npmi:

Says who, it has been shut down till futher notice, no activities will be carried out there.

Sooredaniel:
Thankful for a memorable 2018, and for this platform. When this thread opened in August, i only typed “amen” to a post on success to prospective visa applicants. Had my interview 3-4days later and it was indeed a success. My journey has been greener ever since. I pray that 2019 will be from your lips to God’s ears. To those that believe, keep believing. Happy new year

Keys111:


Thank you very much for the info, so she will 've to file from there?

Time2Smile:


What is being referred to here are the American Centers which are cultural/research centers that are part of the Embassy and Consulate in Abuja and Lagos respectively. It is the American Centers that are closed and that's why patrons(member) were singled out for apologies(Are visa applicant patrons) ?. Normal consular activities, Visa interview, and issuance are not affected. At least for the time being. This is the link to the American center someone posted earlier. https://ng.usembassy.gov/education-culture/american-centers/

oluezekiel:


Yes, I received the funding contract like 3 months before resumption. Electrical engineering is my major.
See, they don't work with open-mindedness or emotions (so to say), they work with logics and written instructions.

Olalekank:
Please do schools in the US accept HND?
If it's only some schools that accept, does anyone have a link to these schools or kindly list some of these schools?

CuteRedd:
hey u sent me a mail I replied wassup

Yrey:
After pleasantries I passed my passport and I 20

VO:Looks at my I 20 and asked why I choose California miramar university

Me:I choose CMU because the curriculum aligns with my career objectives. They have an impressive 13:1 student to faculty ratio. Moreso, because of the Mediterranean climate

VO: How many schools did you apply to

Me: One

VO:Did you take any standardised test?

Me: No

VO:Have you travelled out of the country before

Me: No

VO: Who is sponsoring you and what does the person do(I forgot to state that I have person funds, it's stated on my I 20)

Me:My aunt. She's the CEO of phoba farms and she's also a civil servant in my state...... Next thing na blue paper

My eyes didn't see a single WHITE PAPER today. Its my first attempt. I did nursing in my first degree now going for MBA with concentration in healthcare management .School resumes February 21

uzmu:
Please I'm still waiting for response as regards my sevis fee payment .visa interview is nextweek.

Oluwatoyinakinb:
Compliment to you all,my interview is coming up 14th January and I heard embassy has been shut down for interview should I go ahead to reschedule or wait till they reopen again.pls I will appreciate prompt reply.

iseoluwa89:
Good day all, compliments of the season. Please I need help paying for my sevis fee. I have PM @Walspring but yet to get a reply. Please if you have anyone that can help with the payment kindly recommend.

Thanks

slamcole:
Happy new year guys. I pray this new year ushers in plenty of white papers for admitted spring students and prospective fall applicants.

I'm one of those who joined this thread half-way to prepare for my interview and I'm must say this thread was of great help to me as I was able to develop a concise transcript for my interview.

Got my visa in the early days of December last year and my departure is just few days from now.

So my advice to prospective applicants is
1. Do your homework in identifying credible and above average schools to apply to.
2. Sit for neccesary tests even if not required by school. This present your case as a serious student to the VO
3. It doesn't matter the number of schools you applied to, because even submitting your application to plenty schools amounts to a waste of money when such funds could've been used for other expenses.
4. If funding is your priority, then be rest assured that you'll be supported by the school you're applying to prior to submitting your application.
5.Work on your SOP and get very strong recommendations from people who have a sound knowledge about you.
6.Pray very very very hard.

P. S: If anyone still has upcoming interview, I'll be available to set up a mock with such person. This is my only way of giving back to this thread. I'll also be reposting my transcript as well.

Have a wonderful celebration.

omoobaadeNGR:
Here is my Interview transcript with the Consular Officer (CO) on 31/12/2018

CO: Good morning
Me: Good morning

CO: Your passport please
Me: Hands over the passport

CO: Why are you traveling?
Me: Going for my PhD at bla bla university

CO: Let me have your I-20
Me: Here it is (handing over the form)

CO: (Checks form and types) Sorry what major is this for?
Me: Mech*********

CO: Checks form I-20 again and says ok. How did you hear about this school?
Me: I first came across the school on the day I took my GRE test. I was trying to send my score to a particular school that is very popular in the state, but the schools name won't come up only this school coming up

CO: (CUTS IN) So you applied to this school because you couldn't find the school you wanted to apply to on GRE?
Me: (continued) No, I then went on to do more research on the school and discovered that they have a very solid program in my intended field of study. And this convinced me to apply in the long run

CO: Most students going for PhD study get some form of funding but you don't have
Me: The university is not funding me now because I am starting during the Spring semester when there is usually shortage of funding. But I have spoken with many faculty members who have promised to fund me starting from the Fall term.

CO: I can't see that here (looking at the I-20)
Me: (In my mind, this one dey craze, I-20 be promisory note?)

CO: How many school did you apply to?
Me: 3.

CO: Which schools and how many admitted you?
Me: Named them, A declined me, B put me on waitlist

CO: Why don't you wait for decision from B?
Me: I want to rap up my program as fast as possible and willing to pay before I get funding ...

CO: Who is your sponsor?
Me: My aunts

CO: Your aunt what does she do?
Me Aunts, they are two. I told her what they do and was trying to bring out account statements and Fixed deposit certificate

CO: Ok two of them, (she gave one kind of smile) keep your documents, sir
Me: Yes

VO: What would you say is your occupation now?
Me: (Trying to explain) I just started a firm and I have the registration certificate here.

CO: Don't worry. Please sir keep your documents.
Me: Packed all my documents together and maintained my calm.

VO: What do you do in your firm?
Me: XXXXXXX, XXXXXX, XXXXX

CO: So what is your occupation now?
Me: (I filled in Research as primary occupation on my DS160) Well, I was a researcher, But NOW I would say I'm a xxxxxxx (what I majorly do in my firm now)

CO: How much do you earn monthly?
Me: (This is where I think I messed up it a bit, I went to undersell myself. I was earning well over N1m as a researcher in Europe before deciding to come home and fully start my firm after securing an admission. My plan is to get it running and it can keep running while I am away in the US. Revenue should start flowing in only between January and March 2019) I was working as a reseacher in XXXXX University (Europe) before and I was earning...

CO: (Cuts in) Sir, how much IS your monthly income NOW? I am not checking your documents
Me: I said about N300,000 (this is where messed up here, I should have said about N1 m. I discovered she was[b] trying to guide[/b] me by saying I am not checking your documents, but it was too late) which I have placed myself on for about 4 months since I came back home.

CO: Are you married?
Me: No

CO: Do you have any kids?
Me: No

CO: Did you write any Test?
Me: Yes, I wrote GRE (3**), TOEFL (1**)
CO: Types for some moments. Sorry. Sir, I won't be issuing you a visa now, you aren't eligible for a non-immigrant visa at this time. (Hands over blue paper)
Me: (Very unexpected) I asked why is this so? This is weird.

VO: Sorry I can't go into details right now. Please go through the paper.
Me: This is strange. (Walks away) .

Notes
Rejection was based on Section 214(b), which is all about not showing strong tie to the home country. This is totally not true in my case because the CO was not allowing me to prove that I have a strong tie to Nigeria, possibly because she doesn't believe I have assets in Nigeria worth coming back for. I have over 1 acre of land in one location outside Lagos, about 2 Plots in a prime location in Lagos and some other valuable assets and investments that I can't jeopardize. I guess she thought I was going to get married in the US, she na white girl I never see for Europe?

slamcole:
My thought is that you would've done well if you'd come up with name(s) of faculty members who've promised you funding in subsequent term. This would've given your stance more strength. Then I believe as a graduate student(Msc/PhD), one is either involved as a RA/TA so whoever your advisor will be should be able to send you a letter indicating his readiness to allow work in his/her lab even in the absence of immediate funding.

Just saying.

omoobaadeNGR:
Here is my Interview transcript with the Consular Officer

CO: Checks form I-20 again and says ok. How did you hear about this school?
Me: I first came across the school on the day I took my GRE test. I was trying to send my score to a particular school that is very popular in the state, but the schools name won't come up only this school coming up

CO: (CUTS IN) So you applied to this school because you couldn't find the school you wanted to apply to on GRE?
Me: (continued) No, I then went on to do more research on the school and discovered that they have a very solid program in my intended field of study. And this convinced me to apply in the long run

CO: Most students going for PhD study get some form of funding but you don't have
Me: The university is not funding me now because I am starting during the Spring semester when there is usually shortage of funding. But I have spoken with many faculty members who have promised to fund me starting from the Fall term.

CO: I can't see that here (looking at the I-20)
Me: (In my mind, this one dey craze, I-20 be promisory note?)

CO: How many school did you apply to?
Me: 3.

CO: Which schools and how many admitted you?
Me: Named them, A declined me, B put me on waitlist

CO: Why don't you wait for decision from B?
Me: I want to rap up my program as fast as possible and willing to pay before I get funding ...

CO: Who is your sponsor?
Me: My aunts

CO: Your aunt what does she do?
Me Aunts, they are two. I told her what they do and was trying to bring out account statements and Fixed deposit certificate

CO: Ok two of them, (she gave one kind of smile) keep your documents, sir
Me: Yes

VO: What would you say is your occupation now?
Me: (Trying to explain) I just started a firm and I have the registration certificate here.

CO: Don't worry. Please sir keep your documents.
Me: Packed all my documents together and maintained my calm.

VO: What do you do in your firm?
Me: XXXXXXX, XXXXXX, XXXXX

CO: So what is your occupation now?
Me: (I filled in Research as primary occupation on my DS160) Well, I was a researcher, But NOW I would say I'm a xxxxxxx (what I majorly do in my firm now)

CO: How much do you earn monthly?
Me: (This is where I think I messed up it a bit, I went to undersell myself. I was earning well over N1m as a researcher in Europe before deciding to come home and fully start my firm after securing an admission. My plan is to get it running and it can keep running while I am away in the US. Revenue should start flowing in only between January and March 2019) I was working as a reseacher in XXXXX University (Europe) before and I was earning...

CO: (Cuts in) Sir, how much IS your monthly income NOW? I am not checking your documents
Me: I said about N300,000 (this is where messed up here, I should have said about N1 m. I discovered she was[b] trying to guide[/b] me by saying I am not checking your documents, but it was too late) which I have placed myself on for about 4 months since I came back home.

CO: Are you married?
Me: No

CO: Do you have any kids?
Me: No

CO: Did you write any Test?
Me: Yes, I wrote GRE (3**), TOEFL (1**)
CO: Types for some moments. Sorry. Sir, I won't be issuing you a visa now, you aren't eligible for a non-immigrant visa at this time. (Hands over blue paper)
Me: (Very unexpected) I asked why is this so? This is weird.

VO: Sorry I can't go into details right now. Please go through the paper.
Me: This is strange. (Walks away) .

Notes
Rejection was based on Section 214(b), which is all about not showing strong tie to the home country. This is totally not true in my case because the CO was not allowing me to prove that I have a strong tie to Nigeria, possibly because she doesn't believe I have assets in Nigeria worth coming back for. I have over 1 acre of land in one location outside Lagos, about 2 Plots in a prime location in Lagos and some other valuable assets and investments that I can't jeopardize. I guess she thought I was going to get married in the US, she na white girl I never see for Europe?

Sooredaniel:
Got my passport yesterday. Had to immediately book my flight. I’m off today. I really appreciate every honest input on this thread. Seriously Nairaland is underrated!! My story is a bit different, it’s more of favor than merit! God has been surprising me all round.
I wrote my exams at a time when it was almost impossible to get a school accepting applications for fall 2018. Wrote the GRE in March, Toefl in April. I could only come up with 2 schs that were still accepting applications; St. Cloud State Uni and Georgia southern uni. Applied to SCSU. I almost gave up at some point when I was lost on how to go about Wes. Completed Wes a month and 5 days after deadline (May 15). Got admitted June 20. Booked visa appointment on August 17 ( (7:15AM)
Was interviewed by a fair lady in her mid 30’s at window 5. Blue paper was flying everywhere. She denied the army officer before me, dude was fully kitted. Was like ehnnnn mogbe
Transcript
VO: Good morning
Me: Morning
Where are you going?
I’m going to St. Cloud State University, 720 4th Avenue south, MN for a research Masters program in Gerontology with a concentration in Bio-gerontology.
VO: oh.. I see you have a partial scholarship how did you get it?
Me: Ermm.. We’ll I think I had a convinsing SOP and maybe my publications and test helped too.
VO: *types for a while* What were your test scores
Me: GRE 291, Toefl 78
VO: Can I have your personal statement of account
Me: *hands her* not looking satisfied so i quickly handed her my mums SOA
VO: ok.. I’ll be approving your visa but I need you to sign here *points to I-20*
Me: ok ma’am.. God bless you!
Was actually considering differing till spring but then I received a GA offer on Monday that included part tuition remission and monthly stipends! Had to stay putttt! Thank you all. Flight is 12PM lemme sleep small. God bless!

omoobaadeNGR:


At the university I am going, you only get an advisor assigned only during or after the first semester, not before. So as it were, I don't have a formal advisor yet. However, I won't have gotten an admission if no faculty signified intention of supervising/advising my research. Well, naming supervisors might not have made much difference... If she had checked the documents I wanted to show her (especially my acceptance letter from the university/department where it is stated that although there was no funding at the time of admission, faculty members are constantly looking for RAs/TAs and I would likely secure one position after resuming given the quality of my profile) she would have understood my point quite well.

LagosismyHome:


Interview is subjective but I spot some things you could have done better

Firstly as a PHD student the way you worded how you found the school could have been better. ... to do PHD usually involves adequate preparation and research before school selection and the way you presented how you found the school sounds lazy or unserious ..... not to say you are lazy . No I didn't say that but it was presented as such... sometimes it about how u present something that matters . As they say it all about the packaging . Even a simple response about how you did research on various phd and found this school sounds better than how you started and presented it

I understand you quite well and could have started in a better way... probably ending with the opening phrase. I was only paraphrasing before she interrupted. I was going to say how I saw the school and later went to research the program then saw that the program is highly ranked too, but only not on the top 20 schools for my program which were on my earlier radar before taking the GRE. So yes I was going to link it up. The school is in Michigan and I wanted to connect the effect of the manufacturing hub in Detroit to the strength of the Mech program.


Then secondly PHD without funding ..... you might have your reasons and good reason but the standard it never a good idea as most serious phd in the U.S. are funded.

I think once you work on one or two points then next time might be better. All the best
I know it's hard convincing the CO to get approved without funding for a PhD, but I don't intend doing the whole PhD without funding. That's what I am trying to market them. And that's what I will work on strongly conveying if I reapply during this spring resumption, I'm yet to hear back from the school if they'll grant me an extension of resumption date to enable me reapply...

TheZed:
Why are you hiding the names of the Universities you applied to?

You should have mentioned to the VO that the promise note is stated on your acceptance letter and not your I-20 she would have asked to see it.

omoobaadeNGR:
Nothing special about the school name... It's in Michigan and very strong in Mechanical Engineering...I originally wanted to apply to University of Michigan

She kept saying she doesn't want to see documents, that's the main personal issue I had with her...

Ubah1:



The more you push forward to present documents, the more ingenuine you look to them. A V.O once said that on Quora. Best thing is to present documents only when they ask for it