₦airaland Forum

Musbeni:
Visa approved
8am Lagos usaconsulate
Vo: pass me your passport and I 20
Me: passed
Vo: why are you going to USA
Me: I am going to university of south Carolina to start my PhD in chemistry with concentration in heterogeneous catalysis
Vo: chemistry?
Me: yes
Vo: what will you be working on
Me: MOOH
Vo: who is sponsoring you
Me: I have full funding
Vo: are you traveling with your family
Me: no
Vo: we will be approving your visa

Everything is not more than a minute.

Thanks @meritdee for the mock interview.

Congratulations man and thank God.

Aekayo:
May 6, 2021

US Embassy, VI, Lagos

Status: Approved!

Funding: $45,322

Deficit: $494

Class of Degree: 2.1

No GRE and TOEFL Required for admission and Funding

No other document was asked during the interview aside My I-20 and International passport

God's favor and mercy were key for me. Glory to God. I got interviewed by someone I can call a nice man at Window 1. His table had several passports for visas. Na that one been give me small confidence.


Me: Good Morning

V.O: Good Morning, Pass me your I-20 and passport

Me:...

V.O: Typing..... Why are you going to the US?

Me: I'm going to the US for my Masters in Geology and Earth Science at the University of Georgia

V.O: Which other University did you apply to

Me: University of Arizona

V.O: So why UGA?

ME: told him how I was drawn to the research of professor X and named one of his papers that caught my attention and because of my passion for the mineral sector in Nigeria, coupled with the fact, the Mineral Resource discussed in that paper is about 3 Billion Metric tons in Reserve here in Nigeria. That drew me to want to work under Professor X

V.O: Seemed impressed. I can see you have an assistantship and a tuition waiver.

Me: Yes. A Research assistantship

V.O: Will you be working with the same Professor X you talked about earlier?

Me: Yes Sir

V.O: So what are your plans after school?

Me: Upon the completion of my masters, I hope to work as a researcher at XXXX in Nigeria

V.O: what's your intended arrival date?

Me: August 4 (as shown on my DS-160)

V.O: Nodding his head... Have you traveled out of Nigeria?

Me: No

V.O: I will be approving your Visa.


He told me to wait for someone at one of the offices to know about the Pre-departure orientation organized by the consulate for International students going to the USA which is to happen by June

White paper later followed

omo me i no do that one oh

adurajoseph:
Hello guys, i went for my interview yesterday and got rejected. Will post transcript soon. But for some background.

I am applying to the for masters in information systems and specializing in business analytics. No funding 43,000 sponsored by my mother with a surplus of this available balance in her account. I have a good travel history. Been to USA 2x as an adult, and travelled to over 7 countries, 4 outside africa, never stayed more than a month, schooled in Ghana, mom has always been sponsoring me. And owns her business.

When i went for the intervew,
the VO asked if i have a relative there
I honestly told him yes, because i have visited him during my first travel there.

He went as a student there and during his opt he got married and has a kid. And only visited nigeria twice for the wedding and to see the family. And he works with Tesla.

Surprisingly the VO was really drilling me why he didn't return after his studies, and that "if he didn't return what is the assurance i would?", I was honestly nervous at this point because i didnt expect that type of question.

He also drilled about financing the masters which i feel my mother can and will pay as she sponsored my sister to also do her masters in canada with no issues and my mother has enough savings to sponsor me for a year.

I was told i didnt qualify and was given a yellow paper stating the reason. Which talked about ties to return but when he told me i didn't qualify i believe i heard for financial reasons.

To be honest i got really nervous when he started really probing about my brother even tho he is there LEGALLY. What do you guys feel?

I want to reapply because i feel i can defend my reasons, what do you guys feel? Any advice?

Interviews are really subjective most of the time. Another VO may not even ask about your brother while another may look as the fact that your brother successfully completed his studies and is in good standing as a good thing.
You have a very good profile. Yeah, you should reapply.

Hey fams, my wife's visa was approved but we noticed that she was issued an F-1 visa, not the F-2 visa we applied for. Kindly advise on how to contact the US embassy in Abuja.

KemLaughs:
Visa Approved!
26-04-2021, Abuja Embassy
2nd Interview
1st Interview in Lagos 07-01-2021
Course: Management Information Systems, MSc
University of Illinois, Springfield
1st Degree: Economics
Financial Aid/Funding: 0
COA: $35,000
GRE & TOEFL: Waived


First, I would like to thank God the source of all wisdom and helper. Also, a very big thank you to Rexmy(Adebayo) and schrodinger1(Tunde). You both were fasting and still made the sacrifice to hold mock interviews with and encourage me. God bless you and honor you!

Thank you to everyone who's been answering questions and helping on this thread.

Transcript

VO: Welcome to booth 9, Good Morning

Me: (Na Oyinbo dey greet me ) Good Morning

VO: Let's take your fingerprint

Me: (Shaking like leaf) Okay. I was scanning for where to keep my folder

VO: You can keep it here (on the slab in front of me)

Fingerprint Done. VO: What do you intend to do in the US?

Me: I intend to study for a Masters Degree in Management Information Systems at the University of Illinois Springfield where I would be specializing my research in project and change management. I would also be taking a graduate certificate in business analytics.

VO: Where did you go to secondary school?

Me: Did you ask what secondary school I attended?

VO: Yes

Me: I mentioned the full name of my Secondary School

VO: What year did you graduate?

Me: I graduated in 2009 and proceeded to the University of Lagos

VO: (Cuts in) What have you been doing since then?

Me: I proceeded to the University of Lagos to get my Bachelors in Economics and then came here in Abuja for the compulsory 1 year National Youth Service. After NYSC, I worked with ..... Drilling as the Personal Assistant to the Managing Director where I was responsible for efficiently running the organization with the Senior Executives. I moved on to work my current organization .... Medical Centre where I am responsible for using data to transform customer experience such as recommending suitable insurance plans to clients

VO: (Cuts in) Who's paying for this?

Me: My older sister. She works as a Senior Project Engineer with .... and runs a car rental company as a personal business.

VO: What do your parents do?

Me: My Dad is into large scale production of Palm Oil and It's by-products in the production of ice cream bars and soap while my mum used to work as a Senior Lecturer with ...... Federal College of Education

VO: You have a relative in the US?

Me: Yes, My older brother. He's on his OPT working with ....... as a Project Engineer

VO: What does he intend to do after his OPT?

Me: (Ye!, which kin question be dis ke) He intends to return and work in Nigeria using the experience he's gotten working in the US

VO: You said you're going for a Masters, why does your I-20 have Bachelors on it?

Me: (Thank you for asking o) I have been fully admitted for a master degree program but have prerequisites at the undergraduate level to clear, once that's cleared, I would be issued a new I-20.

VO: (Looks at I-20 again) Oh...Okay. (He noticed the comment section time)

VO: Who's paying your tuition?

Me Was wondering why he asked again) My Older Sister. She works with ..... as a Senior Project Engineer and has a

VO: (Cuts in) What did your sister study?

Me: Did you ask what my sister studied?

VO: Yes

Me: She studied...... at the Federal University of Technology Akure and has a Masters Degree in same...... from the University of Sheffield

VO: Sheffield in the UK (Slight smile)

Me: (Smiling) Yes, Sheffield in the UK

VO: (Continues typing then Carries my passport)

Me: (Heart Beating)

VO: (Keeps passport aside and takes white paper and my I-20)... We need to run further checks

Me: (I was not hearing again to be honest)

VO: I would be approving your visa. Here's your I-20, you would be needing it at point of entry.... and a paper with information on how to collect your visa

Me: Okay, Thank you (Still standing)

VO: Did I give you the white paper?

Me: Yes (Realized we were done). Thank you and have a great day

Lessons I learnt

1) Answer what you are asked only and be as detailed as necessary

2) Be focused on the VO and maintain eye contact

3) Greet everyone and be courteous to everyone at the embassy

4) Go with extra cash. You might need it

5) Do a LOT of mock interviews. It helps really

6) Prepare really hard

7) PRAY like your life depends on it

Wishing everyone the best and hopeful for lots of approvals this year and on this thread.


P.S : I realized the further checks was administrative processing when I got home. The visa was issued the next day

Congratulations Miss Kemi! Greater accomplishments by God's grace.
It can only be God.

Its okay....You can tell the VO you applied to 2 schools,1 in the Uk and 1 in the US...Pls what school is that in the US and what dept?

khoray:
@fairheart

I applied to just one school in the US and one in the UK. I got both admissions. Planning on going to the US because my deficit is less than $1000. If asked how many schools I applied to, my plan was to say one school in the US but from your comment below....What do you suggest? The school I applied to already stated admission will come with automatic full funding while other schools don't have same provision. So I just applied to the school alone.

We that were called were invited to come for the pre-departure orientation for international students going to the US.

charliejose:
Congratulations. I also got approved yesterday. But the VO didn't tell me anything about waiting behind o, abi he forgot? Though I was the first F1 Visa to get approved yesterday.

frapzkid:
you should'nt have done this (tell the VO that your brother is now a resident )
(THIS IS A BIG BIG RED FLAG)
you had an extremely good profile
been to the US twice.
good statement of account
and good course of study.

You should not expose your one bit of red flag.

A VO would find it hard to give a person a with close relatives living as residents a non -immigrants visa .
It is a big big red flag
IN FACT THE BIGGEST RED FLAG OF ALL!
That shows the person have no home ties to Nigeria cos his home (family) is at America
except it is an immigrant visa


To be sincere you messed your profile cos this information would be saved for further interview you want to have.

Just try and prepare to look for more home ties that would prove to the next VO .
Like you being married or getting to marry soon
A good job with a multinational company

If i go back, is it possible to clear the air about this.

Good morning all.. please I need gurus to help me get answers to this question incase am asked. Been thinking so hard, but haven't found enough answer to this question. I have done my interview twice at lagos US embassy but am going to Abuja US embassy now.
1) why didn't you do your interview at the lagos embassy, why Abuja?
2) what has changed after you got rejected twice.
If questions like this comes up, Please what can be my response. My interview date is on the 19th may 2021. I would post my transcript for correction.

ObodoNaija:
How far bro? Have you heard anything from TTU?

The grad cord get back to me today that TA decision has been made....he advised me to contact some faculties for possible RA position.....I'm done with them....heading to Montana state....cheers to you

.

adurajoseph:
If i go back, is it possible to clear the air about this.

yh definitely
Make sure you defend yourself well.

My transcript
Visa approved
Abuja
VO: pass me your i20
Me: (I passed it immediately)..
VO: (nooded her head).. replied Texas tech right. Awesome. Tell me about your proposed thesis
Me: I plan researching on synethesis of waste and most especially tracing of plastic particles and co containment in biological tissue. This project will push forward a ground breaking approach in tackling directly the analytical issue in tracing plastic particles and co containment in its impact on biological tissue.

V.O: (Now look serious at me because she denied a lady and a guy before me). What is the benefit of this project to mankind

Me: in as much I understand the fact that any innovation without usefulness to the society is as useless as the project. This project proposed to put an end to waste of non biodegradable waste such as plastic, nylon etc. And it will make our environment more friendly

VO: Good, I will be approving your visa,pass me your passport. Have this white paper. It will direct you how to pick your passport when it is available. Thank you and called on next person

Thank you Sir. Amen!

Rexmy:
Congratulations Miss Kemi! Greater accomplishments by God's grace.
It can only be God.

sayfe:
I’ll be joining this Fall

Are you going for UG or MS? My younger brother just got accepted into the UG program

JO01:
Hello great ones!!
Please is there anyone here in Illinois Institute of Technology,Chicago ?
Kindly reach out....

Are you going for UG or MS? My younger brother just got accepted into the UG program

KemLaughs:
Visa Approved!
26-04-2021, Abuja Embassy
2nd Interview
1st Interview in Lagos 07-01-2021
Course: Management Information Systems, MSc
University of Illinois, Springfield
1st Degree: Economics
Financial Aid/Funding: 0
COA: $35,000
GRE & TOEFL: Waived


First, I would like to thank God the source of all wisdom and helper. Also, a very big thank you to Rexmy(Adebayo) and schrodinger1(Tunde). You both were fasting and still made the sacrifice to hold mock interviews with and encourage me. God bless you and honor you!

Thank you to everyone who's been answering questions

Very well deserved. Congratulations again! Go and prosper!

Amen, thank you Tunde

Schrodinger1:
Very well deserved. Congratulations again! Go and prosper!

frapzkid:
A VO would find it hard to give a person a with close relatives living as residents a non -immigrants visa .
It is a big big red flag
IN FACT THE BIGGEST RED FLAG OF ALL!
That shows the person have no home ties to Nigeria cos his home (family) is at America
except it is an immigrant visa

Please I would like to understand this very well and where the red flag is and how to correct this.

My family is here in Nigeria. it is just my Brother (Stepbrother in fact) that is there in America (He is married and has a child) and people (Extended family members) have visited him and have always returned. He is a resident and has a good job.

Please, how is that a red flag?

and given that I didn't specify that clearly in the first interview, is it going to be okay once they know and I let them know?

Please, be honest.

Good evening everyone. I need correction on my transcript.
Would be going for an interview on the 19th of May at Abuja
3rd interview
Vo- why are you going to the use
Me- to obtain a masters of science in business analytics at grand canyon university Arizona

Vo- why grand canyon university
Me- apart from my sister been an alumni of grand canyon university.
My research interest is in the field of ways to grow business in small and medium scale sector in Nigeria. I spoke with professor phil Greg in the department of business analytics who has a research on ways to grow business in small and medium scale sector in the word, he would be of help to me. The university tuition fee is in line with my mother's budget.

Vo- who is you sponsor
Me- my mom

Vo- what does she do
Me- she is the managing director of ..... Where I work.

Vo- why is she have a different last name
Me- I lost my dad at a very little age, and my mom got remarried.

Vo- how would this certificate help you
Me- with a master degree in business analytics, it would help me enhance The growth of my mother's company where I work,
During the covid 19 pandemic, individuals where helped by the Nigerian government to grow their businesses, without a good knowledge about the data base of your business it won't grow. So I would start up a training business firm for individuals with passion for business.

Vo- after your masters what next for you.
Me- upon my return to Nigeria. I would go back to my place of work, And bring those knowledge at work in my mother's company.

Vo- why USA
Me- I chose USA because they offer the right blend to the theoretical and practical knowledge which is very difficult to obtain anywhere in the world.

I have more let me post this for now. Please I need your honest correction. I really want to be confident in my self. I believe I can get it here.

frapzkid:
you should'nt have done this (tell the VO that your brother is now a resident )
(THIS IS A BIG BIG RED FLAG)
you had an extremely good profile
been to the US twice.
good statement of account
and good course of study.

You should not expose your one bit of red flag.

A VO would find it hard to give a person a with close relatives living as residents a non -immigrants visa .
It is a big big red flag
IN FACT THE BIGGEST RED FLAG OF ALL!
That shows the person have no home ties to Nigeria cos his home (family) is at America
except it is an immigrant visa


To be sincere you messed your profile cos this information would be saved for further interview you want to have.

Just try and prepare to look for more home ties that would prove to the next VO .
Like you being married or getting to marry soon
A good job with a multinational company

This is not True. It is not a red flag to have a sibling who is a resident in the states. Your fiancé or your parent who can in anytime file for you are the red flags. There are several people who have used their sibling’s Statements of accounts as a sponsor and have even told the VO about living with them while in school. Its not a red flag please, you shouldn’t lie to the VO about these things, when they can pull it up and deny you for doing that.

Please the able mentors of this forum @fairheart and @walspring .I need your help . Please how can I contact you or if you can send an email to me on tundesy29@yahoo.com . Thank you and God bless

Thank you. Axxx University. Department- Human Development

Elnon:
Its okay....You can tell the VO you applied to 2 schools,1 in the Uk and 1 in the US...Pls what school is that in the US and what dept?

Thank you for your response. I am relieved.

LagosismyHome:
You can state the UK school as well and if asked why the US you state your reason. There no law against applying to both countries

Chimmy609:
Good evening everyone. I need correction on my transcript.
Would be going for an interview on the 19th of May at Abuja
3rd interview
Vo- why are you going to the use
Me- to obtain a masters of science in business analytics at grand canyon university Arizona

Vo- why grand canyon university
Me- [s]apart from my sister been an alumni of grand canyon university [/s]
My research interest is in the field of ways to grow business in small and medium scale sector in Nigeria. I spoke with professor phil Greg in the department of business analytics who has a research on ways to grow business in small and medium scale sector in the word, he would be of help to me. The university tuition fee is in line with my mother's budget.

Vo- who is you sponsor
Me- my mom

Vo- what does she do
Me- she is the managing director of ..... Where I work.

Vo- why is she have a different last name
Me- I lost my dad at a very little age, and my mom got remarried.

Vo- how would this certificate help you
Me- with a master degree in business analytics, it would help me enhance The growth of my mother's company where I work,
During the covid 19 pandemic, individuals where helped by the Nigerian government to grow their businesses, without a good knowledge about the data base of your business it won't grow. So I would start up a training business firm for individuals with passion for business.

Vo- after your masters what next for you.
Me- upon my return to Nigeria. I would go back to my place of work, And bring those knowledge at work in my mother's company.

Vo- why USA
Me- I chose USA because they offer the right blend to the theoretical and practical knowledge which is very difficult to obtain anywhere in the world.

I have more let me post this for now. Please I need your honest correction. I really want to be confident in my self. I believe I can get it here.

This place can complicate the whole matter...the VO might see it as a family reunion

horlahsunbo225:
The grad cord get back to me today that TA decision has been made....he advised me to contact some faculties for possible RA position.....I'm done with them....heading to Montana state....cheers to you

Oh! Nawaoooo. Thank God you have plan B. I am yet to hear from my dept. I pray it should be positive.

I just wonder why they are taking so much time. I applied to Iowa State University been contacted by a Prof for a possible research area. I replied and she asked for my CV which I have given her over a month now. I had to keep sending series of emails to her to know if she got my CV with no luck. Only for her to come back this Monday, gave me a survey she did on that research area for my further reading. I read the paper sharperly and responded Wednesday, as usual, she has gone silent again. T
The admission deadline is next week Friday and my application is still showing under review by graduate department.

Is this a positive or negative sign as am really worried. That school is the only school I applied to.

ObodoNaija:
Oh! Nawaoooo. Thank God you have plan B. I am yet to hear from my dept. I pray it should to be positive.

Please my sponsor reside in new Jersey which is my fiancee, she intend to sponsor me to a university in new Jersey. So she asked me to find out any school and she's going to sponsor me..pls I need your help concerning how to process this ...I intend to study nursing..I have dropped out of the university twice