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Hello guys, I just felt I should share with everyone preparing to go for interview soon some useful Tips about the US student Interview...

All spring 2014 US visa applicants, i hope you all are getting warmed up for the US Embassy..


HINTS, TIPS AND PREPARATIONS

1. Pay Sevis fee by relatives in the US OR in Lagos/Abuja. This is compulsory for
all students that will be going to the US for
studies. The payment receipt will be sent to you
and should be taken to the embassy as part of the supporting documents.

2. Look straight into the eyes of the interviewing
officer throughout when answering the questions
because this shows sign of confidence. However,
you are NOT to show over confidence.

3. Dress formally. If you are male, make sure to
put on shirt that will enable you stork-in and look
formal.

4. At the point of interview, make sure to salute
the consular office first and not allow him/her
salute you first.

5. At the interview section, make sure you listen
very attentively. This is because the American
English is twisted (queens English). You must hear what the officer ask you at once. This gives the sign that you as a student will cope with lectures. Don’t allow the officer ask one question twice before you get what he/she is asking. So, you have to be extra-ordinarily attentive.

6. Be formal at your answers. Straight to the point of the question asked and smile where necessary.

7. The interview takes very few minutes, not up
to 5mins but at most 5mins. The interviewing
officer will want to rush you up but you have to
pretend as if you are a slow talker in order to slow down the officer to answer the questions correctly and accurately.

8. Please, NEVER let poverty show on you or NEVER portray to the officer that you will not come back to Nigeria.

9. DON'Tgive answer that will generate other
questions. If you do, questions will be generated
from the answers you provide.

10. NEVER let the officer see traveling ambition or anxiety in you or on your face.

11. You MUST have taken int’l exams e.g. TOEFL,
SAT, GMAT, GRE etc. If your school doesn’t require it as prerequisite for admission, the embassy WILL DEFINATELY ask for it. Its important you have ONE or MOST or all of it.

Finally, when answering questions, please do not
answer as you have lectured to give ready-made
answers. Even though you already know answers
to most questions, you must try as much as
possible to answer as if you hearing the questions for the first time. Otherwise, your visa will be denied simply because you are giving ready-made answers.

Your composition. You must compose yourself at
the interview. No using of offensive language.
You can simply answer questions you are not sure of by saying you do not have full idea on it.

THE MAIN INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND THEIR
RIGHT ANSWERS

What is your name?

VO: What are you going to do in the United States? OR what is your purpose of wanting to travel to the United States?

Answer: I want to go to the United States for
studies.

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

Answer: Tell him/her your major of study

VO: Which school are you going to study at?

Answer: Tell him/her your school name. Further
questions might be on the address of the school.

VO: How did you get to know about the school of
your choice?

Answer: I did a proper Research on the internet on schools that suit my academic career using some search tools like Princetonreview.com, usnews.com, petersons.com, and i came up with the school.

Please, NEVER tell the officer you got to know about your school through a friend or your relatives. They will assume your relative want to use it as a medium to bring you to the US, which will make you llok like a potential Immigrant and will alert a RED FLAG to the VO, and NEVER say you got it thru a Friend because they will also assume that if you DONT have a friend for example; then you will never go to school. This as thereby portrayed you as an Unserious Student who is NOT ready to do research on is own.

Furthermore, you can also say, after getting the
school, you then told your uncle about it and he accepted to pay the application fee and get the necessary information for you and also accepted to be your sponsor.

VO: How long are you staying in the US?

A: If your course is 2years, tell them 24months
and if its 3years, tell them its 36months

VO: Why did you choose this school?

Answer: I actually chose this school because this school offers a Well structured curriculum that aligns with my career aspirations with the aim of developing me with the technical, analytical and conceptual skills to become a globally attuned leader in my profession.

OR you can use this response; I chose this school because they have a well structured course curriculum that suits my career goal. (Go on your school website and find something unique about your school and build this point)

VO: Did you apply to only this school or why did
you applied to only this school?

Answer: No, I didn’t apply to only this school; I
applied to 3 schools altogether. You might be
asked to mention the rest. Just prepare to say the
name of any other existing school in the US but
please make sure all the schools you mentioned
are NOT in the same state. Because if they are all in the same state, it is a RED flag to the VO.. The VO will smell something fishy...and he will
assume a relative is using this medium as means
to smuggle you to the US.

VO: How many gave you admission?

A: Just mention 2.. If you tell them you applied to
4 schools, you mention 3 admits..

VO: Why did you choose you course of study OR why did you decide to study this course?

Answer: The prospect for my major (mention your course) is extremely high in Nigeria and there is lack of professionalism in the industry.(Do more research on your school's website about your Major, and build this point)

VO: When did you graduate from school: Either
secondary or first degree?

Answer: Tell him/her the year and date

VO: Since then up till now, what have you being
doing?

Answer: Never tell them you have being doing
something that is NOT relevant to your education. Find a suitable way to close the gap.. It is a RED FLAG if you tell the VO you have been doing Nothing (Idle) since you left school,

By this, the VO will simply assume that since you have nothing doing in your home country then when you get to the US, you will take advantages of every opportunities there and Never Return home anymore. And this will automatically cause your Visa been DENIED. So be Mindful!! And whatever you use to close the gap must be relevant to your intended major.

VO: What will you do after your studies in the US
OR what will you do with your degree after studies in the US?

This is the most technical aspect of your interview that makes them determine whether you wish to run to the US or you will come back to Nigeria.

Answer: I would come back home to do my Compulsory NYSC service in Nigeria, because without the possession of the certificate, i can neither be opportuned to get any suitable job Nor hold any position in my country. (You have demonstrated a strong home tie with that response)

OR you can use this response as well; I will come back to my country and introduce the modern technologies of my profession into the industry in order to contribute to the industrial development of my country.

OR; I plan to make use of the Education, knowledge and leadership skills i have achieved from my studies to better use here, as there is alot of competition in this Field in the US, whereas the course will be highly appreciated here in Nigeria.


VO: Where will you be staying in the US?

If you have no relatives in the US and have no where to stay, Give the VO this response below;

Your Answer: i will be staying in the school's campus hosuing.

VO: Have you made plans for that?

Your Answer: I have informed the school about it and they informed me that when i hopefully get my Visa, then i can proceed in making Campus housing bookings.

VO: Did you take any Standarlized test?

A: Yes I did. I took (mention the exams……..TOEFL, SAT, GRE, etc). You might be asked to produce the documents and they will definitely verify it to check the Authencity of the document.…… If it’s the online type you did.

Please, Never go to the Embassy without taking atleast ONE standarlized test. The VOs will definately ask for this document. And by NOT taking any standarlized test, you have shown signs of UNSERIOUSNESS. And the VO will assume you are NOT ready to study and this can cause your US student Visa application being automatically DENIED at the US Embassy.

Your sponsor and the bank statement.

Who are your sponsors? He is my uncle/father/stepfather/ aunty. It must have a very close relation for the person to have accepted to sponsor your education. Your sponsor can also give you other relevant vital documents that will support you, such as landed properties, company registration, shares investment or business investment and importantly, Tax clearance. However, if all of this is NOT available, Just go with the bank statement of your sponsor.

Going to the Embassy with your sponsor's Bank statement is veryy Important and MANDATORY.. Most VOs ask for this document!!! Which is your sponsor's Bank Statement. They use it in checking the financial capabities of your sponsor to know if he could afford to pay for your Tuition.

Note: NEVER show the Visa Officer any Document unless Requested!!! If you show the Visa Officer documents he/she didn't request for, You have appeared desperate to them (showing signs of a potential immigrant) which isn't good for you and that will hurt your chances of getting the Visa.

VO: What does he/she do for a living? Tell the
lucrative profession or business.

Your personal bank statement?
A: You must show them and the bank ID card
because its part of your ties to your country that
you will come back. Even though you don’t have
cash in the account, just print that statement of
account that looks like payroll showing your bank
transaction from the date the account was opened till the date of your interview. Its better that way.

VO: Have you ever traveled out of this country before?

You need to be mindful if you are being asked this question, DON'T just say "NO" that is if you have NOT traveled out of the country before. (Saying just NO, will make your response look vague and will hurt your chances of getting the Visa)

Your Answer: NO sir, Because i have Never had any reason to travel until after Now. And it's important i do now because of the program.

Your SEVIS fee, did you pay your SEVIS fee?

A: Yes. You must have paid and gotten the receipt
before you interview date otherwise the security
will not even allow you into the embassy. Give
them the receipt and they can confirm that online
and track it.

IF YOU CAN GET ALL QUESTIONS CORRECTLY TO
THE POINT THAT YOU ARE BEING ASKED THE
SEVIS FEE. BE REST ASSURED THAT YOU ARE
GETTING THE VISA BECAUSE, SEVIS FEE IS THE
LAST THEY USUALLY ASK AND THEY ASK THOSE
THEY ARE READY TO ISSUE VISA TO. ALTHOUGH
THEY KNOW IF YOU PAY THE FEE OR NOT.
THE NEXT STATEMENT YOU HEAR IS, PICK UP
YOUR VISA………. Usually two (2) business day
after your interview and the interviewing officer
will give you a pick up ticket that you will bring
when coming to collect the visa and he/she will
collect you international passport in place for the
Visa.

Hence, don’t rejoice in the presence of the Visa
officer. The best you can say is, THANK YOU SIR,
AM GRATEFUL. You can rejoice outside and make
merry, drink or shark up yourself to stupor if you
like. With all this instructions and all documents in place, I see your Visa in your hand. Kindly let me know how everything went thereafter.

GOOD LUCK AND CONGRATULATIONS in your anticipated APPROVED US Student Visa!!!!!!!

bigfrancis21: @Bold...really? Has the charge fallen to N420? I never knew. Wow. That's great.

Never knew the price has Fallen to #420 as well too.. All thanks to our CBN Governor - Sanusi..

obotubong: brodas my interview is tomorrow in lagos abeg make una do fasting & prayer for me tomorrow till una see my post here b4 una chop . . .+ all things work for good, for those that love GOD.

I wish you success in your interview 2morow bro.. Go bring the Visa.. It is already yours..

Walk to the Counter with FULL confidence.. No shaking..... Nothing dey happen...

Also, u talk say make we fast for u, but hope u hv already played ur part as well....

I pray the good lord shall favour you tomorow @ the US Embassy.

Success bro..

waledudu: 3 working days he meant 4 ups.. Sent doc since 2wks via ems nipost 4 9k.. Waiting 2 b delivered.

I hope you addressed it correctly... because i wonder y your Package hasn't gotten to it's destination for 2 weeks since u used EMS speedpost.

Even some peeps that used Nipost got their package delivered in the US in 8 working days..

frankie2K: Abeg gurus in the house, i am filling my DS-160 online and in the passort page, i was asked passport book number,abeg throw more light on that me no understand, is it the number of pages on the passport or the number below the passport page like <NGAXXXX<<XXXX<XXXX<<<<<
AXXXXXNGAXXXXXXBXXXXX<<00?

Just Click on "Does Not Apply"..

Thats all..

obotubong: FedEx is 9850 to US. i sent a doc in August. deliver 3 wk days

This is quite Moderate bro compared to others that charge way higher than this..

Do u know if FedEx offer pick-up service too as well?

conyema12: DHL charges arround 7k if the document is going to a school. U can to go to their office and find out its called 40% discount.

Bro, are you certain about this... because that ur DHL is a No go area for me.. Their Services is just too expensive in almost all aspect..

Maybe they know peeps r running from em because of their exhorbitant price thats y they r giving Discount...

Anyways, thanks for clarifying this out, Will make an enquiry when next i go to their office..

kunlebal: Fedex is N9,600 for sending of documents, I use them last month

kunlebal: Fedex is N9,600 for sending of documents, I use them last month

Wow!!!! The price is Moderate, i guess it depends on the weight of the package..

Maybe your package was lesser or the FedEx representatives wey i jam wan open bank account on top my head..

#Noted bro!

lentywilly: Ricky Abeg I wann shayo the whole house far and near... Acc details will be tendered by Gravidon. Ejooh/biko/abeg/please chairman do something...

lentywilly: Ricky Abeg I wann shayo the whole house far and near... Acc details will be tendered by Gravidon. Ejooh/biko/abeg/please chairman do something...

@Lentywilly, Congrats on your US visa... Welcome to Obamaland... The land of the Brave..

Where u see $1,000.. Shey i resemble father christmas for una eyes..

You and your second, @Graviton, una wan put me for gbese abi.

Graviton: wow!
Finally GOD has done it for one of our own. LentyWilly, my man, GOD has done it for you
So shall it be to us all.

Ricky Rozay, sir
I, Graviton on behalf of my client, LentyWilly demand full issuance of the promised $1,000.

Payment of the said amount is to be made to the account details I will be subsequently sending to you

Graviton: wow!
Finally GOD has done it for one of our own. LentyWilly, my man, GOD has done it for you
So shall it be to us all.

Ricky Rozay, sir
I, Graviton on behalf of my client, LentyWilly demand full issuance of the promised $1,000.

Payment of the said amount is to be made to the account details I will be subsequently sending to you

Interesting!!!! I, Ricky Rozay, thereby inform you that your client's application for the claim of the $1,000 awuf funds has been DENIED!!!!

Due to the inability of NOT seeing him on NL as often as others..

Your client wey just login in on NL today to inform us of his visa success, honestly today is the first time i have seen him on here on NL..

technolee: @Ricky Rozay and the rest of the house, please, I need the address to TNT courier services around ikeja/oshodi in lagos as I need to send some documents out. I need the docs to land in 4 days. Please, am counting on you all Cos I don't want DHL to siphon all d cash on me!. Or what other service would you advice?

TNT is the cheapest for Pick-up service, which is to receive packages from the US..

But your case is different, Since you said you are sending your package to the US.. The last time i visited TNT's office which was about 4 months ago, i made an enquiry about sending packages to the US and how much it cost, and one of their representative there told me the minimum amount TNT charges to send packages to the US is from #14,000 upwards..

But i can still give you their customer care no, for you to confirm about that. Maybe they might have reduced the price..

But another option for you is to use EMS speedpost.. I can CONFIRM to you that they are the cheapest for sending out packages to the US.. The last time i was in their office, they charged me #6,900 to send my admission package to my school in the US, and they told me my package will get there within 4 working days.

DHL, FedEx, UPS, e.t.c will charge you #14,000 upwards to send packages to the US.

So your BEST bet here is to use EMSspeedpost, they are the cheapest for sending out packages to the US and your package will get to it's destination with 4 working days and you will get the opportunity of tracking your package online till it gets to it's Final destination.

Walspring: If the person have GTB naira mastercard ATM or any Nigeria bank provided he/she can use the outside Nigeria, just post the money inside the person bank account here in Nigeria and the person will withdraw it via atm machine or POS at walmart or store to purchase money order and the person can then deposit the money order into his/her US bank account. Thats my own little knowledge ooo

You'v Got a PM bro!

Ms Nas: The guy that wants to send money, use GTBANK Account, if the recipient has one.
The charge on withdrawal is 420Naira and not 1000. Also, there is no charge when you swipe the card on POS or for cash back. Its free.


Seunolumonday I was waiting for good news, but don't be deterred. Its yours next time

But i thought it was formerly #1,000 for every cash withdrawal in the US. Then i guess they have changed the system....

Anyways, Since you are already in the US, you should know better...

waledudu: Hi peeps.. Wat is d best and cheapest way of sending money abroad(US) ie for sumone witout a DOM acct.

Another option is that, If the person has a GTBank Mastercard which was issued to him here in Nigeria when he Opened his account before he traveled to the US, you can pay the money in his GTBank Account and he will withdraw the money in the US..

It's as easy as that.. And you won't have to spend money on wire transfer e.t.c.

NB: Your Contact in the US will be charged #1,000 for every cash withdrawn with his Mastercard in any ATM, POS or any Shopping outlets in the US..

Tochium: How long does it take for a parcel sent via Nipost Registered Mail to arrive USA? I need ur kind answers

Your Package will arrive in the US within 8 working days.....

@SeunOlumonday, I'm so sorry to hear about your Denial... NEVER give-up..

Defer your admission to spring 2014. Spring 2014 is just around the corner, just few months away,

So take your time, Mail your school, ask em to Defer your admission to spring 2014, and they will probably inform you the things you will need to submit (If Neccessary), so your admission can be successfully Defered to Spring 2014.

Your school will send you a NEW and UPDATED i-20, which you will use to apply for your Visa..

God has a reason for everything. Tidy up the loop holes and go back again. The Visa is already yours....

For the Record, i must really confess, you did pretty GREAT in your GRE. You were almost close to getting the Perfect score on the GRE.. You must be a Brilliant chap! Thumbs Up!!!!!!

#TeamNeverGiveUp..

Happy Birthday to my Brother from another Mother, @ Bigfrancis..

Thank u lord for adding a year to your Age today..
May the good lord grant u your heart desires in life, you shall continue to prosper and succeed in whatever u lay ur hands on....

Wishing u Long Life ahead! Keep Rocking da world to the Fullest!!!

Enjoy the day, hv fun. Cheers.

Enough shayo today ooooooo.. Popping bottles!!!!!!!!!

Amefrica: Hey you! If d money don dey enter ur bank acct and you no share me. Na Vote Of No Confidence sure pass for you oo.

Double Congratulobia!! Nor misuse the power ooooo. Shey you hear? Ok! Long live the mod!



See imperiouxx ooo. Nor be my fault jaree! ASUU sef add join. I don be 1st to comment on threads tire



Lafta don break my virginity ooo. You dey mind the bimbo.? Na she go teach nor be me. She nor even talk colleges. Come open mouth dey talk elementary n middle classes. Why she nor add babyclass .

But you sef try. How you find me reach that place? Invisible chux.

Hahahahahahahhaa. Lol. this Ibadan boi got me laughing my ribs..

So u no wan become teacher abi..

Amefrica, Our Unborn Child's Future Social Studies teacher @ igbadosa elementary school, Ibadan.

winbyforce: Congrats bigfrancis!! And on the eve of your birthday! You have power to delete any nonsense now

I dey tell u.. . LIVE..

Congrats to My Bro @Bigfrancis, He is Now a Moderator @ the culture section on Nairaland..

More grease to your elbow BOSS!!! I look forward to seeing you Moderate this Travel section as well jor!

Bigfrancis has the Power to Ban and UnBan. So make una no mess up ooooo.. . Pledge ur Allegiance to da Boss...

Omo mehnnn see Promotion oooo. Your Bank account will be smiling veryyy soon..

Let's advance to the Next level! No tyme to check time..

Osssssshhhhhheeeeeeee!!!!!!

Post your Enquiry in the Link below,

www.nairaland.com/826936/uk-student-visa-tier-4/220

lisadem: Please can you provide proof for the bolded? Thank you.

I think Walspring Might be actually Right!!!

Becos, i read of someone here on NL, in previous pages in Part 4, was saying something like his school didn't allow him work until after 2 semesters or so....

Cant actually remember the page i saw that and the person dt wrote that up, but it is towards the last pages of part 4 or so sha....

lisadem: Just like imperiouxx rightly said, I also don't know and have not heard about presenting a bank statement at the POE.

My POE was DFW airport and I was not asked to present it. I didn't even think about bringing it along. I was only asked to tender my passport+visa, I-20 and few questions were asked after which my pix and biometric were taken. I didn't spend up to a minute.#shikena.

Perhaps this carriage of statement of account is a new development. I don't know. Anyway, to be on a safe side, it isn't a huge load to carry if for any reason, it's requested. When are you coming?

Right on Point!!! Wow!!! I guess maybe it varies with the kind of airport one arrives @.

Thanks bro.. Will take it along when i'm traveling to the US by December!!!..

imperiouxx: I haven't heard that before and I wasn't asked when I came through the notorious Houston Airport. All they asked was the school and visa document and formal JJC questions, another biometric to show you're in. Moreover, what's the use of a Nigerian bank statement in the US whereas the bank statement isn't a receipt that the school fee has been paid. I'm not saying one can't go with it, that's the reason why I used "might" but you can't keep going everywhere with someone else's document.

Okay Boss!!!! Roger that!!!

Will go with my Bank Statement just to be on a safer side, because we never can tell what can happen, policy is Not static. It changes anytime.

Thank God, my Bank statement is still of recent. "August" to be Precised.. Someone even told me the POE is another small US Embassy, with lots of interrogations.. But they said i will be Ok if i have the complete docs to show @ the POE.

Thanks for clarifying this out!!!

lisadem: I don't think it's necessary...

Didn't they Request for your Bank Statement @ port of Entry...

Besides, Which Airport did your Flight land @?

imperiouxx: In fact, it might be implicating.

What do you mean by " It might be implicating "

I actually thought some peeps that got their US student visa and Traveled to the US, said their Sponsors Bank Statement was Requested from them @ the port of Entry in the US...

I just wanna use this medium to say a BIG congratulations to one of our brother here on USA student Visa thread on Nairaland.. @Xtus..

Congrats @Xtus on your Canada Student Visa APPROVAL.. More grease to ur elbow bro...

Go rep us Well @ Canada.. And looking forward to seeing to excel in your studies till you complete your Phd program...

God is so Wonderful!!!!

Walspring: Amen ooo cos by the special grace of God we go get our visa real soon.. I hope you will keep to your promise of giving out 1k dolls?

See dis Sharp guy.. So na only u wan grab $1,000. Shey i resemble Father Christmas for ur eyes.

I know say for ur mind u don dey jump up for hawse as u see my post, like as if say u don Win Visa Lottery. Lol.

Na Joke i dey oooo. Bros No think go dt side ooo. Ur boi still dey hustle ooooooo.. Shi shi no dey my pocket. Lol. Me wey never chop belefu...

.

Wow!!! Wow!!! Wow!!!! Welcoming you all to Part 5.. This thread is moving so fast!!!!

Wishing all Spring 2014 US Student Visa applicants Success in their Journey to the Land of the Free and Opportunities....

May the good lord Grant you all your heart Desires on this New page of Part 5 and Looking forward to seeing lots and lots of Success on this Part 5..

I will be giving out $1,000 to the First spring Success story on here on Part 5!!!.

Watch Out!!!!!!!!

Ms Nas: On another note.....when part 4 of this thread was created, I was hopeful I was going to post my successful visa interview on there....which I did. Ever grateful.
May this Part 5 be full if success stories!!!
Can't believe I've been part of this thread since part 3

.