₦airaland Forum

safex101:
Anybody used Demand Draft from Nigeria before to pay fees?

and

Is it Better to get winter jackets or coat in Nigeria or wait till I get to my destination (Illinois) I read it is pretty cold up there from December.

LagosismyHome:
illnois is cold so if u can see one to travel with then buy ... its most likely would be old fashion winter second hand jacket ... .but at least it would help for your inital travel and early arrival days . ....

dramaka:
It's surprising. Many ordinary gloves going for over $20 (N9000). Boss, you should be balling in Manhattan sha. At least, you guys still get double digit temperatures (in degree Celsius) during the day. In the meantime before you get your gloves when outdoors, always wear a hoodie into which you can put your fists in the pockets.

mcearnie:
Congratulations Zino! All the best. I was interviewed by the VO (Lady) at d extreme end. I was wearing a black shirt on blue jean n an ash high boot. I think i saw someone like u according to ur description. I will b picking my passport at Isolo too. Congrats once again

sirRiddy:
I messed up on Friday jare. While people were going to stores to take advantage of sales offers, I was buying gadgets online from best buy. I kuku get hood o but the cold no dey gree for hood pocket o. I almost cried this morning while walking to the library. I am looking at that budget too but I don't want to buy nonsense gloves because of aroro. Thanks for your response. I surmise you are in a colder state.

Zino55:
Hello guys. Thanks for the good job. I'm an ardent follower of this thread and iv learnt a lot I must say. I made a promise dat I'd share my transcript whether approved or not so someone can learn from it.

Thanks to airich01 who helped pay my sevis, although I had contacted sirddy, Mayflower and walspring who also agreed to assist pay. Thanks guys.

Visa approved today 28th 7:15 am appointment, Lagos. Was asked only 3 questions.

Back date to 27th, arrived lagos at about 7:00 pm. Fesobi (thanks bro) already told me how to locate a hotel at Lewis street obalende. Checked in and was seriously hungry from the journey. The hotel had only EBA and eguisi soup. Haa..I didn't want to eat anything that would affect my body system as I and eguisi have not been on good terms for a while now(make I nor go dey sh*t for embassy). Went out to look for something more suitable to eat. All the while, the visa interview was on my mind (how would it go? Hope I get a white paper? What shud I even wear? Hope my punk (hairstyle) will not disqualify me? Hope a Jean won't be too casual? etc)

I just took the food back to the hotel, ate and revised the 3 questions I felt were most important to me( what are u goin to do in the USA?, How did u find out about this sch?, Why did u choose this school).  I knew I'd be able to handle any other question thrown at me, but those 3 questions had to be given perfect answers).

Interview day. Arrived the consulate at about 6:30am. Waited for a while then a man told those of us for 7:15 to queue up. Did all d formalities and we got into the hell.

A lot of persons were being denied cos I was seeing blue slips.  Didn't loose focus tho. Was trying to strike up a conversation with some peeps while waiting for biometrics but no one was willing to talk (in my mind, I was like: haa! Why una just serious like dis nawww).

While waiting I heard someone's interview and he was really doing great with the while Lady VO at the extreme end. When he mentioned the name of his school, I just knew who it was cos we had been in communication via contact gotten here on NL (he is right here on this thread). His visa was approved too (the Lady VO obviously had no choice).

Now my interview:

VO: Goodmorning Hw are u
Me: I'm well thanks (smiling)
VO: Pass me ur passport and i-20
Me: Here u go (passing it to him and smiling)
VO: Types for a while...(checks the i-20 again and murmurs *Valparaiso* How did u know about this school?
Me: My senior colleague in the office had his Msc in this same school. He is pretty good with his job. That is enough testament to the soundness of the program...(paused for a while) then continued talking.... Hence, I thought to apply and I got admitted.. And here am I today.
VO: You said you work for .........company, what does the company do?
ME: Its a conglomerate into several business segments of the Nigerian economy from shipping to maritime to oil and gas to IT etc.
VO: Okay. Passes me the white paper..Pick up your passport at Isolo after...bla bla bla (didn't even hear the other things he said: I only heard have a nice day and I said thank you and left).

I was surprised cos I was expecting more questions. No documents, didn't even ask about sponsor, or the number of schs applied to..I really give thanks to God and this wonderful thread.

Someone gave me an advise that I used and (maybe) it worked. Maybe it will work for someone too:

1). Don't be nonchalant with the interview but find a way to come through to the VO as really interested (but not interested) in the visa. Be calm when speaking and be bold too.

2). Dress comfortably. A suit may not be necessary. Wear something that ud be confident in. I wore a Jean and v-neck T-shirt. When I looked round the interview room, a lot of peeps wore suits or at least tucked in their shirts. I almost let it affect me (tinking I was under-dressed) but I didn't. Trust me when I say I was the only one wearing a jean and T-shirt (with good shoes tho ) cos that's how I dress. I'm not really a suit person (last time I wore one was during the job interview where I currently work).

So, be comfortable in whatever u put on (whether suit, jean or native).

3). Be confident, maintain eye contact with the VO.

Above all, Pray and let God take control.

Wishing u all the best.

FuckBooy:
Where can i download SAT practice test questions online
Post the link if you can assist please

Zino55:
Hello guys. Thanks for the good job. I'm an ardent follower of this thread and iv learnt a lot I must say. I made a promise dat I'd share my transcript whether approved or not so someone can learn from it.

Thanks to airich01 who helped pay my sevis, although I had contacted sirddy, Mayflower and walspring who also agreed to assist pay. Thanks guys.

Visa approved today 28th 7:15 am appointment, Lagos. Was asked only 3 questions.

Zino55:
Hello guys. Thanks for the good job. I'm an ardent follower of this thread and iv learnt a lot I must say. I made a promise dat I'd share my transcript whether approved or not so someone can learn from it.

Thanks to airich01 who helped pay my sevis, although I had contacted sirddy, Mayflower and walspring who also agreed to assist pay. Thanks guys.

Visa approved today 28th 7:15 am appointment, Lagos. Was asked only 3 questions.



Above all, Pray and let God take control.

Wishing u all the best.

Zino55:
Hello guys. Thanks for the good job. I'm an ardent follower of this thread and iv learnt a lot I must say. I made a promise dat I'd share my transcript whether approved or not so someone can learn from it.

Thanks to airich01 who helped pay my sevis, although I had contacted sirddy, Mayflower and walspring who also agreed to assist pay. Thanks guys.

Visa approved today 28th 7:15 am appointment, Lagos. Was asked only 3 questions.

Back date to 27th, arrived lagos at about 7:00 pm. Fesobi (thanks bro) already told me how to locate a hotel at Lewis street obalende. Checked in and was seriously hungry from the journey. The hotel had only EBA and eguisi soup. Haa..I didn't want to eat anything that would affect my body system as I and eguisi have not been on good terms for a while now(make I nor go dey sh*t for embassy). Went out to look for something more suitable to eat. All the while, the visa interview was on my mind (how would it go? Hope I get a white paper? What shud I even wear? Hope my punk (hairstyle) will not disqualify me? Hope a Jean won't be too casual? etc)

I just took the food back to the hotel, ate and revised the 3 questions I felt were most important to me( what are u goin to do in the USA?, How did u find out about this sch?, Why did u choose this school).  I knew I'd be able to handle any other question thrown at me, but those 3 questions had to be given perfect answers).

Interview day. Arrived the consulate at about 6:30am. Waited for a while then a man told those of us for 7:15 to queue up. Did all d formalities and we got into the hell.

A lot of persons were being denied cos I was seeing blue slips.  Didn't loose focus tho. Was trying to strike up a conversation with some peeps while waiting for biometrics but no one was willing to talk (in my mind, I was like: haa! Why una just serious like dis nawww).

While waiting I heard someone's interview and he was really doing great with the while Lady VO at the extreme end. When he mentioned the name of his school, I just knew who it was cos we had been in communication via contact gotten here on NL (he is right here on this thread). His visa was approved too (the Lady VO obviously had no choice).

Now my interview:

VO: Goodmorning Hw are u
Me: I'm well thanks (smiling)
VO: Pass me ur passport and i-20
Me: Here u go (passing it to him and smiling)
VO: Types for a while...(checks the i-20 again and murmurs *Valparaiso* How did u know about this school?
Me: My senior colleague in the office had his Msc in this same school. He is pretty good with his job. That is enough testament to the soundness of the program...(paused for a while) then continued talking.... Hence, I thought to apply and I got admitted.. And here am I today.
VO: You said you work for .........company, what does the company do?
ME: Its a conglomerate into several business segments of the Nigerian economy from shipping to maritime to oil and gas to IT etc.
VO: Okay. Passes me the white paper..Pick up your passport at Isolo after...bla bla bla (didn't even hear the other things he said: I only heard have a nice day and I said thank you and left).

I was surprised cos I was expecting more questions. No documents, didn't even ask about sponsor, or the number of schs applied to..I really give thanks to God and this wonderful thread.

Someone gave me an advise that I used and (maybe) it worked. Maybe it will work for someone too:

1). Don't be nonchalant with the interview but find a way to come through to the VO as really interested (but not interested) in the visa. Be calm when speaking and be bold too.

2). Dress comfortably. A suit may not be necessary. Wear something that ud be confident in. I wore a Jean and v-neck T-shirt. When I looked round the interview room, a lot of peeps wore suits or at least tucked in their shirts. I almost let it affect me (tinking I was under-dressed) but I didn't. Trust me when I say I was the only one wearing a jean and T-shirt (with good shoes tho ) cos that's how I dress. I'm not really a suit person (last time I wore one was during the job interview where I currently work).

So, be comfortable in whatever u put on (whether suit, jean or native).

3). Be confident, maintain eye contact with the VO.

Above all, Pray and let God take control.

Wishing u all the best.

tolutweety:

Glory to the Almighty, and to a lot of people who made this happen.
Special mention to the big guns in the house whose time and advices I poached on.- deetus, texrem, msnas, lagosismyhome,walspring,...
I did mock interviews twice with deetus, once with texrem, twice with an offline colleague; until i came up with satisfactory answers to all questions they could have asked , even before the d-day.

Fast forward to today...

ME : Good morning
Vo : *no reply *
ME : How was your night ?
Vo : *no reply *
ME: *I don enter this one today*

Vo : pass me your passport and your i20
Me : have it, ma
Vo : why do you want to study computer science ?
Me : I will be studying computer science, with a concenteration on networking and security because _ computer science is about experience and exposure.i have gotten few years experience on the field, it's high time I got the needed edge and exposure ._It will give me the boost needed to start my new role in a job i just got, as the head ,cloud computing engineer; which I will be resuming here in Nigeria, immediately after my masters program.
Vo: *was busy typing all the while , paused for a minute, looks at me ,then continued typing *
Vo : where do you work now?
Me : I am a Network Service support staff of a commercial bank in Nigeria.
Vo : why University of louisiana?
Me : *smiles* * composes myself a little * .. UL has a curriculum that fits my area of interest.Beyond that, I am particularly interested in the research area by one of my would-be professors-Prof , who is into high performance cloud computing.This area happens to be related to the new role i have been given in my new place of work , so I look forward to working with him.
I contacted him already, and i remember him saying in one of the skye interviews we did, that he is interested in me joining his team. According to him, his research team has students from all continent,but Africa,and he looks forward to me representing Africa in the team.
Vo : who is sponsoring you ?
Me: my uncle will be sponsoring me , He works with Dell Computers, Texas . I also have some personal savings which could take care of some personal expenses.Besides, I have some investments and properties that also brings returns ... *proceeds to bring out the documents and statement of accounts*
Vo: don't bother , i don't need them
Me : * maka why!!...why this lady wan pour sand for my garri like this * * waits anxiously as she continues typing*
Vo: I will be approving your visa. ...bla bla bla
Me: * takes the white paper and the i20 from her ...and jets out of the building before she changes her mind*



Special mention to cseejah; I really look forward to hearing the good news from you.
and ladyf : she can review statement of purpose, for Africa, and still find error to correct. . Appreciate every little thing you did.

This thread helped me a lot. -Good work guys .

tolutweety:
Visa Approved at exactly 7:48am,this morning !!!!
Welcome to Obamaland. ..... their father !


Full transcript loading soon.

sirRiddy:
Hello guys,
please any ideas on getting good and affordable leather gloves? Location? Prices
This weather is dealing with me and I stupidly failed to take advantage of black friday sales.
I also do not want to make the yet again stupid mistake I did while choosing a network
provider.
cc OjaP msnas mystiqme godG bigfrancis21 slimmy05 warriboy21 biikeys and all my people here

godG:
Got one last year on some site based in China. Maybe Alibaba, or so. Reeally good gloves. Was like $15. The other one I have na dash dem dash me. That one is all you want in a glove for winter. Around $80 on Amazon.

tunamost:
Please guyz, i've been a silent follower of these thread for more than one year now and this thread has greatly helped in securing me admission....Plz my visa interview is scheduled to come up on the 21st of this month so i would like some d the gurus on this thread to kindly please help me with some mock interviews as i really need it to test myself before that day....This is the most vital part of my journey to studying in the US, someone should please invest in my future by volunteering to mentor me through the visa interview process....Thanks in anticipation.

safex101:
Anybody used Demand Draft from Nigeria before to pay fees?

and

Is it Better to get winter jackets or coat in Nigeria or wait till I get to my destination (Illinois) I read it is pretty cold up there from December.

sirRiddy:
I messed up on Friday jare. While people were going to stores to take advantage of sales offers, I was buying gadgets online from best buy. I kuku get hood o but the cold no dey gree for hood pocket o. I almost cried this morning while walking to the library. I am looking at that budget too but I don't want to buy nonsense gloves because of aroro. Thanks for your response. I surmise you are in a colder state.

expertman:
Any one knows any School that's still accepting app for spring 2017 ?

Fortissimo502:
Lol thanks jare. It seems someone was trying to hack Nairaland or something.

Walspring:
Back then when we are small i knew PTA to be Parents Teachers Association

saninwa:
Why is it that all these VOs don't like responding to greetings, especially the female ones. Seems they don't jst like seeing us around.

Mekurexx:
I bought thick winter gloves for 4.99 from Burlington. And its really comfy and keeps me warm. You can check Amazon, that will come with free shipping

sirRiddy:
I messed up on Friday jare. While people were going to stores to take advantage of sales offers, I was buying gadgets online from best buy. I kuku get hood o but the cold no dey gree for hood pocket o. I almost cried this morning while walking to the library. I am looking at that budget too but I don't want to buy nonsense gloves because of aroro. Thanks for your response. I surmise you are in a colder state.

brightify:
PM me,though I have no much time because I'm seriously busy,exam approaching, but I will see what I can do

gunther6:
I greet everybody o, how every The cold has been brutal, exam, oral defenses on top of the CFA I'm writing barely a week from now but God dey... Mekurexx, Fortissimo, Oludare I sight una. plauses, calfavour, cutemorgan and Riddy y'all owe me mails. I greet imperiouxx and Darefadi(London is my home).
And as for prospective students, this is the year of Trump which will make US policy fluid and in a state of flux at least for the next 4 yrs. There is at least going to be a potential crackdown on H-1B visas for encroaching on 'American jobs'. This has become a really clannish place.
Again build yourself, toughen up before coming here. A lizard in Nigeria will not turn to an alligator in North Dakota and you will not start pissing rosewater when you get here. If you are coming in for economics and you have no solid quantitative background be prepared to work thrice as hard or boy you are in for one hell of a ride.
I It has been up and down here, I have been robbed, I have been towed in front of a NLders apartment (cost me $300 give a few dollars the week a few bills were due) and I have been in an accident (20th Nov) which was ruled by my insurance company as a 50/50 even though I was hit from the back, I'm getting a lawyer and disputing that verdict and going for therapy as I have been unable to walk since the accident.

tunamost:
Thanks bro, God bless you for willing to take out time out of your busy Schedule to help me....I have sent you a pm already....i really don't know how this pm thing works as this is my very first time of sending pm on this thread.....i only saw an already drafted message in the box and i clicked send mail.....I hope i i did the right thing if not please do let me know.....Thanks once again bro