, hmmm my post was removed.

NKnight:

Congrats man !

Don't forget to attach your resume (preferably in pdf fomat). And use a good "subject" like "New graduate student, "

Please I meant subject for the email! Resumes don't need a subject, in fact do not print CV or Resume at the top (common mistake).

@ cezeozue, I'm in the same dilemma. I've been admitted but nothing yet as concerns funding. Before I got the admit, I contacted Prof. X who is a Nigerian and we exchange emails but it was mostly about my stats, chances of getting admitted and the kind of research he is into. I noticed he always avoided my questions about funding. I quote "funding cannot be guaranteed at this time" bla bla. I really want to work with Prof X but funding is a big factor here. I was tipped to contact Prof Y who is in a different research area (one I also like but not as much as Prof X's). I've been wondering how to compose the email to Prof Y, and how Prof X might react if he finds out I'm contacting other Profs. Nknight, Sefago, and others, please I need your inputs on this.

About what type of GRE to write, like the others said, the devil you know is better.

Congrats on the admit! Good job!
How many admits do you have? How far has the discussion with the prof gone? For most situations I advice not to ask directly for funding. Then again it depends on many factors like individual preference, number of admits, prof-student interaction, time available and so on, Many roads lead to the market, your choice usually depends on where you live.

If you have only one admit I suggest you contact other profs with similar interests as yours.

That being said,

Congrats to all with admits but no funding. It's not an ideal situation (especially if fingers are still fingers) but you still have a chance.

A good (and sometimes not so good) situation arises when your prof is of the same nationality i.e. Nigerian. I have not worked with any Nigerian Prof but I know many students who had great Nigerian advisers and some who didnt have it so good. Its not all the time that the devil you know is better than the angel you don't know. However, only you know the full gist and therefore it's on you to make the best choice from the options available. This is my general idea on the matter (For a prof who is a fellow naija you may require additional moves like prostrating etc, then again it all depends, ):

I. Your first email
1. Make an initial impression of being concise in writing. Be professional without sounding cold and absolutely no errors in your mail.

2. Show interest in the prof's work (that is his life men!). And show interest in your own work too.

When he replies, he either says (a) not interested or (b) no funding for now.

(a) means good bye, look for another prof, look towards TA, external funding etc

Once you hear, see or read (b), shine your eyes, thats it, move quickly and direct the discussion towards research areas when (WHEN not IF) you join his team.

II. Your second email
3. By now you must have slept with printed copies of his papers. Read his work and have a good idea of what he is doing and planning to do. Ask yourself, where do you fit in all of this? DO NOT COPY AND PASTE ooooooooo hmmmmm. Yarn like the knowledgeable but polite naija supasta that you are. Remember research is not all about the glamour of presenting papers to peers at a conference. Some low level manual blue collar greasy nailbiting caffeine induced work goes on behind the scene. Interest in that part research is what counts at this stage. And you show that interest not with mouth but with action. When you get in you probably would work on things you never dreamed of. But for now it is important you show you are enthusiastic about the tasks ahead.

I know its tempting but leave out jokes until much later. In the initial contact, the stakes are just too high to kid around.

4. If you did (3) well, the guy will willingly send you some current papers.

5. Pick one of them and sleep with it happily with a smile on your face (after all if all goes well, you would be sleeping with lots of known and unknown papers for the next 4-6 years).

III. Your third email
6. Prepare a summary of the paper you just digested. You could include "reasonable" questions and ideas of your own. Arrange evry in pdf like the supasta presenter wey you be and excite that email by clicking send (remaining concise as usual).

IV. His first phone call (from him ooo never initially from you unless he specifically asks you to)
6. By now you guys should be talking on GSM, trust me, in a top school the Prof would do all he can to get you into his team. But remember sometimes there just isnt enough funds for everyone. Hopefully you have other profs/other schools to begin the dance again.

All in all, it's about packaging. You want someone to spend N15m on you. You had better be worth it. You know you are worth it. I know you are worth it. They know you are worth it. They (the top schools) are after prestige and they want you, thats why you were admitted. Believe in your self and raise your confidence level.

Remember this is not a play by play commentary of how things should or would happen. It is not a recipe for getting funded. You have to be able to adapt to your ever changing situation. Its just to help in generating ideas and strategies that might just work for someone. Actually it has already worked for someone but thats not the point. You get my point.


,,,,many roads to the market,,,,
ALTERNATIVELY, you could transfer 20,000USD from your Dad's account into your account, get your I-20, travel, study hard for one or two semesters and land a TA or RA. Much easier if you ask me. But then again I wouldn't really know as popsi never had that kinda dough to even provide 1% to support 99% funding. All fingers are still fingers .

Good luck! Package and seal the deal. Do your best and pray to God. God Bless.

cezeozue:

Another offer came in last night: University of Wisconsin-Madison. No funding information yet but I can contact the professors for RA appointments. Biko, what and what do I need to say in my emails to the professors? NKnight? Sefago?

Congrats man !

Good thing you have been given the green for contact. Have you accepted? How far with Stanford? Give their offer full consideration too o. My friends there are enjoying proper silicon tan ooo . Unfortunately, I don't have any friends at Madison. But here are a few general pointers. For now keep all introductory emails short. Profs don't have time.

Get a short resume ready, preferably one page. Be sure to include any publication, project (term paper or assignment if need be) SIMILAR to (not necessarily same as) the prof's research thrusts.

I would suggest for now you don't ask directly for an RA, rather show interest in his/her research and in joining the team. Ofcourse by now you should have read up the research web pages of the Profs you wish to contact so you can yarn proper.

Don't forget to attach your resume (preferably in pdf fomat). And use a good "subject" like "New graduate student, "

Be patient and give a few days for a response. Profs get a huge number of mails everyday.

Good hunting!

jamebex:

Thank you guys for all your effort in this thread the good will surely reward you all. I am currently in 300L biochemistry, i want to go for phd straight after my NYSC but most of my friend keep telling how difficult it is for undergrads from nigerian unis to get admit talk more of a state uni like mine. But reading this atleast i now believe it isn't impossible.

Thats the right spirit bro. People will always tell you how difficult it is, but after 26 pages you should know it can be done and it can be done by you.

jamebex:

Concerning the research it has been my greatest fear, is the programming language for engineering students or can it be useful for biomedical science students also?

Don't be scared, the bio field is bubbling with research and yes the computer is used there too . Think about it yourself, I'm sure most of the processes you have learnt so far can be reduced to pencil and paper. This immediately forms the basis for a program to
1. Do it faster
2. Put some fine colors in the results
Even those problems without close form analytic solutions can be tackled with some form of computational attack.
So go for it, with a good foundation of the basics and some program skills you can start playing with the problems your lecturers give you in class (or the ones in your books). I remember that some exercises in some of the books like Kreyszig, Mcgill etc we used at school required some programming knowledge. Ofcourse most lectureres won't give you those problems. Its up to you to be creative. In 100L, a prof told me, "last century was for physics, this century is for biology" Enjoy your century o!

jamebex:

The GPA issue, should i miss a first class it might just be by some narrow margin so i can get 4.40/5.0 at worse, i screwed up in my first year but trying hard to corret it, i don't know if it will count but i can ensure my last 3 semester GPA are atleast 4.8/5.0. On the GRE i am aiming for atleast 1550.

You can't change the past (at least not yet). So focus on the present and future. Continue the good work. If you do make a 4.4/5.0, you have done well. Combined with the other aspects (GRE, recommendations, essays etc) of your application, believe me you would be on your way to achieving your PhD dreams.

cezeozue:

@NKnight: Unfortunately many Nigerian undergrads will not get to read this until it is too late. And I'm speaking from experience. .

It hurts but you are so right, most people on this page are probably done with college, some even NYSC and are just planing for the GRE, not knowing theres so much more than the test. But if this could help even one undergrad, then I guess thats worth something .
Like I stated in an earlier post there are so many ways to go about it. One very easy way for engineering/science guys in our deficient labs is to accept the "inexpensive" gift of windows (not the one related to door hehehe ).
1. Learn textbook principles cold.
2. Learn to program in at least one "modern" language. Year1 QBASIC just won't cut it anymore, think more like C++, Python or even COMSOL or MATLAB (lol I know some people would die before they accept COMSOL or MATLAB as a language).
Anyways, 3. Add a healthy dose of imagination and you have a deadlysweet combination. You won't suddenly become Feynman overnight but you would become an excellent help to ANY naija lecturer and a valuable addition to MOST US grad research groups.

cezeozue:

Did you co-author any papers while you were in school here?

Omo mehn I "gum" some of those PhD guys like superglue! Yes I did and the advantages far outstripped the time and energy sacrificed.

[quote ]
Man where will you publish paper for naija? Now I am interested. Are there like any journals in Nigeria where they publish research papers. Nigeria Journal of epidemiology or something of that nature.
[quote][/quote]

LOL, you would be surprised, !

On a serious note though, most people including Nigerian students think theres no research going on in Nigeria and all our lecturers are not "good" whatever that means. On the average, our "local" research is way behind cutting edge, agreed. I can't speak for every school in Naija but my school had a few lecturers who were really really really into research. I became close to some who have presented papers at the highest levels and have presented papers that have even become references for other international papers. Granted most of the papers that get this level of recognition are of a theoretical/mathematical nature. We simply do not have the cutting edge equipment for cutting edge experimental studies.

My advice to naija undergrads wishing to make US grad study easier is, don't neglect the theory in your textbook waiting till you get to US to read, its the same theory elsewhere ooo. If the theory is wrong in your book, its also wrong elsewhere and maybe you could be the one to correct it hehehe (lol funny enough one of Einstein's postulates was that the laws of physics are the same in every inertial frame, no geographic or racial discrimination no bi so the old man talk am o lols, he actually said the laws of physics are invariant with respect to Lorentz transformations but thats another discussion. Make we just assume for now say the old man was right)

So watch out for those lecturers that like research and gum to them like superglue. Theres so much to learn from them, you could become the next programming/typing/editing/drawing assistant, who knows you may even understand the work enough to make contributions and maybe your name will find itself as a coauthor on one or two papers and when time for recommendation comes its smooth sailing,

As for the MIST, I am asking about the program for one of my friends. He has a 3.9/5.0 but from a state university in nigeria. He has not taken the GRE yet- what do you think are his chances are. how competitive is this program?

what type of GRE score would make them standout?

In my opinion I believe a high GPA won't hurt.
Also getting a V score (>500), an AWA (>4) with a Q score (>700) should be the minimum target. However the only "official" GRE minimum is the 700Q.
Have very good recommendations and unique admission essay.
One or two papers even if locally published might not be so bad too.

Despite the seemingly low pool of applicants, going by their own statistics MIST programs are very competitive. Most people who get accepted to MIST would probably get admitted to other US schools if they applied.

To stand out (in the minority pool) I guess
A first class GPA (or at least close to the class topper).
1300 GRE (with Q as close to 800 as possible)


Congrats Cezeozue and Magnamos!

@ Magnamos, we expect you have accepted o! Technically, accepting MIST (which is in Asia) should not affect any US acceptances, however, try to inform any school you are not attending of your decision on time so that your space can be given to others on the waitlist. Remember if you do settle for MIST, chances are that you would be visiting the US for one research collabo or the other. The academic world (especially in your research niche) is not so big and you don't want to be seen as unethical.

Important Note: The real application starts AFTER you are accepted into MIST (which is very good since your net spending is relatively ZERO until you get admitted). Check your emails everyday and make sure you have a scanner ready ooo to answer them sharp sharp!
Get your passport ready (MIST would send your info to the VISA people), ensure your transcript and GRE and TOEFL scores get to MIST on time.

@ Cezeozue, watch out for the Mobil Producing Nigeria International Scholarship Award around May/June. Upload your personal and school details online and you will definitely be invited for the test. The award would provide 100% of your funding needs. Hopefully you won't need to wait till June for Mobil. You would probably have a funded offer before then. But its good to have multiple options open.

Cheers!

Seems Magnamos post was deleted. However he did mention MIST, a school in Abu Dhabi, UAE. I rememeber recommending MIST last year but didn't hear of anyone applying not to talk of getting admission till now. Their offer last year was really tempting. Didn't know they released admission results so early this year, maybe he is talking about last year's admission. Anyway the stipend was about 4,000AED per month which then was about 1,000USD. I don't know much about the cost of living there but this should be more than ok since rent, books, laptop, air ticket are all paid for (just go and read).

Another good thing is that the application fee is ZERO. Also remember that minimum GRE Q score is 700/800. Also, theres a small quota for Africans, minorities etc so don't be scared if you have not published in an ASME journal .

As for the MIT collabo, please note that the degree is solely a MIST degree. Depending on your research prof, you may get the chance to work on a joint research with a prof at MIT and may even go to the US to attend research conferences etc. This would obviously be a big boost if you choose to come over to the US for your PhD.

Go for it guys,

myforumid3:


My prayer is that we all get the offers of our heart desire and be faced with the problem of which to select/decide. I am already feeling for you ceze my friend when this prob. knocks in few weeks time lollllll 

Trust me, It will be smiles for us all.

LOL forumID my sentiments exactly, and we all hope to rejoice with the new grad students, thumbs up!

NKnight:


Come March/April your problem would be deciding which scholarship(RA/TA) to finally accept . I can bet that YOU would have to (politely ) reject some admissions lol.

Nicklee:

Hey cezeozue, with your profile, I wouldn't loose sleep about getting into any of the schools above. I have lots of friends in the top schools and the average profile looks pretty close to what you have. Caltech is probably the only exception (only few people seem abke to figure their admission structure). But I think MIT, Stanford, UIUC and Princeton (these are schools where I have a couple of friends) would almost certainly want to have you unless things have changed since the last time I worried about grad school, which was in 2006.

Let me know if you get into Stanford. It's lovely here and although I'll be gone by the time you start in the fall (I'm graduating this summer), I'll love to convince you to come to Stanford.

Yeah Nicklee's quite right Cezeozue, those schools (especially MIT, UIUC, Princeton, Stanford and Penn) would definitely want you. Congrats on your profile.

Come March/April your problem would be deciding which scholarship(RA/TA) to finally accept . I can bet that YOU would have to (politely ) reject some admissions lol. As for Baba Cal, still haven't figured out the itch at Pasadena but I met a Nigerian who completed her masters last year. She did her undergrad in the US though.

You may want to find time to read more on all your potential profs' research. This would help if you need to choose a partcular research group for an RA position. Also read your schools' policies on contacting faculty. I remember, schools like UIUC don't encourage contact until admission is secured. If you do get PhD offers from Caltech, MIT or Princeton then funding would most likely come simultaneously with the admission.

Nice one mate!

flo_path:

@Nknight: I see you have a list of schools in your sig. did you apply there? how did it go?

@Sefago: he did the advanced chem eng program at cambridge.

are you guys following that gulf oil spill thingy? Loiusiana has terrible luck mehn. not fair for them.

@ flo_path: Yes, was focused on the US but tried 1 in UK and 1 in Asia. It went well.

UIUC: MS/PhD. Asked to contact faculty in search for RA
UT Austin: PhD. Full Funding, RA if I get an adviser before resumption. Guaranteed TA otherwise.
FSU: PhD. Full Funding, RA.
Princeton: PhD. Full funding, RA.
USC: MS. Still waiting for funding decision.
Caltech: PhD. Rejected. Not even the personalized letter I got could soften the pain, It really was and somehow still is, my dream school.

Accepted into MIST, Abu Dhabi. MS. I don't know how good they are but it seems they have some support from MIT and the application was FREE. Their offer is mad; Tuition, medicals, housing, laptop, stipend and air ticket. Guys without much family support should seriously consider this school.

Also got into one of the usual UK petroleum schools on the SORSAS scholarship. Was also offered an MPhil/PhD here in naija but I don't think I'm taking any of the last two.

Overall, I think I did well. And I'm happy as some of my close friends did too. Our struggles weren't in vain. Whenever I think about Caltech I feel we humans are just insatiable. Now whether that is a bad thing depends on so many factors and so many perspectives.

flo_path:

On the gates issue, I am still trying to understand some things about that award. I know the school has to approve you just like they do for Rhodes and goldwater, but I don't understand how it would work given that I am not applying  for the US scholarship.  it seems that quite a few Nigerians get it from time to time. Most of them, may be even all of them schooled in Nigeria, so I don't know if that is also an issue. am gonna contact my school department about that. The procedure is pretty elaborate, but I think I would work on it. I looked up some profiles, most of them had like 3.9-4.0, but those were all US people.  I hope a 3.8 is enough, especially from naija, but I still have to do more research on it.

On another note, I think the engineers here should start considering caltech. I know someone going there in the fall. They like minority applicants, well qualified minority applicants, so they might give a little room. You have to be top notch though, but if you are, they will do anything to make you come over there, plus its CA, nice weather and girls. Another thing with engineering is that it is pretty easier to trade up from a typical school to a top school depending on how hardworking you are.

As for H seas, I know a lot of it is interdisciplinary which is part of what scares me about it, because that term can mean a lot of things. I am generally interested in that kind of research, so hopefully that would show in my application. Hst is pretty unique and they seem to have a high concentration of freaks. 

so when are you guys starting graduate school?  I like the Uk vs US. I just thank my stars everyday that I didn't go over there for college. The US has K leg too, but it is pretty manageable.

SEFAGO:

http://www.gatesscholar.org/our-scholars/where-are-they-from.asp

This gives you profiles on some of the gates people. I beleiev you probably have been to this site. there are supposed to be 5 scholars from Nigeria. I think if you apply you might be placed in the US pool.

Nigeria has 5 scholars, the US has 436 wtf we are a former British colony. Anyways a quick sampling of Americans with gates, lots of top school bias including top liberal art colleges. India and US have the largest number of scholars I think outside of Europe.

Another thing I noticed about British schools is that they love people who graduated from American Universities regardless of whether its a good school or not. When I mean love, its like true love lol .

@ flo_path, go for it.

No harm in trying for the scholarship. As will be expected, the competitions tough. As SEFAGO noted, your American degree is a +.

  Very strong recommendation from your school may very well be the most important step. Also, it is important you have real extra-curricular activities that stand out. Plans and dreams are OK but activities that have started affecting the lives of others is a double + (For extra credits show how you are using your American degree to affect lives in naija, this will show the committee that you will utilize the advanced degree even more when you get it).

  Beyond having a first class, the cumulative GPA must really be something, and we do get 'em in naija. One of the gate scholars was the best graduating female in my faculty. Being that high in the faculty means the B's were very scarce. On a 4.0 scale that is over 3.8 for the department toppers and well over 3.9 for the faculty toppers (mostly from ChemE but from ME maybe once in 5 or 6 years).

Wishing you good luck as you seek the prestigious award.

aroy1:

@ all GRE blasters

What should be the minimum score that should be attained in the GRE exam?By that, I mean a score that could put one out from the crowd when it comes to getting admission.More, is their a single overall score for all the 3 sections?Or the scores are reported independently?

The minimum scores obtainable (other than a NS=No Score) are Q 200/800, V 200/800, AW 0/6 and Subject Test 200/990. In general, there are no minimum scores that should be obtained for the GRE, however, schools set different minimum scores. Most good engineering schools would require at least Q 750, V 500 and AW 4/6. For funding and more competitive schools these minimum scores would probably increase depending on the scarcity of funds and the competition that year. Another important figure these schools look at is your percentile scores. It compares your scores with others in a given pool and time period. Example Q 750 may get an 80%, meaning you did better than 80% in the pool and time period considered, but V 750 may get 94%. This would mean that more people found V harder than Q since you did better than 94%.

To really "stand out of the GRE crowd", one would need perfect scores, that means Q 800, V 800, AW 6/6 and 990/990, yes the competition is really that tough. It is important to keep in mind that having stellar scores on its own doesn't guarantee admission but having low scores can jeopardize your admission chances (not to talk of funding, ). Because of limited spaces many excellent applicants get rejected. Having low scores is just another reason to reject your application.

The good thing is that you do not need perfect scores to get into your dream school. Why? Because the admission committee looks at other areas it deems important. Such areas include (in no particular order of importance):
1. Your Undergraduate and / or previous graduate GPA.
2. The recommendations from past and / or current teachers, employers etc.
3. Your statement of purpose and / or personal statement.

They look for things such as interest in graduate study, motivation for graduate study, preparation for graduate study and research etc. Unless you are an oscar winning liar please be truthful always and stick to instructions as they usually can smell fakers a mile off.

The GRE does not report a single overall score for Q, V and AW. However, some schools convert the individual scores to a single overall score.

For example, a school may decide to add Q + V + (AW*400/3) to give a single score not exceeding 2400. All applicants could then be ranked on the standardized test scores by the new single score. Using the two sets of scores above, the normal guy would get 750 + 500 + (4*400/3) = 1780 (rounded to the nearest 10). The perfect dude would of course get 2400 (800+800+(6*400/3)).

Another school may decide to even include GPA and use say ( (400*GPA) + Q + V ) / 3200 to give a score not exceeding 1. (Note GPA is on a 4 point scale). Say our normal guy had a 3.7 GPA, then he would have a total score of 0.85 or 85%. If our not so perfect dude had a 3.91 GPA then his total score would be 0.99 or 99%. (Please note this score is NOT the same as the GRE percentile scores!)

As you would expect, there are are infinite number of ways to combine the these scores, have fun combining your total score or developing your own relation.

vandops:

i knw, hw u think say me dey feel, anyways i will be going back b4 the end of d month well documented n prepared and this tym more dn ready to tackle the officer, atleast dats wat d letter says and passport wasnt stamped, add me 4 your msgr nw, vandops20@yahoo.com

I too gbadu your spirit! Wishing you all the best!

It is clear you will get the visa.

The officer feels you have a strong case for wanting to study and didn't stamp any rejection. With a 9ja sponsor you are good to go.

NKnight:

Hello guys, please any helpful answers on the above?
I had read in an earlier post how an applicant was asked:
Why do you think the school gave you scholarship? Ans: My results.
Who will sponsor you? Ans: My father.
Where are the account doc? etc

My point is: Why ask for a sponsor when the applicant is on scholarship? What if he didnt have personal funds?
Does anyone know of someone who used departmental/school funding as the ONLY evidence of financial support?

Thanks a lot.

Guys, help a brother with advice.

NKnight:

@thread,

Great work guys!

Been reading since last year but first had to settle with GRE, TOEFL, Admissions etc. Please I have a question for the house: Do we have to show proof of personal/family funds when fully funded (tuition,fees, health and stipend) by school/department?

By this I mean the funds awarded exceed the cost of attendance as given in the CFR.

nethacker, your vast experience is highly appreciated.

Thanks guys!

Hello guys, please any helpful answers on the above?
I had read in an earlier post how an applicant was asked:
Why do you think the school gave you scholarship? Ans: My results.
Who will sponsor you? Ans: My father.
Where are the account doc? etc

My point is: Why ask for a sponsor when the applicant is on scholarship? What if he didnt have personal funds?
Does anyone know of someone who used departmental/school funding as the ONLY evidence of financial support?

Thanks a lot.

NKnight:

@thread,

Great work guys!

Been reading since last year but first had to settle with GRE, TOEFL, Admissions etc. Please I have a question for the house: Do we have to show proof of personal/family funds when fully funded (tuition,fees, health and stipend) by school/department?

By this I mean the funds awarded exceed the cost of attendance as given in the CFR.

nethacker, your vast experience is highly appreciated.

Thanks guys!

The question is for the visa interview as theres no prob with the school.

Thanks!

Congrats to steve49ja! and good luck to vandops.

@thread,

Great work guys!

Been reading since last year but first had to settle with GRE, TOEFL, Admissions etc. Please I have a question for the house: Do we have to show proof of personal/family funds when fully funded (tuition,fees, health and stipend) by school/department?

By this I mean the funds awarded exceed the cost of attendance as given in the CFR.

nethacker, your vast experience is highly appreciated.

Thanks guys!

Superbrain:

Hey guys,

Got my first admit today- Phd Chemical Engineering. Expecting to hear from the department next week about financial aid offers.

Congratulations Superbrain!

What school accepted you?

seanpounds:

[b][i]Hey we are in a similar field of interest. What I know for sure, about biomedical science, is that good schools usually interview and this plays a major role in being accepted. Its going to be hard doing that in naija- email and ask how interviews are being done before u apply.[/[/i]b]
thanks NKnight, SEFAGO, knew i could get the best possible advice from you. which schools would you advice i apply to, with my low GPA (2.2) in mind, and also ones that would not require interviews on personal basis? i'd very much appreciate your suggetions cos it would help me make apt decisions after my test,i.e when i'd be applying.
by the way, whats the cost for requesting that my test scores be sent to grad school?

Many ways to get your PhD or MS or MPH etc etc.
Its important to know what you want and why you want it. (Seriously, it will help you make the right choices. Take the essay as an example. Admission Committees are tired of reading about the doctor that wants to save the world etc etc.)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A. You could check out biochemistry MS programs at some state schools like SFSU, SDSU etc. Some min GPA are around (2.7-2.9)/4.0. GRE around 1000.
However, you should consider/find out the chances of getting
1. A visa to go to a particular school and
2. A job with a degree from a given school.

B. If you want to apply to more competitive biomedical programs(where upon accepance, visa is smooth and salaries are in the armed robbery range), you should consider taking
1. The GRE subject test in Chemistry or Biology to strengthen your application.
OR
2. The MCAT (which tests your knowledge in bio, physics and english).

C. It is also possible to get a Masters here in Nigeria. Focus on getting a GPA as close to 5POINT as possible and then apply for your bio/medical program in the US.

D.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ofcourse not forgetting other parts of your application, recommendation(good ones and on time), transcripts(on time), essay(good one) etc

seanpounds:

nice job all, for keeping this thread active for this long, you seem ''virtuaGod sent'''to me at this time. i virtually spent the whole of today trying to digest and act where possible on suggestions on this thread. first of all i registered to take GRE test sometime in may, been practicing a while now though , but that feeling of not doing enough (fear) just still lingers. ive been working majorly with Barrons 2008, i find it hard to use most of the GRE materials online, cos they mostly dont work well on vista.  i wouldnt say i'm an above average student, so i'd need advice on good schools (i.e reseach wise and cost effective, with some financial aid available to international students). i intend an MS/PhD in biomedical sciences or environmental science as my undergrad degree was chemistry science, just finished my nysc. i hope to get good advice and an evaluation of my chances after my test , but before then, i need to boost my present confidence level for the test.please advice me on which schools i should be looking towards and  the merits. thanks once again, u guys are worth more than life savers.

Welcome to THE NL GRE PREP thread, seanpounds. Its a major step indeed.

Congratulations on registering for the GRE. You may want to consider the TOEFL as well.

At this stage, theres little you can do about your GPA so do not sweat it (For those of you still in school, there has never been a better session to get all A's than your final).

However, theres still a lot to be gained by:
1. Smashing the GRE. Start prep now.
2. Getting very good recommendations. Start pallying up with your lecturers now.
3. Writing a unique admission essay. Start brainstorming now and writing now.
4. Submit application early. Surprisingly this part seems very easy and yet, soooo many of us submit late. Remember a COMPLETE application includes your transcript and ALL your letters of recommendation.

With this thread, you are on the right track seanpounds. I have every page of this thread on my hard drive and believe me its worth it.
Many minds have contributed and no praise would be excess for people like sopescott, Flint, davidylan, mathways, Eyohimself, Godeagle, arshy, SEFAGO, netotse, emmyclev, Superbrain, bebure, biina and the list goes on,
Theres a lot to learn from our mistakes and a lot of inspiration to be received from our triumphs.

Your confidence will get a boost if you practise a lot of GRE mock tests. You have the advantage of time. Use it.

Depending on your undergrad school's policy on handling transcripts, I suggest you request for your transcripts now. Even if you do not have a school in mind, go ahead and request (send it to any school you fancy). That way, you should obtain subsequent transcripts faster (when you have made up your mind) since you would already have a recent file. You know how it is wth our system.

Good luck!

We must never stop giving God the glory.
I have been accepted to UT Austin.

With March drawing to a close, I was thinking maybe its going to be the waitlist or worse but it seems they follow the rolling process.
For those waiting on UT Austin and maybe TAMU and LSU be expectant!

Your efforts this season will NEVER be in vain!

@netotse,
, for all of us,

@ biina and arshy,
Thanks.

SEFAGO:

Congrats NKnight, UIUC is a great school- was it for a masters or PhD though?

By the way someone who contributed here goes that school- I wont mention names

I am busy right now so cannot offer more congratulations

Thanks, SEFAGO.
I'm in for MS/PhD.

zukkie4eva:

Congratulations NKinght!!!, so happy for you. Meanwhyl, can i YIM or email u?., need to get some info on d school, cos its one of the schools within in my radar

Thanks.
Sure thing.
np dot knight at yahoo dot com

Though I think info kept on the forum will benefit a lot of people.

You may want to carefully read through the web pages of your proposed dept. It will help.
For instance, my dept's website advises not to contact faculty until admitted and I didn't. Also engineering depts' minimum scores are usually higher than the school's.

bebure:

Congratulations NKnight. That school is bloody good for mechanical engineering.

Thanks, bebure.

Got accepted via email by the MechSE dept of the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (UIUC). Glory be to God!

Checking one's mail 300 times a day has not been easy but we thank God!

For those of us still waiting, may God grant us swift and positive replies.

Who's taking the GRE this month? Hope you have read this thread from page zero,

Done that? Then good luck my friend.

The rest of you, be reminded that PTDF has shortlisted. Test's on the 20th.

Prince Joe:

Got my IV today to write the test in PH on the 20th.
Thought they said it will be online test.
Its like that isnt workin out again.
Please any one with useful info/materials shld kindly help out pls

The examiners may have provided computers at the testing venues.

It seems quite a number of candidates will be traveling for the test.
It may have been better to have the venues closer to one's address (like same state) as filled in the forms.

Anyone with concrete info please, 20th is round the corner.

Hello guys!

PTDF has sent out invitations to short listed candidates for the aptitude test.
Date: March 20, 2010.
Venue: Multiple venues across the country (check your e-mail for details).

netotse:

Nknight tried to post a list of school rankings, and my guess is that he got banned by the spambot. . .if anyone wants to see waht he was trying to post, go to his profile and check his recent posts. . .

I'm glad you noticed.
Thanks.