OLANITEAyodeji1:
Been a while ...sent u a mail

You are not the only one ooo my dear, my inbox is on fire but I cannot coman die to kee myself. This is the best place to catch me now. If you see me here, hold me tight biko.

Otunoba001:
Good afternoon everyone.
I was at the embassy yesterday for my appointment but I was denied.
School : University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Course MS Chemistry specializing in biochemistry.
No funding.
This was my transcript
Vo: good morning
Me. Good morning
Vo. Your i-20 and passport.
Me. I passed it
Vo . Why are you going to the us?
Me. Am going for my MS study in chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
Vo. Why this course?
Me. Studying this course will help me hone my research skill, build my critical thinking and also qualify me for the position of a research assistant at Nigeria institute of medical research.
Vo. Biochemistry and NIMR you said
Me. Yes
Vo.Did you take any exams
Me. Yes, GRE and TOEFL
Vo are you married
Me. No
Vo. Do you have kids
Me. No.
Vo . How did you hear about this school?
Me. It was recommended to me by a friend on LinkedIn who is an alumni of the school and I went online to do more research abt it.
Vo. So why this school
Me. For me picking Umassd had a lot to do with the student to faculty relationship I have built with my potential supervisor Dr. Xxxx who is presently working on xzy research and fortunately for me he has accepted me to be part of his research team. I believe I will be able to learn a lot from his research experience and academic expertise.
Vo. Any other reason.
Me. I was just mixing it all up here .
Then he said
Sorry you are ineligible at this time this paper will explain.
Please advise .
I intend to reapply please advise.
Also I got admission offer from eastern Illinois University and I have their i-20 with me . Could I reapply with EIU also no funding. What will be my reason for reapplying with another . This question I don't know how to answer .
Please your honest opinion would be appreciated .
Many thanks

I am deeply sorry about your denial. Permit me to use your transcript to buttress my personal thoughts please.

Bold 1: I understand this response was inspired by my approved visa transcript, that's fine. However, I never mentioned research assistant. You can't spend two years and a whopping sum of money to bag a degree in the US just so you can come back and be a RESEARCH ASSISTANT in Nigeria, that's selling yourself short and the VO probably knew that. He or she wasn't convinced about your post graduation plans and probably considered you a potential immigrant.
Bold 2: I have shared this before and I will share it again. Own your school choice, no lecturer or HOD suggested it, no alumni or present student, no friend on LinkedIn mentioned it, own your school choice. Take the accolades, you did the school search yourself coz this is very important to you. You knew your academic priorities and you chose schools that met them. End of story!
This is my opinion though.
Bold 3: The VO probably wasn't impressed by your response and went ahead to give you a second chance to come up with better reasons for picking the school, a chance which you probably didn't use properly.
I also don't know your body language, if you were confident and well composed or the information you filled.
Someone suggested you consider applying to schools with funding for your program. I totally support that to relieve the financial burden, but I don't think sponsorship or funding was the reason for the denial. The VO wasn't just convinced.
We have had approved visas without funding and I believe it had a lot to do with conviction.
I don't support the motion of reapplying with a different I-20 so fast, especially one without funding. It would probably reinforce the denial on the basis of desperation and perhaps immigration intent.

TheZed:
Location: Lagos Embassy
Date: 9 July 2019
Status: Approved
PhD Full funding
Everything was barely 3mins

V.O: Good morning
Me: Good morning ma’am

V.O: Pass me your passport
Me: (Passed my Passport, I20 and sevis receipt)

V.O: How did you get this assistantship?
Me: It was recommended by....cuts in

V.O: I mean what made you qualified for this assistantship?
Me: Oh, My GPA and my GRE score.

V.O: What’s your GPA and GRE score?
Me: 4.66 and 304

V.O: Did you apply to other schools?
Me: I applied to just two schools.

V.O: What’s the other school?
Me: Tamuk

V.O: So why Ncat?
Me: Because it’s a fully funded PhD program and........Cuts in

V.O: Didn’t you get scholarship from Tamuk?
Me: I only got an instate tuition waiver.

V.O: How much did you have to pay after the waiver?
Me: $21,000

V.O: Do you have a masters degree?
Me: No

V.O: Oh, It’s directly from Bsc
Me: Yes

V.O: When did you graduate?
Me: 2017

V.O: What have you been doing since then?
Me: I went for my compulsory National Youth service program from April 2018 to April 2019. After which I returned back home to prepare for my graduate school travels.

V.O: What do you want to do after your program?
Me: I want to be an industrial consultant and a lecturer.

V.O: Pick your passport at this location after 3 working days.
Me: Thank you (I was already in a trance at this point)

You have received enough congratulations, oya come to mama
Come let me hug you, I am sooooo happy for you

Predstan:


I hope you are not envisaging Tinubu in Fairheart.

You won’t be surprised to find books in that Bullion van he’s sending to your address.

Actually, I love books a lot, they give me intellectual orgasm

fairheart:
Dollars or GBP?

I love variety actually, wow me

Pefuele:


Quick recovery!
I hope I have appeased you more than you can imagine.

Emotionally, yes! Financially, no!
Please do the needful
I am fine now, thank you so much my friend.

Wretch32:
I’ve learnt a lot here these past few days
Good work!

Freely I received, freely I give

DonGusfring:
Location: Lagos Embassy

Date: 8 July 2019

Status: Denied

PhD Full funding, No deficit

VO was a black guy at window 9.

I was confident and I was one of the first few people in the consulate for 6:30am appointment, he denied the 4 people in front of me and one mind is saying change queue, another is saying don't worry �

Me: Good Morning
VO: Good mornind. Pass me your passport and I20 which I did
VO: I see that you're going to the University of Toledo, why did you chose the university of Toledo?

Me: Cos the department of Chemical Engineering at university of Toledo focuses on sustainability issues relating to the production materials and chemicals from renewable resources, also the research of Prof Bleep on Membrane process Optimization for carbon capture perfectly aligns with my research interest, and I was also awarded Graduate teaching assistantship that fully covers my tuition and living expenses.

VO: how many school did you and apply to and how many admitted you?

Me: I applied to 8 schools (VO cuts in)

VO: How many admitted you?
Me: 4 schools, MTU, university of Missouri, university of Toledo and University of Florida

VO: Have you traveled outside Nigeria before?

Me: Yes, I went on a week vacation to Dubai last year

VO: Sorry you're not qualified at this time ��‍♂

Like dream. Kindly advice on what next to do guys, I have full funding that covers tuition and living expenses, no deficit but excess of 9k more than the estimated average in fact.

I am really sorry about your denial. I believe the Masters have offered you invaluable counsel. May the force be with you.

iwriterng:
Visa approved!

Appointment time: 6:45am

Funding: $30k (tuition waiver not assistantship)

Deficit: 18k

School: Georgia State University

She has denied like 3 people ahead of me. I also forgot to smile.

Her: Good morning, pass your I-20 and passport.

Me: Did as instructed.

Her: How did you get this funding?

Me: After my admission I had an interview with the program director and director of laboratory, and they considered me a good assistant in the laboratory. But I won’t start in that role until my second semester after my apprenticing period.

Her: When did you graduate?

Me: 2018.

Her: What will you be doing after your studies?

Me: I’m coming back home to take up lecturing job, and also offer consulting service to cancer management centers.

Her: Interesting

Me: Excuse me?

Her: I said interesting.

Her: What will you be doing in the laboratory?

Me: Setting up the laboratory for experiment and also helping with anatomy dissection.

Her: Human body? (She look scared or something. �)

Me: Yes.

Her: Have you done this before?

Me: Yes, as an undergraduate.

Her: What did you say you studied again?

Me: Human Anatomy

Her: Who will cover the deficit?

Me: My uncle, and I have personal savings of $15k as well in my bank account.

Her: Ok. I’ll be approving your visa. This (My I-20) is like your second visa always have it with you all the time.

Me: Thank you

Her: Hold on.

She brought out that US work blah blah

Me: Thanks. Have a wonderful day.

Note:

1. No document was asked. And I went with everything oo, even NYsC discharge certificate cos I did my POP last month.

2. I was greatly favored by God. That’s just it. I believe in Him and He stepped in for me.

3. There is no blueprint for this thing. Really.

4. The entire interview lasted for less than 5mins.

Now to the next thing, ticket hunting.

Congratulations my friend

hollateejay:
F1 Visa approved!

Deficit = $10,194

GTA = $9,168

Tuition = waived

Sponsor = uncle

VO: how did you know about this school?

Me: I searched online through Princeton review, webinar and usnews (vo cuts and asked another question)

VO: why did you choose this school?

Me: (straight to the answer) because of Prof Bleep research project, I do a similar work at bleep research laboratory, he his researching on nanotechnology based biosensor that can detect cancer, oxidative stress etc... I also carry out oxidative stress assay, antioxidant assay and phytochemical analysis (vo nods head and cuts me)

VO: so you’d be working with this person (while looking at my I-20)

Me: (I thought she was referring to my international affairs officer from my school, so I explained) that’s the immigration officer (I made a mistake and corrected myself immediately) sorry, he’s the international affairs officer, yes i’d be working with professor bleep.

VO: what would you be doing? (For my GA)

Me: I’d be teaching laboratory classes, doing grading and assessment.

VO: where did you finish your study?

Me: Federal university of Technology Akure.

VO: what did you do after you finished?

Me: went for my nysc in 2016, worked at Nigerian Export Promotion council after I started working where I am currently.

VO: who would be sponsoring you?

Me: my uncle, Engr...

VO: do you have a statement?

Me: passed.

VO: (did a calculation) and said I’d be approving your visa and passed me the white paper.

It’s God’s favor and grace, if you can fast and pray please do, even though we get close to God at the times of our need, it teaches us a lesson how faithful God can be when we are always in his presence.

Note: please, in the face of all pink papers, every other person have their peculiar case, the place is not so tensed but be prepared and keep smiling.

Thanks to Debbie (your own is sorted already), Nerdychukz, Maximum frequency shawarma and Ayodeji, I wish you all on the USA student visa trend success.

Awww, this is so cute. Congratulations and may the wind be at your back my friend

fairheart:
Back from leave?

Your Queen was sick and you came here to tell them she was on maternity leave
Please avoid me or appease me with money

tboy47:
F1 visa approved dis morning
Lagos consulate
Was interviewed by dat blak man i guess window 3
Deficit = 5k
Got GTA of about 12k
Before i stat, na God do am for me oo. Nor b small fasting and prayers

Vo- pass me ur passport and i-20
I did
Vo- why did u choose dis sku
Me i was awarded a GA and more importantly, ( i started shaking and was confused) d research been conducted by professor cloiut on geophysics( nigga, what ar u saying, i started saying tins frm my head) it aligns wit my career ( vo was nodding his head) and also d program structure at TAMUC stands out for exmaple i will b learning experimental research on micro computer hardware, X-ray spectroscopy (vo keeps noddin) vo then started typing for like a minute..
Vo- who sponsoring you
Me- my elder bro here in nigeria
Vo- what does e do?
Me- e works at bleep
Vo- i can see you have assistanship
Me- yes sir
Vo- vo typed for like 1min30seconds. ( my heart was beating verry fast and i was also praying) Have you traveled out bfor?
Me -no
Vo started typing again and asked my undergraduate degree and school
I told him
Vo- i will b approving ur visa.
No single document asked..
I jst blank.
Pick up 3 days time wateva. D next tin i started doing michael jackson dance
I av been praying to God for favour and grace to speak for me. And behold e answered my prayers .
Tanks to dis forum and ur Contributions @fairheart, @sharwama and evevy oda members, i tank u all ooo

Congratulations on achieving this feat my friend, go and do exploits

juliouze:
My transcript
This morning, the old man by the first window by your left as you're entering. ....
Me:good morning
Vo: didn't answer
Me: I just bone, let it not look like I disrespected an old man probably he's got what's bothering him too sha. ���
Vo: pass me your documents (without even looking at me
Me: I was sha looking at him and passed it
Vo: when did you finish high school? ( He had to repeat that like 3 different times cos his voice was really fainted )
Me: I was just thinking like ( ha! Gbese re oo, wetin concern high school concern msc na) I sha told him
Vo: when did you finish college? ( still fainting voice oooo)
Me: I sha kept saying " paddin, sir" till I was sure that was his question cos i don't understand the man sef,so I told him
Vo: started typing ooo
Me: I was sha looking around for the available paper color on his desk to see the closest to him as he has been dishing out pink since I noticed him ���
Vo: what do you do?
Me: I'm a junior data analyst with UBA, I use statistical softwares like tableau, spss, powerbi to visualize data .....

Vo: ( I was already flowing thinking I finally got his attention ) cuts in and asked " Did you write any standardized test? "
Me: yes I took TOEFL (I think I heard that a bit clearer than others )
Vo: who Is sponsoring you?
Me: my uncle and my mother ( of which I had my legit statement oo)
Vo eventually looks up Las las only to dish me a yellow or orange paper (sorry I don't know colours ���) it wasn't the usual pink so I thought maybe it's the new paper for specials like myself lol ( but it dawned on me white is what one family man smiled out with on the other window ���).... In one word sha the old man scatter my face with the paper cos i didn't hear what he said alongside giving me the paper..... I sha know if it was a good outcome, the "congratulations " would be audible enough....
Tor na so dem reject me ooo but we try again sha ooo, by God's grace y'all will rejoice with me this time around.
Big appreciation to the people I reached out to and they sent their numbers to vet my transcript and even gave me mock examination even as I wasn't really chanced, some of them kept on buzzing me to make one or two changes... I wish i know your handles here so I'll post em but gmail kept on bringing their real names instead,i am grateful guys, really grateful and "sharwama" no Reply my mail cos i love being examined by a lady ���(I understand you're busy and got too many people on your neck though, that's the price you pay for being that famous ).
I'm going to try again but this time with funding, I hope you guys still come through for me ps Lucky my guy, thanks Fam.... We go catch for UI God's willing. ���

I really lack words right now, I am so sorry. My heart goes out to you. I love how you have refused to settle for denial, I applaud your willingness to dust yourself off, restrategize and try again. In future, I hope I can be a part of the relaunch process.

Tohajan:


PROPOSED TRANSCRIPT

*Where are you going to?*
I'm going to New Mexico State University, Las Cruces to pursue a Masters in Public Health (with special interest in Environmental Health).

*Why the US?*
I chose to study in the US because schools in the US are top class and well known for their world class research facilities. Also, a masters degree from an American University is highly recognized in Nigeria, and thus will give me an edge in the highly competitive Nigerian labor market.

*How did you know about the school?*
Through personal research using online resources such as Google as well as visiting the school website for further information.

*How many schools did u apply to?*
Two - New Mexico State University and Michigan Technological University.

*How many admission did u get?*
Two

*Why this school over MTU?*
NMSU's program aligns more with my interest due to its multidisciplinary approach to analyzing environmental/public health issues as reflected in its course requirements.
Also, the admission from MTU is without funding while NMSU gave me an assistantship which covers the full tuition and part of the living expenses.

*But you have a BSc in Applied Botany?*
Yes... Environmental Botany, more precisely, which required that I take some courses on Environmental Pollution Monitoring. This motivated me to pursue a career in environmental health where I would be able to influence decision-making in the Nigerian environmental sector as it affects public health.

*When did you graduate?*
2017.

*What have you been doing since then?*
I went for the compulsory one year national service which I finished March this year. On my return, I have been working as a research assistant with one of my lecturers during undergraduate studies, Dr Bleep. My role is to carry out environmental audit on Telecommunication Base Station (TBS) sites, in order to access the effect of emissions from each site on the surrounding locality.

*Tell me your study plans*
My program will cover a minimum of 42 credit units in total. Courses will include Environmental Public Health Issues, Biostatistical Applications in Public Health, and Evaluative Approaches in Public Health.

*What will this program do for you/what are your plans after graduation?*
This program will equip me with skills to take up a job as an environmental health specialist and be able to use such skills in analyzing environmental health risks present in Nigeria today such as indoor and outdoor air pollution, waste generation and handling practices, wastewater and effluent generation and disposal, among others.

*Any standardized test?*
Yes. I wrote GRE and TOEFL, scoring 308 and 98 respectively.

*Who is sponsoring you?*
I have an assistantship which covers tuition and some other expenses. The rest is to be taken care of by my maternal uncle, Mr Bleep

*What does he do?*
He works with the Lagos State Bleep Agency where he heads the Bleep unit of Bleep LGA.

*Why would your uncle want to sponsor you?*
He studied abroad, and his experience strengthened his support of my study abroad plans

Close your eyes and let us pray first of all
Lord, please give me the strength to be as kind as possible with my words. Amen
Bold 1: This edge you are talking about is the same edge over 50 applicants at the consulate/embassy daily talk about. People going for PhD will even have more edge over you. So please leave edge out of your response and come up with something better. In my place we say "it will add more feathers to my cap"
It could set you apart from the job-seeking majority, it could embellish or make your resume more attractive or something else. Please I am just showing you how flexible you can be with your choice of words and still convey the intended meaning/information
Bottom line: Avoid popular/ generic/communal lines.
Bold two: Instead of gently "degrading" MTU, why can't you simply say you were fortunate enough to have received an assistantship offer from the department of ----- at NMSU and you couldn't resist or turn it down
Bull's eye, end of story!
Bold three: I spent several minutes trying to reflect on those words and I'm like, so if you have this master's, you will automatically be able to influence decision-making in the environmental sector in Nigeria? Wow! That's unbelievable
So just imagine what you can do if you now bag a PhD. I pray you understand the bolded isn't impressive please. Do you think you can make the entire response better?
Bold 4: It's obvious you are not a research assistant (I stand to be corrected though) it's obvious you feel saying this will appeal to the VO's sense of reasoning, but the reverse could be the case. The VO would know better. If you insist you are a RA, fine! Do your homework properly, so you would be able to give a better response like one.
Bold 5: That can't be your study plan na, please. Shebi you were here two days ago, when I reviewed some transcripts, [b]on one of them, I took time to emphasize study plan coz it's really important. [/b]Please go and do your homework, I am too lazy to repeat myself
Bold 6: Take up a job as an environmental health specialist at where or where exactly please? Okay after analyzing environmental health risks in Nigeria, what next? Who says these risks haven't been extensively analyzed? You need to be more specific and carve a niche for yourself please.
I am sorry, you really have to be more convincing about your post graduation plans, else you'd come across as a potential immigrant or a threat to national security This could be your home tie if you articulate it properly and passionately
Ultimately, you really have to work on your transcript please. I wish you all the best and I am sorry if I hurt your feelings. You were the one pursuing me upandan with your transcript

Adex9:

Good day house
Thank you sharwarma for your review of my proposed transcript. Intensified my research, this is an updated transcript. Please help review. Hopefully I made good progress.
Deficit:$30k(About 11M)for the first ten months
SOA: About 35M
PLEASE ANYBODY WITH ADDITIONAL INFO ON WKU, PLEASE HELP OUT
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
VO: Good morning
Me: good morning ma/sir
Vo: why are you going to the US
Me: for my graduate studies, I’m going to the Western Kentucky University for my masters in public health
Vo: how did you learn about the school
Me: through intensive online research on the Council of Education for Public Health(CEPH) website while searching for accredited MPH programs.
Vo: did you apply to any other schools
Me: yes, 2 others(lists them)
Vo: how many were you admitted in
Me: 2(lists them)
Vo: why MPH?
Me: I aspire to work as a technical officer with the WHO. The MPH is a major requirement for that role and would equip me with the technical skills needed to qualify for that position on my return which would grant me Job security and make me valuable in the labour market on my return.
Vo: why WKU?
ME: WKU provides a well-structured curriculum that aligns with my career goals. It also gives me the opportunity to work with Prof. Gretchen who is my advisor and whose ongoing research aligns with my research interest. it focuses on the analysis of workplace health promotion of small, rural workplace. (I have extra points like: the location which is in a smaller city and would help me focus and the cost been cheaper/affordable).
Vo: what is your study plan?
Me: my program will cover a total of 42 credit hours. Courses will include: Health promotion, research methods, program planning and a thesis project prior to graduation.
Vo: any standard tests
Me: yes, GRE;296
VO: what have you been doing since you left school in 2016
Me: started my mandatory internship programme with Bleep in 2016 for 12months, went for the mandatory NYSC programs for another 12 months in 2017, rounded that off in april 2018 and started working as a pharmacist in july 2018 with Bleep
Vo: who’s funding?
Me: my uncle
Vo: what does he do?
Me: works with Bleep, an oil and gas company involved in gas processing, mud logging services and supports activities of mining, also into sales of automobiles and transportation.
Vo: ever travelled before?
Me: no, never had any reason to
Vo: Any relatives in the us?
Me: no
Still working on the ‘WHY USA?’ question. Don’t want to shoot myself in the foot and also trying to avoid leading answers.
Additional questions prepared for: when does the school resume? What are the duties of a technical officer with the WHO? what are your duties at your current place of work? And my academic experience.

I'm glad I could help. Sharwama is a perfectionist, if I take another look at your transcript, I will still draw your attention to something. I leave you in the capable hands of the masters and I hope you get the help you need.
I also want you to know that a flawless transcript is something but a flawless delivery is everything.
I wish you all the best my friend, go and drop your passport

Predstan:


You believe I’m still right here in the Embassy. I have to print out some approved Visas so that it can be dispatched on Monday... Many Nigerians were granted visa in the last few days you know

I am absolutely impressed by your hard work, my dear colleague. I am awake right now, sipping coffee and reading this thread just to decipher the new tricks these Nigerians have up their sleeves. Are you aware that apart from funding or some sort off tuition waiver and a professor xxxx research, some of them can't give better reasons why they picked a school? Is the embassy concerned about this coz the consulate is. We are no longer blown away by these responses, we need more substantial answers, more school-specific or program-specific responses, I mean responses that reveal in-depth knowledge and thorough research.
Well, have a productive week and cheers to us doing our jobs better and sipping more coffee

Adebanjo669:


@shawama.... Can you please help me out with my own proposed transcript I posted some minutes ago

I have closed market for today. Let me go and rest, abi did I not try .
You didn't specify if it's a BSc shaaa. Tomorrow abeg

Davidkking:

How was work at the embassy today ma? ........jokes apart I feel like you actually worked or interned at the embassy before.......no one would go to the embassy with this knowledge and get denied......abeg don't leave us...... I'm still putting some finishing touches to my transcript, would send it to you soon

Work was fine ooo
My colleagues and I worked our asses off to ensure worthy applicants got their visas approved I actually work at the consulate and the traffic was crazy this evening. I even just got home
Choi! Sharwama you can blow lie shaaa
When you finish putting the touches, please let me know. I might be at JFK or JC by then sef

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
All those people bombarding my inbox, please whatever it is you want to tell me, tell me here. If you want to toast me, toast me here too. You want to give me money, give me here
You want to finish Sharwama Last two weeks I broke down coz you were rushing me. Sharwama do this, do that. You don't even care if I have eaten fufu or not. I should reply ASAP as if you are paying me I should give you my number so we can talk extensively
Ehen! My mum said she heard me talking and struggling in my sleep few nights ago, she said I was shouting "you are not qualified for this visa, go away, leave my window"
You see what you people have done to me
I can't continue like this please, I am someone's child
If I log in and I have an opinion about something, I will gladly give it. But you see my inbox, mba, mba, you people should come outside osiso. Let me emulate my mentor mummy LagosismyHome. This is the only place you can catch me henceforth
Thank you. God bless you and God bless these United States of America
P.S : Thank you so much Dbelles, Nerdychukz, naira0 and Abdulrahmon68 for checking up on me while I was away, I am a lot better now. I full ground remain, I hold my side, as you can see I don resume my noise making

Esther52190:
Proposed transcript
Good day everyone, my visa interview is next week Wednesday. Please help me review my transcript.

Background: ms in business analytics, no funding.

Vo:Why are you going to the US?
Me:I am going for my masters degree in business analytics in University of Illinois at Chicago 

Vo:Why USA and not Nigeria?
Me:USA has been rated the best destination for higher education. The findings are not based on just the popularity among students but also on the quality and wide range of educational programs. 80% of the world research is happening in USA. I would also like to be taught by world class professors. Studying in us will not only boost my knowledge but will give me competitive edge on my return to Nigeria.

Vo:How many schools did you apply to?
Me:4- University of Illinois at Chicago, Kent state university, university of Connecticut and university of Cincinnati 

Vo:How many gave you admission?
Me:2- University of Illinois at Chicago and Kent state university

Vo:How did you hear about the school? 
Me:Through online research. I used times higher education and usnews.com

Vo:Why Uic?
Me:Uic has superior coursework in business analytics than other schools I applied to.
I would also be privileged to work with professor Bleep whose current research on data driven dynamic system aligns with my interest

Vo:What is your study plan?
Me:I will be required to take on 32 hour credit program. It also includes a capstone project at the end of the second semester which will help me apply classroom learning to real world problems. Some of the courses include: data mining for business, Financial statement analytics, revenue mgt etc

Vo:What is your undergrad degree?
Me:Accounting 

Vo:How is business analytics related to accounting/ why the change of degree?
Me:Accounting is about reporting on financial statement and in the business world we have to be able to do more than just report on numbers, we have to be able to turn financial data into actionable insights to make recommendations to mgt for key decisions. There is a talent gap between identifying key data trends, technological acumen, data mining and extraction with statistical modeling 

Vo:When did you graduate?
Me:June 2016.

Vo:What have you been doing since?
Me:I went for my nysc and completed it in dec 2017. After which I decided to take Nigerian accounting professional exams (iCan) which will give me a better leverage in the Nigerian job market. The exam is in 3stages and it was very tedious to combine with work. I am on my last stage now.

Vo:What are your plans after your study?
Me:I really want to work as a management consultant at a top consulting firm here in Nigeria. Unfortunately, a masters degree is the minimum requirement for such a position. This degree will qualify me for this position when I return.

Vo:Who is your sponsor?
Me:My parents

Vo:What do they do?
Me: My dad is an executive director in Bleep . My mum is an entrepreneur and she sells fabrics 

USA has been rated the best destination for higher education by who exactly? Exalting US above other nations will not get you a visa my friend
The findings are not based on just the popularity among students but also on the quality and wide range of educational programs.
Please what do you mean by this?
80% of the world research is happening in USA
Who told you this, is your source credible?
would also like to be taught by world class professors.
We have such professors in Germany, Australia and even Ghana! Why not go there?
Studying in us will not only boost my knowledge but will give me competitive edge on my return to Nigeria.
Ok this is a lil bit better, even though it's still bland.
Please work on the entire response
Why UIC
Please get a powerful third reason. Since you don't have funding, you really have to wow the VO, so puhleeze wow away
Your study plan is incomplete please, I hope you know this question is similar to "tell me about your program".
Talk about the duration, is it 56 months or 2 days, talk about the credit hours for core courses, elective courses and thesis, talk about the GPA required for graduation, would you be required to present seminars, participate in lab rotations, then you can mention some of the courses you look forward to taking until the VO begs you to keep quiet for goodness sake

Accounting is about reporting on financial statement and in the business world we have to be able to do more than just report on numbers, we have to be able to turn financial data into actionable insights to make recommendations to mgt for key decisions. There is a talent gap between identifying key data trends, technological acumen, data mining and extraction with statistical modeling 
At the end of the day, you neither answered the questions nor convinced me (not as if I'm a VO) about the need for the switch. Infact you succeeded in intimidating me with technical terms from your field, terms I struggled to comprehend because I am STEM inclined
Please this is a very important question and you need a sound response. How does accounting relate to business analytics, or why have you chosen to pursue this degree instead of Accounting. Be specifically clear about the connection and don't tell stories please.
The exam is in 3stages and it was very tedious to combine with work. I am on my last stage now.
My mind wandered as I read this
Is this a way of saying you currently don't have a job? Is this probably a way of saying you find exams stressful? Is this a way of suggesting you probably can't cope with the rigours and academic demands of a grad school
I pray you understand my point. Never leave loopholes in your response! Tie every loose end please

I really want to work as a management consultant at a top consulting firm here in Nigeria. Unfortunately, a masters degree is the minimum requirement for such a position. This degree will qualify me for this position when I return.
I would have commented on this but we both know why I won't. I really believe you can do better, honestly. Ok I can't ignore this. So how about you mention a couple of firms you've specifically got your eyes on and an appetizer of what you intend bring to the table with this degree. That way it really sounds like a post graduation plan. Girl you need to own this response, make it yours, breathe it all in and exhale in front of the VO
Let your light shine, okay? You've got this!
Does your mum really sell fabrics too
Will you be attending the interview with both SOAs, I mean from your dad and your mum? If not, then don't say parents are sponsors please.
I wish you all the best my friend and success in your ICAN coz I believe You CAN

Davidkking:

She was once a VO oo.....the thing sef shocked me when I found out

Oga David oooo
Na diz kin lie dey fit tear person pant! Your lie get weight I swear

Marshalynk:
Sorry are you a VO? Because the way you analyse this.....it seems you're an American vo ....to be honest you think the way the vos think.....

Honestly, I wish I was a VO so I can approve visas for all my friends and loved ones . Then I will give 10 years ban to all the boys I fell in love with but couldn't love me back

Okeyogwo:
Good day gentlemen and ladies.

I was previously denied 2 months ago and I have been booked for another appointment next week. I want to know if there is a change of the documents I am expected to go with or should I go with the same set of documents I went to the embassy with during the first interview.
Please I need to be guided.

Hi, I am so sorry about your denials
Do you have any idea why you were denied?
Do you still remember the encounter you had with the VO, the questions and responses? Maybe you can tell us first.

Pcane:
help!!!!!
proposed transcript

VO: Good morning, how are you?

Me: Morning, I am fine and you

VO: Where are you going?

Me: I’m going to the University of North Texas for my Masters in Public Health with specialization in Public Health Administration.

VO: How many schools did you apply to?

Me: 4

VO: How many admitted you

Me: all admitted me

VO: Name them

Me: Texas A and M University, Georgia State University, University of North Texas, and Louisiana State University



V.O: Why Public health Administration

Me:

According to the World Health Organization, healthcare system ranking, Nigeria is ranked 187 out of 190 participating countries of the world making her one of the worst healthcare system in the globe. The program is committed to the improvement of health services through health services research and community based participatory research.

VO: Why the UNT:

Me: Aside from giving me 80per cent funding and its accreditations. UNT has done a lot of practicable study in Africa on real healthcare reforms with a focus on under-served and rural areas. Again, Its cohort practical oriented programme has an extensive track record in Community-Based Participatory Research which creates solutions for a healthier community in cognizance with the cultural background. Also with its interprofessional education activities (IPE) where they also bring in nurses doctors, physician assistants, and pharmacists so we can learn how to work with all these different healthcare perspectives.

VO: How did learn about the school

Me: I knew about the school during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, I particularly took interest in the works of dr. Patrick Moonan, a graduate of the School, and the recipient of the 2019 President’s Alumni Award for Distinguished Service in recognition of his work in combating the Ebola virus in West Africa I did a lot of research on the institutions and this particular school aligned with interest in the area of research, and community engagement. UNT has conducted yearly research on various African countries where they seek to study and identify major PH problems and proffer practical solutions.

VO: What will the course do for you?

This course on completion will enable me to gain necessary skills in management strategic orientation and Initiative Professionalism to develop the necessary tools in upturning the health index of the country by engaging the already existing health organizations in the local communities.

VO: What have you been doing upon your graduation?

Me: Upon my graduation, I went for a one-year compulsory national service where I was posted to one of the major national daily newspaper where I function as a health reporter. At the course of my duty, I've worked with Save the children Nigeria, Red Cross Nigeria, World health organization in Nigeria, Nigerian heart foundation, NAFDAC among others in the area of awareness creation and sensitization on the area of emerging endemic diseases, policy-making, advocacy and checking mating the government excesses.

Congratulations on putting this transcript together. However, I care about you enough to point a few things out.
Your response to Why Public Health Administration, I am not sure you understood the question. So let me rephrase it for you please;
What will this degree do for you? Why this course? Why not pursue a Master's in fishery or crop science, what is so special about PHA, what's in it for you, what do you stand to gain by bagging this degree in this field?
Do you understand it now?
The first part of the response you gave sounds like a statement of problem in a final year research project
The last part sounds like what an admission officer or a school's website would say about the program
You need to personalise your response. You didn't pay #59200 to go and state Nigeria's problem or indirectly "advertise" a program to a VO
This your 80% funding, is it an assistantship or a fellowship, or scholarship? Please be clear about it coz it's an asset! Let's apply small Mary Kay to your response shaa
UNT specifically the department of ............ has done a lot of practicable study in Africa on real healthcare reforms with a focus on under-served and rural areas. I intend to leverage on the research experience and academic expertise of my professors.
Did you see what I just did? Don't you just love Sharwama You don't have to follow my sample, I just love PERSONAL and SPECIFIC responses.
The IPE is also a lovely reason, good job!
So funding, research and IPE. Three beautiful reasons, that's what's up
Please if you prefer the other reasons, you can go with them, I just felt these three were more unique and specific to you, plus I hate stories
How you learned about this school
I just don't know what to say, honestly. I just know you have some conflicting and probably unnecessary details in there. Keep it simple, short and sweet. You did your homework!
Your response to what will this course do for you should be thesame response to Why Master's in Public Health Administration, please remember this. Also, I did not understand one thing in that your response. You were using big big grammar but there was no impact. Don't give the VO headache, I beg you
Please just hit the nail on the head, be specific about your intentions. What are your post graduation plans?
Okay you served at a newspaper firm, fine. You functioned as a health reporter, what a wawu
What do you mean by "at the course of my duty" do you mean "in the course of my duty"?
Hold on, are you still serving or what have you been doing since you rounded off NYSC, do you have post NYSC work experience relevant to your proposed field?
Ultimately, your transcript needs at be worked on. Please anticipate more questions.
How you got 80% funding, if it's a GA, what would your responsibilities be, what's your study plan, na the same thing as tell me about your program, so don't be confused, did you sit for standarized tests, just expect more questions please.
Ehen, the 20% nko, who will take care of the kini? I wish you all the best.
Ok bye

sammybtc:
Status: Visa approved July 1st, 2019
School name: Western Illinois University
Funding: GA with $9k deficit
Sponsor: Uncle

VO--Good morning
ME--Good morning ma/sir

VO--Pass me your passport and I20, please?
ME--I did

VO--What would this degree do for you?
ME-- (I was shocked because I wasn't expected that to be my first question)I really want to be a professor, having acquire Bsc getting a masters degree will help me to achieve my career goal

VO--How many schools did you apply to?
ME--I applied to 2 schools; WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY MACOMB ILLINOIS, UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS TENNESSEE.

VO--Why did you apply to 2 schools
ME--Both schools gave me admission quite early so I did not bother to apply to any other schools

VO--(angrily) I said why
ME--I repeated the same answer

VO--(She kept nodding)okay, so tell me what you will be doing for your assistantship
ME-- I will be grading, tutoring, taking attendance and preparing academic instructional materials

VO--(she keeps typing seriously for like 2mins)
ME--(while I was standing forming mumu smile)

VO--At this point, I will be approving your visa
ME-- thank you ma.

Thank you all for selfless services rendering here. Without nairaland, I wouldn't have had an easy journey.

Congratulations my friend, I am really happy for you

DavidhumeNO:
Hi Sharwama. Is it a bad decision to take my uncle's company's statement of account?
Even if he is the owner of the company and he backs it up with a sponsorship letter?

Uncle and company's statement of account
Abort! Abort!! Abort!!!
Agent David, do you copy, I just said Abort!!!
The odds are really not in your favour with respect to recent happenings.
However, if this is all you have, then roll with it. Have faith in yourself and your beautiful American dream and let your light shine across the room
A VO might end up falling in love with you and your goals and probably not pay so much attention to this.
May the force be with you my friend.

hybeenoni:
To God be the glory, collected my stamped passport today.
Special thanks to Fairheart, Brown2Green, Time2win, and others active members on this forumn for their selfless acts on here, including Lagosismyhome, and Shawarma for your humour filled post while responding to questions.

Had my interview on 27/06

Interviewed I think at window 8 by the bearded VO


VO had already approved one, denied one and placed on one AP.
Next was my turn and felt now us my turn to grab this thing.

VO: What school are you applying to me?
Me: Texas tech university to study MS Mathematics

VO: why this degree ?
Me: This decision to go for a further study was informed by my current job as a maths teacher where I have grown to enjoy the job and earning this degree will enable me attain the minimum requirement needed to take up an Assistant lecturing position at my Alma Mata.

VO: Why Texas tech university?
Me: Coupled with the fact that I was awarded a GTA that covers my tuition, living expenses and health insurance, my proposed research work on Stochastic epidemic model, perfectly aligns with the primary research work of prof Bleep and also I have been able to build a good Faculty-Student relationship with my Graduate coordinator, Dr Bleep

VO: Have you travelled outside Nigeria before?
Me: No

VO: Are you married?
Me: No

Next I will be approving your visa

I just said thank you and have a nice day, after collecting my white paper

I celebrate with you my friend, Congratulations

Adex9:
Good morning house
Very good job you are doing here.
Just discovered this platform and it has been helpful towards preparing for my interview.
My f1 visa interview is next Thursday, I have come up with a prosposed transcript. Gurus in the house please help review and if I left anything out please help out also.
Deficit:$30k(About 11M)for the first ten months
SOA: About 35M
PLEASE ANYBODY WITH ADDITIONAL INFO ON WKU, PLEASE HELP OUT
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
VO: Good morning
Me: good morning ma/sir
Vo: why are you going to the US
Me: for my graduate studies, I’m going to the Western Kentucky University for my masters in public health
Vo: why US?
Me: educational degrees obtained from the US are highly recognized all over the world, I see this as an excellent step towards achieving my career goals
Vo: how did you learn about the school
Me: through intensive online research while trying to come up with a list of schools offering MPH in the US. I also spoke to a friend of mine who knew someone that obtained her graduate degree from WKU, she encouraged me to go ahead with my application after so many positive reviews.
Vo: did you apply to any other schools
Me: yes, 2 others(lists them)
Vo: how many were you admitted in
Me: 2(lists them)
Vo: why WKU?
ME: WKU offers me a MPH with concentration in healthcare management and promotion. Asides WKU’s various accreditations and recognition, wku is known for its teaching excellence, wku offers a curriculum where I get to acquire community experience which would help me translate knowledge gained in the classroom to real life experiences, gaining both theoretical and practical knowledge. This makes learning easier and fun. Asides been offered $1602 in scholarship, the ongoing research by Professor Gretchen who is my advisor and would be working closely with interests me as it aligns with my career goals, it focuses on the analysis of workplace health promotion of small, rural workplace.
Vo: why MPH?
Me: with a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy, a graduate degree in public health would further equip me to hold specific and significant roles in the Nigerian health sector which would help achieve my career goals. More than being a pharmacist, I want to be a key contributor towards improving the quality of life of people by improving patients health and decreasing death rate by helping in disease prevention, awareness and health promotion. MPH would equip me to perform these roles and I would become very valuable in the labour market. After learning and familiarizing myself with the healthcare system, I would be able to impact the Nigerian health sector positively on my return.
Vo: any standard tests
Me: GRE;296
VO: what have you been doing since you left school in 2016
Me: started my mandatory internship programme with Bleep in 2016 for 12months, went for the mandatory NYSC programs for another 12 months in 2017, rounded that up in april 2018 and started working as a pharmacist in july 2018 with Bleep
Vo: why are you leaving your job.
Me; I’m not leaving my job, I am going to equip myself to be able to take up more challenging roles and carry out my duties better(not sure if this is a good one)
Vo: who’s funding?
Me: my uncle
Vo: what does he do?
Me: works with sonartusk limited, an oil and gas company involved in gas processing, mud logging services and supports activities of mining, also into sales of automobiles and transportation.
Vo: ever travelled before?
Me: no, never had any reason too
Vo: Any relatives in the us?
Me:no(the relative I have is also a student, I hope no is a good answer for the question)

Why US?
Your response is kinda flat. Yes we know degrees awarded by US institutions are greatly recognised but so are Canada and UK institutions and you'd also be able to achieve your "career goals". So what's really so special about US to YOU? You get that answer, 2-3 sentences and you move on with your life
Why WKU
You need to prioritise and personalize, the information you are passing. Your transcript is just turnioniown
"Asides WKU’s various accreditations and recognition, wku is known for its teaching excellence, wku offers a curriculum where I get to acquire community experience which would help me translate knowledge gained in the classroom to real life experiences, gaining both theoretical and practical knowledge"
You can get those in any good school, it certainly doesn't explain why you chose WKU at all. You can even get those in UNN, UniCAL, UNIBEN e.t.c, there's nothing special about those
"Asides been offered $1602 in scholarship, the ongoing research by Professor Gretchen who is my advisor and would be working closely with interests me as it aligns with my career goals, it focuses on the analysis of workplace health promotion of small, rural workplace"
Okay this is neither too good nor too bad but you need to apply powder and brighten up the face
Is that $1602 or $16002. If it's 1602, it doesn't sound impressive and the goal is to never ever release unimpressive information, keep it to yourself! Thank you.
So as it stands now, an ongoing research is the only "strong" reason. But you didn't talk about the research properly, it's kinda confusing.
Please, you need to go back and do some research, find out other amazing features about your school or the program, something that really stirs you, that when you talk about it, the VO will see sparks in your eyes. Glory glory glory
Why MPH?
Your reasons for this degree are not quite clear, you are saying so much and making little impact. The goal is to make a good impression in as many powerful sentences as necessary. Tell me, what exactly will this degree do for you? Will it qualify you for a promotion, a salary raise, a new job, will it give you an edge over other contenders in your sphere? Is there a particular position you are targeting? Write it, be specific with details.
Tell me SPECIFICALLY, what can you bring to the table after this degree, no don't give me a generic "medicopolitical" manifesto, what can you achieve with this degree but you haven't achieved now, where do you see yourself in the next 2-3 years and what exactly would you be doing differently if you had this degree?
Me =VO by the way
Please put yourself first, improving the Nigerian health sector isn't the reason your uncle will spend about $60K and you know it!
Think, think and get those personal answers and flesh them out in clear cut sentences. I pray you understand what I am showing you
Ehen, "rounded that up in april 2018", you didn't round up anything ooo, you "rounded off". They are two different things and a graduate shouldn't confuse them. You are welcome sir
Ok, so you are not leaving your job? You will come back? Do you have a study leave that you can show the VO or any evidence?
"I am going to equip myself to be able to take up more challenging roles and carry out my duties better"
What challenging roles exactly, you have to be specific and avoid ambiguity. Hold on, you are contradicting yourself. This degree is not because you want to carry out your present duties better, it's because you want newer, greater and probably more rewarding responsibilities, as you implied earlier. Please be consistent with the information you are passing.
You don't have a relative in the US if you didn't write it in your DS -160.
How did you learn about this sch?
"I also spoke to a friend of mine..."
Is this really necessary? Your INTENSIVE online research as well as mentioning some of the search engines(if need be) is fair enough!
Ehen, I hope you are not going with your uncle's company statement? Go with his personal statement of about 6 months, to show financial credibility.
Okay I am tired, I should stop writing. I wish you all the best and May the force be with you

Kay100:
haaa sharwama, your words ehn ...i dont even know what to say sef...send me your acct number

When I get to obodo oyibo, I will send the new one so you can pay in dollars biko. I am done with naira

fairheart:
You cannot be a Queen in the Castle of the King and still not be a sage. The spirit of humor and wisdom has finished you (I think you said that first ) I know it's intoxicating, because you can't contain it. I hail thee, her Royal Majesty.

Queens see Kings
I hail you right back!

Chidon360:


Amen to that your prayer Nwanyioma . You will live long

Nwokeoma, daalu. You will live long as well