₦airaland Forum

nelronaldo:
Please can someone help me with GRE materials.
I'd really appreciate.
My email address: emmanuelemmabb@gmail.com
Thanks

Ransack this thread or better still check for Time2Smile. His recent posts have the Google drive he set up to help people.

Olalekank:
Having nursing the thoughts of studying in the US for a while, I have been following the GRE and US visa thread since then.

Following the reading of this post from 2016, I just started my IT on May 21th and have been 'gingered' to take the GRE in December 2018.

I'm not a stellar student, I'm a computer science student here in Lagos graduating with a range of 3.5-3.55.

Considering the kind of work I'm doing, I have accommodation at the company and can dedicate 2 hours daily in preparation for the GRE.


Ogas in the house,
I'd like to ask if the GRE materials on the front page are not obsolete yet and if they are, I'd appreciate a link to the new ones.

I'd also like to inquire about the chances of getting funding for computer science related courses.

I'd also like to know if the 2 hours per day would be enough to prepare for the GRE till December 2018.
Note: The aim is 340. Die there lol.

CS is well-funded. Getting 340 depends on your ability to assimilate. It will be hard though.

Olalekank:
Please I'd appreciate a response to this. Good morning all and goodluck to every aspiring writers.

Topiipii, Quoran, frostsc, ponpon

Search for Time2Smile and check his posts. There is a link he set up with recent materials. Also Quoran can help. Some of the materials there are still relevant though. The GRE is standardized so it won't really evolve that much.

rinw:
Hello house, please I need used GRE material to buy. I have the PDF but epileptic power supply is affecting my preparation. Please kindly leave a comment or send me a PM if you have any GRE material you would like to let go. Thanks.

I see Ponpon already gave ideas.

Whoa, apologies to those who PMed me. I have not had time to do anything on here. Congrats to those who have written. Thank God for Quoran. He will soon leave and may not have time. We need another Quoran on this thread. Lol

presiade:
I need people with good university recommendations in the US.

Profile:
MSc grade: 4.64/5 (Automation Engineering, Finland)

BSc: 4.3*/5 (Different engineering discipline from top Nigerian university)

GRE: Q-158, V-155, A-4.0. (could've done better, but didn't have much time to prepare, may try to improve)

1 IEEE conference publication.

Looking to secure a PhD admission in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering .

I applied to 5 universities for Fall 2018 start but got bounced by all, except NYU that requested me to defer in order to provide IELTS/TOEFL for 2019 admission. Cornell rejected because I couldn't get IELTS waiver.

I guess I'm having a though time because I'm switching field to pursue what I really desire, but I know there are some good (ranked) universities that would be good fit for me. People who have sure university information should please share with me so that I can research them on my own.

Thank you.

EDITED:
US Schools applied to MIT, Stanford, Cornell, NYU, and University of Cincinnati.

Canadian Universities: U of Toronto(application incomplete because of NASU strike) and McGill.

To re-emphasize most of what has been said:

1. Your GRE is not the issue. Speaking Brusquely, even if you scored 340 in the GRE. You probably will not get into the top 2 schools on that list. And when you get here (because you will) you will understand why. I have seen people who got into MIT with 320...but after profiling them, I saw why they were taken.

2. Take the TOEFL advise here because you don't want to be admitted from a position of disobedience.

3. What I really think you need to change is your school choices and how FFP (fit for purpose) they are. I read about some distinguished guy in my major before I got here and wanted to work with him. But on conversing with people who know him, that would have been the biggest mistake of my life. Some schools won't just work for you.

Some Profs give you absolute independence and let you grow into your own. You may not have many papers by the end of the PhD but one of your publications could make it into a top rated journal whereas another Prof might micromanage you all through and you could have 6 publications in mediocre journals (implying little impact from your results).

Some states do not work well for people. Whilst some crave the Nigerian milieu and ambience, others don't. Some like the big city feel and others prefer the bucolic aura that comes with the smaller more conservative cities.

The due diligence involved in this takes some work but you'd be happier you did it. 1 year will only be a long time for now. If you make a mistake now, 1 month under a bad PI will feel like 10 years.

At the end of the day, it is all about funding sha. But your profile is very good as it currently is. Very very good.

femi312:
First, you don't have to retake the GRE if you dont have the luxury of time and money. You seem to have good GPAs to make up for your not so high Gre score. Phd admission is not all above GRE score, research fit, research experience, Gpa , advisors lor and Sop matter alot. Just to motivate you, I know someone who got in VT phd Civil engineering with a GRE score of 307 but other aspects were stellar. Just to put it in perspective, VT is ranked 7 with MIT and Mich, ann arbor in civil ranking. Once you meet the gre cutoff of each school, you should be fine. However if you have time and money you can retake the Gre. Secondly, ditch that plan of writing ieslt and not toefl if you have not paid. Toefl is more recognized in the US and its easier. Most schools might not take ieslt from you, so dont limit yourself. Thirdly, I know you don't want to hear this but plan for fall 2019, more opportunities are available in Fall than spring because fall is the main admision season and many students graduate in Spring. No one can recommend schools for you, you need to put in some work yourself by researching for schools and you can come here to ask for opinions about the school if anyone has any first hand info or not. Here is a link to engineering schools ranking by US news https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwKmQy59LeEpUW5tbEZhRHJmR1U Go to mechanical engineering tab and check each school website to see which of them you would like to attend based on your criteria. Spread your risk well but make sure you shortlist tier 1 schools

I agree mostly with this.

TheGrandChemist:
Well, it looks like a checkmate here.

Omniknowest but refused to know himself.

TheGrandChemist:
Having read all the brouhahas on which school(s) is/are the best and the size of the opportunities that awaits the grads of these supposed best schools, I will want to join my voice with the voices of all other strong believers of the words of Socrates:

" Man know thyself "


Make of that what you will.

If you know, you know.

.

When all is said and done, more is always said than done.

theamerican:
I have said it many times, the problem with Nigeria is not just with the corrupt politicians, but with the mindset of the average Nigerian citizen. Looking down on people/places/things in 2018? *sigh*

@thegrandchemist put it absolutely spot on!!! "KNOW THYSELF". Know your strengths and weaknesses, and plan your life according to them. If you have a background in creative arts or Insurance, don't let anyone fool you into thinking you'd be a complete failure here unless you switched to an engineering or nursing program. Life comes with NO guarantees.

Not everyone can score 320+ on their GRE or 110+ on TOEFL to get into top programs/schools. Don't look down on people who can't get into those programs and go to lesser known schools instead. As @Femi321 put it, the country has changed. Most of the employers now lose interest in hiring foreigners who need to be sponsored to get legal status to work. Going to study at the white house guarantees absolutely NOTHING.

Getting into top programs is great! I encourage people who have what it takes to shoot for them, but let's encourage others who cannot. A friend of mine went to a school no one knows about at age 32 and got a Bachelor's in finance. She works for Microsoft now and makes $120k+ per annum.
Another friend with a Nursing Masters degree makes so much less than her. They are both happy with their lives.

Other examples, a truck driver friend went to truck driving training for 8 weeks or so, job he got now pays him about $60k, CNAs (after 6 weeks of training) get jobs that pay $14+ per hour. Happiness in life is subjective, let's encourage people.

You have no idea how difficult it is for some people to even get into those schools you laugh at and the joy on their faces when they finally see the admission letters from them. Encourage people to believe in themselves and think outside the box.

It is unfortunate, I cannot like this post more than once.

hilaryxoxo:
Guys,

What do you think about this?
I applied to MSF/MFE programs at MIT, Johns Hopkins, Villanova, Oxford, Mcgill and Durham. Unfortunately, I got into all but the ones I really wanted - MIT, Oxford and Mcgill. TBH, i have no interest in the other schools and only applied there as a backup plan.

Option 1: Should i fashee and just go to Durham?

PRO's
- Cheapest amongst all my schools (£7,500 scholarship)
- My brother works in the UK so there's convenience
- I may be lucky enough to land a job in my dream BB

CON
- I may not be as lucky as my brother in terms of getting a job.
- I'd be more advanced than my classmates given my background


Option 2: Should I just stay back in Nigeria for another year, re-write the GRE (I got 322 the last time and MIT's average is 327) and re-apply (i'd obviously apply to more schools and i think i'd look into Canada)

PRO's
- I get to complete my CFA (hopefully)
- I may get into my dream school (MIT) or any other top school i apply to

CON
- I may not get into my dream school
- Wasted opportunities

Gokuu, is the best person to discuss with on the afore. I think you can PM or ask him the questions directly here. From where I stand, I don't think upping the GRE score will help the MIT chances any better than they currently are. I say this because I have seen a 324 GRE guy get admitted into the same program above but with a 4.8+ GPA. I doubt MIT will fund you significantly as well though.

There are great programs in Austin (not STEM), Duke and Vanderbilt that come with as much as 50% off the tuition and have prohibitive employ-ability rates that you may consider with your current GRE score. The guy I mentioned above will definitely know better.

Abolorunking, soon as I saw the moniker I remembered the high GPA.

Congrats. Go there and finish work. Tufts is a very good school in Boston. Na Harvard and MIT people you’d be seeing around. Brace up. You go spend money o. Hope that fellowship covers every.

Cheers.

akatovic1:
I don show againoo, just before I say make I go watch Bayern vs Real Madrid na im I see wan obonge mail..........
sorry in Queen's English
I am back again so let me share an update: just as I was preparing to watch Bayern vs Real Madrid , I checked my mail and saw the letter of award of Research Assistant with full funding and stipend for a direct PhD at the Department of Mechanical, Aeronautic and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.I will be working under an assistant professor who inteviewed (sha na just discussion) me via skype. Thank you Jesus and everyone on this forum, your encouragement is well appreciated.
Details may come up soon.

No surprises here. Go and prosper.

Bukyolami:
h.
How do I get this please

Google BY MAFIT or PM ponpon here on Nairaland.

RexCheeng, Congratulations. You fought a good fight, champ. Still waiting on the others.

#YesWeWill

kfrosh:
Hi bro! Kudos to you for your great comments here and the US thread. I want to ask this question on behalf of a friend. She has a 2.1 in Economics and a distinction in her MBA from a school Ok here in Nigeria. Does she have a chance to get fully funded PHD schorlaship for a social science course being that it won't be a STEM course. I hear it is STEM courses that are considered most for funding.

Anybody with good info can help reply too.

STEM courses are not considered most for funding. They just have more allocations from the government due to reproducibility and marketability. In other words, a school may take more fully funded STEM PhDs than another field will but PhDs are meant to be funded. So yes, she can.

I still maintain that it is a crime for anyone to take up a PhD position in any University in the US if it is not fully funded.

fortune29:
You simply need to register for a new one which is to take place at least 21 days after the preceding test. $205

GRE is 40-45K in Naira.

Don’t go and pay $205 for nothing.

Look for BY MAFIT or Ponpon on Nairaland.

MasterforceII:
Hello Boss, How's your program going? Good I hope. I wish I bore great news but unfortunately, my #Fall2018 journey may have come to an end without my securing an admission with funding.

I want to update the house so people learn from my mistakes the same way I hope to learn from them. I applied to just 2 schools in the US (UIUC and Oregon State), 1 in the UK (Imperial College) and 1 in Germany (RWTH Aechen). All MSc. In hindsight, this was a bad move, one that I regret and would not repeat in my next attempt at securing admission. I wasn't totally realistic with my school selections. In my next attempt, I'll be sure to spread my risks and apply to more schools to increase my chances. I'll also apply to a couple of PhD programs.

UIUC flat out rejected me, a generic rejection at that.
Oregon State on the other hand was quite promising. I had had correspondence with a particular professor which I thought was leading somewhere. Imagine my despondence when I received a rejection.
I received an admit from Imperial College. I don't know if I would be going here eventually as I can't fund it personally. I have applied for the PTDF scholarship and would also apply for NLNG and Agip when they are out. This could prove a viable option as I could then transition to a top program for PhD.
Yet to hear from RWTH.

I have learnt that when you fall x times, you should rise x+1 times. I am working on making myself a better candidate for Spring 19/Fall 19.

Thanks for your guidance and insights. I really appreciate you and other perspicacious minds on here.

#YesWeCan

Bro, I am well. I stand with you.

I was here about this same time last year. In hindsight, I am happy at the way things turned out.

Applying for PTDF is good. If after your MSc you consider a PhD, with Imperial on your resume and a worthy Prof from the Univeristy to recommend there is no telling how seamless the admission season will be for you.

I know you may feel down here and there - especially when you think of the time lag. But you needn’t worry too much. It will work out well.

Your plans going forward are great. I advise people to never waste time applying to Uk until you have the money or a sponsor. You will always get the admission if you even have 2 or 3 weeks before resumption.

When next you apply to the US, start early. You already have everything you need so that should not be an issue. If you want to apply for an MSc alone, it is always better to do so in the second tier schools as they are usually the most willing to take people funded at that level.

The biggies like PhDs because research they do here cannot easily be done in 2 years if you are combining course work with it. There is also “serendipity” in admission cycles.

I am even more expectant for you.

Cheers.

Jesusbabygirl:
This is the best post I have read on NL in a while. When I hear that a Nigerian comes to the US on student loan because of it is MBA, I laff in Chinese. I am an MBA student studying in an OK school. Could I have gotten admitted to a higher ranked school, I would say yes but I tried to be real. I cannot borrow $100,000 and be running up and down to get a job that I might never get. I have seen graduates of my school, evn non-Americans get jobs in Amazon and Boeing. F-1 visa student is F-1 visa student whether in Harvard or "1-building" school. Of course, school ranking helps but immigration in the United States is very unfriendly right now.Like you said, MBA is not a STEM course and even for the STEM courses, you neeed to get a job to enjoy the OPT. The US hustle is real my people.

We are actually in the same school if I am not mistaken.

I said that to say, if you use Uber or Lyft often one day you will run into a driver who schooled in MIT and did his MBA in HBS. He does not live around Ames but sometimes rides can bring a driver to that community.

Or you can ask around in your circles to see if anyone else has met him. When you do, please be kind enough to comeback and say it here. It will go along way in corroborating a story I shared here weeks back.

He is an American citizen not even an F1 dependent immigrant.

I laugh when I see people speak so authoritatively on issues they have no clues about.

Sherlock5577:
Hello everyone !!!

The great news of admission + funding so far from hopefuls is really exhilarating!!! Congrats!! Best wishes to other hopefuls waiting for admission and funding decisions.

Please, I require some help.
My profile which I posted some time back is:
BSc Geology and Mining
GPA: 4.59/5.00
Prospective Course: MSc/PhD Petroleum Geoscience
GRE: 2nd May ; TOEFL: 2nd June

The schools I have collated to carry out my desired research include:

Preferred choices - UTexas Austin, TAMUC, West Virginia University, Oklahoma State University (These are the schools I intend to report my scores to)

Others - University of Louisiana Lafayette, University of Wyoming and University of Mississippi.

I have found some info on these schools from gradcafe.

Please, I require guidance with regards to the schools I've chosen and other schools I should consider.

Cc: pennstate sirRuddy

Thanks for your help!!!

You should look at Penn state as well. Since you are for PhD you stand a great chance at being funded.

I know someone that got into UT Austin fully funded for an MSc in PE. He is actually a forumite but barely posts. High GPA though, (think 4.8+). But the point is, Professors were even begging him to apply for a PhD but he refused.

I am excited for you.

Congrats Quoran. Not surprised. The way you went about things I knew you were a serious person. I like TAMU CS but they did not like me. Ba$tards rejected my MS app but in their defence it was for Spring.

I am waiting for great news from Yildiz, Epithet, MasterforceII, Rexcheeng and anyone else I am forgetting.

As per the guy you met on Quora, I think I know who he is. Over-sound Dey worry the guy.

Congratulations once again.

STENON:
Uhmmmmmmm!!! PhD ooo, My heart is beating very fast, I hope this is real? Please I'l check those aforementioned schools plus their requirements. But can PGRE be a better replacement for the general GRE? Thanks alot my brother

It is real and if you get in, you won't need your sponsor's money.

Most of the people getting PhD admits on here have only their Bachelors.

PGRE is not a replacement for the general GRE. It just strengthens it. A lot of the folks you would meet on the various Physics grad school forums would have taken the PGRE so I think you should consider it.

Sponsors are great but I would not want you to rely on them. You don't want excuses when you are in the US and someone starts telling you stories that touch.

frostsc:
Who is attacking our great elder on this forum? Mind yourself o. The person you are attacking has single handedly taken different people to the US o. Sorry if he came off as harsh. He is not normally like that. We all can testify to that.

No need Frostsc.

He used BY MAFIT to register but he registered late and asked for a date that had filled up. I believe they gave him a date a week or 2 ahead but he came here to whine and tell people never to register with them again. I told him to use the extra time to prepare well because I knew Mr man was going to miss-kick the penalty to the throw-in line. Of course, he did not listen and miss-kick he did.

Baba don turn to Lot's wife. See salt everywhere.

Walspring:
@Scholastica16

I wonder how you will be coping with your babes or fiance because of the way both of you keep on perambulating and repeating same thing.

The truth is no one can win all argument and it seems that both of you are not seeing things in that angle..

Don't worry. You did not read my posts.

mfarad:
She got a full one from KSU. Hence the accolades on Sirriddy.

Trust you're doing great man?

Edit: Read your posts on the visa thread... Please just leave the dude. Time will tell... Trust some peeps when they don't hear what they like, they already see you as Twoods2

I dey man. How far unto that level?

Don't mind the guy. I no even follow them to discuss MBA. Chimed in when I saw "no Harvard BS MBA graduate can ever be poor". And I knew that was just exuberance talking so I wanted to bring another perspective to the statement.

A lot of people on that thread just want to immigrate. If they were that serious about getting into the US legitimately, most will be here trying to get information needed to ace the needed tests to get funding.

Sirriddy getting all the love.

Don't talk to me again.

damzy88:
Anyone studying in Rutgers University or intending to? I need opinions on the university.

Thanks

Great University but living in New Jersey would not be cheap.

STENON:
I am finally here.
My Profile :
Applicant for 2018 fall
Submitting my application by next monrh
Cgpa : 4.64/5.00 BSc (Ed.) Physics Education
2 years of teaching experience
Writing my GRE by next month
Not registering for TOEFL
My fear is changing from Physics Education to MSc Physics.
No Publication in Physics
One publication in Physics Education plus two conference proceedings in Physics Education.

Please I need your advice and suggestion on the schools that can accept me for MSc in Physics based on my profile.

Thank you

I would just add to what others have said.

You may need to write the PGRE (Physics GRE) as well, as it will bolster your chances of full funding even at MSc. level.

With your CGPA, you can aim high and apply to 2 top schools then balance it with moderates because they usually have a higher chance of funding for obvious reasons. (I recommend College of Williams and Mary, Virginia, to be on your shortlist and UIUC). Look them up.

Although, you won't be judged so much on the Verbal and AWA, it will stand you out better if you do well in them.

As for your Q, I expect a full 170 from you. You should not be surprised at that, I know you are a mathematician. You should understand by now.

Look at fall 2019 more just like reDazey said. Most schools are done with their fall 2018 admits.

All the best.

Edit: Why not also consider direct PhDs? Many US programs consider MS/PhDs for 5 years. You can get in.

EMMAACHILE:
What has the poster done wrong? Is he giving false information? He is only enlightening many others who may be on the fence. The MBA stats are very detailed to the core. A small Google search from the top sites will do to correct the wrong info given on this thread.

If you mix a micro litre of Cyanide with your 10 Galons of clean water, the water is still poisoned and should not be drank.

A skewed report is not neccesarily a wrong one. I can give you an example: Jeff Bezos' son says he was employed by Amazon after going to HBS but he would have gotten that job even without HBS. HBS reports it still as student A employed because he is, but that is a skewed report.

People die after HBS. Some don't reply the polls or questionnaires. Who keeps track of those ones? 100% employability can be reported from (100% of the people who replied us said they got jobs). These are examples of skewed polls.

Even in the argumentative essays of the GRE this is the sort of critical reasoning that is tested. Many good sites will tell you question every poll. Don't swallow something because it is what you want to hear. Even the 2nd law of thermodynamics tells you 100% efficiency is a myth. I said second law not second assumption or hypothesis.

TheNobelPrize:
My bro please take a cup of water and chill.No one is stopping you from attending the MBA of your dreams.It is the profile of the school that matters,but rather the "YOU " in the inside. I admire that apostle Paul zeal in you,but you should pay heed to the words of others too.The bitterness of accepting personal views only,remains long after it's sweetness has been forgotten. Have a blessed day!

You need to understand that talk is cheap because the supply for it outweighs the demand.

That is why I laugh hard when I see ignoramuses hyperventilate. I know they are trying to use words to make up for the intelligence that nature did not grant them.

There was some other guy who was questioning my intelligence on this same thread when I recommended caution in the way he was blowing hot air. Few weeks later, Mr Man came here to post 278 GRE.

One trait of an intelligent person is caution. They know that the right answers or decisions are seldomly in the extremes. Even the standardized tests tell you: if the answer is too easily got, you are probably being trapped. If the solution is taking so long a time, you are taking a wrong step. There is always moderation in wisdom.

The OP who hastily generalized about HBS, realized his mistake and kept mum. He will re-evaluate what he believes and add to his knowledge. But trust a fool to use every opportunity to advertise his folly.

That guy is a packaged pseudo-Intellectual that is garmented in folly and delusion. It is not zeal, he is a misdirected dingbat. See how people who are in USA (some working and earning, others on full govt scholarships down to a return flight) are envying a rat that does not even know GRE or GMAT words.

paulbets:
Scholastica16
Chidinho10

The Points have been made... Concerned and even disinterested members and visitors have picked what they could.
Please you two should leave it like this as this is almost losing civility.

Regards

Abeg, help me see the point as I cannot see it.

LagosismyHome:
Abeg when is this going to be over....
You both have a point but from different angles

Your tolerance for gibberish is worthy of emulation. I must say.

Someone said Harvard MBAs can never be poor and people are papering over that statement to sue for diplomacy?

Hmm.