₦airaland Forum

Ijyoma:
Guys, please is something wrong with using a politician as a sponsor? People are saying it's a red flag and I'm wondering why or how that is, when almost all our politicians have families abroad. Please share with me, let me reassure a friend that is fretting over this. Thanks.

ide2012:
Hello house: Has anyone ever scheduled a visa interview or seen anyone that has gone for a visa interview that’s a special student using sign language to communicate? I’m a special student going for my visa interview for undergrad, what should I know before going. Thank you Guys, God bless

krisbweezy91:
Good morning guys. Thanks for this platform.

I am a 2.2 graduate of International studies and diplomacy. I have over 5 years banking experience and recently, over a year's supply chain experience. I've found supply chain to be quite fascinating and will like to proceed to the US for a masters program in supply chain.

Can I still meet up with this year's fall or next spring's intake?

Please do I stand any chance of getting funding?

I'll be glad to receive recommendations of schools I can apply to also.

Please help a brother 🙏🏾

Oabayomi24:
Hello everyone,

Please I would appreciate it if anyone can help me with this question:
My F1 visa got rejected last year December, so now I got an admission to a different school, and a loan too.
So I would like to know if they give visa to students who want to finance their education with loans, and what is the best plan I can use to convince the VO that I have to pay back the loan.
And also can I still use my last SEVIE receipt for my new VISA interview appointment?
Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your contributions.

ide2012:
Hello house: Has anyone ever scheduled a visa interview or seen anyone that has gone for a visa interview that’s a special student using sign language to communicate? I’m a special student going for my visa interview for undergrad, what should I know before going. Thank you Guys, God bless

Gokoyer0:
Do we have people in Data analytics in US or planning to resume studies?
Can anyone suggest Msc in Data Analytics pls. I am looking for something not too expensive and opportunity for some turion waiver.
What about job prospects after graduation?
Thanks

TEMIT0PE:
This year's fall ? That's almost impossible if you haven't applied already. Spring 2024 is a better shot but you should still hurry it up still. Every school has deadline for admissions (and funding application too).

Your eligibility for funding has no generic answer. Depends on the school (some give funding alongside admission, some ask you to apply seperately, some will request for essay, some GRE, some will invite you for an interview after giving you admission and applying for funding, some will combine some of the earlier mentioned), your own application (Degree transcript, professional work history, and how early you apply).

If Spring 2024 is your target, then you should already have target schools in mind and done some research on their admission and funding requirements (and deadlines).

yinkhar:
Check Texas tech university, university of Nebraska at Omaha for data analytics

Dgabby01:
Hello everyone! Please I need to be cleared on something🙏
I did my first interview with a private university and my major was computer science but what appeared on my I-20 was computer and information sciences. I told the school counselor to change it but he said it's correct that the I-20 name for computer science is computer and information sciences. But unfortunately, my first attempt wasn't successful because the school was too expensive. I got admission into a public uni with a low COA. Now, this is where am confused. The new school used computer science on the I-20 the sent me, not computer and information sciences. Please, I hope the vo will not think I changed course because I don't know how I will explain this to them so that the will understand that it's not my fault.

Dgabby01:
Hello everyone! Please I need to be cleared on something🙏
I did my first interview with a private university and my major was computer science but what appeared on my I-20 was computer and information sciences. I told the school counselor to change it but he said it's correct that the I-20 name for computer science is computer and information sciences. But unfortunately, my first attempt wasn't successful because the school was too expensive. I got admission into a public uni with a low COA. Now, this is where am confused. The new school used computer science on the I-20 the sent me, not computer and information sciences. Please, I hope the vo will not think I changed course because I don't know how I will explain this to them so that the will understand that it's not my fault.

estijaz:
I have been congratulating people since, and now its my turn to share.

*Your latest visa baby in town*

Appointment was for 6:30am (May 10th)
First attempt
Lagos Consulate
Wharton MBA
COA: $118,568
Scholly: $60,000
Deficit: $58,568 (school put this under personal funds)

I stayed at a hotel in Obalende. It cost 15k, but you can also find hotels for 8-10k close to the Obalende bus park.

On my appointment day, I took bolt straight to the embassy. The trip lasted for 10 minutes, and it cost #1,500.

I got to the embassy at 6am. At this point, I joined the queue, but the security officer said there was no queue until the embassy opens at 6:30am. So, I went straight to the front because I can't dull my family.

Then, the security officer told us to bring out our appointment confirmation, our ds-160, our I-20, our sevis fee receipt, our international passport, and our passport photograph (this wasn't used for anything).

Then, we formed the official queue, and went through 3 rounds of security check. My advice is that you shouldn't take your phones, keys, liquid or anything that is not your documents along. I was proactive about this, and that was why I was the first person to be admitted into the embassy.

After we entered the embassy, another embassy official confirmed the validity of our documents, and asked for when we took our passport photographs (don't say anything more than 6 months from your interview date), and then we were told to go and get our biometrics done.

After I did my biometrics, I waited on the queue for an extra 30 minutes before the VOs opened their windows for the interviews. I think this was around 7:30am, but I am not sure. Anyways, if you feel pressed at this point, you can take excuse from the security officer, and go and use the restroom (don't worry, your spot on the queue would be reserved).

Funny enough, the vo that took my biometrics was the one to interview me (she changed seats). Thankfully, I had already given her my great smile and asked about her day during the biometrics process. She didn't answer sha, she knew the angle I was coming from, and quickly said all she wants to do is take my biometrics.

*Anyways, straight to the part you all have been waiting for*

VO: Pass me your passport, I-20, and Sevis fee receipt.

VO: How old are you? (Maybe mummy thought I was 16, and thus was surprised that my I-20 wasn't signed by my parents).
Me: I am 24 years old (e shock you?)

VO: What do you?
Me: I am a medical doctor who has been working as the Director of xxxxxx, which is a multi-award-winning NGO promoting health equity in Nigeria through community development, research, and advocacy projects in the fields of sexual and reproductive health, and childhood nutrition. Also, I work part-time as a healthcare consultant with several national and international nonprofit and government organisations.

VO: Why do you want to go and study Econo....(stutters)...metrics? (me sef surprise for the major when dey my I-20...I started looking for definition of my major when my school sent it... Anyways, to prevent stories that touch, I reached out to my school to input MBA in the remark section of my I-20, and I put "MBA-Major in Business Economics and Public Policy" in Ds-160).
Me: No, I want to go and pursue my Masters of Business Administration with a major in Business Economics and Public Policy. This is because I realized that the African Union's Youth Office generates an annual revenue of just about $500,000......(cuts me off)

VO: I can see you have a substantial scholarship, but also a huge deficit. How do you plan to fund this?
Me: I have an approved loan of $58,568 from Discover with an interest rate of...... (cuts me off)

Vo: Discover, the credit card company?
Me: No, Discover, the student loan company (they might be the same, but nothing concern me concern credit card company when I never enter Yankee)

Vo: Is the loan company in the US
Me: Yes

Vo: So, what would ensure that you would pay back your loans after you return to Nigeria.
Me: My school is a co-signer of the loan, and would cut me off (I wanted to say "from accessing alumni benefits", but I didn't and I don't know why) if I don't pay......(cuts me off)

Vo: oh, your school is the co-signer of the loan?
Me: Yes, there are.

Vo: how did you get this scholarship?
Me: This scholarship given to one exceptional student per year who has demonstrated enormous impact in the health sector of their country, and who would continue doing so after graduation.
Moreover, the fellowship recipient must have a track record of academic success, and I fit this criteria since I graduated from my medical school as a Primus Honor Student, had a GRE score of 325/340, and have represented my institution in multiple conferences.

Vo: What do you currently earn as a medical doctor in Nigeria
Me: I earn a salary of about 279,000 dollars (I claim it), sorry, naira monthly (I could not talk about my part-time consulting salary because I stopped taking up these jobs because I want to be fully focused on my NGO since I am transitioning out as the Director, and thus need to devote every minute of my time to train my successor).

Vo: But that is enough to pay back your loans (Ma, why do you think doctors are japaing everyday, do you think its because we like cold?)
Me: I would not be working as a medical doctor when I return to Nigeria. I would be working with the African Union, and my estimated salary is about $100,000 (I wanted to say annually, but she cut me off....its like she doesn't earn up to that)

VO: What organisation is this? Is it in Nigeria? (ah ah, shey you dey whine the African Union ni?)
Me: The African Union. It is a multinational government organisation that pays in dollars.

Vo: Okay, that's a great dream, but why do you think they would employ you.
Me: Because I have worked with them in the past. For example, I was the African Union Youth Ambassador to the 2019 G20 Summit in Osaka, sorry, Tokyo (I was confusing this because I have been to both cities). Due to the success of this project, I was also selected as the African Union Youth Ambassador to Bayer’s Youth Ag Summit in Brazil.

Vo: List all the countries you have been to
Me: Japan (twice), Brazil, Thailand, Israel, Kenya, Uganda, and Benin Republic.....(I forgot some).

Vo: When did you go to Japan?
Me: I went for the first time in May, 2019, and the second time last year.

Vo: What about Thailand?
Me: Last year

Vo: Do you have any immediate family in the US?
Me: No

Vo: I can see that you have been denied a US visa before. What were you going for then?
Me: I was selected for the Dalai Lama Fellowship at the Contemplative Science Center at the University of Virginia. So, I was going to attend the annual Dalai Lama Fellows' assembly. But I was denied, and I applied again and also got denied.

Vo: okay (she was separating my passport from my I-20, and I knew the good news was coming, she then pointed to my old passport which I had initially submitted to her but she didn't pick up). What's that?
Me: That's my other passport.

Vo: I don't need that. All I need is your new passport. Congrats, I am approving your visa. Take this paper, it would explain how to get back your passport when your visa is ready, and you should take your I-20 with you when travelling because you would be asked at the airport. Also, you can't enter the US until July 7th, 30 days before your resumption. Congrats once again (e shock you say I was composed enough to hear and remember everything she said?😂...It comes with medical training).

*Key takeaways*
1. Early interview is great because the vo would be ready to listen, and lots of people would not have annoyed them.
2. Early interview is bad because the Vo has your time, and would question everything including your grand father in the grave.
3. Dressing doesn't really suit matter. Just look OK. I wore a three quarter jeans, and a big polo, and Pam slippers (I can't kill myself because visa issue is not a do or die affair, plus my feet hurts from wearing heels all week).
4. I am not good with summative writing (If you got here, go and relax with a glass of juice because it would be your turn soon).

Snowbee:
Hello everyone please kindly help me out as I’m going through a lot at the moment, it’s an emergency 🙏🏼.
Got admission to study computer science at southern university and a and m college for summer June 5 2023 but my i20 came very late . I paid my sieves fees, visa fees and created a profile but I wasn’t allowed to schedule an appointment since April 19, after filling my visa fee receipt there was a message display that “‘my application to schedule an appointment as been submitted that they will send me a mail when it has been approved. I don’t know if this is the same for everyone as since April 19 till now I haven’t heard from them and my plan is to apply for an expedited date once they reply. Please help me thanks .

Snowbee:
Hello everyone please kindly help me out as I’m going through a lot at the moment, it’s an emergency 🙏🏼.
Got admission to study computer science at southern university and a and m college for summer June 5 2023 but my i20 came very late . I paid my sieves fees, visa fees and created a profile but I wasn’t allowed to schedule an appointment since April 19, after filling my visa fee receipt there was a message display that “‘my application to schedule an appointment as been submitted that they will send me a mail when it has been approved. I don’t know if this is the same for everyone as since April 19 till now I haven’t heard from them and my plan is to apply for an expedited date once they reply. Please help me thanks .

seunadeniye:
Good day Esther

My name is seun
I just read your post on nairaland about your experience at the US consulate. I have a schedule for 22 of May 2023 ...6:30am...please what hotel did you lodge at Obalende and I will like for some prep talk and insight too if you don't mind. Please... 07038148511(WhatsApp) thanks

Snowbee:
After filling my visa fee receipt there was a message display that “‘my application to schedule an appointment as been submitted that they will send me a mail when it has been approved. I don’t know if this is the same for everyone as since April 19 till now I haven’t heard from them and my plan is to apply for an expedited date once they reply. Please help me thanks .

mojolajesu:
Hello Great People.

I have been away for so long on this platform. I literally gave up after getting two denials 2021 and 2022.

However, the situation of this country is not even getting better to say make person have major carrier progress. So i am giving it a shot again.

Currently I have admission into East Tennessee State University for fall 2023. I couldn't get funding so I am using POF.

I am trying to arrange for it and I need your advice here. is it best I say my company is sponsoring me? been working there for 1.5 years or i should say my father is(NB: I had already told the VO my father is retired from my previous interview). Please i need your help great people.

BigIyanga:
You have had 2 strikes and cant afford to be inconsistent with your answers.. if your financial situation has changed, you have to make it make sense to the VO.

You have to tell yourself the truth.. what caused 2 denials in the last 2yrs plus? If you didn't get funded in the last 2 interviews, why are you going on the same route of no-funding? Try something different.
Only you can help you! Good luck

mojolajesu:
Thank you so much for this. Yes my financial situation has improved greatly from the last interview.

I have spent about 300 dollars applying to schools and trying to get funding but it’s all negative. I get the admissions but not the funding.

From my assessment, my last denials were based on the fact that I was using MPOWER loan solely for the funding. I had low income and couldn’t prove that I can pay back the loan upon my return to 9ja.

Got a couple of people who advised that it was a wrong decision to have solely used loan for funding. Tbh, I had given up this whole race not until recently.

I am actually doing this very very scared but maybe an extra trial wouldn’t hurt.

BigIyanga:
We all know that $300 is a lot of money for most Nigerians… but you have to see it as a return on investment ie. If u use $300 to gain $30k scholarship/stipend/gtra/.. it means ratio of return is 1:100. This na best legal ritual and Betting odds.
It’s up to u to choose what you would like to do. Do you want to share your profile so that other folks can critique and swot-analyze it… for a better outcome.

Good luck!!

mojolajesu:
Hello Great People.

I have been away for so long on this platform. I literally gave up after getting two denials 2021 and 2022.

However, the situation of this country is not even getting better to say make person have major carrier progress. So i am giving it a shot again.

Currently I have admission into East Tennessee State University for fall 2023. I couldn't get funding so I am using POF.

I am trying to arrange for it and I need your advice here. is it best I say my company is sponsoring me? been working there for 1.5 years or i should say my father is(NB: I had already told the VO my father is retired from my previous interview). Please i need your help great people.