₦airaland Forum

LONG POST ALERT
hello guys,
this post is long overdue.
So i was denied a visa to the US sometime last year for studies. I can't really remember the details of the interview but it went well till the part about sponsorship (a relative was sponsoring me and the VO's countenance changed immediately she noticed it).
Anyway, i deferred my admission to the fall 2019 semester and also applied to another school in a different country because i wasn't about to give up this dream of getting a good education. I got admitted into the other school and applied for a study permit to Canada while also applying for my USA F1 visa again. My dad took opened an account for my educational purpose to satisfying financial requirements this time so i wouldn't get to use a relative as a sponsor.
Fast forward to the night of the US interview and i got a denial letter regarding my study permit application. I was really confused and unsettled. I was so scared. All i thought of was how I would potentially be denied from two countries in the space of 24 hours(lol).
My interview at the US embassy the next day goes as follows:
VO: good morning, where are you going to?
Me: I am going to bleep university for my Masters degree in Construction engineering.
VO: When did you finish your first degree?
Me: I graduated in 2014 with a second class upper degree and proceeded for my national youth service at the ministry of works and housing calabar where i was opportuned to work with experienced engineers, and after that proceeded to work at a start up for a year before taking up my new role at BLUHT where I currently work as a construction engineer.
VO: Impressive, why do you want to get a masters degree.
Me: As a matter of fact, I currently work with my dad and the company is an engineering consulting firm but I'd like to incorporate construction into the company, hence the need for this degree, as I would be leading the company to another phase upon my dad's retirement. So i feel the international exposure and quality education would do me a world of good.
VO: Are you the first son?
Me: (trying to crack a joke) you are partially correct and wrong as i am the only son.
VO: na, i am correct and you are a bit wrong (obviously laughing at this point).
Me: Okay, let's agree that we're both correct and partially wrong.
VO: [laughs a bit] and says 'okay, let me have a look at your financials'. Thats the last thing i need to check.
Me: I handed him my dad's bank statement and pointed out to him that that account was made solely for the purpose of my education.(which it actually was)
Vo glance through it for a few seconds, picks up my passport at this point and sticks a paper on it, with the amount on my i20 written on the paper. Next thing, he throws the passport into a tray(I'm staring in disbelief at this point).
VO: I'll be confirming your statement, if it is found to be false, you'll be banned permanently from the US, do you want to proceed?
Me: of course yes(in my mind i'm screaming!!!!)
VO picks up two white papers and says the golden words to me....I'm shaking at this point and can feel serious cold. I quickly collect the papers and zoom off before anybody called me back. I paid the cab guy taking me home an extra 1000 Naira. lol.
it really was a miracle. I got my visa within 4days.
From a denial to Canada a day before the interview to approved to the US the very next day. I actually cried fam!
So I'm typing this now from my townhouse apartment in the US and saying to you guys, please don't give up. I spent a lot of money from visa fees to application fees and now I can say every penny was worth it! I'm finally getting the education I craved for and the experience has been awesome. pls, pls, pls.....keep pushing!!!
Thank you to everyone who contributed and still does on this thread. I am truly grateful. For those applying for the Spring semester, i wish you good luck!

Hello, anyone going to Houston this fall?

Hello everyone, I want to share my testimony here.
you all have been really helpful. I was denied to the US last year for a study visa and deferred my admission to this year. Along the line i applied to a school in Canada, got admitted for the program and started my processing. I also booked my US visa interview but I believed Canada would accept me. On the eve of my US interview, I got a rejection mail from Canada. I was really down, as God would have it, I got approved to the US the next day!!!!!. To that person that things seem bleak for, try again, have faith and be rest assured it would work out. Thank you!

Please when booking a flight ticket to the US as a student, do i have to book a return ticket or I book One-way?

Hello.
Visa approved at the second attempt on 17th July.
My story is truly a miracle.. I would be dropping my transcript as soon as I get my passport. My status changed from AP to ISSUED today.

Hello guys, pls I'm about applying. i am in the process of compiling my documents. I want to ask on what section to upload my University transcripts, test of english scores and police report.

Hello people. Pls I am about to apply for my Visa and want to go for my medicals and have a police report done this week. How much do they both cost. And would I need to book ahead for a medical? I'm doing it upfront. Thank you

Hello, I was wondering if any one could help me review my SOP. im about applying for a study permit. I wouldnt mind mailing it to you. Thank you.

I want to ask about how to go about applying and sending documents for Quebec certificate of acceptance. I got admitted into Concordia University Montreal

leyeg:
Kindly ask your questions...

Thank you. Id remember this and work on it.[Aquote author=martAKINOLA post=73018163]The transcript is alright but make sure you present it as a form of a conversation to the VO and always remember to smile, that's what gears the conversation spirit in you[/quote]

Pls what was the sponsorship issue about . Just curious to know

Jerido:
My program starts date for ETSU is on the 7th of Jan., can I request for emergency booking though I have been denied visa during my last interview based on sponsorship issue. Since I'm changing Sevis fee to ETSU based on the 50%scholarship, won't that send any signal to the V. O.

Please I need help.. 100Kobo, lagosismyhome...

Hello house.
Please id love for the gurus to evaluate my transcript and tell me where i can improve. Thank you!

VO: Good morning, pass me your passport and I20
me: Good morning ( passes both to him)
VO: where are you going to
me: I am going to the University of Bleep for my Masters degree program in Construction management.
VO: okay what is your study plan
Me: I would be taking 36 credit hour courses divided into fundamental and advanced skill courses. i'll be taking courses such as budget planning, six-sigma, green and sustainable construction, LEED certification as well as lean thinking application in construction
VO: how many schools did you apply to.
ME: I applied to 4 schools and I got admitted to all apart from one.
VO: so why are this university
Me: Apart from the fact that the university offers a concentration in construction management which is rare, the construction management programme offers courses in geeen and sustainable construction which is an area am very interested in. I was also given in state tuition priviledges.
VO: How did you find this school.
Me: I first found out about this school through a journal on green and sustainable construction and I made further research through Education USA, looked up the specific courses been offered and decided it was a good fit for me and my career path.
VO: what was your undergraduate degree in and what year did you graduate
me: I had my Bsc in Building Technology in 2015 from Bleep University.
VO: What have you been doing since you graduated.
Me: I immediately went for my mandatory NYSC program where I worked at the Ministry of works in Bleep state. After that I was employed at Bleep interiors for a period of 11 months before heading to HJB environmental designs where I work as a resident builder currently.
VO: What is your work about.
Me: as the resident builder of the firm, my duties include preparing buildability and maintainability reports, Bills of quantities, Work schedule programs, Construction methodology and Health& safety analysis amongst others.
VO: Who would be sponsoring this.
Me: My Uncle who has been responsible for my education would be sponsoring this.
VO: why would he be sponsoring you.
Me: Aside from the fact that he is capable and willing, he has been the major driving force behind my education and has been responsible for it since my high school.
VO: What does he do
Me: He works as a process engineer at Mobil Nigeria.
VO: What would this degree do for you
Me: The construction industry is beginning to experience a shift toward green and LEED certified buildings and there are few people who are competent enough to undertake such projects. Earning this degree would give me a competitive edge above other construction managers and allow me to pick up a higher role in my current place of work when i return to Nigeria.
VO: Did you take any tests?
Me: Yes, I took the GRE and TOEFL.

[quote author=100kobo post=72760504]Regarding this heated argument, I want to join the fray. You see, the bane of most visa refusals boils down to laziness. I will explain.

Mr A comes here to share his interview success and how he got waivers. Mr B, the lazy opportunist, quickly inquires of Mr A about this 'certain school' and the next thing he applies without carrying out due research. Tell me how Mr B will make it during interview when all he did was apply because somebody else has succeeded there. Most people are simply copycats. And what they fail to understand is that interviews are case by case and conducted on the merits of what each candidate is able to present.

You don't learn how to shoot in the battle field, you learn before the battle. Visas are there for grabs, but you must show yourself qualified. VOs are not silly nor are they there to dance to your whims. Even the lowest ranked of universities/colleges can earn you a visa once you are able to show strong/compelling reasons why you chose them. You don't hear that people have been going to VIU, and you simply apply without your personal reasons and convictions...surely doom awaits you. My point is: any school is good to go, but you MUST show yourself approved thru a diligent research.

Concussively, it is not how far, but how well. When the journey is ended, what's next for you? US is interested in what you can offer in terms of skills, yes. But this is one place where I know your background history matters a lot. The Yale and Harvard graduates would just knock you off in the labour market because they enjoy the pedigree and corporate network. This is why you must also be selective in your choice of schools. But if you're studying to go back home and compete, that may work. After all, you have a certificate from Amelika .

Take your destiny in your hand!


PS: This thread is not here to spoonfeed you, but to give you a lead. Be smart, be proactive, get busy with research.[
Hi, do you mind me sending my visa transcript to your mail to scrutinize?

Hi everybody. Am new here and was directed to this thread by a few friends. So im having my interview coming up . Would it be an issue having my uncle as my sponsor (he genuienly is). And also I'd appreciate someone helping me out with mock interviews. Thanks so much guys