₦airaland Forum

Dgreatestt:
Profile
Undergraduate: HND, hospitality Management
Funding: GTA plus Department Scholarship(s)
School: Texas Tech University
Deficit: ~$2,700
Course: Hotel Management
Location: Lagos consulate
Status: Approved, 6th Nov,
7am appointment

I hope the above helps someone out there.

NL has been helpful through the process for me, so I owe this platform my transcript. A big thanks to fairheart, you are always ready to help. To my Acer's WhatsApp group family, big thank you. And to my Gee, Ahmed, you're a true friend. despite having your visa more than a month now, you didnt stop motivating and reminding me we'll both be on the flight together to Texas. Thanks alot brother. Really boosted my confidence

At the interview hall, i noticed only two VO's were working. i must state that, both of them were friendly, atleast from the conversations i heard. And btw, it was an Approval back to back from them, the approval rate must have exceeded 80%, from what i observed while on the queue. So this gave me some more confidence. Then it was my turn. Here is my conversation with the VO.

VO: good morning
Me: good morning
VO: where are you going?
Me: I'm going the Texas Tech University for my masters degree in hotel management.
Vo: Hotel management hmm
Me: Yes, hotel management
Vo: why hotel management
Me: (about to talk, vo cut)
Vo: oh so which hotel are you working(must have seen from DS 160)
Me: bleep hotel, here in Lagos.
vo: Oh, bleep hotel.
Vo: So you did your nysc (i wasnt sure if he was asking when i did it or if i did it)
me: Yes, i did my NYSC. ( trying to avoid too much talk)
Vo: looks at his system, then said, Full funding hmm?(in my mind i started wondering if this VO didnt see the over 2k deficit in it)
Me: So i simply responded, Yes, full funding.
Vo: How did you get the funding
Me: I evaluated my transcript with world education service (WES), after which the official copy was sent to the school, i also submitted my SOP, resume and GRE score, and then ..(vo cuts in again)
Me: what was your GRE score
Me: i had ** in verbal, ** in quant and ** in writing.
Vo: at this point, the vo picked my i20 again and started looking at it seriously, seem he was comparing or confirming something on his system also. This period seem to be the longest 30seconds or more time of my life�
Me: (my mind, i just kept telling myself that my village pple must not get me today. the look was taking long) I kept my cool still.
VO: Have you travelled out before?
Me: No sir, Never had any reason to.
Vo: Married, any kids?
Me: No.
Vo: i will be approving your visa, go to windows 22 to pay your reciprocity fee. Enjoy your study in the US
Me: Thank you sir. i sharply run off, before he remember another question. lol

NB: No single document was asked. typing it now seem longer. i dont think it lasted up to 4min
I just thank God.

I remember you, I watched your interview. You broke down your GRE score and even told him your essay score or something like that. Congratulations!

Muleriders:
What a great moment. I read 7 different back to back approvals in just 3 pages. Kudos and congratulations guys. Come over to Trump-land Biden-land and do us proud.

Can't wait to read approval transcripts from the two prospective muleriders I know on this thread.

Updated!!!. Someone just became a mulerider from here, Visa approved for Southern Arkansas University at the lagos embassy .
I'm just so excited, waiting for her to drop transcript

There's a lady I met here who's going for her PhD in an agricultural course in Texas with her teenage son.

Ma, I'd love to keep in touch with you. Please contact me

For any one going for their interview in Lagos and is thinking of where to lodge....You can lodge at Federal Civil Service Club at Obalende (there is a hotel inside the club) you can pm me for more details. The embassy is very close to the hotel and also treakable.

missuzoma:
Good News!!!! My daughter just called to say, "Visa Approved." She'll later find a way to post her transcript.
Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, Creative Writing. She said it was a friendly chat and is wondering whether it'll sound like a 'normal' transcript.
God bless all of you for answering my numerous questions! Good luck to everyone.

-

I am the daughter ohh!

Good morning, everyone. Thanks for the transcripts, advice, and encouragement here. You were extremely helpful. God bless you all.
-

I think I got there at some minutes to 6. There was a crowd already. I had to register my bag for N2,000. Then, I learned that I was not with the correct copy of one payment receipt (the one paid to GT). They said that I needed something with a CGI logo.

A guy there showed me a sample of the correct document. Then, he said it would cost N10,000 to log in and print it. I didn't know when I told him he was wicked. Lol!

After bantering small, I started speaking pidgin/Igbo. I told them not to look at my clothes or smell my perfume, that I'm from the streets, and we're all here to hustle. All na packaging. Lol.

We later agreed on N4,000 for printing that paper and photocopying my passport data page. Photocopying costs N1000. If I hadn't argued, I would have paid N11,000 to print a sheet and photocopy a page.

I only agreed because I knew time was far spent. If you have time to argue or you don't have cash, please tell them you don't have the money. They'll drop the price.


Please, everyone going should ensure they're with the correct documents. The guys there are seriously looking for how to extort money from us. Someone behind me on the line said she paid N10,000 to print something.
-

After paying the N4,000, I ran to the line. My interview was for 8 a.m, and they'd already called that set when I was sweating/haggling over the price of printing. I lined up. It wasn't time yet, but they usually check documents first.

We stayed on that line for about three hours. No seats. Please wear comfortable clothes so you won't suffer more discomfort. Also, dress decently (like, nicely).

Your documents will be checked on the line. Carry your reciprocity fee, or you'll have to start looking for that.
-

At some minutes to/past ten, five of us entered the building. (We'd been entering in groups of five.)

We kept standing inside. We submitted the GT payments to someone, then joined the line for the interviews.
-

There was this terrorist at one window. He kept grilling people, and when he got to one boy that said he's studying Creative Writing or English (I'm not sure which), the boy was there for a while. I come dey sweat because I'm also going in for Creative Writing. He was grilling STEM-inclined people, and now, an art-based person was almost sleeping at his window. Jump and pass, na my prayer.

I started praying specifically to be sent to a friendly VO on the left (Window 10, I think). He occasionally asked people to stop sounding like robots, but from his demeanor, I could see that he was nice. Plus, people spent less time at his window.

Please try not to recite what you read online word-for-word. It shows when you're repeating it. Just pick valid points and mention them. Be confident.

Someone said you should smile (even behind your mask). I agree. A smile in your voice shows you're not intimidated.

When I got to the front, I saw that I'd either go to Mr. Terrorist or Mr. Nice Guy. They were delivering finishing speeches to the candidates in front of them. I prayed harder for the person in front of Nice Guy to pack his things and walk fast. Immediately he did that, I raced to Nice Guy. Two seconds more from the applicant, and it would have been too late.
-

TRANSCRIPT:

V.O: Good morning (smile).

ME: Good morning.

V.O: Please, pass your papers.

ME: (Passes papers.)

V.O: What school will you be attending?

ME: I'll be going to Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

V.O: (Laughs.) Not to be mistaken for University of Miami, Florida.

ME: Yes (laughs).

V.O: So, I see you're going to study Creative Writing. Why Creative Writing?

ME: Well, I'm an editor, so I understand the power of language and how stories can be a powerful tool for sharing information about and addressing issues in the society. (It was basically something like this I said).

V.O: So, you're an editor. Freelance?

ME: No. I co-founded an editing company with my mother.

V.O: What kind of editing?

ME: Fiction and creative non-fiction.

V.O: Have you published a book?

ME: (Laughs). Not yet, but I have stories and poems in literary journals.

V.O: (Smiles). Well, that has to change soon. (Taps on my 1-20, and I believe it's because he knows my final year project is going to be a book).

V.O: (Tikka Tikka Tikka on keyboard.) Are you married?

ME: No.

V.O: Do you have kids?

ME: No.

V.O: Have you ever traveled out of Nigeria?

ME: Yes, to Denmark.

V.O: (Surprised look). Denmark? That's an odd place to go. Why did you go there?

ME: Well, I gained admission into the Erasmus Mundus Journalism program. I did not get the scholarship, but since it was a subsidized program, I joined. In my second year, I was supposed to go to Swansea but could not make it due to financial issues. (NOTE: Some Erasmus programs let students school in different countries. Depending on your course, you can school in 2 to 4 universities before you're done. One school per academic year or one per semester. Something like that.)

V.O: (Nods like he could feel my pain). But I see you have a full scholarship now. (Happy smile on my behalf).

ME: (Happy smile back) Yes, I do!

V.O: Well, I'll be approving your Visa. (Story story story.) Miami University, huhn? It's a great school!

ME: I know, right! And it's public Ivy, too. (I laughed and said that because the school is on a list of public Ivy League schools. The guy slipped my passport and the yellow slip back to me. Told me to have a nice stay. I told him to enjoy the rest of his day, smiled, and ran to the reciprocity place.)

-

That's all.

The interview lasted about a minute. I was worried he'd ask complicated questions, but nothing like that. Seeing as they were grilling people doing super-complicated courses, the chit-chat for mine was just a miracle.

-

Lessons learned:

1. Carry extra cash. You never know the stuff you'd need it for.

2. Calm down. Confidence helps anywhere. Overthink it, but don't overthink it. I hope that makes sense. Overthinking will make you tense, but you still need to realize how important this is.

3. Know why you're going to study the course. Me, I just need a space to chill and write in peace while chopping life, but I gave a valid reason for why I'm going. And what I said about why I'm going down the writing path is true.

These guys have interviewed people long enough to know lying patterns and stuff. Plus, when you deal with humans, you'd learn to watch their faces and decipher speech patterns.


That's all, guys. I wish everyone going the best. Please stay safe. Also, let's just say they're happily giving out visas. Stay optimistic.

God bless you, and good luck!

(Forgive any grammatical and punctuation errors in the text. Don't use this to judge my editing skills ohh. Lol.)

Dont forget to commit everything to God!

naijaeclectic:
Dont forget to commit everything to God!

Congratulations, and best wishes in your studies.
Please you talked about a payment receipt which should carry CGI logo, the payment receipt (visa fee) generated from my GTWorld app doesn’t have the logo, do you have any idea how yours was generated by the embassy guys? Thanks.

zeeLady:
So for those asking if Abuja embassy is granting emergency VISA appointment even if you are not within the stipulated 60 days of your start date, the answer is YES. YES.

Go and book the normal 2021 date you see there,
Then the option for emergency appointment will pop up for you,
fill the form and include your reasons for wanting emergency appointment,
Attach your 1-20
Attach your SEVIS payment receipt
Submit
They will get back to you within days
The earliest I just booked for someone was Nov 23rd.
Goodluck!

Please I’ve come again o, how long after you requested for an emergency appointment did you get a response from them?

jhidey08:
Congratulations, and best wishes in your studies.
Please you talked about a payment receipt which should carry CGI logo, the payment receipt (visa fee) generated from my GTWorld app doesn’t have the logo, do you have any idea how yours was generated by the embassy guys? Thanks.

Thank you!

I'm so sorry, but I have no idea how they got the one they gave me.

I just followed the guy to an office, he logged into a website, entered info from my passport and GTWorld receipt, and gave me the CGI paper.

I saw some people holding just the GT receipts and began assuming that I'd been scammed, but when I checked my papers after the interview, the CGI sheet was gone. It was then I realized that the lady collecting payment receipts took it along with the GT confirmation receipt.

Without that, I would have advised that you ignore it, but I'm guessing someone does need to see it.

naijaeclectic:
Dont forget to commit everything to God!

Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

Please is this the correct receipt for gtb visa fee payment?

Hollyholy:
Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

Please is this the correct receipt for gtb visa fee payment?

Thank you!

That's the one I went with. They entered info from it and my passport and gave me the CGI one. I saw some people holding only the GT receipt (but it's possible the CGI one was in their folder). Also, the CGI document was missing from my stack of documents after the interview. So, I think the lady that took my payment receipts kept that. I can't say for certain, but I think it's important you have this other receipt, just in case.

And, I don't know the website the cybercafe guys went to get out that other receipt.

naijaeclectic:
Thank you!

I'm so sorry, but I have no idea how they got the one they gave me.

I just followed the guy to an office, he logged into a website, entered info from my passport and GTWorld receipt, and gave me the CGI paper.

I saw some people holding just the GT receipts and began assuming that I'd been scammed, but when I checked my papers after the interview, the CGI sheet was gone. It was then I realized that the lady collecting payment receipts took it along with the GT confirmation receipt.

Without that, I would have advised that you ignore it, but I'm guessing someone does need to see it.

Alright, thanks for the detailed information, I’ll find a way to go about it.

Hollyholy:
Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

Please is this the correct receipt for gtb visa fee payment?

Yes. Don’t mind those guys outside, they will intensionally say it’s the wrong one just to extort money from you

Cocao:
Visa Approved

First I stood for 4 hours, my legs still hurt till now. But I guess it doesn't matter now. So when I got in there, I noticed that the guy at window 7 was just distributing rejection like kilode. I began praying that I skip him but for this kin thing luck no dey favor me. I kept faith sha. But I sha still landed on his table.

When I got there he asked me to place my left hand on the scanner. I did and he couldn't get my finger print. We tried for a bit so I asked him, did you mean my left or right because you told me left. Then he apologized and said that he meant the right hand.

VO: Where are you going to in the US

Me: I am currently a graduate student of the communications program in the University of Cincinnati Ohio.

VO: Why did you choose this school

Me: The department has a concentration in organizational communication that align with my research interests. The profile of faculty members like Professor Suzanne and Dr Banjo impressed me and consolidated my interest in the department. My graduate assistantship award that covers tuition and living expenses was the icing on the cake.

VO: Where do you work

Me: I work as a customer service supervisor in my organisation.

VO: Have you ever traveled outside the country before

Me: No, I have not had any reason to

VO: Are you married

Me: No

VO: Do you have any kids

Me: No

VO: I intend issuing you your visa



If I start to thank people, I'll run out of space. Fairheart, I have nothing but love for you.

Congrats

Vader92:
Visa approved
6th November 2020

Me: Good morning (Removes mask)
VO: Good morning, Please put on your mask. We are going to start by taking your finger prints.

After that was completed

VO: So where are you going?
Me: UIUC

VO: Hmm, Urbana Champaign, why are you going there?
Me: I'm a masters student in aerospace engineering at the university and I expect to resume on campus in the spring.

VO: why did you select University of Illinois?
Me: The program at the school has an interesting course structure that provides me with the opportunity to specialize in structural aerospace engineering which is a particular interest of mine.

VO: who's sponsoring the program?
Me: The department gave me a generous funding that comes with tution waiver and monthly stipend to cover for living expenses

VOchecks my i20) What do you intend to do with the degree
Me: I intend to use the degree and skills gained from the program to return to Nigerian and join the National Space Research and Development agency to (Vo cuts in)

VO: Are you married?
Me: No

VO: Any children?
Me: No

VO: have you travelled out of Nigeria?
Me: Yes. I've been to the US, UK, UAE

VO: (pauses for a while) when was the last time you were in the US?
Me: 2017

VO: I intend to issue your Visa
Me:, Thank you

VO: here are your documents blah blah blah
Me: Thank you



I noticed my interview was a lot shorter than most other people. I completed my interview before the two people in front of me on the queue.

The Lady that's going for PHD in chemistry (knows a little too much about nanochemistry,  likes mixing chemicals and has never blown up a building), I tried waiting for you but an officer told me to keep moving. I really hope your friend and the third guy with us also got accepted.


I also noticed two things I thought I should share

1. After an applicant answered a question the VO asked, the next thing the VO said was "how long did you practice that speech?". He eventually got the Visa but I believe the VO tried asking questions he wouldn't expect him to have prepared for cause further down the interview, after answering a question, the VO asked whether he prepared that and he was like "NO" and The VO enthusiasticly said "Yeah I like it when we just talk".

2. An applicant who I think was going for Chemistry was asked what "entropy" was. He was also asked which had more entropy between "air" and one other option I didn't hear.

Lastly, I observed there were more acceptance than rejection during my time in the hall.

Hearty congratulations

Hollyholy:
Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

Please is this the correct receipt for gtb visa fee payment?

This is ok. That's what I used and no issue at all.

solastar2:
This is ok. That's what I used and no issue at all.

yinkhar:
Yes. Don’t mind those guys outside, they will intensionally say it’s the wrong one just to extort money from you

Thanks guys

Congratulations to all those that got their visas.. I pray it continues to be success stories IJN.

naijaeclectic:
-

I am the daughter ohh!

Good morning, everyone. Thanks for the transcripts, advice, and encouragement here. You were extremely helpful. God bless you all.
-

I think I got there at some minutes to 6. There was a crowd already. I had to register my bag for N2,000. Then, I learned that I was not with the correct copy of one payment receipt (the one paid to GT). They said that I needed something with a CGI logo.

A guy there showed me a sample of the correct document. Then, he said it would cost N10,000 to log in and print it. I didn't know when I told him he was wicked. Lol!

After bantering small, I started speaking pidgin/Igbo. I told them not to look at my clothes or smell my perfume, that I'm from the streets, and we're all here to hustle. All na packaging. Lol.

We later agreed on N4,000 for printing that paper and photocopying my passport data page. Photocopying costs N1000. If I hadn't argued, I would have paid N11,000 to print a sheet and photocopy a page.

I only agreed because I knew time was far spent. If you have time to argue or you don't have cash, please tell them you don't have the money. They'll drop the price.


Please, everyone going should ensure they're with the correct documents. The guys there are seriously looking for how to extort money from us. Someone behind me on the line said she paid N10,000 to print something.
-

After paying the N4,000, I ran to the line. My interview was for 8 a.m, and they'd already called that set when I was sweating/haggling over the price of printing. I lined up. It wasn't time yet, but they usually check documents first.

We stayed on that line for about three hours. No seats. Please wear comfortable clothes so you won't suffer more discomfort. Also, dress decently (like, nicely).

Your documents will be checked on the line. Carry your reciprocity fee, or you'll have to start looking for that.
-

At some minutes to/past ten, five of us entered the building. (We'd been entering in groups of five.)

We kept standing inside. We submitted the GT payments to someone, then joined the line for the interviews.
-

There was this terrorist at one window. He kept grilling people, and when he got to one boy that said he's studying Creative Writing or English (I'm not sure which), the boy was there for a while. I come dey sweat because I'm also going in for Creative Writing. He was grilling STEM-inclined people, and now, an art-based person was almost sleeping at his window. Jump and pass, na my prayer.

I started praying specifically to be sent to a friendly VO on the left (Window 10, I think). He occasionally asked people to stop sounding like robots, but from his demeanor, I could see that he was nice. Plus, people spent less time at his window.

Please try not to recite what you read online word-for-word. It shows when you're repeating it. Just pick valid points and mention them. Be confident.

Someone said you should smile (even behind your mask). I agree. A smile in your voice shows you're not intimidated.

When I got to the front, I saw that I'd either go to Mr. Terrorist or Mr. Nice Guy. They were delivering finishing speeches to the candidates in front of them. I prayed harder for the person in front of Nice Guy to pack his things and walk fast. Immediately he did that, I raced to Nice Guy. Two seconds more from the applicant, and it would have been too late.
-

TRANSCRIPT:

V.O: Good morning (smile).

ME: Good morning.

V.O: Please, pass your papers.

ME: (Passes papers.)

V.O: What school will you be attending?

ME: I'll be going to Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

V.O: (Laughs.) Not to be mistaken for University of Miami, Florida.

ME: Yes (laughs).

V.O: So, I see you're going to study Creative Writing. Why Creative Writing?

ME: Well, I'm an editor, so I understand the power of language and how stories can be a powerful tool for sharing information about and addressing issues in the society. (It was basically something like this I said).

V.O: So, you're an editor. Freelance?

ME: No. I co-founded an editing company with my mother.

V.O: What kind of editing?

ME: Fiction and creative non-fiction.

V.O: Have you published a book?

ME: (Laughs). Not yet, but I have stories and poems in literary journals.

V.O: (Smiles). Well, that has to change soon. (Taps on my 1-20, and I believe it's because he knows my final year project is going to be a book).

V.O: (Tikka Tikka Tikka on keyboard.) Are you married?

ME: No.

V.O: Do you have kids?

ME: No.

V.O: Have you ever traveled out of Nigeria?

ME: Yes, to Denmark.

V.O: (Surprised look). Denmark? That's an odd place to go. Why did you go there?

ME: Well, I gained admission into the Erasmus Mundus Journalism program. I did not get the scholarship, but since it was a subsidized program, I joined. In my second year, I was supposed to go to Swansea but could not make it due to financial issues. (NOTE: Some Erasmus programs let students school in different countries. Depending on your course, you can school in 2 to 4 universities before you're done. One school per academic year or one per semester. Something like that.)

V.O: (Nods like he could feel my pain). But I see you have a full scholarship now. (Happy smile on my behalf).

ME: (Happy smile back) Yes, I do!

V.O: Well, I'll be approving your Visa. (Story story story.) Miami University, huhn? It's a great school!

ME: I know, right! And it's public Ivy, too. (I laughed and said that because the school is on a list of public Ivy League schools. The guy slipped my passport and the yellow slip back to me. Told me to have a nice stay. I told him to enjoy the rest of his day, smiled, and ran to the reciprocity place.)

-

That's all.

The interview lasted about a minute. I was worried he'd ask complicated questions, but nothing like that. Seeing as they were grilling people doing super-complicated courses, the chit-chat for mine was just a miracle.

-

Lessons learned:

1. Carry extra cash. You never know the stuff you'd need it for.

2. Calm down. Confidence helps anywhere. Overthink it, but don't overthink it. I hope that makes sense. Overthinking will make you tense, but you still need to realize how important this is.

3. Know why you're going to study the course. Me, I just need a space to chill and write in peace while chopping life, but I gave a valid reason for why I'm going. And what I said about why I'm going down the writing path is true.

These guys have interviewed people long enough to know lying patterns and stuff. Plus, when you deal with humans, you'd learn to watch their faces and decipher speech patterns.


That's all, guys. I wish everyone going the best. Please stay safe. Also, let's just say they're happily giving out visas. Stay optimistic.

God bless you, and good luck!

(Forgive any grammatical and punctuation errors in the text. Don't use this to judge my editing skills ohh. Lol.)

Congratulations dear. I really enjoyed reading your transcript.

Good day everyone,

Please I need help on how to schedule appointment with the US EMBASSY, I can't find earlier and convenient dates, my school resume Jan and appointment in Lagos is April..

I'll appreciate if i can get step by step so others in this category will be able to benefits from this information..


Thanks in anticipation..

Visa Approved
November 6th, 7am
Lagos Embassy

Window 7, there were some rejections from that axis, I silently prayed that I dont get to be interviewed in that window, ooops there I was interviewed

I give glory to God for bringing this to pass. My sincere gratitude to all Nairalanders for your selfless efforts as regards questions and answers. I am indeed a silent follower that have been blessed richly

Special regards to @Sbrainy and @Solastar2, for the mock interview drills

God bless you all and bring your desires to fruition.

Here goes my transcript..

Vo: Where are you going to?

Vo: I am going to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville for a Masters in Sociology with a concentration ....Vo cuts in

Vo: why this course,

Me: before I said a word Vo cuts in, I don't want speech...

So I tried saying another, before saying a word again he cuts in .. My concentration will be on Criminology..he cuts in

Vo: Criminology so why...I don't want speech

Me: (in my mind) I was almost thrown off, like what does this man exactly wants, he cuts in, even when I havent uttered a word.I still kept confidence

Vo: speak to me like a friend

Me: I tried saying something again, he cuts in , all the cuts he has most concentration looking at the computer.

Vo: I see you have done some work in Prisons..

Me : Yes, I have implemented intervention programmes in two prisons at two local government in Jigawa state, and implemented an intervention and rehabilitation program in Kirikiri Prison.

Vo: nodded with satisfaction, I see you have a full Assistantanship

Me: Yes

Vo : Have you travelled out of Nigeria before

Me: No

Vo: Any kids

Me: No

Vo: you see, I didn't want any speech, your Passion actually spoke for you.

I intend approving your visa, pay your reciprocity fee at window 22..enjoy your stay at Arkansas.

Me : thank you

Passion: he meant Rehabilitation and intervention programmes I implemented for inmates in correctional/Prison facilities in Nigeria for years now. I really didn't see this coming, and paving way for my Visa approval. Passion speaks too.

In all Pray, Trust God and Prepare.
It will surely Come to Pass

All the best, thanks and God Bless

naijaeclectic:
-

I am the daughter ohh!

Good morning, everyone. Thanks for the transcripts, advice, and encouragement here. You were extremely helpful. God bless you all.
-

I think I got there at some minutes to 6. There was a crowd already. I had to register my bag for N2,000. Then, I learned that I was not with the correct copy of one payment receipt (the one paid to GT). They said that I needed something with a CGI logo.

A guy there showed me a sample of the correct document. Then, he said it would cost N10,000 to log in and print it. I didn't know when I told him he was wicked. Lol!

After bantering small, I started speaking pidgin/Igbo. I told them not to look at my clothes or smell my perfume, that I'm from the streets, and we're all here to hustle. All na packaging. Lol.

We later agreed on N4,000 for printing that paper and photocopying my passport data page. Photocopying costs N1000. If I hadn't argued, I would have paid N11,000 to print a sheet and photocopy a page.

I only agreed because I knew time was far spent. If you have time to argue or you don't have cash, please tell them you don't have the money. They'll drop the price.


Please, everyone going should ensure they're with the correct documents. The guys there are seriously looking for how to extort money from us. Someone behind me on the line said she paid N10,000 to print something.
-

After paying the N4,000, I ran to the line. My interview was for 8 a.m, and they'd already called that set when I was sweating/haggling over the price of printing. I lined up. It wasn't time yet, but they usually check documents first.

We stayed on that line for about three hours. No seats. Please wear comfortable clothes so you won't suffer more discomfort. Also, dress decently (like, nicely).

Your documents will be checked on the line. Carry your reciprocity fee, or you'll have to start looking for that.
-

At some minutes to/past ten, five of us entered the building. (We'd been entering in groups of five.)

We kept standing inside. We submitted the GT payments to someone, then joined the line for the interviews.
-

There was this terrorist at one window. He kept grilling people, and when he got to one boy that said he's studying Creative Writing or English (I'm not sure which), the boy was there for a while. I come dey sweat because I'm also going in for Creative Writing. He was grilling STEM-inclined people, and now, an art-based person was almost sleeping at his window. Jump and pass, na my prayer.

I started praying specifically to be sent to a friendly VO on the left (Window 10, I think). He occasionally asked people to stop sounding like robots, but from his demeanor, I could see that he was nice. Plus, people spent less time at his window.

Please try not to recite what you read online word-for-word. It shows when you're repeating it. Just pick valid points and mention them. Be confident.

Someone said you should smile (even behind your mask). I agree. A smile in your voice shows you're not intimidated.

When I got to the front, I saw that I'd either go to Mr. Terrorist or Mr. Nice Guy. They were delivering finishing speeches to the candidates in front of them. I prayed harder for the person in front of Nice Guy to pack his things and walk fast. Immediately he did that, I raced to Nice Guy. Two seconds more from the applicant, and it would have been too late.
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TRANSCRIPT:

V.O: Good morning (smile).

ME: Good morning.

V.O: Please, pass your papers.

ME: (Passes papers.)

V.O: What school will you be attending?

ME: I'll be going to Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

V.O: (Laughs.) Not to be mistaken for University of Miami, Florida.

ME: Yes (laughs).

V.O: So, I see you're going to study Creative Writing. Why Creative Writing?

ME: Well, I'm an editor, so I understand the power of language and how stories can be a powerful tool for sharing information about and addressing issues in the society. (It was basically something like this I said).

V.O: So, you're an editor. Freelance?

ME: No. I co-founded an editing company with my mother.

V.O: What kind of editing?

ME: Fiction and creative non-fiction.

V.O: Have you published a book?

ME: (Laughs). Not yet, but I have stories and poems in literary journals.

V.O: (Smiles). Well, that has to change soon. (Taps on my 1-20, and I believe it's because he knows my final year project is going to be a book).

V.O: (Tikka Tikka Tikka on keyboard.) Are you married?

ME: No.

V.O: Do you have kids?

ME: No.

V.O: Have you ever traveled out of Nigeria?

ME: Yes, to Denmark.

V.O: (Surprised look). Denmark? That's an odd place to go. Why did you go there?

ME: Well, I gained admission into the Erasmus Mundus Journalism program. I did not get the scholarship, but since it was a subsidized program, I joined. In my second year, I was supposed to go to Swansea but could not make it due to financial issues. (NOTE: Some Erasmus programs let students school in different countries. Depending on your course, you can school in 2 to 4 universities before you're done. One school per academic year or one per semester. Something like that.)

V.O: (Nods like he could feel my pain). But I see you have a full scholarship now. (Happy smile on my behalf).

ME: (Happy smile back) Yes, I do!

V.O: Well, I'll be approving your Visa. (Story story story.) Miami University, huhn? It's a great school!

ME: I know, right! And it's public Ivy, too. (I laughed and said that because the school is on a list of public Ivy League schools. The guy slipped my passport and the yellow slip back to me. Told me to have a nice stay. I told him to enjoy the rest of his day, smiled, and ran to the reciprocity place.)

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That's all.

The interview lasted about a minute. I was worried he'd ask complicated questions, but nothing like that. Seeing as they were grilling people doing super-complicated courses, the chit-chat for mine was just a miracle.

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Lessons learned:

1. Carry extra cash. You never know the stuff you'd need it for.

2. Calm down. Confidence helps anywhere. Overthink it, but don't overthink it. I hope that makes sense. Overthinking will make you tense, but you still need to realize how important this is.

3. Know why you're going to study the course. Me, I just need a space to chill and write in peace while chopping life, but I gave a valid reason for why I'm going. And what I said about why I'm going down the writing path is true.

These guys have interviewed people long enough to know lying patterns and stuff. Plus, when you deal with humans, you'd learn to watch their faces and decipher speech patterns.


That's all, guys. I wish everyone going the best. Please stay safe. Also, let's just say they're happily giving out visas. Stay optimistic.

God bless you, and good luck!

(Forgive any grammatical and punctuation errors in the text. Don't use this to judge my editing skills ohh. Lol.)

CONGRATS.
Your transcript indeed mirrors your creative writing skills.
Best of luck in the states.

Sharon8:
Congratulations dear. I really enjoyed reading your transcript.

Thank you!!!!

naijaeclectic:
Dont forget to commit everything to God!

On top say I dey go another man country?

smithval:
CONGRATS.
Your transcript indeed mirrors your creative writing skills.
Best of luck in the states.

Lol! Na so we see am ohh. Thank you!

solastar2:
This is ok. That's what I used and no issue at all.

Chai! I suspected they were scamming me. Anyway, thanks for providing an accurate answer.

God bless you!

jhidey08:
Alright, thanks for the detailed information, I’ll find a way to go about it.

You are welcome. Another Nairalander said this is the correct one ohh.

Please go with this one. It's okay.

How do you pay for a reciprocity fee?

GracedG:
Visa Approved
November 6th, 7am
Lagos Embassy

Window 7, there were some rejections from that axis, I silently prayed that I dont get to be interviewed in that window, ooops there I was interviewed

I give glory to God for bringing this to pass. My sincere gratitude to all Nairalanders for your selfless efforts as regards questions and answers. I am indeed a silent follower that have been blessed richly

Special regards to @Sbrainy and @Solastar2, for the mock interview drills

God bless you all and bring your desires to fruition.

Here goes my transcript..

Vo: Where are you going to?

Vo: I am going to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville for a Masters in Sociology with a concentration ....Vo cuts in

Vo: why this course,

Me: before I said a word Vo cuts in, I don't want speech...

So I tried saying another, before saying a word again he cuts in .. My concentration will be on Criminology..he cuts in

Vo: Criminology so why...I don't want speech

Me: (in my mind) I was almost thrown off, like what does this man exactly wants, he cuts in, even when I havent uttered a word.I still kept confidence

Vo: speak to me like a friend

Me: I tried saying something again, he cuts in , all the cuts he has most concentration looking at the computer.

Vo: I see you have done some work in Prisons..

Me : Yes, I have implemented intervention programmes in two prisons at two local government in Jigawa state, and implemented an intervention and rehabilitation program in Kirikiri Prison.

Vo: nodded with satisfaction, I see you have a full Assistantanship

Me: Yes

Vo : Have you travelled out of Nigeria before

Me: No

Vo: Any kids

Me: No

Vo: you see, I didn't want any speech, your Passion actually spoke for you.

I intend approving your visa, pay your reciprocity fee at window 22..enjoy your stay at Arkansas.

Me : thank you

Passion: he meant Rehabilitation and intervention programmes I implemented for inmates in correctional/Prison facilities in Nigeria for years now. I really didn't see this coming, and paving way for my Visa approval. Passion speaks too.

In all Pray, Trust God and Prepare.
It will surely Come to Pass

All the best, thanks and God Bless

Wow, congrats

I have also done some passion projects.

Wondering if this was written as part of your job description.

Regards,

Congratulations to you sir! Kindly check your email as I will like to have a private discussion with you. Thanks.

Etherealbeing:
Hey guys, It’s been a long time coming.

Visa Approved on November 6th, 7AM batch.

This is my third interview, I’d previously been denied twice. This was my easiest and simplest interview, Thank God!

Me: Good morning ( I smiled, even though I was wearing a mask)
VO: Good morning, we’ll start with your finger prints...
VO: what are you going to do in the US?
Me: I’m going for my bachelor’s degree in Biology at Edward Waters College, in Jacksonville Florida.(as calmly and as normal-paced as I could)
VO types for a bit
VO: what course again?
Me: Biology
VO: why Biology
Me: Well, I love Biology (slightly smiled) also, I want to pursue a career in Biomedical research and Biology serves as a great foundational course me me.
VO reads his screen for a longggg time
VO: who’s your sponsor?
Me: I have a full ride scholarship that covers my tuition, accommodation and all.... (pause) plus, My Dad will cover any other expense I might have.
VO typesssssss
VO: I intend to approve your visa, please keep your i20....
Me: Thank you so much.
VO: I wish you good luck, thank you.

One advice I’d give is to sound as natural and sincere as you can. The two VOs kept warning people against reciting crammed speeches or anything from the school website. One of the said ‘have a conversation with me’.

Oh and wear comfortable clothes, I stood for a long time.

Forever grateful to Mr Fairheart, even though I didn’t tell him about today�. He helped me the previous times and I'm grateful to everyone on this thread.

God is real and God is good guys! Never doubt it.
I pray you experience his Love and Grace like I have.

naijaeclectic:
Chai! I suspected they were scamming me. Anyway, thanks for providing an accurate answer.

God bless you!

They actually scammed you. The always provide wrong information so as to confuse you. Almost everything they told me as I was passing was false. I told them they should let the CGI guy turn me back first.