₦airaland Forum

walepepe21:
Visa Approved on July 22nd,2019 at the Abuja Embassy, Window 8 by a very young beautiful Lady in her 20s Transcript Loading

Congratulations bro ��

fairheart:
The F1 approval rate will remain higher and steady until the new change come into effect. The number of B1/B2 visa the embassy issue has been slashed significantly due to Nigerians who abuse this visa. I am suspecting the US still want to maintain their overall target, hence, F1 visa rate will increase...at least, for now.
If you have been refused, learn the lesson and pursue again. A few days ago, we saw someone who got it at 6th attempt. You have been refused once or twice, and you're saying life is hard and unfair. You no know before?

For prospects, get your things right!
I continue to say it, avoid community colleges if you're looking at studying your first degree in the US. For people aspiring for advanced knowledge in their desire field, do go for Masters or Phd. Second degree is not advisable. Having another MS is great!

You will not achieve much in this life if you're not focus and willing to pay the price required for academic and career advancement. Not just the monetary aspect of the price but in terms of effort, quality time, and confidence you're willing to invest. If going to the US matters to you, focus on that and do it timely. I am now advising, it is not a crime to try top universities in the US. Na students wey get head like you dey go there. But don't let top schools gets into your head. It doesn't guarantee your success in life. I speak to the wise only!

You cannot succeed in life if you think you sabi it all. I have seen students with vain pride and ego on this forum. They don't know, but they will not ask questions. Once they mess up the application, they would then start asking useless questions. You dey do yourself!
What you don't know cannot help you; but what you know is useful only when you use it. Again, I speak to the wise only. If you don't understand something, ask questions.

The reason Oluwaseun Osewa created Nairaland is not because he wanted to make money, although that's part of the plan; the underlying reason is because he wanted Nigerians to share information in a way that would make two heads better than one. Have a partner in this journey; make a brother; make a sister, and make a friend. I call these people, a partner in F1 adventure. ASK QUESTIONs, but intelligent and reasonable questions.

Spring Prospects, start your application now. Carpe diem.
God bless!

��...well said

Hi guys, so glad and happy that dreams are coming true. And congratulations to everyone who’s gotten their visa approved, I pray your journey here will be a successful and peaceful one.

That said, should you or know anyone who’s coming to the university of southern Mississippi this fall, I’ll be glad to help such individual with housing and acclamatizing.

Thanks

misstemi2:
Visa Approved at the Lagos consulate: 15th of July

Before I share my successful transcript, I should share the one where I got denied. I was denied on June 10th.

Profile
PhD Sociology (Gender inequality)
71% Tuition waiver
Teaching Assistantship
Deficit: $7,434
Sponsor: Uncle
Mississippi State University

V.O: Pass your i20 and passport
V.O : You are going to MSU?
ME : Yes
V.O : How many schools did you apply into?
ME: 5 ( she told me to list them and I did)
V.O : Have you ever travelled out before ?
ME : No
V.O : what were you looking out for while making applications?
She didn’t use those exact words but I thought she asked me indirectly why I chose MSU. I went on and on about why I chose the school cos of my research interest and she was listening until I mentioned the prof I would be working with. She interrupted...
V.O : Are you talking about MSU?
ME : Yes
V.O : I am not asking you about a school in particular. I am asking you the criteria you looked out for in schools while you were making your applications. What were the facilities you looked out for?
( As a sociologist, I couldn’t think of any facility I would be needing. All schools have a form of research activity. We don’t use the lab or any equipment. I honestly didn’t understand what she wanted from me. I mumbled something about funding and research. I can’t remember the words I used exactly but it wasn’t very intelligent) I think I said something about the research carried out in the department.
V.O : funding ? That shouldn’t be a factor. All doctoral students get a funded position. Almost all doctoral students get funding. (She corrected the “All”)

ME: Well, funding was a deciding factor for me. I have friends who got admitted for a Phd but didn’t secure any form of funding. (I don’t know why I had to say that though)
V.O: You are not eligible for this visa bla bla

I walked away feeling like disappointed in myself because I know I could have done better. Applied for another interview the following day and got July 15. Interview was for 9am but I didn’t leave the house till 7am. I got stuck in traffic and I was still there till 10am. I entered with the last set of people to be interviewed around 12.

V.O : Pass your i20 and passport. What school are you going to?
ME: MSU
V.O : why MSU?
ME: I chose MSU because their sociology department is profound in my research interest which is gender inequality & stratification and they are also closely affiliated with the gender studies program of the school. Coincidentally, Prof Kelly Kimberly who I would be working with when I resume doubles as the director of the program. I am convinced this affiliation would help me to benefit from interdisciplinary teaching and research. The department also (VO cuts in)
V.O: How many schools did you apply into?
ME : 5
V.O : what will you do after getting this degree?
ME: I would come back to Nigeria to pick up a lecturing job as my career goal is to become a professor of sociology. I would also like to engage in lots of research work that is geared towards having a radical impact on gender policy in Nigeria.
V.O : your uncle is going to sponsor you?
ME: yes
V.O : what does he do ?
ME : He is the head of sales, public sector for bleep limited
V.O : what do they sell there?
ME : it’s like a micro finance bank where they give out loans.
( my heart was beating fast here because my SOA only had 3.1M and my deficit is Close to 2.8M)
V.O : your on-campus employment is what exactly?
ME : It’s a teaching assistantship.
V.O: I will be issuing your visa now bla bla bla

I kept saying thank you � maybe about 5 times nd the guy started laughing. He told me to calm down and keep my i20 safe bla bla bla.

I learnt a lot from this platform and I am really grateful. Thanks to my love TheZed❤️, Soliph ( for her patience and care) and Tjay. Sorry for my long epistle lol

Congratulations and welcome to Starkville in advance.

Anyone resuming to University of Southern Mississippi this fall or planning for spring

hello guys, it's good to be here after a long while.....all the best to those coming in in fall.

thayor21:
Please can you help out with any you know still having open application for fall 2019.thanks

thayor21:
Please can you help out with any you know still having open application for fall 2019.thanks

I'll advice you check google for the specific schools, it's better that way and literally your efforts starts from there.... You could also check Easter Tennessee State University, Clemson University. Their program is more interdisciplinary in nature.

thayor21:
Good afternoon house, please I want to know if there are schools one can can assistantship or scholarship with this profile.
Gpa 3.23/5.0 in mechanical engineering
Gre 304
Toefl 90
Two years work experience in water production company.
Preferably msc in industrial engineering.
Thank you all.

Yeah.

Beekorly:
University of Southern Mississippi?

Yeah

twittycutey:
Congratulations to you. Please can I pm you. Need to ask your some questions.

Yes please.

Samuelpluto:
please when did u get the visa issued bro

December 2018

Hello all, been a while. Good to be here again. So I arrived in the US on monday. Journey was a long one and been the first time still experiencing some jet lag, and the cold needs some getting used to. But it's been a wonderful experience and I'm settling in well.

Can't thank nairaland enough for the help I got in those days leading to my interview. You guys are the best.

And to all aspiring students, I wish you all Godspeed.

Beekorly:
Thanks guys @bracelum @Bikeman @cuteredd n others.

I'd appreciate your suggestions on schools I can still forward a ms application to, n that wud give funding.

Hi there, with a strong profile like yours I will recommend you consider the USM for the PhD option. It's fully funded.

Pefuele:
How did your interview with the woman go?Had mine last month...

It went well bro.

So sad to hear this. Had my interview with the same woman few weeks ago. Will be good if you can drop additional details: school, course applied to, level, educational background and so on. Then I believe people can help from there.

Pinkandblue26:
Hello house
Please what is about the window 9 woman in Abuja.
Why is she mean
Why does she deny a lot
She asked 2 questions: who is your sponsor and why the school. No request for statement of acct. She wasn't looking at me all through. Just typing and typing. Before I knew ....she just held out green paper
I still can't fathom what happened. As if I'm dreaming.
She interviewed 4 ppl in less than 2 min.

Morning guys, please can someone help with the link to B1/B2 transcript page. Thanks.

My thought is that you would've done well if you'd come up with name(s) of faculty members who've promised you funding in subsequent term. This would've given your stance more strength. Then I believe as a graduate student(Msc/PhD), one is either involved as a RA/TA so whoever your advisor will be should be able to send you a letter indicating his readiness to allow work in his/her lab even in the absence of immediate funding.

Just saying.

omoobaadeNGR:
Here is my Interview transcript with the Consular Officer (CO) on 31/12/2018

CO: Good morning
Me: Good morning

CO: Your passport please
Me: Hands over the passport

CO: Why are you traveling?
Me: Going for my PhD at bla bla university

CO: Let me have your I-20
Me: Here it is (handing over the form)

CO: (Checks form and types) Sorry what major is this for?
Me: Mech*********

CO: Checks form I-20 again and says ok. How did you hear about this school?
Me: I first came across the school on the day I took my GRE test. I was trying to send my score to a particular school that is very popular in the state, but the schools name won't come up only this school coming up

CO: (CUTS IN) So you applied to this school because you couldn't find the school you wanted to apply to on GRE?
Me: (continued) No, I then went on to do more research on the school and discovered that they have a very solid program in my intended field of study. And this convinced me to apply in the long run

CO: Most students going for PhD study get some form of funding but you don't have
Me: The university is not funding me now because I am starting during the Spring semester when there is usually shortage of funding. But I have spoken with many faculty members who have promised to fund me starting from the Fall term.

CO: I can't see that here (looking at the I-20)
Me: (In my mind, this one dey craze, I-20 be promisory note?)

CO: How many school did you apply to?
Me: 3.

CO: Which schools and how many admitted you?
Me: Named them, A declined me, B put me on waitlist

CO: Why don't you wait for decision from B?
Me: I want to rap up my program as fast as possible and willing to pay before I get funding ...

CO: Who is your sponsor?
Me: My aunts

CO: Your aunt what does she do?
Me Aunts, they are two. I told her what they do and was trying to bring out account statements and Fixed deposit certificate

CO: Ok two of them, (she gave one kind of smile) keep your documents, sir
Me: Yes

VO: What would you say is your occupation now?
Me: (Trying to explain) I just started a firm and I have the registration certificate here.

CO: Don't worry. Please sir keep your documents.
Me: Packed all my documents together and maintained my calm.

VO: What do you do in your firm?
Me: XXXXXXX, XXXXXX, XXXXX

CO: So what is your occupation now?
Me: (I filled in Research as primary occupation on my DS160) Well, I was a researcher, But NOW I would say I'm a xxxxxxx (what I majorly do in my firm now)

CO: How much do you earn monthly?
Me: (This is where I think I messed up it a bit, I went to undersell myself. I was earning well over N1m as a researcher in Europe before deciding to come home and fully start my firm after securing an admission. My plan is to get it running and it can keep running while I am away in the US. Revenue should start flowing in only between January and March 2019) I was working as a reseacher in XXXXX University (Europe) before and I was earning...

CO: (Cuts in) Sir, how much IS your monthly income NOW? I am not checking your documents
Me: I said about N300,000 (this is where messed up here, I should have said about N1 m. I discovered she was[b] trying to guide[/b] me by saying I am not checking your documents, but it was too late) which I have placed myself on for about 4 months since I came back home.

CO: Are you married?
Me: No

CO: Do you have any kids?
Me: No

CO: Did you write any Test?
Me: Yes, I wrote GRE (3**), TOEFL (1**)
CO: Types for some moments. Sorry. Sir, I won't be issuing you a visa now, you aren't eligible for a non-immigrant visa at this time. (Hands over blue paper)
Me: (Very unexpected) I asked why is this so? This is weird.

VO: Sorry I can't go into details right now. Please go through the paper.
Me: This is strange. (Walks away) .

Notes
Rejection was based on Section 214(b), which is all about not showing strong tie to the home country. This is totally not true in my case because the CO was not allowing me to prove that I have a strong tie to Nigeria, possibly because she doesn't believe I have assets in Nigeria worth coming back for. I have over 1 acre of land in one location outside Lagos, about 2 Plots in a prime location in Lagos and some other valuable assets and investments that I can't jeopardize. I guess she thought I was going to get married in the US, she na white girl I never see for Europe?

Happy new year guys. I pray this new year ushers in plenty of white papers for admitted spring students and prospective fall applicants.

I'm one of those who joined this thread half-way to prepare for my interview and I'm must say this thread was of great help to me as I was able to develop a concise transcript for my interview.

Got my visa in the early days of December last year and my departure is just few days from now.

So my advice to prospective applicants is
1. Do your homework in identifying credible and above average schools to apply to.
2. Sit for neccesary tests even if not required by school. This present your case as a serious student to the VO
3. It doesn't matter the number of schools you applied to, because even submitting your application to plenty schools amounts to a waste of money when such funds could've been used for other expenses.
4. If funding is your priority, then be rest assured that you'll be supported by the school you're applying to prior to submitting your application.
5.Work on your SOP and get very strong recommendations from people who have a sound knowledge about you.
6.Pray very very very hard.

P. S: If anyone still has upcoming interview, I'll be available to set up a mock with such person. This is my only way of giving back to this thread. I'll also be reposting my transcript as well.

Have a wonderful celebration.

Hello guys, seasons greetings to you. I'll appreciate if anyone here has someone schooling in university of southern Mississippi, need someone who can accommodate me pending the time I sort my apartment. Will also like to know if anyone is traveling to Mississippi come January. Thanks

Congratulations to you.

EELORHOR:
Hi, i have been a silent observer of this thread, the numerous advices from the gurus of this house, @walspring, @lagosismyhome, @twoods although i didn't personally ask you guys questions, but the numerous advices and constructive criticism that you gave is a blessing to us, and i ask one thing keep touching lives and your reward is bountiful. @Mayorboi thank you very much for the continuous hammeringon my preparing, on getting my documents ready and the coaching and mock interviews you according me, thank you very much boss.

One thing please don't slack on prayers, please i repeat don't slack on prayers.


My interview was on 6:30 this morning 27th of Dec. 2018.
So I got to the embassy by 5am & met them 'staple your docs & get coloured copy of your data page' people. Thankful for the knowledge I acquired here...
I was interviewed by a white guy on window 4.

This guy was not smiling as he had recently given two applicants before the blue paper, i was nervous chai. Which kind line they put me oohhh.....

Vo: "Good morning".
Me: "Good morning."

Vo: "How are you?"
Me: "I am fine thank you, how are you?"

Vo: (ignores my response and question)"Your Passport and I-20 please "
Me:" Passes Documents. "

Vo: (After looking at my documents and typing for a while) "What are you goingto study?"
Me: "Evironmental Science from SIUE, i will be focusing on Environmental biology. "


Vo: "What do you want to do?"
Me: "( i no understand this question ooh, i no get prepared answer ooh)Pardon?"

Vo: "What do you want to do with Environmental biology"
Me: "I want to study Environmental Biology in order to get the necessary skills and tools required to solve the numerous environmental problem, using "*Vo cuts in*
Vo: "You are not telling me what you want to do with Environmental biology. "
Me: *a little bit tense, because this dude just stopped my flow of rehearsed answers*, I am getting there.
Vo: "Well you have to get there faster!"
Me: *sigh to calm myself*, "Well i want to study environmental biology so that i can be able to reduce the amount of pollutants in the environment, using Phyto remediation technology. "

Vo: "Phyto remediation technology, can you tell me what phyto remediation is?"
Me: "well Phyto remediation is the use of plants to remediate the environment, using processes phytostabilization and phyovolatization. "

Vo: "What is phytovolatization?"
Me:" P.v is the processes of using plants that are bioaccumalators, to absorb contaminants and through transpiration these contaminants are released back into the environment, in a volatile state that is easily degraded. "

Vo: "Okay, how did you learn about this School?"
Me: "I stumbled on a research paper while doing a term paper during my undergraduate on the developement of bla bla bla, by a prof. bla bla in SIUE. This was what peaked my interest in SIUE,"

Vo: "How many Schools, did you apply to?"
Me: "Four, SIUE, USFC, Texas State Uni and Unilag. "


Vo: "Why did you choose SIUE,"
Me: "I chose SIUE, because Coupled with the scholarship( vo looks at i-20 to verify) the school granted to me, i am interested in joining prof bla bla's research team on the developement of bla bla bla, i have been in contact with him and he has accepted me into his team in my arrival to school. "

Vo:"Ooh i see the Scholarship now. Who is going to pay for the rest of your tution?"
Me: "Told him. "

Vo: "Okay, can you mention some plants used in "Phytoremediation (looked away to type somemore)
Me: *nice i done get you* "Well you have ficcus microcarpa common name Bonsai tree, Barley, Duckweed, Canabis Sativa*Vo cuts in smilling*

Vo: "Canabis, you mean Marijuana? "
Me: "*laughing* yes indian hemp. "


Vo: Picks white paper and says the magic words. It was really magical. People who have experienced this can confirm.

I advice you prepare well and don't cram your responses as it kinda irritates the impatient ones, clear and concise answers would do, listen to the questions and be bold and confident, do prior research in whatever yoh say gou want to go and study and research because thet can ask technical questions there, so you don't shoot yourself in the foot

Also i cannot stop saying this Please pray and trust God .

I hereby usher in more Spring 2019 approved visa transcripts.

Hi

Miaanita:
Pls can profile give me funding or Graduate Assistantships for
Msc Animal science/Poultry Science
GPA :- 4.7/5.0
GRE:- 304 AWA, 2.0
TOEFL:- 88

My program requires me to mail my professors first so as to get Supervisor who will accept me before I can apply..

Do I stand a good chance of getting funding pls

Hey there, you've got a very good profile I must say. I didn't even come close to any of your grades but still got an admit with a fully funded tuition scholarship and monthly stipend in form of A RA.

So my take is this if your proposed department requires you mail professors, please do and mail as many as possible. Be open as to your plan (Msc or PhD), you should also be flexible in your area of interest (animal science, animal nutrition, biological science, molecular biology, genetics and so on are areas I believe you can fit into).

And as someone rightly opined your SOP will also go a long way in increasing your chances.

In all I'll advice you time yourself as I see you getting admit for fall. All the best

Spring2019:
Hey bro, has your status changed to issued?

Yes it has. What about yours.

Morning here. Does anyone knows someone in university of southern Mississippi. I need someone to share room with. Thanks

Morning here. Please I had my interview on Monday in Abuja and the location I filled for pick up was also Abuja. But right now I'm in Ibadan. Any suggestion on how to go about the collection. Thanks

After I've gone through the past 3-4 threads, I realized that the cause of this argument is more of a misinterpretation, which I believe is bound to happen in this kind of setting where responses can't easily be accessed.

So I'll plead on the two of you and on behalf of people who are on this thread to learn, to please let the matter go.

Since I started following this thread I've gained a lot from contributions from you both and I wouldn't like a situation where someone will have to leave.

@fairheart and @aldheir
Thank you Sirs

Adhheir:
https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?eQs=WwjqOlbeRYzCYubaSQI+RA==

Thank you.

slamcole:
Please how do one check visa status. Thanks

Answers please

Please how do one check visa status. Thanks

Demonicide:
what is the name of your school?

University of Southern Mississippi.

npmi:
I pray mine be successful as yours

Aammin.

Abacino007:
Congratulations
Can I pm you?

Yes you can.