₦airaland Forum

@LagosismyHome ....
What a generosity!!! U are really kind hearted Ma! May God continue to bless you abundantly.

May God also bless me to be as generous as you are....

cecemat:
Hello great people... I pray more visa approval stories in this part 11 in Jesus name, Amen
I just got a graduate assistanship from my department. Full funding plus stipends. More testimonies coming my way.
Some people will still be saying "this your attitude won't take you far" as if thema God. Imma make every stage and succes count on this thread, just sit back and watch!!!

I ain't started yet...

Congrats baba!

Scholastica16:
Actually, you should instead show the office of graduate admissions the Graduate Coordinator's email to you. That's what I mean.

Thanks a lot boss, I will act accordingly.

@scholastica16. Thanks a lot. I saw ur response to my post in d previous part, ie, part 10. I really appreciate all your contributions here not just to my posts but to others as well. May God grant u all ur heart desires....see u at d top. ##TeamFall2017##

Hi TWoods,
I've been following ur comments on this thread, and I must say that majority of them are sensible. However, u are quick to criticising n condemning people's opinion/posts most times.

Well, I was quite impressed on reading about how u got full funding n never had to pay for your schooling....kudos! Perhaps luck, coupled with your hard work for d 3 years really paid off. I know u must be very smart. Please, wouldn't it be nice if u give peeps here helpful tips, advice n suggestion with regards to school application and funding, instead of bashing d ones who come to ask questions......cos that's what I see from you most times. I'm sure with your experience and academic background in d US, you could make a more helpful contributions here.

Although I understand that some questions asked here depict little or no efforts from d OP, such OP may need just little tips to launch him/her into d right direction. We all have different levels of intelligence, n d essence of this thread is to help each other succeed. Please let's be our brothers' keeper.
Peace...

Big thanks to scholastica16, happyday, sirRiddy, electronic, et al for ur suggestions with regards to my application at SDSU.

I emailed the grad coordinator stating those constraints discussed, and he reverted with a response that I can upload an unofficial copy of my transcript to make d process go forward. He further stated that I may be conditionally admitted if I satisfy their admission criteria, and d condition will be removed when d university receives the official copy at a later reasonable date.

Still, I got a mail from d Office of Grad Admission (after his response) stating that my application is incomplete and can't be forwarded to d department. Maybe I should inform d grad coordinator about d mail from admission office??

Scholastica16:
Thanks Seeker88, you always asked about it. I really appreciate. Did you still continue with that school?

You're welcome boss! In my next word, I want to sabi book like u
Thanks for asking. Yea, I got a response from the grad coordinator few hours after sending him d email. Here's his response:

Dear Seeker88,
You can upload your transcript as unofficial copy. This will allow the process to go forward and you may be admitted conditionally if you satisfy GPA and GRE requirements. The condition will be removed when the University receives your official transcript at a later, - reasonable time.

However, I still got another mail yesterday from the Office of Graduate Admission saying that my application is incomplete and cannot be forwarded to my graduate department. So I'm still confused

Maybe I should show d grad coordinator a copy of d email from d office of graduate admission

kokoboy4life:
Hello Good Job you people are doing on here I have a challenge in making payment for my WES EVALUATION I need advice on how to go about it because whenever I used my MasterCard to make the payment it keeps telling me my billing address not correct so am confused don't know what to do. Response from any concerned person will
Be appreciated thanks in advance

If u are trying to u a Naira MasterCard for your payment, it might not work because the evaluation feebis more than d dollar monthly limit on d card.
However, if your MasterCard is in foreign currency (eg, dollars), ensure u use d particular residential address used while opening d acct as ur billing address.

Scholastica16:
Thanks to everyone who kept asking and showing concern. My TOEFL was released today.

(R 29 L 29 S 26 W 28) composite: 112

Nothing earth-shattering. The highlight of my score is my speaking of 26 (which I didn't expect as I had informed the house earlier that I barely ever finished explaining myself when the time elapsed. One other time I meant to say 'dilemma' (someone was stuck between choices) and I ended up saying 'debacle'. Quickly changed it to predicament which is a good synonym for dilemma. I felt it would come-out imprecise to whoever was scoring me sha but it is whatever. Lowlight will be the writing joor. I expected a full 30 as I constantly compared myself to the Indians and Russians online that got 115-118 with perfect Writing scores.

I want to accuse ETS of malfeasance and demographic bias in scoring but I don't have empirical evidence.

I know this is a GRE thread but if anyone is preparing for TOEFL especially the speaking aspect do not panic if you are talking and you see the seconds ticking away. The evidence shows that one's overall score is not affected by this. Do not also panic if you finish talking way before the time. I don't think it hurts one's overall score as well. Try to pronounce your words slowly (many don't know this but Nigerians are accused of talking too fast).

Cheers.

What a brilliant performance! The wait is finally over....congrats man!

Topiipii:
Hi OGreene,


You were right when you mentioned that some people did not share their test experience, but it could also be said that you asked more questions than the majority of the people in question and if you noticed, those that asked for your experience have been helpful to you in the past either directly or indirectly,I am sure they asked out of concern. Imagine a scenario where you've been assisting a student in one way or the other for an exam only for him/her to return after the exam and tell you that his/her performance is 'OK' without being specific. Your initial post after the test.

Exactly!!!! @ bolded

@OGreene. Honestly, I was really surprised to see your posts up there. How could you compare yourself with those who show up here only when they need urgent assistance. So because such peeps never reported their test scores or share their test experience, you've decided to withhold yours. Why can't u compare yourself with those people here who render selfless help, and emulate them? I've been following this thread for long and nobody has ever been persuaded to share his/her test experience. People want to hear your story because u are an active member who has benefitted a lot from other's experience. You are an active member of this thread and the US student visa thread too, and such childish decision to withhold your test preparation/taking experience has really revealed a lot about your person.....

Moreover, who says u must score very high to share your experience Yes! Nobody is happy to talk about low score. However, prospective test taker could benefit from your experience n possibly avoid some mistakes made. My GRE scores came out quite low when I took d test. Despite d low scores, I decided to share my experience, not because I wanted to display d low score to d whole world but because I felt it's necessary to contribute in the little way I could, n also pinpoint my mistakes so that others could learn from it n possibly make a better score. It's fulfilling to later read about a prospective test taker who eventually benefitted from my shared experience. So u never know who can benefit from your experience.... no matter how bad.

So bro, you shouldn't even be forced to share your experience cos u are not a novice here.

Well, goodluck in your applications.

strictlynaija:
Bro, I am not sure it works. The plan costs $245 actually

In that case, you may have to look for an alternative means of payment as I don't think any local debit card has a monthly spend limit above $200 at present.
When I did my evaluation, paying was pretty easy with my MasterCard as there wasn't this limit shit then...

You may need a dollar credit card to pay such amount, ....or get someone who has a dollar card, transfer d amount to d person's card n pay with d card. Perhaps, someone here might be of help too....

All d best bro...

strictlynaija:
Hello people,

I am trying to use my UBA MasterCard to pay for the WES evaluation fee but it's not been going through. Please any one who has done this recently should put me through as I really need this to fast track my application.

Thanks

Are u sure UBA MasterCard still works for online transaction in foreign currency? If it still works, you should ensure that the amount u are trying to pay is not above the monthly spend limit for the card. Which of the evaluation plans are u paying for?

You could try paying with Access Visa Card if your evaluation plan is less than or equals $200.

ElDeeVee:
Wayne State Uni
That's some $50 application fee bro.

Yes boss, as at December 2016, graduate application fee was 0$. I'm surprised it's now $50.
https://wayne.edu/admissions/graduate/admission-requirements/

@scholastica16 and happyday....

Thanks for d additional points mentioned above, I will incorporate them in my email to d graduate coordinator and keep u guys apprised of d outcome.
I really appreciate all d inputs......thanks a lot

happyday:
Sounds like a great plan! Good luck! If paying the tuition and associated costs will even remotely make you uncomfortable, abeg, find all means to get funding. I was thinking you got like $50k stashed up in some Swiss/Bahamas account haha. But for real, getting funding will make a whole lot of other things easier.

Wait, you didn't submit your SoP with your official app? I used to think it's ONE of the most important parts of the app though.

.....@ bolded.

Yea, the official application portal made provision for typing in few words as SOP, but also had d option of sending d SOP to d graduate coordinator. So I chose d second option. I think it's d highly ranked schools that consider SOP tobbe d most important part of d app. Even LOR is optional in this school, n there's no means to even send LOR to d school. Maybe they could request for that if they deem it necessary for an applicant.

OluDare01:
I don't think it's about the cost. It takes time to process transcript in most Nigerians universities. The first time I requested for my transcript, it took my school 3 months to process it. But it was easier upon subsequent requests.

Yea, it takes so much time irrespective of the very high cost: high cost n timing are the main factors

Scholastica16:
@Seeker88

Write an email and blind copy the Grad coordinator, the International students graduate admissions office while the main copy goes to the email of the college of engineering that has been corresponding with you.

State unequivocally that it costs you at least $200 to send your transcript to each school that you are considering and that it makes no financial sense to do so considering you are uncertain about getting admitted (they need to see the cost implication of their proposition in a currency they understand ).

Let them understand that you would be more than willing to pay that amount if admitted as you know it is important to enrolling in the school when the time comes and that instead you are proposing to send them a notarized copy of the certificate (or statement of result) and the transcript. Most schools accept notarized copies for review (afterall it certifies that an original exists).

I did this to one of the schools I was applying to and they accepted it. At the end of the day, you can use express mail services like DHL etc to send it or NIPOST.

Thanks boss!
Actually, my correspondence is not the college of engineering. My correspondence is a Dr in d deptarment who I initially contacted because his research area suits mine, n who also happen to be d Graduate Coordinator of the program. So how do u think I should go about d emailing? And hope blind copying such people in d email won't be a red flag, and be perceived as betrayal if any of the parties blind copied eventually finds out?

I love that bolded part. Since it worked out well for you, I believe it's a feasible option n will work out for me too...

Thanks again for these suggestions...

sirRiddy:
seeker88
Except there is like 99 per cent guarantee of some
funding in that school, it is not worth especially
in this Buhari economy. Even though every school
have their policies, some can just unnecessarily
rigid.
The sad thing is that you said you have paid their
application fee which I assume will be at least 50 dollars.

Happyday has a very strong point. You should appeal to them
in a witty them and attach the docs like he said. Let them know
once you are sure you are attending the school, you will be willing
to provide the original copies of every document. SDSU is a very
good school and worth the shot.

Thanks a lot baba....
As in eh....it's crazy! @ bolded. I even had to call the graduate admission office, but the lady I spoke with insisted that that's their procedure.

Yea, that's d worst part....I've paid the $55 app fee, if not, I for don delete them from d list. Lol

Thanks a lot bro, I will act as suggested....I appreciate ur valuable input.

happyday:
Also, I felt their overall cost of attendance ($34,702...for tuition, housing & foods, health insurance, books, supplies n transportation) isn't too high considering d school's location.....maybe I'm wrong on this.

What do you mean by this? In the case you don't get funding, do you plan to bankroll this yourself? I don't understand.

Well, I'm not enrolled in the school, so proceed with caution.

1. No school is "generous" with funding. There is no such thing as a generous school or program. They need to feel that you're going to do some cool research before they admit you, and most likely pay you to do such research. You've done a pretty good job establishing rapport with your likely future advisor. Here's how to use that rapport to your benefit.

2. Let him see that you're genuinely interested in doing research with the dept, particularly in his lab. He must see the interest as genuine. Then, explain to him how getting your transcripts and certificate officially sent is going to be a big issue. Tel him the intricacies involved, as per Nigerian schools. And attach those docs in the email. Let him see that you're passionate about getting in (that is if you are, by the way).

3. Once he sees the interest, he'll find a way for you. This way, your chances of getting funding increases very well. Note that departments don't fund students, faculty members do. In most cases, the dept might fund you for the first year, pending the time you get an advisor. But once you do, they hands off, expecting your advisor to take care of you.

4. So, if you want a great chance of getting in, try to get on the Dr's good side and let him know the situation of things.

Cheers!

Thank u so much for taking out time to make such detailed response...... I really appreciate ur concerns.

Honestly, if I don't get any form of funding, I would definitely not be able to enroll considering my current financial status....however, a reasonable percentage of that cost would make d cost more affordable even if full funding isn't offered.

Thanks a lot for this option....sounds so good.
Yes, I'm genuinely passionate about getting into d school and eventually working with d Dr..... I just hope he sees d passion too. Recently, I sent him a copy of my SOP which I wasn't able to submit with my application because there was no provision to attach it in the application portal, n he promptly acknowledged recepit of it. So I will explain my situation to him with the necessary attachment as suggested.

Thanks again boss...

electronic:
@seeker88
San Diego State is quite competitive for funding in engineering. But you could still apply.
Provided you have other backup safe schools to apply to. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
If 34k sounds cheap to you then make sure you have other schools that can easily accept you with your profile. Worst case is to fund first semester and get scholarship later.
Cost of living in California can be really high.

Boss, thanks for this contribution. I didn't mean d 34k is cheap cos I can't even afford it. I'm just saying based on d fact that the school is in CA and everything there is on d high side. But with overall cost of attendance being 34k ( as some schools can be as high as 40k plus), and even if one doesnt get full funding but gets a good percentage off this, it would make d burden a lot easier......shey u get?

Thanks a lot

cecemat:
I have full funding and monthly stipends

Wow!!! Congrats bro......me sef wan funding oo, I fit apply to ur school ni.

Please I earnestly need your advice/suggestions on this:

One of the schools I'm applying to for MSc MECH Fall 2017 is San Diego State University CA. I have submitted my application n also paid the application fee. I also uploaded the required documents such as transcript, test scores, etc before submitting my application which I thought would be sufficient for application review purposes, ....and for originals to be submitted if admitted.

Now, the school want a copy of my transcript sent from my school here in Nigeria. It takes much time n resources to order a copy of transcript from my school to schools abroad. And in a bit to avoid that, I resorted to evaluating my transcript with WES for faster n easier dispatch to schools during my application. This School (San Diego State Uni) said they don't accept transcript from any evaluation agency n that my transcript must come from my school direct even when I'm not sure of getting in . They also require a copy of my degree certificate which must not come from me, but from my school.....and d process of getting this is even more taxing!

However, I included this school on my list because d school has on going research in my area of interest. I've also been in touch with a Prof who has been responding to all my mails n could eventually be my advisor if admitted. Also, I felt their overall cost of attendance ($34,702...for tuition, housing & foods, health insurance, books, supplies n transportation) isn't too high considering d school's location.....maybe I'm wrong on this.

Please who knows more about this school. Are they generous with funding (GA, RA, etc). How easy is it to get in? Though I meet d min admission requirements on their site....Biko, I need as much info as possible concerning this school so as to determine if it's really worth going through their demanding application process or to just leave them with d app fee already submitted.

Your response on this will be highly appreciated...

Thanks FAM....

oluphy:
very low GPA, no toefl or gre,I don't know any. But are you a comedian? Cos you are very funny

[quote author=Aikay008 post=52771743][/quote]Congrats ....safe trip to "Amelica"

cecemat:
//Visa Transcript on the 12th January @ Abuja Consulate///
Hello Fam, this is a lengthy story but my experience.
.

Congratulations boss! I love d lengthy story actually
Go n succeed in TrumpLand.

Drocks:
Free application $0 at michigan technological university. And there are many other schools with free application.

Wayne state university also....
Don't know if Wayne State is also stingy with funding??

OGreene:
Good morning house.

Please if you are a guy and finished from FUTO, pls signify. I will pm you, need an info urgently.Thank you!

Yes boss, I finished from FUTO....I'm just seeing this now, hope it's not late? Please pm....

Frankmetrics:
Please my fellow nairalanders, I was advised to register for GRE and TOEFL through B Y Mafit. Are there people that have registered through them? Please I need feedback so that I won't make a mistake. Thanks

Yes! They are genuine. A lot of people her registered their GRE & TOEFL through B Y Mafit.....I also did register for my TOEFL with them which was scheduled for 7 Jan, and it was pretty straightforward without any hitch....though I am yet to get my scores

I'd also advise you use them for your registration cos you're gonna save a lot by doing so.

All d best...

Scholastica16:
Thank you very much man and AMEN. It was exactly 2 months on the 5th of January and when I called ETS they didn't appear any closer to resolving the issue. I volunteered to rewrite and the representative I spoke to offered an explanatory mail I could forward to my prospective schools in lieu. Almost like as if he was discouraging me from rewriting. I don't know what to make of it. I am just hoping and praying I get some feedback before the week runs out.

I am pretty sure they will release your stellar scores soonest. Stay cool man...

teamDaretodream:
Hi all, This is timetosmile. I was banned again when I tried to post the recommendations and tips as requested. I had to create an alternate account and uploaded it on google drive. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-ii97JplpxMTVhRZGplOEhPaVE/view?usp=sharing . I hope subsequent test takers can benefit from it.
cc freshboi34
icool

God bless you for this effort ......prospective test takers will sure benefit from this. But I wonder why u got banned for posting such valuable piece.....it's crazy!!!

@scholastica16.....
It's sad to know that ETS is yet to release ur TOEFL score. I can imagine how worried u must have been all these while. It's well bro, n everything will end in praise soonest.

Cheers!

Time2Smile:
The second verbal was even more difficult than the first. I did the RC pretty well and am sure I have seen similar passages during my prep. I finished right on time and was like this verbal get as in be ooo. Next was the final section which I was sure was second Quant. And I was right because it was noticeable harder than the previous 2 Quant. I did it to the best of my ability and got to the last question with few minutes left. Reviewed the few I could and watched as the timer counted down.
I sat back in my chair and reported my score. I closed my eyes and when I opened it my result was on the screen Verbal 165, Quant 165. I had to stop myself from screaming in delight as other test takers were still working. I sent scores to 4 schools and left the hall with a wide grin planted on my face.

Wow!!!.......see scores oo
What a performance! U really dealt with GRE....congratulations bro, wishing u all d best in your school applications. Please make good use of this stellar score......it wouldn't be a bad idea to hear u talk about ur experience in MIT, Stanford, UCBerkley n d likes by this time next year