Mekurexx:
If you want to work with NGOs (most are health related), you should have a health background(like taken one or two courses). And you should apply for a program that falls under a STEM degree (at least to be marketable on the job market). I got admitted for Healthcare Mgt (a STEM degree), in Cal state LA(Really Affordable school but LA cost of living...LOL), and good job prospects for NGOs and UN-like organizations. So maybe you email the grad coordinator and ask if Mass com is acceptable in d list of undergrad programs. On the long run for me, I am also looking at NGOs but defnitely not just US. NGOs in Nigeria like FHI, 1 AIDS foundation (cnt rem the name) & another that partnered with Harvard are all in Nigeria and they pay REALLY WELL. Personally I rate NGOs over Banks and even oil firms but not Tech companies.

malory84:


Thanks a lot . Good explanation. Please what's your undergraduate major? I am very sure they will ask for prerequisite courses. Do you know were i can take one or two courses? Are certificate courses valid?

Fortissimo:


if chemistry isn't STEM then I dunno what is. Yeah i've decided o. So is the last school a dealbreaker for you? Like your No1 choice

Mekurexx:
Also malory84, if you have a high GPA. you can apply for international full tuition waiver (3.5 above), and also GA positions. They are quite generous cuz they know CA is quite expensive. And its based on department/college selections. So goodluck !

Mekurexx:
I ran away from chemistry after I almost swallowed chemical during titration but I con jam am for year 1 undegrad again.Lol. Cal state was my first choice, the 2nd school was to have options to choose from and luckily a couple of folks are applying to the school. I neva see anybody wey dey go california

malory84:


Ok. my GPA is 3.98/5.0 don't know what it will amount to when converted. Thanks a lot for the tips. I really want Cal cuz of the weather and all. Common cold weather for Naija na wahala for me not to talk of the US.

GboyegaD:


I've been around but not on travel section. I am doing good, thanks for asking. How are you too?

Old members, where all of una ooo: MsNas, Virginice, pDude, mystiqueme, biikeys, amefrica, this ETSU man (I can't remember his moniker), also this lady in Houston, walspring, etc.

MsNas:

Oga Gboyega, how far? Long time no see o. How's Canada? Hope you're enjoying it? Come visit us soon.

Fortissimo:


Hello. Where in the south are you, ma'am?

MsNas:

I used to live in Arkansas (went to school there) but I don't live there anymore.

MsNas:

Ok thanks a lot for the heads up. Also looking at the Texas area. Dallas and Houston.

If you're coming to California cos of the weather, you might be disappointed. The weather is nothing like Nigeria. The winters can be brutally cold and the summers is extremely crazy hot..... and when I mean crazy, I am not exaggerating. If you're choosing schools based on weather then schools in southern America should be your go to. Also factor in the cost of housing and living too. Advise I always give to my friends and relatives coming her for school is "Go to school in the South or Midwest, look for jobs in the East coast or West Coast or whichever place you'd like to live after school is finished"

I personally will not advise any student who doesn't have full funding and solid means of financing their housing, feeding and the rest to come here. Minimum wage is $10, you can work only 20 hours a week... thats roughly $800 in a month. Depending on your school location (Long Beach, LA, San Diego, San Bernadino and the rest), that $800 will leave you struggling to pay rent and bills every month. And not to talk of the fact that most Cal States and University of California are very stingy with funding. They barely give GAs and some of them don't even offer it at all. Your best best is an RA and that will be most likely after you've spent a semester or two. School fees are also one of the most expensive in the country. UCals are way more expensive than Cal States and even at that, what they pay per semester at Cal States is enough to cover my tuition in Southern US. All the best sir/ma

Fortissimo:


oh ok thanks. I've decided on a school in the deepest part of the deep south so I like getting peoples' perspectives so I know what to expect.

MsNas:

Which state if you don't mind me asking?

MsNas:

If you're coming to California cos of the weather, you might be disappointed. The weather is nothing like Nigeria. The winters can be brutally cold and the summers is extremely crazy hot..... and when I mean crazy, I am not exaggerating. If you're choosing schools based on weather then schools in southern America should be your go to. Also factor in the cost of housing and living too. Advise I always give to my friends and relatives coming her for school is "Go to school in the South or Midwest, look for jobs in the East coast or West Coast or whichever place you'd like to live after school is finished"

I personally will not advise any student who doesn't have full funding and solid means of financing their housing, feeding and the rest to come here. Minimum wage is $10, you can work only 20 hours a week... thats roughly $800 in a month. Depending on your school location (Long Beach, LA, San Diego, San Bernadino and the rest), that $800 will leave you struggling to pay rent and bills every month. And not to talk of the fact that most Cal States and University of California are very stingy with funding. They barely give GAs and some of them don't even offer it at all. Your best best is an RA and that will be most likely after you've spent a semester or two. School fees are also one of the most expensive in the country. UCals are way more expensive than Cal States and even at that, what they pay per semester at Cal States is enough to cover my tuition in Southern US. All the best sir/ma

Fortissimo:


MS! Please don't say anything to scare me. Lol kidding. I've weighed my options and it's the best fit for me. It's the university I'm going to, not the state

Fortissimo:


MS! Please don't say anything to scare me. Lol kidding. I've weighed my options and it's the best fit for me. It's the university I'm going to, not the state

MsNas:

Lol. Missouri is just like Arkansas. It actually borders AR and its a good place to go to college. Cost of living is also reasonable compared to other states. That's why I decided to go to AR as well, I am going to the school and not the state and I never regretted that decision. All the best bro

slimmy2005:
Can you stress more on the brutally cold? How brutal compared to other states? Yes it is really annoyingly hot there.

Fortissimo:


sorry I meant mississippi o

slimmy2005:
Yes its hot over there, but the cold is not as compared to when you're in the some southern states or north. If its the weather, then I guess you should go for either Texas or Cali. Some southern states are not that cold like Alabama.

MsNas:

Oh sorry. Missouri is MO. Mississippi na deep south state. I can imagine cost of living will even be much more lower. Forget the state, face the school

Fortissimo:


Chai the perception you guys have of mississippi ehn. No worry bbdd and I go host una.

MsNas:

Please read the post is responded to. The poster said he/she wanted to school in Cali cos of the weather. I told her not to believe the hype, cos Californian weather is nothing like Nigerian weather. YES California can be COLD in the winter. This is first hand experience. Northern Cali, SoCal, SF Bay area, the valleys, the deserts, and the rest are very cold in the winter. It doesn't snow, but the cold bites. I've also been in the south where it snows so I have plenty basis for comparison

MsNas:

Ha bros, nooo. If I can go to school in AR, MS be learner o

malory84:
Please is Communication Disorder among the STEM degrees?

Fortissimo:


Chai the perception you guys have of mississippi ehn. No worry bbdd and I go host una.

slimmy2005:
Its just the Ghetto thing that scares the shit outta people. My first time in Memphis says a lot whole lot about the place.

malory84:


Oh wow. I will check out the school. Are you going for the Global development and peace program? Also, how can someone with an social science background just transition into STEM, just like that! The VO's will think its just a strategy to get into the US system. I equally don't think the schools will offer me admission with no prior undergraduate STEM courses.

Fortissimo:


But ghettos dey everywhere na. even in NY and Cali.