Hi everyone, my roommate already has his visa to Harvard approved. He however misplaced his I-20 and he is already billed to fly to New York next week and he will need his I-20 at POE. Is it okay to.use a scanned I-20 form or will.he have to wait for it to be sent via Fed-Ex which will take a lot of.time and ultimately affect his travel plan?

...

Toniaaa:


Going to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this fall, La Roche University

Oh. Awesome. I'm going to the University of Pittsburgh this fall.

jessyeve:
Please which school is that

McGill University, Montreal.

Philomathhh:


Thanks. Congrats too!!!
MEng Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Yes, full scholarship.

Best of luck bro. Kindly send me your email address. I hope to visit Canada during grad school and we could link up.

Danwakae:
OIL MONEY ENGR.S



SEYI...OYO

DAPO ABIODUN....OGUN


ABDURAZAK...KWARA



DEM GET KUDI WELLER OO

If Dapo Abioudun should declare his assets, the Internet will break. I'm just laughing at those that are claiming Makinde is currently not worth 50billion naira.
I've been following him for a while and I'm even surprised he is not worth about 200billion naira.

Is there anyone going to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this fall?

Philomathhh:
Yes, I got into McGill University.

Wow. Congratulations! To study which course? Full scholarship?

I will also be resuming grad school this fall in the US.

Philomathhh:
Even the almighty UToronto, McGill and UBC don't ask Nigerians for IELTS. I didn't submit anything concerning English language at McGill, and for UBC, I only uploaded the "English as a Medium of instruction" document.

If you have a very good GPA, just try those schools and forget IELTS/TOEFL and GRE.

Were you admitted to the McGills and/or the University of Toronto and UBC? They are the top schools in Canada and I hardly see Nigerians(on nairaland) apply/secure admission into these top 3 schools.

cooooooks:
Simon Fraser is not one of the best schools in Canada.

Also, to be fair to Amaechi, he continued the overseas scholarships Odili started. Many such scholars were sent to Simon Fraser University. Wike canceled it after his election.

Vex for someone else.

Simon Fraser is among the top 15 universities in Canada. Thus, it can be referred to as one of the best in the country.

hustla:


1 - 1 now
Better to meet Algeria than Ivory coast tbh

Why do you think Algeria is better for the Eagles?

Amme018:
VISA APPROVED @ 4th attempt

Date: Friday, 21st June 2019
Location: Abuja
Time: 7:30am Appointment
Status: Was on AP till 25th June when it turned ISSUED.

BACKGROUND
Previous attempts: 2 attempts in December 2017 for Ball State University (for Spring 2018) and an attempt in July 2018 for George Washington University (for Fall 2018) ....All at Lagos Consulate.

I posted past transcripts when I needed help in preparing for my 3rd attempt. I also posted my proposed transcript for the 3rd attempt, but I did not post the outcome because I was quitting then. Although there was no much difference between the proposed transcript for the 3rd attempt and the outcome other than that not all the questions I prepared for were asked.

However, I requested my admission be deferred to the following term (Spring 2019) only to be informed that admission to the program is strictly for Fall Terms. I requested it be deferred to Fall 2019.

Finally when I decided I was going to try the 4th time (which I promised it would be the final), I returned to this thread as a full-time reader, I chose not to ask any question because there are answers to all the questions that anyone would want to ask here already. I read every posts everyday 'as e dey drop'. I researched more about my school and program. I looked for unique features of my school and program, which I integrated into my proposed transcript. I did not post my proposed transcript because in my head, I was not returning to the embassy the 4th time for an interview but to go and talk (have a conversation)

I chose Abuja this time because I learnt there is a bit of serenity over there than Lagos; like not too crowdy and you could sit for a little while before joining the queue for interview (important for someone like me that doesn't like stress).

I had my conversation with the VO, an elderly white woman at window 6. I was the 3rd she attended to that morning, the two before me were denied.

APPROVAL CONVERSATION

Me: Good morning Ma (VO did not answer greeting. I guess because of her experience with the family she interviewed before me. The old man was reluctant to leave the window after she denied him and his family)
VO: Pass your passport and i20
Me: I obliged
VO: Why do you want to study in the US?
Me: I want to study in US because the US have one of the best educational systems in the world. Also, I like to be taught by world class professors, which would make become a world class program monitoring and evaluation specialist.
VO: How did you hear about this school.
Me: I conducted internet search for top MPA programs in the US, I reviewed the result with USNews.com, Webometrics, Times Higher Education, Princeton Review and the website of the Network of Schools of Public Policy Affairs and Administration, I then streamlined the result based on my area of specialization.
VO: So why this school?
Me: My decision to attend GWU was firstly informed by the opportunity to study under professor Kathryn Newcomer, who happened to be the year 2017 president of American Evaluation Association. She is currently having a research on Public and Nonprofit Performance Measurement and Evaluation which is inline with my area of interest as I am interested in looking into Monitoring and Evaluation Framework with the use of Objective Indicators. Also, the MPA curriculum at this school is such that will equip me with administrative-cum-managerial skills and an in depth understanding of the modern principles and techniques of program evaluation and policy analysis which I will be needing to run a consulting firm back home in proffering solution to the challenges of inadequate monitoring and evaluation framework..(wanted to add the 3rd point which is about my $20k fellowship award, but she cuts in)
VO: When did you had your BSc
Me: January 2013....(she looks on her screen and nods, I guess she confirmed what I filled in my ds160)
VO: So what have you been doing since then?
Me: I went for NYSC program, after which I started working in June 2014 at ABCD as EFG where I am responsible for HIJKLMNOPQR (she cuts in before I could finish stating my job roles. She kept her eyes on her computer screen and nodding her head while answering this)
VO: Did you applied to other school?
Me: Yes, I did
VO: Which other school?
Me: Uni of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Uni of Georgia at Athens
VO: You got admitted into all?
Me: No, I got admitted to GWU and Uni of Pittsburgh.
VO: Tell me about this program?
Me: This program focuses of the process and products of government and nongovernmental organisations decision making. It is also meant to development and enhance the ability to analyze ramifications of public programs and policies. It comprises of courses like .........I listed about 8 courses( I maintained permanent eye contact while answering)
VO: What's your study plan?
Me: I will be studying for a total of 40 credit hours courses, out of which 12 credit hours are core Public Administration courses, 25 credit hours of concentration and elective courses with a capstone seminar of 3 credit hours at the final semester. I will have to maintain a CGPA of not lower than 3.0 throughout the 4 semesters of the program which I will complete in May 2021 after which I will return to Nigeria
VO: What do you want to do with this degree?
Me: I want to consult for public and nonprofit organisations in the area of Program Monitoring and Evaluation as well as offering policy advice to policy makers in taking the best decisions as it affect program success in this part of the world. I would also love to work as a Country Program Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist at one of the international development organisations around. (we're both looking at each other eyeballs-to-eyeballs as I answer this)
VO: You were denied sometimes ago?
Me: Yes
VO: Why
Me: Well (with smile), I think I was probably not able to convince the Consular Officer that interviewed me then that I am qualified for this class of visa
VO: OK, you took GMAT
Me: No, I took the GRE
VO: Oh, OK, what's your score?
Me: I had 282
VO: OK, What about TOEFL?
Me: I didn't take TOEFL ....(we both looking at each other eyeballs-to-eyeballs)
VO: Is your wife joining you?
Me: (With big smile) That is not in the plan, because of her job. However, I will make it up to my family during school holiday.
VO: OK, who will be sponsoring you for this program? GWU is one of the most expensive schools in the US.
Me: I have a Global Initiative Fellowship Award of $20k and my elder brother will...(she cuts in)
VO: Listen, this school is expensive, you will be having a deficit of $41+
Me: Yes, I know, my brother have what it takes to take care of the deficit.
VO: OK, what does he do?
Me: He is into petroleum products marketing. He is also in charge of the management of my late father's real estate investment
VO: Do you have his bank document?
Me: I have his statement of account
VO: Pass it
Me: Passed (VO checked thoroughly, from opening balance, through the transactions to the closing balance, and checked the account name if it corresponds with what I filled in my ds160)
VO: Now listen, (looking into my eyes) I will keep this with me, we will have to check to be sure it is not fraudulent. If it is fraudulent, you will be banned for life from entering the United States. Do you want me to continue?
Me: Please go ahead ma (while looking into her eyes)
VO: OK, I will give you these papers (the white pick up location paper and a congratulatory-small white one). You will have to keep your i20 with you at all time when traveling and make sure you enter the US before the start date of your program.
Me: Nodding, OK Ma (while packing my stuffs) Have a good day Ma....couldn't wait to hear her respond.

CREDITS:
....To God for the grace
....To 'My Special One' for the unending supports
....To fairheart for helping to review my proposed transcript prior to my 3rd attempt then
....To walspring for assisting in registering for my GRE around early 2018
....To everyone that has ever posted on this thread; be it questions, answers, suggestions, opinion, even 'drama'. Believe me, it all helped. THANK YOU ALL


LASTLY.
Will I be able to get Okada or Keke to take me from Washington Dulles International Airport to my school?

Wow! You were really drilled. Congratulations!

So, you were admitted to study at GSPIA(University of Pittsburgh right? Which program? And why did you pick GWU ahead of GSPIA? Did GSPIA not offer you any funding?

emezuo17:
. My guy, you said 250 to 300k?, You mean naira or dollars, where I work the flight is 300k per person, to chatter the chopper is about 10k dollars some are cheaper though, while some are even higher, even a shuttle boat runs into hundreds of thousands or millions

$10k for how many hours?

Kendrick99:
Date: 11/06/2019

Embassy Location; Abuja

School Name: Texas State University San Marcos

Program: Industrial Management

Status: Approved.




Vo; Good morning

Me; Good morning How are you?

Vo; pass me your documents.

Me; Ok!

Vo; Have you travelled out of the country before?

Me; Nope! I have never had a reason to.

Vo; Why Do you choose Texas State University as your first trip abroad?

Me; Apart from the fact that the curriculum at Texas State University match directly with my career goal, which I will be taking core course like. Lean manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, Project Management. And also Prof Ameri as agreed I join his research team upon my arrival on campus which we will be working on "How Ergonomics affect productivity in Manufacturing Industry", which would be very useful and more practical once I return to Nigeria.


Vo; Ok, did you apply to other schools?

Me; Yes, Texas A&M University Kingsville, University of Central Missouri and Texas State University which is also my first choice.

Vo; Who is paying for your studies?

Me; My Uncle, he is in charge of the Family Business.

Vo; What business?

Me; My Grandfather is a major distributor of Coca-Cola product across Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States, Also we own Two Petrol and Diesel stations in Lagos.

Vo; Can I see a documents to prove that?

Me; Sure! hand over SOA,

Vo; I will be Approving your visa! And placing you on Administrative Processing to verify this account and remember if we find anything fraudulent here, you will be banned for Life, Do you still wish to proceed?

Me; Yes sure!.

Gave me a yellow paper and small white paper telling me about i-20 and all.

Present Status *issued* today.

Nuggets! Always put God first in everything you do. My case is what you call Grace. *No Funding* previously refused Twice Dec 12 2018 & Jan 16 2019 with same school and program. Never give up!

Special thanks to my nairalamd family, Sharwama, Time2win, Leone26(Bobcats), Fairheart, Lagosismyhome, Brown2Green. And to my blaad, Jubril, Pizzle, Simple, Ice, Rayblack, 3310. To everyone yet to be interviewed Prepare hard, Pray, fast if you can! Put God first.

Congratulations! You see why one should not give up too easily.

Cc
Abike12.

abike12:


we all fasted and prayed and didn't take it for granted since a visa is not her birthright. that's why i'm even questioning that is it God's will for her to study here. I know it will be more convenient for me to have her close by but she has her own life to live and her own destiny. it is well.

Please, kindly give it one more try and take note of all the points made so far. For instance, making reference to visiting 15times is stronger than staying for 2months. She should also point out the fact that her high school was on holiday during her last visit.

Try one more time and I wish you all the very best of luck!

Brown2Green:


Once anyone stays beyond 4 weeks in the US on visiting , the person will need a very strong reason to get approval.

Yes; this is mostly true for older folks but someone that was still in High School during the visit has a strong case. She was on holiday and she has a good reason to vacation all summer in the U.S; at least she has a relative there who is most likely a citizen - based on my experience. After all, she returned long before the expiration of the 6month stamp.

dreambound:

She just needs to be able to give a concrete explanation why she stayed that long. As far as the length of stay is within the law, the VO needs to be sure that it was not because of immigrant intent. She should have explained better when she was given the opportunity.

Yes. She also needs to make the VO understand it was a summer vacation(alongisde her sister giving birth to a baby) and her high school was on holiday. She can also make reference to visiting the U.S more than 15times. I think she should have responded to the question of: have you been to the U.S before with "Yes, fifteen times". That may have made the VO more comfortable than "Yes, for 2months."


Cc Abike12.

abike12:


Lol @ raw feelings. Please don't feel sorry for her, she will study in the right country for her. Multiple visits to the US does not make it her birthright to study here but I take exception to you claiming she committed fraud when my mum who came with her just renewed her B visa at a face to face interview so your point is....?

Did you see the travel dates they put on their visa application? No, but you assumed because...?

When I visited the U.S last summer, I stayed for about 3months and that did not stop me from getting my F1 visa some days ago. I think she needs to be prepd more and try to reapply - don't give up on schooling in the US, it will be more convenient for the two of you.

abike12:


thanks for your input. lol @ drilled. I remember my time sha, over preparation nearly wounded me

I advise she reapplies and then appear before a VO more prepared. She has an incredible travel history and she only needs to make a case for her reason to study in the U.S. She needs to be confident, factual and convincing. She also needs to make the VO understand it was a summer vacation(alongisde her sister giving birth to a baby) and her high school was on holiday. Also, put God first.

emamoke123:
So people, I have to appreciate you guys, my visa was approved today at the Lagos consulate. Thanks to all those who share ideas and keep people informed here.
Brown2Green, Time2Win and Fairheart. I neva reached out to any of you but I learnt so much from you.
I would post my transcript soon and I go talk as e really happen. It was my first b4 a VO and d pressure nearly tear my shirt but we scale am.
This one na God oooo

Window what?

Pefuele:


Honestly,I have to go with position of Twoods here.
I am a realist.Yes ,I have strong believe in God but also I know I have to do my part.However,I wouldn't attribute your approval to God.You probably have a clean slate on your traveling record and also with scholarships so this is a strong profile to be approved.I know a lady that has similar profile that the VO said shoo shoo..you are taking too much I have approved.
Look,if you go to the embassy 20times you will approved so I am the least inspired with your transcripts.
Yes we got to thank our maker but personally I think we over do it .I have to say God does work wonders but certainly this is outa context.Congrats on the approval.

A friend of mine with a similar profile was denied today right in my presence.... I don't think it's as predictable as you and Twoods projected it. It's not automatic.

TWoods:


Ok stop. You barely presented a case at all and still got your visa, so no it doesn’t simply depend on how you present your case or “god”. This is why folks here waste their time rehearsing transcripts they won’t need.

It simply depends on whether the VO was convinced that you are a bonafide student and you have the funding to cover your costs without resorting to public funds. Getting a full scholarship and a research fellowship to cover your full costs was the biggest factor in your case. I would refrain from pontificating on the flaws in others at the consulate simply because you’ve now got your visa.

We should always put God first, even for mundane things like eating, not just when we need a visa.

Lol. I understand your point but it's not my first time of appearing before a visa officer. I had a B1/B2 visa for years and I made my comments based on my experience in the course of different interviews as well as my experience traveling to the United States. You cannot rule out God factor; some things are beyond human explanation.

Mind you, I do not have a full scholarship and my deficit is about $30,000 and no one requested to see any SOA from me today at the embassy.

Visa was approved this morning in Lagos. Big thanks to this forum.

Transcript.


VO: Next person, come forward(he had just denied the person in front of me and I was trying to get my mood in order).


Me: Good morning. Hands over passport and I-20.


VO: When did you graduate from your university in Nigeria?

Me : 2019

VO: What did you study?

VO: International Affairs and Global Politics

V0: Have you ever been to the U.S before?

Me: Yes.

VO: Who is sponsoring your education?

Me: I have a scholarship offer from the University of P and my mentor will cover the remaining deficits.

VO: Reaches out for a white paper and that was it!


I cannot rule out the place of God in this interview. I barely spoke for 30seconds and I did not even use any of the 'punchlines' I had rehearsed. Almost everyone that comes to the embassy has a reason to travel alongside supporting documents. It all now boils down to how convincing these reasons are and how well you are capable of avoiding loopholes when presenting your case. For instance, a woman I saw in the interview room was queried by the VO for spending over 10weeks during her last visit to the U.S and the woman responded that she had malaria. The VO exclaimed and he was like "MALARIA, IN AMERICA? I knew that was certainly a pink paper and it was no brainer. I think being confident, calm, honest and not appearing too desperate also plays a crucial role. And I think: some VOs are more lenient than others. Finally, It appears there is a conscious plan to reduce the number of Nigerians that come to the U.S through all visa types. A vast majority of the people I saw at the embassy were denied and it is all down to the faults of fellow Nigerians who abuse their visiting/student visas and the idiots who engage in internet fraud. Our leaders and we the citizens have also failed to make our country a place worthy to be called home.

Thank you nairalanders and good luck to everyone. Remember, put God first and get him involved.

fairheart:
We agreed that your visa's 100% guaranteed . You think say na joke! Please take this confidence in self and faith in God with you anywhere you go. I wish you excellent academic achievement.

Hello bro. Good morning. My visa interview is on Monday... Can you kindly help out with a mock interview via call or something?

Brown2Green:


ITEMS to take to the Embassy
Confirmation page of both DS 160 and Visa Application
Sevis Fee Receipt
Visa Receipt
I 20
Passport ( all copies you ever had)
2 copies of passport ( exactly the one you used for your DS 160)
Your admission letter
Funding letters (if any)
Certificate/Transcript
Statement of Account ( Latest 6 Months)
Test report (GRE/TOEFL)

Others (Optional).
Study Leave
Pay Slip






It should reflect. Kindly do it.

Certificate/Transcript? Will they(VO especially) check all of these documents?

Brown2Green:



Kindly contact @wellspring or Texrem ASAP.

You'll be turned back without your Sevis fee receipt.

Thank you. I have a family in the US that can help me pay it today via Western Union but will it reflect before Monday?
Which other documents do I need to take along for the interview?

Davidkking:

But it takes 3 days to reflect tho.....I don't know if Saturday's and Sunday's are included

I have a family that can help me pay it today via Western Union. I don't know if it will reflect before Monday.

Davidkking:

You're supposed to pay a sevis fee with your sevis number apart from your visa fee......$200

How will I pay that please? My interview is on Monday?

fairheart:
If you have another school you are expecting funding from and you're willing to wait, you can pay your SEVIS fee on the AAMU i-20 now as it will be increased to $350 from June 24. So, when you get the i-20 with funding, you can transfer the SEVIS. You can also pay your visa fee, but if you'll be going to the embassy with the funded i-20, you may have to wait until you have the i-20 in hand, at least to be safe. (except you have all the details from the school you will need to schedule an appointment).

As for you recent B1/B2 refusal, well, it is very hard to predict what will happen when next you appear at the embassy for the F1 visa. But something tells me that should you not meet a consular that is understanding or you are unable to articulate yourself, career objectives, etc during the interview, the consular that'll interview you may make decision based in remark left in the system from the previous VO.

As for the last question, you're still going for a degree that is a twin of what you studied before. I like to advice people to make their own decision using available information and personal objective. Now, let's assume I am a consular, and I asked: Why are do you want to study this course? Why do you want to study food science when you already have an MS in food technology?. Seriously, why did you choose food science when you know you just completed an MS in food technology? I am sure you had your reasons, which I'd like you to share. It's your reason I'd like to see and assess--if it's worth it.
For Lagos consulate, you will see date from July 12 to ending of the month. All the dates in August are open.

Hello. Good morning. Please, I need clarifications on the following.

I already have my I-20 and sevis number but I do not understand what people mean when they talk about sevis fee/receipt?


Apart from the I-20, passport and Bank Statement, which other document(s) do I need to take along to the interview?

Thank you so much.

justwise:
Welcome to part 15.


I really have to thank all the contributors for making out time to answer questions here, your contributions are appreciated.

Part 14 is here for reference purposes: https://www.nairaland.com/4672093/general-u.s.a-student-visa-enquiries-part

You can also ask VO question in this thread started to help prospective students https://www.nairaland.com/2991174/u.s-student-visa-f1-m1

Part 11/12 Visa Transcripts. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/vv0a0sfgaysztiq/AADbiS4UG7q57b0qcFPjaPkna?dl=0

F1 visa application link https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/study-exchange/student/

I'm open to more suggestions regarding any useful link to add to this page

Good luck!

Hello. Good morning. Please, I need clarifications on the following.

I already have my I-20 and sevis number but I do not understand what people mean when they talk about sevis fee/receipt?


Apart from the I-20, passport and Bank Statement, which other document(s) do I need to take along to the interview?

Thank you so much.

segunbolawole:
Food science is different from food technology

Hello. Good morning. Please, I need clarifications on the following.

I already have my I-20 and sevis number but I do not understand what people mean when they talk about sevis fee/receipt?


Apart from the I-20, passport and Bank Statement, which other document(s) do I need to take along to the interview?

Thank you so much.

hydeka:





I know the guy.
He was born in America
We spent two years in the same secondary school in Nigeria when his dad sent him and his sister over to have some Nigerian experience.

He knows what he is doing..

What's the name of the secondary school?