Baphil:
Just a quick question: I thought the US embassies in Nigeria are open. I tried to book an appointment in Lagos and Lo! no date available.\

Has Anyone noticed this? Please what is the way forward?

It means no date is available presently in Lagos. A lot of people are having the same issue. You can try Abuja. Dates here could be for April though.

Baphil:
Just a quick question: I thought the US embassies in Nigeria are open. I tried to book an appointment in Lagos and Lo! no date available.\

Has Anyone noticed this? Please what is the way forward?

Lagos?
If yes, just keep checking or you check Abj

Nahum777:
Sir, like I said. You are supposed to pay your sevis fee before anything.

not really, I just paid my sevis fee on Monday and I’ve already gotten my appointment date since October. I didn’t even apply for expedited interview. And I read here about someone who got expedited without paying sevis too

wow congratulations, I never thought study visas were being approved, I felt it was affected by the ban placed on 9ja now I know beta.

misstemi2:


You can’t pay sevis from Nigeria.

How do i go abt it.

Fairheart

House

Hello House,

Please, when's the best period or time to book an appointment for Fall Semester 2021 in order to avoid emergency appointment issues.
Fairheart help pls

Walesherbey:

All praises and adoration to the almighty for making this a success.
many thanks to those whose transcripts were of great help to me and those who stood by me all through this from application to visa prep and all. Lolade, taheerah, abdulkareem, Alex only to mention few. May God bless you all.

Embassy : WC Lagos
School name: UNT
Funding : 32,718
Program admitted for: PhD chemistry
Visa status: approved

This man in window 11 was just denying people. He has denied about 4 people since I entered the hall. I was just quietly praying that the lady in front of me should go to him and I go to another window. But the lady went to another VO and I was asked to go to him after denying another person again.

VO: Where are you going to?

Me: I'm going to university of north Texas in Denton for my PhD in chemistry with concentration in organic chemistry.

VO:PhD?
Me:Yes

VO: What's by he difference between organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry

Me: Organic chemistry is the study of organic compound while inorganic chemistry is the study of other compd like metals and others( since I can't really remember the definition of inorganic chemistry due to tension)

Then the silence began
VO: Typing
Me: I was quietly saying won't this man ask my another question. Muteness lasted for about 30-40sec.

VO: Are you married
Me: No
VO: Do you have kids
Me: No.. but ( I wanted to tell him why I choose UNT cos I felt he hasn't asked me enough question but sth just tell me to keep quiet.

VO: I want to approve your visa, take this yellow paper to window 22 to pay your reciprocity fee.

Thanks.

Na just God grace oo.
Prepare well and pray well too.

Go Mean Green. UNT is nice, Denton is friendly, and it is close to many other cities.

The grace shall not depart from you bro!
Bring us the prize!
Congratulations!!!

Marchenry:
APPROVED ✅

PROFILE

School: BALL STATE UNIVERSITY
Program: EMDD
Scholarship: GAShip worth $32,000
Deficit: $5047
GRE: Nil
TOEFL: Nil
Bsc: International relations
Undergraduate Gpa: 3.70/4.0
Lagos consulate, Nov 6th 2020

Where do I even start?

So a friend of mine introduced me to this thread last year Nov, and since then I have been a silent reader, started reading from scratch to date.

One thing it did for me was I knew what to do next and how to go about my admission process, Was mind blowing for me, sometimes I just wish I knew about this thread back in 2015, I for don be citizen by now �

Was admitted for Fall 2020 with the same offer then corona happened, almost moved the admission to Fall 2021 cause the funding will not hold with my department for Spring 2021 but after series of emails with my CA, she advised to move it to Spring 2021 and offered to help me get another GAship.

A few weeks later Boom � she secured another position for me, she was particular about working with me (GRACE)

Then I knew it was up to me now to get my VISA and JAPA �

Next phase was to contact Fairheart, helped me cross-check everything to make sure there were no mistakes. made all the necessary payments, secured an emergency appointment, but it was canceled due to the unrest during the Endsars protest. So they reschedule me for Nov 6th.

My final mock with Fairheart the best, I remember screaming to the top my voice after the mock � only thing I had at the back of my mind was to go and get my visa, I forgot the call was still on, dude heard me screaming like a mad man �

That night was slow as f<ck, sleep no gree come, I just lay down dey think, to get an hour sleep was a struggle tbvh.

Woke up around 4:50, my alarm was for 5:00, the interview was for 7:00

After getting ready, my mum first showered some anointing on me and told me to go get my visa.

Got to the embassy at 6:50, they were still attending to those for 6:00 so I joined the line for those for 7:00, fast forward to my interview. They were 3 VO present that morning, one was very friendly and doesn't waste time with people and have been dishing approvals ear and there �
In my mind, I was praying to be interviewed by him. lucky for me, I got him.

ME: Good morning
VO: Morning

VO: What a long morning it has been.
ME: Yes it has been (smiles)

VO: Pass me your documents.
ME: there you go.

VO: Place your 4 left fingers on the scanner.
ME: I obliged

VO: Where are you going?
ME: I didn't want to sound like a robot cause I saw this guy was an easy-going person, I told him the state (Indiana)

VO: Louisiana
ME: No, Indiana

VO: Different! with a smile
ME: I know right �

VO: What Course
ME: EMDD

VO: Why this course
ME: I work with xyz and this degree will give me immense knowledge. He cuts me

VO: Where do you work again
ME: I repeated

VO: who is paying for this? Looking at my i20
ME: I have a GAShip that covers my entire tuition fee and a monthly stipend to offset my student fees and the deficit will be paid by my uncle.

VO: I will be issuing your VISA
ME: Omo I off, I couldn't hear anything again.

VO: Are you married
ME: My head was just moving left-right-left-right.

VO: Any kids
ME: head was still moving left-right-left-right.

VO: Take your passport and proceed to windows -- to make your reciprocity payment.
ME: Thank you so much.

VO: You're welcome and Good luck


PS: No travel history, No exams just GRACE.

little advice:

Dress smart, these guys are looking for people that will travel and do well for themselves academically, dress like a student. I noticed a guy wearing a native and leather slips was denied even with his travel history.

Dress how you want to be addressed!

Above all, it can only be GOD!

Go with grace!

Jugghead69:
Thank you very much.
I was able to get it changed.
I really appreciate.

You're welcome.

Hannah4:
are u interviewing in abuja ?

Yes, Abuja.

NoTimeZone:
Yes, Abuja.

me too, same day. May the Grace if the lord be with us that day ����We would come out rejoicing in Jesus name.

Ferdinand234:
Does one just go to DHL if 4 days elapses for passport pickup or wait for it to be updated on the website? Its like one week now, still saying your passport is with the US embassy

Mine is about 10 days, still with the consulate in Abuja.

Sugarxx:


My interview is on Tuesday. I tried to renew my passport earlier (sometime in August) and I was told that I can’t renew if my passport is not expiring in 6 months... meaning the earliest I can renew is by February 2021 or I claim my passport was stolen. I don’t then know what to do now ��

Are you in Abuja? I renewed mine before 6 months. I can give you the contact of the person

Friedpotato:
VISA DENIED
Window 11

As I was going towards him, in order to speak better, I lowered my nose masks and he instructed me and other persons in the hall to raise it back up.p



Me: good morning
V.O: good morning
V.O: where are you going to?
Me: I would be going to continue my undergraduate degree in biology
V.O: who would be funding this?
Me: I got a full ride presidential scholarship that would cover the entire cost of my tuition, feeding, accommodation, books, extra fees and a laptop. Also I was able to get 2 external scholarships this fall. $5000 for aidsmemorial and $2500 yearly scholarship from the United Negro College Fund. The rest of the costs would be taken care of by my uncle.
V.O: Are you married?
Me: No
V.O: Do you have any kids?
Me: No (laughs a bit)
V.O: So why did you choose this school?
Me: as I said I got a full ride scholarship, then when admitting me, EWC put me in their honors program. Which means that I get to pick a professor in my major that I can carry out summer research with, I would be given priority access to research and internships and I would be assigned an excelling senior in my major that would Integrate me into the Edward waters college community.
V.O: I cannot issue you the visa at this moment, this letter would explain more.

I was so so surprised.

Bro look at the answers to WHY you choose the school ? You based it only on scholarship, I feel you should be telling VO the knowledge or what you will end up gaining in the school that other student gained. Do you get ?

Walspring:


Bro look at the answers to WHY you choose the school ? You based it only on scholarship, I feel you should be telling VO the knowledge or what you will end up gaining in the school that other student gained. Do you get ?

yes, I would work on that. Thanks for your input.

Greenman2020:


Well, not this time around.


Visa interview transcript
Profile
School: MSU
Program: PhD Sociology
Scholarship: Full funding + Teaching Assistantship
Deficit: NIL
GRE: 300
TOEFL: Nil
Bsc in Sociology (Federal University)
Highest Educational level: Msc, Criminology (Federal University)
Undergraduate Gpa: 3.44/4.0
Msc Gpa: 3.2/4.0
No of F1 Attempts at the US embassy (2), denied last year for Masters in Criminology with zero funding at West Texas A&M University.
Status: Denied
Lagos consulate, Nov 20th 2020

My interview lasted about 10 minutes. Here we go:


The moment I entered the hall, I noticed that there were three VOs interviewing people at the counter, two females and one male. I realized immediately that the male was the guy who denied me last year and started praying that I should not come across him again. He had already denied about three to four persons right there in the hall. Unfortunately, I came across him again.

The moment I passed my passport and i20 to him, he looked at me and said, "I denied you last year and sorry I cannot interview you this time." He then directed me to another VO, an elderly woman. I can't remember the window. Now the interview proper.

Me: Good morning ma

VO: Good morning, pass me your i-20 and passport then place your hands on the scanner for the biometric capture.

Me: Okay ma. (I passed the documents to her and placed my hands on the scanner)

VO: Where are you going to?

Me: I am going to MSU, Starkvile, to pursue my PhD in Sociology with concentration in Criminology.

VO: I see. So, why this university?

Me: I settled for MSU because I was able to find a wonderful Prof. in the person of Professor XYZ who not only shares my research interest but believes in my abilities to excel at graduate school. For me, that's priceless. I also settled for MSU because the program is fully funded.

VO: I see that you've got full tuition waiver. Who's paying for the decifit?

Me: Please check ma, I do not have any deficit. The stipend from my assistantship covers my living expenses.

VO: Okay. Alright (kept typing into the system)

VO: What other school did you apply to?

Me: I also applied to Northeastern University, Boston, but I was not admitted.

VO: Did you write GRE, if yes, your score? (I was asked this same question the last time by the male VO)

Me: 300

VO: Where do you work? (I asked the last time too)

Me:I work with XYZ, a Lagos based NGO

VO: Have you travelled out of the country before? (Was also asked the last time)

Me: No


VO: Sorry bla bla bla and hands me a green paper.
Me: (dumbfounded)



PS: Gurus in the house, Fairheart, Walspring, Chonco, and the rest what do you guys sense as the reason for my rejection? I'll appreciate your views because I intend to reapply. Thanks.

Have you deal with your village people before going ? Because why would you open your mouth as said other school didn’t grant you admission?

Am damn confused here because after you told VO that you settled for MSU and it looks as if you had more than 1 school who granted you admission? But you later mentioned another school and said the school didn’t grant you admission.

Anyway that’s just my own view and opinion.

To all those who sent me PM, check your spam or junk box and you will see my reply there if you didn’t get it in your inbox.

Please, who recently got his emergency request approved in Lagos, but has NOT been given date allocation?
Please, signify...

good morning house, has anyone gotten an earlier date either for Lagos or Abuja as the dates are showing April and March 2021 respectively?

Walspring:


Have you deal with your village people before going ? Because why would you open your mouth as said other school didn’t grant you admission?

Am damn confused here because after you told VO that you settled for MSU and it looks as if you had more than 1 school who granted you admission? But you later mentioned another school and said the school didn’t grant you admission.

Anyway that’s just my own view and opinion.

Greenman2020:



VO: What other school did you apply to?

Me: I also applied to Northeastern University, Boston, but I was not admitted.

What other schools did you apply: Though it may count or may not(talking about the admission status), but i feel you should have just mentioned the name of the school only. You can proceed with more info if the VO demands to know if you were admitted or not.


My initial Opinion too.

Loloking:


This is a public space with a lot of people like VO’s who might be reading, are gurus suppose to encourage you by giving you options to become an illegal immigrants with invitations. No wonder visa denial is just flying up and down. Y’all make it so hard for us honestly and it’s not cool.

Thank you! In fact, I saw USembassyNG reading this thread this year. But I have no idea if it is a VO or a Nigerian employed for social media handle that is behind the account.

majorstark:


How do i go abt it.

Fairheart

House

Walspring has paid for some students here. But if he is not available, contact me and I will pay for you within 8 hours I receive your coupon and payment.

hello,I'm studying pharmacy right now at a federal uni, and I want to switch to masters in Computer science after grad. I'm considering the option of finish my degree (that has nothing to do with Computer Science) and then get a M.S with funding.

how feasible do I stand a chance for full funding due to my non stem undergraduate degree?

If you want to pay Sevis fee, and you are in Lagos, u can pay at Ecobank seme border. I can guide you thru the process. And you would have to come over and make the payment yourself.

It's weekend, so this is a long post, but I hope it's worth your time.

This is for those having interview before Spring resumption (and previously refused and hoping to do better in their next interview).
I have noticed a trend of copycat on this thread. Although I am no longer surprised, I have to say this is not good.
We discussed this last year but I guess the Nigerian education system has failed to train its students the art of ingenuity and being unique. So I am aware copycatting started in school. I know some of you copied the schools that offered you admission from people's transcript from this thread, but please don't copy their responses and go to the embassy to use the same phrase and narrative. Create your own!

The US embassy, in my opinion, has been honest to some extent. I remember hearing the story of different VOs complaining during educationUSA sessions about students saying the same thing at the embassy, such as why are people sponsoring students are into the same profession? Last year, the students on this thread almost murdered "Aside from the fact that..." while starting their answers to why this school. I remember writing angrily against it, but unfortunately, the same trend continues this year.

My advice for those of you with the upcoming interview is to stand out. Be yourself, and don't let the fear of "what is I am refused" shrink you. You are a unique person. Some people say it is only God that has no replica. It is a lie! No two human being in this world is the same. No matter your experiences, even if you're a twin, you have no replica. Everything about you is unique. Apply that uniqueness to the way you prepare for this interview and other areas of your life that you have hidden the original person that you are...because, after this interview, your view about life may not remain the same.

Don't go to the embassy saying what someone that has been approved said. Do you know if you're being interviewed by the same VO? Those who are close to me from this thread knows I don't entertain copycatting or numbing passion as a result of fear.

The ONLY reason I encourage interview transcript is that the method used by the US embassy for its interviews is the same used during a 2-minute professional pitch. If you have ever pitched an idea to someone who only has 3 minutes to wait and listen, you'd know what I mean. Have you wondered why the US embassy prefers interview to documentations? Because they want you to convince them with your own month, your own reasons, not by papers that can be packaged and take forever to verify. During a 2-minute pitch, you have to drive home salient points as soon as you are given the chance to talk. Now, if you know you are pitching to someone tomorrow, would you not prepare what you want to say based on who you are, what you do, what you want to do and achieve, and what you want to sell and convince the person to believe or buy? Of course!

The human mind cannot perform at its peak when there's fear in it. This is why some consular officers would tell the students to relax before/during the interview. They don't want you to be afraid so that you can speak/pitch to them. Where interview transcript has been used to articulate what you plan to pitch, this fear is subsided, you feel more confident--knowing that your proposed answers are based on your profile and things that interest you about the school, course, funding, etc.

Don't forget the God and time factor too. But if anybody tells you that you are not supposed to fail at something or receive disappointment if you have done the right thing or did your best, ask them to tell you why Abraham Lincoln failed many times during his life despite being one of the best Americans around during his time. You can't dissect or understand the twist and turns of life; you can only try your best and keep trying until you win in the things you lay your hands.
All the best

fairheart:
It's weekend, so this is a long post, but I hope it's worth your time.

This is for those having interview before Spring resumption (and previously refused and hoping to do better in their next interview).
I have noticed a trend of copycat on this thread. Although I am no longer surprised, I have to say this is not good.
We discussed this last year but I guess the Nigerian education system has failed to train its students the art of ingenuity and being unique. So I am aware copycatting started in school. I know some of you copied the schools that offered you admission from people's transcript from this thread, but please don't copy their responses and go to the embassy to use the same phrase and narrative. Create your own!

The US embassy, in my opinion, has been honest to some extent. I remember hearing the story of different VOs complaining during educationUSA sessions about students saying the same thing at the embassy, such as why are people sponsoring students are into the same profession? Last year, the students on this thread almost murdered "Aside from the fact that..." while starting their answers to why this school. I remember writing angrily against it, but unfortunately, the same trend continues this year.

My advice for those of you with the upcoming interview is to stand out. Be yourself, and don't let the fear of "what is I am refused" shrink you. You are a unique person. Some people say it is only God that has no replica. It is a lie! No two human being in this world is the same. No matter your experiences, even if you're a twin, you have no replica. Everything about you is unique. Apply that uniqueness to the way you prepare for this interview and other areas of your life that you have hidden the original person that you are...because, after this interview, your view about life may not remain the same.

Don't go to the embassy saying what someone that has been approved said. Do you know if you're being interviewed by the same VO? Those who are close to me from this thread knows I don't entertain copycatting or numbing passion as a result of fear.

The ONLY reason I encourage interview transcript is that the method used by the US embassy for its interviews is the same used during a 2-minute professional pitch. If you have ever pitched an idea to someone who only has 3 minutes to wait and listen, you'd know what I mean. Have you wondered why the US embassy prefers interview to documentations? Because they want you to convince them with your own month, your own reasons, not by papers that can be packaged and take forever to verify. During a 2-minute pitch, you have to drive home salient points as soon as you are given the chance to talk. Now, if you know you are pitching to someone tomorrow, would you not prepare what you want to say based on who you are, what you do, what you want to do and achieve, and what you want to sell and convince the person to believe or buy? Of course!

The human mind cannot perform at its peak when there's fear in it. This is why some consular officers would tell the students to relax before/during the interview. They don't want you to be afraid so that you can speak/pitch to them. Where interview transcript has been used to articulate what you plan to pitch, this fear is subsided, you feel more confident--knowing that your proposed answers are based on your profile and things that interest you about the school, course, funding, etc.

Don't forget the God and time factor too. But if anybody tells you that you are not supposed to fail at something or receive disappointment if you have done the right thing or did your best, ask them to tell you why Abraham Lincoln failed many times during his life despite being one of the best Americans around during his time. You can't dissect or understand the twist and turns of life; you can only try your best and keep trying until you win in the things you lay your hands.
All the best

Thank you for this

Okay, thanks please.

Chonco:

Lagos?
If yes, just keep checking or you check Abj

Thank you so much. I will try Abuja

Babatill2023:
It means no date is available presently in Lagos. A lot of people are having the same issue. You can try Abuja. Dates here could be for April though.

Peace to all.

Waoo nice piece there... wat do people claim their sponsor does tho

fairheart:
It's weekend, so this is a long post, but I hope it's worth your time.

This is for those having interview before Spring resumption (and previously refused and hoping to do better in their next interview).
I have noticed a trend of copycat on this thread. Although I am no longer surprised, I have to say this is not good.
We discussed this last year but I guess the Nigerian education system has failed to train its students the art of ingenuity and being unique. So I am aware copycatting started in school. I know some of you copied the schools that offered you admission from people's transcript from this thread, but please don't copy their responses and go to the embassy to use the same phrase and narrative. Create your own!

The US embassy, in my opinion, has been honest to some extent. I remember hearing the story of different VOs complaining during educationUSA sessions about students saying the same thing at the embassy, such as why are people sponsoring students are into the same profession? Last year, the students on this thread almost murdered "Aside from the fact that..." while starting their answers to why this school. I remember writing angrily against it, but unfortunately, the same trend continues this year.

My advice for those of you with the upcoming interview is to stand out. Be yourself, and don't let the fear of "what is I am refused" shrink you. You are a unique person. Some people say it is only God that has no replica. It is a lie! No two human being in this world is the same. No matter your experiences, even if you're a twin, you have no replica. Everything about you is unique. Apply that uniqueness to the way you prepare for this interview and other areas of your life that you have hidden the original person that you are...because, after this interview, your view about life may not remain the same.

Don't go to the embassy saying what someone that has been approved said. Do you know if you're being interviewed by the same VO? Those who are close to me from this thread knows I don't entertain copycatting or numbing passion as a result of fear.

The ONLY reason I encourage interview transcript is that the method used by the US embassy for its interviews is the same used during a 2-minute professional pitch. If you have ever pitched an idea to someone who only has 3 minutes to wait and listen, you'd know what I mean. Have you wondered why the US embassy prefers interview to documentations? Because they want you to convince them with your own month, your own reasons, not by papers that can be packaged and take forever to verify. During a 2-minute pitch, you have to drive home salient points as soon as you are given the chance to talk. Now, if you know you are pitching to someone tomorrow, would you not prepare what you want to say based on who you are, what you do, what you want to do and achieve, and what you want to sell and convince the person to believe or buy? Of course!

The human mind cannot perform at its peak when there's fear in it. This is why some consular officers would tell the students to relax before/during the interview. They don't want you to be afraid so that you can speak/pitch to them. Where interview transcript has been used to articulate what you plan to pitch, this fear is subsided, you feel more confident--knowing that your proposed answers are based on your profile and things that interest you about the school, course, funding, etc.

Don't forget the God and time factor too. But if anybody tells you that you are not supposed to fail at something or receive disappointment if you have done the right thing or did your best, ask them to tell you why Abraham Lincoln failed many times during his life despite being one of the best Americans around during his time. You can't dissect or understand the twist and turns of life; you can only try your best and keep trying until you win in the things you lay your hands.
All the best