₦airaland Forum

Can you please share more details. What was the reason for the flight denial?

elegantxxx:
HELLO GOOD PEOPLE,
PLEASE AVOID BOOKING FLIGHT THAT WILL TRANSIT FROM Frankfurt
FRA Frankfurt (FRA), Germany to the US. a lot of people were unable to fly today and had to reschedule.
God Bless you all!!

You’re right.

owagbeba:
Brother, .... I think **** sealed this deal for you. She really took note of ****; and that’s she asked you, “you mean ****?”

It seems so.

EmmyPers:
Does that mean your case was created 2days before your interview?

Hello everyone

I got approved yesterday. However, on tracking the status of my application, I saw that it’s under administrative processing. Who else that was approved yesterday is experiencing this?

Main problem is that my program started on 16th August, but I was given an extension for 30th. With this development, I might not be in US by that time, even though I already booked a flight for Thursday. I sent the embassy a mail, still waiting for a response.

Please advise.

Shuayb0:
3rd attempt.

*Visa Interview Transcript:*
*Location: Abuja*
*School: University of New Hampshire*
*COA: 72k*
*GA: 58k*
*Deficit: 14k*
*Attempt: (3rd attempt )*
*Status* *VISA APPROVED*

V.O: Good morning

Me: Good morning, how are you today?

VO: Didn’t answer

Pass me your I20
Me: Pls have it. (Placed my hands for biometric)

V.O: You’re going to the University of New Hampshire to study business statistics

Me: I corrected her that it’s business analytics.

V.O: I can see you have an assistantship.

Me: Yes

V.O: What do you currently do?

Me: I work as the business intelligence lead at ***, where I collect sales and customer data and use that to create marketing strategy, better target our customers and improve business processes.

V. O: What are you going to do when you return from this program?

Me: I will return and take up the position of Director if Analytics. I already have a written commitment from my organization.

V.O: You mean ****?

Me: Yes ****

V.O: longest 90 seconds if my life typing and clicking. Then the white paper.



*Personal tip:*
If you’ve been refused before, use the comment box to your advantage. I talked about why I think I was refused (financial plan), then explain what has changed like gre, GA and how I will be working with an eccentric professor. So I think this is why I wasn’t asked much questions, cos I already answered some of them with that explanation. She was focused and impressed with the assistantship and she didn’t even asked about anything pertaining to financials. Plus I wore a suit (if you say you will come back to a management position, please dress like a manager).

Bonus points: If you haven’t, please watch Suit or Billions before interview, so you can start feeling like Harvey in front of the VO��


Thanks to everyone on this group. Fairheart, you’re just a blessing. My brother Kelvin messaged me in the midnight and told me he said a prayer for me, then I knew I will get it. I appreciate everyone.

3rd attempt.

*Visa Interview Transcript:*
*Location: Abuja*
*School: University of New Hampshire*
*COA: 72k*
*GA: 58k*
*Deficit: 14k*
*Attempt: (3rd attempt )*
*Status* *VISA APPROVED*

V.O: Good morning

Me: Good morning, how are you today?

VO: Didn’t answer

Pass me your I20
Me: Pls have it. (Placed my hands for biometric)

V.O: You’re going to the University of New Hampshire to study business statistics

Me: I corrected her that it’s business analytics.

V.O: I can see you have an assistantship.

Me: Yes

V.O: What do you currently do?

Me: I work as the business intelligence lead at ***, where I collect sales and customer data and use that to create marketing strategy, better target our customers and improve business processes.

V. O: What are you going to do when you return from this program?

Me: I will return and take up the position of Director if Analytics. I already have a written commitment from my organization.

V.O: You mean ****?

Me: Yes ****

V.O: longest 90 seconds if my life typing and clicking. Then the white paper.



*Personal tip:*
If you’ve been refused before, use the comment box to your advantage. I talked about why I think I was refused (financial plan), then explain what has changed like gre, GA and how I will be working with an eccentric professor. So I think this is why I wasn’t asked much questions, cos I already answered some of them with that explanation. She was focused and impressed with the assistantship and she didn’t even asked about anything pertaining to financials. Plus I wore a suit (if you say you will come back to a management position, please dress like a manager).

Bonus points: If you haven’t, please watch Suit or Billions before interview, so you can start feeling like Harvey in front of the VO��


Thanks to everyone on this group. Fairheart, you’re just a blessing. My brother Kelvin messaged me in the midnight and told me he said a prayer for me, then I knew I will get it. I appreciate everyone.

Hi

I just sent you a pm, please respond.

NigPatriot:
Sorry for the denial. Kindly post your transcript here.

Hi

Your reschedule button will be visible once your EA has been approved. I will advise you send a mail to them first before deferral (support-nigeria@usatraveldocs.com. Tell them what’s at stake, like loosing your admission or funding. Best of luck.

statemanui:
Hello Guys,

Please I need clarification on an issue.

I was Denied Emergency application next week Saturday in Lagos. But I noticed that my emergency appointment request button was restored so I sharply cancelled my Lagos appointment and booked another appointment in Abuja with the same MRV. To my greatest suprise I was still able to request for another Emergency application but I realized that the reschedule button was removed.

So my concern right now is if what I have done is appropriate and should be hopefully or I should just proceed to pay for another visa fee and defer my admission to spring 2020?

I need your input guys.

Thank you.

hi

First, ask your school for an extension or the final day you can arrive the US before deferring.

Amenndmore:
I applied for an EA since 2weeks ago to Abuja and finally got approved. But the next available date for any interview was end of August and my school classes start on that date. Now I have to defer. Heartbroken but God knows best.

Hi everyone. Thanks to all that have been contributing immensely to this thread.

On the issue of advising people to withhold school name and or program, which is now the status quo with transcripts, I think this is wrong. A lot of people applied to WiU and got accepted simply because the barrier to entry is low and tuition is low, that’s not the fault of the applicants. People who know WiU or got the info from transcripts and decided to apply also know Havard and Stanford, and many people applied to it as a safe school and not just because they can’t research other schools. Hence, the argument is weak. I personally researched over 100 schools and attended several info sessions, that doesn’t mean everyone should be subjected to that. I can simply state my program in my transcript and also other schools I applied to. In an Indian Facebook group, they advise you on schools you can apply to and also help you choose the best after several admits, that is what we should be doing here. If you decide to hide your school and program, it’s your choice, but you’re not doing much to help others.

On the issue of Fairheart willing to help people in the state he’s currently in, that’s a very good gesture and it’s not every thing your international office can do to help you, we’ve seen people here house others for weeks. Is it all schools that can provide temporary accommodation?

On the issue of Fairheart charging people for reaching out to him personally, it’s perfectly legitimate. We all have 24 hours, so if you’re asking me to dedicate part of my own to advise you, I can decide to charge you, irrespective of where I got the info from. Would it be a problem if he has a dully registered company, paying salaries and taxes, and providing the same services, even if he got the info from here?. People and companies pay for advice, it’s a very usual business model and anyone should not be subjected to needles attacks because of this, even when he had stated clearly that people should only contact him if it’s personal. Not everyone can go through all this thread, so if I can get someone to give me step by step breadown for a fee, I’d be happy to pay. Plus I’ve never met anyone half as sefless as this guy on this visa journey. He will do mock interviews with you late at night and has been doing so for me and others for almost a year now without asking for a dime. Calling him a criminal is just lame and illogical, you can counter his submissions without attacking his person.

I wish us all the best.

NigPatriot:
I don't think you're being empathetic here. If you were in their shoes would you feel comfortable someone saying what you're saying.

The rant is necessary especially for people who have had to travel long distances only for their appointments to be cancelled without prior notice. I know you mean no harm but the least you can do for people is to give hope.

Exactlty, this whole process has been very frustrating for many. Imagine someone who already quit their job, took loans for an MBA and is supposed to be in US in a few days going through this. Maybe this is because we don’t really take mental health seriously in this part of the world (I mean someone had to quit olympics cos the pressure to win is too much).

Predstan:
Oya go and protest at the embassy or call the White House. You can even Call Buhari to plead on your behalf.

Hi, your comment on this issue is just so insensitive, it’s not by force to respond if you don’t know what to say. We all know it’s tough to get dates, which is due to the surge of applications the embassy is dealing with. People finally got dates, flew in from different part of Nigeria, then their appointments were canceled less than 24 hours to go, how do you expect them to feel and not come here to complain. This is a paid service. The problem wasn’t the cancellation, as the embassy reserves the right to do that, but timing and the manner with which it was done. Now those applicants are back in the pool with little hope of getting dates after all the hardwork and money spent. You sef reason am.

Nice conversation and a brilliant profile.

On the question of What will this degree do for you?, I think you should talk about how the program prepares you for the director role first (cos it’s the primary reason), secondary reasons should be providing solutions to migrant crisis as you claimed (you can spice this up with how you intend to do that, perhaps create an advocacy group or run for a legislative position).

Overall, you’ve done your homework, funding and an impressive profile. Best of luck

fdecisive:
Please Gurus in the house kindly peruse my proposed transcript. I welcome all comments positive and negative, including questions. Thank you all.

VO: Where are you going?
I am heading to the University of xxxx to study and conduct research for a Masters Degree in International Studies.

VO: When did you graduate from College, and what have you been up to?
I graduated from college in 2015, and for the past 5 years, I have worked as a journalist reporting on developmental issues around Africa, I have also worked as a humanitarian officer helping persons of concern across 3 countries including Nigeria. I currently manage the communications of xxxx Limited, a development investment portfolio, and I'm looking at progressing to a senior role.

VO: Why did you choose this course?
Two reasons.
First is to be able to conduct a field research under the supervision of Dr Jim xxxx and Dr xxxx Anderson. My research will focus on how public opinion on migrants and refugees are formed, and how those opinions influence government policy on the treatment of refugees. The aim is to provide solutions to the refugee and migration crisis in sub-saharan Africa, particularly in the Northeast of Nigeria.
The second reason is to be able to gain the competencies and exposure to be able to take up the role of CSR Director at xxxx, where I currently work. Our shareholders are looking towards investing in a nonprofit to serve the humanitarian needs of conflict-hit northeast and the cameroonian refugees in southeast Nigeria.

VO: How did you find this university?
I conducted online research via 4icu.rg on US Universities that have expertise in International Studies and International Development. I found that the University of xxxx hosts two outstanding scholars with leading research in refugee and humanitarian studies, and international affairs - Dr Jim xxxx and Dr xxxx Anderson. This attracted me to the university, then of course the funding I got.

VO: What will this degree do for you?
With this degree I will have the skills and competencies required to be able to provide solutions to the refugee and migration crisis in Sub-saharan Africa, particularly Nigeria. I will also be able to take up the role of CSR Director at xxxx.

VO: Did you apply to other schools? Which?
Yes. American University, Washington and Brandeis University, Massachusetts.

VO: What is your plan for study?
My study plan includes 27 credit hours of learning and 4 hours of thesis research, spread across 4 semesters. I will take 9 credits in each of my first 3 semesters - a total of 27 credit hours of learning. Then in my 4th semester, I will take 4 "Thesis Hours" for intensive research and thesis writing. Throughout the study, I will also gain knowledge from seminars, conferences, and brown bag events held by my department.

VO: I can see that you have full funding. Can you tell me about it?
I was awarded a full tuition and fees waiver, including health insurance; and full graduate assistantship which comes with a monthly stipend for my living expenses.

VO: Are you married?
No, I'm not.

VO: Who will be paying for your trip?
The department xxxxx will be funding my trip to campus.

VO: Alright. I will be approving your visa


@fairheart @walspring @Lagosismyhome @Shuayb0

Hi

I feel your reasons for why Grand Canyon and what will this certificate do for you is weak.

A business Analytics degree is not necessarily a research degree, it prepares you for the industry, plus it's from a business school and you shouldn't talk about research interest in growing small and medium businesses in Nigeria, when you later talked about adding value to your mum's business.

You could talk about the advance and predictive Analytics curriculum plus electives that is tailored towards helping your mother's business or any other organisation make data informed decisions. For example, if your mum runs a distribution or logistics business, an elective in supply chain Analytics might help ( see this link on the program's website https://www.gcu.edu/blog/business-management/why-choose-master-science-business-analytics).

On what will the certificate do for you: You first said to improve your mum's business, then later you said you want to train businesses. I think you should pick either narrative and dwell on it or you can say you will provide actionable insights to grow your mum's business, then in 3-5 years time, you intend to create a website or resource to help medium businesses get insights from their idle databases.

Overall you need to do more research about the program outcomes of a business Analytics degree.

PS: I'm also an applicant going for the same program. My feedback might be wrong.
[quote . I need correction on my transcript.
Would be going for an interview on the 19th of May at Abuja
3rd interview
Vo- why are you going to the use
Me- to obtain a masters of science in business analytics at grand canyon university Arizona

Vo- why grand canyon university
Me- apart from my sister been an alumni of grand canyon university.
My research interest is in the field of ways to grow business in small and medium scale sector in Nigeria. I spoke with professor phil Greg in the department of business analytics who has a research on ways to grow business in small and medium scale sector in the word, he would be of help to me. The university tuition fee is in line with my mother's budget.

Vo- who is you sponsor
Me- my mom

Vo- what does she do
Me- she is the managing director of ..... Where I work.

Vo- why is she have a different last name
Me- I lost my dad at a very little age, and my mom got remarried.

Vo- how would this certificate help you
Me- with a master degree in business analytics, it would help me enhance The growth of my mother's company where I work,
During the covid 19 pandemic, individuals where helped by the Nigerian government to grow their businesses, without a good knowledge about the data base of your business it won't grow. So I would start up a training business firm for individuals with passion for business.

Vo- after your masters what next for you.
Me- upon my return to Nigeria. I would go back to my place of work, And bring those knowledge at work in my mother's company.

Vo- why USA
Me- I chose USA because they offer the right blend to the theoretical and practical knowledge which is very difficult to obtain anywhere in the world.

I have more let me post this for now. Please I need your honest correction. I really want to be confident in my self. I believe I can get it here.[/quote]

I think your transcript is good overall.

In your answer to what will this program do for you, I feel you should put your last statement first, some VOs don't have time for stories and might think you're going off course. So put important or main points first, stories should come later.

PS: I'm an applicant too, so might be wrong, just an experience from a previous denial.

Victoriaog:
Good Morning everyone. kindly help me review my revised transcript.

Me: Good morning
VO: Good morning, Can I have your passport and I-20
Me: (Passes them)

VO: Where are you going to in the USA?
Me: I am going to the US to study and acquire my masters degree in mass communication with concentration in journalism at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

VO: how did you know about UALR?
Me: I carried out extensive research using academic websites. I used usnews.com, gradschools.com and then google.com. I further streamlined my search to schools whose courses aligns with my area of interest

VO: how many admit and which
Me: 4 admit
University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of Missouri, Kansas City, Texas tech university, Lubbock and Arkansas State university, Jonesboro.


VO: why did you choose UALR?
Me: Checking out several schools and speaking with different professors from these schools, professor Timothy Edwards' warm approach and timely response to my numerous inquiries gave me comfort. His interest and teaching experience in journalism was really something that caught my attention and I am willing to learn under him.

VO: Why this course/ what will it do for you?
Me: During my summer internship at orange fm Akure, I happened to work alongside a couple of journalists, Through observing them and their passion to work. My burning desire and Interest for journalism grew more. This degree will make me stand out amongst the rest in professional and academic work as well as give me an edge over others in research and analytics evolving world of media and communication when i return to Nigeria

VO: what’s your study plan
Me: I would be required to complete 33 credit hours of course work in 24 months inclusive of 6 credit hours of core requirement course, 3 credit hours of electives courses. A few of my courses include special problems in mass communication, media criticisms, news media publishing, special topics in journalism, images of minorities in the media.

VO: who’s your sponsor
Me: My uncle will be sponsoring me

VO: why is your uncle sponsoring you
Me: My uncle who was trained by my dad is willing and capable to pay back and he has always been a driving force for me to always advance in life and career.

VO: what does he do
Me: He used to work as a geology professor at Wesley University Ondo and adjunct professor at Federal university of Technology Akure before he went into the oil and gas industry.

VO: why USA and not Nigeria
Me: what is best about acquiring advance studies in the US is that the qualification i earn is globally recognized and on top of that the education system in the US has been known historically for its academic excellence. I will also like to intern with CNN or Bloomberg where I will gain experiences that can't be gained in Nigeria. This will give me a better chance and offer when I'm done with my masters and it will boost my chances to getter a better job in Nigeria. It's a great start for my career path.

Yes GA

peptual:
Did you receive any funding from the school?

Let's connect please. I also got accepted to Business Analytics at Uni New Hampshire

xtus:
Mathematics at Uni of New Hampshire

Wow, what an expose, I got admitted to a masters program with a $20,000 scholarship. Now negotiating assistantship with them, cos I got an assistantship elsewhere, but I didn't graduate with a first-class. Hopefully, they will consider me. Can anyone advise, please?

MelaninGemstone:
Bro, what did you graduate with please? I just got a response from the graduate office of Stevens, I sent them a mail inquiring about graduate assistantships and funding, and they said that I didn’t get funding because I didn’t finish with first class. Lol

I finished with a second class upper (Hons)

So I wanna know if anyone here finished with first class and still didn’t get funding from Stevens.

If there is someone like that, that means the school is just looking for money

mbolajide2010:
I got two admissions from the WIU and I have been asked to choose the one I will like to pursue - the two courses are M.Sc Mathematics and M.Sc Applied Statistics and Decision Analytics. I want to know which of the two programs is easier to get GA.

Thank you.

Hi, I got admitted for Applied Analytics and Decision Science too about a month ago. Still waiting for GA decision.

I believe your choice of program should be based on what you intend to achieve after the program. Than Analytics program is a business degree which basically prepares you for corporate employment, while the mathematics program is more research oriented ( you can still enter corporate world with this,especially investment banking).

You can also choose based on the curriculum and which one has courses you are most interested in. I think you applied to both to increase your funding opportunities, either way, you can switch between them when you get there.

Application fee will be waived automatically after 24 hours of submitting your application.

Systrom:
Boss, I submitted an application just now to Stevens Institute of Technology, but my dashboard shows awaiting application fee of $60.00

Should I ignore? How will I be sure that my application will be reviewed?

Or do I contact the graduate office? Please advise

Misterdhee1:
Bro, with this your profile - you should go for stats rather than Business Analytics. Most analytics/Data science grad programs are professional programs and don't offer funding. Moroever statistics is one of the hottest fields rn. Best of luck.

Thanks for you input sir. I will keep it in mind.

Hello everyone

Thanks for the helpful information shared here.

I have a Computer Science background (3.94/5.0)

I recently wrote GRE and scored 323 (Quant =166, Verbal = 157, AWA=3.5).

I will appreciate school recommendations for MS Business Analytics, MIS, Data Analytics or Data Science with good funding opportunities or GA. Gracias.

4hranc:
I am happy you're able to get an expedited interview appointment date. Congratulations.
Please, have you submitted your DS 160 form? Was it submitted prior to your request for emergency appointment?

Yes, I submitted on Saturday and applied on Wednesday.

edox15:
Good news. Can you please share the contents of the email you sent them.
I'm hoping to get the same favor.

It wasn’t an email exchange, I booked an appointment for March 2021 and the requested emergency. I stated my program start date and mentioned that I made a commitment to the school to resume in spring, and I also made mention of the required orientation event that will hold 2 weeks to program start date. I attached i-20 and sevis receipt.

Hello Guys

My emergency appointment request was granted (previously refused visa in Lagos on 6th November), I applied on 25th and got a mail about an hour ago saying it’s limited to those that has not been refused within 6 months. I got another mail saying it has been approved and then another mail saying it has been refused. I then login to my account to reschedule and I was able to schedule for December 4. This is Abuja, I just received a confirmation mail (I hope they don’t turn me back at the gate�).

So for guys like me, you can try. My program start date is 19th January. I hope I get favored this time.

tosin18:
Congratulations to anyone coming to Lamar University in Spring 2021? Please dm me.

If you are coming to Lamar University and you are yet to visit the embassy. Please dm me.

If you are coming to the College of Business for MBA or MS in MIS. Please dm me.

Hello,

I sent you a pm. Thanks for putting this out. I’m going for MIS this spring.

LagosismyHome:
Try and relax next time and imagine it just a chat between you and I..... that funding you self know you missed it by not highlighting it well so make sure you correct it next time. Best of luck

Thanks a lot ma'am. I've learnt my lessons.

Hello everyone,

f-1 Visa denied on 6th November. The interview lasted less than 2 minutes. I was exhausted after standing in the queue for about 3 hours.

I was scheduled to interview at 9 am but I arrived about 2 hours earlier. I was a little nervous when I approached the VO. The VO that attended to me denied a guy in front of me.

VO: Please pass me your documents
Me: Handed them over
VO: Where are you going?
Me: Lamar University Texas
VO: What are you going to study?
Me: Msc Management Information Systems
VO: Why Lamar ( he was looking at his screen, didn't think he checked my i-20)?
Me: On my mind, I was thinking what was asked was why the program, so I started talking about how I have been working on a project with LASG for spatial data analytics and at some point realized that I have exhausted my knowledge, hence the need to upskill. I failed to talk about the out of state tuition waiver and scholarship I was offered.
VO: Who's sponsoring you?
Me: My maternal uncle (another opportunity to talk about funding missed).
VO: Have you traveled out of Nigeria before?
Me: No
VO: Are you married?
VO: No
Me: Do you have any children?
VO: No
VO: I'm sorry you are not qualified for this Visa at this time, this slip will explain the reasons ( he handed me a yellow slip that talks about proving home ties).

I know I didn't do justice to the question Why Lamar and the VO wasn't the patient type, didn't ask for SOA, I doubt that he checked my i-20 ( las las na me mess up).

I will appreciate your inputs. I'm still waiting to reapply before January 19 resumption date.

dipdat123:
@NoTimeZone interviews is going on at the Abuja Consulate. As a matter of fact I have a date for December 14th after denial at Lagos October 20th and someone I know have date for November 18th.

Hi, how long did it take to book an appointment after rejection?

If I try to create another appointment, it keeps showing the previous payment receipt and I cannot edit it. Same thing even when I choose Abuja.

DoubleRoyalty:
So all those mail-in ballots are for Biden?

The current situation is an overview of what to expect when Pennsylvania's mail-in ballots are finally counted.
I love your optimism but it won't work here.
Good luck anyways.

If he’s so sure as you are, why is he already declaring himself a winner and making false claims cos mail-in are not yet counted.

You’re in for a surprise my friend.