₦airaland Forum

chibertha:
Total expenses which includes but not limited to
Fees
Return ticket
Accommodation
Etc

Thanks for your response. So if I have a fully funded GA/TA, do I indicate the person/entity paying for the trip as "SELF" or the school paying me the salary?

Thanks.

In Nigeria, babies have to appear for interview. So go with your baby. I went with my then 3-4 month old baby.

Its never a good idea to deviate from what you have on your application and 1-20.

You have more chances when your spouse is your sponsor (for those going without their spouse).

Let whoever is on your 1-20 as your sponsor, be what you tell the VO.


If you think there is a mistake on your 1-20, call the attention of the school, if the school says that is how it should be, please stick with the information on the 1-20 like that.

Be exact with how you want to keep your baby during school hours.......say something like......"I have made enquiries about Day cares close to my school (or where you will live depending) and the cost per week is bla bla".
Be exact!
The reason is, going with a baby as a student, without a support, is one of the hardest things you will ever do. Trust me on that. But you will be proud of yourself eventually.

Mumzeeo:
Hello everyone, some of you asked for my transcript, I'll do my best to type out what I remember.

Date of interview: 18th December
Venue: Abuja
School: University of Houston (PHD)
Funding: Covers tuition only
Visa Denied

My interview went like this

VO: where are you going

Me: University of Houston for a PhD in Petroleum Engineering

VO: would you be going with your baby? (My baby was with me for the interview, the guy verifying the documents asked me to go back home and bring her).

Me. Yes

VO: have you ever travelled with her before?

Me: not out of the country, this would be my first time.

VO: where is your husband

Me: he's is here in Nigeria and would not be coming with us, he is in the military and presently working at the Navy headquarters

VO: have you ever worked before

Me: yes, I worked for two years but I resigned from my job about four months ago to start my PhD, I am currently done with my first semester

VO: who would care for your daughter when you go to school

Me: I have looked up the cost pre schools around university of Houston and I hope to enroll her in one on the days I have to go to school (my baby is 20months old)

VO: who is paying for your fees and expenses (something like that, cant remember the exact words)

Me: first I have a scholarship that covers my tuition, the remaining expenses will be paid by my father in law. He is a retired Admiral of the Nigerian Navy and presently the MD of a Global Spectrum Energy PLC, a shipping company that offers hipping services to offshore oil and gas companies.

VO: types endlessly and says visa will be denied for reasons stated in this paper (he passes me the green sheet)

Now I have to state that a mistake was made on my I-20 and I only noticed it a night to my interview. For funding it was stated spouse as my sponsor but all my financial documents I sent to my school showed father in law so I wonder why the mistake was made. It has been corrected now and I have a new I-20 document.

Also for my funding, only in state tuition was highlighted as the funding from my school which is about $8.7k. And the deficit $6.5k was added to my own costs to be paid by me. When I reached out to the I-20 officer in my school she said out of state tuition is not included in the I-20, please is this true especially when the school paid all my fees which amounts to 18k annually, why reflect only 8k?

Also do I take my baby for the next interview, people kept on asking why I took her, but the man verifying the documents said I should go back home and get her if now I will have to schedule another interview for het. I'm confused.

Muleriders:
1. He should Get a student copy of his transcript, it doesn't have to be official.

2. Use the free wes evaluator tool on wes website to evaluate your transcript to 4.0 (US scale). It's completely free

3. Get back to me or quote me on this thread on your outcome. If your evaluated grade is between 2.2/4 and 2.5/4, you stand a better chance for a "conditional admission" in masters level if you can back it up a little with high GRE score. I will be waiting your your evaluation outcome.

Warm regards

Bro mine is 2.75/4 using wes free calculator. I originally got 2.36/5, I was marginally close to a 2.2. Can I message you?

Good Day Everyone, this is a great platform with awesome people like fairheart, Texrem and a lot more.
Congratulations to all those that got their visa approved, to those that got rejected let’s learn from our mistakes and refire.
I got rejected on the 18th of this month but won't be reapplying, l plan on applying for fall 21.
My profile is below l need school that can give me full funding in Masters or PhD
B.Eng. Electrical and Electronics Engineering
CGPA 3.8/5 but my last two session is the best, haven't done wes evaluation
GRE q-157, v 147, awa- 3.0
Age - 24
All your advice will be very much appreciated, don't hesitate to ask if you need additional information. Thanks, in anticipation all.

godguy:
Ok, thanks for the clarification.
Now my question is this, lets look at this 2 scenarios:
i have a family member who want to sponsor me, which is better,
1.he transfers the money to account, i present my account statement as self sponsor and answer questions on what i do OR
2.I present him as the sponsor, his account statement and answers questions on why he want to sponsor, his relationship with me and what he does

thanks
cc Predstan
fairheart

Lump sum to your account is only going to hurt your chances than help it. If your interview is not more than 2months away and you have not done such transactions in the past 6 months, it’s only better to have your relative sponsor you. For a distance relative, he/she should have atleast 1.5 of your COA in the statement. You just prepare to answer the question “why is he sponsoring you” solidly. Btw, being a sponsor and support by that person is also very good if you have some money in the account.

Lordsagna:
Good afternoon Nlanders, I want to ask some questions pls pardon my naivety. I'm a year one chemical engineering student but I've got passion for medicine nd I wanna study it in the US but I'm from a lower social class, so what I wanted to ask is can I take SAT exam to get a fully funded scholarship to study a medical related course in the US nd later ,maybe be after graduating get a direct entry to study medicine?
And also what is the cost of writing SAT?
are all these dilemma up there possible?
PS: I'm nineteen years.

all opinions are accepted.
thanks

Your dreams are very achievable but it will be a little bit hard
The path to having the MBBS degree in the US is like this;
You do a course related to medicine for 4years(bsc) the most popular two are pre-med(this is specifically designed for people who will study medicine) and biochemistry.
Then after that you apply to a medical school another 4 years. This is their schooling style. Making a total of 8yrs

Now for someone like you.
Write the SAT blast it and get a full scholarship to study a medical related course let say pre-med or biochemistry( a course mate of mine did this when we were in 100 level.), then if God help get a full scholarship to study MBBS in the US ( I know a youtuber ,who is a Nigerian that achieved this but they are very rare to come by)
But if you don't get that full scholarship for MBBS comeback to naija and apply DE to 200 level with you American Bsc.

Please oh , this is just My advise abeg take am.with a pinch of salt.
Do your research

Hello guys.

Please I have a brother in the States who is a PR. What would be the best response if the VO asks me about him and would it deter my chances of an approval?

Please I would love to connect Lamar University faithfuls or students already in Beaumont Texas. I need to secure accommodation off-campus and would need roommates; Please pm me so we can talk; I need help Fam

Aquilapriscilla:
Your dreams are very achievable but it will be a little bit hard
The path to having the MBBS degree in the US is like this;
You do a course related to medicine for 4years(bsc) the most popular two are pre-med(this is specifically designed for people who will study medicine) and biochemistry.
Then after that you apply to a medical school another 4 years. This is their schooling style. Making a total of 8yrs

Now for someone like you.
Write the SAT blast it and get a full scholarship to study a medical related course let say pre-med or biochemistry( a course mate of mine did this when we were in 100 level.), then if God help get a full scholarship to study MBBS in the US ( I know a youtuber ,who is a Nigerian that achieved this but they are very rare to come by)
But if you don't get that full scholarship for MBBS comeback to naija and apply DE to 200 level with you American Bsc.

Please oh , this is just My advise abeg take am.with a pinch of salt.
Do your research

wow... that's a brilliant idea sir, I pray it work out as u've said. I'm gonna register for the SAT as soon as I get my feet together. thank for your opinion sir

Please note, not by my power but by the grace and mercy of God.

BACKGROUND
BSc: 3.85/5.0
GRE: 301(V-147, Q-154)
TOEFL: 100(S-23, R-24, W-26, L-27)
Funding: Full (Tuition Scholarship and monthly stipends) (TA)
Course: Materials Engineering
Time:10:30am but got there around 8am and interviewed around 9am


Because I didn't change my location on DS-160, they had to download it from Lagos to Abuja, and it took time. Well, my spirit was just okay with not filing new DS-160 or changing my location on DS-160 since it is permitted according to the info on the embassy website.

INTERVIEW
VO/Me: Good morning

I passed only my I-20 (unstapled) and international passport. He typed for some time.

VO: How did you come about this school?
Me: Sir
VO: This school (Clarkson Univ.), how did you (can't remember this)
Me: While searching for universities that align with my research area... My research area is composite and alloy materials... I came across Clarkson University on MSinUs.com. Then I checked for more details on niche, USnews,... (I don't know if I added thegradcafe).
(Though, I planned to keep talking but I just stopped here. I restrategize with God's wisdom that the black VO can be pissed off with excess talk that does not make sense to him. For my mind o, as I stared seriously at his face that day sha)

VO: How will you fund your studies
Me: The school offered me TA that gives me full funding that covers the tuition and provides monthly stipend that covers living cost. (of course he has stared seriously on my I-20)

VO: How many years is this program? (since, he's been typing on his computer but while asking this question he looked at me seriously)
Me: 5 years (I fixed my gaze seriously on him too)

VO: How do you support yourself? (continued typing)
Me: I am the Lead Tutor in *** where I coordinate training on computer programming (I deliberately emphasized this, as my publication is computer simulation and my supervisor research area is computer simulation of composite and alloy materials)
Also, I research composite and alloy materials (not too sure if I added my research area but I think I did) under Prof. *** at the University of ****

VO: Did you apply to any other university?
Me: Yes please

VO: Which other universities did you apply to?
Me: (I chopped Missouri but continued with confidence) University of Science and Technology, Michigan Technological University, Portland State University

VO: When have you been in the University of ****
Me: 2018

VO: Are you married?
Me: No

VO: Have traveled outside Nigeria?
Me: No, sir (I intentional added "sir" here. My personal opinion of letting him know I respect his position. Of course, everyone is not expected to share the same opinion)

VO: What will this program do for you?
Me: I will return to the University of *** for the offer of being a lecturer and will continue my research... (can't remember the next line).

(here, I remembered that I have gone off track to what I will be doing after the program instead of what the program will do for me. Immediately I quickly finished it up with the next line to get myself back on track)

So, knowledge and research from this program will provide me with what all these need.


Na so he passed the white paper to me o. For some seconds I went blank (I am testifying to the sudden deafness, I was not expecting his decision at that time, no evidence requested, just I-20 and my passport) until I heard that "the information on this paper will explain where to pick up your passport".

The shock in me made me to start thinking "this man should not call me back" as I was going. I was interviewed by the black guy. My smiling mode disappeared the moment I knew I was going to him and handed myself to Jesus' mercy (due to what I have read here, and I saw him denied people before me while I was on the queue). I couldn't bring myself to smile but without fear anyway... My emotion was just blank.






If you need more details about asterisked info please PM, I did this to protect the interest of those involved since I do not have their consent to reveal their details publicly.
Bonus: Hotel booking ₦5000 per night. Hotel within about 7 minutes drive to the embassy, secured, quiet, neat, and good customer service even at 11pm when I entered Abuja.


If I remember any info left out I promise to add it.


Many thanks to all ogas on ground for sharing their wealth of experience always.
Pardon me for sending it in late, I left a lot of my travel plans preparation till visa approval.

Please has anyone had their interview days for nextweek being rescheduled to first week of January? I just got a mail and my interview was shifted from 28 December to 5 January and I'm wondering why?

GeoOla25:
You can make changes before 72 hours to your interview

Lordsagna:
wow... that's a brilliant idea sir, I pray it work out as u've said. I'm gonna register for the SAT as soon as I get my feet together. thank for your opinion sir

I am just a 200 level student please no make my head swell.
I also had the same plans as you but my parents did not just buy the idea. Besides I hear ASUU will soon call of the strike.please let's not derail the thread you can mention me on the medical student and aspirants thread.

blvckmiles:
Please has anyone had their interview days for nextweek being rescheduled to first week of January? I just got a mail and my interview was shifted from 28 December to 5 January and I'm wondering why?

Is this for Abuja or Lagos?

zeeLady:
One option is get admission in a field related to your first degree in a school rhat also offer the furniture degree (which you truly want to do) and then when you get there, you switch programmes.

A second option is seeking for admission in what you really want to do (furniture). But you will have to develop a persuasive reason for the switch at the embassy.

ok thank you

DonJSHY:
Good Day Everyone, this is a great platform with awesome people like fairheart, Texrem and a lot more.
Congratulations to all those that got their visa approved, to those that got rejected let’s learn from our mistakes and refire.
I got rejected on the 18th of this month but won't be reapplying, l plan on applying for fall 21.
My profile is below l need school that can give me full funding in Masters or PhD
B.Eng. Electrical and Electronics Engineering
CGPA 3.8/5 but my last two session is the best, haven't done wes evaluation
GRE q-157, v 147, awa- 3.0
Age - 24
All your advice will be very much appreciated, don't hesitate to ask if you need additional information. Thanks, in anticipation all.

You can check Kansas State University. App fee should be around $75.

emmanland:
Please note, not by my power but by the grace and mercy of God.

BACKGROUND
BSc: 3.85/5.0
GRE: 301(V-147, Q-154)
TOEFL: 100(S-23, R-24, W-26, L-27)
Funding: Full (Tuition Scholarship and monthly stipends) (TA)
Course: Materials Engineering
Time:10:30am but got there around 8am and interviewed around 9am


Because I didn't change my location on DS-160, they had to download it from Lagos to Abuja, and it took time. Well, my spirit was just okay with not filing new DS-160 or changing my location on DS-160 since it is permitted according to the info on the embassy website.

INTERVIEW
VO/Me: Good morning

I passed only my I-20 (unstapled) and international passport. He typed for some time.

VO: How did you come about this school?
Me: Sir
VO: This school (Clarkson Univ.), how did you (can't remember this)
Me: While searching for universities that align with my research area... My research area is composite and alloy materials... I came across Clarkson University on MSinUs.com. Then I checked for more details on niche, USnews,... (I don't know if I added thegradcafe).
(Though, I planned to keep talking but I just stopped here. I restrategize with God's wisdom that the black VO can be pissed off with excess talk that does not make sense to him. For my mind o, as I stared seriously at his face that day sha)

VO: How will you fund your studies
Me: The school offered me TA that gives me full funding that covers the tuition and provides monthly stipend that covers living cost. (of course he has stared seriously on my I-20)

VO: How many years is this program? (since, he's been typing on his computer but while asking this question he looked at me seriously)
Me: 5 years (I fixed my gaze seriously on him too)

VO: How do you support yourself? (continued typing)
Me: I am the Lead Tutor in *** where I coordinate training on computer programming (I deliberately emphasized this, as my publication is computer simulation and my supervisor research area is computer simulation of composite and alloy materials)
Also, I research composite and alloy materials (not too sure if I added my research area but I think I did) under Prof. *** at the University of ****

VO: Did you apply to any other university?
Me: Yes please

VO: Which other universities did you apply to?
Me: (I chopped Missouri but continued with confidence) University of Science and Technology, Michigan Technological University, Portland State University

VO: When have you been in the University of ****
Me: 2018

VO: Are you married?
Me: No

VO: Have traveled outside Nigeria?
Me: No, sir (I intentional added "sir" here. My personal opinion of letting him know I respect his position. Of course, everyone is not expected to share the same opinion)

VO: What will this program do for you?
Me: I will return to the University of *** for the offer of being a lecturer and will continue my research... (can't remember the next line).

(here, I remembered that I have gone off track to what I will be doing after the program instead of what the program will do for me. Immediately I quickly finished it up with the next line to get myself back on track)

So, knowledge and research from this program will provide me with what all these need.


Na so he passed the white paper to me o. For some seconds I went blank (I am testifying to the sudden deafness, I was not expecting his decision at that time, no evidence requested, just I-20 and my passport) until I heard that "the information on this paper will explain where to pick up your passport".

The shock in me made me to start thinking "this man should not call me back" as I was going. I was interviewed by the black guy. My smiling mode disappeared the moment I knew I was going to him and handed myself to Jesus' mercy (due to what I have read here, and I saw him denied people before me while I was on the queue). I couldn't bring myself to smile but without fear anyway... My emotion was just blank.






If you need more details about asterisked info please PM, I did this to protect the interest of those involved since I do not have their consent to reveal their details publicly.
Bonus: Hotel booking ₦5000 per night. Hotel within about 7 minutes drive to the embassy, secured, quiet, neat, and good customer service even at 11pm when I entered Abuja.


If I remember any info left out I promise to add it.


Many thanks to all ogas on ground for sharing their wealth of experience always.
Pardon me for sending it in late, I left a lot of my travel plans preparation till visa approval.

Congratulations, I pray I get the mercies of God at work too. Can you please avail me the name of the hotel and maybe address, I will be needing it too.

CONGRATS TO YOU ALL.

Long Post
I should have posted this earlier but here it is

Status: Visa Approved (Masters in Communication)
Date: Tuesday 8 December 2020.

All Glory to God almighty.

Background story: I have been a silent reader for years. This is my 5th visa attempt, I have been denied twice at the Canadian embassy and twice at the US embassy.
So, back in October I had secured 7th of Dec for interview in Lagos but two weeks before the 7th the embassy reschedule me to 8th then on the 3rd of Dec I got the mail that I have been reschedule to Jan 12th. I immediately sent an email and also called the embassy but they said there is nothing they can do about it. I requested for an emergency appointment, it was first approved then 5 min later they denied the emergency request.

On monday 7th I travelled out of my city to do other things then i got an email from the US embassy around 10 am saying that they have approved my emergency request again that i should go and pick an available date. I logged in and picked 7am for 8th of Dec. I travel back to my city immediately, picked up my document and headed for Lagos. I got into my hotel in VI around 10 pm.

I got to the embassy around to 6, took passport photograph for N3500 because i forgot it at home. We were only 5 non immigrant applicant that day. Four of us where student while the last woman was for visit. To the glory of God all five of us got the visa.

Transcript
It was a small room linked to the big hall and i had to seat.

Me: Good morning, with a smile under my face mask
Vo: Good morning, pass me your passport

Me: Gave him my passport and I-20. He then typed for over a minute.

Vo: How come a young man like you hold this position?
(note am young but hold a high position at one of the media company in the country)
Me: (Confused) Well I studied something different during my undergrad but I developed interest in media and...... (Vo cut in)

Vo: No, How come a young man like you hold this position? ( He repeated the question and said my first respond is not what he wanted)
Me: (Had to think fast again) Well actually I spend a lot of time training myself and attended different training across the country bla bla bla... (vo came me a thumbs up and continue typing)

Vo: Why did you pick this Uni?
Me: While looking for universities I told myself i wanted a suburban university and my school fit in perfectly. They focus a lot on practical training and not just course work. They have there own media house and the small class size would give me more access to my instructors. Most importantly I was able to secure a graduate assistantship position.

Vo: Apart from the united states which other country have denied you a visa.
Me: Canada

Vo: Why did you wanted to go to Canada?
Me: For study

Vo: Those Canadian people are tougher than us right (in a small laugh)
Me: Yes (in a small laugh)

Vo: Who is paying for you study?
Me: I have a GA position from the school which will be paying me stipend monthly and the remaining deficit will be paid by my Father and Aunt.

Vo: What does your father do?
Me: He owns a furniture firm

Vo: You see, for example in Accra you would see a man with a log of wood by the road side under a tree and he would call it a furniture firm.
Me: (I cut in, sharp sharp) NOOOO, my Father is a big time furniture maker not a road side one. He get contracts from govt and big institutions.

Vo: How many staff does he have?
Me: Not less that 10 full time staff and a lot of part time staff.

Vo: (Typed for a while) You see this your 1-20 keep it safe with you, you would be asked to present it at the US border when you arrive in the us. (I was jumping and dancing in my head already but was looking calm)
Me: Oh, ok. Thank you very much (I stood up immediately before anything change lol)

Vo: Wait come back, take this paper it contains information on how to pick up your visa
Me: Thank you very much (I was about standing up again)

Vo: And one last thing (In my head i was like Jesus what happen again oo) I just want to say that you would be the first student i would interview that would be attending the university in the town where i was born.
Me: Really (Then it was obvious it was God and God alone)
VO and Me: Started laughing and banter a little about the city. People in the big hall where trying to see what was going on.

Vo: Goodluck
Me: Thank you, God bless you.

I literary ran out of the embassy in excitement.

Note: Do not underestimate the power of prayer. Prayer is the real key. God his faithful.
Also read about your school, the city it is in and practice your response in a spontaneous way. My interview was like a chat with a boss that want to employ me. Don't be afraid to sell yourself if given the opportunity. If you have been denied before and you are convinced, I encourage you to reapply it not going to be easy but put your faith in Christ. Again pray and go with a positive mind alone.

A very big thank you to every one who contribute to this trend.

emmanland:
Please note, not by my power but by the grace and mercy of God.

BACKGROUND
BSc: 3.85/5.0
GRE: 301(V-147, Q-154)
TOEFL: 100(S-23, R-24, W-26, L-27)
Funding: Full (Tuition Scholarship and monthly stipends) (TA)
Course: Materials Engineering
Time:10:30am but got there around 8am and interviewed around 9am


Because I didn't change my location on DS-160, they had to download it from Lagos to Abuja, and it took time. Well, my spirit was just okay with not filing new DS-160 or changing my location on DS-160 since it is permitted according to the info on the embassy website.

INTERVIEW
VO/Me: Good morning

I passed only my I-20 (unstapled) and international passport. He typed for some time.

VO: How did you come about this school?
Me: Sir
VO: This school (Clarkson Univ.), how did you (can't remember this)
Me: While searching for universities that align with my research area... My research area is composite and alloy materials... I came across Clarkson University on MSinUs.com. Then I checked for more details on niche, USnews,... (I don't know if I added thegradcafe).
(Though, I planned to keep talking but I just stopped here. I restrategize with God's wisdom that the black VO can be pissed off with excess talk that does not make sense to him. For my mind o, as I stared seriously at his face that day sha)

VO: How will you fund your studies
Me: The school offered me TA that gives me full funding that covers the tuition and provides monthly stipend that covers living cost. (of course he has stared seriously on my I-20)

VO: How many years is this program? (since, he's been typing on his computer but while asking this question he looked at me seriously)
Me: 5 years (I fixed my gaze seriously on him too)

VO: How do you support yourself? (continued typing)
Me: I am the Lead Tutor in *** where I coordinate training on computer programming (I deliberately emphasized this, as my publication is computer simulation and my supervisor research area is computer simulation of composite and alloy materials)
Also, I research composite and alloy materials (not too sure if I added my research area but I think I did) under Prof. *** at the University of ****

VO: Did you apply to any other university?
Me: Yes please

VO: Which other universities did you apply to?
Me: (I chopped Missouri but continued with confidence) University of Science and Technology, Michigan Technological University, Portland State University

VO: When have you been in the University of ****
Me: 2018

VO: Are you married?
Me: No

VO: Have traveled outside Nigeria?
Me: No, sir (I intentional added "sir" here. My personal opinion of letting him know I respect his position. Of course, everyone is not expected to share the same opinion)

VO: What will this program do for you?
Me: I will return to the University of *** for the offer of being a lecturer and will continue my research... (can't remember the next line).

(here, I remembered that I have gone off track to what I will be doing after the program instead of what the program will do for me. Immediately I quickly finished it up with the next line to get myself back on track)

So, knowledge and research from this program will provide me with what all these need.


Na so he passed the white paper to me o. For some seconds I went blank (I am testifying to the sudden deafness, I was not expecting his decision at that time, no evidence requested, just I-20 and my passport) until I heard that "the information on this paper will explain where to pick up your passport".

The shock in me made me to start thinking "this man should not call me back" as I was going. I was interviewed by the black guy. My smiling mode disappeared the moment I knew I was going to him and handed myself to Jesus' mercy (due to what I have read here, and I saw him denied people before me while I was on the queue). I couldn't bring myself to smile but without fear anyway... My emotion was just blank.






If you need more details about asterisked info please PM, I did this to protect the interest of those involved since I do not have their consent to reveal their details publicly.
Bonus: Hotel booking ₦5000 per night. Hotel within about 7 minutes drive to the embassy, secured, quiet, neat, and good customer service even at 11pm when I entered Abuja.


If I remember any info left out I promise to add it.


Many thanks to all ogas on ground for sharing their wealth of experience always.
Pardon me for sending it in late, I left a lot of my travel plans preparation till visa approval.

Wow, congrats. Do you have any publication prior to your application to the PHD? I fancy using the B.eng to Phd route also

Has anyone used Turkish airlines lately?
Was COVID test required?
If you travelled to US in the past weeks using any airline at all, please share your experience

Please who knows how to get to DHL at Airport road/Isolo

Please is it a problem if may be I go with a different passport photograph rather than the one uploaded on my ds-160 , because the one on my ds-160 is just a normal cropped photo.

blvckmiles:
Please has anyone had their interview days for nextweek being rescheduled to first week of January? I just got a mail and my interview was shifted from 28 December to 5 January and I'm wondering why?

Yes

@hannania
Yes, I have a publication in international journal

Sure

quasarJose:
Good day.. Can you help me look into my SOP?

Turkish does not require COVID test. But, their service is not wonderful. You may/may not get real food. Your flight may be diverted...etc

Anybodie:
Has anyone used Turkish airlines lately?
Was COVID test required?
If you travelled to US in the past weeks using any airline at all, please share your experience

zeeLady:
Sure

I have sent you a pm already

zeeLady:
Turkish does not require COVID test. But, their service is not wonderful. You may/may not get real food. Your flight may be diverted...etc

at real food .......

you mean different food than you are used to because surely you wont be fed fake food

emmanland:
Please note, not by my power but by the grace and mercy of God.

BACKGROUND
BSc: 3.85/5.0
GRE: 301(V-147, Q-154)
TOEFL: 100(S-23, R-24, W-26, L-27)
Funding: Full (Tuition Scholarship and monthly stipends) (TA)
Course: Materials Engineering
Time:10:30am but got there around 8am and interviewed around 9am


Because I didn't change my location on DS-160, they had to download it from Lagos to Abuja, and it took time. Well, my spirit was just okay with not filing new DS-160 or changing my location on DS-160 since it is permitted according to the info on the embassy website.

INTERVIEW
VO/Me: Good morning

I passed only my I-20 (unstapled) and international passport. He typed for some time.

VO: How did you come about this school?
Me: Sir
VO: This school (Clarkson Univ.), how did you (can't remember this)
Me: While searching for universities that align with my research area... My research area is composite and alloy materials... I came across Clarkson University on MSinUs.com. Then I checked for more details on niche, USnews,... (I don't know if I added thegradcafe).
(Though, I planned to keep talking but I just stopped here. I restrategize with God's wisdom that the black VO can be pissed off with excess talk that does not make sense to him. For my mind o, as I stared seriously at his face that day sha)

VO: How will you fund your studies
Me: The school offered me TA that gives me full funding that covers the tuition and provides monthly stipend that covers living cost. (of course he has stared seriously on my I-20)

VO: How many years is this program? (since, he's been typing on his computer but while asking this question he looked at me seriously)
Me: 5 years (I fixed my gaze seriously on him too)

VO: How do you support yourself? (continued typing)
Me: I am the Lead Tutor in *** where I coordinate training on computer programming (I deliberately emphasized this, as my publication is computer simulation and my supervisor research area is computer simulation of composite and alloy materials)
Also, I research composite and alloy materials (not too sure if I added my research area but I think I did) under Prof. *** at the University of ****

VO: Did you apply to any other university?
Me: Yes please

VO: Which other universities did you apply to?
Me: (I chopped Missouri but continued with confidence) University of Science and Technology, Michigan Technological University, Portland State University

VO: When have you been in the University of ****
Me: 2018

VO: Are you married?
Me: No

VO: Have traveled outside Nigeria?
Me: No, sir (I intentional added "sir" here. My personal opinion of letting him know I respect his position. Of course, everyone is not expected to share the same opinion)

VO: What will this program do for you?
Me: I will return to the University of *** for the offer of being a lecturer and will continue my research... (can't remember the next line).

(here, I remembered that I have gone off track to what I will be doing after the program instead of what the program will do for me. Immediately I quickly finished it up with the next line to get myself back on track)

So, knowledge and research from this program will provide me with what all these need.


Na so he passed the white paper to me o. For some seconds I went blank (I am testifying to the sudden deafness, I was not expecting his decision at that time, no evidence requested, just I-20 and my passport) until I heard that "the information on this paper will explain where to pick up your passport".

The shock in me made me to start thinking "this man should not call me back" as I was going. I was interviewed by the black guy. My smiling mode disappeared the moment I knew I was going to him and handed myself to Jesus' mercy (due to what I have read here, and I saw him denied people before me while I was on the queue). I couldn't bring myself to smile but without fear anyway... My emotion was just blank.






If you need more details about asterisked info please PM, I did this to protect the interest of those involved since I do not have their consent to reveal their details publicly.
Bonus: Hotel booking ₦5000 per night. Hotel within about 7 minutes drive to the embassy, secured, quiet, neat, and good customer service even at 11pm when I entered Abuja.


If I remember any info left out I promise to add it.


Many thanks to all ogas on ground for sharing their wealth of experience always.
Pardon me for sending it in late, I left a lot of my travel plans preparation till visa approval.

Congratulations boss....please can you share the name of the hotel and how to get there..Thanks

blvckmiles:
Please has anyone had their interview days for nextweek being rescheduled to first week of January? I just got a mail and my interview was shifted from 28 December to 5 January and I'm wondering why?

Same here too for Abuja appointment. I called to find out what happened and was told the embassy rescheduled the appointments due to rising numbers of corona cases.

Very likely the embassy will work very light or shutdown next week.

We can only pray and hope no further reschedule. The inconvenience and additional expenses are mounting. I have to reschedule already booked flights.

The date is also very close to class resumption.

emmanland:
@hannania
Yes, I have a publication in international journal

ok, thanks.

lawali:
Same here too for Abuja appointment. I called to find out what happened and was told the embassy rescheduled the appointments due to rising numbers of corona cases.

Very likely the embassy will work very light or shutdown next week.

We can only pray and hope no further reschedule. The inconvenience and additional expenses are mounting. I have to reschedule already booked flights.

The date is also very close to class resumption.

There is public holiday next week Monday, I think that's the main reason why it was rescheduled.