Now, a few tips for those going for interviews.

1. Be honest. Some lies are totally unnecessary.

2. A VO's mind is programmed to think you're an intending immigrant so the burden is on you to prove that you're not. Imagine having a child and your partner is the only person you'd ever been with. A DNA test shows the child is not your partner's. Think of the length you would go to prove your innocence! That's how much you should be prepared. Get ready for anything.

3. In addition to (2) above, you should NEVER argue or get confrontational/condescending. Learn to get your message across in the most polite manner. Be respectful and relax.

4. We Americans (yes, we ) nod whenever someone is explaining things to us. A nodding VO does not mean you're convincing him or he's agreeing with anything you're saying. It simply means: I'm listening. If you're saying crap and the VO is nodding, don't dig a grave for yourself. Smile and stop talking!

5. Americans speak very loudly and as a result, we hear things only when they're at a volume our ears can pick. Don't use bedroom voice or whisper to a VO. Forget being shy, you need to speak loudly or else, there's a chance the VO didn't even hear all you said. This is why some people come here with very good transcripts and wonder why they got denied. Remember the VO didn't text you.

6. Just a follow up to 5, a conversation is as good as how much the listener understands. Heavy accents + weird pronunciations could affect you just like volume. Remember TOEFL speaking test? Yes! If you have an iPhone, practice with Siri. If you use android, practice with Google help assistant. Keep doing it until you get better. Do it until you can tell Siri/Google to check on baba kafayat if he's cheating on his wife or not without getting "I'm sorry, did you ask me to play a song?"

7. Learn how to understand questions. Until you understand a question, DO NOT ANSWER IT. "I don't know" is a lot better than saying something false that'd put your application in jeopardy. Simply say things like: "what do you mean?", "I didn't get that", "can you please repeat that, sir?"

8. A VO needs 3 questions answered. A. Is this person a genuine/capable student? B. Is this person financially capable to get through this journey without getting stuck? C. Will this person go back home after studies? Now go back to (2) above, get ready to let them know it's a "Yes, beyond reasonable doubt" to these 3 questions.

9. A denial doesn't mean the dream is over. It simply means: you didn't do enough to convince me today. You get the chance to practice until you do enough to convince them.

10. Do NOT let any preconceived notion mess with your mind. It doesn't matter if you're 45, out of school since 31 years ago, going to study fishery, have no wife and kids, have a virgin passport, been denied 79 times back-to-back, and all the nonsense your mind is saying. As long as you have not been banned, the minute you are able to convince the VO that your answers to ( 8 ) are "Yes, beyond reasonable doubt", your application will most likely be approved. Work on how to convince the VO.

I'll post more tips if anyone needs them. I passed the stage of VISA, green card, removing conditions of my temporary green card and finally citizenship so I'm not bluffing. The American dream is a chance for everyone, it's your choice to chicken out or work for it!

Wakanda forever!

ATnTMartz:


Thanks a lot, you have been so helpful.

Lastly, should I make the appointment now before even completing the application form? Do you have the website for the appointment

jolowizzy11:
congrats .. I'm happy for you . my i-20 has arrived I need you guys to gimme some tips cause my interview is knocking @ the door......tanks

kikky91:
Pls the prof I have in the house...i want to knw if some one can pay sevis fee from Spain to an American university. Thanks for ur responses

orimahspence:

Do you have any scholarship?

theamerican:


I don't think you pay the SEVIS fee to the college. As long as the "someone" can send money via westernunion, they should be able to make the payment.

ATnTMartz:



Thank you.



I have paid my visa application fee, but not SERVIS fee, planning to pay the SERVIS later this week.

Will I be able to complete the visa application form without the SERVIS fee?

kikky91:


Pls how did u make this payment i really want to knw...thnks

kikky91:


Pls how did u make this payment i really want to knw...thnks

ATnTMartz:


I paid with GTBank

sultanfortune:

For graduate admission, it takes anytime between 4-6 weeks to be given the admission.
But for undergraduate, it can take anything between a couple of days to one or two weeks.
In my own case,it took about 3weeks or 2weeks plus few days. Keep checking ur campusnet and if you meet all the admission requirements, they will notify you.
Best of luck....

RoadAnimations:
Hi
I want to thank you all for your help.
Am happy to post my transcript cos I have learnt from others.
My Visa was approved today.

Got there 5:30. Saw crowd. Was like really?
I had to pay 1k to keep my Bag and Phone. This Lagos sha.
Had to stand throughout.
Nice building. Up to 4 security checks. Fingerprint stuff then VO.

I loved the fact that you cud listen to others as they argued with VO. Thanks to the many approved transcript I have read and Gods Grace ( Major Factor ). Kept cool and calm


VO: Pass me your Passport and I20 pls.
Me: Here sir
VO: What are you going to do in the US
Me: Am going to start a direct-Phd programme at Iowa State University, Electrical and Electronic Eng
VO: Hmmm. Okay. Why do you need this degree
Me: I want to Lecture and Research
VO: Who is paying for the fees
Me: The school. Got a full scholarship that includes tuition waver and health insurance and ( cuts me off )
VO: How many years
Me: 5 yes.
VO: I would be approving your visa

Wishing all of you guys yet to interview the best.
Whatever happens. NEVER argue with the VO. Cos everyone I saw today do that went home with a blue paper.

Shalom

.by

ATnTMartz:


I paid with GTBank

ChristoBam:
Hello guys please i have something bothering me so I need your advices. I believe the U. S visa thread is a big family from which I can seek advice whenever I need it.
I started my application to the U.S hoping I'd get a scholarship or something. I've been working on it since last year but I've not gotten any. It's most possibly because my WAEC and high school transcript is too average.
I'm about to risk it and go to the U. S. My plans are one of these
1) Transfer to a community college after getting to the U. S
2) Get a scholarship for my 2nd year if possible but I wonder as i'll get through the first year as the tuition and board is $16k per year.
My Budget is about 2 million.
I don't want to have any regrets so I need your advice. Should I take the risk of traveling given the circumstances.
I don't even know if there's a community college that meets my budget. I searched and I saw some but I don't know if there are high hidden costs. I need advice from experts.

ChristoBam:

I'm about to risk it and go to the U. S. My plans are one of these
1) Transfer to a community college after getting to the U. S
2) Get a scholarship for my 2nd year if possible but I wonder as i'll get through the first year as the tuition and board is $16k per year.
My Budget is about 2 million.
I don't want to have any regrets so I need your advice. Should I take the risk of traveling given the circumstances.
I don't even know if there's a community college that meets my budget. I searched and I saw some but I don't know if there are high hidden costs. I need advice from experts.

kodeya:


I need help on this.

Smartconcept1:

@ Lagosismyhome is it possible I use a fixed deposit account, that is a fixed deposit certificate as evidence of financial capacity to get my I-20 and go to embassy for interview ?