₦airaland Forum

Poormanpikin:
Thank you, sir. My department doesn't typically award As, let alone first-class honors. Since this university's establishment, departments like English, Linguistics, and Political Science have never graduated students with first-class honors, not because there aren't deserving students, but because the department tends to be stingy with high grades. My brother, who merited a first-class degree in Political Science, graduated with a 4.44/5. I deserve a first-class degree, but I know it's impossible (based on departmental trends, not pessimism). Currently, my CGPA is 4.78/5, but I'm uncertain about getting a first-class degree.

Regarding publishing articles, I'm working on a paper about sentence patterns (SV, SVO, SVC, SVOA, etc.), and my next paper will focus on sentence structure using Noam Chomsky's tree diagram. You can still publish now, and it's not too late. In my department, publishjng a paper costs 30k. If focusing on literature and publishing a book is too expensive, you can publish a paper analyzing central themes or characters in a particular book(novel, novella, short story, play or poetry) and link it to a writing career in your SOP. Publishing is still an option, even for non-students and non-lecturers. I mean you can still publish even though you're not a student.

Don't fret; most English departments in US universities don't require a first-class degree, publications, or test scores(not required). In fact, your writing sample is just as important as your CGPA – these two are the most crucial aspects of your application. If you're focusing on Literature, an MFA (3 years) might be your best bet, and you'll need to submit a writing sample (prose fiction or poetry). For a PhD, the focus is often on language, and you'll need to submit a scholarly critical writing sample (an unpublished paper). If writing proves challenging, I'd be happy to help. Good luck with your applications!

Thanks for the insights. I appreciate

Will rescheduling affect my already submitted request for expedited interview date?

Good day,
Please, i selected a date but there was no action or indication it has been booked. Tried it severally and it was still same

What am I not doing right or what should I do?

Please help

Jack880:
Please I need your suggestion.

I attended my F-1 interview in Lagos on June 23, 2035. I was placed on administrative processing for social media vetting. It's one month now, and my status has remained on "Application Received." My program starts in middle of August.

I sent an email to the Consulate, and got a response two weeks later that my case is still under administrative processing. I confused since it still shows "Application Received" instead of the traditional "Refused" or "Administrative Processing."

This is mentally stressful.

I also had my F-1 visa interview at the U.S. Consulate in Lagos on June 18, 2025, and I was informed that my application was placed under administrative processing (social media vetting).

As of now, the CEAC status still shows “refused,” and I have not received any further updates. My academic program is scheduled to begin in August as well.

dalobaba:
Will rescheduling affect my already submitted request for expedited interview date?

■■

Yes. "RESCHEDULE ", will affect it positively or stay neutral. reschedule is the only option for you to click in order to pick another date. If your expedite is approved you must click on Reschedule in order to navigate out of your current date. If you do not see any favourable date then log out. By logging out nothing changes, your initial date will still be there. 👍

Who has experience paying USA visa fee and the money does not reflect on the portal pls what was the solution? Have created ticket,sent message,called customer care and still no solution

Follyfy:
Who has experience paying USA visa fee and the money does not reflect on the portal pls what was the solution? Have created ticket,sent message,called customer care and still no solution

How, where and when did you pay

Ife1111:
I also had my F-1 visa interview at the U.S. Consulate in Lagos on June 18, 2025, and I was informed that my application was placed under administrative processing (social media vetting).

As of now, the CEAC status still shows “refused,” and I have not received any further updates. My academic program is scheduled to begin in August as well.

When the Dept of State is done with their vetting and they have an update for you, then you will see it on your portal. It may take 3, 6 weeks, maybe months too. AP is case by case.

Follyfy:
Who has experience paying USA visa fee and the money does not reflect on the portal pls what was the solution? Have created ticket,sent message,called customer care and still no solution

To which website

Post evidence

Pristineni:
Good day everyone. I have a concern about my visa application. My uncle has been living in the US since 2016 and used my information and my siblings' information for his settlement process, possibly for permanent residency or citizenship. However, he's not sponsoring me. If I'm asked during an embassy interview whether I have any relatives in the US, what should I say? I'm unsure of his current status, but as of 2016, he was a permanent resident.

You better call your uncle and ask questions - if your name is in the system and you say No! Thats instant denial oo. Better to know what youre facing. Ignorance is not an excuse

Pristineni:
No, no, no one has used my information for anything bad. If anyone has done so, I'm not aware of it, and that's not why I posted this. I'm asking because my uncle lives in Houston, Texas, and I plan to live with him over there, at least before I settle in.

What exactly did your uncle do with your information? You mentioned he did but you don't know what he did

What you don't know you don't know.

Whether you indicate your relative depends on where you will stay.

Best to stay elsewhere, reach out to your school for options for student accommodation or intl students association etc.

Face your F1 since he's not sponsoring.
Keep all com


To all.

Please note that because of increased vetting even at border, mind your communication online whether social media and on your phone.
They can access your phone and even deleted
messages. Your purpose is to study so focus on that

Hayormide212:
When the Dept of State is done with their vetting and they have an update for you, then you will see it on your portal. It may take 3, 6 weeks, maybe months too. AP is case by case.

■■

Social media vetting cannot take 3. 6 weeks or months. The embassy is definitely doing another background checks. If social media vetting take weeks then all F1 student visa applicants will certainly resume late or defer their admissions. I personally knows many f1 visa applicants who got their visa approvals same day. 👍

HI EVERYONE , I GOT A DATE FOR MARCH 2026, DO I NEED TO MAKE ANOTHEER SEVIS FEE BEFORE REQUESTING AN EXPEDITED APPOINTMENT AS THE LAST ONE I PAID WAS IN NOV 2023, I KNOW I NEED TO MAKE ANOTHER PAYMENT FOR THE SEVIS FEE IF PERADVANTURE I GET AN EXPEDITED APPOINTMENT BUT I DONT KNOW IF I CAN REQUEST FOR THE EXPEDITED APPOINTMENT WITHOUT MAKING THE PAYMENT

Yours is even better at least you got for the same month, we are both resuming on the same day both I got November 6th but I am hoping and keeping up faith that something comes up soon because I don't want to defer this admission at all

Manoblix:
To see date no easy talk less of expediting , my school starts 19th august but I got dat for 25th august, Omo I’m praying all goes well but nevertheless get yourself ready for school like getting yourself in tune for school courses , I believe I’m getting my visa this time around I’m so confident in the lord

.

deleted

Spiceyspicey:
HI EVERYONE , I GOT A DATE FOR MARCH 2026, DO I NEED TO MAKE ANOTHEER SEVIS FEE BEFORE REQUESTING AN EXPEDITED APPOINTMENT AS THE LAST ONE I PAID WAS IN NOV 2023, I KNOW I NEED TO MAKE ANOTHER PAYMENT FOR THE SEVIS FEE IF PERADVANTURE I GET AN EXPEDITED APPOINTMENT BUT I DONT KNOW IF I CAN REQUEST FOR THE EXPEDITED APPOINTMENT WITHOUT MAKING THE PAYMENT

■■

As a prospective F1- visa applicant, the first compulsory step for you is to fill DS-160 and pay MRV (visa fee). By this, you have access to all options on your avits profile including application for Expedited Appointment and 5x (times) rescheduling.

■●▪︎ In this respect, you can place application for ER and even attended your interview without sevis fee payment.

However, I want you to be aware that SEVIS fee payment goes directly into the pocket of the U.S. government because that is where they generate money to maintain your I-20 and communicate with your school DSO about your well-being as a foreign student.

Disadvantages ;

●▪︎ Holding back to pay sevis fee makes you an incomplete f1 visa applicant.

●▪︎ Your expedited appointment, and other goodies of F1 visa application might be delayed since the embassy will focus on applicants with complete application.

●▪︎ You will eventually be placed on 221g (if you are lucky) to go and pay your sevis fee if by chance you attended your f1 visa interview without the payment. Or the visa officer may deny your application and ask you to reapply. 👍

Good morning, bro.

If you don't mind, I'd like to contact you for some services. Check your Nairaland mail.

Poormanpikin:
Thank you, sir. My department doesn't typically award As, let alone first-class honors. Since this university's establishment, departments like English, Linguistics, and Political Science have never graduated students with first-class honors, not because there aren't deserving students, but because the department tends to be stingy with high grades. My brother, who merited a first-class degree in Political Science, graduated with a 4.44/5. I deserve a first-class degree, but I know it's impossible (based on departmental trends, not pessimism). Currently, my CGPA is 4.78/5, but I'm uncertain about getting a first-class degree.

Regarding publishing articles, I'm working on a paper about sentence patterns (SV, SVO, SVC, SVOA, etc.), and my next paper will focus on sentence structure using Noam Chomsky's tree diagram. You can still publish now, and it's not too late. In my department, publishjng a paper costs 30k. If focusing on literature and publishing a book is too expensive, you can publish a paper analyzing central themes or characters in a particular book(novel, novella, short story, play or poetry) and link it to a writing career in your SOP. Publishing is still an option, even for non-students and non-lecturers. I mean you can still publish even though you're not a student.

Don't fret; most English departments in US universities don't require a first-class degree, publications, or test scores(not required). In fact, your writing sample is just as important as your CGPA – these two are the most crucial aspects of your application. If you're focusing on Literature, an MFA (3 years) might be your best bet, and you'll need to submit a writing sample (prose fiction or poetry). For a PhD, the focus is often on language, and you'll need to submit a scholarly critical writing sample (an unpublished paper). If writing proves challenging, I'd be happy to help. Good luck with your applications!

Went for my interview today and was denied, here is my transcript below, can anyone point out my flaws please

LAGOS EMBASSY
DEGREE: MBA
ZERO FUNDING

Before we started I told him I stutter sometimes and he said no problem, he understands

V.o pass me your passport and i20

Me: Good morning

V.o Have you been to the US before

No sir , I have not had any reason to cause if school and after school I was busy with work

V.o How many schools did you apply to

I applied to three schools, southern Illinois University, Alabama State and Lincoln but I chosed Lincoln cause it offers more benefit like capstone project and graduate certifications in areas like business analytics and marketing management

V.o Then he asked of my funding

After my father Left, my step dad has been taking care of me for a long time and he is the Cofounder of mowatek Nigeria where I currently work as a junior operational coordinator and he makes over 120 million naira every 6 months then he said 20 million per year and I said no 120 million every 6 months which equates to over 200 million per year and he owns two mobile rigs worth millions and he just continued typing

Then I told him I have a bank statement with me but he didn't request it

What does your company do
We do water treatment's, sewage treatment and also geophysical drilling which aligns with what i studied in school and that we have worked with Shell and seplat before

What did you study
I studied applied geophysics and it aligns with my current job role as a junior operational coordinator and some of my roles include reports preparations, I assist in also preparing projects budget and projects timelines also, and I also meet with clients for project requirements and specifications (he was nodding and staring into my face while I was saying this)


When did you finish school

I finished last year and continued work after school

I was already feeling confident here cause he only asked two to three questions to the people who were in front of me before handling them the blue paper,


What do you do
I am a junior operational coordinator and I listed my roles

Do you know anyone in the us

No sir but my cousin was in the US sometimes ago and he is back to Nigeria

What would you be doing after this course
I said I would be applying the skills the degree would give me in my intending role as a operational director and I would be spearheading the company growth into international market like ghana and other countries

While he was typing, I also told him I have a document that attest to my intending role of a operational director


Then he brought out the blue paper, so I asked him if I can know the reason for my denial and he said it's in the blue script

So sorry about this sis. I think one of the problems here is too much information. Additionally, please work on your funding because they will ask you what has changed in your application since the last denial. Talk to your school about assistantships, or on campus jobs. Finally, when the Vo asked if you had someone in the US, *No, I don't* should have been your answer. If you already signified NO in your Ds 160, why changing your answer again. There shouldn't be any but...the details were information you could have quietly left out since you are sure that your cousin is back here. I think he had an issue with you there. Remember, just one hesitation could certify your entire answers as false. Probably that was why he gave you that blue paper. Its not the end of the world sis, just be more prepared next time. Well done!

Teniolasmart:
Went for my interview today and was denied, here is my transcript below, can anyone point out my flaws please

LAGOS EMBASSY
DEGREE: MBA
ZERO FUNDING

Before we started I told him I stutter sometimes and he said no problem, he understands

V.o pass me your passport and i20

Me: Good morning

V.o Have you been to the US before

No sir , I have not had any reason to cause if school and after school I was busy with work

V.o How many schools did you apply to

I applied to three schools, southern Illinois University, Alabama State and Lincoln but I chosed Lincoln cause it offers more benefit like capstone project and graduate certifications in areas like business analytics and marketing management

V.o Then he asked of my funding

After my father Left, my step dad has been taking care of me for a long time and he is the Cofounder of mowatek Nigeria where I currently work as a junior operational coordinator and he makes over 120 million naira every 6 months then he said 20 million per year and I said no 120 million every 6 months which equates to over 200 million per year and he owns two mobile rigs worth millions and he just continued typing

Then I told him I have a bank statement with me but he didn't request it

What does your company do
We do water treatment's, sewage treatment and also geophysical drilling which aligns with what i studied in school and that we have worked with Shell and seplat before

What did you study
I studied applied geophysics and it aligns with my current job role as a junior operational coordinator and some of my roles include reports preparations, I assist in also preparing projects budget and projects timelines also, and I also meet with clients for project requirements and specifications (he was nodding and staring into my face while I was saying this)


When did you finish school

I finished last year and continued work after school

I was already feeling confident here cause he only asked two to three questions to the people who were in front of me before handling them the blue paper,


What do you do
I am a junior operational coordinator and I listed my roles

Do you know anyone in the us

No sir but my cousin was in the US sometimes ago and he is back to Nigeria

What would you be doing after this course
I said I would be applying the skills the degree would give me in my intending role as a operational director and I would be spearheading the company growth into international market like ghana and other countries

While he was typing, I also told him I have a document that attest to my intending role of a operational director


Then he brought out the blue paper, so I asked him if I can know the reason for my denial and he said it's in the blue script

There are 2025 dates for Lagos. When I click on it, it refuses to move. Please who else is experiencing this and what could be wrong?

Please has anyone been able to book a date for Lagos? I don't understand if I'm the only one experiencing this.

Hello everyone,

I choose FCT when I opened AVITS profile but I found a date in Lagos. Can I use that date or must I book appointment in Abuja. Has anyone done this before and successfully attended their interview?

Hello Ify. Yes you can use your date. You just have to fill in a new ds 160 to match your lagos appointment, then update your barcode on your avits portal because filling in a new ds would generate a new barcode for you. Its simple.

Ifemeze:
Hello everyone,

I choose FCT when I opened AVITS profile but I found a date in Lagos. Can I use that date or must I book appointment in Abuja. Has anyone done this before and successfully attended their interview?

Timshin:
So sorry about this sis. I think one of the problems here is too much information. Additionally, please work on your funding because they will ask you what has changed in your application since the last denial. Talk to your school about assistantships, or on campus jobs. Finally, when the Vo asked if you had someone in the US, *No, I don't* should have been your answer. If you already signified NO in your Ds 160, why changing your answer again. There shouldn't be any but...the details were information you could have quietly left out since you are sure that your cousin is back here. I think he had an issue with you there. Remember, just one hesitation could certify your entire answers as false. Probably that was why he gave you that blue paper. Its not the end of the world sis, just be more prepared next time. Well done!

Thanks for the info, I kinda felt I should use one question to put out more details about me, since that what most people suggest here. Maybe there isn't a manual for this things

Timshin:
Hello Ify. Yes you can use your date. You just have to fill in a new ds 160 to match your lagos appointment, then update your barcode on your avits portal because filling in a new ds would generate a new barcode for you. Its simple.

Okay, thank you!

missidy:
There are 2025 dates for Lagos. When I click on it, it refuses to move. Please who else is experiencing this and what could be wrong?

Does time slots come up when you click the date?

Visa officer don't have time, they only need 1 or 2 red flags and they make their decision. You sounded desperate and that gave you away in these two questions below:


Have you been to the US before?

No sir (with a warm smile is enough).
But You over emphasized and give much desperation ***1st red flag.***

The point where you said that you have your Bank statement with you sealed your rejection decision.***final red flag**

You'd have waited for the Vo to ask you about the bank statement before saying anything on it, they see it as desperation putting it forward to them without them asking you first.

My advice:
Just try get funding before going again, else you'll keep giving them free money. the vo will have written something about you for other Vos to work upon.
That's why your first attempt is very important funding or no funding.

Teniolasmart:
Went for my interview today and was denied, here is my transcript below, can anyone point out my flaws please

LAGOS EMBASSY
DEGREE: MBA
ZERO FUNDING

Before we started I told him I stutter sometimes and he said no problem, he understands

V.o pass me your passport and i20

Me: Good morning

V.o Have you been to the US before

No sir , I have not had any reason to cause if school and after school I was busy with work

V.o How many schools did you apply to

I applied to three schools, southern Illinois University, Alabama State and Lincoln but I chosed Lincoln cause it offers more benefit like capstone project and graduate certifications in areas like business analytics and marketing management

V.o Then he asked of my funding

After my father Left, my step dad has been taking care of me for a long time and he is the Cofounder of mowatek Nigeria where I currently work as a junior operational coordinator and he makes over 120 million naira every 6 months then he said 20 million per year and I said no 120 million every 6 months which equates to over 200 million per year and he owns two mobile rigs worth millions and he just continued typing

Then I told him I have a bank statement with me but he didn't request it

What does your company do
We do water treatment's, sewage treatment and also geophysical drilling which aligns with what i studied in school and that we have worked with Shell and seplat before

What did you study
I studied applied geophysics and it aligns with my current job role as a junior operational coordinator and some of my roles include reports preparations, I assist in also preparing projects budget and projects timelines also, and I also meet with clients for project requirements and specifications (he was nodding and staring into my face while I was saying this)


When did you finish school

I finished last year and continued work after school

I was already feeling confident here cause he only asked two to three questions to the people who were in front of me before handling them the blue paper,


What do you do
I am a junior operational coordinator and I listed my roles

Do you know anyone in the us

No sir but my cousin was in the US sometimes ago and he is back to Nigeria

What would you be doing after this course
I said I would be applying the skills the degree would give me in my intending role as a operational director and I would be spearheading the company growth into international market like ghana and other countries

While he was typing, I also told him I have a document that attest to my intending role of a operational director


Then he brought out the blue paper, so I asked him if I can know the reason for my denial and he said it's in the blue script

No, the time didn't show. But when I click on a 2026 date, the time slot will show.

Ifemeze:
Does time slots come up when you click the date?

Good evening everyone, i want to pay for another f1 and f2 visa, the f1 and f2 visa is for me and my husband. Seems there was an issue with the one we paid earlier and time is not on our side. Is there anyone who can tell me the procedure in paying so we won't make another mistake or can I get a number I call.
The first mistake we made was that we paid f1 and f2 together and I think we are to pay separately and till now the payment has not reflect on the portal.

Teniolasmart:
Thanks for the info, I kinda felt I should use one question to put out more details about me, since that what most people suggest here. Maybe there isn't a manual for this things

■■

Most people on Nairaland , who are well-experienced will never teach you to over talk in the presence of a visa officer. @FunnyDude has spoken our minds. 👍

Follyfy:
Good evening everyone, i want to pay for another f1 and f2 visa, the f1 and f2 visa is for me and my husband. Seems there was an issue with the one we paid earlier and time is not on our side. Is there anyone who can tell me the procedure in paying so we won't make another mistake or can I get a number I call.
The first mistake we made was that we paid f1 and f2 together and I think we are to pay separately and till now the payment has not reflect on the portal.

■■

You are going for a family appointment but the application procedure is a complex or twisted one.

All of you are going to apply in one AVITS amentum profile. The principal applicant (F1) will apply alone and the f2 (wife or wife and kids) will apply together in the same profile.

■●▪︎ It seems your previous payment has gone to the wind. 👍