₦airaland Forum

sharwama:
Yes, you crossed the boundary, I have never been so insulted in my life

I had to go and swallow fufu so I can be strong enough for your "super transcript"

Personally, I don't like long responses to questions. They give me headache. 2-3 powerful sentences can be more effective/ convincing than 6-7 wordy sentences without bearing.
I'm not sure how I feel about your response to what has changed about your last application. You are saying so much and saying nothing at all. In fact you are giving yourself away.
So what has changed so far?
Perhaps your confidence has improved
Perhaps now you are more capable of articulating your study plan or career goals.
I pray you understand what I just did.
What would this program do for you?
It's not what this program will help you do for Nigeria. Put yourself first, be selfish here for goodness sake
Using what you have written, this degree will probably help you establish a consulting firm upon your return.
So why do you want to establish a consulting firm?
You find that genuine answer and you put it in one or two sentences. End of story!
We both know your dad won't be spending so much money and you won't be forfeiting your savings simply because you want to get a degree to "help Nigeria" . The VO knows that too
TOEFL is a standardised test, so you ought to respond Yes! I sat for TOEFL and had a total score of 85
The question isn't if standardised tests were required or not.
Again, I pray you understand what I have just done
Please learn to answer EXACTLY what you are asked. If the VO needs more information, he or she would definitely ask
Do not give out unnecessary information simply because you feel pressured.
How do you intend to fund your study?
My dad will take care of the expenses but I also have personal savings to support myself.
It's thesame response you wrote earlier ooo but I decided to package it for you
Please I hope your SOAs are in order. I prefer most recent 6 months(it shows great financial credibility)
Furthermore, your transcript doesn't include certain common interview questions
Why did you pick this school
What other schools did you apply to
Please anticipate more questions and brace up for impact!
Please let me know if you require additional information.
May the force be with you!

Thank you, I have grabbed the points and will surely improve on them... May God help me,
I appreciate your effort and I'm very grateful.

sharwama:
Yes, you crossed the boundary, I have never been so insulted in my life

I had to go and swallow fufu so I can be strong enough for your "super transcript"

Personally, I don't like long responses to questions. They give me headache. 2-3 powerful sentences can be more effective/ convincing than 6-7 wordy sentences without bearing.
I'm not sure how I feel about your response to what has changed about your last application. You are saying so much and saying nothing at all. In fact you are giving yourself away.
So what has changed so far?
Perhaps your confidence has improved
Perhaps now you are more capable of articulating your study plan or career goals.
I pray you understand what I just did.
What would this program do for you?
It's not what this program will help you do for Nigeria. Put yourself first, be selfish here for goodness sake
Using what you have written, this degree will probably help you establish a consulting firm upon your return.
So why do you want to establish a consulting firm?
You find that genuine answer and you put it in one or two sentences. End of story!
We both know your dad won't be spending so much money and you won't be forfeiting your savings simply because you want to get a degree to "help Nigeria" . The VO knows that too
TOEFL is a standardised test, so you ought to respond Yes! I sat for TOEFL and had a total score of 85
The question isn't if standardised tests were required or not.
Again, I pray you understand what I have just done
Please learn to answer EXACTLY what you are asked. If the VO needs more information, he or she would definitely ask
Do not give out unnecessary information simply because you feel pressured.
How do you intend to fund your study?
My dad will take care of the expenses but I also have personal savings to support myself.
It's thesame response you wrote earlier ooo but I decided to package it for you
Please I hope your SOAs are in order. I prefer most recent 6 months(it shows great financial credibility)
Furthermore, your transcript doesn't include certain common interview questions
Why did you pick this school
What other schools did you apply to
Please anticipate more questions and brace up for impact!
Please let me know if you require additional information.
May the force be with you!

Thanks for the response, I'm very sorry for the insult o.
I have really learnt a lot there and I have grabbed the points, I will improve on it. God bless you

ProjectKay:
My proposed Transcript: the interview date is 24th June, 2019 @ Abuja

Basic info as in my i20 form
Admission: University of Oregon
Program: LLM in Peace studies and Conflict Resolution
Scholarship: $21,741 (50%) out of $43k tuition fee + 18K living expenses = $40,443 (Deficit)
Other funding: Company study scholarship = $ 40, 443
____________________________________________________

VO: Good Morning
Me: Good Morning

VO: pass me your I-20 and What course are you going for in the US
Me: LLM in peace studies and Conflict Resolution at the University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon.

VO: Why did you choose this course?
Me: firstly, it aligns with my career goal, I want to be an expert in humanitarian law and conflict resolution via ADR and legal settlements other than adversarial litigations.
This program also appeals to my long term career goal as a peace policy expert and diplomatic peace negotiator, so this program will be a huge plus in my career goals of being diplomatic peace negotiator with a conscious bias in legal settlements via ADR mechanisms.

VO: Why did you choose the University of Oregon?

Me: I chose the University of Oregon because
Firstly, I get to acquire an LLM in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution and not an MA. Uoregon is amongst the few schools that have the whole department in law faculty dedicated to the study of this program, with others, you can only get a certificate, or few electives courses or at most an MA.
I am excited at the opportunity of working with Prof Dianne Baxter and Shaul Cohen, especially the former who is a world-renowned expert on the conflict resolution her treaties on Israeli-Palestinian conflict has always been topnotch. She is the Author of “From refugee to displaced citizen: The Evolving discourse of Palestinian Peace Making”; “Islamization and Westernization, the challenges of Gender traditions.”

Secondly, UOregon curriculum is intimate and intense, cos there is a Dispute Resolution Centre - which is integrated conflict management; mediation; legal settlement and security centre right in the heart of the law faculty.

Thirdly UOregon the program comes with optional internship paths in specialized research in sub-Saharan conflicts; Israeli-Palestinian conflicts; Northern Ireland conflicts; Collaborative governance and public policy studies and family mediation internship.
Also, UOregon offers multiple training in public policy, collaborative negotiations and consensus-building which is very exclusive to them.

VO: when did you graduate
Me: August 2014

VO: what have you been doing since graduation?
Me: immediately after my graduation I headed to the Nigeria Law School for a year’s program upon which after completion I was called to the Nigeria Bar in 2015. Afterwards, I enrolled for the compulsory NYSC scheme where I served with XYX …. A peace and dev NGO, I rounded up the scheme in 2016, after which I joined the law firm of XYZ till date.
In the last few years I have been appointed as a policy advisor to the Honourable minister for ……… to the Nigeria Government; Youth and peace advocate by the African Leadership Institute; Global Peace Ambassador by Global Peace Chain worldwide.
I also consult and volunteer for a number of international NGOs, African law foundation -where I serve as the coordinator for Northern Nigeria and African Centre for conflict..... Which I co-founded and currently serve as the Director.

VO: what do you plan to do after graduating from UOregon
Me: After my graduation, I plan to return back to Nigeria to resume my positions as a Director at African centre for conflict ………. ….. …and also work and apply to be a Partner in xyz law firm where I currently to work, I will also simultaneously seek appointments with AU and other relevant think tanks in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.

VO: how many schools did you apply too and name them
Me: 4 more schools Upenn, Pennstate, Indiana University and Uni of Birmingham in the UK.

VO: did you write any standardized test
Me: yes, I wrote IELTS, my score was 7.0

VO: Are you married
Me: No

VO: do you have any child
Me: No

VO: how will you be paying for your studies?
Me: I have a 50% LLM tuition scholarship and the remaining tuition plus my living expenses will be taken care of by the study scholarship I got from my uncle and mentors’ company. (I have a SOA with a balance over N70 M and a reference letter from the bank and the award letter from the company.)

VO: pass me the statement of account
He flipped through and returned

VO: Say no more, I will be approving your visa…. (….God willing)
Me: Thank you!!!

@Brown2Green @fairheart @Twoods, @Bracelum, @Lagosismyhome @walspring et cetera, please assist in vetting my proposed transcript.

Your firstly and secondly is too much.

Try to make it conversational.

I actually got interested in the university of Oregon because coupled with it's Bleep Bleep , it is also rich in Bleep with diverse xxxx ....

You were given a study leave with pay?
Make mention of it as soon as you have the opportunity to.

An instance is 'what will you be doing after your studies?'

I be resuming full duties at my current place of work as I was given a study leave with pay.

Nice transcript, but believe me, you won’t have time to even say half of these (they are too lengthy). If I were you, I would try my best to summarize and cut the responses by half.

I wish you all the best.

ProjectKay:
Please, anyone with a few suggestions for a brother?
Na beg I dey beg.

JanetDoe:
I had my interview at the US consulate yesterday. It was pretty basic/generic but here goes:
VO: Where are you going?
Me: I'm going to the University of Kansas Medical Centre, Kansas City, Kansas for my PhD in Biomedical Sciences.
VO: Why do you want this PhD?
Me: This PhD will equip me with the skills and training I need to become a successful biomedical researcher and qualify me for a job in academia.
VO: So you want to become an academic?
Me: Yes.
VO: The program is fully funded?
Me: Yes, I have a GRA.
VO: What is your highest qualification?
Me: I have a Bachelor of Pharmacy.
VO: When did you obtain this degree?
ME: 2016
VO: Are you married? Do you have kids?
ME: No and no.
VO: Ma'am, I'm going to approve your visa...

Let me ramble a bit: I'm not really one to post on online platforms such as these but given all that I have benefitted from this thread, it's only fair to give back however I can despite my reticence/discomfort. I first posted here before I had even started my grad school applications, asking for guidance as I had doubts about the competiveness of my profile and whether I wanted to go for a PhD or a Master's. Imperiouxx, Femi312 and other experienced posters were more than kind enough to allay my fears and offer helpful advice. I came across so many people at the consulate who clearly had no idea what was expected of them by the VOs and I'm doubly thankful I was made aware of this community and its insights. Thanks to everyone who takes out the time to answer questions (sometimes the same ones over and over) and particularly Walspring for helping with my SEVIS payment. Best of luck to everyone still in the throes of applications!

Congratulations ma'am! What is your profile like? Did you write the GRE?

zolargeo:
Thanks for the response, I'm very sorry for the insult o.
I have really learnt a lot there and I have grabbed the points, I will improve on it. God bless you

You are most welcome, we rise by lifting others

Visa Denied yesterday at the Lagos consulate for 6:30am
Vo was the African American Lady.
cgpa: 3.42/5.00
gre: 292(Q 151, V 141, A 3.0)
Started working in the IT field since 2016.
Guy please what do you think I should work on as I plan to reapply, New Haven gave me a 30% deans scholarship.

VO: Why are you going to the usa?
ME: For masters in cyber security and Networks at the university of New Haven, Connecticut
VO: Why this school
ME: The school as a research lab in in cyber security and forensic science which is dedicated to examining new and upcoming mobile technology, computer systems and cloud computing environment for their security vulnerability and their solutions.
VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: Three (Arizona state University, University of New Haven and Texas a and m University, Kingsville)
VO: How many accepted you, name them?
Me: Two (UNH and Texas)
VO: Who is sponsoring?
Me: My Parent
VO: What do they do?
Me: Dad is a real estate agent and developer, while mum is a business woman who sells fabrics and female dresses.
Then she asked again about what my mother does, I told her after which she handing over the dreaded pink paper.

olabodeogun:
Visa Denied yesterday at the Lagos consulate for 6:30am
Vo was the African American Lady.
cgpa: 3.42/5.00
gre: 292(Q 151, V 141, A 3.0)
Started working in the IT field since 2016.
Guy please what do you think I should work on as I plan to reapply, New Haven gave me a 30% deans scholarship.

VO: Why are you going to the usa?
ME: For masters in cyber security and Networks at the university of New Haven, Connecticut
VO: Why this school
ME: The school as a research lab in in cyber security and forensic science which is dedicated to examining new and upcoming mobile technology, computer systems and cloud computing environment for their security vulnerability and their solutions.
VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: Three (Arizona state University, University of New Haven and Texas a and m University, Kingsville)
VO: How many accepted you, name them?
Me: Two (UNH and Texas)
VO: Who is sponsoring?
Me: My Parent
VO: What do they do?
Me: Dad is a real estate agent and developer, while mum is a business woman who sells fabrics and female dresses.
Then she asked again about what my mother does, I told her after which she handing over the dreaded pink paper.

Did you make mention of your partial scholarship ?

I know UH has a very high Cost..

And I think there is a sort of disconnection in your SOA.

What's the closing balance and what's your total deficits?

dreambound:
She just needs to be able to give a concrete explanation why she stayed that long. As far as the length of stay is within the law, the VO needs to be sure that it was not because of immigrant intent. She should have explained better when she was given the opportunity.

Yes. She also needs to make the VO understand it was a summer vacation(alongisde her sister giving birth to a baby) and her high school was on holiday. She can also make reference to visiting the U.S more than 15times. I think she should have responded to the question of: have you been to the U.S before with "Yes, fifteen times". That may have made the VO more comfortable than "Yes, for 2months."


Cc Abike12.

Passion2009:
Yes. She also needs to make the VO understand it was a summer vacation(alongisde her sister giving birth to a baby) and her high school was on holiday. She can also make reference to visiting the U.S more than 15times. I think she should have responded to the question of: have you been to the U.S before with "Yes, fifteen times". That may have made the VO more comfortable than Yes, for 2months.

Once anyone stays beyond 4 weeks in the US on visiting , the person will need a very strong reason to get approval.

Brown2Green:
Did you make mention of your partial scholarship ?

I know UH has a very high Cost..

And I think there is a sort of disconnection in your SOA.

What's the closing balance and what's your total deficits?

UNH doesn't have high cost for graduate studies. Without scholarship, it's 30,640$.

From the transcript, the V.O didn't ask him for any bank statement.

Brown2Green:
Once anyone stays beyond 4 weeks in the US on visiting , the person will need a very strong reason to get approval.

Yes; this is mostly true for older folks but someone that was still in High School during the visit has a strong case. She was on holiday and she has a good reason to vacation all summer in the U.S; at least she has a relative there who is most likely a citizen - based on my experience. After all, she returned long before the expiration of the 6month stamp.

.

Passion2009:
Yes; this is mostly true for older folks but someone that was still in High School during the visit has a strong case. She was on holiday and she has a good reason to vacation all summer in the U.S; at least she has a relative there who is most likely a citizen - based on my experience. After all, she returned long before the expiration of the 6month stamp.

The US is very very strict now with B1.

Infact gone are the days when travel history with B1 used to be an added advantage.

Minor or.Major...

Anything greater than 2 weeks is likely going to be taken as immigration intent.

Chomzy19:
So if the program is less than a year, you must book a return ticket?

Yes i think that the rule ....

abike12:
Dude you need to chill she's 17 years old and has always had a valid US Visa through dropbox with my parents. Also her previous stays have ranged from 10 days to two months.

I shared her transcript to help and because I used that of others, not for you to be passing judgment on a minor. Don't bring your Nigerian bashing near me, you don't see me acting like it's a do or die affair so respect yourself.

What's not rocket science is reading before being hasty to make judgment. Summer break is a little under three months and on many occasions they've spent up to two months here before going to other countries AND were still able to renew their Visa.

Nigerians are now treated more harshly because our people don do and undo so sadly everyone is painted with the same brush .....

My sister after secondary school came and stayed with me for 6 months in UK, 2 months in USA and about 4 months in Canada . That because she took a gap year as we felt she was too young to enter Uni so she went travelling instead . If she needed a visa from Nigeria when she started Uni in the states , that might have come back to be an issue... But the point of the story is really 2 months or 6 months holiday or even a gap year holiday for a child that young is really not a big issue (some Americans take full gap year and go travelling) but as our people don spoil everything, little things like that becomes an issue ......... you cant blame people from trying all they can to have a baby outside Nigeria these days

I would say she should try again, just review some of her response about school and make sure they sound smart ...lol. interview is so subjective jare, she can go next time and the next Vo won't have any issue with 2 months. This thing it's all about the voices in the Vo head . Does she have any scholarship or funding. Also check that it's a reasonable rated school

Time2win:
UNH doesn't have high cost for graduate studies. Without scholarship, it's 30,640$.

From the transcript, the V.O didn't ask him for any bank statement.

20% scholarship which apparently is given to everyone is merely 3k dollars.

Still leaving a total of over 28k dollars.

Lots of financial support is still needed.

Brown2Green:
20% scholarship which apparently is given to everyone is merely 3k dollars.

Still leaving a total of over 28k dollars.

Lots of financial support is still needed.

That's the average cost for most schools in USA. I won't say it's very high.

I didn't mention the scholarship, thought she saw it because she was looking at my i20 when typing.
She didn't ask for my SOA
scholarship was 5078
deficit was 26014

Brown2Green:
Did you make mention of your partial scholarship ?

I know UH has a very high Cost..

And I think there is a sort of disconnection in your SOA.

What's the closing balance and what's your total deficits?

She didn't ask for SOA, total cost is 31090, scholarship of 5076 and left with a deficit of 26014.

Time2win:
UNH doesn't have high cost for graduate studies. Without scholarship, it's 30,640$.

From the transcript, the V.O didn't ask him for any bank statement.

olabodeogun:
I didn't mention the scholarship, thought she saw it because she was looking at my i20 when typing.
She didn't ask for my SOA
scholarship was 5078
deficit was 26014

It is always advised to mention your funding .
In why this school?
Who's funding you?
You must mention. It.

The VO might not take note of it.

How about your closing balance on the SOA

Oh! She didn't ask for SOA.

Put yourself in order and reapply.

Luckily you cannot be interviewed by same VO

Thanks a lot, i will work on that.

Brown2Green:
It is always advised to mention your funding .
In why this school?
Who's funding you?
You must mention. It.

The VO might not take note of it.

How about your closing balance on the SOA

Oh! She didn't ask for SOA.

Put yourself in order and reapply.

Luckily you cannot be interviewed by same VO

Brown2Green:
Your firstly and secondly is too much.

Try to make it conversational.

I actually got interested in the university of Oregon because coupled with it's Bleep Bleep , it is also rich in Bleep with diverse xxxx ....

You were given a study leave with pay?
Make mention of it as soon as you have the opportunity to.

An instance is 'what will you be doing after your studies?'

I be resuming full duties at my current place of work as I was given a study leave with pay.

Ok, I will surely work on these points, thanks a mil.

Adedayo65:
Nice transcript, but believe me, you won’t have time to even say half of these (they are too lengthy). If I were you, I would try my best to summarize and cut the responses by half.

I wish you all the best.

Thank you, I will do as you say.

Brown2Green:
Did you make mention of your partial scholarship ?

I know UH has a very high Cost..

And I think there is a sort of disconnection in your SOA.

What's the closing balance and what's your total deficits?

Nope, UH total cost (not just tuition) even without funding is 32000 dollars.

Oasishavenng:
Nope, UH total cost (not just tuition) even without funding is 32000 dollars.

Ok
Time2win said that too.


My point is, the total deficits is still high.

Hello, so my visa was delayed at the Lagos consulate today , my appointment time was 6:30, I was interviewed by a white guy in his 30s or 40s at window 3.


VO: Why are you going to the US
Me: I am going for my Masters in Mathematics with concentration in Biostatistics at Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia.

VO:Why this course
Me: This course would equip me with the necessary skills in tackling some public health challenges, such as the investigation of food borne disease, establishing the causes of illness outbreak and it would enable me to take on job when I come back.

VO:What's your highest qualification
ME: I have a Bachelor of Technology in Statistics

VO:What is Biostatistics
Me: Biostatistics is the application of Statistical methodologies to the field of forensic Medicine, medical practices, public health and other health related fields

VO: How did you hear about the school
Me: I did an extensive research on usnews to know the schools that offer Statistics with Concentration in Biostatistics and I came across GSU

VO: How did you get this huge scholarship
Me: I believe the admission committee were impressed with my CGPA, the fact that I graduated at the top 7 of my class, my statement of purpose, the recommendation my lecturers sent across.

VO: You have an oncampus employment, what will you be doing
Me: I have not been assigned my duties..... A pause, it's a graduate teaching assistantship position

VO: who's your sponsor
Me: My uncle, Mr...

V.O : How many children does he have
Me: 2

VO: Where does he live
Me: Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State

VO: Why will he want to sponsor you
Me: My parents were one of his educational sponsor and he has been part of my success story since my mom died and he promised to sponsor me when I graduated with a strong CGPA

VO:Have you travelled before
ME: No I have not had reasons to

What I noticed during the interview, he emphasised on the huge scholarship as if he was impressed, but I feel he was disappointed with the fact that I said I haven't been assigned my duties, he said again that but you have a campus employment, that was when I mentioned that it is a graduate teaching assistantship position.

Also, how I got my scholarship, I should have mentioned my GRE scores, also although he didn't ask what I would do after my course, when he asked why this course, at the end, I should have mentioned a specific position, I had an answer for that. Please help me figure out what went wrong and how I can improve my responses, I want to reapply immediately.

No document was asked except passport, Sevis fee, and i20

My profile: 3.47/4.00 WES unofficial evaluation
GRE score:314, 161Q, 153V
My tuition was waived(30k)+ 10k stipends, total cost of attendance is roughly 49k, so deficit of less than 9k.

Walspring, please do check your mail.
Thank you

solihp:
Hello, so my visa was delayed today , my appointment time was 6:30, I was interviewed by a white guy in his 30s or 40s at window 3.


VO: Why are you going to the US
Me: I am going for my Masters in Mathematics with concentration in Biostatistics at Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia.

Go again... and prepare more widely for a variety of questions. Always try to be knowledgeable. Simple things like GA you should know the typical duties

LagosismyHome:
Go again... and prepare more widely for a variety of questions. Always try to be knowledgeable. Simple things like GA you should know the typical duties

Thanks ma

solihp:
Hello, so my visa was delayed at the Lagos consulate today , my appointment time was 6:30, I was interviewed by a white guy in his 30s or 40s at window 3.


VO: Why are you going to the US
Me: I am going for my Masters in Mathematics with concentration in Biostatistics at Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia.

VO:Why this course
Me: This course would equip me with the necessary skills in tackling some public health challenges, such as the investigation of food borne disease, establishing the causes of illness outbreak and it would enable me to take on job when I come back.

VO:What's your highest qualification
ME: I have a Bachelor of Technology in Statistics

VO:What is Biostatistics
Me: Biostatistics is the application of Statistical methodologies to the field of forensic Medicine, medical practices, public health and other health related fields

VO: How did you hear about the school
Me: I did an extensive research on usnews to know the schools that offer Statistics with Concentration in Biostatistics and I came across GSU

VO: How did you get this huge scholarship
Me: I believe the admission committee were impressed with my CGPA, the fact that I graduated at the top 7 of my class, my statement of purpose, the recommendation my lecturers sent across.

VO: You have an oncampus employment, what will you be doing
Me: I have not been assigned my duties..... A pause, it's a graduate teaching assistantship position

VO: who's your sponsor
Me: My uncle, Mr...

V.O : How many children does he have
Me: 2

VO: Where does he live
Me: Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State

VO: Why will he want to sponsor you
Me: My parents were one of his educational sponsor and he has been part of my success story since my mom died and he promised to sponsor me when I graduated with a strong CGPA

VO:Have you travelled before
ME: No I have not had reasons to

What I noticed during the interview, he emphasised on the huge scholarship as if he was impressed, but I feel he was disappointed with the fact that I said I haven't been assigned my duties, he said again that but you have a campus employment, that was when I mentioned that it is a graduate teaching assistantship position.

Also, how I got my scholarship, I should have mentioned my GRE scores, also although he didn't ask what I would do after my course, when he asked why this course, at the end, I should have mentioned a specific position, I had an answer for that. Please help me figure out what went wrong and how I can improve my responses, I want to reapply immediately.

No document was asked except passport, Sevis fee, and i20

My profile: 3.47/4.00 WES unofficial evaluation
GRE score:314, 161Q, 153V
My tuition was waived(30k)+ 10k stipends, total cost of attendance is roughly 49k, so deficit of less than 9k.

Refire ooo... Don't let that 40k waste oo.

solihp:
VO: You have an oncampus employment, what will you be doing
Me: I have not been assigned my duties..... A pause, it's a graduate teaching assistantship position

Your responses were not bad at all.
Just to chip in, you could have easily said: I will be teaching Undergraduate courses, marking & grading exams/tests; since your employment is a Graduate Teaching position.
Please refire, I am confident you will get it.

Cheers lady