₦airaland Forum

chibertha:
Good morning all I hope we are doing well.
Please which GRE test is requested for by US institutions for masters?
Is it general or subject-specific eg chemistry, physics etc

Thank you very much for your response.

Contact the program's graduate coordinator for more specifics.

iamblisz:
Congratulations

Thanks iamblisz!!
Long time!

Scholastica16:
Sherlock5577, I knew you'd get something even if not this time, your next admission cycle would have been great. It seems you are avoiding the PhD route which somewhat limited you. I do understand why you would take that pathway if that is your plan. Congrats.

I suspected you were silently waiting for good news. Thanks a lot!
Indeed my choice really limited me and sincerely I had some regrets opting for just the M.Sc. option (mostly due to doubts that the current system would accept it). Lessons learnt the hard way. I am just glad it turned out good !!
I appreciate you looking out for quite a number of us!

paulbets:
Congratulations Sherlock5577. Your victory is well deserved... Welcome to the US of A

Thanks
It's been a while!!

CptCharlesVane:
@sherlock5577 Congrats bro, you deserve it

Thanks
Glad to see you're also good to go!
Congratulations!!

4gunners:
@sherlock5577 Congrats!!!

Thanks so much!!

nelem:
Yes boss. good news already shared on the other thread. success for us all

Wow. I didn't realise this.
Congratulations is in order!!
Best years ahead for us all!!

Afo1k:
Congratulations. Happy for you

Thanks

[quote author=soar10 post=80133910][/quote]Thank you
Life is full of unforeseen circumstances
I hope to read your good news too!
I've replied your pm.

nelem:
congrats scholar.

Thank you. I hope to read your good news too!

user4321:
Congratulations man!!!!!

Thanks boss

pierre92:
Congratulations!

Thanks

HisGrace0000001:
And yes you did!!!
A very big congratulations, sir.

Thanks . It's been a while !

mrsonofgrace:
Congrats

Thanks. May His grace be with you

Sherlock5577:
It's been a while I have given updates concerning my applications

My profile as at the time of my application:

GPA = 4.59/5.0 (B.Sc. Geology and Mining)
GRE = 154/157/4.0 (V/Q/AWA)
TOEFL = 105 (R-30, L-25, W-28, S-22)
Work experience: Been a Graduate Assistant for a few months.

I applied to three schools (all M.Sc.)

Texas Tech University - Rejected. Reason = Insufficient funds, despite a good profile. I was wait listed for funding at first before getting their love letter . I guess funding and admission are simultaneous.

New Mexico Tech (Safe School) - Rejected. Reason = POI informed me he couldn't secure anticipated funds and wouldn't take on new grad students this year.

University of Louisiana, Lafayette - Accepted. Wait listed for funding and got another love letter informing me I wasn't selected for the second round of funded offers.

Hopefuls don't be dismayed. So many factors go into getting admits and funding.
Congrats to all those who got admits and funding. It wasn't an easy feat.
If there was any mistake I think I might have made was applying to schools without back up POIs within them. So please when applying it is good there are various options of POIs within your research group of interest who could select you as their grad student peradventure your intended POI doesn't secure the grant he/she is anticipating (I hope this makes some sense )

It is an honour being here . I have learnt a lot from this process.

I'll probably try again some other time, but till then,

Cheers

Its high time I place this here. My previous post is quoted here.

Just a few days after the post above I got a GTA waiving my tuition. Sometimes when it seems it's over, the best is about to come.

Transcript as I remember it ☺ (Not a mistake I'm posting a Visa transcript).
Abuja Consulate.

8th July, 2019. (I just collected my international passport today)

Window 8/9 (Can't recall, but last window on the right when facing the VO)
White lady (She was typing most of the time).

Me: Good morning
VO: Good morning.

Pass me your passport?
Your I-20 too.
Have you travelled before?
Me: No
VO: What would you be doing in the US?
Me: I would be going for my masters in Geology at ULL.
VO: What are you currently doing?
Me: I am a Grad Assistant at University of **** (From her countenance, I felt she didn't want any more response, so I didn't say more)
VO: What would you do when you get back?
Me: I would come back to my current job. This masters degree would enable me get to the rank of an Assistant Lecturer at University of ****. I also intend to create a research lab, a Petroleum Geoscience research lab, alongside my colleague and in the long run I hope to join a Research Group or Institute. (She was typing and nodding as if I don dey talk too much sef. (I think she saw my Graduate Teaching Assistantship at ULL)
VO: Who would be funding the remaining cost?
Me: My mum and elder sister.
VO: What do they do?
Me: They are both lecturers at Nigerian Universities, and my sister is currently carrying out a fully funded PhD.
VO: Where is she carrying out this PhD?
Me: The United Kingdom.

Your Visa has been approved.
She gave two slips and said some other stuff I tried to listen to well but can't recall now. ☺

Profile again:
BSc Geology and Mining
4.59/5.00
GRE: 311 - Q/V - 157/154 (Analytical writing - 4)
Experience: Few months of being a University Lecturer at time of application.
Applied to three schools: only one acceptance and was awarded a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (Tuition ($25212) waived).
Defit/Living expenses is $10848. I'll work for just 10 hours weekly.

1 publication in an open access journal.

3 Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) certificates from reputable schools in the world.

No documents aside my international passport and Form I 20 were requested from me by the VO.

God's grace was really evident. I was shocked when the VO said approved. I actually expected more questions.

Please mind what you post online and how you fill your DS 160 (Those who get to this point would understand better).

I wish all prospective applicants the best! Please do not relent, and do your research well. Having the patience to read through most posts on this thread would answer many questions you have.
Indeed with God all things are possible!!
Thanks to everyone who helped out for their encouragement and help at some point in time (too many names to call).
Thanks to Danjaninja.. You probably never thought the thread would last for so long! My life was changed when I saw this thread!!

It is a long journey which requires patience and tenacity.

Yes we can!!! �

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.

Sorry about this. Your transcript looks good. Personally, I can't tell why you weren't approve, since I'm neither a VO nor present at your interview or in the know of the details filled within your DS-160.
I think you should go over your DS 160 to check for errors.
I hope it turns out great this time.

Cheers!

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. ���

It's well. You should try again, but confirm that everything's in order, especially your DS 160. It seems they are more convinced when the sponsor is a direct blood relation (I may be wrong though).
I wish you the best on your next try.

Qathafi:
Thanks very much Sherlock. I appreciate.

You're welcome.

Yes, you can!
#Fall/Spring '20

Qathafi:
Hello everyone. Thanks to those making input and continuously guiding applicants. I have a question. If my country's GPA system is over 4, do I still need the WES evaluation to apply? I am asking this because I have tried but unable to do the unofficial WES evaluation on their site because on the second part of filling the form Ghana isn't on the list. Thanks.

Personally, I don't think you'll require a grade conversion.
But I would advice you confirm from your intended program graduate coordinator.
Cheers!!

Judee99:
Can IELTS be used in place of TOEFL in US schools?

Yes, but check your program's specific requirements or better still contact your graduate coordinator.

Quoran:
Been a while I visited this thread. Alot of amazing GRE scores. Kudos guys.

Welcome back Quoran!
It's been a while.

Quoran:
Been a while I visited this thread. Alot of amazing GRE scores. Kudos guys.

.

oracle009:
Wow!... this page have been really helpful. Thank you everyone.
Profile:
BSc Botany degree (3.89/5)
Msc Botany degree (4.73/5)
2 yrs experience as an Operations Officer with World Bank assisted programmes
1 yr research experience
1 American accepted seminar paper presentation (I didn't attend coz of cash)
2 local publications

I intend to apply for PhD Plant Biotech or Genetics
I want to write the GRE next week, but I don't know what schools to put down for full funding. I actually need guidance on what to look for in choosing schools.

I also intend to write IELTS academic for considerations in European schools.

I'm married....looking forward to full relocation later.

I need your guidance to choose schools and States.

Thanks

The truth is there's no assurance you may still apply to the schools you choose now even after making careful selections (my own perception).

In my own case I had gotten some positive responses from professors in some universities of which I had previously used "gradcafe ....... (you should fill in the course of interest e.g., gradcafe plant biotech )" to find funded students with similar profiles to mine (I had to assume my TOEFL and GRE scores here, since I hadn't written them like you). If you've gotten some positive responses and these universities have funded students with profiles similar to what you anticipate, then you could select 1 ambitious, 2 moderate and 1 safe school for the 4 choices. If you've not gotten any positive responses, then you could still make use of gradcafe and "msinus" to assess your profile and make choices.
Unfortunately or fortunately, I eventually applied to only one of those schools and choose other schools after seeing my GRE scores. Why? You could change your mind on the schools to apply to after seeing your scores. You may want to apply to more ambitious schools if you score higher than you anticipated or vis a vis.
Even if you select other schools to apply to later other than what you've selected now, these new selections may just require unofficial TOEFL and GRE scores for the time being.

All this long talk for your question
I hope this helps.

Stevenssen:
So I wrote the GRE last week Monday.
Quantitative : 153
Verbal : 155
AWA : 4.0

I prepared for the exam within 2 months, 95% of my studying was on the quant section with 5lb Manhattan book.
I hardly studied for the verbal. The only verbal stuff I studied was the 101 word list on crunchprep (which was helpful)
I did not practise the AWA, not even once. I just read some sample and scored essays on the ets site. You can look them up.


Advice : When studying the quant section, especially if you're using 5lb Manhattan book, study these topics well because they are the most frequent :
Word problems.
Two variable word problems.
Geometry (esp angles).
Ratios, percents and fractions .
Algebra.
Inequalities and absolute values.
Data interpretation (they too love this section)
Improve your vocabulary for the verbal. Its materials are the easiest to get since you can just google "Frequent gre words" and many results will come out. Also take the practice test! So you can get used to reading their comprehensions and keeping your focus. This is an arduous task.

For the AWA, read samples from ets official site. The samples are scored and analyzed for you. Also practice writing essays quickly.

The best way to get the 'feel' of the actual exam is by taking practice tests. When taking practice tests, please for your sake, DO NOT GUESS. Any questions you are not sure of, just leave them blank. This is because you might get lucky with your guesses and overestimate your potentials or progress. But on exam day, you might not be so lucky with the guesses.
The answers to all questions on the practice test can be found on Google. So use that to correct yourself.
My first practice test : Q 147 V 148
2nd practice test : Q 150 V 149

On test day I realized that the quant section exam was more difficult than the practice tests. I was very disappointed because I used almost all my time to prepare for it while I ignored other sections. I ended up guessing on about 13 quant questions within the three sections that I wrote on it. Not because I couldn't solve them, but because they were taking so long and I ran out of time each time. So learn to solve those questions quickly.

I finished the verbal sections, usually with 9 minutes or more left.

I trusted myself on the AWA because I am good at writing, but the time is barely enough so I had to conclude all my essays prematurely. I would have done better if I had practised it.

Some tips : Try to keep your calm, don't panic. My panicking made me unable to solve the first 2 quant questions that I saw. I later went back to them and solved them easily.
Ignore the questions that are too difficult for you and go back to them later,
Do not leave any questions blank, guess on the ones you do not know,
Read the comprehensions very carefully before answering.

Conclusion : The GRE is not an easy exam, it's quite exhausting both to prepare for and to write.
So start preparing as soon as you can.
The 5lb Manhattan was the only book I prepared with. But there are many other helpful books out there. If you know how to download with torrent, you can easily find these books on 'pirate bay' .
Study like mad. You do not want to write this draining exam twice.
Good luck!

Thanks for sharing (This is one of the purposes of this thread). Yeah, the quantitative section seemed like another ball game for me too on the test day. No better advice than, "Stay calm!".

TOEFL should not be a big issue for you with the GRE prep.
You should start contacting grad coords and Potential supervisors if you haven't, and also preparing your SOP and recommendation letters.

Yes you can 2020!

mysweetsunshine:
same here

I'm still waiting too and would definitely share when I get a reply.

akannium:
Hey!
I'd also be attending UL Lafayette. I've got piece of info for you.

I'm for ULL, and would also be glad to get the same info.
Thanks

doziej84:
BSc Geophysics (3.59/5.00)
MSc Applied Geophysics (4.0/5.00)
GREQ=150, GREV=155, AWS=4.0. TOEFL - 103 (wrote both back to back in Dec...few days in-between.....(rewriting wasn't an option)
4 publications (3 Lead, 1 co-author)

University of Texas, Austin- PhD Geosciences (Rejected)
University of Houston- PhD Seismic Physics (Accepted with full funding-TA) - very generous offer
University of Tulsa – PhD Geosciences (Accepted No funding)
Northern Illinois University – PhD Geology (Accepted No funding)
Louisiana State University PhD Geology & Geophysics (Awaiting decision)
University of Louisiana PhD Energy Sciences (Accepted No funding)
Virginia Tech – PhD Geosciences (Rejected)
Georgia Washington University – MS Data Science (Accepted + partial funding)

I Hope this encourages someone with average scores like mine....truly I do.

Congratulations! This is great news!!

Bassmana:
There is this book by Donald Asher. I can't recall the name of the book. It's really helpful. I will look through my library and send it to you. Please send me a pm

This is it.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SVhX85DKS_kY2IHkD2W9v5BXAUwRFcCr

chatwtme:
Boss I am new here and I need help. I am one of the new beneficiaries of the pdtf, I chose IFP France and I was given petroleum economic and management. On checking the school portal I realised admission closed since march 30th. What can I do? My first degree is mechanical engineering with 4.12 CGA from unilorin with 7 years working experience in university of Oye Ekiti. I don't want to sit for IELTS or gre . Please put me through. Kindly treat this as urgent requests boss.

Congratulations. Unfortunately I didn't get the PTDF scholarship this year.
I'd advice you contact PTDF support for advice. Also apply to UK schools that may not require IELTS or TOEFL and whose admission portals are still open. If I remember clearly, PTDF may allow you to use the scholarship for another school. Moreover, IFP requires funding for 1.5 years, but UK just a year.

All the best!!

favor100:
I took the exam recently . Let me share about my exam experience.
so i got to the exam centre and for some weird reason , i was just feeling nervous . I went through the whole procedures , got to my spot still feeling nervous. I was able to coast through the AWA sections . To be honest i ddnt really prepare much for this section.
Then the verbal came and guys, it was like i was seeing double.The questions were really weird infact i almsot marked all the questions because i wasnt too sure of my answers . This was the beginning of the issues because that just made me more nervous . The 1st quant section was fine, all though i ddnt do well with time management, i allow some questions to hold me down instead of leaving it and coming back. The next verbal was easier, but by this time i was already feeling the heat from the 1st verbal. The 2nd quant was something else, i really flopped that part. By the last verbal i was already tired, so i just had to force myself to concentrate on those long winded RCs. At the end of the exam i kinda knew i had flopped, i sha clicked send scores and they came out 157V 152Q. AWA later came out as 4. I wasnt ready for the dissapointment. After all my efforts in quant, what pained me was the fact that in my prep i focused on the quant section cus i knew verbal was ok and i was already getting better in quant. However i allowed test day anxiety to get the better of me. in hindsight that weird verbal section at the beginning was probably experimental cus i thought i had failed but alas verbal was kinda okay. so my advice is even if you feel one section ddnt go well just ignore it and focus on the current section and give it your best. if i had maintained my composure i could have improved my chances in the harder quant. overall in your prep try to not only focus on doing practice test, but beyond that have strategies to keep your calm and composure on test day cus anxiety can make the difference betweeen your high mock scores and your real scores. Pls learn from this guys.

Below are my test prep timelines and tips

I INTIAILLY STARTED WITH BARRONS - FINISHED BOTH QUANT AND VERBAL . DDNT REALLY SPEND SO MUCH TIME ON AWA. I USED KAPLAN FOR AWS.


Then I went to ets to solve quant problems

Spent majority of my time on manhattan solving problems in each quant section


Practice for the following

Strategy = after your diagnostic test, allot more time to areas of weakness . I used kaptest and got 146 Q 158V

Weekly review - at least one mock test each week . more is advisable depending on your set goals for the week. use the result to strategize each week to know how much to allot per section and trouble areas. No point spending too much time on your strengths , your performance would be much affected by the not so great atreas. I used powerprep 1 for 1st mock review got 149Q 156V
2nd week I used power prep 2

Subsequent weeks I used manhattan test
Test 1 - 155Q 157V
Test 2 - 156Q 159V
Test 3 - 159Q 156V
Test 4 - 156Q 158V
Test 5 - 155Q 154V
Test 6 - 156Q 158V
Actual score - 152Q 157 V

I would really advise getting the Manhattan 6 practice test if you can. However also note that this results are a measure of your potential but your real sfore is a factor of how calm you can be on test day. if you can be calm then these score are a pretty good estimate but as you can see my Quant flopped based on anxiety .



Mistake logs - keep a note of the mistakes you make eg quant calculation errors or for verbal, vocabulary you find difficult and review with each practice test

Make flash card for all formulas in quant and use magoosh app for the vocab section

Stamina - train yourself to be able to solve problems for likr 1 - 2hrs straight even when not doing exam like just normal solving

Speed - practice to being able to solve questions in under a minute

Skipping questions- When you are practicing for the mock . Try to practice solving questions within 1 minute so when you see a question that will take too much time skip immediately. basically practice looking at a question and estimating how long it will take . so if you can't solve it immediately skip it and move on. focus on solving all the questions you can immediately attack 1st round so that you are not necessarily glancing at the clock because that adds extra pressure. Because with gre it's not necessarily about whether you know how to solve it or not it's how quickly can you solve the questions. The limiting variable here is time factor so you want to maximize time. hence when a question requires too much analysis leave it immediately. that's why for me I leave the qcs and di ,mark it to review later. then I move to the other easy questions and for verbal I do SE and T. first not RC because I know those ones require extra analysis , i dont want to be doing all that analysis feeling tensioned. I would rather do them relaxed that I have attacked all the easy questions. but then this is how it works for me if you can solve those questionss quickly then go for it. just basically practice looking at a question and attempting on the 1st round if you know you can solve it immediately so that you dont waste time on 1 question when there are easier questions you can solve and besides all questions are worth equal points so you want to obtain all points you can. then after you have attacked those easy questions in second round you might look at the clock and then attempt thise other ones. I also advice that you solve with speed and accuracy even with the 1st round odnt rush just pace yourself. this comes with practice though so try this method with many mocks and it will boost your confidence knowing that you already have a time saving mechanism under your belt�

AWA resources

Exam tips
Practice breathing exercises to keep you calm . This is absolutely key.

Stay focused. Like be in the zone from the moment you enter to when you leave. dont allow any distractions get to you.

Dont drink too much water so you avoid going to the toilet often

Go with a light snack

Eat well before the exam

Last tip. pls dont be like me guys. I used a little over 1month to prepare. give at least 2 months minimum to prepare for this exam. if possible 3months plus . wish everyone sucess

Disclaimer - These are just my tips . Use them only uf you find them useful. �

Congratulations and thanks for sharing your experience!!
The GRE isn't so easy, so you don't need to beat yourself up.
You should be deciding on the next line of action; contacting potential Supervisors or rewriting.
Applications should begin soon for Fall 2020.

I wish you the best!!!

Emeritusseun:
Thanks my man for the prompt response to my questions.

Actually, I did both, and for the 100-400l, I got 3.62 while for the last two years, I got 3.71. Meanwhile, the school I am eyeing said the average GPA for their admitted schools is 3.71, so I am kinda confused on the particular method they used to get the '3.71'

Hmmn, this must be a highly ranked school. I think you should contact the graduate coordinator for guidance to the specific method they use.

Emeritusseun:
Is there a standard on how the GPA is calculated, in the process of converting 5 grade system to 4? Do schools consider the last 60credits of studies (which usually correspond to 300&400l) or the entire credits (100 to 400l) taken during studies are considered?

This may be difficult to ascertain since different schools make use of different conversion types.
Search online for "WES unofficial". The value you get after inputting your grades and credit units would give you a tentative CGPA. Try using WES unofficial for both the 100-400L GPA and the GPA for the last two years. Then compare both CGPAs. There may be some similarity with what the program you apply for gets as your CGPA over 4.