₦airaland Forum

MUNEER2:
Different strokes for different folks, that's how simple life is.
You may take this tread as rubbish, but you simply aint the only one on NL
You don't try to feed your opinions man, don't forget this is a forum, and all ideas are welcome, though not abuses
So, forget about turning something into devil's channel, you just said your mind, why not allow others to, and stop being bias

I'm in no way patronizing anybody on this issue but i still maintain my stand. Everybody has an opinion-that i agree. Just that some are stupid and baseless. I'm not stopping anyone from saying his/her mind but i sure will point it out when anyone makes a mistake. This is one of the main problems in journalism today. It only shows how myopic the poster is. How many people keep their environments clean? Even among those that have multiple properties, how many of their estates are as "prim and proper" as they are? It's like saying the owner of Sweet Sensation is dirty and untidy just because one of his eateries had issues with NAFDAC as concerns environmental health. Abeg, make una leave the Pastor alone and look at your own self! How clean are you? I guess we shouldn't start getting into that,

meine:
I laff in spanish

The topic itself is funny, fashola seals oyakhilome's bla bla bla

why should this be on the frontpage? the agency in question had been sealing all sorts of eateries recently

I bow for Nigerian journalists these days, this is junk journalism and laziness at its peak.

This is the only reasonable comment I've seen on this thread. Seun, you should talk to your moderators. Nigeria has many other issues it faces. What is anyone's business with Pastor Oyakhilome's warehouse? I hope this is not a propaganda. The other time i saw a thread about Pastor Adeboye's many girlfriends. It's all rubbish. Don't let your website be a channel for the devil. I've got more important things to do. This thread should be deleted as it's so irrelevant OR is this what Nairaland has turn to?

Hey guys. Got my analytical scores today (4.0).

Hello guys. This thread has not had some activity for a couple of days now. What's going on? Please update. I've been preparing the components of my application pack. I'm almost done with all my online applications and my recommendation letters and resume are ready. The only thing holding me back is my transcript but I believe I'll get that this week. I'm trusting God for speed.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas in advance and a prosperous 2010.

agabaI23:
Ok bros,

I passed that level 4 years ago. Not in for admission application anymore.

I am impressed with your organisation. I am expecting you to announce your admission here when the time comes.
Good scores and stuff. Good luck.

Thanks a lot. This thread has been an invaluable resource for me. I'll definitely announce my admission when it comes because i'm sure it will.

@ Sefago,

I hail. Thanks for the review. Your effort is very much appreciated.

agabaI23:
In the UK if you are in good terms with the prof, he will show you.

I do see ALL the references written for me here before I use it for whatever purposes. Even when you demand, they will show you.

It's been long since i saw your post. How far have you gone with your applications? Intimate us,

bebure:
Email is bebure@hotmail.co.uk. Thanks. I see your point regarding waiving my rights. Considering applications cost between $25 to $100 a pop it makes sense to control as much of my application package as I can. Are you also going for petroleum engineering?

That's fine. I'll send a copy of the CV. I'm going for Chemical Engineering.

SEFAGO:
usually you are expected to waive your right to see the recommendation, but doing so isn't rily detrimental to your application. But your statement raised a bit of a red flag- this is red flag not usually a problem for people who go to schools in nigeria, but for bebure who goes to school in the UK, I think it might be an issue.

You are not supposed to mail, touch or see your recommendations, usually. If you go to school in the UK where the professors have experience writing recommendations for students going to graduate school, then you should be confident that they would only agree to write you a letter if they can write a strong one. I have talked to professors, and asked them for recommendations here, in the US, and they would not write for me if they didn't know me well enough to write a strong one. Also waiving your right means you wouldn't be able to see it when you enrol in the university, no graduate school expects you to see your recommendations b4 hand. However, I have heard of cases, where people have been personally asked to write their own recommendation letters so people do see their recommendation letters, usually to make sure it is quality.

You're right. I had the chance to write a draft for one of my Professors and he edited it before sending it to the departmental sec for typing. It's common here in Nigeria but i guess it's not so in the UK. I'm still glad i had the chance to see all my references.

I don't think so. Waiving rights to me has two different implications: either self-confidence in your abilities or carelessness (in terms of risk-taking). If you waive your rights to see a reference letter and it turns out bad, you're hooked. One of my referees refused to show me the reference form he filled (because i waived my rights) but after much persuasion, he agreed and it turned out the recommendation was not so good. It was just alright but didn't highlight so many things about my suitability for graduate studies. I got it changed in the end. About publications, i don't see how much they count. Include ALL projects and presentations in your academic CV/resume.

Still on the publications thing, i think you should focus more on your internship experience and project works. What's your email address so i can send you a copy of a good resume?

Yeah. Get very good recommendation letters. I gave one of my former lecturers about five reference forms some weeks back to fill and guess what? He filled all the forms and even attached letterheaded recommendations that gave more details of my abilities. This he did at no fee. I felt so touched when i picked them up today. They were very good recommendations. So that is also another aspect you should focus on.

About the research, just emphasize on it. Also include other project works you carried out as an undergrad in your resume. Remember that every little thing counts.

No problem my brother. I've also been busy but just try to critique it by then. I should be sending out some of my applications by 26th of December. Thanks.

bebure:
Hey guys,
I just found this page and it's been very informative. I've just completed my bachelor's in mechanical engineering in jand with a 2:1, my GRE scores are 760 Quantitative, 550 Verbal and 5.0 AWA. Basically I wanna apply for an MS in Petroleum Engineering in yankee at the following schools after my NYSC: colorado school of mines, texas tech, louisiana state, university of oklahoma, university of tulsa and university of louisiana at lafayette.
Do I even have any chance considering my quantitative gre score, my 2:1 as opposed to a 1st class degree and the fact that i have never worked at an oil company (I have one year work experience as a mechanical engineer with a multinational firm though) or published in any journal. Is it worth paying $180 to retake the GRE as that's the only thing I can change realistically.

Your scores are very good. You even had your first degree in the UK. Did you do any research work while an undergrad? I think you should tidy up all other aspects of your application: your statement of purpose, reco letters and resume, and give it a shot. You are very good to go.

Thanks guys. Just finished my TOEFL exam. It went very well though there were some hitches. While i was on my fourth task in the speaking section, there was an interruption in power supply at the test centre. We had to wait for over an hour before we resumed the test. I'm so tired of this country. Everything is failingly. What else could one expect with a sick president?

Anyway, i'm off to my alma mater to get 'em transcripts. Thanks for all the help folks.

Apply for scholarships. There are many,

@ Godeagle,

Thanks. Preparing hard for TOEFL which comes up tomorrow. What do you think about my verbal scores? I also intend applying to more schools. Do you know any good universities that have great programs for MS/Phd in Chemical Engineering for which my scores qualify me? I need schools that offer good financial aid.

Thanks. I've sent it. Expecting a response soonest.

okele193N:
@SUPERBRAIN, congrat you did well. you had a good score!

Thanks alot. I'm applying to more schools since my quant does hurt so bad. I'm sure my AWA scores should be between 4.5 and 6. As for the TOEFL, i don't expect to score anything less than 100/120 on the iBT. I thank God for everything.

Once i'm done with the TOEFL, i'll then review my SOPs. Wrote them some months back.

@ SEFAGO, what's your email address so i can send it for review?

SEFAGO:
Congrats mate, i had a similar exam experience . I scattered the SAT verbal (ridiculously high score) and just barely did well in the maths section  (700+) but the reverse was for my GRE too. Bombed the verbal but perfect in the quantitative section. Although i had very arduous data interpretation and complex questions- not the easy crap u see on practice books, while the verbal was harder than i imagined. And I hate cramming words so i did not try.


All is good that ends well.

Thanks. I was glad i did well in the quantitative section. As for the verbal, one should have been preparing for a long time in order to ace it. Though i expected a perfect quant, i'm still glad it was above 750. Thanks for all the information you guys have provided on this thread. I'll repost a more detailed write-up on my exam experience on saturday when i'm finally done with TOEFL. Thanks bro.

Finally done. Verbal-Ardous. Quantitative- worse. AWA- superb.

770 Quant, 420 Verbal, AWA pending.

I'm done with GRE for now. TOEFL next,

Shockers: I got four (4) RC's on the verbal, three consecutively and my Quant was basically data interpretation with many complex problem solving.

Delights: My AWA was superb. The issue topic was easiest while argument was fair.

Overall, i think the GRE is the hardest exam i've ever written.

okele193N:
@ SUPERBRAIN. Just want to wish you good luck in your exam tomorrow. Please just put in your trust in GOD. He will surely do it for you. And please don't forget to post your GRE EXPERIENCE. It will be lovely to read about your SUCCESS in GRE.

@ And guys let's keep GREing, no time!

Thanks alot. Just finished a powerprep test and it was pretty good. I'm putting my trust in God. Would repost tomorrow when i'm done so that others can benefit from my experience.

agabaI23:
Do not waste time on anything you can't figure. Guess and move on.
I am not sure if they do negative marking again. I did it years ago.

Thanks for that piece of advice but i would not do that on my first ten questions. Feel me?

I need a nokia 5800 xpress music. Fairly used but not more than five months. Call me on 08063318070.

You're welcome.

[quote author=mama-gee link=topic=359490.msg5032467#msg5032467 date=1259716567]I laugh in Benin City!!!
So before they didn't have a leader
That School's a joke. [/quote]Did you understand what the poster meant? Obviously not. There has been an acting VC and it is not new in the educational system here. So don't insult my alma mater.

That's good. I wish you all the best,ok? Got to put some last minute finishes to my preparations.

sayhi2ay:
Sweet, my brother went to University of Cincinnati is why I asked. Am trying to apply for a Phd there, have to scale GMAT hurdle first sha, all the best

Good to hear that. What was his major and what is yours?

netotse:
there seems to be quite a number of engineers in this place(even if most of y'all are chem engineers). . .lol

Yeah. I noticed that too. I guess it's because of the nature of the profession hence you find most graduate engineers gunning for a masters degree from abroad. The benefit one gets with a foreign degree especially in an engineering related profession is phenomenal.

okele193N:
hey, guys! i just register for GRE  and  the date i chose was 12th of january. but i made a mistake when filling the form with my e mail address, so now  i cant receive the confirmation e mail from Prometrics. i have  email them to apprise them  about the mistake but they are not replying the emails, i have been callling their phone numbers that i saw on their website  for the central Africa, still no success- it all voice mail. please i dont really know whether i am calling the right phone numbers, please if anyone have their phone numbers just give it to me so i can correct this on time and get my exam date confirm. thanks.
@ SUPERBRAIN  , i wish you a refulgent success in your GRE on monday. so my username is like your surname. well, a friend gave me the name in primary school, and it has swathed to me like a second name.

@ZUKKIE4EVA, when are you writing yours in january.

@GODEAGLE, PLEASE help ! i am discombobulate . . . do you have the phone number?

It's obvious you're prepared to ace the GRE because your use of words is impressive. But be careful so you don't end up sounding too ambiguous. Some simple words are better expressors of action. As for your payment issue, small thing. Just relax. As far as you sent the complaint to zaregs@prometric.com, you have no problem. Your email would be responded to. If you're still impatient, call their office in the Netherlands.

MSc. Chemical Engineering.

It's been a long time dudes. Sorry for the silence. I've been serving the nation selflessly somewhere in the West.

@ Godeagle, Congrats on your admission. I love your choice of schools. Though I'm putting in for Chemical Engineering. Go make us proud.

@ Arshy, Congrats also on the fall admission. Did you apply for an MSc. or PhD? I'm surprised you were admitted directly to their PhD program. You didn't mention the school and your profile.

@ Okele193N, Kudos too. I guess you can still meet the admission deadlines. Just send in your applications immediately after your exams. Your ID name is similar to my surname, hmmm

@ Everyone, Thanks for all your contributions. I'll be taking the GRE on Monday, 7th December and TOEFL on Friday, 11th December after one year of rigorous preparations. Though my school- UNIBEN, is still misbehaving with the transcripts but once i'm done with the exams, "dem go hear am!"

I'm applying to
1. Colorado School of Mines
2. Oklahoma State University
3. University of Cincinnati
4. West Virginia University

Ultimately, I'm headed for either UH or Lousiana State University but for now, I'll make do with the above four for obvious reasons. I'll re post once i ace the GRE come Monday.

NKnight:
@ Superbrain,
Please what dept is your friend at MIT. Is he doing M.Sc. or Ph.D.? Any idea on the funding scenario there?

He's in Mechanical Engineering doing an M.Sc. Check the department site for the funding opportunities o'er there. I remember it was a scholarship for Africans and funded by MIT/ Total Finaelf. I'll send him a mail to get more details -only three Africans are sponsored yearly (that i remember clearly).

Godeagle:
Hey people, please pardon the long hiatus. It's been a challenging time. I did retake my GRE on 10th september-my first attempt in 2008 (Q740 V650) may not fetch me admission into any of the the top 3 schools. However, this time I had to cancel my scores because I felt I didn't do justice to the quant. Now, I'm kind of regretting why I canceled it. It's very possible I did better this time in quant than in my last attempt. I might reinstate the scores or I'd just use my previous scores to send the applications. I think I can make at least a top 10 school with my former score. I'll keep us posted on my final decision.

Hey arshy, what's up with the CGPA conversion thing, did your school ask you to do that? I've browsed the net but I could not find any site that does the conversion. The only option might be to subscribe to the services of WES- world educational services. They charge a fee to help you do the conversion.

@ findinnwa1, Wow! brilliant you are: 4.85! that's more that anything they can ask for. I don't know about completing one year of US education. Why not find a school without that requirement. Are you going for MS or a Ph.D?

You shouldn't have cancelled! A friend of mine took his last week for the second time with previous scores (Q-720, V-570) and though he felt like cancelling after test, he changed his mind only for his score to turn up(Q-780, V-620). If the test seemed hard, it only goes to tell you that you are on the right track as you'll only get harder questions if your previous questions were answered right. Like you said, your previous scores would get you a good admit. You could also consider transferring during your program after a semester or two to your preferred school of choice.

As for me, i rescheduled for December because my Quant scores on the practice tests are still in the "730-760" range. I'm giving it just one shot and i want to get it right the first time. For now, it's reading, reading, reading. Wishing everyone in the house the best.

Cheers.

arshy:
@House,
I did the GRE again yesterday, and i love the score. I think GRE is one of the most tough test i have ever done. The score did not change form the last one i took, only that i love the distribution of this one. I scored 440 in the Verbal and 610 in the Quantitative. I think this one is better than my first score that is just one sided.
Anyway, let me share the experience so that others can learn from my mistakes.
I should have scored more in Quantitative (because i know i am very good at it, and i know what i said very well), but during the test, i had about 3 minutes left on the verbal and i was still on question 24 on reading comprehension. I started fidgeting and i lost my total ground, i couldn't put myself together till the end of the test, even till i got home.
Before i could know what was happening, the test was over.
another mistake i did is that i did not take the 60 seconds break which would have eased my tension, may be i could have put my shaking feet together.
I know that it will take a miracle for me to score higher than that at the Verbal, but the Quantitative is surely my error.
I beseech you to watch-out and be composed when you are taking your!
GRE is done and dusted in my life. I am sending the applications any moment from now.
Best of luck to you all.

Thanks arshy. Goodluck in your endeavours. Mine's in the next two months. Though i'm seriously praying for ASUU to call-off the strike. My LOR's are ready but transcripts are stuck. Join me in praying oh!

afrodoc:
@ RACHIWISE

i sat for the GRE earlier this month and i scored 1520,760 in the quantitative and 760 in the verbal so its very possible to get above 1000.i spent just one month preparing for the exam BUT i made sure it was quality time (i was on leave for 6weeks b4 the exam so i had time to read).i used both kaplan and barron and i feel they both have pros and cons.barrons teaching techniques are better than kaplan;s however the kaplan CD is more analytical than the barron CD,helping to pick out weak points.i advice you pick a time u will be free to study cos qualitative reading is the key not number of hours,all the best

Thatz a stellar score. Would be taking mine in two months time. I hope to score above 1500 but i really need a perfect score on the quant section. Wish you the best in your endeavours.