₦airaland Forum

hakeemta:
I believe it is 2 x 2 inches (or 51 x 51 mm).

Just visit a good digital passport studio. Tell them you want to take embassy passport. They know the size. It is a little larger than the normal passport.

Evans211:
Visa Approved!!

Profile-
Program: MA Political Science
GPA- 3.28/4
Deficits- $6,677
GRE- 318
School- Texas Tech University (Spring)



I had a very concise interview. Before I proceed into proper details, permit to use this medium to thank Samuel (Sammy like I fondly call), Fortune, Fairheart, Mathew, Francis, Acers family, and a host of others I am yet to mention; these amazing lads gave me the mock interview and confidence (some deadly guts) to face my fears.

Sunday (4th Oct, 2020) is just like every other day where I casually mailed Lagos consulate with a view of booking an expedited appointment with no much expectations. I barely recall sending a mail that Sunday! On Monday morning, I got a mail from lagos consulate slating an appointment by Friday! FRIDAY? that must be a huge joke! How could I possibly pay sevis fee, fill my DS-160 form, get an updated I-20 to spring, going through the hassles of documents printing in just 4 days?! Hell no... I'm skipping this appointment. I was so damn sure about this on Monday but by Tuesday morning, I reflect on my thoughts and realized how golden this opportunity is. I presented my case before these great guys, Samuel and fortune who offered to help with documents printing errands and transcript drafting respectively, while I take care of other tasks.

Wasn't really thinking of the mock interview preparations until Thursday afternoon after arriving at my lodge close to the Lagos consulate at VI. It was a tedious experience filled with funny memories.

Thanks to the virtual mock interview organized by Mathew, Sam, Francis et al where I was given a friendly but yet, rigorous drilling, critiquing my transcripts which helped in boosting my confidence. Studied through the night with an open but yet prayerful mind...


By morning, I headed straight to the consulate; tho a walkable distance but I booked a cab. Upon my arrival, I focused my gaze on the scanty applicants (about 35 in total) contrary to the usual expectations. I shaped my mind and blended with the cue while I await my faith. Waited for about half an hour before the rain started (that's a story for another day). The CGFI official instructed us on the document arrangements while we align on a single line heading straight to the interview unit..............

The VO is in window 9, probably in his mid 30s. A very wonderful and yet witty conversationalist. He denied about 4 applicants ahead of me and issued 3 approvals. I won’t lie, my morale was dampened but I kept a straight face. A lady just ahead of me was literally begging the VO to reconsider his denial and almost not leaving the spot! (In my head I was like, hey pretty! Leave that spot before you annoy the VO.. don’t implicate me pls........)

Here goes my interview with the VO ���


VO: Good morning, pass me your passport and I-20.

Me: I obliged.

VO: What are you going to do in the US ?

me: I am going for a Master’s degree in Political science with Concentration in International Relations and Public Policy, in Texas Tech University, Lubbock.

VO: not a single word from him as he kept typing......(I wasn’t sure if he heard me but I kept my cool).. So who is sponsoring your studies?

Me- Well, I was offered a Graduate teaching assistantships with full tuition waiver and some monthly stipends to help offset my living expenses and my uncle will help with the deficits.

VO: ...keeps typing for a couple of seconds, this time around a bit longer than usual. So what does your uncle do?

Me- He works as a Real estate Developer and owns a wholesale supermarket.

VO: where does he work at?

Me: Lagos

VO: okay. ...keeps typing.... So where did you graduate from ?

Me- The University of Ibadan in May, 2018

VO: Have you ever travelled out of the country ?

Me- No sir, I had no reason to.

VO- Are you married ?

Me- No sir.

VO: What is your program start date?

Me: 04 January, 2021

VO: Oh! You said you graduated from University of Ilorin?

Me: No sir, I graduated from the University of Ibadan.

VO: I see... Okay. I will be approving your Visa. have your reciprocity fee paid at window 23 and make sure you make travel plans not more than 30 days before your program start date.. you will need your I-20 at the POE ...........blah blah blah... I smiled as he utter the golden words!!!

From what I observed, the interview lasted less than 2 minutes! No other documents requested. Financial statement was handy but he never asked.

Congrats Acer's

Matluck:
Congrats to all who got their visas.
please where is the most affordable (and near enough) hotel to book a space for the interview for those traveling from a far location?
also, are all documents to present meant to be colored printed?
does the size (dimensions) of passport photograph matter?

thanks in anticipation

The documents doesn't need to be in colored. Monochrome will suffice. Yes, embassy has a standard photograph size. It is 5inches by 5inches white background photo.
As for hotel you can check Federal Civil service staff hotel at Obalende. You can get Napep from there to the embassy for around N100.Least room is around N9k.

BrTune:
Thanks everyone for your well wishes.

I have had to travel a lot, so I have decent experience in visa interviews. Even though I have never been denied a visa, for some reason I felt jittery and apprehensive about this particular interview, so I understand the anxiety most of you feel, but try to stay calm and focused on your goal. We will all be fine, eventually.

In answer to some of the questions:

Reciprocity fee is 42,900.

I specifically requested my school to send a new I-20 after the dates were changed. I didn't want to, but my brother insisted and said he will pay, so I avoid any issues. since he was paying I ordered a new I-20. Paid FedEx 85bucks.

I did not fill in a new DS-160, the old I-20 and the new I-20 carried all the same info, except start date which changed. But I remember that from the start, I filled in January as my start date. So if your start date is still reflecting September/Aug, please fill a new DS-160.

Try to avoid inconsistency at all costs, a guy was rejected because even though he was given full funding, his I-20 said 50% funding. Review ur I-20 for errors or discrepancy upon receipt.

Try to appear confident and calm

Finally, if you believe in God, PRAY, it works!

Please post all inquiries here, I am unable to access my email atm.

Also, Every single country I ever travelled to, I HAVE ALWAYS DONE EVERYTHING MYSELF AND AVOIDED AGENTS LIKE THE PLAGUE. Read and follow the instructions, if u are applying for F1 you are probably literate and computer savvy.

May the odds forever be in our favour!

Congrats on your approval. Do you mind sharing your Profile:
GPA,GRE,TOEFL/IELTS, any research or publications & your graduate school. Feel free.

Shehuramon:
Good day Nairalanders, I am a part 3 student of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering at ABU, Zaria.
willing to further and complete my Education at US as an international transfer student, looking for admissions at less cost and standard universities in US and as well about to write my Duolingo exam this month. here are my questions;
1- Can i apply as a Transfer student and Freshman at a time in the same university in US but with different email and what's my chance of given admission to either of the programme?
2- What is my chance of given VISA at Embassy as a transfer student mostly especially a 3rd year student here in Nigeria?
3- is age a barrier in US admission ?

proposed Universities:
Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville
Northern Illinois University

am open for advices, suggestions of more cheaper universities and guideline on how to achieve these my dreams.

Why are you interested in only schools in Illinois? Since you are in 3rd year just exercise patience to finish your UG.

HoluwadareY:
This is a transcript from one of my school groups from a guy in India. The lesson here, as people start their interviews next month, is to b as detailed as possible in their transcripts(just like this India guy). Please let us avoid the "i answered" response. Thanks

Visa Interview Experience
Location: Kolkata
Date: 30th September, 2020
Time Slot: 9:00 am
In Time: 8:55 am
Out Time: 9:05 am
Status: Approved

Visa officer: An American lady in her mid 30s
Me: Good Morning Officer

VO: Good Morning. Please use the sanitizer and place your right hand fingers on the Biometrics Scanner
( I did as I was asked)

VO: Please pass me your passport and I-20 ( She simultaneously asked me to remove my facemask for verification )

VO: Why this stream ? ( I am going for MS in Statistics )

Me: Officer I have been working as a Data Analyst for last 5.5 years. I feel like I lack foundational Skills in Statistics which is a core aspect of my job. I am bridging that gap by pursuing this course

VO: What all places have you worked at ?

Me: Officer I started my career as a decision scientist in Mu Sigma based out of Bangalore. After spending 3 years there I switched jobs and I am currently work for a Company named Epsilon registered as Conversant Softwares and Campaign management solutions ( I added the last part so that it might be easier for her to verify that bit of detail if she was doing so in the background )

VO: Very good. How many courses did you apply to?

Me: Officer I applied to 7 courses in total. I got admitted to 3 and rejected in 4

VO: What were your admits ?

Me: Officer I got admitted to the following: University Illinois Urbana Champaign, University of Texas at Dallas, Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago

VO: Great. How are you funding your education ?

Me: Officer I am self funding my education. I have an education loan of around xx USD from Prodigy Finance. I will be supplmenting it with my own saving worth xx USD and my father has agreed to pitch in xx USD ( total amount that I told was close to 1.5 time the amount mentioned in my I-20 )

VO: What are your plans after education ?

Me : Officer I plan to work as a Data Scientist in the Pharma Sector.

VO: Why Pharma Sector ?

Me: Officer with the current situation that is going on I feel that we need a lot of good people working in the Pharma Sector and try to reduce administrative load on our healthcare workers. Also there is a lot of work to be done in optimizing the global supply chain and manufacturing of medicinal drugs

VO: Great. What does your father do ?

Me: He works with the police department of Jharkhand State government

VO: Is he an IPS ?

Me: No officer. He is an Inspector

VO: what is his yearly income ?

Me: His gross salary ranges between xx-xx lakhs INR

VO: Did you show any collateral for the loan ?

Me: No officer I did not have to show any collateral for the loan

VO : Any additional savings that you have ?

Me: officer I have xx lakhs of non liquid assets in terms of Public Provident Fund and xx lakhs worth of immovable property located in my hometown ( I was not audible here, she double checked the number with me. So I had to repeat the second number again)

VO: Great. Will you be traveling anywhere in the next 15 days ?

Me: No officer

VO: Are you aware of the quarantine rules when you arrive in the US ?

Me: Yes officer. I know that I have to quarantine for 14 days on my arrival into the US

VO: Where will you be quarantined ?

Me: Officer I have a friend working in the US. I will be quarantining at his place (this was the same guy I had mentioned in my DS-160 as my POC in the US) .

VO : What does your friend do ?

Me: He is working as a Data Analyst in Capital One

VO: Okay. I am approving your visa. Have a good day

Me: Thanks. Have a good day ahead


(Things which help in F1 Visa Interview:

1) Being very objective and to the point in your answers
2) Know your financial numbers in and out
3) Have a coherent story
4) Do not lie
5) Be confident
6) Greet the officer when you come for the interview and greet him/her before leaving no matter what the result is
)

Well ranked school & close ties sponsor nothing more to learn to get an F1VISA approved in Naija. Infact, this only works for just 2% now. UIUC is an expensive school.

fairheart:
Exactly what I was saying; I see things differently and I have to, because life and things have many colours, and people see these colours from different angle. It is people who idiotically assume that they're better than others that want everybody else to shift their views and bend to them. I think this guy has phychosis and obsessive urge to bully people online, and make fun out of it. A married man who has a healthy social life and mingle with diverse people from different backgrounds would never be comfortable attacking people's views here and there on the internet.

Sure

fairheart:
You're just an ignorant person. I wonder what type of education you recived from the U.S!
That post was almost 2 months old. We have all moved on from it, and I was only clarifying on a subject, and the original commenter did not object. It was brought up by the user who said he needed help. Must you ignorantly object to whatever I write that you did not like? Se won ran e simi ni?

I have warned you several times to avoid me on this thread. We are two different people with different views on certain things. You're nobody to puzzle on my comments, and it is none of my business however you feel. Deal with you idiotic manner! I am not here to please you or share views that matches your own. The same avoidance on posts you were advising me with could have been followed if you're an intelligent person.

You simply never need to mention me or quote me on this thread, never ever. Avoid me, okay? The distance between me and you is as far as the West is from the East. Please stay away from mentioning me. The next time you do it, I am going to use some very strong words on you!

I always look forward to seeing you and TSWood online though you have different perspectives.

passionateyouth:
Hey guys,

I was recently admitted into Washington state university, Vancouver's Ms in electrical engineering program. In the offer letter, they said "assistantship is not available at this time".

Is there anyone currently in the school or anyone that knows how well this school offers GA? I don't know if I can still push them even with what the wrote in the letter. Any help would be appreciated.

What is your profile?

Jubrilawest:
What of those that didn't write GRE because it has been waived because of covid-19?

Irrespective of COVID-19 you should take GRE. You can now do GRE at home.

Istanbul8819:
What do you mean by good sponsor? Yes, I have a sponsor to give me the statement of account to use. For ETSU the only important thing is the CGPA and I have 4.09/5.0 and I have IELTS too 7.5 overall, and GRE 301. I have over 4 years working experience too. I will await your response. Thanks

What's your Quantitative score in GRE and what is your under-graduate degree? Have you been to the US before?

Istanbul8819:
Please if I get a GA at ETSU studying MS Engineering Technology, how much am I to pay once I resume school.

Please anyone who did this in the past should be help a brother. I am begging please

Your deficits depend on your department. To have an idea of the tuition break down you need to send e-mail to the international admission office.

Istanbul8819:
Thanks for your response. So it is safe to proceed to ETSU without having the said amount? Also, I discovered that even with their GA, the amount I will still pay in fees and health insurance is quite steep.

Please which type of funding did they get in EIU. I applied to MS Technology there too and I was told you have to spend a semester before you can get a GA.

No, I have not applied or rejected for F-1 visa before

EIU gave a GA with little deficits this fall.
Since you have not been rejected before you can book for interview with ETSU if you have a good sponsor & can articulate your points well.
Besides, what is your profile?

Istanbul8819:
Engineering Technology. Thanks

ETSU ET dn't give GA until you reach campus.
Once you reach campus you will be offered with ease.
EIU still fund some guys this fall.
Have you been rejected F1 VISA before?

Istanbul8819:
Good day good people,

Please I require help with some decisions. I applied to two schools for master's degree in Technology with a Nigerian CGPA of 4.09/5.0 . Eastern Illinois University and East Tennessee State University. I was given admission by the two school.

For Eastern Illinois University, I wasn't given any funding and the Graduate Coordinator said GA and TA are only given after completing a semester. The total cost for a year is $25,000 plus. $13k plus for Tuition, $2k plus for fees, and $10k plus for living expenses.

For East Tennessee State University (ETSU), I was given a merit scholarship worth $11,500 per year. The total cost is $46k plus. So deducting the $10,500 scholarship I still have a deficit of $35k plus.

ETSU is quite expensive and I was wondering how those who attended the school did it considering a lot of students here have attended the school and a lot recommended it due to their generous funding. I would want to know how they do it or what I am not doing right.

I prefer the Eastern Illinois University though but I don't know how to go about getting funding there to reduce the financial burden considering the difficult time we have now.

Please kindly help me with information and help.

cc
texrem fairheart, lagosismyhome gunther

Which course did you apply to in ETSU?

ekaita:
Please how can one confirm if a school is ranked in the US?

Type then name of the school on google like this:

University of New Haven Ranking

You will get results. Click on that of usnews if the school is unrank you will see unrank if the school is ranked either nationally or regionally you will see the school ranking..

Onyedika11:
University of Notre dame and Montana state University rejected while Tulane placed me on wait list
Profile: 301 for GRE.
GPA: 3.41/4

Which course did you apply to?

electromagnito:
bros, i was desperate in need of a Phd position, so i thought i could obtain the Hongkong fellowship scholarship(lots of money my brother $33,000 per year), but i didnt get it(i was later told nigerians hardly obtain it) now i am in tight corner

It means you applied for it because you feel it is lucrative. Wait for decisions from your other schools.

electromagnito:
guy i need advice, i just recently got a phd offer in hongkong but i still await decision from clemson university, and two schools in germany... here is my fear, my supervisor in hongkong has done alot to secure all possible fund for me, what should i do if i get admitted by clemson or the two germasn university... note i am in france and i feel hongkong is backward for me

I have to be blunt: If you feel hongkong is backward for you then why did you apply to hongkong in the first place?

Musbeni:
thanks boss, I will make amendment

Ok.Good-luck

Your Transcripts is good but you are talking too much.
What is your plan after study?
You want to lecture in your Alma Mata and be consultants to some *companies*. Which companies?
Know the break down of the GRE score and the date you took the test.

You may be asked what did you write in your SOP?
If you have mentioned full ride funding from USC earlier the VO may not ask who is funding your study again.

Only say one: either btech or Bsc. It shows you know what you are saying.

Musbeni:
Please people help me to criticize my proposed visa transcript

1 VO: What is your study plan/ what are you going for in the USA
Me: I am going to USA for doctoral degree in chemistry at the university of south Carolina. The program is expected to run for 5years and I will be offering 60hours in total. 15 hours in first year.
2 VO: What are the courses you will be offering
Me: CHM 711, CHM 703, CHM 752, CHM 735
3 VO: How did you hear about the school
Me: I search for schools that match my interest through educational sites especially usnews.com and UofSC came up as one of the best. This prompt me to go to their site to get more information about them by checking their requirements, the current research going on there. Having satisfied with what I saw, I decided to apply.
4 VO: How many school did you apply to.
Me: 3
5 VO: name them
Me: university of south Carolina, Louisiana state university and University of Idaho.
6 VO: how many admit you
Me: 2
7 VO: why did you chose USC
Me: I chose USC because the school give me full funding; TA, tuition waiver and generous stipends. Also research of one faculty member there prof..... aligned intimately with my research interest in environmental chemistry. My undergraduate project was on preparation and characterization of locust been pud as an adsorbent for removal of dye and heavy metal from industrial effluent.
8 VO: what us your highest qualification
Me: B.tech/ B.sc
9 VO: so you are going straight to PhD
Me: yes
10 VO: Who is funding your study
Me: the program is fully funded by my department with tuition waiver, TA and generous stipends
11 VO: how did you get this funding
Me: admission committee took a holistic review of my application file which included my UG GPA, test scores, statement of purpose and find me qualified to receive a TA.
12 VO: did you do any test
Me: yes, GRE and TOEFL
13 VO: what is your GRE score
Me: 307
14 VO: are you married
Me: no but engaged
15 VO: is she coming with you
Me: no
16 VO: what is your plan after study
Me: I plan to come back to Nigeria to take up a job as a lecturer in my alma mata and also serve as a consultant to some companies
17 VO: when did you finished your b.sc
Me: 2015
18 VO: what have you been doing
Me: I went for my nysc in 2017 and take up a role as a chemistry teacher in a private secondary school in 2018, after which I move to another school in 2019
19 VO: who is an environmental chemist
Me: an environmental chemist is a chemist that make use of analytical instruments to determine the presence of hazardous chemical in environment and provide solution for its eradication.



cc pefuele, faurheart, Lagos is my home

Musbeni:
Please good people, help me to criticize my transcript
1 VO: What is your study plan/ what are you going for in the USA
Me: I am going to USA for doctoral degree in chemistry at the university of south Carolina. The program is expected to run for 5years and I will be offering 60hours in total. 15 hours in first year.
2 VO: What are the courses you will be offering
Me: CHM 711, CHM 703, CHM 752, CHM 735
3 VO: How did you hear about the school
Me: A friend of mine who is a student of the school recommended the school to me. This prompt me to go to their site to get more information about them by checking their requirements, the current research going on there. Having satisfied with what I saw, I decided to apply.
4 VO: How many school did you apply to.
Me: 3
5 VO: name them
Me: university of south Carolina, Louisiana state university and University of Idaho.
6 VO: how many admit you
Me: 2
7 VO: why did you chose USC
Me: I chose USC because the research of one faculty member there prof..... aligned intimately with my research interest in environmental chemistry. My undergraduate project was on preparation and characterization of locust been pud as an adsorbent for removal of dye and heavy metal from industrial effluent.
8 VO: what us your highest qualification
Me: B.tech/ B.sc
9 VO: so you are going straight to PhD
Me: yes
10 VO: Who is funding your study
Me: the program is fully funded by my department with tuition waiver, TA and generous stipends
11 VO: how did you get this funding
Me: due to the quality of the documents that I submitted; my undergraduate cgpa, my GRE score and my statement of purpose
12 VO: did you do any test
Me: yes, GRE and TOEFL
13 VO: what is your GRE score
Me: 307
14 VO: are you married
Me: no but engaged
15 VO: is she coming with you
Me: no
16 VO: what is your plan after study
Me: I plan to come back to Nigeria to take up a job as a lecturer in my alma mata and also serve as a consultant to some companies
17 VO: when did you finished your b.sc
Me: 2015
18 VO: what have you been doing
Me: I went for my nysc in 2017 and take up a role as a chemistry teacher in a private secondary school in 2018, after which I move to another school in 2019
19 VO: who is an environmental chemist
Me: an environmental chemist is a chemist that make use of analytical instruments to determine the presence of hazardous chemical in environment and provide solution for its eradication.

If you have an Assistantanship mention it as why you chose the school.

Deegayes:
I just got my visa approved about 30 minutes ago . Thanks to everyone who took their time to post on this thread , it helped prepare me for the likely questions.
However, I made sure to not read people’s answers because I wanted my own responses to be unique .

Thank you so much once again.
It was my first time
No travel history
No funding
Only applied to one school

Congrats. Which university? Is that your first attempt?

Please who has idea of how much ECE evaluation is?

Predstan:
ETSU doesnt give GA until you resume for studies. You will a GA position only when you are on ground.

Not all departments in ETSU

Paragontek:
My passport will be expiring in May, 2021. Do I need to renew it before going for visa interview?

You can use it to book for interview for fall2020.

legionnaire:
Please I have a First Class in Computer Engineering and IELTS academic score of 8.0.

Are there US schools that offer generous funding for someone like me?

Please your suggestions are highly appreciated.

Please try take GRE and ace it. It will help you a lot.

madamL:
Well done everyone and I appreciate the great work you're all doing.
I read a lot about VOs and the embassy asking about strong ties to Nigeria. What happens in a situation where a girl is single, in her late twenties and about to go for a Master's program. She has been given admission, a great assistantship, a very good monthly stipend and a full tuition waiver. Will her single status count much?

If she is working her job can be a strong home tie. She can send me a PM so that I can have a better picture of her profile.