EELORHOR:
Hi, i have been a silent observer of this thread, the numerous advices from the gurus of this house, @walspring, @lagosismyhome, @twoods although i didn't personally ask you guys questions, but the numerous advices and constructive criticism that you gave is a blessing to us, and i ask one thing keep touching lives and your reward is bountiful. @Mayorboi thank you very much for the continuous hammeringon my preparing, on getting my documents ready and the coaching and mock interviews you according me, thank you very much boss.

One thing please don't slack on prayers, please i repeat don't slack on prayers.


My interview was on 6:30 this morning 27th of Dec. 2018.
So I got to the embassy by 5am & met them 'staple your docs & get coloured copy of your data page' people. Thankful for the knowledge I acquired here...
I was interviewed by a white guy on window 4.

This guy was not smiling as he had recently given two applicants before the blue paper, i was nervous chai. Which kind line they put me oohhh.....

Vo: "Good morning".
Me: "Good morning."

Vo: "How are you?"
Me: "I am fine thank you, how are you?"

Vo: (ignores my response and question)"Your Passport and I-20 please "
Me:" Passes Documents. "

Vo: (After looking at my documents and typing for a while) "What are you goingto study?"
Me: "Evironmental Science from SIUE, i will be focusing on Environmental biology. "


Vo: "What do you want to do?"
Me: "( i no understand this question ooh, i no get prepared answer ooh)Pardon?"

Vo: "What do you want to do with Environmental biology"
Me: "I want to study Environmental Biology in order to get the necessary skills and tools required to solve the numerous environmental problem, using "*Vo cuts in*
Vo: "You are not telling me what you want to do with Environmental biology. "
Me: *a little bit tense, because this dude just stopped my flow of rehearsed answers*, I am getting there.
Vo: "Well you have to get there faster!"
Me: *sigh to calm myself*, "Well i want to study environmental biology so that i can be able to reduce the amount of pollutants in the environment, using Phyto remediation technology. "

Vo: "Phyto remediation technology, can you tell me what phyto remediation is?"
Me: "well Phyto remediation is the use of plants to remediate the environment, using processes phytostabilization and phyovolatization. "

Vo: "What is phytovolatization?"
Me:" P.v is the processes of using plants that are bioaccumalators, to absorb contaminants and through transpiration these contaminants are released back into the environment, in a volatile state that is easily degraded. "

Vo: "Okay, how did you learn about this School?"
Me: "I stumbled on a research paper while doing a term paper during my undergraduate on the developement of bla bla bla, by a prof. bla bla in SIUE. This was what peaked my interest in SIUE,"

Vo: "How many Schools, did you apply to?"
Me: "Four, SIUE, USFC, Texas State Uni and Unilag. "


Vo: "Why did you choose SIUE,"
Me: "I chose SIUE, because Coupled with the scholarship( vo looks at i-20 to verify) the school granted to me, i am interested in joining prof bla bla's research team on the developement of bla bla bla, i have been in contact with him and he has accepted me into his team in my arrival to school. "

Vo:"Ooh i see the Scholarship now. Who is going to pay for the rest of your tution?"
Me: "Told him. "

Vo: "Okay, can you mention some plants used in "Phytoremediation (looked away to type somemore)
Me: *nice i done get you* "Well you have ficcus microcarpa common name Bonsai tree, Barley, Duckweed, Canabis Sativa*Vo cuts in smilling*

Vo: "Canabis, you mean Marijuana? "
Me: "*laughing* yes indian hemp. "


Vo: Picks white paper and says the magic words. It was really magical. People who have experienced this can confirm.

I advice you prepare well and don't cram your responses as it kinda irritates the impatient ones, clear and concise answers would do, listen to the questions and be bold and confident, do prior research in whatever yoh say gou want to go and study and research because thet can ask technical questions there, so you don't shoot yourself in the foot

Also i cannot stop saying this Please pray and trust God .

I hereby usher in more Spring 2019 approved visa transcripts.

CuteRedd:
@Olalekank Compliments of the season bro! How are you preparing for GRE?

EELORHOR:
Hi, i have been a silent observer of this thread, the numerous advices from the gurus of this house, @walspring, @lagosismyhome, @twoods although i didn't personally ask you guys questions, but the numerous advices and constructive criticism that you gave is a blessing to us, and i ask one thing keep touching lives and your reward is bountiful. @Mayorboi thank you very much for the continuous hammeringon my preparing, on getting my documents ready and the coaching and mock interviews you according me, thank you very much boss.

One thing please don't slack on prayers, please i repeat don't slack on prayers.


My interview was on 6:30 this morning 27th of Dec. 2018.
So I got to the embassy by 5am & met them 'staple your docs & get coloured copy of your data page' people. Thankful for the knowledge I acquired here...
I was interviewed by a white guy on window 4.

This guy was not smiling as he had recently given two applicants before the blue paper, i was nervous chai. Which kind line they put me oohhh.....

Vo: "Good morning".
Me: "Good morning."

Vo: "How are you?"
Me: "I am fine thank you, how are you?"

Vo: (ignores my response and question)"Your Passport and I-20 please "
Me:" Passes Documents. "

Vo: (After looking at my documents and typing for a while) "What are you goingto study?"
Me: "Evironmental Science from SIUE, i will be focusing on Environmental biology. "


Vo: "What do you want to do?"
Me: "( i no understand this question ooh, i no get prepared answer ooh)Pardon?"

Vo: "What do you want to do with Environmental biology"
Me: "I want to study Environmental Biology in order to get the necessary skills and tools required to solve the numerous environmental problem, using "*Vo cuts in*
Vo: "You are not telling me what you want to do with Environmental biology. "
Me: *a little bit tense, because this dude just stopped my flow of rehearsed answers*, I am getting there.
Vo: "Well you have to get there faster!"
Me: *sigh to calm myself*, "Well i want to study environmental biology so that i can be able to reduce the amount of pollutants in the environment, using Phyto remediation technology. "

Vo: "Phyto remediation technology, can you tell me what phyto remediation is?"
Me: "well Phyto remediation is the use of plants to remediate the environment, using processes phytostabilization and phyovolatization. "

Vo: "What is phytovolatization?"
Me:" P.v is the processes of using plants that are bioaccumalators, to absorb contaminants and through transpiration these contaminants are released back into the environment, in a volatile state that is easily degraded. "

Vo: "Okay, how did you learn about this School?"
Me: "I stumbled on a research paper while doing a term paper during my undergraduate on the developement of bla bla bla, by a prof. bla bla in SIUE. This was what peaked my interest in SIUE,"

Vo: "How many Schools, did you apply to?"
Me: "Four, SIUE, USFC, Texas State Uni and Unilag. "


Vo: "Why did you choose SIUE,"
Me: "I chose SIUE, because Coupled with the scholarship( vo looks at i-20 to verify) the school granted to me, i am interested in joining prof bla bla's research team on the developement of bla bla bla, i have been in contact with him and he has accepted me into his team in my arrival to school. "

Vo:"Ooh i see the Scholarship now. Who is going to pay for the rest of your tution?"
Me: "Told him. "

Vo: "Okay, can you mention some plants used in "Phytoremediation (looked away to type somemore)
Me: *nice i done get you* "Well you have ficcus microcarpa common name Bonsai tree, Barley, Duckweed, Canabis Sativa*Vo cuts in smilling*

Vo: "Canabis, you mean Marijuana? "
Me: "*laughing* yes indian hemp. "


Vo: Picks white paper and says the magic words. It was really magical. People who have experienced this can confirm.

I advice you prepare well and don't cram your responses as it kinda irritates the impatient ones, clear and concise answers would do, listen to the questions and be bold and confident, do prior research in whatever yoh say gou want to go and study and research because thet can ask technical questions there, so you don't shoot yourself in the foot

Also i cannot stop saying this Please pray and trust God .

I hereby usher in more Spring 2019 approved visa transcripts.

Kirusky4life:


Hello house. Gudpm all. B4 I could send this mail to the embassy. I decided to check my status and behold, it has changed to 'ISSUED'
Thanks all for ur positivity. Now patiently waiting for my passports

hansmond93:

Congratulations man!!!
Please does your scholarship cover your whole tuition as I noticed no bank statement was requested by the VO.

CuteRedd:
@olalekank can't quote you dont know what is wrong with NL anyway leave ASUU alone o and just focus on your goals. Wish you the best. What are your target schools?

Kirusky4life:


Hello house. Gudpm all. B4 I could send this mail to the embassy. I decided to check my status and behold, it has changed to 'ISSUED'
Thanks all for ur positivity. Now patiently waiting for my passports

lalavita:
Hello All,
I’m a longtime follower of this thread and I feel compelled to share this.
It’s apparent that there has been a policy shift in the US regarding issuing of student and other non-immigrant visas. This isn’t the first time it’s happening and it won’t be the last. I look back to ten years ago and I remember even people with Ivy League admissions being refused on their first try at getting a student visa from Nigeria to the US. Check out this thread - https://gmatclub.com/forum/f-1-visa-denied-good-ending-31273.html

If you compare this Nairaland US Student thread to the same thread this time last year, it’s like night and day. Something is definitely going on. I was so disheartened when I read about the student with full funding plus monthly stipends posted last week over a tiny deficit in funds.

So what do we do now?

Here are some tips;

For Current Students
I know students monitor this thread, so I’ll start with them. If you are still in school, focus on your studies, aim for a 2.1 or first class as this opens up now international graduate study opportunities in the US and beyond.
Build productive formal relationships with your faculty so you have strong future recommenders.
Choose at least 1 extracurricular activity and excel at it. It could be student government, it could be debating, it could be working with a charity organisation.
Internships and work placements related to your course of study.
All these will make you a super candidate with access to more scholarships and higher ranked schools.
In addition, many people don’t know it’s easier to build your travel history as a student. From your second year, you can ask all these uncles and aunties to start inviting you for holidays. Embassies are pretty open to REAL students going on holiday. Also if you are in a debating or computing team for example, there may be international competitions you attend as a team.

For Graduates - Current and Intending Applicants
Start Early:
Because of the relaxed visa policy over the past few years - thank you President Obama, many have gotten away with last minute applications, admissions and visa issuance. Unfortunately, things have changed. Apply months in advance. This will help you avoid the ‘brain touch’ going on right now. I see people with December appointment dates being rescheduled for January with no consideration for the resumption dates.
Getting your admission early also gives you an opportunity to go for a second or even third visa interview if your first attempt is denied.

Do all you can do:
Some people will come here and say they didn’t do GRE, they applied at the last minute, yet they got full funding and visa on the first try. While those people are blessed, remember, they are the exception, not the rule. Be thorough, do your GRE or GMAT and excel. If TOEFL is needed, do it, if you can apply for a waiver, apply on time for one. Research your programme well, communicate with faculty, write a compelling and authentic personal statement or essays. Know and understand clearly WHY you are going for this course.

Your Visa Form:
Some people don’t even need to go for the visa interview because it’s a NO from the form (joke o but seriously...).
Fill your visa form yourself, read it over and over and over again before submitting. Be honest and be confident about the content.

Interview Prep:
This is pretty much one of the best things about this thread. Read successful transcripts but don’t go and repeat what you heard. Be confident and prepared to have a conversation with the VO. We all know the questions they ask at this point. Answer honestly and confidently. Remember no one word answers. Create an engaging conversation.

Honesty and Ethics:
Whether we like it or not, bad eggs are part of the reason for this present visa denial trend. From fake bank statements to all sorts of tricks. For your sake and for the sake of our fellow intending students, don’t do anything dodgy and also be wise. We have seen cases of ‘uncles’ giving people fake statements on this thread. GTBank has this function where statements can be sent directly to the embassy, if your sponsor uses their bank, you can suggest that in addition to giving you the printed statement. I’ve heard this makes admin processing smoother.

Pray:
So many testimonies. It’s needed.

For the Discouraged
This is for those who have been refused several times and are discouraged.
Hug for you. All will be well.

If you are a really committed to graduate study, don’t give up.
While the US has such a rich mix of universities offering almost every course you can dream of, plus juicy funding options, it is not the only option.

Try Another Country:
UK, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Netherlands etc..
All have funded options available. Is it harder to get than the USA, you may say so. Is it impossible? Nope.
Commonwealth scholarships
Gates scholarship
Chevening Scholarship
etc
There are many more. Google is your friend. There are also specialist sites that offer this info. For example, https://scholarshipsandaid.org


Build Your Professional Profile:
You can also consider professional fellowships and competitions to boost your profile and even travel history. You can find on https://www.opportunitiesforafricans.com

Plug Any Gaps:
If the USA is still your ultimate, what were the gaps in your last application. Work towards filling them. For example, if you wanted to use your Masters to change your career path, how about getting a job in that area so when you want to try again, this proves you are committed to the career. If your issue was inadequate funds, work on getting a funded offer or formal scholarship.

Wishing you all the best.

elevatedmind:


A few hours. I requested for such in the early hours of the day (say between 2-4am) and I got a response 7:17am (I just checked my email to confirm).

doublezero7:


Part 13 advice from my oga, Tolatof for president!

This would help someone most definitely!

doublezero7:
So i am compelled to give some recent tips I found valuable during the course of my visits to the US embassy. Hopefully, someone here or in future would find it useful.

1. Prepare like your life depends on it. A friend of mine got approved by the same white lady that denied me on the 21st. I was really happy for her because we all knew she didn't need to travel to the US to study. But the amount of work she devoted into getting her visa was amazing. She'd say, "what is worth my time at all is worth doing well!" And that's her motivation to prepare. She's also never been on this thread or even on NL. So things don't have to be so deep before you ask people who have gone through the phase for help.

2. Early preparation is key. I made up my mind to leave to study around January and started contacting schools, asking questions from the gurus here and outside here, and began drafting my transcript. I got all the responses i needed earlier around Augist/September amd got my admission decision earlier in October. I was always in Tolatof's face and he had tp say, "bro, go write the GRE first and start applying before we start geting serious." But me i was all in at this point. My point here is, don't wait till it is very late before you begin your preparations. Contact people who have genuine knowledge and not time wasters. I will come to this much later.

3. The God factor. So i will sound like a broken record here. Especially because of my educational background in Philosophy. But God does exist. And every of your supplication gets to Him. Even in the most irrelevant of circumstances, like eating or sleeping or driving, a sincere prayer to him goes a long. In my case, the first thing i did was find out from Him if he wanted me here or i should go study. He gave me the all clear to go. And it wasn't convenient cos i am supposed to be married this December but now we had to postpone till next year. God will not ask you to do something and not provide the means to make the decisions you'd take easier... no matter how privileged you are. Please i am a living witness, so this fact is not up for argument. Things got rough at a point but he showed up over and over again.

4. Let your documents and information match. This is as clear as anything. Most people get denied because of something so intangible and when you ask them why, they'd say, "I don't even know!". Truth is, we would always know. Except we aren't 100% honest. I knew why i was denied at first because the VO told me to go on the US embassy website and get the information I need. Took a while to set in but once i sorted my emotions, i had the strength to try again. Go in with the right documents. Go in with authentic documents. You'd be fine.

5. Try again...if you are completely honest about your intentions. So i avoided the world 'genuine' here because I didn't want to sound insensitive. But please be honest about why exactly you need to relocate temporarily for studies. Then don'tbe afraid to try again. Take every interview as an opportunity to talk about yourself to a new person. I did this and it worked and many more have done this. Check past transcripts that turned from blue paper to white, you'd see a pattern. Everyone who got approved wanted it more than they did the first time...and they get it.

6. Contact genuine people. I will try to list names of the people I was in regular contact with and those i just asked quick questions. But before then, I should add this, i totally respect Lagosismyhome, even as i didnt have a need to ask her anything. But the way she answers most questions speaks volume of her personality.

Walspring also earned my respect. He helped with my SEVIS fee payment and i totally would recommend him to everyone who needs help with anything related to this.

Tolatof (for president 2019...lol) is an amazing person. He started this journey with me almost at the time he got his study visa approved. And even though he's been so scarce nowadays, he was really awesome for me at the start.

100kobo. He had the most influence in all of the interview process. From helping me breakdown my points to 3-4 dope sentences to asking me to take out some points completely. And a lot more. I contacted him because of i needed someone who wouldn't support whatever bullshit i had going on. And oga grilled me o. Revised transcripts upon transcripts. To God be the glory, it all worked out. Months of preparation paid off.

Ubah ( can't remember his full moniker) He was tremendous in giving insights and what he thought was the right thing to do. Thank you sir.

There are a whole lot more that helped. And even as i can't go on with the names, the most important thing is you know that i value and appreciate you all. Thank you.

7. Pray like you haven't prepared for a single day. Well, this point is relative because atheist get good things going on for them sometimes. But if you want great things going on for you every time (especially during this phase), pray like never before. Ask your mom and siblings to pray on your behalf. Believe me it works. Everyone that knew I flew into Abuja to interview yesterday prayed at the 12am and 9am mark. Mesef didn't pray as much as that. Little things matter. And please don't ever underplay the impact of prayer.


That should be all. I would disappear for a while here. But as 100kobo told me yesterday, he helped me because he hopes i help other people. So i am determined to make sacrifices. If you have issues you think i can help with, don't hesitate to send me a pm. God will help us figure everything out.

Cheers.

Kirusky4life:


Hello house. Gudpm all. B4 I could send this mail to the embassy. I decided to check my status and behold, it has changed to 'ISSUED'
Thanks all for ur positivity. Now patiently waiting for my passports

iyaaliyah:
Hello, been reading posts since. Currently on page 120. Pls I have a quick question, school resumes 1st week in January, available date is 2nd week. The column for ‘arrival date to the US’ should it be the exact resumption date? Thnx

MyAmericandream:
Immediately I saw ISSUED, I just shouted JESUS! I'm so happy for you bro, congratulations!!

fairheart:
You could put like 2-3 days to resumption date as stated on the i-20. Have you asked for extension?

omoobaadeNGR:


Great! When is your appointment? And is there a particular way to affix one's passport photo to the printed form at the consulate?

fairheart:
He is a bro? lol. You still dey come here?

iyaaliyah:
Hi. Did you call or you sent a mail? There is no option of expedited appointment on profile.

elevatedmind:


Dec 21st. I will drop my transcript soon. Affix passport to which form??

elevatedmind:


I think after scheduling an appointment with the available dates, the option to apply for the expedited appointment will appear.

omoobaadeNGR:


Ok, congrats. I guess you were approved. I heard some people saying you have to attach your passport to your printed form DS160, although it sounds absurd to me...just trying to clarify and avoid those touts at the consulate whenever I go for my interview.

iyaaliyah:
Thank you. Just did that now. Issue now is that start date of program must be within 60days. Mine is first week in January, within 12days. It doesn’t look like I am qualified.

elevatedmind:


Yes, it was God's Grace.

I didn't attach any passport to my printed DS160 form. I only went along with a passport photograph that was similar to the one I uploaded in my DS160 and they requested for it though they gave me back.

Hope you uploaded a passport when filling your DS160?

Kirusky4life:

Loool. I answer any1 o. Both bro, sis, madam, sir. All join. But for clarification, am a sis

EELORHOR:
Hi, i have been a silent observer of this thread, the numerous advices from the gurus of this house, @walspring, @lagosismyhome, @twoods although i didn't personally ask you guys questions, but the numerous advices and constructive criticism that you gave is a blessing to us, and i ask one thing keep touching lives and your reward is bountiful. @Mayorboi thank you very much for the continuous hammeringon my preparing, on getting my documents ready and the coaching and mock interviews you according me, thank you very much boss.

One thing please don't slack on prayers, please i repeat don't slack on prayers.


My interview was on 6:30 this morning 27th of Dec. 2018.
So I got to the embassy by 5am & met them 'staple your docs & get coloured copy of your data page' people. Thankful for the knowledge I acquired here...
Are you an undergrad student?
I was interviewed by a white guy on window 4.

This guy was not smiling as he had recently given two applicants before the blue paper, i was nervous chai. Which kind line they put me oohhh.....

Vo: "Good morning".
Me: "Good morning."

Vo: "How are you?"
Me: "I am fine thank you, how are you?"

Vo: (ignores my response and question)"Your Passport and I-20 please "
Me:" Passes Documents. "

Vo: (After looking at my documents and typing for a while) "What are you goingto study?"
Me: "Evironmental Science from SIUE, i will be focusing on Environmental biology. "


Vo: "What do you want to do?"
Me: "( i no understand this question ooh, i no get prepared answer ooh)Pardon?"

Vo: "What do you want to do with Environmental biology"
Me: "I want to study Environmental Biology in order to get the necessary skills and tools required to solve the numerous environmental problem, using "*Vo cuts in*
Vo: "You are not telling me what you want to do with Environmental biology. "
Me: *a little bit tense, because this dude just stopped my flow of rehearsed answers*, I am getting there.
Vo: "Well you have to get there faster!"
Me: *sigh to calm myself*, "Well i want to study environmental biology so that i can be able to reduce the amount of pollutants in the environment, using Phyto remediation technology. "

Vo: "Phyto remediation technology, can you tell me what phyto remediation is?"
Me: "well Phyto remediation is the use of plants to remediate the environment, using processes phytostabilization and phyovolatization. "

Vo: "What is phytovolatization?"
Me:" P.v is the processes of using plants that are bioaccumalators, to absorb contaminants and through transpiration these contaminants are released back into the environment, in a volatile state that is easily degraded. "

Vo: "Okay, how did you learn about this School?"
Me: "I stumbled on a research paper while doing a term paper during my undergraduate on the developement of bla bla bla, by a prof. bla bla in SIUE. This was what peaked my interest in SIUE,"

Vo: "How many Schools, did you apply to?"
Me: "Four, SIUE, USFC, Texas State Uni and Unilag. "


Vo: "Why did you choose SIUE,"
Me: "I chose SIUE, because Coupled with the scholarship( vo looks at i-20 to verify) the school granted to me, i am interested in joining prof bla bla's research team on the developement of bla bla bla, i have been in contact with him and he has accepted me into his team in my arrival to school. "

Vo:"Ooh i see the Scholarship now. Who is going to pay for the rest of your tution?"
Me: "Told him. "

Vo: "Okay, can you mention some plants used in "Phytoremediation (looked away to type somemore)
Me: *nice i done get you* "Well you have ficcus microcarpa common name Bonsai tree, Barley, Duckweed, Canabis Sativa*Vo cuts in smilling*

Vo: "Canabis, you mean Marijuana? "
Me: "*laughing* yes indian hemp. "


Vo: Picks white paper and says the magic words. It was really magical. People who have experienced this can confirm.

I advice you prepare well and don't cram your responses as it kinda irritates the impatient ones, clear and concise answers would do, listen to the questions and be bold and confident, do prior research in whatever yoh say gou want to go and study and research because thet can ask technical questions there, so you don't shoot yourself in the foot

Also i cannot stop saying this Please pray and trust God .

I hereby usher in more Spring 2019 approved visa transcripts.

Dopekidd:
Hello guys, please who knows the current available dates for interview, I just received my i20 for spring admission. Classes start January 22