₦airaland Forum

fairheart:
You have been enveloped by your dream, but tip the flap and try to look outside so you can see your realities.
Having a dream is not really hard, paying the price is. In my 20s, I learnt that if you want to help anyone who want to pursue their dreams, ask them what they have committed first. You know, what have they done for themself towards this dream? I can support one way or the other, but how far have you gone in supporting yourself to achieve this dream?
Let me guess you're from the grassroots. Life is very, very hard for youths who have beautiful dreams from this social class. But you have to look at the realities, so that you will be guided and not miss out.

Now, read this carefully. Getting admissions in the US entails many things: morale, consistent finance, academic soundness, focus to finish what you start. The financial aspect is the reality I want you step out of your dream to assess. As an undergraduate student, you have to apply to 2-3 schools at least, especially since you need full-ride scholarship and you don't have 100% assurance that if you apply to only one school, it will offer you that. Hence, 2-3 school is the best.

We'll use $/N400 for the calculation below.
Let us say each school application fee cost $40 X 3= $120 (N48, 000). SAT=N50, 000
Let us assume you manage resources and apply to schools that only ask for WAEC scratch card for admission. So, no WES or ECE.
Let us assume admission then came for fall 2021. SEVIS FEE = $350 (N140, 000); Visa fee =N70, 000
(God forbid that you're refused once, you will need another visa fee).
Let us say you need flight ticket in the fall, which would cost approximately N300K to 350K.
TOTAL: N608, 000

That's more than half of a million Naira. This is the reality I want you to partially remove the veil of your dream to see.
My dear, how do you plan to raise this money? How much can we give to support you from here? If you need moral and professional support, from the scratch to the end, I'm in for you. I will even try to support you with application fee, and get you people you can stay with in the States if your school is around them, for free. If someone here help you with 50K SAT fee, how will you get the 558K to run this race successfully?
If I were your mentor, these are the questions I'd ask you.

Now, sit down quietly and think. What can you do? How much can you raise? Who can you ask to help? Anybody in the family? If none, as that may be the reason you come here to ask for support, please focus on studying in Nigeria.

Nigeria is a wicked country and its entire system has been made hostile and shaped by difficult hands against children of the poor at the grassroots. It is what it is! But you have to fight for your dreams anyway. How you fight for this dream is now left for you to device...
You can study in the US, but it seems the best time for that is not now. Maybe Master's is ideal.
Got your request for DM. We will talk better.

Hi good morning sir, I've sent my credentials via email, to be reviewed to show it's authentic.

Thanks ❣️

Friedpotato:
Yes yes yes we know the advantages of studying in the US that is why we are here in the first place.

Personally from my experience. I would say don't give up. Take the SAT first. The person that advises you above, advised you according to his experience. Not to contradict all the truth he said but i've seen
a different experience. I know people that had nothing but got full ride. One got into Minerva with 70k+/year scholarship and Minerva called the US embassy to put him on the opportunity funds program after the deadline of application has passed. One got full ride to Franklin and Marshall, another to Rochester, another to Fisk.

Anything can happen, Just take the SAT first. If you get a full ride, good. If you don't get, then you'd continue here.

Ok thanks

Mosminic:
I must say your determination is really contagious and remarkable. I wish you the very best in your future endeavors. It is indeed bright

Thanks ❣️ i really appreciate, I also wish y'all the very best things of life

Geewin69:
Wish you all the best bro.

You will make it!

Thanks ❣️ i really appreciate

Geewin69:
Hello, brother.

I sincerely admire your dogged determination and desire to get the best education in the US. I also sincerely pray it works out according to your desires. However, I also wish your seemingly fierce drive was based on both passion and reality.

Some people here have been so good to give you a balanced reality check, yet your passion prevails still. It's amazing.

Well, what I think is this: a lot of your hopes and aspirations are based on what you expect from people: this one promised you, that one assured you, this one will do this for you, etc. Can you afford to bank on just promises for a mission as critical as UG study in the US?

Even if these promises and assurances are secure on paper, things can change quickly. COVID showed us this. Jobs have been lost, businesses have crumbled and those that are still standing are in damage-control mode.

Can you afford to risk losing a national scholarship for your desires, without knowing how and where you'd land on the other side? Besides, if you're as good as you say you are, then you can actually finish your studies on a high (via the local scholarship offer) and win a fully-funded masters scholarship anywhere in the world.

Man, Nigeria is many crazy things but still there are a few local schools that can set you up for an amazing career in your field. Many people here who are in the US presently did their UG studies in Nigeria and they're cool. They didn't die, they didn't fail in their careers, and they're living their dreams.

I really wish you had something more concrete on ground, other than a wish list. Nonetheless, I sincerely do hope this happens for you in the end. MasterCard Foundation, Schwarzman Scholars, CSC and a couple of organizations have scholarships for UG students that you could look into. With your credentials, you should scale through.

All the best!

Thanks ❣️ I believe live is all about taking risks, and I'm ready to take the risk and explore the world of opportunities.
I'm also looking forward to start my tech company, as a college start up the future "spaceX or Amazon with funds from either the lemelson program, MIT solve or MIT sandbox! As u can see they're tonnes of opportunities open unlike this place where u have to post a crazy video so u can win just 1million naira from DJ Cuppy.

bigfrancis21:
Hello, I haven't been here in a while but just scrolled recently and came across this post. From your post, you strike me as an intelligent person and I decided to reply you and offer you an honest and straightforward recommendation (people who know me know that I can be very honest and detailed with the truth). I also write this from personal experience with bringing my younger brother and cousin over after their secondary school and the hoops and battles that we had to go through during their first two years here. Thankfully, they both are now permanent residents, in their third year studying Information Systems and go to school at no cost to them/no student loans (FAFSA grants).

The most pertinent question you need be asking yourself is, how do I intend to sponsor my studies here? Look, bachelor's studies here can be VERY VERY expensive for international students (who are charged at twice the rate citizens and PRs pay) and on-campus work which pays peanuts CANNOT pay your school fees. Schools here barely offer full funding or scholarships for undergraduate studies anymore, even with high SAT scores, which you chose to skip writing (gone are those days in the 70s and 80s when a high SAT score meant automatic educational funding in the US). So-called $1k or $5k grants per year offered by some schools won't cut it. Without SAT scores, your WAEC result alone will hardly get you substantial funding. You are talking about at least $5k per semester/(N2m per semester (this is community college rate, universities even charge more to the tune of $6k and higher). Then, you also need to have your accommodation plans in place for at least one year (if any family members will accommodate you for a while until you are able to afford getting your own place). On-campus work (which limits F1 students to 20 hours max) CAN MAYBE afford your living expenses (housing, feeding, transportation etc), nothing more. Totally, forget any hopes or dreams of a family member living here to 'pay your school fees' as we do in Nigeria. Undergraduate tuition of most college kids here is paid mostly via student loans. Only rich folks here pay tuition for their children.

Also know that if you choose to skip taking the SAT and you get admitted, obtain your visa and somehow have the funds to study here, be aware that you will be required to take placement tests by the university/college to test your readiness for college and in most cases you might be required to spend your first semester or even two (at N2m per semester or N4m per annum) taking ESL classes (English as a second language) or/and College Prep Math classes before taking your supposed first semester classes. However, having a good SAT score exempts you from these preparatory classes and you would go straight to college level classes. Skipping the SAT test which costs less than N30,000 or so, only to end up paying N2m instead for an extra semester which could be avoided by taking the SAT test? Saving N30k to pay N2m instead? Is this what you really want to do? I'm writing from experience with my younger brother and cousin who took the SAT but had average scores and were required to spend their first semester taking ESL and Development math classes (their WAEC results are just the same as yours, both got B2 in WAEC English).

My honest suggestion to you would be to suspend any US study dreams for now and finish up your Bsc in Nigeria first and come in for your master's instead. It is much easier to fund your graduate studies here (graduate assistantships, Prodigy student loan for grad studies for select courses and universities) etc vs bachelors. Lucky you, you have a scholarship from the LSG to enable you fund your bachelor's studies in Nigeria.

This is not to discourage you and I am only being realistic here. You remind me of my younger years. Right when I was 16 and in my first year in the university (UNN), I nursed plans of quitting my studies in Nigeria furthering my studies here in the US. I was prepared to take the SAT exam, downloaded some study materials and found some schools. Excited by my hopes, I called my father and relayed my plans to him and needed to register for the SAT, but he dealt me a very realistic blow. He flatly rejected my suggestion and advised me to finish my UG studies and aim for MS in the US instead. I, till today, have not forgotten that call I made to my father. Having studied in the US himself (on automatic federal government scholarship due to having high scores) back in the 70s, he relayed to me exactly these same concerns. I was mad for days. Looking back now, that was the best advice that he gave me. I took his advice, finished my UG with 2.1 came in here right after my NYSC.

My two cents.

Thanks ❣️ Sir, I totally understand you but my mind is made up, and besides I've got plan B, one of
the main reasons of me wanting to study in the US is to explore the field of robotics.
The interdisciplinary programs offered by US universities meets my needs, I'll design my curriculum to consist of 60% mechanical engineering, and 40% robotics.

I met students studying mechatronics here in Nigeria, I asked the how it is taught, all their response was pratical sessions are nothing to write home about, so tell me who would like waste 4 yrs studying without being able to build a functional robot, just only to code and program. Solve calculus learn CAD but no avenue to utilse your skills.
Absolute waste of time and resources!!!

Friedpotato:
with everything you wrote here. One of these persons or organizations you work it or have done something with. None of them can give you 35K for SAT?

I'm glad Mr fairheart is looking to help out but alternatively, also look at the opportunities you wrote above.

Send an email to: NNPC(their quiz organization arm), PZ cussons, Cowbellpedia, all the numerous essays and debate competitions you won. These people have corporate social responsibility and might be interested in your case. Who knows they might decide to sponsor everything. Send them an email, I'm sure at least one would be willing to spare $100.

Some of your responses are inconsistent and the sanwo olu poster you posted seemed like an open event but I really hope you're genuine.

Yeah I did send an email to the foundation,
I also emailed Dj Cuppy's foundation no response, but the other one said for now that nothing can be done due to the pandemic, until next year.

I also emailed swaliga foundation the one involved in the exchange program there was no response, I'm gonna proove the authencity of all I wrote ok.

fairheart:
We will know what support he's getting once I get those items I ask him to send in the email. This thing is very easy. Nobody has $$ under carpet like Nigerian politicians here. So, for whatever support I will rally others for him, there has to be evidence that his story is legitimate, and match his words with proofs of his academic excellence.

Boss, can i attach my WASSCE result, my testimonial to the email?

sonofakin:
Maybe you will get the financial help you need from here (I hope you do), and maybe not. From your previous post, you said your sponsor told you to sort out the admission yourself including the financial part; I wonder who says that to a 16-year old. Anyway, going forward, you have to consider the resources available to you and know how to maximize it. It is good to be ambitious and confident but try to balance it. There are schools in the US where you can get what you want. Follow EducationUSA on their various social media channels and monitor their website. They always suggest potential schools. Recently they talked about a student that was awarded over $70k per year scholarship by a college. If you have a strong financial strength, you can afford to gamble, maybe apply to a total of 10 ivy and safe schools.

Lol I totally understand my sponsor, he's only ready to help with proof of commitment and readiness
Thanks ❣️

fairheart:
Okay. Can you explain how you qualified for student exchange program sponsored by Lagos State Government? What did you do to be selected for it? And how old are you?

I was shortlisted from the school's district, considering academic performance, participation in National & Lagos State competitions, I also attended NNPC science competition, pz cussons chemistry competition, cowbellpedia, also numerous essay and debate competitions, code Lagos.
I also work with a charity Organization that teaches STEM to students from the rurals of Lagos State, I aced the scholarship interview, I met the WASSCE requirements, I aced the scholarship exam, I was awarded best in chemistry district v Lagos State e.t.c

I'm 16
Infact we hosted a zoom meeting with sanwo olu today and the minister of education.

drDoom3:
Not everything you see online or you are told online is applicable in reality. That's why experience is the best teacher. There are some things I could tell you about some certain schools that contradicts what is in their websites. That's why I prefer professional advising from people with experience.

Now look at the whole saga from the POV of the admission officer. An AO needs more applicants so that they can reject more and maximize selectivity to keep their prestige. That's why they will tell you anything just to make you apply. MIT will not read your application if your SAT Math score is below 750, but they won't tell you. It's all part of the admissions game.

Seriously, thank God I'm a math person

SoccerUSA:
I believe you should take it easy. SAT is so tricky but the score is achievable. Be sure to analyze the whole of the test before you take it. Pls do not rush into taking it so you don't get to disappoint your sponsor at the long run. I believe you can achieve it though but
'Calm Down' You will get there!

Thanks ❣️

But I've done numerous prep , I just need to register for the SAT, my international passport is settled just depends on the SAT before I can get it this year or get it next year if admitted without the test.

EncephalonPikin:
From personal experience, the EducationUSA opportunity funds program will only cover these costs if he has a minimum of 7As and 2Bs. If he had applied for the program before his WAEC result came out then he might've been selected without the result and he would've gotten free membership (which involves access to experienced advisors and a possible list of schools)but he'll still have to come up with the money for the SAT. The only exception where they might pay for these other fees is when you have a really exceptional SAT score and you're already a member.

He can still try, who knows?

I have 7B's 1A1 & a C4

EncephalonPikin:
From personal experience, the EducationUSA opportunity funds program will only cover these costs if he has a minimum of 7As and 2Bs. If he had applied for the program before his WAEC result came out then he might've been selected without the result and he would've gotten free membership (which involves access to experienced advisors and a possible list of schools)but he'll still have to come up with the money for the SAT. The only exception where they might pay for these other fees is when you have a really exceptional SAT score and you're already a member.


He can still try, who knows?

But is the education USA application not close for this year?

Friedpotato:
then do the international passport. Next SAT is in October and December, a lot can happen before then. Prepare your other documents and start your applications while you hopefully await your SAT scores.

I already have my certificate
of origin, birth certificate, gurantor for the passport application which is my pastor, and all the required docs just to register for the SAT firstly before applying for the passport. Also I've already started my application sir!

fairheart:
You have been enveloped by your dream, but tip the flap and try to look outside so you can see your realities.
Having a dream is not really hard, paying the price is. In my 20s, I learnt that if you want to help anyone who want to pursue their dreams, ask them what they have committed first. You know, what have they done for themself towards this dream? I can support one way or the other, but how far have you gone in supporting yourself to achieve this dream?
Let me guess you're from the grassroots. Life is very, very hard for youths who have beautiful dreams from this social class. But you have to look at the realities, so that you will be guided and not miss out.

Now, read this carefully. Getting admissions in the US entails many things: morale, consistent finance, academic soundness, focus to finish what you start. The financial aspect is the reality I want you step out of your dream to assess. As an undergraduate student, you have to apply to 2-3 schools at least, especially since you need full-ride scholarship and you don't have 100% assurance that if you apply to only one school, it will offer you that. Hence, 2-3 school is the best.

We'll use $/N400 for the calculation below.
Let us say each school application fee cost $40 X 3= $120 (N48, 000). SAT=N50, 000
Let us assume you manage resources and apply to schools that only ask for WAEC scratch card for admission. So, no WES or ECE.
Let us assume admission then came for fall 2021. SEVIS FEE = $350 (N140, 000); Visa fee =N70, 000
(God forbid that you're refused once, you will need another visa fee).
Let us say you need flight ticket in the fall, which would cost approximately N300K to 350K.
TOTAL: N608, 000

That's more than half of a million Naira. This is the reality I want you to partially remove the veil of your dream to see.
My dear, how do you plan to raise this money? How much can we give to support you from here? If you need moral and professional support, from the scratch to the end, I'm in for you. I will even try to support you with application fee, and get you people you can stay with in the States if your school is around them, for free. If someone here help you with 50K SAT fee, how will you get the 558K to run this race successfully?
If I were your mentor, these are the questions I'd ask you.

Now, sit down quietly and think. What can you do? How much can you raise? Who can you ask to help? Anybody in the family? If none, as that may be the reason you come here to ask for support, please focus on studying in Nigeria.

Nigeria is a wicked country and its entire system has been made hostile and shaped by difficult hands against children of the poor at the grassroots. It is what it is! But you have to fight for your dreams anyway. How you fight for this dream is now left for you to device...
You can study in the US, but it seems the best time for that is not now. Maybe Master's is ideal.
Got your request for DM. We will talk better.

I love y'all ❣️

Sir my sponsor for visa, flight and International passport has 3 companies in Nigeria but he also was from a poor background so I think he wants me to challenge myself and get admitted to show that I'm really serious then he'll be moved to sponsor me

Sir!
I'll be really glad if I can get help from you and all the great minds on this thread, PLS help me secure admission
NB: if I can register for the SAT tommorow he's willing to sponsor my international passport ASAP.
Also I have a valid scholarship to study in any University in Nigeria.
But I'm not interested in it because I got the scholarship with ease from the Lagos State government.
I would have traveled to the US in February for a 2weeks exchange program with Lagos government but was postponed to next year because of the covid419

I don't want to study in naija pls I'm like the next Elon musk from Nigeria!!!

Friedpotato:
then do the international passport. Next SAT is in October and December, a lot can happen before then. Prepare your other documents and start your applications while you hopefully await your SAT scores.

Thanks I've already started my application.

Friedpotato:
exactly.

If you've taken the SAT and have your international passport. It's easier for you to convince someone to sponsor you. If you score high in the SAT, people would be more empathetic to help you one way or the other.

Help yourself first, it would motivate others to help you.

Seriously I'm damn prepared for the SAT, but I can't pay for it although my pastor promised to help me get my international passport, now the SAT is whats remaining, pls I need help, I'm a potential 1500+ with my extreme prep

Friedpotato:
won't you need the international passport for flights eventually?

You have to make commitments. You have to have international passport, SAT score and extra money to do one or two things aside evaluating which is optional.

If you can borrow and believe you'd ace the exam, please do. Its a dead end you're heading for with 0 funds for this process, unless a good Samaritan here chooses to help you.

I've gotten sponsor for international passport but SAT no dime to pay for the exam talkless of sending scores

Agroblessing:
Sure we would In as much as external exams are being allowed. We will be able to test.
Did you plan to test on this day?

Ok fingers crossed, so have registered for the test, do you have your international passport....

LagosismyHome:
Humm.....hope you have plan B to school in nigeria. Dreams are good but reality is better. In life we all want great things or the best in life but at the same time everyone has to cut their coat according to their material . Many have done first degree in Nigeria and have gone on to do great things.

Full ride scholarship is competitive the whole world is fighting for the same spot so nothing comes easy. To expect full ride with no SAT, no evaluation etc is almost an impossible dream

Yes i have a plan B

But I've been seeing my self in the great dome at MIT, the schwarzman college of computer science, the Killian court.

In my dream ❣️

Oh Lord somebody should help me on this thread, I believe my helper is here !

Pls sponsor my SAT, I promise to never let you down, I've been reading all day and night preparing for an exam I can't pay for.
It is indeed depressing �

Friedpotato:
you don't want to take the SAT, you don't want to evaluate.

In this journey, some commitments and sacrifices ought to be made. Cc: Drdoom3 can tell you that because this is his second year of application.

I think the SAT is still open this year, to have a shot at those big schools you mention or even smaller schools, please take the SAT. If you're planning to apply to HBCUs, you can target the ones that don't need evaluation but to be on the safest side, evaluate. Because you might find out that they issue full ride with 1100 SAT and 3.5 GPA. Someone with that stats will get it but you with 1500 and 3.9 unevaluated GPA won't get it.

Make some investments. You can't expect to have everything free and rely on luck. It might work but if you can increase your chances, please do.

Thanks ❣️
But it's expensive I'm just a poor boy, seeking for greener pastures!

I lost my job my parents are only supporting me with prayers no financial support from them, but I've got a sponsor for only my Visa and flight he just needs me to gain admission by myself �

I'm too broke to take the SAT, firstly I don't have an international passport, no money to pay for the SAT.

Pls I need 3 safeties for undergrad admission, esp schools that offer full ride scholarship to intl students, and does not need evaluation from WES.

also is University of Missouri safe?

drDoom3:
No safeties?

All these schools are tough schools o. Academics can't get you in, so don't rely on them. My friend made a similar mistake, thought his 8A1s, national awards and scholarships, and 1590/1600 could get him in. After he didn't get into any school his first year, he sat down and restructured his application, then applied to the schools of his best fit. It's not all about having awards. IMO participants and NNPC winners are also applying to the same MIT. Try to find something that can stand you out, and show them through your essays.

More important is your SAT/ACT score. With this school list, you should be aiming for 1500+ or 34+. Anything less, it's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle.

Thanks y'all I really appreciate❣️
Pls I just need anyone to suggest 3 safeties that i can apply to in order to make my list of schools 10

but in this case where SAT isn't administered is there any way out?

Anyways I've been sending emails across all schools to be really sure the're really test optional, in my email I made mention the international passport required to take the test and made the admission office aware that I can't take the test without my IP also SAT isn't administered amidst the pandemic and their response was all positive they said I
won't be penalized/ disadvantaged in the holistic admission process, or should I shift my application to next year in order to take the test and be on a safer side?

Also the deadline for the EducationUSA thingy is may 31

Agroblessing:
I would love the Oct 3rd SAT takers to gather here and let's discuss

Hi I don't think we would be able to the test amidst the pandemic.

fairheart:
I saw drDoom3 comment, and that was really nice.
There is a young man here called Daniel. I can't remember his username, but I will ask him. He was a member of EducationUSA and one of the ambassadors before he traveled last fall; still have connection with EAC though (they even paid his flight ticket to the US). Will try to link you with him. Send me a DM.
Once you hit a high SAT score, you will get full ride scholarship, and your age is really nice for this mission you are about to pursue. I suggest that you don't worry about your WAEC, but instead invest your energy on destroying SAT. Try to score 1450-1500 if possible. Even 1400 will get you full ride with some schools in the US. Focus on the SAT and follow the instruction the other guy has given. Extra coaching will help, but the exam can be prepared for if you focus on reading textbooks, practice, etc without tutoring. Most of the students who reached out to me from here didn't use tutoring, but they studied very, very hard. When you get the SAT right, please mention me. I will share list of schools I have you can pick from.

Really inspired by what you hope to achieve at this age. Best of luck dear!

Hi pls can I send u a DM? So u can also link me with Daniel

Thanks ❣️

My WASSCE grades

Mathematics B2
Physics B3
Chemistry B3
Biology B3
Dyeing and bleaching B2
Further mathematics B3
Agricultural science B3
Civic education A1
English C4
I'm 16

High school GPA 4.95/5.0
Almost straight A's though with just 1/2 B's

Interests mechanical engineering, robotics, computer science
I've got Olympiad experience, NNPC science competition, cowbellpedia, pz cussons chemistry competition, Lagos State jet& science competition e.t.c
I've also taken lead positions in school clubs and societies.
I was recently awarded scholarship by Lagos State to study at any Nigerian University, but I'm not really interested in studying engineering in Nigeria because of it's incompetency in practicals.

List of universities I'll be applying to

MIT
Stanford University
Yale University
Princeton University
Harvard University
Northwestern University
Amherst college

I also have recognition in Lagos State as one of the top 100 best students.

Pls what's my chances of getting admitted and also chance of getting my F1 Visa approved.
I'll be using the common app though, but ain't taking SAT, reason colleges are test optional+ SAT not administered amidst the pandemic. Also don't hesitate to scrutinize my write up constructively and help get admitted!!!
NB: MIT is my dream college

Thanks ❣️

WTF !!!
TWoods & fairheart you guys that we always look up to for answers to our questions.
Why are you guys doing this
It's very immature, irritating..
Pls kindly stop this.
And besides this thread is "U.S visa thread"
Not for irrelevant stuffs.

I come in peace
Shalom!

Nostradamus1:
thanks.
Lemme check again

I just tried to install it, it's say app not found but you can download it from other places.
Aside from play store.
OR
It might have been taken of.
I think.

Nostradamus1:
Pls house I need help

I have been trying to download the common app ontrack from google play store but I can't seem to find it.My subsequent chat with foreigners on reddit confirmed that it was released on August 1st.I would like any kind hearted person to try and download it(probably someone within naija),so that I can confirm if it is a problem of location (although I suspect it hasn't been released to naija play store).
Pls if you find it on Nigeria play store ,I will be happy if you draw my attention to it .
Thanks


Cc:tarantino,phenomenalopeye

It's on play store I saw it but didn't download it

I searched for common app
And it was on my search result on play store