₦airaland Forum

Godchangemylife:
I would've loved to shut up but my conscience pushed me otherwise.

I wouldn't try explaining anything because the more I do the more you don't understand. I wouldn't want an unnecessary arguments here so as the main motive behind the 'thread' can be attended to.

Let's just end this here .

I really respect you.

This is what I call maturity.

Bunmip:
Hello wonderful people, please help me scrutinize my transcript. My interview is very close. I'll really appreciate.

VO: Where are you going?
me: I am going to New York to study for my master's degree in Environmental policy and sustainability management.

VO: Why did you select USA for higher studies? isnt this course offered by any university or college in your country?
Me: USA has always been the center of excellence and provides quality education by making students gain knowledge in a practical way as much as possible which cannot be possess anywhere in the world. I need international exposure and USA being the center of inventions and innovations, i could not think of a better place.

VO: why New York?
Me: I chose New York because New York has several top ranked universities, almost all the universities there are within the top 10 or 20 schools (public and private) in the US and have been consistently at the forefront of research, innovation and student success.

VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: I applied to 3 schools.

VO: Name them
Me: Pratt institution, TNS and Yeshiva University

VO: why did you choose this school?
Me: I got impressed with their faculty program and course curriculum.The program structure of their master's degree program in environmental policy and sustainability management is excellent. Before i made up my mind to settle with TNS, i checked the course curriculum from the school website which actually matched my interest. I further got in touch with prof Ana Baptista and Rachael Notto, EPSM ambassador to confirm. They both made me realize that the program offers further areas of specialization and students have the option to create their own specialization which could be in the area of finance or food system or Global urban environment or GIS and Data visualization or environmental justice. I am a GIS Analyst, I have good knowledge of GIS and it has always been my dream to furthermore in GIS as a student of EPSM. I have passion of using GIS for solving Environmental issues such as flood or sea level rise, air and water pollution and food system. These are the most important challenges of the twenty-first century in Nigeria.
Additionally, i got the GIS curriculum from Prof Ana Baptista, i noticed python and R programming language are part of the GIS curriculum. It has always been my desire to learn how to apply these two programming language on the ArcGIS interface as this will increase my Analytical thinking skills and critical thought processes.
Furthermore, Students also get to customize their course of study, focusing broadly on either Environmental policy or sustainability management. My hope is to learn how to turn my passion into impactful ways of addressing environmental issues and design sustainable change using GIS that will benefit Nigeria society for years to come. The program is Flexible for me and convenient for graduate studies.

VO: why do you want to actually apply GIS in sustainability management? why not specialize in other fields such as Global urban environment just like you said earlier
Me: Geography Information system is a powerful tool for environmental data analysis. I believe it allows better viewing and understanding of the physical features and relationships that influence in a given critical environmental condition.

VO: How did you get to know about the school?
Me: I did extensive research online using Academic websites such as US News, Princeton review, education USA and then streamlined my search based on my area of interest and schools that match my ambition and goals.

VO: What will this degree do for you?
Me: this degree will make me a valuable asset and give ne an edge when i come back to Nigeria to resume as an Environmental consultant at my place of work as i have been granted a study leave. I also expect the degree to further equip me to be better in GIS.

VO: why MSc? or why this course?
Me: This course will fortify me with the right skills and qualifications to resume as an Environmental consultant at my place of work here in Nigeria.

Vo: what is your study plan?
Me: The degree requires a total of 42 credits i.e 21 credits in the first year and 21 credits in the second year. I will be taking 12 credit i.e 4 courses in the spring and 9 credits i.e 3 courses in the falls semester . for the spring, i will be offering
1. GEographic Information system by Dr xyz
2. NEPS 5001- Climate Change by Dr xyz
3. NURP 5001 - Economic for management and public policy by Dr XYZ
4. NEPS 5005 - Leadership for sustainabilty and environmental polic by Dr XYZ

VO: tell me about your academic background.
Me: I studied Applied Geology at Federal University of technology,Akure and i graduated in 2016. I was ranked among the top 10% in a class of about 60.

VO: What have you been doing since you graduated?
Me: I went for NYSC in January 2017. I served as a geography teacher in a private secondary school which i completed in December 2018.I went for professional courses in GIS in January 2018 and because of my excellent performance, I got an offer as a GIS Analyst in April 2018. I have been working with the company ever since.

VO: How is Applied Goelogy related to Environmental policy and sustainability management?
Me: As a graduate in Applied Geology, I encountered Science, engineering and management courses in the broadest sense. During my Undergraduate level, I studied environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental management which are the prerequisite for EPSM.

VO: What is your work about?
Me: 1. I build digital database, gathering and verifying information in the field.
2. I produce up to date maps using multiple data set to customize information for a particular industries and audiences.
Presently, the company is involved in a project which is supported by Environmental system research institute (ESRI). BAsically what i do in the project includes:
1. Enhancing Geography information system and geographic learning in Nigeria schools through the introduction of ArcGIS online into classroom across the country.
2. Enlightening students the importance of geography in various fieldsof life such as climate, economic needs of people, mineral wealth etc.

VO: what is your intent after study?
Me: After studies, I intend to resume as an Environmental consultant at my place of work here in NIgeria.

Vo: How much is your tuition fee?
Me: My tuition is $33,686, living expenses is $20,160, books and supplies is $2,050. The school estimated budget for me in a year is $55,896.

VO: Who is your Sponsor?
Me: I secured a loan from Sallie Mae student loan. the lender was recommended to me by Juliette who is my financial aid counselor at TNS because the school have good records with the lender and the loan is ready to be disbbursed on the 16th jan, 2019 (i have the loan document to present). My two brothers will be responsible for paying back the loan. presently, my brother in China had pledged to support me with $xxxx for year one while my brother in New York will handle the rest. (I have evidence of the pledged document and support letter from my two brothers). I strongly believe that the loan will be paid back within a very short period of time.
I was also awarded the provost scholarship which covers 50% of the total tuition each semester. In addition, I was also awarded the executive deans scholarship which is an additional $2000 each semester for 2 academic years of study. Furhermore, My employer will be supporting with a total of $6000 for the two academic years of study. ( I have all the supporting documents for the scholarship, bank statements, leave letter from employer to present).

VO: What are your brothers into?
Me: My brother in china is a business administrator instructor at XYZ university in China, he is also a business man, he ships goods fom china to Nigeria while my brother in New york is the Head of school at XYZ high school in New york, he has worked as a co-ordinator assistant principal and a principal for NYCDOE.

VO: why would your brothers be sponsoring you?
Me: Aside from the fact that they are willingly and capable, they have been the major driving force behind my education. They have been responsible for my welfare since high school.

VO: What is Program Commencement and completion date?
Me: The program commencement date is 16 jan 2019 and the completion date is 31 dec 2020.

VO: How will you manage the cultural and Educational differences
Me: I will try my best to observe my surroundings and adjust myself to the life in the US. I fully understand that a different country means different value, aspects, culture and system, So it is my responsibility to adapt myself to my present environment as fast as possible to focus on my studies.

Vo: Any standardized test:
Me: Yes, i took GRE. it was actually optional and and it wasnt used for my admission application but i will still take it during my first year of studies because the school use to save it in their database. ( I am actually saying i will take it during my first year of studies because i scored low in GRE and truly it wasnt used).




Please help me with correction. Help me scrutinize my proposed transcript. I'll really appreciate. my interview is really close.

Lagosismyhome, theamerican, Femi312, Sorelee, Folmus, imperiouxx, Bigfrancis21, Twoods, EZEIGBO1OFIMO, Walsping, Ubah1, Oludare01, Time2Smile, MackyNaija, ponpon, rexcheng, quoran, learner007, happyday, 100kobo, GboyegaD, Godchangemylife, pastor Walspring and other gurus here.

I will advise you not to talk about the loan. your scholarship and your two brothers will suffice. talking about the loan might be used against you by the VO.

sheke01:
Technically speaking it would be hard for him to get a F2 visa because like F1 visa, he won't be able to work. So a VO might doubt if a grown up, fully fledged man would sit idle for the entire duration of your program.
Secondly, he would be dependent on you. I don't know your funding capability or the amount you showed on your statement of account during your interview. You might be dependent on a sponsor, then you now want to carry a grown up man to be dependent on you or on a sponsor. The man in question would the sit idle for 2years.
My advice would be for him to try his luck with Visiting visa. He should not even bring you into the picture because your profile with the US embassy currently show "ummaried". He won't get the chance to explain how you guys got married within a few weeks/months of you getting your visa and you travelling out the country. The VO might see it as a well rehearsed scheme. This just sound the same as not being pregnant before visiting visa interview, then getting pregnant after interview and subsequently giving birth in the US. The VO always see it as you lied to them during your interview
It's just my opinion o.

thanks for your suggestion. May God bless you.

Atunde5:
My interview is on Tuesday and now that the federal government has declared it as holiday, will it affect US embassy?

it is better you call to confirm. if you do not get a mail by monday for rescheduling, I will advise you go for your interview on Tuesday.

100kobo:
B1/B2 is his safest option. He will then need to relate the picture you just created above in a convincing fashion to the VO.

thanks so much for your suggestion. May God bless you.

Hello everyone,

I am a graduate student in the US. I have been in the US since August. I was single when I got the Visa, but I got married before leaving for the US. Now my husband wants to come visiting.

It is kind of complicated though because on my profile with the US, am still single and even my school is not aware am married. while I got the admission, I was single.Also note that my husband has no travel history.

We don't know if I can explain to the school and probably show them proof that we are married just to get f2. on the other hand I feel it's a bit strange because getting I-20 for him means he is dependant on me. I feel it's easier for a female to claim she is dependent on her husband.

or should he just apply for a visa B1 Visa.

please guys, need suggestions on how my husband and I can go about this.

And am still very much grateful for the assistance you all rendered in tutoring me for my successful interview in June.

jolowizzy11:
congrats mate.... my interview is near I'm anxious...

Thanks....just be confident with whatever you say. They will want to throw you off balance at times with questions and unpleasant look on their faces. Jus keep smiling and talking with confidence.

God will make it easy for you. Amen.

jolowizzy11:
we are listening...

Sorry jare.....not used to typing here so it kept on submitting wat I had not finished.

Hello everyone !

Visa Granted today at Lagos US embassy


Appointment was for 6.45am but with Lagos traffic, I got there 7.10am. I forgot to take along my DS-160....my village pple won get me but God took over......lol

To cut the long story short......the conversation between the VO and I went thus:

VO: not smiling (good morning)

Me: smiling)Good morning

Vo: Why do wanna study public administration

Me: the company I work for wants to extend its services to include political campaigns. so I believe a degree in PA would earn me promotion at my place of work. Moreso, I would be taking some courses dat would distinguish me as a skilled analyst in political trends. I av been in contact with my course advisor and she has advised me to take bla ....bla courses .

Vo: hold on a second....i need to be excused urgently.

Me: the break in transmission lasted for about 3mins....was jus busy praying to God to take control.

Vo: ok thank you. So did you take any exam

Me: No ma'am, no exam was required but my degree cert was evaluated by WES.

Vo: what did you study at the undergraduate level.

Me. Hist and strategic studies university of Lagos.

Vo : what year?

Me: 2012.

Vo: What av u been doing

Me.....been working at bla bla bla.

Vo: are u married?

Me: No

Vo: have you travelled before?

Me: No

She gave a straight look...


Vo: What courses will u be doing and units please. Give me a breakdown.

Me: I paused.....listed the courses for first semester and total units needed to graduate.

Vo: how many schools did u apply to

Me: 2....bla and bla

Vo: (getting irritated) ma'am, don't give details jus number will do.

Me : ( for my mind......issokay I no go do am again)

Vo: who is funding this

Me: my dad

Vo: What does he do

Me: business....bla and bla....it was so long a discussion and she kept on typing and googling. She even asked me to spell sef.....i com tire.....lol

Vo: bank statement with u.....(the look on her face changed to that of a doubting thomas)

IMe: handed it over

Vo: this is not a bla ...bla.....

Me: it's his personal savings.

Vo: (deep sigh) Why USA, why not canada , UK or any of country

Me : ( I gave a big smile)...... it's a known fact that USA has one of the best educational systems and It has a culture that embraces intellectualism and academic freedom.... I mean I rilly appreciate that. More so, I will benefit immensely from its excellent research facilities.

Vo: okay.....i will be issuing you a visa ....in bla..bla...go Pick it up...


Me: that wasn't clear.

Vo: she repeated what she said.

Me ::: thanked her with a big smile..


I have been a silent member tho, but I appreciate you all......


IN ALL, Allah (swt) DID IT. I am a living testimony.....