₦airaland Forum

Evans211:
Visa Approved!!

Profile-
Program: MA Political Science
GPA- 3.28/4
Deficits- $6,677
GRE- 318
School- Texas Tech University (Spring)



I had a very concise interview. Before I proceed into proper details, permit to use this medium to thank Samuel (Sammy like I fondly call), Fortune, Fairheart, Mathew, Francis, Acers family, and a host of others I am yet to mention; these amazing lads gave me the mock interview and confidence (some deadly guts) to face my fears.

Sunday (4th Oct, 2020) is just like every other day where I casually mailed Lagos consulate with a view of booking an expedited appointment with no much expectations. I barely recall sending a mail that Sunday! On Monday morning, I got a mail from lagos consulate slating an appointment by Friday! FRIDAY? that must be a huge joke! How could I possibly pay sevis fee, fill my DS-160 form, get an updated I-20 to spring, going through the hassles of documents printing in just 4 days?! Hell no... I'm skipping this appointment. I was so damn sure about this on Monday but by Tuesday morning, I reflect on my thoughts and realized how golden this opportunity is. I presented my case before these great guys, Samuel and fortune who offered to help with documents printing errands and transcript drafting respectively, while I take care of other tasks.

Wasn't really thinking of the mock interview preparations until Thursday afternoon after arriving at my lodge close to the Lagos consulate at VI. It was a tedious experience filled with funny memories.

Thanks to the virtual mock interview organized by Mathew, Sam, Francis et al where I was given a friendly but yet, rigorous drilling, critiquing my transcripts which helped in boosting my confidence. Studied through the night with an open but yet prayerful mind...


By morning, I headed straight to the consulate; tho a walkable distance but I booked a cab. Upon my arrival, I focused my gaze on the scanty applicants (about 35 in total) contrary to the usual expectations. I shaped my mind and blended with the cue while I await my faith. Waited for about half an hour before the rain started (that's a story for another day). The CGFI official instructed us on the document arrangements while we align on a single line heading straight to the interview unit..............

The VO is in window 9, probably in his mid 30s. A very wonderful and yet witty conversationalist. He denied about 4 applicants ahead of me and issued 3 approvals. I won’t lie, my morale was dampened but I kept a straight face. A lady just ahead of me was literally begging the VO to reconsider his denial and almost not leaving the spot! (In my head I was like, hey pretty! Leave that spot before you annoy the VO.. don’t implicate me pls........)

Here goes my interview with the VO ���


VO: Good morning, pass me your passport and I-20.

Me: I obliged.

VO: What are you going to do in the US ?

me: I am going for a Master’s degree in Political science with Concentration in International Relations and Public Policy, in Texas Tech University, Lubbock.

VO: not a single word from him as he kept typing......(I wasn’t sure if he heard me but I kept my cool).. So who is sponsoring your studies?

Me- Well, I was offered a Graduate teaching assistantships with full tuition waiver and some monthly stipends to help offset my living expenses and my uncle will help with the deficits.

VO: ...keeps typing for a couple of seconds, this time around a bit longer than usual. So what does your uncle do?

Me- He works as a Real estate Developer and owns a wholesale supermarket.

VO: where does he work at?

Me: Lagos

VO: okay. ...keeps typing.... So where did you graduate from ?

Me- The University of Ibadan in May, 2018

VO: Have you ever travelled out of the country ?

Me- No sir, I had no reason to.

VO- Are you married ?

Me- No sir.

VO: What is your program start date?

Me: 04 January, 2021

VO: Oh! You said you graduated from University of Ilorin?

Me: No sir, I graduated from the University of Ibadan.

VO: I see... Okay. I will be approving your Visa. have your reciprocity fee paid at window 23 and make sure you make travel plans not more than 30 days before your program start date.. you will need your I-20 at the POE ...........blah blah blah... I smiled as he utter the golden words!!!

From what I observed, the interview lasted less than 2 minutes! No other documents requested. Financial statement was handy but he never asked.

fairheart:

I then assume you were interviewed today. Approved or refused?
Share your transcript so that other students can learn from your experience.

Evans211:
Visa Approved!!

Profile-
Program: MA Political Science
GPA- 3.28/4
Deficits- $6,677
GRE- 318
School- Texas Tech University (Spring)



I had a very concise interview. Before I proceed into proper details, permit to use this medium to thank Samuel (Sammy like I fondly call), Fortune, Fairheart, Mathew, Francis, Acers family, and a host of others I am yet to mention; these amazing lads gave me the mock interview and confidence (some deadly guts) to face my fears.

Sunday (4th Oct, 2020) is just like every other day where I casually mailed Lagos consulate with a view of booking an expedited appointment with no much expectations. I barely recall sending a mail that Sunday! On Monday morning, I got a mail from lagos consulate slating an appointment by Friday! FRIDAY? that must be a huge joke! How could I possibly pay sevis fee, fill my DS-160 form, get an updated I-20 to spring, going through the hassles of documents printing in just 4 days?! Hell no... I'm skipping this appointment. I was so damn sure about this on Monday but by Tuesday morning, I reflect on my thoughts and realized how golden this opportunity is. I presented my case before these great guys, Samuel and fortune who offered to help with documents printing errands and transcript drafting respectively, while I take care of other tasks.

Wasn't really thinking of the mock interview preparations until Thursday afternoon after arriving at my lodge close to the Lagos consulate at VI. It was a tedious experience filled with funny memories.

Thanks to the virtual mock interview organized by Mathew, Sam, Francis et al where I was given a friendly but yet, rigorous drilling, critiquing my transcripts which helped in boosting my confidence. Studied through the night with an open but yet prayerful mind...


By morning, I headed straight to the consulate; tho a walkable distance but I booked a cab. Upon my arrival, I focused my gaze on the scanty applicants (about 35 in total) contrary to the usual expectations. I shaped my mind and blended with the cue while I await my faith. Waited for about half an hour before the rain started (that's a story for another day). The CGFI official instructed us on the document arrangements while we align on a single line heading straight to the interview unit..............

The VO is in window 9, probably in his mid 30s. A very wonderful and yet witty conversationalist. He denied about 4 applicants ahead of me and issued 3 approvals. I won’t lie, my morale was dampened but I kept a straight face. A lady just ahead of me was literally begging the VO to reconsider his denial and almost not leaving the spot! (In my head I was like, hey pretty! Leave that spot before you annoy the VO.. don’t implicate me pls........)

Here goes my interview with the VO ���


VO: Good morning, pass me your passport and I-20.

Me: I obliged.

VO: What are you going to do in the US ?

me: I am going for a Master’s degree in Political science with Concentration in International Relations and Public Policy, in Texas Tech University, Lubbock.

VO: not a single word from him as he kept typing......(I wasn’t sure if he heard me but I kept my cool).. So who is sponsoring your studies?

Me- Well, I was offered a Graduate teaching assistantships with full tuition waiver and some monthly stipends to help offset my living expenses and my uncle will help with the deficits.

VO: ...keeps typing for a couple of seconds, this time around a bit longer than usual. So what does your uncle do?

Me- He works as a Real estate Developer and owns a wholesale supermarket.

VO: where does he work at?

Me: Lagos

VO: okay. ...keeps typing.... So where did you graduate from ?

Me- The University of Ibadan in May, 2018

VO: Have you ever travelled out of the country ?

Me- No sir, I had no reason to.

VO- Are you married ?

Me- No sir.

VO: What is your program start date?

Me: 04 January, 2021

VO: Oh! You said you graduated from University of Ilorin?

Me: No sir, I graduated from the University of Ibadan.

VO: I see... Okay. I will be approving your Visa. have your reciprocity fee paid at window 23 and make sure you make travel plans not more than 30 days before your program start date.. you will need your I-20 at the POE ...........blah blah blah... I smiled as he utter the golden words!!!

From what I observed, the interview lasted less than 2 minutes! No other documents requested. Financial statement was handy but he never asked.

Anybodie:
Try a different network. Etisalat worked for me when I experienced this same issue using MTN

flyingpig:
Is it same as NAPLEX

Bigsecret:
Higher Education... not yet
Apparently, they just waived the official transcript thingy for me. BTW, my course comes with an assistantship.

Pefuele:
The documents doesn't need to be in colored. Monochrome will suffice. Yes, embassy has a standard photograph size. It is 5inches by 5inches white background photo.
As for hotel you can check Federal Civil service staff hotel at Obalende. You can get Napep from there to the embassy for around N100.Least room is around N9k.

kastgeraldino:
Please have people started flying from Nigeria to the US? I haven't been following developments concerning international flights, and there is so much disjointed information online.

BrTune:
Thanks everyone for your well wishes.

I have had to travel a lot, so I have decent experience in visa interviews. Even though I have never been denied a visa, for some reason I felt jittery and apprehensive about this particular interview, so I understand the anxiety most of you feel, but try to stay calm and focused on your goal. We will all be fine, eventually.

In answer to some of the questions:

Reciprocity fee is 42,900.

I specifically requested my school to send a new I-20 after the dates were changed. I didn't want to, but my brother insisted and said he will pay, so I avoid any issues. since he was paying I ordered a new I-20. Paid FedEx 85bucks.

I did not fill in a new DS-160, the old I-20 and the new I-20 carried all the same info, except start date which changed. But I remember that from the start, I filled in January as my start date. So if your start date is still reflecting September/Aug, please fill a new DS-160.

Try to avoid inconsistency at all costs, a guy was rejected because even though he was given full funding, his I-20 said 50% funding. Review ur I-20 for errors or discrepancy upon receipt.

Try to appear confident and calm

Finally, if you believe in God, PRAY, it works!

Please post all inquiries here, I am unable to access my email atm.

Also, Every single country I ever travelled to, I HAVE ALWAYS DONE EVERYTHING MYSELF AND AVOIDED AGENTS LIKE THE PLAGUE. Read and follow the instructions, if u are applying for F1 you are probably literate and computer savvy.

May the odds forever be in our favour!

Pefuele:
The documents doesn't need to be in colored. Monochrome will suffice. Yes, embassy has a standard photograph size. It is 5inches by 5inches white background photo.
...

Anybodie:
Please for the visa interview will I need copies of passport photograph? I uploaded on my DS160 profile already

Andyhasting:
Yes! You will have to visit the consulate with a copy of the passport you uploaded on your DS-160.

Tabby1:
Congrats on your successful interview.

Please can u assist with the email address,
I have sent mails and even fill the form sent to me via link, all I got was they will get back to me, they have a lot of applications.

Please I also need interview tips, am applying with my 6yrs old daughter, hubby is staying back very busy with work. Also let me d content of d mail indicating the urgency, I had stated my date of resumption as January.

Sharonte:
Good evening guys please I need an advise.
Got a 3k international commitment scholarship and 4k housing scholarship out of 23k, with possible offer of GA and tuition waiver in the later at WIU.

Also got i20 and admission letter, I have seen people pay for embassy interview despite the closure of the embassy. Is it advisable to go ahead with my interview with this offer or defer? secondly, for those who paid, were dates given and what dates were available.

Thanks gurus for your candid advice.

Tabby1:
Congrats on your successful interview.

Please can u assist with the email address,
I have sent mails and even fill the form sent to me via link, all I got was they will get back to me, they have a lot of applications.

Please I also need interview tips, am applying with my 6yrs old daughter, hubby is staying back very busy with work. Also let me d content of d mail indicating the urgency, I had stated my date of resumption as January.

nitdude:
Pls my people I need help.

How do I pay SEVIS FEE. One can only spend 200USD per month with naira debit card.

I went to the bank to see if I can use western union they said they will need to receive 3 western union before they can send one.

Pls house I need help and advise.

Leyemoshood:
Is the SEVIS Fee same for all Msc students? cos i just received an I-20 via email now and the SEVIS FEE information is not included, somebody help?

Lightp:
Yes its the same.

zt:
Yes, approved, but it’s was a student Visa renewal!!!