Humble11:


Is it possible to hold two assistanship position in same school?

Yeah, I guess it is possible once both do not exceed 20hrs per week.

Hello everyone!
Visa approved in Lagos on June 13th, 2019 at the 6.30am appointment.

Ok, I was here over a month ago to ask about my chances of getting my visa approved since I planned to go with my spouse and child. Some strongly suggested I went alone while others said we should all go since I was fully funded and my case was subjective. Some said my chances were low since I had no work experience, can’t show home ties and my funds were solely from the school. Well, since I didn’t want to divide my home while pursuing my career, I decided to brave it anyway.

We arrived Walter Carrington by past 5am and went to join the queue by past 6am. My baby was all joyful, playing with everyone and everything that came her way. Immediately we got into the consulate, she became restless and started crying. We tried to pacify her and feed her but to no avail. And there was no way I could breastfeed her there! I became disoriented. The black lady at the first check point had pity on us and gave us an expedite slip. She called the security and asked him to take us to the front of the next queue where we met a white lady.

White lady: Pass me your passport
Me: (I did with the expedite slip)

White lady: Why do you have an expedite slip
Me: The lady gave it to me because of my baby

White lady: (angry) We don’t give expedite to babies! Why will she give you an expedite slip?! (she called the security)

White lady: Why will she give her an expedite slip?
Security: I don’t know. I am surprised myself.

She then went to confront the black lady. My baby was still crying. I made up my mind to join the queue since I wasn’t ready for any of that drama. When she came back, I started walking back to the queue.

White lady: Where are you going to? Who asked you to go? Pass me your passport.
After all the checks and biometrics she handed me the documents.

White lady: (clearly angry) I don’t know why you were given an expedite slip, but congrats.
My baby was still crying. I took her from my husband and tried to calm her down, but no way. I became more tensed. The security took us directly to a white guy for the interview and my husband took the baby from me.

VO: who is the applicant?
Me: I am, good morning (I tried to smile, and passed him our documents)

VO: What are you going for?
Me: to study for a PhD in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (this was actually my area of specialization not the course but I was so disoriented that I said that. He obviously didn’t see that on the I-20 so he asked for a repeat of my response.
Me: To study for a PhD in Chemistry with a specialization in analytical and bioanalytical chemistry.

VO: What University?
Me: The University of Alabama.

VO: Tell me about your research
Me: (I started to talk, but he cuts me off)

VO: I mean, what instrument would you use for your research?
Me: Mass Spectrometer and Bleep

VO: Do you have a supervisor to work with?
Me: Yes, Prof Bleep

VO: I can see your assistantship covers all your cost. Can you tell me about it?
Me: (I started to give him a breakdown of my benefits, but he cuts me off)

VO: I mean, what do you have to do as a graduate assistant?
Me: I have to teach, grade reports, make good progress towards the completion of my degree and maintain a good grade.

VO: Is he going with you? (referring to my spouse)
Me: yes

VO: What will you be doing in the US?
My spouse: for the first year I will help with the baby because it will be incredibly difficult for her to cope with the baby and then... (cuts him off)

VO: Have any of you travelled outside the country before?
My spouse: Yes, to the UK for my master’s degree (he wanted to mention other places but the VO seemed to be Ok with just that)

VO: what work do you do?
My spouse: Bleep

VO: Is that your only child?
Me: yes.

VO: (he gave me a pamphlet) read this and let me know if you don’t understand.
Immediately I started reading the pamphlet, I knew it meant that our visas were approved from the information it contained.

VO: Do you plan to receive any medical treatment in the US?
Me: (I didn’t get the question, so I asked for a repeat) No.

VO: Do you like American football
Me: (smiling) Yes. The school is well known for it (he happily agreed with me).

VO: I will be approving your visa…
He asked for our pick up location since he could not clearly see it on the passport.

VO: Enjoy your stay
Me: Thank you.

I packed our documents and we left. Immediately we came out of the consulate, my baby stopped crying. It was while the people outside were congratulating us that I looked at the top of my file and saw the white paper. I was so disoriented that I didn’t even know when he gave me the white paper. So Kudos to those here who said they saw both the white and pink paper even while interviewing. It shows the level of their composure. I didn’t have the luxury of that because of my crying baby. However I answered my questions confidently and tried to smile all the way.

So this is my transcript, unfiltered.
I will like to encourage everyone who sincerely want to pursue their career to go for it. Don’t let anything stop you. Work hard. Do everything you can and let God do the ones you can’t. Impossible is nothing!

How long does it take for sevis fee payment to reflect on the site?

Davidkking:
How long does it take for sevis fee payment to reflect on the site?

Almost immediately, if payment made via western union. Takes some days if via check.

Mitchely:
Almost immediately, if payment made via western union. Takes some days if via check.

Ok thank you.

Time2Smile:

I assume the one included in your I20 is not enough to cover the needed funds. You should go with a print out of the award letter for both positions and explain clearly that you have two different research assistantships of 10 hrs per week each.
Many applicants have gone for interviews with i20 that didn't include any funding for one reason or another, whereas they had funding and their visas were granted. You will be fine.

Thank you so much bro.
I contacted the School and they have promised to send to me another i20 form that would include both Assistantships.

Marjoribanks:

Thank you so much bro.
I contacted the School and they have promised to send to me another i20 form that would include both Assistantships.

Was there any deficit with just one assistantship? Also which school is this?

Marjoribanks:

Thank you so much bro.
I contacted the School and they have promised to send to me another i20 form that would include both Assistantships.

Was there any deficit with just one assistantship?

Time2win:


Was there any deficit with just one assistantship?

Yes, deficit of about 9k dollars without the second Assistantship. BGSU

Marjoribanks:

Yes, deficit of about 9k dollars without the second Assistantship. BGSU

Okay, that means you will have excess if the second assistantship is included.

user4321:
CASTED TERMS 6/21/2019
ASSISTANTSHIP (+ DEFICIT )
FULL FUNDING (+ DEFICIT )
UNCLE SPONSOR
COMPANY SOA

Is there anything like full funding + deficit?

Philtos:
What if the opening balance on a 6 months SOA is about 76000 and the closing balance is abot 12million... Is this acceptable.

If subsequent deposits after the opening balance are a little lesser than the closing balance, you are fine.

Grass2Green:
My opening balance was 3.4m, total credit 156m, total debit 133m, closing balance 27m. In fact about 26m entered the day I printed which was a day to my interview. So I think it depends on the outflow and inflows. Opening and closing balance don’t matter much. Although, there were cases where 26m, 23m, 10m, 11m entered the account.

Exactly what I'm saying. cc philtos

Time2win:


Is there anything like full funding + deficit?

apparently it has become a lingo on the thread .. and it's my job to chronicle it

user4321:

apparently it has become a lingo on the thread .. and it's my job to chronicle it

Hahaha

Do you mean someone uncle can no longer sponsor his nephew/niece to study in the US anymore?

Time2win:


Is there anything like full funding + deficit?

Do you mean someone's uncle can no longer sponsor his nephew/niece to study in the US?

user4321:
CASTED TERMS 6/21/2019
ASSISTANTSHIP (+ DEFICIT )
FULL FUNDING (+ DEFICIT )
UNCLE SPONSOR
COMPANY SOA

Kendrick99:


Yes I have well paying job!
My first two interviews was in Lagos
Nope! I was promoted at work. That's the only change I made on it.

Okay. How were you dressed?

Americanpizza:
Do you mean someone uncle can no longer sponsor his nephew/niece to study in the US anymore?

I didn't say that.

Please do western union open on Saturday's?......my uncle can't pay the SEVISFEE today, would do it tomorrow.

Please what is the site for checking for the status of Visa??

Sent you a DM, Kindly reply

Lizz58:
Thank you very much. I will send a PM to you so I can be added on the group chat

Congrats.....

Kendrick99:
Date: 11/06/2019

Embassy Location; Abuja

School Name: Texas State University San Marcos

Program: Industrial Management

Status: Approved.




Vo; Good morning

Me; Good morning How are you?

Vo; pass me your documents.

Me; Ok!

Vo; Have you travelled out of the country before?

Me; Nope! I have never had a reason to.

Vo; Why Do you choose Texas State University as your first trip abroad?

Me; Apart from the fact that the curriculum at Texas State University match directly with my career goal, which I will be taking core course like. Lean manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, Project Management. And also Prof Ameri as agreed I join his research team upon my arrival on campus which we will be working on "How Ergonomics affect productivity in Manufacturing Industry", which would be very useful and more practical once I return to Nigeria.


Vo; Ok, did you apply to other schools?

Me; Yes, Texas A&M University Kingsville, University of Central Missouri and Texas State University which is also my first choice.

Vo; Who is paying for your studies?

Me; My Uncle, he is in charge of the Family Business.

Vo; What business?

Me; My Grandfather is a major distributor of Coca-Cola product across Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States, Also we own Two Petrol and Diesel stations in Lagos.

Vo; Can I see a documents to prove that?

Me; Sure! hand over SOA,

Vo; I will be Approving your visa! And placing you on Administrative Processing to verify this account and remember if we find anything fraudulent here, you will be banned for Life, Do you still wish to proceed?

Me; Yes sure!.

Gave me a yellow paper and small white paper telling me about i-20 and all.

Present Status *issued* today.

Nuggets! Always put God first in everything you do. My case is what you call Grace. *No Funding* previously refused Twice Dec 12 2018 & Jan 16 2019 with same school and program. Never give up!

Special thanks to my nairalamd family, Sharwama, Time2win, Leone26(Bobcats), Fairheart, Lagosismyhome, Brown2Green. And to my blaad, Jubril, Pizzle, Simple, Ice, Rayblack, 3310. To everyone yet to be interviewed Prepare hard, Pray, fast if you can! Put God first.

I will be having my own chat with the VO on a friday, Will it be bad putting on a very nice kaftan?

dumbiri99:

Okay. How were you dressed?

Thanks man...

Time2win:


https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx

Abuja office full today see peepo....lord..Any way we thank the lord for his mercies it was sucessful..

Someone pls answer : when the VO asks you to pass your i-20, does he look at only tuition fee or the Total cost of Attendance (which are room and Bord expenses, textbooks, etc) in comparison with the bank statements

uzmu:
Please the Guru In the house should pls help look into my proposed transcript.
NB : Have being Denied visa twice in January this year, and I want to give it a try again for the 3rd time, same Sch.i posted my 2 delayed visa here already.
Next interview is Monday 24th June, 2019.
This is my proposed transcript.
VO Good morning
Me Morning
VO pass your I-20 and oda Doc
Me I obliged.

VO where do you work
Me I work as a contract staff IT Specialist with Bleep company

Together with concerns shared by other experienced folks, I don't think there's any point mentioning contract staff. You work as an IT Specialist which is your position, no need for contract staff. That may not send a good message.

So what are you trying to say.... Just want to know yulour bullet point.n

Time2win:


I didn't say that.

Americanpizza:
So what are you trying to say.... Just want to know yulour bullet point.n

Focus on your interview and avoid side talks.
Except you have an alternative