Epithet:
I had my interview at the USA Embassy at Abuja.
A few(or a lot) of check in procedures were the most tasking activities that day.

The Conversation;

VO: Why did you pick this school?

Me: Aligned Faculty interest in Biofuel and sustainable energy Research, I worked on a design project that entailed pyrolysis of agricultural waste to produce Biogas, and also it allows...(VO cuts in)

VO: You have a degree from what university?

Me: Federal University of Technology Minna. My Bachelor's degree is in Chemical Engineering and my Doctorate program is also in Chemical Engineering

VO: You are going for a doctorate program do you have a Masters degree?

Me: Just my Bachelors Degree. The PhD affords me the opportunity to carry out research at the highest academic level. Moreso, I get to apply for a senior lecturing position....

VO: What would you be doing with this degree?

Me: Thats what i just said. I would have the opportunity to apply for a senior lecturing position in my alma matter.. With the recent expansion of the engineering faculty...


VO: What are the major problems facing Biofuel?
Me: Lower Energy Content as compared to fossil fuel, high proportion of glycerol, high water consumption, poor cold properties... And also there's the food vs fuel debate

VO: So I would be approving your Visa, I'm keeping your passport, here's your I20

Me : Thank You

She gave me a Red Paper, with a smaller white slip specifically for F1 Visa Applicants, just reiterating the program start date rule and the 30days mandate, also stated was the fact that I would need my I20 and passport at the point of entry.

The only distinct thing was that she was also standing at her window (Window 9).

Please what school did you apply to and what were your scores?

Good day, I have a question to ask. Are research assistantships always indicated in an admission offer or it is given by a faculty member after a student has been admitted.

Quoran:
Sure you can

Pm sent bro.

Quoran:
tactmayor, I have gone through the department's website. Have you tried to contact a prospective supervisor? You can mail him/her and tell him/her why you want to work with him/her (I am assuming you really want to do a PhD). From the website, it is obvious funding abounds for PhDs and the highest you can get is in-state tuition for MS or $1000 scholarships.

MS might be easier to get admission but funding is somewhat guaranteed with PhD. I will advise you apply early for PhD and start contacting potential supervisors. Though you are not required to contact them prior to admission, you will certainly learn one or two things about the admission process and you will know where you stand. If any of them wants you, you chances are higher.

I hope this helps. Cheers.

Thank you for your input boss. I have mailed a potential supervisor and she gave some replies. Can I pm you??

Chidinho10:



Rewrite the GRE. Your GPA is solid, don't dull it
Apply to UT Arlington PhD as a moderate option (though I don't know it's ranking in your field), then apply to more ambitious schools

Ceteris paribus, a GRE score of 315+ and your GPA will definitely land you a PhD offer at UT Arlington and you may never can tell, a better school can still admit you with full funding for PhD.

Don't spend all your funds and shots at safe schools... Have a perfect mix of ambitious, moderate and safe schools... UT Arlington should be a moderate choice for you. But first of all, rewrite your GRE and improve your score so you can get better shots!

Goodluck!!!

Alright boss, will do that. Thanks for your input.

femi312:
First, do you have any research experiences? you have a great GPA and a not too good Gre score. However, admission and funding are not solely based on one aspect of your application. No one can really say for a fact that you will get funding because funding depends on availability and only the faculties can really know. Because there was funding last year does not mean there will be again the next year. Some years ago I was considering UTA for masters too in Civil Engineering (Structures) and I found out that they don't fund students in there first semester, has that changed? I don't really know. I think not all there PhD students are also fully funded however, my advice to you is to send emails to the graduate coordinator and ask all these program specific questions. He/She is the only one that can give you an exact answer. Additionally, I think UTA Civil engineering has a pre- application for prospective PhD students, whereby you can do a quick application without paying a fee and they tell you if you stand a chance of getting admitted.

Side note:If you can re-write the GRE to get >315, please do so that you can have more options for direct PhD because your GPA is awesome. Had it been you have substantial research experience, your GRE wont really matter that much for a PhD application with this GPA (I am assuming you have very little to no research experience). You should consider top schools like Northwestern University (They allow direct PhD and if you don't get admitted, they admit you for masters), Virginia Tech (They don't allow direct PhD but I believe you should get admitted for Masters,however probability of funding for masters is low). University of Pittsburgh is also a good place to check, there is a Nigerian in the Structures PhD program and another (Direct Phd, Gre: 313, GPA:4.48) is incoming this fall, if you want to talk to them there might be possibility of me giving you their contacts (I don't do dms anymore because I cant remember my nairaland login details,).

What specialization in Civil Engineering are you looking at? There seem to be low funding opportunities in Structures but Environmental, Transportation and Geotechnical seem to do better in terms of funding. Which other schools are you considering? Make sure you apply to at least 6 schools, send emails to prospective Advisors to market yourself,apply before November ending, write a great SOP (I can give you samples) and get great LORs (LOR is more than 'he is a good student or he is hardworking'')

Wow, I really appreciate your input bro. My major is Environmental Engineering and I have done 3 researches but no publications yet. I wrote the GRE without preparation tho, so I might consider rewriting it also. I am looking at other schools like UTK, U of florida,UT while I also add Uni of pittsburg.

tactmayor:
Good afternoon guys

Please, I need help on this. I want to apply to UTArlington for "PhD straight from BS" or "MS" degree in Civil Engineering as I meet the requirements for both. I would have applied for both but I can only make only one application at a time. I am confused on which has the higher probability of getting me admitted with full funding. Please kindly give your views on the matter. Here are my grades:

GPA-3.7/4.0
GRE- 151(V), 158(Q)

Femi312,please what is your view on this?

Good afternoon guys
Please, I need help on this. I want to apply to UTArlington for "PhD straight from BS" or "MS" degree in Civil Engineering as I meet the requirements for both. I would have applied for both but I can only make only one application at a time. I am confused on which has the higher probability of getting me admitted with full funding. Please kindly give your views on the matter. Here are my grades:
GPA-3.7/4.0
GRE- 151(V), 158(Q)

Quoran:
If you ask this on the GRE thread, many people can offer useful suggestions to you.

Ok, thanks. There are so many gre threads, which thread are u suggesting in particular?

Good afternoon guys

Please, I need help on this. I want to apply to UTArlington for "PhD straight from BS" or "MS" degree in Civil Engineering as I meet the requirements for both. I would have applied for both but I can only make only one application at a time. I am confused on which has the higher probability of getting me admitted with full funding. Please kindly give your views on the matter. Here are my grades:

GPA-3.7/4.0
GRE- 151(V), 158(Q)

Good afternoon guys. Please anyone who attends University of Texas, Arlington here??

Jumybecks:
Yes fully funded. Got 307 in GRE
Thanks

Wow, congrats. Sorry I did not ask of this before. Dod you take the TOEFL??...Went to check the website but they did not particularly state the countries that will be exempted.

Jumybecks:
I thought I would post this 12 days ago but as God would have it, I could not until now. I have been on 'Administrative Processing' from the day I had my interview (May 30) until today that my visa was finally issued. I interviewed at Abuja and the interview goes thus:

VO: Good morning
Me: Good morning and how has been work?
VO: Fine thanks.
VO: Pass me your passport and I-20
Me: I passed them
* the VO looked at my I-20 for like 30 secs
VO: So you are going to the University of Arkansas
Me: Yes, for my PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology
VO: Nods, so tell me about the program at Uni of Arkansas
Me: The program is for five years and I will be required to take 42 credits hour in total, 18 for dissertation research and 24 for coursework. A minimum GPA of 3.0 must be maintained every semester * (VO cuts in)
VO: how old are you?
Me: 2_ years old
VO: Are you married?
Me: No I am not
VO: Any kid?
Me: No ma
VO: Do you have any postgraduate degree
Me: No
VO: So you are going straight from BSc to PhD
Me: Exactly
VO: When did you finish your BSc
Me: I graduated in 2015 from Obafemi Awolowo University with a first class degree in** she cuts in (I was trying to sell myself here to provide 'reasons' for the BS to PhD route)
VO: Really?
Me: Yes really
VO: Do you have anything to support that claim?
Me: Yes, I passed both my transcript and certificate.
** she looked at my transcript (a student copy but stamped by the registrar) placed on top my certificate. I think the transcript looked somehow to her (If I had known, I would have placed the certificate on top or better still just BSc certificate)
VO: Okay, so what have you been doing?
Me: I have been working as a research assistant at Obafemi Awolowo University * she cuts in
VO: Alright, I will hold on to your passport, I-20 and your certificates. I will verify your certificates and we will get back to you.
Me: I was then waiting for white paper but she did not pass any. I then asked, 'ma, how about my white paper'. She looked at me with a big grin (looked sarcastic though). I then smiled and zoomed off before she changes the story.

Thank you to everyone that contributes to this platform. Even though I hardly comment, I visit often to learn from folks with wealth of knowledge.

Congrats...pls were you fully funded and what was your GRE score??

donanod:

I got partial funding. This doesn’t mean you can’t get full funding though.

Alright bro, I checked the website and they wrote there that they accept applications anytime. Will apply for spring 2019.

donanod:

Yes, I was

Full funding?....Im askin cos I have close to similar profile as yours.

donanod:
Good day everyone.
I have learnt a thing or two here and I think it’s best I give back.

My visa interview on 22nd May went thus:

VO: Why are you going to The University of Texas Arlington?
Me: To pursue my MS in Materials Science and Engineering

VO: How did you get to know UTA?
Me: A combination of advise from EducationUSA Advisers and my interest in Materials for Solar energy research informed my choice

VO: Did you apply to other schools?
Me: Yes I did - Stevens Institute of Technology and University of North Texas

VO: So why did you pick UTA over the others?
Me: My correspondence with the Graduate Advisor at UTA convinced me that the Materials Science and Engineering program at UTA matched my proposed research focus best

VO: When did you get your Bachelors?
Me: 2015

VO: What did you do afterwards?
Me: Went for my NYSC which concluded in October 2016

VO: Where did this take place?
Me: Told her

VO: What were your duties and responsibilities?
Me: I taught Physics and Further Mathematics to secondary school students

VO: Who will be funding your studies?
Me: My Dad will

VO: What does he do?
Me: Told her

VO: Do you know anyone in the US?
Me: Yes, my Uncle and Sister

VO: What is your sister’s major?
Me: Told her

VO: Your visa has been approved, be sure to keep your I-20 well because it’s very important. You will be contacted via text and email as soon as your passport is ready for pickup.

For some context:
UG GPA: 3.51/4.00 (Major: Materials Science and Engineering)
GRE: 315 - Q160 V155 AW3.0
TOEFL: 105 - R26 L28 S26 W25

What worked for me may or may not work for you. Similarly, what works for you may or may not work for me. However, we never know what works until we try.

I believe in God and He was and still is very important in all this.

Thanks to everyone who makes out time to offer their opinion and advice here.
Cheers!

Congrats...were you given any form of funding??.

OluDare01:

I think it is because you're competing with PhD students for the limited available fund unlike in chemistry where we only have a masters program.
Why didn't you apply for a PhD?

Do you know if applications for fall 2018 are still on??

femi312:
What Course? Civil Engineering?

Yes bro with Environmental Engineering as major concentration.

Good day guys, please I am finding it hard to get schools in US apart from the top 20 that offer PhD directly from bachelors degree. On google, it brings out only the top schools and I only want to apply to 1 top ranked school, and 2 averagely ranked tier 1 schools.
I would really appreciate any info. Thanks.

Good afternoon people, please anyone admitted to or studying at washington state university(WSU)

Sorelee:
Please any one here currently attending the university of dayton ohio?

I applied to this school. Have u gotten an admit?

kylexy61:
Just got admission offer from Purdue University. The wait is hard!!

With fundin??....got from washington state uni with no fundin

Please who schools in washington or at washington state university?

vivyval:
Greetings from California!!
In honor of my friend babsfad who just got approved today, I am willing to pay the full cost of GRE for one candidate here who needs it; pls if you can comfortably afford it , leave it for those who can’t.
For those yet to be approved, put every advice and info you get on this thread to work, do your homework, have faith in God; and you will scale through. Exactly two years ago, I was on the other side.. it’s a lot different now. I give God all the glory!!
Once again, thank you to all my bosses; bigfrancis, justwise, deetus, lagosismyhome, etc. for giving selflessly to this group since I joined in 2016, May the good Lord continue to increase you guys on every side!

PS: if you are interested in this offer, write me, vivianval@ymail.com.
Peace and blessings!

I sent u a mail regarding this....thank you

Please house, who studies at washington state university here??

lincoffm:
BELIEVE!! ... 50% of GRE, TOEFL AND S.A.T still avail! I'm trying to help 10 PEOPLE Nothing more... And it's give back time!! ... Kindly Contact my signature Please because I can't respond to nairaland direct mail. My inbox is filled


Regards,

I am interested bro...how do I go about it

Hello house, i spoke to a graduate coordinator in florida international university who told me there are funding opportunities and it is also stated on their website. Anyone in the university who has benefited from their financial aid??

Anyone applied to washington state university for fall 2018??

Wow,great....how abt his toefl?

ponpon:
GRE Q 170 V 156 GPA 4.99 '' UNILAG''

Thanks...will do dat

princeGee23:
Oya try msinus.com too, you should get good schools from there but you still have to go through the schools website yourself and email there corresponding coordinator. All the best

Aiit bro

princeGee23:
Believe me, they didn't judged you on unpalatable assumptions, they only figure out and gave you the best advise they can give to there bro. I have been on this thread for long time and during my research simple google.com with different phrase brought a lot of answer that I went thru then when I came here I saw most of the links google gave me and I went thru most of the school on the list. Femi321 told you he went through like 100 school and I did same if not more self and this also increase my confidence during my interview while talking to VO, because it showed that I knew what I was saying. FYI the school I am in is still not really known by most of the gurus on NL here but I chose it based on what I want only. The experience and job prospect of the school is making me happy that I finally settle for the school out of my options. You are the only person that can decided the best for yourself. Don't attack anyone of the gurus here. They are really trying there best.
Cheers

Tanx for the comment bro

femi312:
No one can know for a fact that there is funding in a particular school, even current students in that particular school can only speculate. Your best best is to take your time and shortlist (like 30) as many schools as possible that meets your dreams and research options. Then start sending emails to grad cord in each school to inquire about funding and research opportunities. You can also contact some few faculties in each school, their responses will guide your decision. Some will tell you they dont have funding, some will encourage you to apply and some wont reply at all. This advice will only work well for you if you plan for Spring 2019/Fall 2019 (Fall semester is the best) because you dont have time for that anymore now. Goodluck