First application

KingsmanMonarch:
Transcript
Visa Denied
9th of August, 2021
9am appointment
COA = $ 46,180
Abuja Embassy
White Male VO in glasses.

Me: Good morning sir
VO: Good morning
VO: pass me your documents
Me: ok sir( I applied him all my documents)
VO: types furiously on his computer
VO: Have you travelled out of your country in the last 5 years.
ME : Yes sir
VO: where? The United States?
Me: No ....the United Arab Emirates
VO: Dubai?
Me: No....Al Ain , Abu Dhabi.
VO: Al ain, oh ...ok
VO: types furiously on his computer for almost 40 seconds.
VO: so who is sponsoring your education
Me: my uncle
VO: what does he do
Me: he is a major dealer in Electrical and Electronic equipment
VO: major dealer in what?
Me: in Electrical and Electronic equipment
VO: ok......( types furiously on his computer)
VO: are you married?
Me: Yes
VO: with kids
Me: No
VO: will your wife be going with you
Me: NO
VO: ok ( types for almost 20 seconds on his computer)
VO: I will not be approving your visa at this moment ......(prints a blue form and hands it over to me)
Me: Thank you. ( I take the form and leave)
.....
..... I read why I was denied and saw a 214(b) section....
......
To the Gurus in the house...
What did I do wrong and how do I do it better.
I wore a suit cos I was cold and wanted to look very professional.
.

Themaths:


You welcome.

One more question though. Pls how did you manage the issue of recommendation letters. Will those professors have time to send letters to all these schools? I had to explain to one that it's more than a school. They seem too busy.

Erudite77:


Thank you for this useful information!

Were you able to secure admission to one of them eventually?

Best regards.

Yes, I secured alot of admissions, tuition waivers and all that...but I got a GA with one of them. Mind you, I couldn't apply to all of them because of one reason or another. Could be official transcript or TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo or they didn't have a program I like.

bukhety:

One more question though. Pls how did you manage the issue of recommendation letters. Will those professors have time to send letters to all these schools? I had to explain to one that it's more than a school. They seem too busy.

Send me a PM/Email

bukhety:

One more question though. Pls how did you manage the issue of recommendation letters. Will those professors have time to send letters to all these schools? I had to explain to one that it's more than a school. They seem too busy.

I'm being faced with the same challenge!


Application to schools isn't the problem; the problem is how to inform professors to be sending LOR to your schools. Out of the three recommenders, only one gave me almost immediately.

The other ones are just too busy.

Themaths:


Yes, I secured alot of admissions, tuition waivers and all that...but I got a GA with one of them. Mind you, I couldn't apply to all of them because of one reason or another. Could be official transcript or TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo or they didn't have a program I like.

Thanks for your reply.

Best wishes.

Themaths:


Send me a PM/Email

Thank u bro. Will do that now.

Visa denied 11th August, Abuja.
Phd full funding
Transcript
Vo; Good morning
Me: Good morning
Vo. Pass me your i20 and passport
YesMe: passed
Vo. Have you travelled before
Me; yes to Russia, Germany, Austria and ghana
Vo. What for
Me. For conferences, short courses and trainings related to cancer epidemiology
Vo: what do you do
Me: I work full time as a lecturer with the Ahmadu Bello university where my primary responsibilities borders on teaching and research.
Vo: great. Are you married
Me;yes I'm married
Vo: typing for only God knows how long.
Vo. Ypur spouse is the United states what is he doing
Me: He previously had his masters in business administration and currently doing a second degree in health management.
Vo..pass me blue p

I'm thinking of reapplying. I'm not sure what I should do right now. Your advice and input is needed. Please thanks

Omonikansoso:
Visa denied 11th August, Abuja.
Phd full funding

Chai.

Omonikansoso:
Visa denied 11th August, Abuja.
Phd full funding
Transcript
Vo; Good morning
Me: Good morning
Vo. Pass me your i20 and passport
YesMe: passed
Vo. Have you travelled before
Me; yes to Russia, Germany, Austria and ghana
Vo. What for
Me. For conferences, short courses and trainings related to cancer epidemiology
Vo: what do you do
Me: I work full time as a lecturer with the Ahmadu Bello university where my primary responsibilities borders on teaching and research.
Vo: great. Are you married
Me;yes I'm married
Vo: typing for only God knows how long.
Vo. Ypur spouse is the United states what is he doing
Me: He previously had his masters in business administration and currently doing a second degree in health management.
Vo..pass me blue p

I'm thinking of reapplying. I'm not sure what I should do right now. Your advice and input is needed. Please thanks

I think the issue lies with your husband.

Firefox01:
I think the issue lies with your husband.

I think the VO guessed she's relocating to meet her husband.

Firefox01:
I think the issue lies with your husband.

I agree. VOs deny this a lot in interviews but I think having relatives in the US actually counts against you (especially first degree relatives like spouses, parents and siblings).

And to cap things off, I'm assuming the husband got an F1 to study an MBA, after which he was meant to return to Nigeria, but he actually stayed to resume another course of study. I don't know how much of a factor this was, but it definitely should count against her as well.

Way forward? She has an excellent profile and is likely genuine. A PhD is a clear upward trend in her career. Her husband's travel history counts against her, so she needs more than just work ties at the moment. Any Kids? That would help in the way of family ties. Or having the husband return and attend the visa interview together could help as well.

Visa approved at the Abj embassy. (7:30 am appointment) EA approved on 2nd August after waiting almost a month.
COA: $29,000
Funding: nil
SOA: $70,000
Sponsor: Uncle (Different surnames)

I was attended to by an Asian male VO. There were two windows active with VOs this morning. One male and one female.

The guy had denied about 7 applicants right before it got to my turn.

VO: Good morning. Pass me your I-20 and your passport please.
Me: (I obliged)
VO: (types for what seemed like 30 secs) First time? Have you traveled to the US before?
Me: No.
VO: Okay, first time. And who'll be paying for your studies?
Me: My uncle.
VO: What does your uncle do?
Me: He's a real estate developer and property management consultant.
VO: Oh, wow. Do you have his bank statements?
Me: Yes (I passed them to him and he perused through it carefully)
VO: What do you do?
Me: I'm a Hydrogeologist. (I didn't bother telling him where and for how long I have been working. He was fixed on his screen, typing)
VO:What did you study for your undergraduate degree?
Me: Geology.
VO: Do you have any family in the US?
Me: No. (while maintaining steady eye contact)
VO: So what are your plans after your studies?
Me: I will come back and work as a consultant to my state's water corporation. I wish to help tackle water sustainability issues and other critical problems affecting quality of groundwater here in Nigeria.
VO: (types for what seemed like an eternity)
Okay, I'll be approving your visa. Pick up your passport from your designated collection centre. It might take a week because of COVID-19 rules... I believed this was what he said, that deafness that comes with this paper is not a myth at all



I was fighting to contain my excitement.That VO was on a denial streak and God came through for me. Thank you, Jesus. I had to bone up so the hustlers no go tax me. Lol. One of the security who saw my white paper said I should go do Thanksgiving, that I was the 1st approval all morning after back to back denials.
I'd like to point out that confidence is key. This is my second application. I was denied 2 years ago. I came back better, well prepared and more confident. If you were denied, just re-strategize and come back with a stronger application.


PS: Please, who's in Bowling Green State University, let's link up.

Themaths:


Yes, I secured alot of admissions, tuition waivers and all that...but I got a GA with one of them. Mind you, I couldn't apply to all of them because of one reason or another. Could be official transcript or TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo or they didn't have a program I like.

hello bro can you give me the list of schools I can apply to without sitting for TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo and could accept unofficial transcripts and most important have spring intake

Shadbay:
Visa approved at the Abj embassy. (7:30 am appointment) EA approved on 2nd August after waiting almost a month.
COA: $29,000
Funding: nil
SOA: $70,000
Sponsor: Uncle (Different surnames)

I was attended to by a white male VO. There were two windows active with VOs this morning. One male and one female.

The guy had denied about 7 applicants right before it got to my turn.

VO: Good morning. Pass me your I-20 and your passport please.
Me: (I obliged)
VO: (types for what seemed like 30 secs) First time? Have you traveled to the US before?
Me: No.
VO: Okay, first time. And who'll be paying for your studies?
Me: My uncle.
VO: What does your uncle do?
Me: He's a real estate developer and property management consultant.
VO: Oh, wow. Do you have his bank statements?
Me: Yes (I passed them to him and he perused through it carefully)
VO: What do you do?
Me: I'm a Hydrogeologist. (I didn't bother telling him where and for how long I have been working. He was fixed on his screen, typing)
VO:What did you study for your undergraduate degree?
Me: Geology.
VO: Do you have any family in the US?
Me: No.
VO: So what are your plans after your studies?
Me: I will come back and work as a consultant to my state's water corporation. I wish to help tackle water sustainability issues and other critical problems affecting quality of groundwater here in Nigeria.
VO: (types for what seemed like an eternity)
Okay, I'll be approving your visa. Pick up your passport from your designated collection centre. It might take a week because of COVID-19 rules.



I was fighting to contain my excitement. That VO was on a denial streak and God came through for me. Thank you, Jesus. I had to bone up so the hustlers no go tax me. Lol.
I'd like to point out that confidence is key. This is my second application. I was denied 2 years ago. I came back better, well prepared and more confident. If you were denied, just re-strategize and come back with a stronger application.

Selah


PS: Please, who's in Bowling Green State University, let's link up.

Congratulations

Omonikansoso:
Visa denied 11th August, Abuja.
Phd full funding
Transcript
Vo; Good morning
Me: Good morning
Vo. Pass me your i20 and passport
YesMe: passed
Vo. Have you travelled before
Me; yes to Russia, Germany, Austria and ghana
Vo. What for
Me. For conferences, short courses and trainings related to cancer epidemiology
Vo: what do you do
Me: I work full time as a lecturer with the Ahmadu Bello university where my primary responsibilities borders on teaching and research.
Vo: great. Are you married
Me;yes I'm married
Vo: typing for only God knows how long.
Vo. Ypur spouse is the United states what is he doing
Me: He previously had his masters in business administration and currently doing a second degree in health management.
Vo..pass me blue p

I'm thinking of reapplying. I'm not sure what I should do right now. Your advice and input is needed. Please thanks

Depending on how your husband started his second degree, I have no doubts he's the cause of your denial. He went for masters, did he come back to Nigeria before applying for his second degree or just continued from there? Seems to me the VO want to use you as a guarantee that your husband will return from the US. However, you can try again. Goodluck to you.

Shadbay:
Visa approved at the Abj embassy. (7:30 am appointment) EA approved on 2nd August after waiting almost a month.
COA: $29,000
Funding: nil
SOA: $70,000
Sponsor: Uncle (Different surnames)

I was attended to by a white male VO. There were two windows active with VOs this morning. One male and one female.


Congratulations!

I wish you all the very best!

The guy had denied about 7 applicants right before it got to my turn.

VO: Good morning. Pass me your I-20 and your passport please.
Me: (I obliged)
VO: (types for what seemed like 30 secs) First time? Have you traveled to the US before?
Me: No.
VO: Okay, first time. And who'll be paying for your studies?
Me: My uncle.
VO: What does your uncle do?
Me: He's a real estate developer and property management consultant.
VO: Oh, wow. Do you have his bank statements?
Me: Yes (I passed them to him and he perused through it carefully)
VO: What do you do?
Me: I'm a Hydrogeologist. (I didn't bother telling him where and for how long I have been working. He was fixed on his screen, typing)
VO:What did you study for your undergraduate degree?
Me: Geology.
VO: Do you have any family in the US?
Me: No.
VO: So what are your plans after your studies?
Me: I will come back and work as a consultant to my state's water corporation. I wish to help tackle water sustainability issues and other critical problems affecting quality of groundwater here in Nigeria.
VO: (types for what seemed like an eternity)
Okay, I'll be approving your visa. Pick up your passport from your designated collection centre. It might take a week because of COVID-19 rules.



I was fighting to contain my excitement. That VO was on a denial streak and God came through for me. Thank you, Jesus. I had to bone up so the hustlers no go tax me. Lol.
I'd like to point out that confidence is key. This is my second application. I was denied 2 years ago. I came back better, well prepared and more confident. If you were denied, just re-strategize and come back with a stronger application.

Selah


PS: Please, who's in Bowling Green State University, let's link up.

Congratulations to you!

All the very best!

Hello everyone please is it advisable to give a VO an American bank account statement of sponsor when asked for bank statement(the sponsor my father lives in Nigeria) or just the Nigerian bank account statements? Please I need advice on this guys

lanrywatt:
Visa interview date 9th Aug
Status denied
COA 55803k
Merit award: 8k
Deficit :47803
Family funds stated on I-20
Msc Social Work....University of pitts
First attempt: in my beginning 30s
Pleases Kindly reviews and advise accordingly.
Vo: abj: one white man on white and tie. He was very fast ..everything happens so fast
Interview as follows.
Me: Good morning
Vo: place your hand on the scanner
Me: Did
VO: Pass me your documents
Me: was going to remove I-20 and passport for him, but vo said all, all was passed
Vo: have you travelled to the us before
Me: no , not at all
Vo: What is your highest degree
Me: bachelor of Science in Child Development
Vo: nodded so are you employed
Me: no, however, i have been making preparations by taking prerequisite courses on coursera, such as human development and social environment and I presently volunteered at Bleep and Vo cut me off. (Note: I stopped work in March 2021...contracted job with an INGO written on my ds form) said it as stated on ds form.
Vo: checked system and asked if my siblings all school here in Nigeria...Vo must have seen i have a bro who went to us for a 6wks program but he is back. Which I didn't no until after my interview ( I don't know if it affect anything though just saying for extensive review)
Me: yes they all school here. Note ( I was expecting him to ask me what my siblings do but he didn't, maybe be I should have explained more without waiting for him to ask me)
Vo: nodded so who is paying for your deficit
Me: I have a merit scholarship and my dad will be paying maintaining eye contact. Note I have two sponsor my dad and uncle ..dad was filled on Ds form but my uncle statement was with me and sufficient enough while my dad statement was not sufficient enough... immediate I mention my dad VO: cut me by asking what he does, he was fast so I couldn't mention my uncle
I stuttered a little.
Me: he is a director at the Ministry of Bleep and also owns a large commercial cucumber farm in ogun statement that supplies cucumber within southwest.
Vo: can I have financial evidence
Me: brought out both statement of account ..vo sight hmmm seen my uncles statement is bulky but I presented my dad statement first
Vo: quickly scanned the total credit and debit and available balance. Returned it and quickly typed for few minutes and hand me blue paper...saying according to visa rules I am not qualified at this moment blablabla...can't remember the rest.

Pleases What can I do differently.
Can I reapply immediately by using my uncle statement or go with a sufficient statement this time from my dad.
My dad cooperative gave him a loan letter. Can I ask school to include it on my I-20 or reapply and go with it.
Program start date is 16th August thinking of requesting for extension for 2 wks probably I can reapply again.

Just got info that my msc degree result are now available yesterday. Didnt declared it cos at the time of application it was not ready. What my chance of applying for a PhD program instead.
Help!!!!!

Sorry about this experience. I think you being unemployed raised the first red flag for the VO coupled with your age.
I think you should apply for a PhD as the chances of full funding are higher and thus the chances of denial due to financial reasons are reduced/eliminated

Pls has anyone here picked Akure as visa collection centre and got it within 5 days?
Or is there anyone who was interviewed on the 4th or 5th and has received his passport?

Omonikansoso:
Visa denied 11th August, Abuja.
Phd full funding
Transcript
Vo; Good morning
Me: Good morning
Vo. Pass me your i20 and passport
YesMe: passed
Vo. Have you travelled before
Me; yes to Russia, Germany, Austria and ghana
Vo. What for
Me. For conferences, short courses and trainings related to cancer epidemiology
Vo: what do you do
Me: I work full time as a lecturer with the Ahmadu Bello university where my primary responsibilities borders on teaching and research.
Vo: great. Are you married
Me;yes I'm married
Vo: typing for only God knows how long.
Vo. Ypur spouse is the United states what is he doing
Me: He previously had his masters in business administration and currently doing a second degree in health management.
Vo..pass me blue p

I'm thinking of reapplying. I'm not sure what I should do right now. Your advice and input is needed. Please thanks

Your wife been in the USA is a red flag , she would have returned while you apply

Congratulations the God that did it for you will do it for us in Jesus mighty name Amen

Shadbay:
Visa approved at the Abj embassy. (7:30 am appointment) EA approved on 2nd August after waiting almost a month.
COA: $29,000
Funding: nil
SOA: $70,000
Sponsor: Uncle (Different surnames)

I was attended to by a white male VO. There were two windows active with VOs this morning. One male and one female.

The guy had denied about 7 applicants right before it got to my turn.

VO: Good morning. Pass me your I-20 and your passport please.
Me: (I obliged)
VO: (types for what seemed like 30 secs) First time? Have you traveled to the US before?
Me: No.
VO: Okay, first time. And who'll be paying for your studies?
Me: My uncle.
VO: What does your uncle do?
Me: He's a real estate developer and property management consultant.
VO: Oh, wow. Do you have his bank statements?
Me: Yes (I passed them to him and he perused through it carefully)
VO: What do you do?
Me: I'm a Hydrogeologist. (I didn't bother telling him where and for how long I have been working. He was fixed on his screen, typing)
VO:What did you study for your undergraduate degree?
Me: Geology.
VO: Do you have any family in the US?
Me: No.
VO: So what are your plans after your studies?
Me: I will come back and work as a consultant to my state's water corporation. I wish to help tackle water sustainability issues and other critical problems affecting quality of groundwater here in Nigeria.
VO: (types for what seemed like an eternity)
Okay, I'll be approving your visa. Pick up your passport from your designated collection centre. It might take a week because of COVID-19 rules.



I was fighting to contain my excitement. That VO was on a denial streak and God came through for me. Thank you, Jesus. I had to bone up so the hustlers no go tax me. Lol.
I'd like to point out that confidence is key. This is my second application. I was denied 2 years ago. I came back better, well prepared and more confident. If you were denied, just re-strategize and come back with a stronger application.

Selah


PS: Please, who's in Bowling Green State University, let's link up.

Please oooo abeg those of us that got admission from fall but defer to spring 2022 because EA was not approved earlier and booked appointments already how are we gonna update the ds160 when new I-20 never arrived. Or we have to convince VO on interview day? Please advise us we are many in the situation. And I guess if someone has booked an appointment already we cannot edit the ds160 profile anymore is this true? Thanks for response. Thanks

Please I need your advice.

Out of the three recommenders, only one has given me a letter. The other two lecturers seem unavailable. I'm being courteous with them, so no reminder every day and night.

What do I need to do? I've paid my app fee. SOP, writing sample, and the other documents are intact.

Please guys I need an answer on this

Approvalll:
Hello everyone please is it advisable to give a VO an American bank account statement of sponsor when asked for bank statement(the sponsor my father lives in Nigeria) or just the Nigerian bank account statements? Please I need advice on this guys

opeyemioguns:
I've found it hard to get a university that offers PhD admissions in spring in USA. Anyone that knows available schools can please give me suggestions. Thank you

Anyone?

Approvalll:
Congratulations the God that did it for you will do it for us in Jesus mighty name Amen

Amen! Prepare adequately and let God do the rest.

If you have their number, call them. Or alternatively, write a sample, send to them to review/edit and submit.

Erudite77:
Please I need your advice.

Out of the three recommenders, only one has given me a letter. The other two lecturers seem unavailable. I'm being courteous with them, so no reminder every day and night.

What do I need to do? I've paid my app fee. SOP, writing sample, and the other documents are intact.

Oluwacolded:
hello bro can you give me the list of schools I can apply to without sitting for TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo and could accept unofficial transcripts and most important have spring intake

You can check on the university's admission requirements about transcript and English proficiency waiver. Most US Universities accept unofficial transcript for admission consideration and they waive English proficiency for Nigerian applicants.

This is going to be a somewhat long...

Fams, in whatever you find yourself doing, always put GOD first. Without him, your hardwork and great profile could be regarded as nothing in few seconds. Indeed, GOD is nothing but Great and Awesome... Alhamdulillahi Robbil Alamin.

Also, NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR PURSUIT FOR SUCCESS!

My first visa interview was at LAGOS and was scheduled for November 27, 2019. I had a fully funded PhD in Civil Engineering (Water Resources Option) at University of Kentucky, Lexington.

So, this was how the interview went...

Me: Good morning ma'am
VO: Good morning, pass me your passport
Me: Should I include my I-20?
VO: Pls do
VO: Why are you going to the US?
Me: I'm going to the United States of America to have my PhD. degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Kentucky in Lexington
VO: Why University of Kentucky?
Me: I got to realize, during my online search, that the University of Kentucky meets my expectations with respect to my research specialization. I realized that Dr.__ specializes in fate and transport of environmental contaminants (had the mind to express myself further but wouldn't know what killed my morale at this point, just got blank)
VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: I was able to complete my application to only University of Kentucky. I would have also applied to University of Colorado but my GRE score was not up to the required score of the school
VO: What's your GRE score?
Me: 300 (I proceeded to give the breakdown)
VO: What do you do?
Me: I work as an Assistant Lecturer at....
VO: What will this PhD do for you?
Me: Apart from my research, the PhD will give me the opportunity to gain promotion to the position of full Lecturer as the position I currently hold is a training position that requires further training (meanwhile, I had prepared to say something different entirely but someone gave the advice and I thought it weighed more than what I planned initially, so my subconscious took it instead)
VO: Why are you changing career
Me: No, I would not be changing career. My first and second degrees were in Water Resources Management and I intend to specialize in Water Resources Engineering during this program. Moreover, I intend to focus on water treatment, which is better handled in Civil Engineering.
VO: What do you do?
Me: I work as an Assistant Lecturer at Federal University of...
VO: What do you teach? (I couldn't hear what she was saying until the third time)
Me: I teach water related courses (I had to say this twice and later realized I should have been explicit enough)
VO: Have you traveled out of Nigeria before?
Me: No, I have never had the need to
VO: Are you married?
Me: No, I'm not
VO: Started typing...
Me: In my mind, I felt it was going to be positive as she continued to type. Then a smile appeared on my face as she opened her mouth to say the unexpected.
VO: I'm sorry I won't be able to approve your visa this time. Then she passed my passport and I-20 with a yellow paper to me.
Me: I collected them with a smile and told her thank you.


My second visa interview at ABUJA was scheduled for January 12, 2020.

Me: Good morning, Sir! How are you doing?
VO: Good morning, how are you doing?
Me: I'm doing fine, thank you.
VO: Pass me your passport and I-20
Me: Here they are.
VO: Are you employed?
Me: Yes, I work as an Assistant Lecturer at the Federal University of...
VO: Why are you going to the US?
Me: I'm going to the US to have my Doctorate degree in Civil Engineering with specialization in Water Resources Engineering at the University of Kentucky.
VO: Why this school?
Me: Apart from the full time research assistantship I was offered, which covers my tuition fee with a generous stipend that covers my living expenses, the school meets my expectations with respect to research specialization. My guidance, Dr... who specializes in the fate and transport of environmental contaminants and their treatments also specializes in Water Disinfection, which is a problem I intend to tackle when I am back to Nigeria after my programme in the US.
VO: What do you do?
Me: I work as an Assistant Lecturer at the Federal University of... where I teach water related courses such as Water Quality Assessment and Pollution Control, Principles of Irrigation, Hydraulic structures and Elements of Hydrology. I am also a researcher by default (I had a letter from my Registrar but I didn't remember to mention it).
VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: I completed my application to University of Kentucky. Though I also have a pending application at Steven's Institute of Technology
VO: Are you married?
Me: No
VO: Have you traveled out of Nigeria before?
Me: No, I never had the need to.
VO: Sorry, bla bla bla
Me: May I please know why I was denied?
VO: It's written on the paper
Me: Thank you


The third one was at LAGOS on June 1, 2021 for a different programme and school.

VO: Good morning, how are you doing?
Me: Good morning, I'm doing fine. How are you doing too?
VO: Good, thank you. Pass me your passport and I-20.
Me: I did as instructed
VO: (Typed and glanced through his system and my I-20 for a while) I can see that you are going to Kent State University for a PhD in Geology.
Me: Yes please.
VO: How did you learn about the school?
Me: I used Google search and USnews.com to search and narrow down the schools that offer my course of interest.
VO: Why the school?
Me: Thank you for this question. Firstly, I will like to let you know that Kent State University offered me a full-time Graduate Teaching Assistantship position that fully covers my tuition fee and living expenses including 70% of my health insurance as you can see on my I-20. Also, I was able to establish a research correspondence with Dr... who was excited to receive my mail after mailing him to inform him about joining his research team towards conducting a research on the modeling of hyporheic zone which is the interface between surface water and groundwater systems and allows for the exchange of both organic and inorganic pollutants. Also, I should let you know that the school initiated a platform known as flashfriends that allows for the interactions between current and prospective graduate students to enable the sharing of information about the school and all, which was very helpful during my application process.
VO: I can see that you've been refused twice, 2019 and 2020.
Me: Yes, that's true for the same program in Spring 2020
VO: Which school was that? (I didn't hear well so I asked to be sure)
Me: That's University of Kentucky
VO: You applied for Water Resources Engineering then, why Geology now?
Me: Thank you for this beautiful question. I should let you know that my major, which is Water Resources Management, is an interdisciplinary course that cuts across geology, hydrology, civil engineering and environmental science including climate science. So I am going for the Geology aspect which will allow me conduct a research on the modeling of the interaction between surface water and groundwater systems which is similar to the research I intended to conduct with my PhD at University of Kentucky. (All this while he kept typing and wouldn't say anything). So I chipped in this... Also, I was unable to sustain my funding at University of Kentucky due to COVID.
VO: How did you get this great funding?
Me: Thank you. I believe the admission committee must have been greatly impressed with my academic excellence and research capability. I completed my first degree with a First class and my second degree which is a Master's degree with distinction grade. Also, I'm quite sure my recommenders must have submitted excellent recommendation letters on my behalf because they know me quite well having worked with them while they were HOD of my department where I currently work as an Assistant Lecturer. So they know about my capabilities quite well.
VO: Are you married?
Me: No, I'm single
VO: Do you have kids?
Me: No, I don't
VO: Typed for a while that I was already hoping I got the Visa this time... Then blah blah blah
Me: Felt bad, said thank you, then left.

The interview lasted longer than this as he was just typing, typing and typing. I noticed his countenance at some point while he was reading through something on his system so I have a feeling that the issue is from my profile which I wouldn't know what it is. The denial was quite shocking because I was not expecting it throughout the period our conversation lasted.


Now the fourth and the FINAL...

I wouldn't know how, but God perfected everything. The next 2 days after my last denial was my birthday. I checked my visa portal to see what's up and luckily, I saw first available date "June 28, 2021". I thought I was dreaming because the date appeared too close for a recent denial (that's a freaking 27 days after last interview). With faith, I rushed to pay another MRV fee and I was fortunate to still have the date intact at LAGOS Embassy.

What if I tell you that I do not really have a transcript to share for my fourth interview. I mean my experience was nothing but God's mercy. At the utterance of my first response, I was already about to give up because I realized I was in no way at my peak. However, God was merciful enough to change the story for me.

So, I was scheduled for 11:30 am but I left my hotel around 8 am. To locate me became an issue for my bolt driver so I spent several minutes trying to get him to find me. That didn't get me worried though because I felt I still had enough time since it's just a 25 minutes drive to the embassy. Eventually, I was able to capture him after he had passed me again. Thank God I saw his car colour and plate number on the app. I eventually got to the embassy arena and had my bag and phone kept with one of those business oriented fellows... If government no provide job at least some people thought it well to earn through a legit means other than scam and related ways. Meanwhile, they were not even considering the scheduled time of interview so I was just passed in for document verification. It's like not much people were fixed for today because the population was not so much as my first but more than my third.

After the whole waiting, I was eventually led with four other people into the interview hall. It was then I realized that people plenty small o... But still not as much as my first.

When it got to data capturing, the lady asked me when I took my passport photograph and if I had used it for a previous interview. Since the latter response was a yes, that's how she gave me a note to go and snap another one outside o. Thank God they already have a guy on standby in the waiting arena who was charging just #1,000. I went back in after I got the new passport and I completed the process. Then comes another long wait for finger print capture. That's how oyinbo's computer no wan capture my fingerprints o. I was like abi my international passport is fake ni abi dem don ban my passport ni... don't mind me, it's not a good thing to have visited the embassy several times without approval. He had to restart his system and apologized for the delay, then I felt a lil relief that the problem ain't from my end. At last the system came on and fingerprints were captured successfully.

Finally joined the last que for interview proper, then I started viewing different VO-Applicant interactions proper. In this life, until GOD says it is your time, my brother and sister just continue to have patience o because this visa approval/denial of a thing could make a denied best student feel like losing all hope. Some guys with strong case and everything intact, the next thing sorry blah blah blah�. While some with shaky voice and less effort will just get it ...boom... visa has been approved! There was the case of a guy who had previously went to US twice for tourism and spent 6 good months without any good reason to bail himself out. Mehn the VO tackled the guy till the end o even as he was trying to tender other high grade certificates to cover up his flaws. At last he was rejected and everyone kinda laughed because it was turning to a drama between them.

Meanwhile, there were 4 VOs (one was like a part-time because she wasn't really stable at the window but she eventually became my super hero).

I was checking out the scenarios at each of the windows but didn't let what was happening affect my morale because a lot of drama was happening for whoever is ready to laugh and some set of people were actually deriving joy from it. All the while, I just kept praying to God for mercy because after my 3rd interview, I knew what was left for me in this sojourn is nothing but Allah's mercy. I wasn't having any VO in particular in mind but was praying that I get interviewed by the VO that will be willing to allow God use him/her for my case. Thankfully, I got God's mercy in a miraculous way and my prayers were fully answered.

When it was almost my turn, there's a guy in my front that was about stepping to window 2 (or so) where the part-time VO is but was beckoned on to move to one of the active VO window where dramas were happening. This left me open for the window 2. I got there and the following happened...

Me: Good morning ma'am (with a smile)
VO: Good morning
Me: How are you doing ma'am?
VO: I am doing fine (with a smile)... Maybe she likes my attire because I wore native
VO: Pass me your documents.
Me: *(After getting rejected 3 times without me being asked if I have any document from my employer, a friend advised that I include it with my I-20 and fake ignorance. After all you've been denied before so it's no new thing, the most the VO will do is to return it)* So, I folded the letter of introduction I got from my Registrar (stating that I'm a bonafide staff of the Institution with my job role, including that I am expected back at my job after the programme) and placed it in front of my I-20 in-between my international passport, then passed it to her.

VO: (Luckily for me that was the first thing she saw) She removed the letter and glaced through it so swiftly as if she didn't read anything and returned it back to me that she doesn't need it. In my mind I was like... *chai mama don vex o* �
Me: Collected it and felt as if nothing has really happened.

VO: Why did you choose this school?
(Me that I already have a good proposed response for such question just realized that nothing was in my head again o, but at least went ahead to say the rubbish English that my mouth could speak at that time)
Me: I chose the school because among the schools that I applied to Kent State University had my focus with respect to course interest and research focus. I currently work as an Assistant Lecturer (VO cuts in...)

VO: that's okay, you work as an Assistant Lecturer? Where?
Me: At the Federal University of... in...

VO: Okay! What will this degree do for you?
Me: As an Assistant Lecturer, it is expected that I ensure (VO cuta in again)

VO: Where did you say you work again?
Me: Federal University of... in...

VO: Checked something on her system, then was like University of what did you say?
Me: Federal University of... in... In fact I have a letter from my Registrar incase you wish to see.

VO: No, I don't need that. Who is paying for your education?
Me: The school offered me a Graduate Teaching Assistantship position that comes with tuition fee waiver and a generous stipend which I am grateful for that covers my living expenses and 70% of my health insurance leaving me with a deficit of $1,835.

VO: So who is paying for the balance?
Me: I will be covering that with my personal savings.

VO: Checked my I-20 and was like 'Okay'

I was just staring at her. That's how she carried my passport and dropped it inside a box and removed a white paper o. Then she faced her system and started reading through what's there. Then everything started looking like a film trick. She wasn't really happy with what she's seeing there. So she took out my passport from the box and also picked my I-20. At this point, I became really scared and started saying all prayers that my mouth could say. Thank God there's nose mask to shield my mouth's movement. All I was asking for was God's mercy as much as I could. She eventually stepped out to speak with someone I was not seeing, but it was obvious she was soliciting for a consideration on my behalf (only God knew what these people don write for my case o). She came back, started doing something on the system and it seems like copy and paste or deleting something sha. Meanwhile, she's yet to return my passport into the box but at the same time still have the white paper placed beneath my I-20.

VO: What position will you attain with your PhD?
Me: Lecturer II

VO: Okay!
She resumed to her typing and after a while, the golden words came out of her mouth... "I am approving your VISA"

That's how my system just scattered that I was trying to listen to what she was saying but my ears no gree hear o. All I wanted at that moment was to allow her stop talking so I could thank her for the consideration.

Eventually she finished talking and I thanked her and pray that God continue to bless her abundantly. It was obvious from her facial expression that she's happy about the decision and how I felt afterwards.


Special appreciation to my one and only chiefest chief, PEPEronically macaroni who saw my first interview transcript on Nairaland, reached out to me and gave me some encouragements that denial is nothing, that I will eventually get it if I remain steadfast. Thank you very much great Scholar, brother, leader and all-in-1 personality. May God continue to be your fortifier.

God didn't stop at that, He always had people sent to me at every point of my bad times. In no order of arrangement, these Scholars have been of great and immense support to my morale in all ramifications: Afeez, Ariwoola Mattew, Demmy, Yusuf, Debik, Zaynab, Mayowa, Chinonso, Gifty, Enyo (Nairaland), Eyo, Kemi (Nairaland), Kush, the whole ACER family and FCLN family. You guys are the best!

Alhamdulillahi Robbil Alamin... God will not start what He cannot complete. So, remain steadfast in your pursuit for excellence!

EmmaChe:
If you have their number, call them. Or alternatively, write a sample, send to them to review/edit and submit.

Thank you, dear brother.

They see messages, just no reply.

I just sent another one telling them that I have a sample. In fact, that was what I did for the first person. And she edited it and forwarded it to me.

Thank you.