₦airaland Forum

Quoran:
Yes, I will advice you retake the GRE. Mathematics programs are usually funded in most top/medium schools I have seen. You have a good GPA and that's a strong point already. Just improve your scores. I guess you're going for Spring /Fall 2019?

Shanid:
Pls house, how much will it cost to re write GRE due to low score

fortune29:
You simply need to register for a new one which is to take place at least 21 days after the preceding test. $205

GeeRaoult:
...the altruistic services of the ilks of Sirreddy, Danninja, Time2Smile, Happyday etc. I want to specially appreciate Otorhope for also giving me the drive that I need to push during my downtime.

I hope to give the GRE a shot by June 27, 2018. I look forward to sharing my experience just like the primogenitors of this forum did for posterity to have something to hold onto.

Quoran:
So I think it is the right time to share my complete testimony

I have been following this thread since 2015 though as a guest. I had a lot of misconceptions about getting PhD admissions. I thought you must get a supervisor before you apply. I also did not know that it was possible to get funding for one's research as an international student. It is all about getting the right information and taking time to research on different schools. I also learned that the key is to start really early and mail professors. I sent mails to more than 100 Professors!( I kid you not!). Finally I took the bull by the horn and applied to many schools.

This is my profile:
1)Mechanical Engineering B.Eng 3.3/4 (Top Nigerian University)
2)Masters degree Top UK Mechanical Engineering (3.6/4 Unofficial WES evaluation. Two Professors from different schools told me during the skype interview that my CGPA was 3.58 and 3.7 respectively. What that means is that different schools have their own ways of evaluation but the different is not so significant.)
3)No publications but I showed evidence of work in progress.
4)GRE scores -First Attempt 303, Maths 153 ,Verbal 150 , AW -3.5.
GRE scores -Second Attempt 327, Maths 166,Verbal 161,A.W -4.0.

5)My work experience is mostly research based .I do not know if that helped in anyway.

Schools I applied to:
Texas A and M, College station- Accepted with Funding
Stanford University- Rejected nicely
University of California, Berkeley- Waitlisted since 1920
Michigan Tech- accepted with research assistantship
University of Alabama - Accepted
RPI- Accepted with Teaching assistantship.
Oregon State- Accepted in both Mechanical and Industrial Engineering programs.
George Washington- Pending;No decision yet.
University of Virginia- Pending;No decision yet.I suspect my application is on the waitlist.
Washington State University- Accepted; Teaching Assistantship is assured after the 1st semester.

Most schools have a deadline of April 15th to accept offers. I have opted for TAMU, College Station.


My GPA is not spectacular but from what I understand, my Masters degree thesis is a strong area of research that attract alot of funding. The reputation of my masters degree supervisor helped me alot. He is a well known expert in my field.He has over 200 publications and some patents.He wrote superb letters of recommendation for me also. Then, I put in my best in the skype interviews I had. I also spent time drafting my statement of purpose. Then God did the rest- Crowned my effort with success.

Tips and advice

1)Use Quora and Linkedin well. On Quora,I met alot of Professors there. They answer questions on what goes on among the graduate committee. I found students on Quora and Linkedin who told me about admission and funding. I follow a Nigerian guy on Quora who is an expert in graduate admissions. He helped me a great deal. He also told me of this forum. I initially thought he was the same scholastica16 here lol.

2)From my own observation, apply early. Some Professors pick their students early and try to extract some form of commitment especially if they will fund you.

3)If a school has rolling admissions, the probability that you will be funded is low. Beware of schools that offer free applications.

4)Different schools have their own ways of admitting students. Some will not admit you if they do not have funds. Some wont admit you when there is no supervisor. Just find out.
5)Contacting Professors on time helps. One told me that he will look for my application when they start screening. When I mailed him later, He told me that my application is good but that there were stronger applicants in the pool
6)When you mail a Professor, do not write an episode. They will most likely not read it. Be brief. I have tested this many times.
7)Try as much as possible to use official email addresses or even your school email. It helps kind off. Professors receive loads of emails.
Network and search different school forums. You can attend webinars and you will get classic information. Use gradcafe also.
9) For PhD, read and at least know the basics and various research areas. Also try and be flexible.

I hope this helps someone. You are free to ask me questions here. Unfortunately, I have limited access to my nairaland email. Unto the next level- Visa pursuance.

Special thanks to everyone who has posted here from time immemorial. I read all the pages of this thread. Scholastica16, you are a blessing.
DreManuel, thanks for the GRE materials.

Dream.Believe.Achieve.

(Pardon my errors).

kacey007:
I did my GRE today at JKK and had a score of 295.
Would you advice I re-write it for Msc Mathematics?
Verbal: 143
Quant.: 152
CGPA : 4.24/5
Cc time2smile

Thanks once again walspring for d GRE discount.

Scholastica16:
Congrats Quoran. Not surprised. The way you went about things I knew you were a serious person. I like TAMU CS but they did not like me. Ba$tards rejected my MS app but in their defence it was for Spring.

I am waiting for great news from Yildiz, Epithet, MasterforceII, Rexcheeng and anyone else I am forgetting.

As per the guy you met on Quora, I think I know who he is. Over-sound Dey worry the guy.

Congratulations once again.

Sherlock5577:
Hello everyone !!!

The great news of admission + funding so far from hopefuls is really exhilarating!!! Congrats!! Best wishes to other hopefuls waiting for admission and funding decisions.

Please, I require some help.
My profile which I posted some time back is:
BSc Geology and Mining
GPA: 4.59/5.00
Prospective Course: MSc/PhD Petroleum Geoscience
GRE: 2nd May ; TOEFL: 2nd June

The schools I have collated to carry out my desired research include:

Preferred choices - UTexas Austin, TAMUC, West Virginia University, Oklahoma State University (These are the schools I intend to report my scores to)

Others - University of Louisiana Lafayette, University of Wyoming and University of Mississippi.

I have found some info on these schools from gradcafe.

Please, I require guidance with regards to the schools I've chosen and other schools I should consider.

Cc: pennstate sirRuddy

Thanks for your help!!!

kacey007:
I did my GRE today at JKK and had a score of 295.
Would you advice I re-write it for Msc Mathematics?
Verbal: 143
Quant.: 152
CGPA : 4.24/5
Cc time2smile

Thanks once again walspring for d GRE discount.

doziej84:
who has this much talked about 2014 Princeton review?


i checked the google drive and it ain't there.

MasterforceII:
Congratulations bro. I've followed your journey and I'm so happy about the outcome. You have shown persistence and tenacity. I wish you the best. Enjoy your stay in America.

MasterforceII:
Hello Boss, How's your program going? Good I hope. I wish I bore great news but unfortunately, my #Fall2018 journey may have come to an end without my securing an admission with funding.

I want to update the house so people learn from my mistakes the same way I hope to learn from them. I applied to just 2 schools in the US (UIUC and Oregon State), 1 in the UK (Imperial College) and 1 in Germany (RWTH Aechen). All MSc. In hindsight, this was a bad move, one that I regret and would not repeat in my next attempt at securing admission. I wasn't totally realistic with my school selections. In my next attempt, I'll be sure to spread my risks and apply to more schools to increase my chances. I'll also apply to a couple of PhD programs.

UIUC flat out rejected me, a generic rejection at that.
Oregon State on the other hand was quite promising. I had had correspondence with a particular professor which I thought was leading somewhere. Imagine my despondence when I received a rejection.
I received an admit from Imperial College. I don't know if I would be going here eventually as I can't fund it personally. I have applied for the PTDF scholarship and would also apply for NLNG and Agip when they are out. This could prove a viable option as I could then transition to a top program for PhD.
Yet to hear from RWTH.

I have learnt that when you fall x times, you should rise x+1 times. I am working on making myself a better candidate for Spring 19/Fall 19.

Thanks for your guidance and insights. I really appreciate you and other perspicacious minds on here.

#YesWeCan

fortune29:
You simply need to register for a new one which is to take place at least 21 days after the preceding test. $205

iamblisz:
Hey guys, is it a bad idea to start tutorial on GRE? Have been out of school for almost two years now. I contacted a center here in Abj and they charge #50'000 for two months and #30,000 for one month. Not that I don't believe myself it just that I'm not that good in math and I don't want to write it twice.

So what do guys think? Although the fees is very high., e go pain me wella to vomit this kind money for just two months.

MasterforceII:
Decent Profile and great selection of schools. It is important that you nail your GRE to bolster your chances. Manhattan 5lb and Magoosh Online are good resources. Goodluck #YesWeCan

iamblisz:
Plz someone should comment on this

almeida3:
Hi Stenon!

Except he is going to negotiate a full tuition waiver with graduate school(which is not always easy, the best you might get is an out-state excess waiver, which means you have to pay in-state tuition), I will advise you reconsider the offer. From experience, a POI at SJSU will pay max $15/hour for 20hours half time work. This amount will barely offset your cost of living in California. They may call it a full funding, but, in the real sense, it's not.

You may consider the offer, if however, you have a means of paying your tuition.

Regards!

Time2Smile:
I think you should allow her get the full offer with the details first, and then she can make a decision to accept or reject the offer.
Congratulations to Quoran, that was really impressive.

STENON:
Thank you so much for your response and my sincere apology for just responding to your post. Goodmorning and how have you been sir? I am very grateful for the clarification concerning funding sir. After replying the emeritus of my willingless to accept the lab instructor position, He later requested for my CV and transcripts and I forwarded to him. Just few minutes ago, He asked me to submit my application ASAP so as to get my visa before resumption date. He also asked me to send a mail to another Prof. that I am the same Person as Stella I. on my transcript against Stella A. that is on my email address. He mentioned that he recommended Stella A. for graduate school before seeing Stella I. on my transcript. Finally, He said I should be ready for skype interview anytime soon. I am scared of what to expect during skype interview because I have never done such before.

Cc:
Quoran
Time2Smile
Scholastica16
and other great people of this forum

Quoran:
Kindly check one of my recent post on the USA student visa thread. I gave someone some tips on having a Skype interview.
I hope you find it useful.

Sherlock5577:
I think this depends on how dire your situation is and the efficacy of the training you intend to get.
If the training is efficient enough and you really require tutoring, probably because you'll find it difficult to study alone, then I suggest you go ahead. And as you spit out this money, I believe you'll put in the required effort so it doesn't become a waste.
Then you should access yourself to know how much training you require and which of the payment plans is affordable to you.

Nothing good comes easy!!!
All the best sir!!

MasterforceII:
Congratulations bro. I've followed your journey and I'm so happy about the outcome. You have shown persistence and tenacity. I wish you the best. Enjoy your stay in America.

GraceJoks:
Good evening, I have been an ardent reader of posts on this platform and I have benefitted immensely from it. I wrote the Gre in January. However, I didn't apply to four schools because of lack of funds. I am yet to receive response from Central Michigan University regarding funding but I have been admitted. I will like to seek your advice about other schools for msc statistics (fall 2019) that I can apply to based on my profile. Thank you.

Profile
BSc- Mathematics/Statistics
Cgpa- 4.42/5 , Wes (3.81/4)
Gre- Q-156, Verbal- 150, AWA- 3.5

Time2Smile, Scholarstica , I need your contribution and advice on this. Thank you.

Scholastica16:
GRE is 40-45K in Naira.

Don’t go and pay $205 for nothing.

Look for BY MAFIT or Ponpon on Nairaland.

MasterforceII:
Congratulations bro. I've followed your journey and I'm so happy about the outcome. You have shown persistence and tenacity. I wish you the best. Enjoy your stay in America.

GraceJoks:
Good evening, I have been an ardent reader of posts on this platform and I have benefitted immensely from it. I wrote the Gre in January. However, I didn't apply to four schools because of lack of funds. I am yet to receive response from Central Michigan University regarding funding but I have been admitted. I will like to seek your advice about other schools for msc statistics (fall 2019) that I can apply to based on my profile. Thank you.

Profile
BSc- Mathematics/Statistics
Cgpa- 4.42/5 , Wes (3.81/4)
Gre- Q-156, Verbal- 150, AWA- 3.5

Time2Smile, Scholarstica , I need your contribution and advice on this. Thank you.

GraceJoks:
Good evening, I have been an ardent reader of posts on this platform and I have benefitted immensely from it. I wrote the Gre in January. However, I didn't apply to four schools because of lack of funds. I am yet to receive response from Central Michigan University regarding funding but I have been admitted. I will like to seek your advice about other schools for msc statistics (fall 2019) that I can apply to based on my profile. Thank you.

Profile
BSc- Mathematics/Statistics
Cgpa- 4.42/5 , Wes (3.81/4)
Gre- Q-156, Verbal- 150, AWA- 3.5

Time2Smile, Scholarstica , I need your contribution and advice on this. Thank you.