jabata:
important update

LagosismyHome:


It so so difficult....... even at working 24hours is very difficult. Some claim to have done it but it not a smooth or easy journey

ceejay55ceejay:
Try St Joseph's university and Washington State University

Lawrence2291:
Finally, collected my passport today. I thank God for making this new adventure possible despite my lack of faith. Also, a BIG THANK YOU to every person here that responded to my worries after my interview and to all who took out time to provide people with all they need to know towards a high visa issuance success.

I had two interview

First Interview: June 30th 2018 - Denied
I was interviewed by one young white lady that never sits down in Abuja

Here is my transcript

VO: Your passport and i-20 ( She can't even greet like I'm her mate)
ME: Passed the document
VO: **Starts typing** what's your intent?
ME: Pardon
VO: What's your intent?
ME: Pardon ( I started thinking if I was deaf or my village people remembered me that day)
VO: What's your intent?
ME: I plan to pursue my masters in computer and information science with a specialization in (cuts me off)
VO: How many schools did you apply to?
ME: 4
VO: Name them?
ME: Mentioned all 4.
VO: Who is sponsoring this program?
ME: My Uncle.
VO: Hand me the pink paper saying Sorry, you are not eligible for the nonimmigrant visa to which you applied. The paper contains the reason for denial and you can reapply at any time after your circumstance has changed blah blah blah



Second Interview: July 25th 2018 - Approved
I was interviewed by one white guy in Abuja

Here is my transcript

VO: Your passport
ME: Passed it
VO: Your student visa application
ME: (Confused what he means and stared at him while waiting for possible clarity)
VO: Give me your i-20 ( In my mind i was like, is i-20 that hard to pronounce? Why complicate things)
ME: Passed the document
VO: You were denied visa to Canada few years ago, what happened? **Sets his hands for typing**
ME: (I dreaded this question being asked.. Was banned and rendered inadmissible to Canada) Yes, I was denied study visa because ( cuts me off while nodding his head )
VO: **waits for a long while while typing** Where did you do your undergraduate studies?
ME: **So So** University India
VO: How much did it cost you?
ME: 5000usd yearly exclusive of living expenses.
VO: Who paid for it?
ME: My Uncle
VO: **waits for a long while while typing** what are you going for now?
ME: I AM going for my masters study in Computer and information science with a concentration in information technology at etsu
VO: I see you got scholarship, who is paying for your living expenses
ME : My uncle
VO: oh same Uncle that paid for your undergraduate study?
Me: Yes ( At this point I felt a positive vibe of visa being approved)
VO: What does he do?
ME: He own a company where he deals with computer support and sale of computers and office equipments.
VO: **waits for a long while while typing** how long is this program?
ME: Roughly 2 years
VO: **waits for a long while while typing** what is your plan after graduation?
ME: After my studies, I plan to return home and with my updated knowledge on the latest practices of software engineering and network and information security apply for senior level position in my current company or seek for research intensive IT position in government agency like NITDA ( I expanded it). I plan to work for maximum of 5 years in this position while setting a stage to running my own IT company where I'd be dealing with creation of new generation secure and dependable enterprise systems to power most businesses in Nigeria while offering employment opportunities to Nigerians who wants to make a career in the field. I believe my program would help me achieve this goal.
VO: **waits for a long while while typing** What proof do you have that your living expenses would be taken care of?
ME: I have my sponsors personal and business statement of account.
VO: Give me his personal statement of account.
ME: I passed it
VO: I will be approving your visa. ( Passes two white papers). Paper contains how you will get back your passport and what you need to know before travel. But I'd hold on to your statement to run a thorough check. If found fraudulent, you will be deported even if you are in the states. Should I proceed with it?
ME: Sure no problem.
VO: Once again congratulation and have a great time in your Masters study.
ME: Thanks I appreciate. Bye

Went out dumbfounded and unable to contain the possibility of getting my visa despite my Canadian ban. But God made it happen anyway.

To the travel hopefuls
Nothing is impossible. Prepare well and be very confident till the very end. Whatever will be will be

Enasdan:
Hello everyone, if an F-1 visa applicant MBA program, is going to the US embassy for interview, is it advisable or proper to put on native wears or cafatan, kindly advise and suggest, thanks

sureb0yy:
Told myself I wouldn't post anything on NL until something big changes for me.

July 2016: F1 visa approved.
July 2018: GC approved.
July 2018: Job offer accepted.

I'm now a legal permanent resident of this place... and I'm starting my job at progressive insurance on Monday 8/6 in the claims department. Not the best job in the world but I'd take $50k p.a. right now considering all I've been through lol. My second part-time job will earn me between $4h and $1k a month too so... not a bad start.

Now I can come back to NL and give advice like the old days to anyone who wants it. I don't remember the username of that guy who used to tackle me all the time with "body go tell you" posts. Baba, if you can read this, whether it's luck or not, I didn't encounter any of those scary things you predicted o.

Prospective NLers chasing the American dream, ask me whatever you need to know. Against all odds, I came here to study stupid course in a stupid school without any funding. 2 years later, it's all history. It took a bit of luck but who cares? I'm in a better place and that's what matters.

Don't let any keyboard warrior discourage you from chasing your dreams... keep sleeping! Lol.

Dewumi054:


Hello guys. I don't know if anyone remembers but I shared my past transcript(I was denied though) here just last week and sought for help as my interview was just a week away and fast approaching. My interview this time was scheduled for 11:15 21st of July which was 3days ago. I got there quite early around 9am. There was a long queue. I joined the queue and went thru all the proper channels for documentation. Finally I got to the VO and my heart was racing at first. I so wanted to be interviewed by the chinko guy at window 6 because he face looked cool but I was directed to window 8 and just as it was almost my turn, I wanted to run to the toilet so when I get back I could get another opportunity to be directed to window 6 but something pinned my legs to the floor and told me not to run. Anyways this was how the interview went.

Me: Good morning sir (with a smile)
VO: Good morning, are you a barrister?(with a smile as well)

Me: No
VO: oh! You are dressed like one(with the nicest smile I've ever seen from a VO).

VO: so you are going to study for your masters in Geography right?

Me: yes but I would be specializing in the area of GIS, Geographic information system.

VO: okay. Please excuse me, I need to get water

Me: no problem sir (with a smile. Although my heart was really beating fast. But while he was gone, I was really praying for favour. He got back and apologized for taking a break and I was like its no problem *with a smile again. Lol. Basically, I was just smiling all through)

VO: when did you graduate?

Me: 2016

VO: so what have you been doing since then?

Me: I graduate 2016 and I had to go for the compulsory one year national youth service which I completed not long. After then I did a voluntary youth service with One African child foundation

VO: okay so what did u do?

Me: I actually volunteered to make awareness on social media and I made financial contributions.

VO: okay so y do u want to study GIS?

Me: my interest in gis started when I took a course in geographic information system during my undergraduate days. I was so fascinated as to how gis could solve most of the problems we facing here in Nigeria. Studying GIS would help me sharpen my geospatial analytical skills and problem solving skills. But most importantly studying gis would help me kick start my career as a GIS expert at NEMA.. National emergency management agency.

VO: okay. I can see from your i20 that you are eligible to study in the united state but you have to help me understand how you re going to fund that. Who's gonna be sponsoring you?

Me: my dad

VO: he is a professor right?

Me: yes. He is a professor in the university of Ibadan, and he's also a visiting lecturer to other universities. He has other investments, he has a farm and a poultry where he supplies other states in the country with life stocks and agricultural produces.

VO: but as a professor how does he want to sponsor you? Lemme see ur bank statement.

Me: *Hands it over to him and was praying seriously in my mind

VO: (*He was just scrutinizing the thing o!) But as a professor, how did he manage to av up to this in his account

Me: like I said he is a professor and as a professor he has the ability to lecture at other universities at the same time. So he lectures in more than one university. He also has other investment. He has a farm and the poultry where he supplies other states in the country with agricultural produces and besides he has been saving up for my masters degree ever since I gained admission.

VO: okay that's fine with me.. So I would be issuing your visa. Come pick up your visa at this location I will be circling after 3 working days

Me: (with a very big smile) Thank you sir

That's it guys. Who ever said there's no God? There is my people cos to me, the success of this interview was just by his mercy. I was favoured. After being denied in April, I was so scared this time but with God and some amazing people I met here on nairaland, I was approved this time. He didn't ask me much questions. All the common questions I had prepared for like *why the US*, *why the school*, *study plan*, *y masters* and others. Although I prayed so hard but I also did my own part of preparing day and night. My transcript won't be complete if I don't mention these set of people God bless me with during this period, they also made this possible @Coloniel5000, @tolatof. Your sacrifice and encouraging words won't be forgotten. I don't know you guys facially but you guys are simply the best @Glocal, @wisepluto, @jelmusboy, @ponlear and everyone here on nairaland. Thanks for responding to my numerous messages and reaching out to help.

LagosismyHome:


Yes na.... how else will the embassy be able to afford big buildings

Horlartunes:
Who's is in Lagos that can coach on how to pass interview very urgent my agent is doing me anyhow he even mistakenly filled my F1 to b1/b2 visa type saying when I confront him to change it up till now he do nothing saying I should shut up and print what he asked me to print please I need urgent help

mzomaks:
MY PROPOSED TRANSCRIPT PLEASE GO THROUGH AND CRITICISE WHERE NECESSARY I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND EVERYONE HAS A BUSY SCHEDULE BUT PLS PLS DO NOT READ AND SCROLL SAY SOMETHING!

Me: Good Morning Ma/Sir
Vo: Morning Pass me your I-20 and passport

Vo: Why are you going to the US:
Me: To do my Masters in Information Systems and Technology

Vo: What will you be specializing in ?
Me: I will be specializing in Information Management Application

Vo: Tell me about your Information Systems and Technology
Me: It’s a 30 credit hours degree program for computer scientists, Engineers, business people and other professionals who have the responsibilities of using, improving, installing, managing and evaluating integrated enterprise wide information systems. The program focuses on business process and ERP(enterprise resource planning) software to integrate the functional areas such as finance, sales, manufacturing, distribution e.tc
During the period of my degree I would be taking courses such as:
Database Management Systems
Enterprise Information Systems
User interface Design and analysis
Object oriented systems design
Data Structures and Algorithm and of some computer programming languages

Vo: Why the US?
Me: Universities in the US have an excellent teaching curriculum and the US is also known as the world renowned academia and a degree from the US has an excellent international reputation and is also well recognized and respected around the globe.
US universities are diverse in terms of age, religion and cultural background.
The US also provides excellent support for international students and academic flexibility as well.
Advanced use of technology

Vo: Why Masters in Information Systems and Technology or what will this degree do for you:
Me: Masters in Information Sys and Tech would help me achieve my future career goals which are Starting up an Information Management Consulting Team.

The degree would also give me access to the recent advances in information system, the necessary skills and techniques I need to integrate information Technology into enterprise systems.
With the skills and techniques obtained from this degree I would develop( write a proposal to the Nigerian Government Via the National Identity Management Commission and the Independent National Electoral Commission) a Centralized Information Management System for the nation Nigeria( the system would comprise of all the details (Name, Date of Birth, school and job history of citizens, medical history of citizens). The system would assist greatly in crimes and curbing corruption. Bank verification number would be used as unique entity in the process to reduce data duplication on the system.
I also chose this field because there is continual career progression if the individual is focused and determined.

Vo: How Many Schools did you apply to?
Me: 2 (University of Michigan-Dearborn and Western Michigan University)


Vo: How many accepted you:
Me: Both

Vo: Why University of Michigan-Dearborn
Me: Honestly the major reason I chose UMD is because of the Ford Motor Company as I have been working as ford service advisor for 3 years now and schooling at UMD would give me the opportunity to visit, experience and interact with individuals at FoMoCo( the thought of that excites me because I would get to see the first manufacturing assembly line and it would be really nice to have feel of the manufacturing process)
UMD has small class size of 17:1 (student:Teacher) which would give me the opportunity to interact easily with my faculty members and fellow students.
UMD has an engaged campus community and they offer several internships opportunities.

VO: After the degree what do you intend doing?
Me: I would come back home to start up an information Management Consulting Team.
I also plan to build a centralized Information Management System for Nigeria.
Then I would like to start up my own ice-cream shop more like a dream than a future career plan I know.

Vo: Who would be sponsoring you?
Me; My Dad and I also have savings for myself (tho I won’t be going with my bank statement)

Vo: what does he do?
Me: He is a Public relation manager at Daewoo Engineering and Construction Nigeria, and then he also has a business in which he sells Palm oil, Fishes and Chicken in bulk.


Omo I didnt know it would be this long , choi God help me

naira0:


Your Major reason for choosing UMD is asynchronous to your course of study. Wait a minute! Are you going for Info Tech or Auto Tech?

Bros, you need to edit the part of your transcript that exposes your planned lies here. This faceless forum is not completely faceless. Let's use our wits even as we seek for assistance here.

Work on the highlighted areas. I feel you have a great script.

adedoja99:
Anybody currently at NCCU outchea pls?

sam4jesuseva:
Please how do I pay for sevis fee? Though I am still expecting the shipment of form I-20. I want to do everything quickly since class starts August 20th. Please your response is highly appreciated

mzomaks:
Hello Guys I hope you all are having a good day.

Pls I would be going for my visa interview soon for my Masters in Information Systems and Technology at University of Michigan Dearborn(UMD) and honestly the major reason I applied to UMD is because of the opportunity to interact and experience what goes on in the FORD MOTOR COMPANY(excites me when I imagine it) as I currently work as a ford service advisor with coscharis motors but I really do not know if its a convincing reason.

I also found that UMD has relatively small class sizes which sounds good to me as I would get the opportunity to interact with my professors and peers easily especially in terms of solving problems and sharing ideas.

pls go through and let me know what you think.

Gent009:
Hi guys am new here. I want to start my application for spring semester. Pls can someone be kind enough to guide me on the cheapest school I can apply to? and if scholarship is available how to go about it.

I know it can be found on Google but i really need a personalized opinion from my Nigerian brothers and sister's.

thanks so much

mroluyemo:
PLS HELP MAKE CORRECTIONS TO THIS TrAnSCRIPT

Why are you going to the US?

Response: I’m going to the US for my masters in Chemical Engineering
with specialization in Pharmaceutical Engr at Rutgers University in
New Jersey

WHY CHEMICAL ENGINEERING/Why Pharmaceutical Engr?

Healthcare in Nigeria is a mess which is a reflection of our
Pharmaceutical industries, Hence one of the outlets of being able to
solve problems in the healthcare industry as a Chemical Engineer is by
specializing in Pharmaceutical Engr. Also, during my application phase
I came across a paper authored by Professor Piero Armenante on
Pharmaceutical process and Equipment design which further heightened
my likeness for the course

Why do you want to do a masters?/why would you spending so much on a masters

Basically to gather a deeper understanding of the concepts in the area
of pharmaceutical engr by leveraging on the theoretical knowledge I
got from my bachelors chemical engr, with the ultimate goal of coming
back to Nigeria to apply the knowledge to the pharmaceutical
industries here.

For me getting a deeper understanding of pharmaceutical engr is not a
waste of time/money, because after the program I would have been
equipped with requisite knowledge needed to move the Pharmaceutical
industry in Nigeria forward

HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT RUTGERS?

I decided to go with Rutgers because it best fits my profile

Attending an Ivy League school such as MIT (which I visited the last
time I was in America) has always been my dream, but after my GRE I
had to compromise a bit. I started researching on other schools and
other programs, I was fascinated by a paper I came across by Professor
Piero Armenante’s -Pharmaceutical process and Equipment design , This
led me to do an extensive research on the top programs in
Pharmaceutical engineering, of which I found out the Pharmaceutical
engr offered by Rutgers. Recently I found out Rutgers is sometimes
referred to as a public Ivy League school, which means my dream is
still valid

WHY USA? Why not Canada or Germany

USA because it’s the innovation capital of the earth, with big
advancement and contribution to Research and development, moreover the
US is home to many top notch universities, also in the US I get to
experience and meet people of different cultures that will further
enhance my development, personally and professionally

Why Rutgers

It was an easy decision for me because. At Rutgers, students have the
opportunity to be part of an engineering community that includes
world-renowned faculty conducting leading-edge research as well as
motivated students from a diversity of backgrounds and interests, who
remain networked beyond their studies as part of a 20,000-strong
alumni association. Rutgers is located in New Jersey which is home to
many Pharmaceutical Research and Development centers. The chemical
engineering department is also home to powerful research centers like
Engineering Research Center for structured Organic Particulate



WHY NOT STEVENS OR NJIT/ WHAT IS RUTGERS OFFERING THAT YOU’RE NOT
GETTING FROM STEVENS?

After talking to the Professors at all of the institutions, I found
the work of Professors Fernando Muzzio more fitting with my interests.
Specifically, I took liking to the work of Professor Ravendra Singh in
the area of Continuous Pharmaceutical manufacturing and upon
communicating with him and some of his research students, I found his
style of advising to be palatable to my person*. Also, Rutgers is
highly reputable with over 20,000 Alumni, I wanted to be part of that
history

Tell me about Pharmaceutical Engineering

Response: Pharmaceutical Engineering is the branch of engineering that
deals with the production and formulation of drugs

Response: Basically, Pharmaceutical engineering is the development and
manufacturing of products, processes and components in the
pharmaceuticals industry

What will Pharmaceutical Engr/ Chemical Engr do for you in Nigeria?/
What’s your career goal?/

What will you do after your program?

First of all, I intend to use the knowledge gained from the masters to
move the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria forward by getting a job
upon arrival in Nigeria, also I would also love to work as an adjunct
staff in Nigerian institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development
in Abuja where I’ll have firsthand information on the Pharmaceutical
Research going on Nigeria. Ultimately, I want to own my own
pharmaceutical company whereby the major raw materials will be
efficacious herbs from Nigeria







Whats your highest level of Education?

I have a bachelors in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos

When did you graduate?

2016

What have you been doing since then?

I recently concluded my mandatory National Youth Service corps (NYSC)
in Abuja where I was posted to a construction firm (Kaniz
Construction) , I’m currently interning with a Pharmaceutical company
in Lagos, Mecure Healthcare, I just wanted to famillarize myself with
drug production in preparation for my masters. Its an Unpaid
internship

Did you apply to other schools?

yes

How many

other schools apart from Rutgers

Name them

Stevens and NJIT

Why Rutgers

It was an easy decision for me because. At Rutgers, students have the
opportunity to be part of an engineering community that includes
world-renowned faculty conducting leading-edge research as well as
motivated students from a diversity of backgrounds and interests, who
remain networked beyond their studies as part of a 20,000-strong
alumni association. The chemical engineering department Is also home
to powerful research centers with great facilities like

14) How about housing and all?

Rutgers has a website for off campus housing, which I have made
enquiries on, which I’ll be going for inspection upon my arrival in
the US

What courses will you be taking?

I’ll first of all take my core courses before taking the
pharmaceutical engr courses

enthusiasm:
So all those guys bashing my previous transcript. By the time I'm done with this one, I'm sure you will be calm.

So my interview was for 6:45, I got into Lagos the previous day and lodged a trekkable distance to the embassy. So I got there really early. Then.. the whole queue and biometrics things.
When I was in the interview line, there were two men and like 5 or so women VOs. I wanted the elderly man in Windows 2 to interview me because I saw him approve a visa. I kept praying but when it was getting to my turn I felt I might be assigned to the notorious Windows 7 so I quickly ran to the restroom. Lol!
I came back and joined the windows 2 myself and the uniformed orderly saw me and called me out, I just kept smiling. I was later pointed to the guy in Windows 5 who turned to be the best.
Me: Goodmorning as I pass him my i20 and sevis

VO: Goodmorning.

Me: I started explaining without being asked ' my course is International Development Studies' it's written differently on my document.

Vo: (nods) where are you going (or something like that I'm not sure.)

Me: I'm going for my masters in IDS at the Elliott school of international affairs, George Washington University ( he actually didnot let me finish)

VO: oh that's a good school.

Me: thank you

Vo: what's your academic background

Me: I have BSc in Political science and administration, graduated 2015 and afterwards I did some volunteering job before proceeding to work as a legislative aide to the honourable member representing my constituency.

Vo: so why are you going for this course

Me: I chose this because I want a career in development and policy research (spoke slowly and dimmed my eyes while shaking my head to show how passionate I am) I believe the most effective tools of development are Good policies and research. (To this he nods his head very well and types) I'll be specializing in International Development management, because I'll love to work with development organizations and in the long run hopefully AU.

VO: how many schools did you apply?

Me: 4 ; UMASS, Uni. Of Kansas, St Joseph uni and GWU.

Vo: how many admitted you
Me: all

Vo: so why did you choose this one

Me: it's one of the best schools of international affairs in the world. (He nods) I did my research using my field of study as focus and it's top ten in US and top 30 in the world. I chose it specifically because of the way the courses are tailored, we get to study in cohorts, there's this capstone... (he cuts in)

Vo: yea yea I know about that.
Vo: who is your sponsor
Me: family

Vo: I'll be approving your visa, I also didn't hear anything else, I was listening but I didn't hear. He didn't circle my white paper either.

It seemed like a long interview now but it was not up to 2 minutes and it seemed so easy because of his body language, he was practically nodding at everything I said, it is GRACE. However I comported myself well, smiled a bit and spoke my phonee too, I kind of noticed they like that, but what do I know! A relaxed body language and eye contact helps a lot. I was looking at him even when he wasn't looking at me. I'm super grateful for this platform and I hope my transcript helps someone too.
All the best!!!

folmus:


Do you have your coupon ready?

Haryormeedey:


Gurus in the house, please say something on this abeg

lullu:
Was denied on friday at abuja , pls has any who was denied been able to book a date, i want to try again at lagos. My sch resumes in august 16th. Hope i can still make it, and i was even given a waiver