₦airaland Forum

Congratulations to all who got their visas approved. To those delayed, keep pushing. Winners never quit.

Happy weekend to you all.

Mystiqme:
This man you are a bozz o. Going for PhD again. You want to leave that huge geology salary to earn pittance as a Grad student.

No bro, I am not leaving my job . My company is in support, I will hit you up later in the evening.

Ctemi:
Boss, which knoxville? Is it the one in galesburg?

The Knoxville in Tennessee. UTK

Are you in Galesburg?

technolee:
Joining jakeharris at WVU, morgantown by next week.

Okay. Nice

technolee:
Okay. Will consider that after birthing him!

Which school are you now?

imperiouxx:
No, it's going to be during break in Dec.

Can I tag along sir?

Mystiqme:
Lol! I didn't. I spent 2 terms in that school. I did graduate from the associated primary school, though.

Oh Ok. I will look for you on Facebook and add.

amanze15:
. Bros ur pickins are here sir ....oga mi,

Funny man

profojah:
Boss, E no easy make person finish with first class in one of the best naija Uni,..why he no go dey popular .
I remembered when my SOP was jampacked with some grammatical errors the last I wrote it( I go use some NL English), but this Oga proof-read and corrected everything. Mystiqme, your head will continue to be valid all the rest of your life. Thanks boss!

No wonder.

technolee:
I filled everything bro. They even notified me that my file has been transferred to the department.
That was the last time I heard from them. I choose them because of fund but with your last sentence, my son will never head that way!
Thanks.

Oh okay. I guess your department wasn't interested. They have plenty funds; just too many bright students applying for it. Your son can still consider going there

imperiouxx:
I'm fine too and trying hard to survive.

Well, Mystiqme is from your state.

Yes he is. I don see my brother for Obodo oyinbo

technolee:
walahi! My application was complete. You won't be prompted to pay the application fee without completing the application.
They once replied that they will get back to me soon but to no avail.
They tortured Bigfrancis sometimes ago too before the sharp guy went with college park.
I wish you all the best once more.

What I mean by completing the application includes your recommenders actually recommending, having your GRE report etc. I was able to complete the application by putting a GRE date and no scores in the application. My application wasn't touched until they received my scanned, official undergrad transcripts and my official GRE report. I had to prepare and I wrote the GRE within 2 weeks just to beat the deadline. UTK receives plenty applications but that is not an excuse for them not to reply to your emails. It took a day for my file to be reviewed by the graduate admissions after which they passed it to my department. Because I was in constant communication with the grad coordinator, decision was made within a week in the department. Two days after, my decision letter was online to view. But UTK is stingy with funds oo

imperiouxx:
Hey Ojap.

How are you doing? It seems he did.

My oga sir, I am doing good. What about you?

Now, I think I know Mystiqme

Mystiqme:

I think I know someone who knows someone who knows you. Did you finish high school from one of the best schools in my town?

technolee:
Omo, I wish you all the best in your program.
If I get to the state, will take time to visit them in UTK to blast them as they swindled me of my application fee and time.
I was mailing them almost everyday yet, they didn't get back to me. It is over a year now. #badheads

Thank you Technolee. They were nice to me throughout the admission process, my graduate coordinator was also helpful too. Was your application incomplete? Did you receive an admission decision at all? Just wondering why they chose to ignore your emails.

slimmy05:
Boss!

My oga, how every now? We may meet very soon oo. Starting a Ph.D. program in Knoxville next month.

angel34real:
@ Ojap,
You Got Mail....

Gotcha !!!

Akin and Amanze: No P.

zeezahbee:
I actually found out that people don't even care about OPT. My India friends are either getting married or starting a new degree. They said OpT Na rubbish. No job and once some company hear say u want them to file for you, they won't give the job

They actually didn't give any reason why but what do you think Y is it useless ??

Another question is if one has a pending I-485, will one start paying in state tuition even if the green card hasn't arrived

A pending I-485 only means you're legal in the U.S. pending a final determination of your case or petition.

U.S citizens pay out of state if they go to school in another state, or a state where they haven't resided in for a year or more unless otherwise stated by the school.

In California, you have to spend at least a year in the state as a PR or USC to qualify for in-state tuition.

profojah:
Noo my Oga..I studied Botany,(concentration in Paleobotany and Palynology)..So I was opportune to take some GEOL courses as electives in 300 and 400level...

That's interesting. You should just switch to geology; you will like it

ProfOjah:

Are you a geologist?

Nkem: I would apply if I were you.

Brownville: Thanks for the post.

Moderator:

Can this be on the front page please?

Thanks,
OjaP.

eatwell423:
There is no point stressing the Bank Statement issue, sandy already stated the funds is not enough. Why is it that during interview peoples sponsor are always not around? I'm tired of hearing this particular excuse for having a 5 months old statement? Do I need my dads presence to get his statement? No in most cases, what he does is, he calls his account officer and you get to have his statement. So that usual story of my dad or my sponsor traveled is a stale news. If your education or travelling is important to your dad, within 48 hours you should get his statement.

You're so right. May God bless you and yours.

portelli:
See dude I appreciate ur concern. But did you read my interview transcript very well. because if you did, u wouldn't complicate this issue. If you read without comprehension, feel free to ask qstions before condemning my post. So, with all the schools that I listed, they sound like community colleges to u, talk less of noncredit course in US. I said it, no slanderous statements, if none can say what's expected, don't quote me, I'm okay with what I have had so far.

Thanks for appreciating my concern. And I apologize again if I misinterpreted you.

Good luck !!!!!

innovativeame:
I don't think he went to the embassy with a 3months non-credit course i20. From his transcript, he said after his OND he's been running a 3months non-credit course in Naija that he's going for a degree. I guess that was what I read, maybe I made the wrong inference.

Ooops !!! Maybe I didn't understand him well. Thanks for the correction.

In any case, he should write the SAT and go back to the embassy if he was admitted for a bachelors degree.

profojah:
Ojap, I doff my fila.....Nice one boss..You're always and everly on point!

But you never replied my mail, why? Why? Why?

Hey bro, I didn't get your email.

slimmy05:
Your dad's travel history has nothing to do with your denial, it really doesn't hold any waters. We have a lot of importers here who haven't even travelled to ghana, they have people who do that for them. A family friend who imports cars from Germany and US hasn't even travelled out before (thick Igbo man) but two of his kids are here.............

Slimmy: You are so on point.

Portelli: Let me be honest with you, you may never get the visa unless you change to an actual degree. We say it many times here that V.Os seldom issue visas to older community college applicants, yet you think they will issue a visa for a-3-months non-credit course? Although there are exceptions to this which you will find later in this write up. But first permit me to point out some flaws in your answers to the V.O.

- You mentioned that U.S degree is widely accepted and respected. Yes it is - no doubt. But are you getting a degree? You are not even going to get any credits for the classes you would be taking according to you. This is contradicting.

- You said that you will become employable and a-sought-after engineer upon completion of your non-credit class. Please forget that. An OND and 3 months training won't make any difference. There are many unemployed engineers in Nigeria with a first class degree, masters degree, several certifications, and even a Ph.D. I am not sure any employer would hire you simply because of your training. An exemption may be if the job being advertised is mainly for an OND holder. So why would you spend so much to go to the USA, come back to Nigeria and get a technologist job and earn way less than an HND or BSc holder?

People who get visas for a 3-month training or class are people who are established already. Engineers who have a job and only going to add to their knowledge or get certified and in most cases are sponsored by their employers. Your case is different. You are just starting life and have no job. Why would you waste your money for a 3 month non-credit class?

I am surprised the V.O went this far with you. I agree with Slimmy that he is probably just messing with your brain. I am also surprised that you got admitted into UMD, NJIT, University of Bridgeport, and SUNY for a non credit class which means they will be issuing an I-20. Or do you mean you got admitted as a freshman? If the latter, why not go with any of the schools that offered a degree admission instead of the 3 months non-credit class? On a second thought, I remember you didn't write the SAT and these highly rated and selective schools would ask for that before considering you for an admission. I am not sure if your OND would suffice in lieu of the SAT but you never mentioned this so I will assume you didn't submit any of them.

I will advise you to apply for a "proper" degree, write the SAT, and go back to the embassy.

I wish you good luck.

spacebaba:
@Ojap , it is actually a masters of Applied science but with a specialization in applied Geophysics.

Gotcha !!! Thanks.

Spacebaba and bbdd:

Congrats to the both of you.

Spacebaba:

I remember you on here. Out of curiosity, is there any particular reason why you chose Applied science? Yes, I saw the reason you gave the V.O but one would expect that you go for a Ph.D. in maybe Physics, Geophysics, Geology, Geotechnics, or Geological Engineering given that you graduated with a First class. Your research interest is also more of Geology, Geophysics, and mostly Geotechnical Engineering. Or do you mean Masters of Applied Science in Geology? Like M.Asc Geological Engineering?

I'm so eager to hear from you.

Congrats again.

MsNas:
OjaP,

Happy Birthday. Live long and prosper. Make sure you finish all the Guinness they sell in California today. I trust you sha. Turn it up and do shakara. It's your birthday

Thanks so much my dear. I say a big AMEN to all the prayers. Sadly, I don't drink GUINNESS but I will turn up for you anyways

ripleus:

It is highly encouraged to disclose all info here so others can learn; however, you owe no one any apology/explanation if you chose or decide to do otherwise. Surprisingly you've decided to drop the name of the school. I am so sure many of us here already or will look up the school for future opportunities. I particularly like the way you have handled this including the maturity that you've shown. I will only suggest that you don't go back and forth with any one on the issue again. Ask your questions and move on. We are all here to learn.

As per your statement of account, please get a statement that at least covers your first year. V.Os rarely get to that stage of asking for statements from PhD candidates but there has been cases where they've asked. The reason is not far fetched - what happens to you if you loose your funding or grant at any point during your studies? They want you to have something to fall back on should in case. Although uncommon, they have every right to deny a fully funded PhD student due to insufficient balance in his or her statement of account.

Good luck to you.


P.S - You are right about the reputation of the program. Most oil companies will pick a University of Texas, Austin geology graduate over Harvard.

STENON:
Actually, I'm changing my Discipline at the PhD level, from Physics and Education to Medical Physics, so I know little about their academics Terms in that discipline.

Thanks, But please I dont feel convenient Whenever I wear Glasses.

My accent is the major Problem for now. Please what is the best way to improve on my accent? I'm a typical Yoruba Girl.

I really appreciate your response. Thanks.

You are fine. Many of us who are in the U.S still have accent.

The key to them hearing and understanding you is to speak clearly, slowly, and picking your words one by one. This shouldn't be a biggie.

Good luck.