₦airaland Forum

1newnairalander:
The Governing Council of the Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, has approved the downward review of tuition for postgraduate programmes of the institution at its 60th statutory meeting held recently in order to strengthen its research base and also to join the league of universities that are contributing to both global and national manpower development.

According to the circular signed by Mr Olukayode Akindele, Registrar and Secretary to the Council,’’ the doctoral candidates are to pay the sum of N920,000 for the three-year period of the course while each additional year will attract a fee of N150,000.

The Council also declared all the academic postgraduate degrees of masters of arts and sciences’ as tuition-free. The masters’ students are only to pay the sum of N270,000 under administrative, medical and other sundry expenses in the first year while the second year will attract a fee of N110,000.

Prior to the waiver/resuction, PG students paid about N700,000 for the MSc and MA programmes while PhD students paid almost N2million.

The postgraduate diploma programmes’ students are to pay the sum of N310,000 for a year period of their programmes.

reigningme:
Pls is there going to be a need for a negative covid-19 test upon departure from naija. Is it Nigeria federal government requirements. Pls help check this https://nitp.ncdc.gov.ng/ Thank you

adesco2k9:
What can one say to boost the home ties , if not married

Philadelphia:
Hello everyone,
My kid sister just called and said she was denied. I’m trying to console her but she wants to apply again.

She is to resume sometime in the 3rd week of January 2021.

Can I book another date for her before then?

Please what do I do and how do I go about it?

She hasn’t eaten breakfast and has refused to eat since then.

Tevext:
Please I need an advice. I'm new here.. I graduated with a CGPA of 3.56. in Accounting education. I need an advice maybe I can do management course as my MSC program in US. University

Pjomo:
Appointment was 7am

Me: Goodmorning
VO: why USA
Me: Answered
VO: Why NCAT
Me: Answered
VO: what research
Me: Answered But seems she wasn’t impressed, (VO cuts in)
VO: Are you married
Me: Answered
VO: I’m sorry you are not qualified bla bla bla, and she gave me a white paper

As I was going out of the building past the security men, the CGI guy came to call me back
CGI: (running fast) Mr Pjomo Mr Pjomo, the VO is calling you
Me: calling me?. She just denied me. I replied
CGI: yeah she told me to call you back
Me: Look, I’m not here to beg for visa, if US doesn’t grant me, another country will
CGI: we are sorry sir, just obey her call
Me: Okay. (I obliged)

Back to the main building
Same VO: I was only joking with you , I just wanna see your reaction
Me: I thought as much as my answers were amazing and I spoke audibly
VO: (utter the sweet words) I will be approving your visa. Pick it up on bla bla and proceed to pay the reciprocity fee.

It can only be God. Thanks to fairheart, julsbaby, slimmy2005, lagosismyhome, imperiouxxx., walspring, justwise, holuwadarey ftos. You guys are the best! I owe you alot

Loloking:
My God I am so sad. How do you deny someone just because you feel like it without asking any important questions. That’s why It’s more painful. If it was my mistake I won’t feel this bad about it honestly. Like I wished I use the I want to use the loo and avoided this VO. This hurts

HisEminence:
F2 visa approved
Location: Abuja
Date: 9th of November 2020.

I got to the Consular at some minutes to 7am. I remembered I needed to print a last minute document. After so much bargaining, I paid 10k instantly. Wasn't happy about it but we move anyways.

I approached the entrance and was directed in. I was the fifth person when I entered the building, all F1, except me (F2)

So we were called in, in 3s. So to the interview proper. When I entered the first person on the line was already paying her Reciprocity fee. Every other applicant before me too were granted visa.

Only one VO was attending to us, but he seemed very calm and friendly.
Fast forward to my interview.

VO: Good morning sir.
Me: Good morning.
VO: pass me your passport and i-20 please..
Me: (hands them over)
VO: (on seeing my i-20) wow, your wife is in the U.S
Me: Yes, she is.
VO: What is she studying?
Me: (stammers a bit) She's studying chemistry at Copping state university, Baltimore, Maryland.
I didn't like that how that sounded, so I had to tell me that I stammer at times like this.

VO: (Nods) No problems, just take your time
Me: (in my mind, I was like.... Oshey padi mi. Afolabi, calm down, you gat this)

All this while, I noticed someone else behind him listening to both of us. And he has been there when those before me were interviewed.

Then the VO switched of his mic and turned to start talking with the other guy. Pointing at the system, passport and my i-20 as he's discussing. And the other guy kept nodding and looking at the system as the VO was talking. This lasted for about a minute.

Then VO faces me again.

VO: When did she travel?
Me: 31st of December 2019
VO: Why didn't you travel with her?
Me: I was overseeing a project at the office. I work with the Lagos state government. (I motioned to bring out my staff ID card.)
VO: No need. What do you do?
Me: I am a system administrator and an I.T support officer.

VO turns again and starts discussing with the guy again. This lasted for about 30 seconds

VO faces me again.

VO: Do you have any kids.
Me: Yes, she gave birth to our baby there in the US, just before the lockdown
VO: Oh, Male or Female?
Me: Female
VO: Has she come back to Nigeria since she had the baby?
Me: No, she hasn't
VO: Why are you just applying?
Me: I applied earlier in march, and I got May as my interview date, but it didn't hold.
VO: Were you denied?
Me: No. The appointment was cancelled.
VO: Oh, okay
VO: How did you meet your wife?
Me: I met her through a mutual friend. We met and we liked eachother.
VO: How did they know eachother.
Me: They attended the same school.
VO: When did you meet her?
Me: 2018
VO: when did you get married?
Me: Traditionally and according to Islamic rights, February 2019. And then we proceeded to the registry in Ikoyi, Lagos, in December, to make it official.
VO: Nods
VO: Have you travelled out of the country before?
Me: Yes, I have. We travelled to the UAE together.
VO: How long did you spend there?
Me: About a week.
VO: Like a honeymoon right?
Me: Yes.
VO: Have you been to the US before?
Me: No, not at all


VO turns to his guy again. The discussion again lasted for another 30 seconds.
In my mind, I was like.... my fate is being decided now.
He then faces me again.

VO: (Looks at my i-20 and sees my wife's school fees on it) who is paying your wife's fees?
Me: Her dad.
VO: What does he do?
Me: He's a businessman in the oil and gas sector. He's a CEO of Crowns oil. Also he's a high chief of the Oba of Ikoyi in Lagos.
VO: (Nods) Oh, okay. Makes sense
VO: What does your dad do?
Me: My dad is late, but before he died he was a retired Airforce officer.
VO: Nods. Your application looks okay at this point. Take this white paper, go to the cashier to pay your reciprocity fee, bla bla bla
Me: I was already shinning teeth under my nose mask.

I paid my fee. Went back to the VO to drop the passport and I zoomed out. Got out and I told the others sitting outside all the best.



Tips
1. After God, na God ooo. Nothing else
2. Please make sure you print every document before coming for your interview, those guys outside no get joy. Dem go bill you die
3. Make sure you hold money on that day. Any last minute thing might come up to print. There's no such thing as too much documents ooo
4. Be as confident as possible. Be calm. Dont speak too much, but make sure your answers cover the questions asked.

Big shout out to everyone who has impacted on us all. All the best to all applicants.

We move!!!

jayzen:
VISA APPROVED
30th October, 2020
Lagos consulate
Window 9.

So it went thus:

VO: Good morning, pass your documents(I was trying to separate my i20 from other documents the biometrics peeps folded with it but he said I should pass all, so I did). Are you nervous?

ME: ( I didn't know what to answer that will suit him so I just smiled . I was actually nervous)

VO: There's no need to be nervous, we're just gonna have a conversation, OK?

ME: OK.

VO: Why are you going to WIU?

ME: I'm going for my master's degree in(cuts me off)

VO: Tell me why you're going to WIU, not some memorised lines

ME: (I think I flustered for words here cos I didn't know what he wants to hear) The school offered me a full graduate assistantship that covers (cuts in again)

VO: Are you going to WIU because they're going to fund you? OK listen, if someone walks up to you and says “why do you want to go to this school, what would you say?

ME: OK. I'm going there because the RPTA program will offer me a GIS certification along with my degree and.... cuts in

VO: What's GIS?

ME: it's geographic information system

VO: What's it used for?

ME: It's used for collecting and analyzing spatial data in...

VO: Why do you want to study GIS?

ME : I'm not going to study GIS, it's just a certification that comes with the program

VO: I know, but why do you need it .

ME: It's important in natural resource management and that's the concentration I'm going for(He nodded)

VO: Who'll be sponsoring you?

ME : I received a graduate assistantship that covers my tuition and offers monthly stipends, the deficit will be taken care of by my uncle

VO : What does he do?

ME : He's a medical doctor in the UK

VO: Have you traveled out of the country before?

ME : Never had any reason to

VO : Are you married? I said no
Do you have kids? I said no

He types briefly and said he'll be issuing my visa and to keep my i20 safe, pay my reciprocity fee.... Then I left.

Suggestions from my experience :
1. Don't try to avoid any VO, have an open mind and be ready for anyone you're sent to otherwise you'll be disorganized and disoriented within your first few seconds. This happened to me. I was hoping not to be interviewed by that VO. He was a big time driller.

2. Sometimes, your proposed response might not be what a particular VO wants to hear. So, have something else up your sleeve, something genuine and convincing.

3. Prepare, pray and focus.

4. It's OK to be nervous, but get over it fast so that the brain can think.

Fairheart and Texrem, you both deserve a special mention here, words will fail me if I wanted to detail how helpful you both have been. Thank you so much. It's amazing how you two can switch from a friendly conversational tone to a strict VO mode

@Omomayelekasi, sincerely, you're an angel in human body . Thanks for all your help and support, the motivation, the subtle chastising. You deserve the best of life.

Thank you all nairalanders, I learnt from every one of your posts. Thank you Vincent, I don't take you for granted at all. God bless you for all the little things you did that now means so much.

Success to the rest of you guys
And congratulations in advance!!

Kofo4269:
There are interviews going on in Abuja. I have one slated for tomorrow. I’ll give update when I’m done.

Kateyy:
VO ; Good morning
Me: Good morning

v.o where are you going to?
me I am going to ... uni located at .... to pursue grad studies in .....

v.o why did you choose this school
me:Apartfrom being a nationally ranked uni, I contacted the office of the international student council to learn about the school and I got a warm reception, there’s a good blend of cultural diversity n d wheather condition is quite conducive. I reached out to 2 professors and the work of .... fascinated me and alights with my career aspirations

v.o who’s funding ur education?
me: my parents

v.o Wat does ur father do:
me: he’s a civil servant and runs his own buisness

v.o : tell me things bout your course
me: I fumbled a bit n continued

v. o sorry u r not qualified for this visa

Mosminic:
Visa Approved today at Lagos Consulate. Thanks to everyone on this platform. This is the best thread on Nairaland!!!

Window 13 (Not sure), Walter Carrington.

Interview date: 6th November, 2020. Time was 7am got there around 6am and met a queue on ground already

Me: Good morning Sir

VO: Pass me your documents

VO: What are going to do in the US

Me: I'm going for my graduate study at the University of Kentucky.

VO: Why University of Kentucky?

Me: Asides the fact that I was granted a fully funded admission scholarship, the graduate admissions Committee also chose me to receive a highly competitive supplemental funding in recognition of past academic achievements

VO: What was your undergraduate study major?

Me: Chemistry

VO: Which University?

Me: University of Lagos.

VO: What is Entropy?

Me: It's the state of disorderliness of a system.

VO: Why is it important?

Me: It shows how spontaneous a particular reaction can be.

I intend approving your visa, take this white paper and go pay your reciprocity fee in Window 22.

VO: Do you like Basketball?

Me: Yes (With a big smile because I knew it'll come up as UKY has the most successful college Basketball team in the US).

VO: You'll enjoy University of Kentucky.

Special thanks to Mr Fairheart (you're super amazing), Dre (best human ever), Mr Damola of UKy, Abeeb (Grad School hustle partner), all my UKY connects (Oge, Tosin, Great, Kenny, Michael, Kenny, Mr Austin and Prof Victor).

ADVICE: Just be as confident as you can be and respond to all questions as brief and comprehensive as possible. Also SMILE!

Bellaluve:
Same here. I picked that date. Now I'm trying to request for emergency interview.

Please, the i-120 form they are asking for the emergency request, must I sign it first?

Africa1414:
Interview Date: 30th October

VISA APPROVED!

Me - Good morning
V:O - Good morning

V:O - place your hand on the scanner
Me - I did

V.O - Take off your nose mask for minute for identification
Me - I did

V.O - Where are you going to?
Me - I am going to the University of Illinois in Springfield to pursue a masters degree in Environmental Science, with concentration in Environmental Planning and management.

V.O - Why did you pick this school?
Me - The University of Illinois offers a unique concentration in Environmental studies which is the Environmental planning and management course which aligns with my academic and research interest.. (cuts in)

V.O - Your research, what is your research interest? (I was almost lost because this wasn’t in the proposed transcript I prepared, and I didn’t prepare for this question since my program was course based)
Me - Environmental protection, policy and environmental laws (I just said the next that came to my head at that time, but was in line with my interests)

V.O - Tell me about this your research interest. (I didn’t prepare for this question, so I just started to talk about my course instead)

Me - (He stopped typing and started to look into my eyes this time, he was trying to put me off but I looked back into eyes while being tensed)
Environmental protection and policy involves the process of evaluating the social, economical and political factors that affects the environment when considering development. The aim of this is to come up with a win-win situation for the society and the environment, and in this win-win situation, the society wins by... (cuts in)

V.O - What school did finish from?
Me - I finished from the University of Lagos with a BSC in Marine Biology.

V.O - What did you study?
Me - Marine Biology (I talked louder this time, cause i think he did not hear me the first time)

V.O - When did you graduate?
Me- I graduated in 2019, Jan 2019

V.O - Who is sponsoring you?
Me - I got a Graduate Assistantship and... (I forgot to add spring semester as that was how it was stated in my I-20, so I started again)
I got a Graduate Assistantship for the Spring semester which comes with a tuition waiver and monthly stipend, and my father would be supporting me with
the rest.


V.O - What does your father do?
Me - He is a Real estate developer.

V.O - Why did you get a Graduate Assistantship for Spring only?
Me - The Spring semester marks the end of a fiscal year and a session. New GA contracts can only be issued at the beginning of a new session or fiscal year, provided I retain my GA position.

V.O - He nods..
(He types for a while..)

V.O - Have you ever travelled out of Nigeria before?
Me - No, I’ve not

V.O - Are you married?
Me - No, I’m not

V.O - Do you have Children?
Me - No, I don’t have kids

V.O - What does your father do again?
Me - He is a Real estate developer.

(I had my dad’s statement of account, but he didn’t ask, so I didn’t offer to show him)

V.O - I intend to issue your visa, says all the pay the reciprocity fee and keep your I-20 well...Good luck.
Me - okay thanks

THINGS I NOTICED.

-The questions can come in any format and they’ll come from the answers you give too, so be over-prepared and know how to wing your way with the answers you have in your head or what you have prepared.

-Like two of the guys that got denied there, from what I heard, were asked if they’ve traveled out Nigeria, they started to say they’ve been to Ondo state, Ogun state, I’ve been to about 22 states in Nigeria. Please answer according to what you filled in your DS-160.

-Read details in your I-20 & DS-160 well. There should be no conflicting details in them to your answers.

God bless everyone who posted their transcripts, experiences and advise here, I learnt a lot. God’s Grace be with everyone.

adelawry:
Print out the mail for the emergency appointment and go with it for your interview. You don’t have to cancel the old appointment. I think it makes no difference though. Cos lots of people didn’t get appointment at all and was sent email for emergency? Good luck

Comique:
I also dey reason am.... I can I keep my phone. ?? Since phones are not allowed

Hollyholy:
Hi guys.

I just completed ICAN professional examinations and my membership induction is in December while my interview is this month.
Should I state that I have ICAN in my ds 160 application, will this be an added advantage or lead to more questions?

I am going to the US for Masters in Accounting and Information Systems.

jhidey08:
I just got February 3rd now, the date just keeps changing. I’ve picked it and requested for an emergency appointment though.

opexy89:
True. I think people just try to build reasons around ones story especially when it's not approval. An approved visa does not mean the person has no flag. There are a lot of factors that do play in this thing, people shouldn't forget that.

HoluwadareY:
Sorry for your delayed visa.

In addition to what alot of people have said, I have the following to contribute:

1. In the question, "where are you going to", i think your response of " University of Illinois" is incomplete and that is what necessitated the follow up question of "What are you studying" . Usually people answer the question as " I am going to the US for my MSc in ABC at the University of Illinois XYZ with concentration in MNO". That will prevent all the other follow up questions in that regard.

Also, your answer didnt say which of the University of Illinois, is it UIUC or UIC or UIS...That specificity needs to be spelt out.

2. You didnt personalize your responses, for e.g What are you studying "Masters in Finance" can be better answered with " I will be studying Finance at the MSc level"...answering the first question of "where you are going well will save you this stress altogether.

3. People already mentioned alot about the reasons you gave for why you chose the school. My advise for you is to articulate 3 reasons why you chose the school in the order : Research and how it aligns with your interest , coursework and how it fits to your expectation for a grad school, Scholarship (if any) , strength of program ( or reputation or ranking) in the country , others (if there is enough time)

Please try again and have mock interviews with @fairheart if possible.

Btw, which of the University of Illinois are you going to

All the best

sonofakin:
In your next interview, best keep ignore the internship part. If you must, it is better put this way: "the school provides an opportunity to gain practical experience through a ........internship.....

dipdat123:
I had visa denied on the 20th at the Lagos embassy and immediately rescheduled for Abuja and got a date for December 14th. I was wondering if you I could email them about getting an earlier date since my program start date is January 4th.

Buksss:
Like I said all cases are different, I was just pointing out to somebody who replied and said saying internship is a red flag, because it has worked for a lot of people that I know personally. All fingers are not equal and what worked for me might not work for him/her . Besides from the look of things I think this person just posted a summary of the transcript . The answers seemed a bit dry but you posted some important points I hope they can learn from

fairheart:
What is the cost of attendance for this program?
Like others have said, one cannot really know all the reasons a visa was refused, although some applicants' cases are obvious and can be perceived if they articulate how the interview went. The current embassu section, I think, is not willing to put any applicants on "administrative processing." At least, so far, I haven't seen anyone placed on AP for bank statement verification. What does this mean? During the short period of interview, VO assess whether your tuition is too high (unreasonable for some programs, and if no scholarship or GA) or "affordable" (VO might feel this cost is not bad for this degree).
I want to say that these consulars look at things and make judgement--based on applicants' program COA, program, age, background, and chiefly, response to interview questions. This is why I always emphasise on not selecting a very expensive school if GA or scholarship will not be available. This is my opinion; I am not a VO!

Likewise, one of the things I make sure applicants don't do during mock interview is start a response to questions, such as why this school the way you did. Where is personalisation and talking like a student that you are? "I chose the University of Illinois because..."

@Buksss. You said you and your roommates said the same thing Peacock1234 said to Why this school, and you all got approved? When did you get your visa? Did he really need to say the same thing?

If I were to say something about his response to why that school, I would tell you it didn't go well. He simply left off benefit of courses, research interest, working with a faculty member, and then straight to internship--the last reason there can be? Internship is available in Nigeria too. Is this the only reason a student would want to go to the US to spend $30-something thousand (I assume this is your COA). MSF at the University of Illinois has some very hot concentrations, but you did not talk about that. I think the VO was not convinced that you're a credible student, hence your refusal. A few things work together to earn that credibility during the short interview.
Situation changes, so you can still get your visa.

prosper388:
I don't think this transcript is complete. I feel there are other things you didn't include.
Once a VO asks who's sponsoring and you state the person, the next question is what does the person do? That question is always a must and that's the part VO denies visas a lot.

Ftos:
Why don't you want to book Lagos?

Ftos:
Why don't you want to book Lagos?

electromagnito:
very poor bro, there's a lot of flag here,
1. You have not travelled out before, you have to convince the VO you really want to study and not abscond but your reply to why did you pick the school look so weak.

2. You are working and your dad is sponsoring you, at least try to have some cash in your own account abs then tell him you have saved for a while but your dad will be complimenting the rest.

3. Seem over-confidence play key key, why do I feel you were not humble talking to the VO, you were 100% sure he will give it to you because of your dad statement of account, yo its not your account but your dad..... Work on this and go back to take your visa. Best.

zeeLady:
Email Abuja embassy and explain it to them. They will respond.

LagosismyHome:
Dont like your reason for choosing that school..... for a MSC Finance person it doesnt come out strong response.although I cant explain it more than this