HenryOlaolu:
Hello .

Please what do you think about the possibility of having 2 sponsors. an uncle in the US and a mother in Nigeria. Does is increase the chances of approval.

Thank you

Hey 🤠


A2A.

1. If you are going for Bsc choose your mother (age 16 -25 better) .

2. If you are going for Msc ( below age 30) you can still choose your mum.

3. Your uncle would be appropriate if your age is above 30 and you ' re single .


** My notion above is that responsible adults should not use parents umbrella. Adulthood starts from age 18 in the USA.


4. Don't combine sponsors . Your uncle can give out his own quota of assistance to your mother , same way your mother can give out her own quota to your uncle . In all, use one financial statement and name 1 sponsor.

5. Nothing increases your USA visa chances . The ONLY thing that increases your chances is to follow all visa rules and application policies .



Best Wishes 🙏

demmyfranc:
Thanks so much for your kind contribution I really appreciate, your message have put my mind at rest a bit
I'm not really after the scholarship, but particular about the high amount(almost $40k). Cause someone was saying with the high deficit, my chances are slim.
I don't want to go to the embassy with the notion of rejection because of the amount. That is why seeking for advise here.
Once I appreciate 🙏

Hey 🤠


** All thanks and appreciation goes to God.


1. Don't worry about high amount of deficit if your Big Aunt in the USA can cover it via her financial evidences.

2. If the daughter of Mr Bill Gate applied to the University of Cambridge and gained admission but failed to secure any scholarship would the UK embassy in the USA denied her visa based on deficit ? The answer is NO ! Her father has absolutely more than enough funds to cover her deficit . She may however be denied visa on other grounds.



Best Wishes 🙏

Blinkkks:


I have a question sir. I got denied f1 visa last week Wednesday. I’m thinking of reapplying. While filling my first ds-160 form, I selected non employed because I was being truthful, I actually graduated last year august and I was busy preparing for gre and toefl. In my new ds-160 form, if I’m able to get a job that’s related to my field this week, should I pick employed? My classes will start august 21, can I still meet-up or should I defer(the program is only available during fall)

Hey 🤠


A2A.

1. Re-appying immediately after rejection is good IF " you have the money to process your 2nd attempt. I have seen more than 20 applicants who got their USA visas (both F1 & B1/B2) in their none interval 2nd attempts .

2. Another consular is probably (85% of the time) going to interview you this time which will give you the final embassy decisions. Consular officers are not angels or computers and hence , they are prone to errors in judgement, emotional decisions , fatigue, bias and lack of sufficient experiences etc.

3. Just re-apply for the sake of going to cement the final decision. If your visa is denied again (I pray not for you ) then the 1st consular is right, therefore you have issues to address. If your visa is granted , then one of my opinions in sense 2 above probably has happened.

4. Rejection under 214b is not explanatory. We can only judge your reason (s) of rejection via your visa transcripts or DS-160 info. Therefore , selecting employed this time around may not be useful and it can be counter-productive (seen as a desperate lie by the new consular who will interview you) despite the fact of your honesty.

5. Don't follow the general notion of " What has changed in your profiles before you want to re-apply ? Just re apply for re-application sake in order to get the final decision. You may actually have a clean application and failed to aligned everything together or expressed yourself very well.

6. Re-application immediately also presents you as a serious and determined student. It also presents you as a student whose parents or sponsor has unexpected money to spend, therefore kind of justifying your financial ability.

7. Your younger sister or cousin won't stop writing UTME if she fails one immediately after High school graduation?


Best Wishes 🙏

demmyfranc:
Dear great gurus in the house,
Please I urgently need your advice, I have admission to two schools (Georgia southern & Tulane university) for MPH statistics and my deficit is not less than $40k
Please what is my chance of securing visa at the embassy considering the deficit of $40k(unable to secure scholarship). My big aunt in USA already send proof of fund to the school so they are processing the I-20
I don't want this to be criteria of denying me visa, kindly advice if there is way to go about it, or I can still get scholarship
Thanks

Hey 🤠


1. Having scholarships or fundings is not the birth-right of any prospective international applicant, and the USA Embassies has not stipulated or Mandated in any of their F-1 visa rules & policies that " All international students MUST secure scholarships or funds to secure visa.

2. Only PhD applicants needs " Compulsory Fundings " And that being said , if a PhD applicant can provide absolutely more than 3-times required funds that will cover the duration of his/her PhD (as indicated in the Form I-20) , then such PhD applicant will however secure F-1 visa.

3. For Bsc & Msc, what the USA embassy is concerned about is " HOW do you want to fund your educational expenses all through your studentship In the USA, not How many of scholarships do you got?

4. If the proof of funds that is being sent to the school by your Big Aunt is acceptable for the process of your Form I-20 then its going to be acceptable by the embassy . Therefore , your Big Aunt is your sponsor and she must release the copy of same prove of funds to you when going for your F1-visa interview.

5. If you have 100% scholarships and failed in other aspects (ties to Nigeria , post study plans, relevant of your program of study, your aunt visa histories, your academic history etc) your visa would be denied.



Best Wishes 🙏

Lotusflowerbomb:
I have a conference in August 2024 as a Speaker. Please I need an appointment date asap

Hey 🤠


** Let me assist and sieve few sands out of @mojisolani 's answer above.


1. The conference organisers only need to write to you a Strong-Letter-of - Invitation (although the letter must be addressed to the USA consulate, Abuja/Lagos Nigeria) with the contact informations of the conference organisers included.

2. The letter must indicate you as a or one of the major speakers and that if you did not secure the B-1 visa to attend the conference it will have a bad reputation effect on their personalities. The letter should also indicate some financial loss if you fail to attend the conference.

3. This letter is sufficient for you to initiate emergency visa appointment ( under Business Emergency) which if successful will give you an appropriate appointment date before August.

4. Don't ask them to write or copy the embassy. The USA embassy will discard the message if its not related to the embassy sub-head subjects. Gone are the days when organization copies USA embassies on behalf of an individual . They have scrapped it.



Best Wishes 🙏

ThePENGENIUS:
Hello guys. I'm thankful for the helpful tips on here. I have a question:

My wife and I live in Nigeria. We both have valid US visas that we obtained some years ago for medical tourism. My wife is pregnant and we would like her mother who does not have a US visa (nor travel experience) to accompany us this time to the US for delivery.

How do you advise we go about this?

Someone suggested we (I and my wife) travel first before scheduling an interview for my MIL to join us.

Hey 🤠


1. Apply for your mother-inlaw while you couples are still in Nigeria.

2. If you Apply (for Mama) within the same year you and your wife landed in the USA it might look like a preconceived plan to the consular.

3. If Mama's visa is denied (I pray not), re-application (perhaps when you guys have landed in America) would be easier as a continuation of your intention to have her with you initially .

4. Give your mother-inlaw the necessary verbal trainings before facing the consular. For example , she can say " I have always been present during the child-births of all my female children and i give them our traditional care all through the 1st 3 weeks of the baby's arrival (USA consulars understands that Africans have traditions).

5. You must have been in contact with a particular hospital , pay all or part of the bills and if possible gotten a medical insurance or having a clear evidence of obtaining one upon landing in USA, with evidence of accomodation for 3 of you .

6. Mother-inlaw should attend interview with most of those documents (email correspondence with hospitals , insurance , receipts etc) listed in 5 above, even if she is not well educated , her DS 160 and those documents should speak for her .

7. You guys should present yourselves as very rich Nigerians (you will be spending millions of naira in $ equivalent) and be honest of what you are going to do (intention to give birth) and display strong ties to return home .



Best Wishes 🙏

mozkidayo:



Hello good afternoon sir. Is there a way I can reach you privately sir?

Hey 🤠


@mozkidayo.

1. You are being sent by my antagonists . You were registered on Nairaland for few years and you rarely come over to USA travel thread s.

2. You are also following 89 individuals on nairaland with some of my chief antagonists on your list.

3. I know the real people who are willing to get in touch for genuine counseling. And I know those who are being sent .

4. Break away from the failed gangs which is presently being spearheading by @Danburuwa (the 419 travel agent).

5. You have failed in all your ways to implicate me . Contact those on your follow-up list for your solution . I don't have failed and old-school travel agent offices like those of @Danburuwa and the rest who sent you.


Best Wishes 🙏

Danburuwa:


That's a thief and a scammer agent you just quoted and wanted to contact privately.

Be warned! Nairaland does not promote such thing as that.

🤠

The individual behind this moniker " @Danburuwa is the new Mad man of Gadarene.

Any one who knows a good clinical Psychologist should recommend to his folks.

And do no engage him or any of his gangs. They will lure you to joining groups and ruined your visa process .

@Danburuwa especially has fraudulent cases to answer .

chuksmanred:
Hi, please I’m trying to invite a relative for my graduation. How do I go about the whole process. And are there documents I need to provide or send to them to present on their interview day? Thanks guys

Hey 🤠


1. If you are talking about University/College graduation then your relative has a very good hope of securing the appointment before your graduation day , and if you guys knows what you are doing the visa is also certain.

2. International students are Big Business for America economy and foreign students are part of ego of USA. By this fact, consular officers understand the needs for your friends and family (especially) to be present or in attendance in such a life-time celebration. A family or friend (s) must be there to rejoice with you .

3. Go to your DSO/Admission counselor/HOD etc office and urge them to write an official invitation letter to your relative . The letter must indicate him or her as a compulsory attendee . The letter should also be emotional in nature.

4. Your relative will use the letter and the copy of the graduation invitation/brochure and copy of your school identification to apply for B2 visa (on emergency appointment).

5. He or she must however proof financial ability beyond doubts as well as stronger ties to Nigeria .


Best Wishes 🙏

VTJN:
please does US embassy accept investment account as source of funding for student visa?

Hey 🤠

A2A.


1.Yes . It is acceptable but it is not a straightforward or reliable way to demonstrate your financial proof. Stock holdings can fluctuate in value, and their liquidity can be a concern.

2. Consular officers may prefer to see more stable and liquid assets that can be easily converted into cash to cover your 1st-year or whole tuition expenses.

3. If you do not have any other options , then you may go ahead in presenting it but be ready to defend its asset value and the reliability to the consular (if he or she raises concerns).




Best Wishes 🙏

anamo:


You so rude and that’s very concerning. Do u even know who I am? Do u know how much power I wield? Do you know I hold to the US border and I open it and close it whenever I want? Do u know I’m the one that determine the H1B cap per year in America? Apologise and I can let this pass

Hey 🤠


@anamo.


1. Even our own @justwise who wields a kind of authority on Nairaland rarely comment on insult . People of authorities including Nigeria President and that of the USA and CEOs of organisations are very very slow to anger .

2. You are an empty barrel. If you see me physically you won't tell me i am rude except if your birth age Starts from 60 years back.

3. I will apologise tomorrow.



Best Wishes 🙏

anamo:


How did you know it’s the wife on J-1 and not the husband?

Hey 🤠

1. I am not going backward in the year 2024. Are you ?

2. People have asked many questions unanswered on Nairaland . Find time to give better opinions or be watching TV at home as a spectator .


Best Wishes 🙏

JemmyO:
Hello Everyone,

I am a dependant in the UK, I have no travel history other than UK and Nigeria. I plan to apply for a US B2 visa for tourists. I have a job that pays £2000 pounds monthly. My husband is a PHD student. May I know if I stand a chance of getting approved. And how long does it take to get appointment date in London

Hey 🤠


*** The B1/B2 Visa Procedures for Nigerians living in the UK is the same with those living in Nigeria. Same rules also applies to Nigerians living anywhere in the world (except if you are a citizen of that country - dual citizenship). There is no Location Preference .

*** Therefore , this section (not UK thread) is your best umbrella.


1. If your hubby is a PhD student in the UK and you are working in the UK (perhaps your kids are there - not compulsory) as a family-dependent , then you have a very good ties to the UK.

2. Yes you have a chance of getting approved if you can defend every other requirements ie Reasons for your trip, Financial evidence to Cover your trip, Ties to UK, Your personal intentions and the Locations you plan to visit in America.

3. USA B1/B2 visa apppointment waiting time in the UK is however different because of disparity in the population of visa applicants . Check the official websites of the USA embassy in London or Belfast (it was 78 and 115 days respectively).




Best Wishes 🙏

MimieeCK:
This is super super helpful. Thank you very much.

Final question please. How do I find out more about the certified group to join for dates? Is there anyone I can speak to?

Thank you.

Hey 🤠

1. I actually don't know any certified groups but if you can go back to previous pages you should see one or two date-search group adverts. Just be careful that the group (s) are formed via Nairaland .

2. Alternatively, you can do the searching yourself by using the option or " Reschedule " via your cgi portal . Once you click on reschedule the system takes you to available dates and if you see any appropriate one then you pick. If there is no favourable dates to you then you log out of cgi.

3. That's just the logic. No special magic.


Best Wishes 🙏

AhunnaD:
well done sir for divulging these useful information to us.
please, the slot that asks for the salary if employed to be stated is not accepting the figure I put there. It keep telling me it accepts figures between 0-9 and since it states it should be in the local currency. I can't find my way around it.

Your help will be much appreciated. Thank you

Hey 🤠

A2A.


1. How much do you want to state in the column ? You can state it so that experienced Nairalanders can write the appropriate ways for you .

2. But you are not supposed to input coma if you are writing the figure . For example , if you want to write N170,000 (normal way) . It should be written on DS 160 thus ; 170000 (the naira sign and the coma omitted and no space).


Best Wishes 🙏

nedum87:
Hello everyone, please i need guideline on how to apply for a US visit visa. i have paid for the visa and about filling the form. i intend visiting my elder brother who is a US citizen and his family and again what will be my fate with this reason? thank you

Hey 🤠


1. Your brother must be on a better Previous (how he entered the USA) visa reputation and you too must have a good reputation in Nigeria if your visa must be approved.

2. If your brother had entered the USA and overstayed or refused to return home until he eventually changed status , it will have chain effects on the future visitations by any of his family and friends (including you).

3. Let's assume that your brother has a clean sheet. Then you must have a good ties in Nigeria. If you are married with kids better . If you have a good job with a reputable company it's also a good omen. If you have a travel history (not compulsory) it's a good plus.

4. Aside the above , there must be an emotional attached or family mandated reason for a female family member (who is supposed to be in her husband home) to be visiting a male (married) elder brother in the USA. Remember, your brother can actually come visiting .

5. If you are not sure of the number 3 above, then why not apply for a conference or short study and detach your elder brother in the USA from your visa process ?


Best Wishes 🙏

Deziri20:



Thank you but please your response is kind of ambiguous for me because the confusion is circled around choosing just B2 visa only or B1/B2 on CGI portal

Hey 🤠


1. Choose B2 only. Don't choose B1/B2.

2. If for example a company is sending you abroad on a conference (B1) and after the conference you want to use the opportunity to visit a dentist (B2) , then you can choose both B1/B2.


Best Wishes 🙏

Ulom30:
Pls guys i need a response to these questions, thanks.

Hey 🤠


1. According to my personal (not official) ratings, his chances of visa approval is 75% .

2. My ratings will work if he can align everything to his present employer . The tier-2 bank, together with his dependents (family) are good home ties . His past academic profiles makes him a genuine student who can cope with another Msc.

3. Lets assume he is 45yr old, any of his family member can stand to sponsor him especially if they answer the same family-name.

4. Personally i dont advise international students to get loan because 85% of the consular officers would think that the repayment of the loan will make you stay behind in the USA and that it will put you into pressure to over-work or take employment serious more than your studies .

5. But if the loan is coming from your present employer or the loan is tied to your present employer with the explanation on Bond Agreement, then you can go ahead. Ironically, this situation is also a good tie that will makes him return to Nigeria after study.


Best Wishes 🙏

Deziri20:
Good evening everyone
Please I want to fill a visa form for my mum visiting to see her daughter in the US
What visa category should I choose? B1/B2 or choose just B2 for her?

Hey 🤠


1. In specific term, B2 is what you are going to choose (online or when paying for visa fee).

2. A foreign national traveling to the United States for tourism needs a visitor visa (B-2). Tourism is a short visit for vacation, for visiting family and friends, OR for medical treatment (B-2) as stated by @Candybright.

3. B-1 is for business (conference, etc). But USA embassy most of the time usually issue the 2 categories together in order for the beneficiary to juggle between according to purpose of travel.


Best Wishes 🙏

Danburuwa:


No, the NewBoyKhashogi account was doing well scamming people through email, that was the MO. That's why justwise blocked them and they immediately opened the new account named OyoTunjiUSA without wasting time, to continue from where they stopped.

Nairaland is their source of income, that's why they will keep on coming back as soon as justwise blocks this new one.

Hey 🤠

@Danburuwa.

1. I have been able to compiled few of your atrocities and the 3 ladies you defrauded November 2023.

2. Give me little time , I will post evidences on Nairaland . Yours is just allegations because you are just typing , no evidences.

3. I want to seek the last authority before i exposed you and 2 of your accomplices. We shall soon separate men from boys.


Best Wishes 🙏

mcvities:


I asked an innocent question and I am shocked at how you added me to the list of those attacking you here. That handle NewBoyKhashogi was doing well here answering questions from anyone that asked which was why I asked about the handle.

I think you should have a clear mind about who ask questions, I am not one of those against you because I remember how you guided me with the SEVIS fee payment here.

I might not entirely agree with some of your points but I also have to accept that you have tried in answering questions here together with others.

Anyway, it is all good

Hey 🤠


@mcvities.

1. I stated here in the beginning that i am a follower of @Newboykashoggi and that i was able to seek his permission to continue to use his style of correspondence when his account was banned.

2. @NewBoyKhashogi was banned for a period and i think his account is now been freed. Not because of fraud but because of offensive words. If anyone says otherwise, such person should post evidences openly.

3. I am awfully and genuinely sorry to have mixed you up with the bullies. I am open to corrections but they don't correct , they attack because they don't want to see you again.

4. @mcvities, if you have a reservation for any of my opinions now and in the future pls do not hesitate to correct me positively and openly. Correction is different to attacking.

5. @mcvities i apologise once again. I thought your question was being sarcastic.


Best Wishes 🙏

Danburuwa:


justwise banned the moniker from commenting on the Travel section for scamming lots of students on Nairaland through email.

So, the numbskull behind the moniker opened another account named OyoTunjiUSA and continued from where the other account stopped and even added new ways to scam more people.

Hey 🤠


@justwise (my regards).


1. These guys ( @Danburuwa, @mcvities etc) are going to implicate you for calling you out on biased allegations.

2. I am joining them right now (on temporary armistice) in calling you out to MANDATE @Danburuwa to list just 2 people that i have defrauded OPENLY .

3. If they cannot do this then you should impose necessary rules and actions against enviness and jealousy.

4. Nigeria is already working against them (my antagonists) both home and abroad as they cannot find good sources of livings upon their Phds and American bases .

5 @justwise , once again i am humbling challenging you to ask them to name those individuals that i have hoodwinked openly on Nairaland.


Best Wishes 🙏

Danburuwa:


Thief! We know all your tricks to steal from people. No-one should email that saphead from Nairaland, else your money is gone forever.

Hey 🤠

@Danburuwa

1. You are the undisputed winner of the mad men competition in the year 2024. I hope you continue to defend your trophy henceforth.

2. Hip Hip Hip, Hurray !


Best Wishes 🙏

Dike987:
Hello Mr Oyotunji, can I have a private session with you please??

Hey 🤠

1. I am accessible to anyone. Check my sign on profile or leave your email. Will reach out .


Best Wishes 🙏

hernandson:

Hello bro, please I wrote GRE and had a good score. Could you assist on how I can apply to school and the way forward? Thanks

Hey 🤠

A2A.

*** Don"t focus on Spring/Summer/Fall 2025. Cool down and focus on sending best application materials and getting admitted with a very good fundings (95% compulsory).


1. Start researching through Universities which are good in your research fields, this can take you like 1-2 Months.,

2. You should then approach a professor (s) directly (via email) to build a relationship (assuming you both work in a similar field or your research interests overlap) and hope that they might help you secure a spot in their labs. These should be your Priority Step.

3. Aside of your GRE, You have to submit Main Aplication , SoP, LoR’s and Transcripts. Phd applications usually focus on research, therfore prepare to submit your best Research Thesis/Statement along.

4. Dont be carried away with higher GRE score. GRE score (s) will springboard your fundings but it does not guarantee even 30% of your admissions.

5. I can guide you more than appropriately in the whole application process if you desire to have me in your team. You may as well do it yourself by taking your time to study this thread.

6. For the groups, only join the groups that is authorised by the admin of Nairaland . Dont join any external group. But personally, i dont even know about any groups . All my activities on Nairaland stops after logging out of here .



Best Wishes 🙏

benji93:
Sorry, i am only commenting on the bolded cos it's the only sequence of lines relevant to my first comment to you. I am not sure you read my comment. A waiver is supposed to be a deviation from normal, that's for example you exempt some folks from submitting a document that would normally be required. Admitting BSc holders into PhD programs is normal in the USA. Most American PhD programs with a decent reputation do this. In short, getting into a PhD program with an MSc is abnormal. The question was about whether an MSc was necessary not whether it's the better pathway. That's a different question. Besides, since most admitted graduate students in the USA are BSc holders and their programs are on average quite successful in research turn out, admitting BSc students works as long as you give them enough time.

You may have processed over 25 PhD admissions, but you do not know better than someone in the system.

Hey.🤠


@benji93.


1. Are you an employed or a visiting professor In Cambridge or Havard University ? Are you the first OP i engaged? You are stylishly flexing unnecessary knowledge muscles from the enemies camp. You are not in any system. You don't know nothing more than i do.

2. And your claim above that ** In short, getting into a PhD program with an MSc is abnormal " must have come out from a subnormal educationist if he or she is not drunk when typing out the delusion.

3. I have given you the implications of what the first OP was trying to do on the educational lives and the mentalities of youths and teenagers already. The other lazy-effigies who claimed to have Msc and PhD certificates but usually find it hard to read and comprehend any piece more than 2 paragraphs are using you as an opportunity to jab from the same mentalities.

4. When your kids wakes up in the morning to pray to God will you say " Stop praying ! You can pray in your mind (which is actually true ) ? If Msc is being waived (by very few schools ) stop claiming its not necessary , and stop promoting the bad notion to Nigerian youths.

5. Nigeria is British curriculum oriented in academics . USA likes flexibilities. You guys should stop the over-wise mentalities. Stop knowing more than the Americans and stop abusing western privileges.


Best Wishes 🙏

Zihno:


No offense but this is a very myopic take.

Hey 🤠

@Zihno.

1. Thanks for your input. Naturally anyone coming from the failed clicks should see this as a myopic take.

2. It' showed in your last anomaly when you wrote that MBA is a generic (characteristic of or relating to a class or group of things) program. ** MBA is not a generic program . Every life activities needs MBA (management) to survive .

3. Go back to school or register online for brain refresher courses sir.


Best Wishes 🙏

emmaodet:


Thanks brother.

Have done it.
So when I meet the VO for interview, it is the number on the ds-160 I tender that would be entered in the system to interview me, right?

Hey 🤠

1. Yes.

Best Wishes 🙏

emmaodet:


Hello bro,

Good morning.
Pls after filling a new ds-160 form, how will I update it on my caec site?
Also, the visa payment I made was done with the first ds-160 form serial number, how will I update the new ds form to reflect the number on my visa payment platform

Hey 🤠

.A2A.

1. After filling your DS-160, login to your caec (cgi portal) site and click on update profile . It will bring out your data page and look out where your old DS-160 is written and clears it off (write your new DS-160 number in the space) then stroll down towards the right hand and click save .

2. After 2/3 days , log back to your caec sight and click on Appointment (it will take you to email or download appointment) and print it out . ** The new printed appointment will automatically reflects your new DS-160 confirmation number . Thereby , your visa appointment letter is now match with your DS-160 as required by the embassy .

3. For the visa (MRV) payment receipt, you did not pay it with your DS-160 but you paid it physically or online with your Travel Passport information. Therefore, leave the MRV alone and take it along with the 2 documents (ds 160 and visa appointment) above.

4. If however, you have paid the visa fee (MRV) with your old travel passport number , all you have to do is to take both (new & old) passports to the embassy on the day of your interview . Even, if you did not see the old passport , your new passport still carries the old passport number as a bona-fide successor of your old passport , therefore , it will still be accepted to continue your visa application journey.



Best Wishes 🙏

olasubomy:


Quick question - @OyoTunjiUSA - When changes are made on DS160, thereby filling another DS160 and discarding the old one, does this have an effect on the B1/B2 interview date booked?

Hey 🤠

* A2A *

1. No. It does not affect your interview date. Changing DS-160 just means that you are transmitting new information (s) about you to the USA embassy ahead of your interview.


Best Wishes 🙏

benji93:
Sorry for interrupting your exchange, but it's not wrong to tell someone they do not need a Master's degree to get into a PhD, if the person was referring to the USA. For folks familiar with the American graduate education that's quite common. It's one of the signatures of the American graduate school. It's the reason PhDs in the US take much longer on average. Students take graduate-level courses in the first two years, take a qualifying exam, and ramp up the intensity of their research afterward. Many, if not all graduate schools award students a Master's certificate along the way too. Does having a Master's degree give students from outside the USA an advantage? In general, it does. On average students with a Master's degree already have some research experience, and some may already have at least one peer-reviewed paper(important contribution). So if a professor needs a student with some graduate-level research, and wants them to get on a project very early on, a student with a master's would be a better bet. This is not to say some BSc students cannot demonstrate a high research capacity. Some of them get exposed to high-level research early on.

Again it's quite correct to tell someone they do not need a Master's to get into an American PhD program. Where it's very likely necessary is for a European PhD program. That's the standard there.

Hey 🤠

@benji93.

1. I know more than everything you have stated up there and personally i have processed more than 25 successful PhD admissions (USA and Canada) in the span of my career/ activities as an admission and visa counselor.

2. I read that lot of the year 2024 UTME candidates failed to meet up with the required 200 cut off points. Same goes to WAEC and NECO poor performances.

3. Although, there are many playful students and the emergence of social media's affected and still affecting the teenagers , but the background cause is the idea of some schools that usually waived the primary 5-6 classes for pupils (on the grounds that they are outstanding students) and make them write the Common Entrance examination straight into Junior Secondary Schools.

4. On getting to JSS classes, some parents and teachers would bring up the (Jumping fence / Fast-Tracking ) ideas again that , look this students are outstanding, let them write GCE from SSS1/2 and also write UTME straight away. Thereby, omitting SSS3 and straight to the Universities when their mates are still writing WAEC.

5. The above narrative is my personal experiences and observations. The idea to use an opportunity of waiver is good but few Nigerians usually will over use the opportunity to the state of counter-productives .

6. Waiving Msc to apply for direct PhD is good for matured applicants , waiving primary 5 and 6 classes is good for disabled kids who are outstanding, waiving sss2 and 3 applies to same set of outstanding, disabled and not-well- to do background students .

7. Supporting jumping or cutting corners has turned 55% of Nigerian youths into Fast-Paced Personalities. They want millions while still in Secondary Schools. They want to buy Bugatti Veyron (car) while still in the University . It gives the idea of Impatient Generation .

8. Thank you for your input. I knew what he wrote was true but i won't support the notion .


Best Wishes 🙏

MimieeCK:
Hi.

I filled my USA visa DS-160 form February 2023 and was given an appointment date for much later in August 2024.

I’m fine with waiting for the appointment date. But my question now is that some things have changed since I filled the form. Good changes though. I work for a different company now. I earn much more than I did then. My travel history has expanded by about 8 more countries since then.

What do I do? Do I need to fill another DS-160 or can I use the old one and explain to the interviewer? Please let me know.

I’m also looking for link to group that gives date updates so I can try and get an earlier date. Thank you so much!!

Hey 🤠


1. On the day of your visa interview , the consular officer would stand in front of you and be typing on a computer while asking you questions , the page he opened on that computer is your DS -160.

2. Therefore , you should not have more than 10 munites to defend yourself verbally why you think you qualify for the visa . The helper that will do the remaining talking for you is what the consular is reading on your DS-160 page.

3. Go and fill another DS-160 and input the necessary changes in your overall profiles and discard the old one. Besides , you don't start talking stories that the consular did not ask you to analyse.

4. For the group , look out for the group that is authorised by the admin of Nairaland . Don't join any external group.


5. @Kenturkey048. Thank you for the accolade.


Best Wishes 🙏