so I would have to quit my job to go to Columbia. It is not recommended to do your BA & MBA in the same university, a diverse educational background is quite important so I chose Fordham which has a great MBA program.

No I don't attend the Redeemed Church of God in the Bronx, I have nothing against them. I go to Times Square Church.

Good luck with your program.

posakosa:

MBA or Bsc ?


Im fresh blood in the MPA/MBA/JD program------
Im managing to keep my head on

Good luck, that is a really crazy program. Undergrad BBA in Accounting, doing MBA at Fordham now. Good luck.

posakosa:

LaNiger: do I knw you ?


Lexington ave is kewl.

When did you finish?  It's quite possible  I graduated in 2002

phuck_NL:

It is not by force to school in the US. If you can not afford it or don't have the brain to get a scholarship, keep your ass with ASUU.
How will you convince the consular about your choice of a community college. Trust me, unless you have a good travel history, i doubt the embassy will grant you a visa to go to a community college. Maybe they did in the past, they probably will not do it now knowing Nigerians.
i mean, a community college simply tells them thatt you can't afford to go to school in the US and will be relying on public funds to survive.

I got a student visa from the U.S consulate twelve years ago to attend a community college here in NYC. Focused on my studies, my clothes were about three years behind the fashion trend because I spent all my money on books that were not available for free in the library.
To get a scholarship from community college to a four year college or university is quite doable, but extremely difficult.

You have to be in the top 1% of your graduating class. I actually got scholarship offers from several schools. (Howard University offered me a partial scholarship for the last year and Baruch College offered me a full scholarship). I took the free scholarship (awoof) and was offered a great job after graduation.

It is doable, but requires laser focus on your priorities and it was also twelve years ago; the U.S consulate was much nicer then.

Good luck to everyone, what the all the posters have said about coming to the U.S is true. Do not come here until you have sorted out your financial affairs, and you know what your priorities are. You cannot work and go to school, it is next to impossible as an undergraduate student. You must pick one, either school or work. All the best.

CIwu:

Im a african american woman married to a Nigerian we have a mutual loving relationship, but found recently that he is out of status, should I be a little suspicious

Hi Ciwu,

Speak to your husband and as him why he kept this from you all this time. The other question for you is "does it make a difference"? You loved him before you found out about his status.

This is something both of you will need to talk and pray about. Wishing you both the best and I hope it works out for you.

This knuckle head is back with his stupid CUBA visa. Cubans are dying to come to Nigeria, and here you are peddling Cuban visas. Cubans are suffering worse than we are in Nigeria, so stop your madness.

Find a real job "Valglobal"

There are a few Nigerians there in Oahu. I was there a couple of years ago and saw a few of them as church. It is quite expensive there and I hope they are putting you up in a hotel. It is a really nice place, try to enjoy the beach and the pineapples that's all there is on the island.

You will run into Nigerians at church and at the stores. All the best

bidemi12:

What many people do not know is that it is the mentality you take to yankee that will follow you determines what you will become. The first belief is that once you get there you will picking silver and gold from the streets which is sad. The first year is hell but pray that you have someone to quickly guide and advice you on how to proceed. If it is wish to further your education, which is advisable, then everything you need to make this a reality is at your disposal. Whatever degree you bring here should be put at the back burner because it does not count here. You have to get their own degree. If you already have a degree then a four year course may be shortened to two because the classes you have already taken, which will be  ;Dtaken into consideration. Bottom line is your mentality determines your success; if na groove you go groove die, if na book you go read tire, if na cable you come watch then there's 24 electricity, you go watch die. And galactico, go to the embassy, they will tell you if you won or not.

I would like to second @bidemi's quote.  Winning the lottery is a life changing experience, please ignore the comments made others here.  If you win, life is not easy here either, but bidemi said "Your success is determined by your attitude, Americans do not like people who lack confidence."  If you have a degree, as soon as you get your green card pursue a graduate degree.  Come with all your transcripts from your university.

Most importantly, look for friends who will encourage you and push you to excel.  Stay away far from unscrupulous friends.  If you can survive in Nigeria, you can definately survive in the USA.  Good luck to all the winners.

28th.

I visited the Nigerian consulate in NYC today to get a new passport, and to my surprise it was a rare experience in efficiency.

I would rate the overall experience a B+.  It could easily have been an a A+, but lack of directions and instructions led to the overall B+ rating.

Things needed to process the passport, confirmation of payment, copy of biometric data page, $20 money order and a completed form.    Unfortunately, if you not have these things you will have to go across the street to print out the necessary forms and make copies.  Which begs the question, why they don't put all this information on the website.

After getting your information reviewed, it is stamped and you are directed to the 12th floor for further processing.  There is no sign telling you which rooms to go into and you find yourself at the mercy of fellow Nigerians waiting to get their passports processed.  Your photo will be taken and your fingerprints will be scanned.   The entire process took about an hour and thirty minutes and is quite efficient.

I finished around lunch and to my surprise, I discovered that there is a Nigerian restaurant on the ground floor of the consulate.  It was quite refreshing to see Nigerian food in the restaurant,; Amala, Ogbono, Jollof rice, Fried Rice, Fried Fish and pounded yam.  Speaking with employees of the consulate, I was informed that the current Consular General has implemented a number of reforms and the restaurant was his idea.  The line to place your order was quite long and I noticed that most of the people on the line were from the UN office around the corner and from other foreign missions.  They said the Nigerian consulate is the only African consulate with an ethic restaurant on its premises.

I would like to give kudos to the Nigerian Consular General Anwal Ibrahim and his staff for the wonderful job they are doing.

This past weekend, Times Square Church in NYC and about a hundred churches in NYC came together to pray for the U.S.A and NYC. It was a phenomenal hour of prayer in NYC.

It was a phenomenal event, right in the heart of Times Square. We prayed, danced and cried together and publicly worshiping God. A crowd estimated to be about 60,000 strong professing our belief in God. You can watch the video at http://www.nycprayer.org/media_center_facebook.html

God bless you all.

I paid contacted them, they sent me the I-20. My parent's wired funds to an account here in NYC. I then applied for the student visa at the U.S embassy.

All they wanted to know was where I was going to stay, and that was it. I would suggest you contact the schools and let them know that you would like to apply for admission. I must warn you that Baruch College is quite competitive and very difficult to get into.

Good luck with the admission process.

davidsoj:

@ La-Niger, please which 2-yr college did u attend?

SHALOM

I went to BMCC (Borough of Manhattan Community College) which is part of the City University of New York. http://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/admissions/costs.html

The CUNY network of schools are not expensive for foreign students. For those interested in a business degree Baruch College offers an affordable degree with a public university. http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/tuition/index.htm

Here is the fee schedule for foreign students at Baruch College. Based on my calculation the entire cost of any undergraduate degree is about N7.5M naira estimate. http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/tuition/#undergrad_non_degree

The only catch with CUNY is that not all schools have dorms, if you have a relative you can stay with that will significantly reduce your housing costs.

As someone who came to the U.S.A over a decade ago as a foreign student I second A-town's comments;  If you get a second job, you will do yourself more harm than good. 

If your parent's can afford to pay for your entire tuition, stay in school and focus on your studies.  All my classmates who graduated with G.P.A's higher than 3.75 were offered jobs upon graduation and were sponspored by company's for work permits and later Green Cards.

The cheapest way to school in the U.S.A is to go to a community college for two years and then transfer to a university or a four year college.  Find a relative you can stay with for at least two years and help them around the house, it is essential for your survival.  I went to a community college paid a total of $8,000 for the first two years and graduated at the top of the class and was offered a full scholarship to Baruch College (City University of New York), one of the top business schools here in NYC.

That is the best advice I can give to anyone out there, schooling in the U.S is not easy but as long as you have your priorities in order.  (No parties, clubbing or ladies or men) you should have no problems.  Once you graduate you can pursue these distractions with vigor 

Always remember it is your parent's money or your hard earned money, put it to good use.  Most of your classmates have financial support from the government, so remember that "All fingers are not equal."

http://www.cuny.edu/admissions/graduate/Grad_Studies_Brochure1.pdf

CUNY (City University of New York) has several affordable graduate programs. Feel free to check them out.