lakreame:
Please I would like to ask what happens to a student who doesn't make the prepayment deposit in time. His is i20 cancelled? My friend has this issue and he his abt to travel he want to make the payment when he gets to school, but it's past his due date already for payment. I need answers for him

Sending a mail to the school to find out the status of i20/admission is what I will have done if I were 'your friend'. All the best!

Congratulations

Upandup:
I've followed this thread for more than a year now. Got my visa at 1st try.

To someone out there... you too can make your dreams come true. You've got to put ur back to work.

Visa approved yesterday morning.

Transcript goes thus...

Me: Good morning with a smile (vo no send my smile)
Vo: Good morning ur passport and I - 20 pls
Me: (gave her and kept my sevis fee reciept)
Vo: where are u going to?
Me: Penn State University
Vo: whats ur 1st degree?
Me: PTE
Vo: pardon?
Me: ( I repeated it)
Vo: ok. Is that a B.sc?
Me: no, it's a B. Eng
Vo: so why Penn State?
Me: of the 8 schools my sponsor recommended, Penn State Harrisburg is the only one that specializes in Waste water treatment which is my area of interest and relates directly to my current job.
(Vo starts typing)
Vo: did u write any tests?
Me: Emmm, the GRE was waived cos I have a full scholarship but I took the toefl
Vo: so who is ur sponsor
Me: I told her
Vo: can I see anything in reference to ur sponsorship
Me: sure. (handed her the scholarship letter. She goes through for some time and returns it to me).
Vo checking my I 20 and continuously typing...
Vo: so who would pay for the 2nd year. It says here that the scholarship is for 1 year.
Me: no, my program is for 1 year. I was in contact with my program coordinator - Dr. Xyz nd he gave me a 1 year schedule.
Vo: oh! Is it? ( checking my I - 20). That's correct.
Vo starts typing for africa
Vo: so who would complete the other part of the payment?
Me: my dad
Vo: what does he do?
Me: he is a contractor. And he is also into real estate
Vo starts typing for Africa again
Me : ( I said in my head "Oh Lord, i'm not leaving here without my white paper"
Vo: you qualify for visa approval... (keeps quite)
Me: (oh lord, pls no 'but')
(Then she brings out the white paper na so I just happy)
Vo: i'll be approving ur visa
Vo: where would u be staying?
Me: told her ( it's a hostel off campus)
Vo: oh. Ok
Vo cirlcles location where I would pick up my visa.
She then hands me the white paper and an EducationUSA invite.
Me, I just dey thank God dey bounce commot.
NOTE: The woman in window 4 just dey issue blue paper like sey she be father xmas wey dey dash people gift. However, I think most people who are paid and working would understand why she refused most people visas. Some of them didn't give appropriate responses though. (I'm not saying I did cos I know sey God hand dey am). However, don't take lightly the information shared here. I believe with adequate preparation and unique responses ( modification of general responses to suit ur personal profile) any genuine student can get an F1 without hassle. Most people are lazy and don't do their research properly - sad to say though. Some F1 students didn't even knw the qualification they were going for. It's really saddening. All the best to other folks. Good luck.

Am connected and will share my testimony too...congratulations!

Damiflies:



Apologies for the slight delay in posting transcript; been in Redemption camp for the Holy congress 2017. Interviewed by a young slim lady; she actually denied all those before me; but i was so optimistic of getting an approval cos the Holy one of Israel is involved and I have committed it to Him(God) @Rccg song of victory program currently going on at redemption camp;

The whole interview lasted less than 40secs

VO: Your passport and I20

Me: Passed to her sharply

VO: What's your highest level of education?

Me:HND

VO: In?

Me : Elect / Elect Engineering

VO: What course will you be studying @WVU (Guess she saw the sch on the i20)

Me: Safety Mgt with concentration in Construction safety.

VO: How to you know about the sch?

Me: I knew about the sch when I attended the quarterly Safety forum organized by one of our major client in the construction industry; One of the facilitator is an alumni of the sch. He told me about the standard of the safety mgt in WVU , some of the past researches done wrt construction safety and I was so fascinated.

VO: Where do you work ?

Me : Told her the name of my company and my designation.

VO: (Type for some secs) Who will be sponsoring your trip ?

Me : My dad

VO: What does he do ?

Me: He's a mechanical Engr,bla bla bla...

VO: (Type for some secs ) I will be approving ur visa ...brings out white paper, circled a part and handed it over to me

Me: Collect the white paper and gave her thumbs up.

No documents was asked.
It was just God in action.

NB: For anyone going for interview soon, I beseech you to put God first , prepare well and be confident.
You can also connect to the ongoing Songs of Victory program @ Redemption camp and be sure of Visa approval victory in view. Am a living testimony.
.

TWoods:


No such thing exists. Estimating cost of living depends on where you choose to live. One way to do this would be to add these up:

1. Tuition + school fees/expenses
2. Depending on where you live, housing can range from $500 - $1500/month
3. Gas/electric/cable/internet/cell phone - assume at least $500/month (it may be less)
4. Auto insurance - $200/month
5. Auto maintenance - $500/year (if you have a reliable car and all you need is an oil change every 4 months. If it's an older car, budget more.
6. Food/house supplies - $200/month

Add pocket/spending money.

What you'll need at the embassy should be at least enough to cover your first year of study.

Note these are just rough estimates. Use but modify to your own specific situation. For example, those who live on-campus won't need to worry about items 2, 3 and maybe 6 (except the cell phone).

I know you said it is a rough estimate, but I will still like to point out that those are on a very high side, especially for a student from Nigeria.
Every school will issue an i20 that contains an estimate of living expenses and one can also find an estimate on most schools website.
From my experience, after paying health insurance and tuition, no international student without funding and not schooling in the North East or California should spend more than $1000 per month (assuming you have a roommate), except you are OBO.
If you are borrowing money or your parents and relatives are coughing up the money, this is not the time to live lavishly. It is the time to live prudently and make sacrifices, although you will still live a darn good life with that amount.

please I need someone that can help out with a mock interview please... My Interview is on the 14th December.
Very Very Important please.... I don't know how to send a direct pm.

LagosismyHome:


uncle Justwise said we should do less of pm ...so best to post your question here . This thread is rich with information so welcome

Your Help here will be greatly Appreciated... don't know how to send you a pm.
Thanks in Advance.

femi312:
No but be ready to defend why he/she will be sponsoring you

You too Sir, Need Your Help Pls.
Can You help out Thanks!

Mitchely:
From recent experience, if you do go alone, please state clearly that they will join you later, even state when if you are certain. All the best.

I really empathize with what you are going through because I am in a similar situation, although my wife is not applying anytime soon and I was not asked about my family during my interview. You have probably painted a mental image of how you will meet them at the airport.

I agree with Lagosismyhome that you should give it some time before they reapply. You should wait until maybe Fall, 2018. When they do finally reapply, your wife should make a passionate case of how it has been extremely difficult living apart. That you are making good progress in your PhD but the separation of the family is taking a mental toll on you. Also, you don't want your daughter to grow up in the absence of his father and how you are missing out on watching your daughter grow too. How she is always asking about Daddy (which am sure she does if she is old enough).

So you have to be patient for a little while because I don't think B1 visa is a good option. All the best.

Time2Smile:


I really empathize with what you are going through because I am in a similar situation, although my wife is not applying anytime soon and I was not asked about my family during my interview. You have probably painted a mental image of how you will meet them at the airport.

I agree with Lagosismyhome that you should give it some time before they reapply. You should wait until maybe Fall, 2018. When they do finally reapply, your wife should make a passionate case of how it has been extremely difficult living apart. That you are making good progress in your PhD but the separation of the family is taking a mental toll on you. Also, you don't want your daughter to grow up in the absence of his father and how you are missing out on watching your daughter grow too. How she is always asking about Daddy (which am sure she does if she is old enough).

So you have to be patient for a little while because I don't think B1 visa is a good option. All the best.

Yes, I had planned every detail of their arrival and stay. Thank you, I appreciate your advice.

Please help with this questions, I applied to. Only Florida international university and got admitted, my interview is on Tuesday, is it wise to be truthful, or should I add some colleges and dead schools just to complete the statement

Time2Smile:


I really empathize with what you are going through because I am in a similar situation, although my wife is not applying anytime soon and I was not asked about my family during my interview. You have probably painted a mental image of how you will meet them at the airport.

I agree with Lagosismyhome that you should give it some time before they reapply. You should wait until maybe Fall, 2018. When they do finally reapply, your wife should make a passionate case of how it has been extremely difficult living apart. That you are making good progress in your PhD but the separation of the family is taking a mental toll on you. Also, you don't want your daughter to grow up in the absence of his father and how you are missing out on watching your daughter grow too. How she is always asking about Daddy (which am sure she does if she is old enough).

So you have to be patient for a little while because I don't think B1 visa is a good option. All the best.

The bolded plea won't work at all, at least for a dependent visa..may be an okay supporting point for a visit visa case. For a dependent visa, provided that the principal beneficiary with an F-1 visa here is in good standing, the burden lies on the applicant(s) to prove they'll be taken care of i.e. there is enough funds to take care of everyone. Of course, to also prove that the whole family is not just relocating without plans of coming back.
Applying for multiple types of visa within a small time window can signal desperation and 'immigrant intent'.

ekiee:
Please help with this questions, I applied to. Only Florida international university and got admitted, my interview is on Tuesday, is it wise to be truthful, or should I add some colleges and dead schools just to complete the statement

Tell the truth, but more importantly be able to explain convincingly why you chose that school out of the hundreds of schools in the US.

ekiee:
Please help with this questions, I applied to. Only Florida international university and got admitted, my interview is on Tuesday, is it wise to be truthful, or should I add some colleges and dead schools just to complete the statement

Be diplomatic sometimes... Tell them Two universities and you got admitted to both, look for a university that is closer to FIU, and tell them why you prefer FIU to that...


My advice tho.

Be diplomatic Bro. Its safe to sag two schools but get enough information on the other school also be readh to defend then why are you not eventually going to the other school, try to give sound reasons. If asked if you got admit to both schools just say yes. All the best

Pm me. All the best

I've tried to PM you, but it states I've sent to many messages,
thanks brother, I really need mock

It wont fly Brother.

??.

Kindly drop this Idea Bro. Trust me you will shoot yourself in the leg this way.

Can you please chat. Me up via whatsapp

ekiee:
Please help with this questions, I applied to. Only Florida international university and got admitted, my interview is on Tuesday, is it wise to be truthful, or should I add some colleges and dead schools just to complete the statement

Why do we find it so so easy to resort to lying at the slightest case? It's very distressing. It is ALWAYS wise to be truthful. If we were ALL truthful, this thread would not exist at all! How is that so hard to understand? For every stupid lie you go tell, they bring out new rules to make things harder for the innocent ones coming behind you. In my view, lying is the most selfish act anyone can ever commit. Spare a thought for others paying the price for your lack of character.

abeeolars:
Be diplomatic Bro. Its safe to sag two schools but get enough information on the other school also be readh to defend then why are you not eventually going to the other school, try to give sound reasons. If asked if you got admit to both schools just say yes. All the best

There is nothing "diplomatic" about a clear lie. That is an abuse of that word. It's silly to encourage him to lie... if he is found out, which would be quite easy to do, he'll be lucky to ever get any US visa again. Perhaps if he had planned better, he would not be in this position today.

oluwadamilare26:


Be diplomatic sometimes... Tell them Two universities and you got admitted to both, look for a university that is closer to FIU, and tell them why you prefer FIU to that...


My advice tho.

Diplomatic (adjective) - having or showing an ability to deal with people in a sensitive and effective way.
"that was a very diplomatic way of putting it"
synonyms: tactful, sensitive, subtle, delicate, polite, discreet, thoughtful, careful, judicious, nonconfrontational, prudent, politic, clever, skillful

Which of the synonyms above is remotely close to what you are suggesting - i.e. fraud? Tomorrow you'll be blaming your leaders for the swamp that Nigeria has become... you are part of the problem.

@Twood, come oo, is it wrong. To apply to only one school and get admitted, what is the in the position I am today, stop been to pedantic please. Abi na you holy pass?

Time2Smile:


I really empathize with what you are going through because I am in a similar situation, although my wife is not applying anytime soon and I was not asked about my family during my interview. You have probably painted a mental image of how you will meet them at the airport.

I agree with Lagosismyhome that you should give it some time before they reapply. You should wait until maybe Fall, 2018. When they do finally reapply, your wife should make a passionate case of how it has been extremely difficult living apart. That you are making good progress in your PhD but the separation of the family is taking a mental toll on you. Also, you don't want your daughter to grow up in the absence of his father and how you are missing out on watching your daughter grow too. How she is always asking about Daddy (which am sure she does if she is old enough).

So you have to be patient for a little while because I don't think B1 visa is a good option. All the best.

This is not a winning argument. A VO could simply ask why you haven't considered going back to complete your degree in your home country if separation is such an issue? There is no reason why your family must be united in America, especially since your wife would be unable to do much of anything on an F2. The interview is less than 3 minutes, you won't have enough time to state everything listed up there anyway.

My advice, do as madam lagosismyhome has suggested. Wait a bit then have your wife reapply again. You never know, she might just run into a nice VO!

TWoods:


Diplomatic (adjective) - having or showing an ability to deal with people in a sensitive and effective way.
"that was a very diplomatic way of putting it"
synonyms: tactful, sensitive, subtle, delicate, polite, discreet, thoughtful, careful, judicious, nonconfrontational, prudent, politic, clever, skillful

Which of the synonyms above is remotely close to what you are suggesting - i.e. fraud? Tomorrow you'll be blaming your leaders for the swamp that Nigeria has become... you are part of the problem.

ekiee:
@Twood, come oo, is it wrong. To apply to only one school and get admitted, what is the in the position I am today, stop been to pedantic please. Abi na you holy pass?

It is not wrong to apply to only one school... as long as you're applying in your country. Application to more than 1 school is a common question to gauge your genuine interest in studying in the US and you would have figured that out if you took out time to plan. Even JAMB has always requested that you apply to at least 2 universities. You're in the position you're in by choice... no one held your hand.

And can you please stop with the nauseating "na you holy pass"?

biikeys:


The bolded plea won't work at all, at least for a dependent visa..may be an okay supporting point for a visit visa case. For a dependent visa, provided that the principal beneficiary with an F-1 visa here is in good standing, the burden lies on the applicant(s) to prove they'll be taken care of i.e. there is enough funds to take care of everyone. Of course, to also prove that the whole family is not just relocating without plans of coming back.
Applying for multiple types of visa within a small time window can signal desperation and 'immigrant intent'.

I think I also stated clearly that they should not apply again for some time. I don't expect them to apply without adequate funds. The fund needed would be stated in the F-2 i20 that would be issued, and since public school is free for children of F2 visa holder, the extra fund is not usually much. And last time I checked, the reason for rejection was not a lack of adequate funds.
I know a lot of F1 visa holders with their family here on F2. It is very difficult separating a family for 4, 5 years. I don't know who the F2 visa is for if not for a married PhD student with kid.

TWoods:


This is not a winning argument. A VO could simply ask why you haven't considered going back to complete your degree in your home country if separation is such an issue? There is no reason why your family must be united in America, especially since your wife would be unable to do much of anything on an F2. The interview is less than 3 minutes, you won't have enough time to state everything listed up there anyway.

My advice, do as madam lagosismyhome has suggested. Wait a bit then have your wife reapply again. You never know, she might just run into a nice VO!

So he should go back and complete his PhD in Nigeria? OKooooo kwantinuee. The exact reason why the F2 visa category exists is so that family can be united during the period of study. The major thing working against them right now is the answer he gave during his F1 interview. Showing some form of home ties would also help their case.

By the way, the interviews are not always as short as usually portrayed on this thread, especially denials. So she can say as much. However, those are just talking points and doesn't have to be followed to the letter.

I already told you how to pm and you are still asking again.You ask too many unintelligent questions, going to school in the US is a serious business.You need to take time to read this thread very well.

Ayat1209:
Please how will I send him a PM

Hey guys is anyone here going to University of South Florida in January I am trying to fix up my accommodation but I’m having a crazy time.

Time2Smile:


So he should go back and complete his PhD in Nigeria? OKooooo kwantinuee. The exact reason why the F2 visa category exists is so that family can be united during the period of study. The major thing working against them right now is the answer he gave during his F1 interview. Showing some form of home ties would also help their case.

By the way, the interviews are not always as short as usually portrayed on this thread, especially denials. So she can say as much. However, those are just talking points and doesn't have to be followed to the letter.

While that is true, you also have the law working against you - which is that the VO has to view you/family as intending immigrants until you can prove otherwise.

I have not told him to go back to Nigeria to complete his studies (comprehension is important). Just saying that his arguments really do not hold up. America is not obligated to make sure that his family is not separated.