Insightful! Thank you Quoran.

Quoran:
GRE QUANT TIPS
1.In Quantitative Comparison questions, try numbers in this order: 0,1,2,-2,1/2. I learned this from NOVA GRE book. It works just fine.
2.Quantitative Comparison questions are half of a GRE Quant section (10 in number).
3.In Quantitative Comparison questions, before you select an answer, try at least two numbers.
4.Know the rules of divisibility. It will help.
5.Pay special attention to words like ‘the greatest possible’ in quantitative comparison questions. For instance, the greatest possible number of points common to a triangle and a circle is ____? It is more likely than many of us will pick three. Six points is also possible. Just remember that the triangle must not be inscribed in the circle. Six points will pass through the circumference.
6.Do not assume more than what is given especially in Quantitative Comparison questions.
7.Special triangles: 30-60-90 :1:√3:2;45-45-90:1:1:√2 ; The longer the side, the larger the angle opposite it and vice versa.
8.Supplementary angles 180, Complementary angles 90. Parallel lines have the same slope. Perpendicular lines – Negative reciprocal of the original line. (This appeared on my GRE). Know the equation of a line in different forms.
9.Learn all those Mensuration stuff.
10.Once a calculation is going on for too long, check your method again. There might be something wrong.
11.Be careful when multiplying or dividing by a negative number in inequality problems. Never do this in a Quantitative Comparison question.
12. PEMDAS – Parentheses-Exponents-Division-Mulitplication-Addition-Subtraction.
13.Integer 0 is neither positive nor negative.
14. 0 to 9 inclusive is 10 integers.
15. If a is even, b is odd, then a+2b is even, 2a+b is odd, ab is even etc. These kinds of questions are common.
16.P(A or B) =P(A) + P(B) Mutually exclusive ; P(A or B) =P(A) + P(B) –P(A and B) Independent
17.Know Mean, mode and median and how numbers can affect them.
18.In word problems, use 100 for percentages. Do not use a number if the word problem has a fraction. I think Princeton Review covers this.
19.How many multiples of 7 are there between 100 and 150? 7 not 6. 147-105=42. 42/7 =6. 6+1 =7.
20.10 evenly spaced tick marks on a number line is 9 intervals not 10.
21.Any three consecutive integers will always contain a multiple of 3.
22. Rate x Time = Distance. Draw a table and solve all rate questions like this. Manhattan covers this well.
23. Pay attention to units, scales and values along the X and Y axes in graphs.
24. Average degree per side = (180(n-2))/n.
25.0 is a number.
26.How many square pieces can you get from a board of 18 by 30 inches without wasting any of the board? Answer: 15. Greatest divisor of 18 and 30 is 6. 18/6=3; 30/6=5; 3X5 =15. (Simple questions like this can waste your time).
27.Increase something by 250% is 3.5 times the number not 2.5 times the number.
28.Standard deviation questions are not usually difficult. Just know how it affects the mean.
29.Study the Official GRE test guide. You will not go wrong if you follow it strictly. Use other books (Magoosh, Manhattan, Princeton) for more tips , tricks and sample questions.
30.The key to scoring well on the GRE is to do well in the first section. The first section is usually easy (Assuming you prepared really well). This section is easy but tricky. If you practice well enough, you will observe that this is the section were you will finish with time to spare. On your sketch paper, I will advise that you solve your questions sequentially. Peradventure you need to go back to a question or review it, you can easily track your mistakes.
31. Pace well. Do not spend too much time on a particular question. I finished with some minutes to spare. I was able to review up to 10 questions and I can remember changing my mind on two answers I had previously selected. I did score 20/20 in that section.
32.Do not waste time on any question. This is very easy to say really. I made the same mistake in my second section. I wasted time on the first few questions as they were difficult. This affected my score. I noticed the easier questions were at the bottom.
33. The GRE is section adaptive. If you do well in the first section, you get a more difficult second section and vice-versa. This is aimed at making test takers get at least 150 marks. It follows a normal distribution. Those doing well are ‘dragged’ to 150. Those not scoring well are ‘helped’ to 150. (Additional probably unnecessary information lol).
34.From proven research, for you to get a more difficult second section, you need to score at least 14 in the Quant and 12 in the Verbal. The more difficult section carries more weight than a normal section. The more difficult questions you get correctly in the second section, you more points you have.
35.The scoring is not linear. I had 20 in the first section and 15 in the second section yet I had 166. In my Verbal, I had 14/20 in both sections yet I scored 161. Same thing I noticed with my friends and in my first attempt.
36.If you score 10/20 in the first Quant section and 16/20 in the next section, you will score 153. If you score 16/20 in the first section and 10/20 in the section, you will score 156. DO YOUR BEST IN THE FIRST SECTION. Verbal is more difficult than the Quant.
37.Peradventure you do not do well in the first section (You will know because the questions will be easy; It happened to me during my first attempt), you can still blast the second section. Just take it easy and do you best.
38.The on screen calculator can slow you down. Use it only if you really need it.
39.You can learn to back-solve questions. It helps when you are clueless on how to solve certain questions. I think Princeton covers this a lot.
40.I make mistakes more when I rush and do not take time to read the question well. Do not also try to solve questions mentally. Write it down to avoid errors.
41. Do a lot of practice tests. Under normal conditions, we will all score well. A timed practice test is the real deal. PowerPrep, Manhattan, Kaplan are good in this regard.
42. The GRE has a structure: For the Quant, you get 4 easy questions, 12 medium questions and 4 hard questions on your first section. Look at the Official GRE guide for more on question difficulty.
43.Some people are that good that some tips did not work for them. If you are like me that needed to retake the test, you have to pay attention to many things to avoid getting the same poor score.
44.By the way, there is nothing like a bad score. It all depends on what you want to use it for.
All the best folks. Pardon my errors.

Hello Quoran, I sent you a pm.

So Sorry! IMO, I think your home ties are weak. Refire again! Best Wishes.

jeffery23:
Hello great gurus in the house
My Visa was delayed 04/5/18
Kindly go tru my transcript and tell me what went wrong,God bless.

Vo: where are you going to
Me: am going to Lincoln university for my mba with a concentration in general business in Oakland carlifonia.

Vo: how did you get to know about the school
Me: the school was recommended to me by an alumni at my place of work and I also did my research online via Education US, Usnews where I found out it’s a good school for me and it’s inline with my dad budget
Vo: how many school did I apply to
Me: LU,UCM and UNC
LU and UCM gave me admission
Vo: what course did you study
Me: Bsc accounting
Vo: okay,so you going for MBA now
Me: yes
Vo: who is your sponsor
Me: my dad
Vo: whats does he do
Me: his a civil engr and his into real estate management
Vo:oh that’s cool ,it mean he build ?
Me: yes he work for both private sector and govt parastatals
Vo: nodding and head and smiling
Vo: have you travelled before
Me: no,had no reason to until now
Vo: are you married
Me: no
Vo: do u have kids
Me: no
Vo:am so sorry ,you may not be eligible for the visa now,kindly apply again
Me: thank you

Congratulations! This is God at work!

ABOLORUNKING:
Permit me to say praise the Lord "Hallelujah". I have been following this thread religiously for some time now. But somehow I have refused to share my GRE experience because of my low score.

Prior to my GRE exam I was very optimistic; I believed my minimum score would be 325 dint of my preparation and my practice test scores. However, I got a mediocre score 315. It destabilize me, because I had no contingency plans. My TOEFL score was low too very low. (I dey shame to post am self).

My initial school list was: MIT, UIUC, TAMU, Uni of Texas, Austin and UTK (ESE program at Bredesen Center).

Due to my low GRE score and lack of finance I could only apply to 3 schools - UTK, Tufts University and Uni of Akron (abeg no ask me where this school dey). I applied to RPI (free fee waiver things).

I got a rejection message from Tufts university (expected) march 6.

I later discovered that I mistakenly applied to a wrong program at UTK. I was supposed to apply to the ESE doctoral program at Bredesen Center, but, somehow I mistakenly apply to a different department. Hence, I did not even get the privilege to be rejected because my application was not reviewed.

Mind you, UTK was like my main school. I have already developed camaderie with many graduate students in the program, I talked to about two Nigerians, messaged the recruiter and also, had a prof that asked me to reply. But, my silly mistake denied opportunity to get into this program.

I got admission to Uni of Akron Feb 24th, they said their funding decision will be in later dates, I was hopeful I will get a TA position. Up till now no show, and I do not really like the school.

So I accepted my fate that I won't join Fall 2018 cohort. In fact, I bought "higher everyday" note book to start my GRE practice again with plans for fall19. I had already downloaded galvanize prep, ready4GRE, Manhattan App, Magoosh vocab. I had some text books and I made up my mind to borrow some books from the embassy.


Exactly 7:20pm today while I was reading an article on aeon.co, I received an email from Tuft University (that rejected me before), I became irate, as I thought it was a promotional message or message about our school is this or that. So, I wanted to archive the message without reading it.

But when I opened the email I saw this: "I am writing to you with excellent news from Tufts Mechanical Engineering. The school is able to provide a fellowship to offer you a place in our PhD program! A new source of funding was identified by the School."[[/b]b]

As you must already know I started crying. I called my friend already in the program and told him about it.

My story is getting too long.

Major: Mechanical Engineering
GPA: 4.84/5.0
GRE: 315 - Q 163 and V 152.
Tufts University. PhD Mechanical Engineering
Funding: fellowship

I name drop on my application to Tuft, which made the grad coordinator to ask one of her advisee (a Nigerian bearing thesame name with my paddy) if he knows me and he said no. My friend gave me this info last week and he had to email the grad coord on my behalf (he kept this away from me) telling her the he knows me and that he was the person I was referring on my SOP. He almost told her I am the best thing since slice bread.

Many thanks to Time2Smile, reDazey (My paddy, the news sweet her pass me self), Scholastica16. And everyone.

I have very sorry for not catching you guys up soon enough.

God is faithful! After giving up.

Fall 2018
Yes we Fit.

Congratulations. Amazing application outcomes you've got. God indeed crowned your effort.

Quoran:
So I think it is the right time to share my complete testimony

I have been following this thread since 2015 though as a guest. I had a lot of misconceptions about getting PhD admissions. I thought you must get a supervisor before you apply. I also did not know that it was possible to get funding for one's research as an international student. It is all about getting the right information and taking time to research on different schools. I also learned that the key is to start really early and mail professors. I sent mails to more than 100 Professors!( I kid you not!). Finally I took the bull by the horn and applied to many schools.

This is my profile:
1)Mechanical Engineering B.Eng 3.3/4 (Top Nigerian University)
2)Masters degree Top UK Mechanical Engineering (3.6/4 Unofficial WES evaluation. Two Professors from different schools told me during the skype interview that my CGPA was 3.58 and 3.7 respectively. What that means is that different schools have their own ways of evaluation but the different is not so significant.)
3)No publications but I showed evidence of work in progress.
4)GRE scores -First Attempt 303, Maths 153 ,Verbal 150 , AW -3.5.
GRE scores -Second Attempt 327, Maths 166,Verbal 161,A.W -4.0.

5)My work experience is mostly research based .I do not know if that helped in anyway.

Schools I applied to:
Texas A and M, College station- Accepted with Funding
Stanford University- Rejected nicely
University of California, Berkeley- Waitlisted since 1920
Michigan Tech- accepted with research assistantship
University of Alabama - Accepted
RPI- Accepted with Teaching assistantship.
Oregon State- Accepted in both Mechanical and Industrial Engineering programs.
George Washington- Pending;No decision yet.
University of Virginia- Pending;No decision yet.I suspect my application is on the waitlist.
Washington State University- Accepted; Teaching Assistantship is assured after the 1st semester.

Most schools have a deadline of April 15th to accept offers. I have opted for TAMU, College Station.


My GPA is not spectacular but from what I understand, my Masters degree thesis is a strong area of research that attract alot of funding. The reputation of my masters degree supervisor helped me alot. He is a well known expert in my field.He has over 200 publications and some patents.He wrote superb letters of recommendation for me also. Then, I put in my best in the skype interviews I had. I also spent time drafting my statement of purpose. Then God did the rest- Crowned my effort with success.

Tips and advice

1)Use Quora and Linkedin well. On Quora,I met alot of Professors there. They answer questions on what goes on among the graduate committee. I found students on Quora and Linkedin who told me about admission and funding. I follow a Nigerian guy on Quora who is an expert in graduate admissions. He helped me a great deal. He also told me of this forum. I initially thought he was the same scholastica16 here lol.

2)From my own observation, apply early. Some Professors pick their students early and try to extract some form of commitment especially if they will fund you.

3)If a school has rolling admissions, the probability that you will be funded is low. Beware of schools that offer free applications.

4)Different schools have their own ways of admitting students. Some will not admit you if they do not have funds. Some wont admit you when there is no supervisor. Just find out.
5)Contacting Professors on time helps. One told me that he will look for my application when they start screening. When I mailed him later, He told me that my application is good but that there were stronger applicants in the pool
6)When you mail a Professor, do not write an episode. They will most likely not read it. Be brief. I have tested this many times.
7)Try as much as possible to use official email addresses or even your school email. It helps kind off. Professors receive loads of emails.
Network and search different school forums. You can attend webinars and you will get classic information. Use gradcafe also.
9) For PhD, read and at least know the basics and various research areas. Also try and be flexible.

I hope this helps someone. You are free to ask me questions here. Unfortunately, I have limited access to my nairaland email. Unto the next level- Visa pursuance.

Special thanks to everyone who has posted here from time immemorial. I read all the pages of this thread. Scholastica16, you are a blessing.
DreManuel, thanks for the GRE materials.

Dream.Believe.Achieve.

(Pardon my errors).

Amazing experience. Congratulations.
The never give up spirit!

reDazey:
My Second Experience
I will start by congratulating everyone who has an admission. It is truly an arduous journey. More congratulations to those with funding and all the best to those still awaiting funding. I must add that it is not over till you hear from all your schools. Last year, I can recall a close friend who got an admit with full funding in May. Hope still dey!

I want to encourage someone here today with my story. Never give up on yourself and your dreams. When you plan to retry, find out the actions that failed you and learn to change your strategy for success. Finally, keep trying if you believe so much in a vision till you achieve it.

This is the period where most of us sit and wait with bated breath, hoping and praying that our admission with some sort of financial funding drops into our mailbox. I pray everyone gets their heart desires.

Last year, I was in a similar position. I felt dejected, some of us can relate to this emotion. Lots of admissions with no funding. I applied to combinations of (MSc and Ph.D.) in Statistics/Maths. Got some rejections and some acceptances( without funding). It was a terrible blow because I felt I had a good profile. (GPA 3.6/4(WES), GRE 318, TOEFL 109). However, I learned some important lessons. It is not always about one aspect of your profile. LORs and SOPs are very important.

Having been out of school for a while and working in an IT-intensive organization; I overlooked my IT skills which were going to be advantageous. I got some advice from several persons, I selected the ones I felt will work for me and dropped the rest. So for Fall 2018, I restrategized, applied to CS programs. Also, I realized I did not take some risk on my former school list (Sirriddy and Scholastica16 encouraged me to aim higher).

So this year, I reapplied to 5 Ph.D. programs
1. The University of Massachusetts, Amherst (pending)
2. The University of Utah (rejected)
3. Kansas State University(accepted with full funding)
4. The University of Alabama (accepted, no funding. I did not bother to ask for any.)
5. College of William and Mary(accepted with full funding, being considered for fellowship)

Also, to "avoid stories that touch", I applied to Georgia Southern (MSc Mathematics and I was accepted with a funded GTA position)

I thank God for the courage to try one more time and I pray that everyone finds a reason to believe in themselves and keep pushing.

Special thanks to the extraordinary persons that supported me throughout this journey; Sirriddy(you are just too much), divabiola, jaybiz007, Scholastica16, MsNas, dramaka). Thank you guys for being more than friends.

Congratulations.

ecoleco:
There is paucity of F2 visa interview online so I thought to post wife and two kids visa transcript approved today at the Abuja US embassy, to help people intending to go for F2 visa interview. Note that the principal (F1 holder)(me) was not present in this interview. I have seen some people wondering and worrying if the F1 holder should be present in the interview.

Interview was for 9am, 27th March 2018.

Vo: Why are you going to the US?
Wife: I am going to the US to visit my husband.

Vo: Who pays for your husband’s fees?
Wife: My husband is on scholarship (Well, actually it is assistantship. I imagine that the Vo will understand)

Vo: You applied for vacation (B1/B2) before, why did you not say that your husband lives in the US?
Wife: My husband was still in Nigeria when I interviewed for that. I interviewed on 3rd August 2017.

Vo: When did your husband travel?
Wife: 14th August 2017

Vo: How long did you intend to stay?
Wife: 4 yrs

Vo: Provide your marriage cert and kids birth cert?
We had a Divine intervention on this question. Among all the things I discussed with my wife during the preparation leading up to this interview, we never mentioned or discussed kids birth certificate. I have never ever seen it being requested on the few F2 visa interview I found online and trust me I really searched. The night before the interview, my wife heard a voice that told her to get the two kids' birth certificate and immunization documents and put it in her bag. She ignored this voice and the next morning, they were all dressed up, ready, and leaving the house for the interview when she heard the voice again! She went back to the house, took the birth certificates and immunization records and left for the interview. And here you have the Vo asking for those documents! Excuse me if you are an atheist but God does speak to and help those who believe in Him. Praise God!
Wife: Tendered the marriage cert, kids birth cert and immunization docs.

Vo: Congratulations....on and on...

To HIM be all the glory!

Relax! Stop speculating. Let's wait for official statement from the U.S. Embassy.

ybahrbz91:
Good Morning everyone...Report reaching me confirm that the visa application fee price would br increased. How true is this?
Plssssss...I had appreciate urgent reply

Ask the grad school if they have received it.

Sorelee:
hey guys Please does anyone know how i can confirm if my TOEFL iBT score has reached the universities i applied to? my TOEFL test was released on the 13th of this month and i added all the universities i applied to as recipients prior to the test date but i cant find anywhere on the website to confirm if my score has been sent to the schools i applied to.

Update: i was able to get an answer via google which i think was helpful .............

Your scores will be sent out approximately 13 days after your test. Once they’re in the mail, it will take about 7-10 days for them to reach their destinations. This is only if you’re mailing your scores to universities in the US, though. If you mail your scores to universities outside the United States, you should allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. When planning for your deadlines, remember: scores are put in the mail 13 days after your test AND then take 7-10 days (or 4-6 weeks internationally) to be mailed.

Hi, I think you should post your Visa transcript so that the gurus here can make input for improvement. Best Wishes

quinzypearl:
Hello house,

I was denied a student visa last year December, decided to defer university of central missour admission to fall this year. Please, hope during my interview at the embassy by June I won't be ask why defer my admission to fall and not summer this year which is closer to my spring admission last year I.E I don't look desperate or serious to go for my masters.
If a question like that is ask what will be the best answer to the question...hope it not a bad decision in deferring my admission to Fall 2018 not summer 2018?

I know me been denied a visa last year was definitely my fault, cause I was'nt able to convince the VO with my answers to one of her question, the answer was totally out of line to the question asked.

Please, I really need someone to help me with the mock interview, I really want to sing a song of victory after the interview by June���. love you all

Unless, the relative is no longer in the U.S. then you have to stick with the same line. They have your records of past interview and it might have been noted on your profile. I believe you should be able to demonstrate stronger ties to Nigeria like job, family, investments etc. Best Wishes!

Jeffizy101:
Good morning gurus in d house! I have been denied bias before at d US embassy December 2016 and planning on going back next month but I have a concern,in my last application I told them I have a relative there that I was going to see,but right now I am applying with family and I don't want to tell them I have any relative in d US.my question is will they check my previous application,pls I need your advice and opinion. Thanks

Hi, unfortunately the 30 days rule is sacrosanct as long as your I-20 explicitly captures the resumption date. You can be turned back at POE if you enter earlier or later than the date stated on your I-20. Perhaps you can discuss with the International Student Office to capture the Summer resumption date on your I-20, don't know if it's possible though.

keduduka1234:
Good morning wonderful people...
I must say that this thread is a blessing to many.

Please I would like to ask a question:
I have been given an offer to a school in the US and from my understanding, you should resume about 30 days (or less) before the date issued on your I-20.
My I-20 has already been prepared by the school. Please I would like to ask if it is possible to resume before the 30 days window, as I would like to work with a professor over the summer (June/July) before my school resumes in the last week of August.

Thank you very much.

Congratulations @Jumybecks.

Jumybecks:
Just in.......
School: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Status: Accepted
Program: PhD Cell and Molecular Biology
Funding: Yes (GA)

I have been on this admission of a thing since 2015. Wrote GRE in 2016 but did not apply to any school due to finance. I sat for another GRE in Nov 2017 and I applied to four schools: U of Arkansas, University of Delaware, New Mexico State University, and MTU. Got a regret mail for U of Delaware already but nothing yet from NMSU and MTU. It's really been God and the encouragement I tap from people on this forum.

Profile:
UG course: Microbiology
GPA: 3.7/4.0
GRE: 307
Toefl: 105
Publication: 1 (but it was after I had already completed all my applications so it did not count really)

May those expecting admit and funding get it by His grace.... AMEN!!!

Insightful! Thank you @GNwafor.

GNwafor:
Hey Chief,

I understand your concerns.

I can tell you that the best decision you have made is to use WES for your credential evaluation, to douse your tensions, when the Evaluation comes out, within 1 week, you are having a qualification that is equivalent to a US Bachelors degree. (Nigerian HND+ND = USA BS Degree). WES evaluates your HND+ND program as a complete 5 year undergraduate program. I have done my Credential Evaluation in 2012 with WES, I studied Chemical Engineering (HND+ND) at IMT Enugu, the number of credits I earned in doing 81 courses at IMT Enugu Chemical Engineering over 5 years was 184 Credits, meanwhile you only need 120-130 Credits to earn a BS degree. As there is a 1-year Industrial Attachment/Internship, and this was noted in my Transcript, WES also noted it on my evaluation report. HND = USA BS Degree

I recommend that if you only choose WES Course-by-Course Report, kindly add the ICAP Service which is an additional $45, and it simply means that WES will store your Transcript, Credential + Evaluation Report for Life, so even in the next 2 (when you will be applying for PhD) or 5 or 10 or 20 or 30 years to come, and you need it to do anything in the USA, you will only need to pay them (WES) just $10 and WES will send your Original Transcript + Certificate + Evaluation Report to anybody, organization or school in the USA that needs the report.

You can read more at: https://www.nairaland.com/370346/what-hnd-equivalent-usa

There are over 4800 colleges and universities in the USA, not all accepts WES, not all knows what is HND, but there are a lot of them that respects WES Assessment, and this is a plus for you.

Having said that, I decided to remain docile on this forum, because a lot people claim to have an over-riding knowledge in matters of USA admission. The few HND holders I have helped to transition from HND to USA Masters and PhD, I have maintained that USA Graduate Admission is like looking for a job. But a lot of people think that by getting just good grades, you get admission. The answer is NO. This is not UK!!!

Admission in the USA is like job hunting, you need a strong profile, great grades (even low grades), if you have had a strong practical experience in your field, that's excellent, Statement of Purpose (SOP), not all school require it for Masters degree, strong CV/Resume - strong leadership skills, great score in GRE (if you are a STEM student - just as you are, then your Quant Score need to be impressive), Letters of recommendation (LOR) - you dont need people with High-Title (that is the mistake most people make), you only need people who can vouch for your seriousness to study, hard-work, diligent, leadership skills. For instance, you are diligent with you Church's activities, it is more useful and worthwhile for that your small local pastor to write a carefully-worded LOR for you that will create lasting impression in the heart of Admissions Committee than for that Manager that you see once every 3/4 months in the Office. Most schools require TOEFL, while some waive it for Nigerians since we studied in English in the first 16 yrs of our life.

What I advise people to do is this: go from HND/BSc to Masters Degree (in ANY ACCREDITED school in USA). At Masters level, you get to have a feel of what research is all about. Except, you have a thorough research/lab background to go directly to PhD.

Before finishing your Masters, you already planned to do PhD, at this stage, your interest is in research, and you have been taught the background in the Masters level. The problem most Nigerians have in the USA Admission is that they are looking for "name", Ivy-League, prestigious university. At BS degree level, name is IMPORTANT. At PhD, what is important is Carnegie Research Classification of University as R-1 (Highest Research Activity), R-2 (Higher Research Activity), R-3 (Moderate Research Activity).
For your information, if you get PhD Admission in any R-1 University, you will be given full-funding throughout your PhD, so far you are making progress towards your PhD degree.

So my template is go for your Masters degree at R-3 University, and mind you, most R-3 University provide either full scholarship or Graduate Teaching/Research/Assistantship (GT/GRA/GA), which covers your tuition fees, plus monthly stipend that can take care of you while you are studying for the Masters program, and a lot people don't apply to them because their name is not prestigious. Mind you, all the 8 Ivy-League Institutions are R-1 Universities. But because there are many people wanting to go to prestigious school for Masters, you either get admission without Funding or you don't get Masters admission. Am not saying that it is bad to get Masters admission into R-1 Universities.

Just a little insight into PhD Admissions, getting in touch with your would-be Advisor/Research Supervisor/Professor whose research interests matches yours, presenting him/her with what research you have done, showing interest that you have read/studied some of his/her publications, and taking the discussion further to know if he/she will be accepting a new student in semester you plan to join (mostly Fall Semester), most of the time he/she may request for some your credentials/research papers/transcripts, this creates a strong impression about you even before you apply to the PhD program, most often, he/she will recommend that you mention him/her in your SOP that you will like to work under his/her research group. This is one of the MOST important step of getting PhD Admission, and most people just go ahead and apply and they are rejected. Again, you need strong Recommendation Letters (mostly 3) from known Professors, attesting that you were groomed under their care as your Advisor - another major reason why going for Masters in the USA first is important, because you will build the needed educational research network that will push you into PhD Admission acceptance.

Application fee waiver; most R-3 University application fee for Masters is as low as $30 (i.e. #10,800 Naira, at 1$ = #360 naira).

There are a lot resources on the internet that can help you both with Practice Tests and SOP writing.

Just note, there a lot of great schools that will like to have you in their Masters program even with GTA/GRA/GA. It is also important that you contact the school know their SPECIFIC Admission Requirements before apply.

You have not said what you want to study Masters or PhD in What??


List of Research Universities in the United States (R-1, R-2, R-3): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_research_universities_in_the_United_States

Congratulations! This is a big bold step forward.

TheGrandChemist:
I am actually over the moon right now.

Admission decision for one of the schools I applied to just arrived

School: Brigham Young university, Provo, Utah (Actually one of my top choices. Highly rated than the others I applied to with the best funding as well).

Status: Accepted

Program: PhD, Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Funding: In the affirmative, YES (GA)

However, I am still awaiting decisions from the other schools I applied to:

Louisiana state university, Ohio university, Georgia state university, University of Wyoming, University of Idaho, Oregon State University.


Profile:

Undergraduate course of study: Industrial chemistry

GPA: 3.38/4.00

GRE: 300

TOEFL: 99

No publication or research experience whatsoever. Although, I have about three years work experience.

For those of us still expectant of admission decisions, hold your horses and be positive.

And lest I forget, Mr ponpon thanks for the encouragement. I never imagined I would apply to seven schools if not for your encouragement.

Cheers

Hello @Walspring, I'm still waiting for your response to my e-mail. I need the GRE Additional Score Report and payment has been made. Kindly process ASAP! This is urgent. Thank you.

Nwabu007:
Hello Oga @Walspring, Please I sent you a PM. It's urgent. Thank you.

Hello Oga @Walspring, Please I sent you a PM. It's urgent. Thank you.

Hi, Start with this thread https://www.nairaland.com/1832477/how-achieve-high-scores-gre Carefully, read through ALL the pages. Best of Luck!

yusbab:
Pls I need advise on how to start preparation for GRE planing toward june/July and I need start preparing now where Am I to start from

Hi, you can explore www.thegradcafe.com interview section. Best Wishes!
https://forum.thegradcafe.com/forum/84-interviews-and-visits/

cooltony09:
I've a 30-minute Skype Interview scheduled for next week with the department..I applied for PhD in pharmaceutical science..
Please what are the likely questions? How best can I prepare for this interview?
Thanks

Lol... Go and ace your GRE before talking about schools that admit based on colour!

gideonogunkola:
Please if guys know a school in usa that offer master in economics that do admit black people and even offer assistant job. Please lemme know. I'm about to write my GRE on March 07

Search for Transcripts. Start with that! Best Wishes!

Cynthia063:
[b][/b] hello everybody.....
i have an interview on Friday for f1 visa
please does anyone have any information i need to know before going.... actually i have failed once and i don't want to again
please if you feel that i should know something or any information before going please and please feel free and tell me. thanks so much

@Joystick, Congratulations on your admission to Yeshiva University. My opinion is that you can accept the offer but defer payment of acceptance fee until you hear about the decision from Maryland.Secondly, the school offered you Graduate Assistantship which will help cover your stipends (living costs) while the $5,000 could be towards the tuition, if I'm right. So you still have to show financial capability to pay for tuition for a year. It's a good deal nonetheless. With regards to Visa, no one can predict the outcome of visa interview but from the few transcripts I have seen here, GTA shows some level of being a genuine student. Did you take standardized test? If yes, then you are in a good direction. Best Wishes.

Start with a Google search. Thereafter, bring your preliminary results here for inputs from the house. What's your profile? GRE and TOEFL?

ThreadsAdeleke:
Hello everyone.

Please house, I am looking for affordable schools in the United States and maybe Canada offering Marine Biology at graduate level.

Happy birthday Mr. Imperiouxx. Age with Grace.

jamoyakz:
House today is our in house leader birthday Egbon PA imperiouxx. please show some love to this exemplary Nigeria....

I believe your application is being reviewed by adcomm and the Prof must have taken interest in your profile. You can check the Prof's ongoing research and his lab out. If you are interested in the field, then you can inform him about it. However, acknowledge the mail.

Yildiz:
Good day all. Please I got this email from a prof. I applied to the school but I didnt mention him in my SOP and I have never emailed him before. Please what should be the best way to reply him.


Hello,

I am Prof. XXXX, faculty at the school of ECE at XXa Tech. My lab OLIVES work at the intersection of image/video processing and machine learning with applications in a number of fields including AVs, subsurface imaging, and microscopic imaging. We are anticipating to have couple of positions for PhD thesis topics and GRA under the area of image/video processing and machine learning for seismic applications, primarily seismic interpretation. If you are interested in such topic, please visit this page. Although a background in geophysics is not required, it is a plus. For questions, please contact me Bleep and Dr. XX. You can check our papers, current team, and other materials at Bleep

best regards,

Funding?

Coloniel5000:
Western Illinois university (WIU) offered me admission for graduate studies. any advise?

Yes. I'm also hooked to grad cafe having stumbled on it through Scholastica16 post.
The other is regularly checking my e-mail which can be nerve wrecking.
Hopefully, it turns out well.
#TeamFall2018

MasterforceII:
Anyone here applied for EE Masters at Uni of Illiinois, Urbana Champaign? Already seeing admits on gradcafe and I'm getting frantic.
Also who on here can't stop checking gradcafe every 30mins?
Lol. Really need to calm down. Our admits are enroute.
#Fall2018 #YesWeCan

It might be a bit challenging but you never can tell until you apply. First, take and ace GRE. Then search for schools that offers your program of choice. Thereafter, you communicate constantly with the program director and office of graduate studies. These are the people who can best answer your question. Cheers!

lolibunm:
Pls can one with 3rd class apply for masters in USA

It's always advisable to apply to more than one school. Some schools application fee are as low as $30. Search out more schools and apply that shows your seriousness as a student. Best Wishes!

afodam247:
Please I want to know if its a crime to apply to only one school. This is because I applied to just one because I knew they will admit me cos I have a friend studying in the same school. Please I need advise on this as am close to my interview date. Also i don't want to lie and I can't afford applying to another school now.
Thanks

You could benefit from the TOEFL exemption by submitting a letter from your school stating that language of instruction is English but it is wise you take the exam to reassure the school that your Language proficiency is good.

freddywells81:
. Anyone from Univ of Pittsburgh or experienced person should kindly respond .
Looking forward

I believe you should be able to edit and/or remove a recommender of your choice.

Gospelozy:
Good evening house.
Please is it possible to change a recommender already submitted?
Please i need ASAP answer.
Thanks & Happy Sunday house.