₦airaland Forum

Johnnyessence:
oga oooo so na only first class graduates they need. What of the second class graduates and third class graduates too. Baba God do your wonders ooo.

happyday:
Forget it! This doesn't apply to Nigerian applicants. How else will US schools assess your ability, if not with your GPA or test scores? Is it through the non-existent research experience we have here?

All the best!

gensteejay:
I am quite familiar with scholarship programs of the Saudi Arabian schools and plan to do my master's program there. But I have US or UK schools in mind for PhD program at a later time.

I don't know why Nairaland does not notify members sometimes when their moniker gets tagged on a thread.

Thanks for your contribution.

happyday:
They don't need first class graduates, they want those who are motivated and self-driven. The theory is, students who are motivated often finish with first class degrees. If you happen to not graduate with that, you'll need to show them your potential through other different ways. Apply still.

Johnnyessence:
please what of those that have Ielts results please. In five days period from now I will be collecting my ielts results. I have read your advice here but am really really scared. Even if it is somebody applying for post graduate diploma I won't mind applying to it. Please if you know about scholarship too please let us know. Thanks for your reply here.

happyday:
Either TOEFL or IELTS is fine. US schools don't offer post graduate 'diploma'. Mostly MSc/PhD.

I can't really say much, unless I know your profile. And your plans. Your undergrad degree, GPA, GRE scores (if you've taken it), etc.

Johnnyessence:
thanks for your reply here I appreciate it. Well my profile goes thus , I graduated in university of Ilorin having second class lower certificate. I study geology and mineral science too. In the Ielts exam I did of recent am expecting band results of 8.0. My main focus is applying for masters degree in u.s. Since you said its hard getting post graduate diploma in u.s schools well am opting for masters degree. I love to do masters in geophysics or petroleum geology. All this courses are some how related to my previous degree I got in the undergraduate level. Please I need more of your advice and reply on it. Thank you.

happyday:
Your best bet is to take the GRE, and score as high as you can. Put in your best efforts, and try to score in the 320's. This, along with good SoP and applying to a suitable school, should compensate for your weakness.

Johnnyessence:
thanks for your reply here I really appreciate it. Please I want to ask is that all the tertiary schools in U.S accept GRE only niiii. Well from my research so far IELTS results is well accepted in all the schools abroad. I make a lot of enquiries on it and am well satisfied. If Canada tertiary institutions can accept Ielts results why is U.S different. Well I have see different scholarship advert online on MIT that they ask for IELTS band 6.5 results on last february. Please I still need more clarification.

happyday:
GRE tests how critically you can think, IELTS/TOEFL tests your English communication skills. As you can see, they test different things, and so schools ask you to do both.

happyday:
They don't need first class graduates, they want those who are motivated and self-driven. The theory is, students who are motivated often finish with first class degrees. If you happen to not graduate with that, you'll need to show them your potential through other different ways. Apply still.

happyday:
Hi all! Just seeing this, so I figure I should drop a hint or two. FYI, US (post)graduate schools don't advertise admissions the way other countries do theirs. It's a standard practice that every year interested and motivated students would apply to schools of their choosing, based on what they want from a US graduate degree.

For the most part, you have to DIY. To apply to US grad schools (esp STEM), you'll need to send your transcripts (which include your undergrad GPA), convince 2/3 people to recommend you, write a statement of purpose explaining your reason for getting a grad degree, take tests (the most common for STEM courses is the GRE), and also the TOEFL (to prove you can survive on English-speaking campus like those in in America).

These should get you admitted, if you choose the right mix of schools.

The other part is the money. If you do a very good job of selling yourself well, (and you're lucky!), most schools will cover your tuition, and then pay you a stipend every month, so you can help some Profs with their research. So, you get a degree, and alongside get paid to get research experience. A good deal, if you ask me.

All the best to everyone!this I'll be nice.please I have some documents except GRE.I'll write it soon when money comes. for the TOEFL part,can one use proficiency proof obtained from ones school as an alternative? is GRE a must for ones application to be considered ?kindly help please.

Johnnyessence:
thanks for your reply. Well as you can see ielts is testing on all the skills. They will test someone based on his or her listen skills,written skills,speaking skills and reading skills. From what I read so far ielts are all rounder. That's why the tertiary schools someone apply too will be tested through the ielts band results. Well sir in my conclusion if Canada that's neighbouring country to U. S can accept Ielts band results why is u.s different. Even european schools accept ielts results not to talk of asian schools. Well I have note your reply. Thanks for your reply again thank you.

chaiks:
serious? wanted to apply but saw only those with GPA of 4.5 and above.so 4.49 can't apply?

happyday:
Hi all! Just seeing this, so I figure I should drop a hint or two. FYI, US (post)graduate schools don't advertise admissions the way other countries do theirs. It's a standard practice that every year interested and motivated students would apply to schools of their choosing, based on what they want from a US graduate degree.

For the most part, you have to DIY. To apply to US grad schools (esp STEM), you'll need to send your transcripts (which include your undergrad GPA), convince 2/3 people to recommend you, write a statement of purpose explaining your reason for getting a grad degree, take tests (the most common for STEM courses is the GRE), and also the TOEFL (to prove you can survive on English-speaking campus like those in in America).

These should get you admitted, if you choose the right mix of schools.

The other part is the money. If you do a very good job of selling yourself well, (and you're lucky!), most schools will cover your tuition, and then pay you a stipend every month, so you can help some Profs with their research. So, you get a degree, and alongside get paid to get research experience. A good deal, if you ask me.

All the best to everyone!this I'll be nice.please I have some documents except GRE.I'll write it soon when money comes. for the TOEFL part,can one use proficiency proof obtained from ones school as an alternative? is GRE a must for ones application to be considered ?kindly help please.please can Canadian schools give scholarship without GRE?

happyday:
If you have 4.0 or higher, apply still.

chaiks:
OK.thank you.please I equally want to know if Canadian schools consider for masters scholarship without GRE.

happyday:
Nope, IELTS doesn't test on all the skills. It's not an all-rounder. In fact, schools will easily waive it for you, if they guess that you can speak decent English, and won't have trouble speaking the language. If you're a US resident, you won't need to take the TOEFL/IELTS. But the GRE is starkly different.

US citizens, residents, Int'l students, everyone takes the GRE. GRE assumes you can speak, read, and write English well. So they take it further and test how well you can reason deeply. You take GRE for postgraduate studies, and SAT for undergrad in the US.

Can you see the difference?

happyday:
Hi all! Just seeing this, so I figure I should drop a hint or two. FYI, US (post)graduate schools don't advertise admissions the way

gensteejay:
Please can you expatiate what you mean by "If you do a very good job of selling yourself well..."?

I am planning to do my master's program in geophysics or medical physics. And I am a freelance writer. Last year, I used to write news reports for a website on recent scientific discoveries.

Is there any way I can use my writing skills to "sell myself" to schools offering scholarships?

Apart from getting high scores in GRE, TOEFL and the likes; composing a top-notch SOP and obtaining good recommendations from academic references, any other tips on how a second class (upper division or lower) graduate can boost their application for a scholarship, so it may be somehow close to the pedigree of application of a first class graduate?

happyday:
Your experience as a freelance writer counts! There's a common trend among successful writers and speakers; they understand their audience deeply. They get into the audience's brain, speak to their pain points, assuage their fears, encourage their dreams, confirm their fears and cast stone at their enemies!

To sell yourself to the graduate admissions committee, you need to understand them; put yourself in their shoes.

If you can get high score on your GRE (330's), write a really top-notch SoP, and submit glowing hot letters of recommendation, that's it. You've basically compensated for your 'weaknesses'. Then, you can only hope for the best.

Cheers!

happyday:
They don't need first class graduates, they want those who are motivated and self-driven. The theory is, students who are motivated often finish with first class degrees. If you happen to not graduate with that, you'll need to show them your potential through other different ways. Apply still.

Johnnyessence:
please kindly enlightened me about the potentials you are talking about sir. Well am motivated in all ramifications so what else do they want. Well am not in the first class student category. I still need more of the reply. Thanks for your reply. I appreciate it.

happyday:
A first class is one of the requirements. Work hard on the other reqs.

Johnnyessence:
well I don't have the first class certificate. So I don't think I will apply ooo.

gensteejay:
There are still other scholarships with more flexible requirements and others will be broadcast before the end of the year.

One should be on the lookout and follow happyday's tips to the letter.

Johnnyessence:
thanks for your reply here. Please kindly be updating this thread with series of scholarship here. I saw the advert of university of portmouth scholarship yesterday. But I was disturbed yesterday. Infact the courses they listed was my course. Geology to be precise. Now they said it is twenty percent based. So I have to pay eighty percent fund for the money. So so disturb about it. I just have to be on the look out again. Thanks for your reply.

Johnnyessence:
well I don't have the first class certificate. So I don't think I will apply ooo.

gensteejay:
I also saw the advert. There are many of such adverts around, where schools offer to waive some percentage of their tuition fee off; but at the end of the day, the remaining part students have to pay will still be outrageous.

I will only post adverts on full scholarships here not partial ones.