₦airaland Forum

Husky14:
On 19/07/2018

Okay. Thanks.

Husky14:
Good day all,

Initially, I wanted to post my Transcript when I collect my passport at my preferred collection centre, but the thought that some fellows here might have visa appointment(and can equally learn from my experience) before I finally get my passport has propelled me to post it now. Also, since my status has changed from 'Administrative Processing' to 'Issued' leaves me with little need for worries.

I was among the last ten persons that were interviewed that day so you could imagine the kind of patience that was displayed that day.‎

My Visa Transcript on Thursday at US Embassy Abuja. Was called to Window 9

VO: Pass me your passport and i-20, fast please
Me: I passed them
VO: How did you hear about this school?
Me: I got to know about Michigan Tech University when I was researching on top chemical engineering schools with research area on membrane separation technology

She was busy looking at my i-20, and immediately raised her face and said to me"wow..you are going full scholarship!" I smiled back blushingly.

VO: How did you get it?
Me: I had Skype Interview with my potential supervisor after which he recommended me to graduate committee for consideration

VO: Can I see your offer letter?
Me: I took my time and found it in my file and gave it to her

She read it for a while and continued..
VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: I also applied to University of Texas, Austin and Auburn University, Alabama
VO: How many admits?
Me: This is the only admit I got
VO: Where did you do your Master's?
Me: I am interested in Research that was why I opted for Direct PhD
VO: What will you be specialising on?
Me: I will be specialising on membrane separation technology, we will be researching on the use of membrane in treatment of water and industrial wastewater, and also for gas separation.

VO: The two other schools you applied were they Masters or PhD?
Me: I applied for PhD in all of them

VO: Do you have any family in the US?
Me: Not yet

VO: What will you do with this degree?
Me: On completion of my program, I will have equipped myself with research expertise and necessary knowledge that will enable contribute to evolution of Engineering in Nigeria. It will also make me more productive when I return to lecture in Unizik.

It seemed she asked another question but I didn't hear that......she typed for a while and told me something I didn't hear completely, ".......... pick up your passport after 4 working days, congratulations and be careful..."She gave me the white paper and my i-20..
‎
More grace to those about to go for their appointments..
Thanks so much to everyone who has posted or commented on this thread; your inputs served me greatly during my preparations. I am most grateful

When was your interview?

patsodek:
Administrative processing since Thursday July 12. Statement of account was collected for verification. Travel ticket bought. I'm beginning to get worried.

Any news? Which bank did you submit?

Ekebs:
I went with 3 months bank statement on 16th July the day I was interviewed. The VO then gave me a yellow paper, checked bank statement and passport and asked me to send 6months bank statement with my passport. I did on 17th July, It got to Abuja US embassy on 18th July, on 20th July my case was updated. Na there we dey so sha

Ohh, you no get wahala. I am patiently waiting for tomorrow.

Ekebs:
I dey the same levels too. created on 16th July, updated on 20th July. I'm still expectant...

Hahah, your own dey like this and I dey complain ... They collected your bank statement and I20 Abi?

Ekebs:
Abuja or Lagos bros? when was the last case updated?

Lagos. It was created on 18th and updated on 19th and nothing since then.

Mehn, this administrative processing sha. Since 19th, nothing yet. Let me wait till Monday though.

YoungTesla:
It will change before Monday.

Chexk your mail..

YoungTesla:
Had my interview yesterday July 19, was placed on AP but my status changed to issued this afternoon.

Will the consulate send me a mail regarding when and where to pick my passport?

Pardon me progressives, I go post my comprehensive Transcript the moment my hand don touch my PP, my Village people strong.

I was placed on administrative processing too, but it's still showing administrative processing. Chaii, make these people do well oo.

EconMajor:
I posted my interview transcript yesterday but I got banned and the post was deleted.

I quoted your post and I got banned too lol..

kevinkay:
My student visa was denied this morning 6:45am, how soon can I reapply?

Sorry about your denial, but I think you should drop your transcript first.

aribolseg:
UPDATE............ my transcript proper

V.O—Good morning
Me and my wife- (Stepped forward). Good morning sir with a warm smile.
V.O- Pass me your documents
Me- I passed both passports and our form i 20s
V.O- What school are you going to
Me- Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC)
V.O- could see you want to study MSc Agribusness Economics
Me- Yes sir
V.O- what is your Highest Qualification
Me- I had in a Bachelor degree in Agriculture
V.O- what year was that
Me- 2010
V.O- so what have you been doing ever since
Me- I have been in banking all through. Currently working as Agrifinance officer in XXXX Bank. I am involved in the lending activities to farmers and all other businesses across the agric value chain
V.O- how many schools did you applied to
Me- 5
V.O-how many admit
Me- 4, my application to the fifth one was inconclusive. I could not send my transcript down prior to application deadline. This was due to ASUU strike action.
V.O- So why SIUC
Me- I was offered full funding as graduate teaching assistantship with monthly stipends so the financial burden will be minimal. The remaining amount is for some fees which is very insignificant. (he checked my i20 again and i expected him to look comfortable but i didn’t really see that so i continued)- Also, there is a current research in SIUC on Agric development policy which greatly aligns with my career pathway. Agribusiness is getting more focus from the government noting our dwindling revenue from oil and gas., everyone is looking at diversifying our economy and the only viable option is agric. So i believe with the degree i will be able to contribute to the ongoing development in the country on my return. (then i got that conviction i was desperately looking for). My expectation is that the country will require expertise like me…. He cuts in
V.O- ok i get it (nodding in affirmative)
V.O- who is sponsoring your education (he remembered my grad assistantship and rephrased). so how do you intend to pay for the remaining fees
Me- The remaining fees is just 2k per semester . my wife and i both work and we have enough savings to take care of ourselves during our stay in US
V.O- do you have statement account to that effect.
Me- Yes please. (i passed it down). He looked through very carefully. I quickly interrupted that we have a Nm treasury bills we roll over every 180 days so he should understand why some period has low end balance. And he responded
V.O- oh yes i could see that. He returned the statements to me.
V.O-have you travelled out of the country before
Me- I have only been to neighboring countries but my wife has been to UK and Canada, she also owns valid Canada visa till 2021.
V.O-He checked her passport and confirmed all that
V.O- (faced my wife)- you have got family members in Canada?
My wife- yes. my siblings stays there.
V.O- so you want to go with your husband
My wife- our marriage is still early plus i will like to give him emotional stability. (with a big smile)
V.O- he laughed ( to me the laughter sounds like- uhmm you sha don’t want another woman to take over your property)
V.O-so what will you be doing when he is off to school
My wife- i am aware i won’t be allowed to take up any paid job and i do not intend to violate that part of the law. I just want to be close to him.
V.O- So what do you do after you get bored for a month (smiling so well)
My wife- i cant be bored. will be cooking for him (also smiling)
V.O- i will be approving your visas and he gave me a white paper,cycled where to pick it up. You will get an sms and email to pick up at this address.
Me- Thank you so much sir. I hugged my wife and told her... yes we made it.
V.O- Pointed out our 120s and said . do not forget to bring this along. It will be required at POE. You will not be allowed entrance and will be returned back here if you fail to provide this
Me- Took my documents with a heavy smile, trekked down to car park (not minding the rain), thank my GOD, enter my car, shared my good news with those that matter to me, drove down to a better restaurant and had a good meal

Additional information

From my experience. I noticed the following
1. For study visa, there is no point applying for visa when you cannot reasonably convince yourself to align the course benefits to what you are doing now/in the past, what you intend to do, how these somehow relates to your home country and how you intend to pay for it. Mind you i got admitted last year to some universities but I did not bother apply for visa when i honestly know i cannot fund it. I could have ruined my chances if i had multiple denied applications in the past. In my opinion, Visas are never strictly by luck but 90% Merit and probably 10% luck.
2. Secondly, be real. Once you can handle my point one, just flow naturally with the V.O and not cram a rehersed transcript. i overheard someone’s interview and it sounded to me like the person crammed a written transcript. I don’t know if he got blue or white but i don’t think he was real or genuine.
3. People should understand that the touts at the car park has nothing to offer. I honestly don’t know why they have not been chased away. Charging to staple what its not needed.
4. If you are driving down, you will not pass through walter carrington drive, just get to one bus stop they call checking point or so or ask questions. There is a garage where you can park for 500 and trek down some few meters.
5. Dress to reflect who you are. I dressed like a banker and looked like one. No one could have doubted my profession.
6. Look innocent. My wife was surprised till today why he didn’t even ask of our marriage certificates despite the fact that her passport is still in her fathers name. I feel we showed love, hugging and holding hands even before it got to our turn. so we genuinely looked like a married couple even without saying.
7. Find what kills your nervousness and boost your confidence. For me it is good looks, sharp wears, nice haircut and big smile. it works for me most of the times
8. Above all. GOD for favor and good luck… Another VO could have looked at our case like we might not want to return since we would likely give birth and start family in the USA but God gave us that favor to make him think otherwise. Even though we have intent of returning.


Above is my submission as i promised to give back to the house. and i honestly hope this would help someone out there. Good luck to every one once again.

who knows where i can cheap tickets ooooo. thats the next headache now

cheers

Where you the guy with the black suit and walking stick?

Osiokoye:
Sorry but how is this funny? I saw it on my i20 packet even when I never applied for it and I thought to ask and you're trying to mock me like how is it funny?

Calm Down Man I never mocked you. I just thought it was funny in a good way and not the way you are thinking. I didn't get any funding, I didn't mention anything like funding during my interview. Just think about it, would stating it add to your case or cause problems? The VO will surely see it on your I-20 and I don't think you have to state it. It's my personal opinion though.

Osiokoye:
hello everyone, please if you get a scholarship of just $1,000 from the school, do you need to mention it during the interview?

Hehehe, this is funny Shaa. Mention it oo, it's something

patsodek:
They must approve it ooo.

Amen..

paulsir:
visa cancelled after administrative processing.

Why do you think it was cancelled? Did you submit fake documents?

paulsir:
visa cancelled after administrative processing.

That's not a transcript..

patsodek:
Administrative processing since Thursday July 12. Statement of account was collected for verification. Travel ticket bought. I'm beginning to get worried.

I pray make my own no stay this long oo. But, chill they will approve it.

YoungTesla:
@Nahum777, I think I saw you, the YouTube Guy, u wore a white shirt and you are a bit tall.

Omo I cut all my beards and I wasn't looking like the normal me, but you are right though. I was the one.

jolowizzy11:
Bros don't be scared it's yours already... please when did you graduate from high school ? did the school give you scholarship ?

2012 and no scholarship...

tolatof:
Smart guy, More wins to come

Bro, the kind God wey go bless you Eheen. Thank you so much you truly helped me.

Judgepelumi:
To confirm your bank statement right? How long does it take?

I don't even know. I am scared to. death.

We don't know what we have on Nairaland here. No one should take this thread for granted as nobody will give you a better advice. Everything you are told here is 100% correct, you might not like it but it's 100% correct and helpful. People just go to the embassy to blow their money without preparation and I believe many of them don't have access to nairaland. So take what they tell you here as gospel, period!

So I left my house for Famoss guest house the previous day before my interview, I was very early and I went to the embassy to see the atmosphere (This is important).

I didn't sleep throughout the night. I was already prepared by 5 AM, the hotel people succeeded in wasting 30 minutes of my time, there was nobody to open the gate for me, I thought my village people were after my life at that moment. They finally opened the gate sha after I boiled for 30 minutes, I almost cried.

I found myself at the consulate and those boys at the gate started their usual nonsense. Please don't listen to them when you get to the Embassy, just walk straight inside, don't allow them to frustrate your destiny.

We got in and they gave us some instructions, They checked all our documents, the security was really tight. You needed to pass more than 7 security checks lol.

The 3 people before me were handed the blue paper by the nice guy on window 5 or 6 I don't remember. I was almost taken to the black woman, but thank God, her first interview took like 30 minutes, meanwhile other VOs had already interviewed about 3 people. The guys who got rejected weren't prepared at all and I knew they wouldn't get their visas, I told myself that I must get that white paper today or never.

They asked the first guy to Define Biology and he couldn't answer correctly, they asked how many schools he applied to and he said one, they asked why and he said it's a good school. They asked him about his sponsor and what he does, my guy begin call title oo, he's the chief of here and oil company of there, they handed him the blue paper and the interview was very short.

The second guy said he was a telecommunications engineer. And he was going for his masters, but he couldn't answer the questions asked. For the first time people's denial motivated me because I knew Nairaland had equipped me with everything I needed (truth be told).

My interview 6:30AM Lagos.

Me: Good morning sir.
Vo: Good morning.
Me: Passed my passport and I-20.
Vo: Where are you going to study this course?
Me: I am going to Utah Valley University for a Bachelors degree in Economics.
Vo: Why do you want to study this course?
Me: Nigeria as a developing economy, needs a lot of well versed economists who are in touch with modern economic theories. My study in the US will allow me learn from the best faculty with versed knowledge of their field and in the largest economy in the world.

My study will help me learn from them so I can return to Nigeria and be instrumental in developing and formulating viable economic policies.

As a writer, for news websites and blogs in Nigeria, a well grounded knowledge in economics will broaden my writing abilities and this means more writing jobs will come my way when I return to the country.

I plan on starting.. VO cuts in (I get it).

VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: 3 schools. Utah Valley University, University of Wyoming and West Virginia University.

Vo: What do the schools have in common?

They all have low faculty to student ratio, which means faculty members can spend more time working individually with students.

Vo: How did you hear about the school?

I first heard about the school While I was on a mission for my church (Church name), a family we went to visit had a son who just returned from the university and he said great things about the school. After my mission, I went on to do some research on my own. I went on quora to read reviews from past and present students, I went to the school's Facebook page and the school's youtube channel to watch videos and I really liked the school.

Vo: You served on a mission for two years. What did you do within the period of your high school and now ?

Me: I went on to learn a skill, I learnt this to repair flat screen lcd televisions and then I started writing for blogs and news websites.

Vo: What kind of writings do you do and what platforms have your written for?

Me: I write mostly on relationships and studying economics will broaden my. Writing abilities. I plan on starting a YouTube channel where I will be talking about Nigeria's economic policies and I will also be sensitizing Nigerians on Nigeria's foreign policy and trade. I wrote for Naij.com and other platforms that aren't popular.

Vo: Who's sponsoring you and what does he do, do you have his bank statement?

Me: My dad. He owns a security company.

Vo: Okay, I will be putting you on administrative processing. I will be holding your I-20, Passport and Bank statement.

Holyede:
nigerian god? are you ok upstairs? God is for all nations,
or is it algebraic topology- too hard to understand?

Nigerian God is a fraud sir.

I was put on administrative processing. Transcript on the way.

Kirusky4life:
I was denied visa yesterday and I tried to reschedule today. Whenever I get to where to the page to pick a date, it say no currently available date. Then I tries again this evening, it wrote something like, "You are reaching the maximum time you will view this"
Please I want to know if there is number of times am expected to visit the page before mypaymenr transaction reference becomes inactive ?

Please post your transcript so others can learn from it. That is the norm here.

dilodavid:
Bro, focus on succeeding tomorrow at the interview. Where you are putting up now isn't your permanent residence.

Hahaha true shaa

Omo this famoss guest house no be am oo. This has to be the worst hotel in Nigeria. In fact, hotels for Okokomaiko na 4star compared to this 0 star hotel. I fear say people dey lodge here oo

KillaBeauty:
What a joke! It might be abolished but trust Igbo people to still subconsciously practice it. The Indians abolished their own caste system and infact made it illegal many years ago but till today, people are still treated according to the caste system they belong to. Let a “free born” first try and get married to a person that is an osu, you’d see how the free born’s whole family will kick against it. Abolished my yansh

true

Ubah1:
Haha you want to know if its the black lady

Hahaha, that's right.

All these articles sef

Lamzee:
I don't even remember to check number, But the woman is in the second window

In Lagos right? What's her race?