Has anyone renewed their student visa recently in Canada?

Are visa renewals still done in Canada and/or Mexico? Has anyone renewed theirs recently?

ggoldmine:


Hello Skillset11. My sister will be graduating by next year. She's currently studying Psychology in a Nigerian university and on first class. I'd like her to go straight for PhD on full funding, would that be possible? What are the prospects of a Psychologist in the US?

Psychology is extremely competitive in the States. She has to ace her GRE exams. If she does, she will surely get in. There are huge prospects for psychologists which might be dependent on the area she specializes in.

Tamison:
Hello everyone!
Quick question for the experienced guys cc Scholastica, Ponpon Time2win et.al.
What are your thoughts on a PhD in Industrial and Systems Engrng for spring 2020 with this profile?
Bsc- 3.94/4.0
Msc- 3.48/4.0
GRE- 294 ( Q150, V 144, AW 2.5)
1yr work experience.

I’m not experienced but a 3.94/4.0 and then 294 in GRE doesn’t look right. I believe such a high GPA should come with an above average GRE. My thoughts though.

JTDeus:
Hey, F1 Nairalanders! You guys rock! You guys tutored me wella on these insightful and generous pages.

I've been waiting for my visa delivery so that I'd have complete peace of mind while posting the transcript. Interview was Thursday, July 11th, in Abuja, 9am (that's 2 weeks already).

V.O. gave me white paper but mentioned that my visa would be put on hold so as to verify my submitted SOA. I've been tracking my status via both email, website, appointment page as well as call option too. They're all saying visa still with the embassy/consulate.

My story long o. But it's just a full testimony of God's favour and grace at work. I'm a first class student, with Bachelor's degrees in Philosophy (2009) and Theology (2014) respectively, PGDE from NTI (2015) and COMPTIA A+ from NIIT (2015). I'm 32 and I've been teaching since 2014,

Immediately I saw this, I knew it had to be a seminary Congratulations!

Drekales:



Oga biko forget all these talk.
To the best of my knowledge, this thread is greater than anyone. No one is above correction.
@Lagosismyhome did the right thing and you are probably not going to understand since you're a guy.

So chill and let the message be driven home.

Why do I always find this offensive?

Cart3l:


Hi @fairheart, please I need your help. My visa got denied this morning and here is my transcript.

School: Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Session: Fall 2019
Venue: Lagos Embassy
Program: MSc Geography

V.O: Good morning
Reply: Good morning

V.O: Pass me your passport
Reply: I did

VO: How did you get to know the school, IUP?
Me: (this was my planned answer) I got to knownof the school through 2 acquaintances of mine (which wasn’t true) then she gave me the shocker....

VO: What are their surnames?
Me: I actually didn’t prepare for this so I just kinda gave her two random names.

VO: she typed on her pic and was like she couldn’t find those names in her database...
Me: I was like that’s strange cos they actually studied there....

VO: Why do you wanna study Geography?
Me: (at this point, I was already destabilized as a result of the failed name ish) I gave an answer about my main area of concentration being environmental planning and how this would help checkmate the harmful excesses of urbanization. But wasn’t feeling the session again but just kept hoping.

VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: 3 schools, IUP, Western Illinois University and Texas Southern University....(although I applied to just one)

VO: Did you gain admission in all?
Me: Yes, I did

VO: what’s your GRE score?
Me: I didn’t take any tests as they were a requirement for admission for the program.

VO: What do you do?
Me: I work as a quantity surveyor in a construction company.

VO: Who is sponsoring you?
Me: My eldest brother

VO: What does he do?
Me: he works as the head of projects in a telecoms servicing company.

VO: Do you have an account statement?
Me: Yes, passed it. (She looked through and typed on her pic for a while)

VO: Sorry, you ain’t eligible for visa at this time.
And that was it.

Please I really need your advice..... if I reapply, how would I remedy the “how do you know about IUP” question and in what other ways can I make my general case more convincing.

Kindly help a brother.... thanks in anticipation...

There was no need for the lies. All 3 schools couldn’t have waived GRE for you. That was how some other applicant said Colombia University waived GRE for him. Apply again and resolve to say the truth this time.
Eg: How many schools did you apply to: I considered 3 schools but ended up applying to 1 etc

stressfree1:
Hi guys, please anyone going to Texas Tech University this fall or knows anyone there? Howfar with accommodation as I don’t know anyone there and don’t have a place to stay yet. @hybeenoni @Lordsir1 @everybody in the room. Thank you.

I know Divine Oduduru
LinkedIn might help with this.

Sherlock5577:


Its high time I place this here. My previous post is quoted here.

Congratulations!

TJ0987:
Guys I'm scared, scared of writing the GRE again. I've written twice before and the results were not impressive. First in 2014, and then in 2017 where I scored 298.
I'm not even sure magoosh videos would suffice, because I just don't believe in myself right now.
Are there reputable Tutors I can use probably on Saturdays? I'm looking to take the exams in October. Please I would appreciate your opinion on tested and trusted tutors here in Lagos. Thank you.

Have you checked BY Mafit? They seem to be reliable

iwriterng:


Done.

Thank you!

Greatimmacu:
Visa Denied yesterday....
Here is my transcript, please i stand to be corrected, I'm a democrat. Yesterday 8, July 19, 6:45 AM at Lagos embassy, after the normal routines, window 7, with middle aged lady, the following conversation happened.
Me: good morning
Vo: good morning
Vo: pass me your passport and i20
Me: immediately i passed it
Vo: started typing ....
Vo: what degree do you have?
Me:bsc
Vo: what year?
Me: November 2012
Vo: what have you been doing?
Me: I'm a lecturer at so so polytechnic at so so place and so so state, where i tutor students in local government administration and citizenship.
Vo: for how long have you been working?
Me: for over 3years
Vo : typing continues...
Vo: are you married?
Me: No
Vo: any kids?
Me: No
Immediately dished out pink form 412b. she even forgot to return my passport, i have to wait for the next person to be interviewed to collect it. About 5 people before me and the next after me was served hot.. Please what are my mistakes, helpful and scornful advice. I'm planing to reapply before August or to contact my school for admission deferment and i need you people to help me with a good reason i can give the school.
Thanks in advance

1. You have to give a complete profile. Bachelors in? What program are you going for? Do you have any funding? Did you write any standardized tests?
2. If you want to apply for deferment of admission, tell them the truth, you were denied a visa.

iwriterng:
Visa approved!

Appointment time: 6:45am

Funding: $30k (tuition waiver not assistantship)

Deficit: 18k



Now to the next thing, ticket hunting.

Hi, to help future prospective students,including the name of the University and maybe course of study will be appreciated.

invinzible1:
Good Morning.
I'm about to apply for 2020 fall, The Schools I'm applying are all in the states.
I have some questions bothering me
1. Which exams should I take (GRE TOFEL IELTS)
2. How do I send my transcript and other documents to the school.
3. Can someone help me summarized the process or link me to who knows the process.
Thank you

Some schools will ask you to upload the transcript. Some will ask you to evaluate your transcript. While others will ask you to send it directly to them from your undergraduate institution. Bottom line,it varies.

invinzible1:
Good Morning.
I'm about to apply for 2020 fall, The Schools I'm applying are all in the states.
I have some questions bothering me
1. Which exams should I take (GRE TOFEL IELTS)
2. How do I send my transcript and other documents to the school.
3. Can someone help me summarized the process or link me to who knows the process.
Thank you

According to femi312:

There is this saying that says ''If we don't fight we have failed, but if
we fight we can either fail or succeed''. So forget the tuition part for
now and put in some work. First, you need to decide on the course
you want to study, To save you some stress start from this
website http://graddecision.org/ to know the application process, So
step 1) Decide on the course you want to study 2) Search for schools
using a) www.msinus.com (open this website with a laptop, you
should see a list of school and ranking for some of the most
common courses, you can start from there
b) www.gradschools.com c) www.google.com (you can just type
'msc
in bla bla in the us in google' d) www.usnews.com e) www.4icu.org .
3) check up the website of the schools you find, to see the
requirements. most schools will require GRE and some will require
both gre and toefl . 4) Register for standardize exam and take it. You
can register for gre as soon as you are ready and prepared to take
the exam. Its done online at www.ets.org. You can also get all the
information you need about the exam on the website. You will get
adequate materials to prepare for the exam in this dropbox I
createdhttps://www.dropbox.com/sh/t9ot6d07hp1lkm7/
AADL_dTihjEvNBRCBsmAcoXja?dl=0
TOEFL is an English test required by some US universities. though,
some schools waive due to the fact that Nigeria is an Anglophone
country.
For toefl, all you need are the speaking noteful videos in the link
below, the ets toefl guide is enough to ace the exam for other
sections. Just download the toefl ETS Guide from there website and
the simulation test.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/45tvc3ifi8wh8sh/
AACXR5j6l3nsWK8vZx5P28TVa?dl=0
As for the Tuition, if you have good results (GRE, GPA, Toefl), SOP
and LOR; US schools do offer assistanship to graduate students. This
can either be Research Assistant, Teaching Assistant or
Administrative Assistant. Depending on the school, if you get an
assistantship, your Tuition will be waived and you will also be paid a
monthly stipend that can take care of your living expenses. One
advice, once you shortlist schools, send emails to the grad cord of
the schools and ask specific questions relating to that course and
funding opportunities, be very explicit.
Lastly, there are basically 2 admission session in the US, Spring
(Jan) and Fall (August). Schools admit more students in Fall, so Its
advisable you plan towards Fall 2020.If you plan to resume in fall
2020,make sure you submit all your application documents before
ending of Dec 2019

Good morning. I kindly need the input of the house on a certain issue: My friend who is a pharmacist got into a Graduate certificate program in Global business management starting in January. What are the chances of getting a visa with this program? Should she fire ahead with the visa process?

Cc frankrobbn1

Pinkandblue26:
Hello!
How can I study for GRE aiming at 300 and above combined with working from 8 a.m to 6pm.
I need funding
I intend writing September to meet deadline.
I don't know the strategy of practicing a lot combined with work.
I'm not an Engineering student; so I see the Maths part as my weakness.
How can I ace my targeted score with no coaching in Maths. I'm a biology student.

Thank you

1. Get flash cards from Magoosh and study them everyday in transit. You will be surprised at how fast it adds up.
2. Watch Magoosh videos during lunch breaks,they are usually short. You can do 1-3 per day.
3. Go to work earlier(or wake up early) and work on some problems or watch videos or whatever works for you.
4. Increase your workload during the weekends.
5. Study everyday

Generally,a combination of Manhattan Strategy guides and Magoosh videos will be enough to help you ace the quant part of the GRE

VibraniumWoman:
Good afternoon, I have followed this thread closely and I want to appreciate everyone contributing to this thread.
In the light of the question asked by Nassiirr, I also have a very disturbing question to ask, more like I want an advice.

A friend of mine said she was used as a mercenary years back, to help someone write a GRE test. She was stupid, she had no idea that it's very wrong, illegal and could haunt her. She regrets that action now anyway!

The thing now is, she is to write the GRE test for herself in one of the coming months, she's afraid her thumbprint and facial recognition software will reveal that she had taken the test for someone else in the past, and she'll not be allowed, or maybe get arrested.

How do you think she can get past this, or this really isn't a big deal?

I will appreciate your input please, nagode��

This is part of the reason while our country will forever be associated with fraudulent acts. The truth is that anybody old enough to write the GRE for someone can’t be ignorant of the nature of such an act.
Back to the question,she most likely had thumb printed and these biometrics are usually linked to names. If she thumb prints again, it will be linked to two different names and as you know,no two people have the same thumb print.

calculator123:

This thread had relative in your absence please don't come and cause wahala here.
People use those words to build up their faith and appreciate God. How is this your headache ngwanu?
We will appreciate it if you keep this you goddamn opinion to yourself.

I didn’t see any ‘wahala’ in his posts. This is a public discussion forum and telling someone to ‘keep their goddamn opinion to yourself ‘ defeats the aim of the forum.

Marjoribanks:
I received my i-20 form today. I used eglobal (UPS).
Thank you time2smile, sophil and others.
However, one of my Research Assistantship contract was not included in my i-20 form.
Actually I was given a Research Assistant Position in two different departments. Only one was added.
I already have the contracts in my mail.
Can I go to the embassy with the i-20 and show the VO my contract or do I need to ask for another i-20.
Actually, I don't have the fund to order for another i-20.
Please house! What can I do?

Was the funding not indicated on your i20? Most schools will put the total amount of funding available directly in the i20 and not as additional documents.

Passion2009:
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.

While one can’t have malaria for 10 weeks, it is possible that one could have malaria in the States. The Plasmodium parasite can be inert for some time, only to turn to full blown malaria days or weeks after traveling. For those traveling this summer/fall, kindly go with anti malaria medications because you might not see them to buy there.

Brown2Green:


That is not true.

I have someone in Duke that took online courses to meet up for the requirements for Business Analytics.

You can take online courses and carry out activities that can be put as work experience.

It all depends on the way you present your Application Portfolio.

Business analytics has a lower bar than computer science. Virtually anybody with a quantitative background can move into business analytics. Core computer science CANNOT be entered while using online courses to cover the deficiencies. For anybody moving into Core computer science,you have to take for credit courses. Some schools admit students that have some prerequisites but not all and allow them to do those courses before moving on to graduate courses.

Brown2Green:


Not an excuse!

You can build yourself.

Coursers, Udemy and the likes have courses in that aspect.

You don't have the money?
Cousera gives financial aid if you apply by writing an essay why you cannot foot the bill for the course.
You get full funding to take the course with certificate.



I have several people that built themselves through that platform and got admitted even to the IVY afterwards.

So you see, there is no excuse for going for a second Bsc.

He needs to take the foundational courses for credit seeing as he has no background in computer science(a degree in maths,physics might help) A thousand online courses won’t help him in this regard.UPenn’s MCIT program, a masters program for those without a computer science degree is a better bet. UChicago has such a program too.

surdik:

Congratulations. Please did you write any standardized test?

Yes , GRE

Visa approved today at Lagos Consulate at 7:45 am.
VO: Pass your passport please
VO: So you are going for a graduate degree in Pharmacy?
Me: Pharmaceutical Sciences, Yes
VO: So you’re going to Washington State University?
Me: Yes
VO: You are currently working at xxxx Pharmacy?
Me: Yes
VO: How long have you been working at this Pharmacy?
Me: 2 years
VO: Are you going to pay for anything using your personal funds?
Me: No, I have an assistantship that covers tuition, health insurance and living expenses.
VO: Do you have any particular area of interest that you wish to research in
Me: Yes, Improved detection and treatment of Cancer utilizing pluripotent stem cell models.
VO: Ok, I will approve your visa. You can pick up your passport in....
Took place within 5 minutes with a lot of typing in between.

ugonna1054:
Thank you bro...I will look at the Tandon program

What is MIS please?

Management Information System

ugonna1054:
Heyy guyss!!

Trust y'all doing good

So i want to apply for an Msc Computer Science/Software Development/Engineering in the US, Im yet to take the GRE/TOEFL tho, but will soonest...

I am in contact with some schools already. North-Eastern University for example does not require the GRE nor TOEFL (considering im from Nigeria) for the program im interested in (Computer Science Align - designed for prospective graduate students with no CS background) but they only offer Scholarship worth a percentage (roughly 25%) of Tuition to their top tier applicants..They have flexible payment options (in monthly installments, you pay as you go)..I was advised by their Financial aid Coordinator on taking private loans to finance my Program... I am already strongly thinking of Pushing applications now against Fall 2020, to atleast be a good candidate for the Tuition discount.

Has anyone here ploughed this route or know anyone that has? If so, is it advisable to apply for a private loan? Someone with experience kindly come to my aid..


I ll still write the GRE and try to get great/near-great scores like my Ogas here......I would appreciate recommendation for very good schools (top 100) where i can get funded with a hopefully good Profile.

So far My profile is thus;

Bsc (Geology, UNILAG) => 4.55/5.0
Wes Unofficial => 3.74/4.0
GRE => NIL
TOEFL => NIL

P.S You might notice the career change but yeah, that's what i want.

Thank you

Cc - All the big men them!!

I looked at the program and the tuition is roughly $74k,this doesn’t include the very high cost of living no matter the campus chosen(Seattle,Boston,Silicon valley). Taking loans will always look easy till it comes to payment. My advice, concentrate on the GRE and get requisite funding for the courses you want to pursue . But if you’re bent on changing to CS,you can look at the bridge to Tandon program which costs $1500 but requires you to be in the United States or UPenn’s MCIT program (which is a more loan worthy course). Another option: switch to MIS.

hansmond93:


He's going for a research Msc not a Profesional Msc.

Msc Computer Science (software engineering track)

Not Msc Software Engineering.
Clear?

I was referring to the statement in bold. No issues here.Shalom

hansmond93:


I respect your input a lot but I think u made a mistake.
He's going for Msc Computer science this year with a focus in Software Engineering.... It's a research MSC because it's Computer science,

And a lot of schools offering Computer Science have a software engineering research laboratory to conduct research in software engineering.... So u can also do research in Software Engineering even though Msc software engineering is a professional Msc.

This doesn’t make sense

Thank you,Walspring. SEVIS fee sealed and done in 6 hours!

user4321:
So I wrote my GRE Today,
For a little back story, I just graduated a little over three months ago, and got a job immediately as a software engineer, at a fast moving company, with periodic crazy deadlines. So, I had to squeeze in time during mornings at nights to prepare, and learn as much vocabulary as I could.
Fast forward to test Day, I arrived at Dragnet prometric 2 hours before the test, did a quick review, and was first on the line. Got the quant section first, let's just say, it was deadlier than I thought, too many geometry problems, and i loathe euclidean circle geometry a lot. I moved on to the verbal; few mistakes here and there, but I just basically free styled.
At the end of the test, I was assured that I had done very terribly, and was superbly afraid to click "report scores". Then I clicked
QUANTITATIVE - 163
VERBAL - 161
TOTAL - 324
I feel i did terrible in the quant, as i focused too much on the verbal during prep, but I hope to never write GRE ever again, I accept my 324 "laidat".
Profile
[b]Bsc. Electrical and Electronics Engineering
GPA - 4.74/5
WES (UNOFFICIAL) 3.82/4.0
GRE - 324 ( Q-163 V-161)
SCHOOLS
STANFORD UNIVERSITY -PHD
UT AUSTIN - PHD
RICE - PHD
CMU AFRICA - MSC

Great scores! As already advised, put in some safe schools and you are good to go