₦airaland Forum

adesbaba:
Good morning fam,

Please I have someone close to me done with Secondary school since last year and considering to study in USA....he is an art student ,but he codes very well ,infact he was once interviewed by Punch newspaper for a website he built for his school ....

1) Is it possible for him to switch to an I.T course looking at his art background and his smartness with coding/programming such that his visa won't be denied by VO


2)What are his chances of getting funding for his bachelor's degree as most funding is gotten by those going for Msc or PhD


3)Best exams he can write that will give him edge for the funding.


Many thanks

They should join EducationUSA at the US embassy to get all the necessary information and coaching.

They should also be proactive and do their research online.

Most good schools give funding to undergraduate programs and he doesn’t have to have his course picked from day 1. People in US schools especially liberal arts colleges (which offer most courses) switch all the time as you don’t declare a major until 2nd year of college

Immunity04:
Please my people, I have been following this thread for a while now and I will appreciate if someone will give me a detailed answer to my questions.
I'm a graduate of History And International Studies with a CGPA of 3.98/4.00 and I'm currently undergoing my compulsory one year Nysc!
How possible will it be for me to obtain either partial or full funding on MA programs related to my course?

Considering that my course isn't among the STEM, how possible will it be for me to obtain a good job with the post study visa?

What specific MA programs are you interested in? You don’t have to get a masters in your undergraduate studies

[quote author=Olunchukwu post=116571088][/quote]Many people who applied only one school get their visa approved. especially if it’s a top ranked school and they got funding early on so they decided not to apply to additional school)

It’s advised to apply to at least 3-5 schoolsbut if you only did one and have a good reason for that then it shouldn’t be an issue. But again, if it’s not a highly ranked school then VO might think you only applied to 1 school out of laziness

RaniOpe:
It should be updated to when classes start fully, provided the person will travel before then

Thank youp

ghettonews:
Hello pls how are u people getting appointment does it mean all of u are getting expedite appointment. Have checked the slots, there is no appointments

Yes abuja opened some emergency slots end of august

A friends visa was approved but the visa officer asked for an updated I-20 with new dates?

Their start date is actually August 25th (classes start end of September) and they got the visa approved September 5th. What date is the I-20 supposed to be updated to?

Has anyone experienced this?

@shannon70 and others?

Thank you!

Popuwise1:
The main thing about reapplying is confidence, GOD, and determination. I applied for F1 twice and was denied, the 3rd time God moved and I have approved just days back. I applied in June, July, and August respectively. All the best. God is able.

Did you interview 3 times? Can you share transcript

rozeybid:
Pls does anyone know any university in Texas - with application fee waiver and accept unofficial transcript to process admission.
Houston , Austin and axis most especially

You’ll get a faster response on google. There are dozens of universities in Texas.

First find a list of all the universities that offer the program you’re interested in.

Then look through their admissions websites to see any waivers

General rule is avoid schools that make it too easy to get in = lower ranked and less value after you graduate

ghettonews:
Bro I no understand your question ooo. Which one be why bachelors at 24. I finished secondary sch at 21. An covid 19 that a yr after my graduation was a problem. Now Nigerian unis are on strike ASUU

That’s a legitimate question. The Visa officer will ask why you’re going to bachelors at 24 when most are going at 16/17/18 years old. You will be classmates with teenagers and need to convince the officer why your case is atypical

ghettonews:
Talata 24 pls do u know any uni and colleges in USA offering scholarship to international students?

Please take time to do your research on your specific program of interest and the top schools in that field. There are thousands of universities in US

I suggest joining EducationUSA if you’re in Abuja or Lagos. It’s part of the embassy and provides great resources. They even have university fairs next month.

ghettonews:
Hello guys , I want to apply for msc in USA , do they require the certificate of transcript and degree cert?

Yes most if not all school would require.

Boyco:
Please i have a question, just admission for a masters course in university of texas at san Antonio (UTSA) and i saw the tuition and fees is about 55k dollars. Im confused because i want to know if tuition and fees means all expenses like accommodation, feeding, textbooks and the rest or that 55k is only just for school fees.

You should get a ‘cost of attendance’ from the school (not here) with a breakdown of what ‘fees’ means. And tuition is different depending on which program you’re in so ask your school.

My guess is that 55k does not include accommodation and feeding because that’s a variable cost depending on the individual student

JaySterling:
Yes, no negative Covid test needed at the port of entry

But I think the Airlines request for it

Not if you’re flying directly to Europe or US:

JaySterling:
Hey guys, I’m traveling in a few days

Are airlines still asking for proof of fully vaccinated Covid status (the card) and negative covid-19 test taken in the last 24 hours ?

Please advise

Cc
Moshkom
Chibertha

No Covid test for USA entry but you need vaccine card

Check CDC website!

Felixnyle:
Okay do you know any universities you can recommend with funding

Top Publix policy schools usually are generous with funding if you have a strong application. Google the rankings and start from there!

I’d you’re in abuja or Lagos, join EducationUSA which is part of the embassy’s public affairs department and helps with application resources (if you’re not lazy).

Lochinny91:
Good morning everyone! Pls I need some help or guidance. So last year, my husband applied for interview at Abuja when Dropbox wasn’t available but instead got a September 2022 date with it. Now, he applied for F1 visa in the same Abuja but with a different email and the EA was denied. I’d like to know if it’s possible for him to log into the portal for the B1/B2 date and change it to F1? And also change the MRV receipt? Now that Dropbox is back, he can now do b1/b2 via Dropbox

Pls I’ve been asking lots of questions here but no has replied. Pls I desperately need an answer.

You’ll might have to pay a new fee as the visa fee receipt probably shows that it’s tfor b1/b2 tourism so you can’t use that for F-1

buccy:
I am generally not a long story person, I like going straight to the point, unless I really have to.

So for EA, I wrote not more than a five liner, saying “ Please, I have admission in so so school, my resumption is on so so date, which is now within sixty days. I think I ended with, I will be happy, if my request is granted or something like that!

Attached my visa fee, sevis fee, I-20 and passport data page, I think.

Thank you!

buccy:
I had my interview in Abuja on the 18th and it was successful, asides my transcript which I told myself, it is only fitting I also share (being that I was only able to read a drop box of transcripts, because people shared), I also want to share some of my general experiences throughout the process and hope it is useful to someone someday.

1. It probably sounds cliche, but I am going to even scream it, “everything that happens in the physical, is controlled by the spiritual.” Pray, pray pray… everything about my process was a smooth sail, not because I did anything special, (I can’t even lie) but I held God on his shokoto like Jacob, if you don’t bless me, I won’t let you go.

I got my EA approved in two days, got a date with my EA, my interview was under a minute and nope I am not fully funded… so many things sha, you get the gist.

2. When you read people’s transcripts or experiences, try to just take the gist and leave the experience, I see a lot of people internalizing bad news and already being shaky and stuff! Don’t do that, read transcripts or watch youtube videos, take the L and move on from it, don’t even discuss it, “ahhh people are getting denied oh bla bla bla….” It is tempting, but please don’t.

3. Follow your heart, it may cost you more and look foolish, do it anyways. So, even if it turns out bad, you know you did done everything you could have done. For instance, I live in Lagos but I came to Abuja for my interview…. based on the transcripts I read, I just said you know what I think I prefer Abuja.

Did I start to regret at some point ��, yes I did… by the time flights started skyrocketing again, plus hotel bill, then the terrorism ish at some point, I was just like, who sent me oooo����

4. Read transcripts and watch Argo visa tips

5. On the day of the interview, dress properly… this is for my ladies, cause most guys I saw were actually looking good, but I saw quite a number of ladies and I am like, worapuned my dear

From unironed clothes to funny looking outfits (like wearing a dinner gownish outfit with a rubber slippers), not saying outfits are being judged but then, you can’t be saying your father can afford a US education bla bla bla and you don’t have light to iron your cloth, for an interview you knew, you will have, come off it *in Taooma’s voice

6. Limit your bobo and stop shouting, the goal is to be audible not scream. It is just a window, separating you from the VO. Maintain eye contact, use your own accent and be audible; don’t scream please and don’t be going on and on, like a script.

For instance, I got closed ended questions, so I answered in the yes and no format, oh you are going to Georgetown right, yes, I am. I did not start reading off about my course of study or bla bla bla, because it is a closed ended question. If she had asked, why are you going to the united states, ehen, that is an open ended question, I am free to include and minus, until she interrupts or asks me to stop!

7. I did not do any group mock, I could not even bring myself to listen to the mocks, cause my mind did not just carry it and the experience was making me jittery, but I did one private mock with a friend. To my initial point, know what works for you, follow your intuition, ask questions (both nairaland and whatsapp groups) when you are unclear.

These are all the things I remember so far from people I saw getting denied in front of me and other observations.

Thanks to every single person that has contributed on this forum to make it what it is; @walspring, thanks for a seamless SEVIS payment, I was really worried and all, but you came through, @Shannon, thanks so much, your response increased my confidence, @moshkom, @chiberta, greatestman, nigpatriot… thanks for your contributions.

All the best guys!!!

Congrats! When did you apply for EA? Any tips for getting approved?

Godwilldomyown:
*Proposed transcript for interview in view days time*

2nd Attempt

F2 with 2 kids

Lagos

V.O: Good morning. Pass me your documents

F2: Good morning ma

V.O: why are you going to the US?

F2: I'm going to the US to visit and support my loving and caring husband who is presently studying for his PhD in the department xyz.
I missed my darling husband so much, since we got married about 8 years ago we had never been separated for this long and the children also miss their dad and constantly demanding to physically see their father. He visited us during Christmas break in last year December but couldn't visit during this last summer because he was busy with his Lab .

V.O: How long has your husband been in the US

F2: He traveled last year July, it's been 1year and one month now.

V.O: Have you traveled before?

F2: I haven't traveled before

V.O: what's your husband studying

F2: my husband is studying xyz in the University of ABC

V.O: when did you get married?

F2: we got married in 2014. It's been 8years now

V.O: where do you work?

F2: I work in the university of Ibadan as xyz. I will state my cadre & job roles

V.O: what has changed since your last application?

F2: I was really tensed and nervous during my last interview, so I couldn't answer my questions well but I'm more confident now. Also we initially wanted to stay with my husband for the entire period of his study, but I now have new management in my place of work with new administration and they have saddled me with more responsibilities of coordinating and supervising students on intership to my place of work. And now they only granted me 6weeks annual leave of which I have to resume back to work at the end of my 6weeks annual leave and the children also resume back to their school

V.O: How long will you be staying?

F2: we planned to visit him for 6weeks. I will soon commence my annual leave by December and the children also will soon be on December break from school. So we planned to visit him during December holiday.

V.O: who's sponsoring your trip?

F2: we will be using family funds. My husband and I has been working in Nigeria university for more that 8years and we have saved up some money. I also have a running business where I sell and supply bags of food items here in Nigeria that I have been running the business before I got married. And my father in law also has a lot of landed properties. Recently, he sold some portion of this land and my husband share out of the money was sent to him.

V.O: Everything looks good. I will be approving your visa. Enjoy your stay in the US

F2: Thank you ma

Please your useful suggestions are highly welcome

Please I also need volunteers for one on one mock interview.

Thank you.

6 weeks also seems like a very long time to go for vacation. I would suggest saying 3-4 weeks because it’s more realistic but open to hear other thoughts here.

Afritop:
If I am to apply for an expedited student visa interview like when is the embassy expected to respond. Does it take long.
I am expected to start in the masters in the fall quarter. And what could make an applicant be denied EA.

Anything from 1 day to a few weeks.

Juwon21:
Nairalander, please what is the best and affordable airline to fly from Nigeria to Tallahasee Florida.

It is urgent please, i need recommendation

You can look on google flights and kayak

Afritop:
Good Morning House Please I will need your contribution on this matter.
I was expected to start my Masters on September 2022, fall quarter. And I immediately applied for an expedited emergency interview on the first week of July, after seeing that the earliest scheduled appointment interview date was on July 2023, (which is a year after).
After gotten no reply for weeks I called and sent messages to the embassy stating the reasons why I need to be scheduled a visa interview by mid August. The message I got on my mail this first week of August is not happy at all. And I will like to know if it's normal. See below


Given the high volume of demand and limited resources we are unable to schedule an emergency student/exchange visitor visa appointment at this time.  Please continue to check for student/exchange visitor visa appointment availability as we add appointments when our staffing increases.

Lagos or Abuja?

propexticy:
Can you complete the response.
But the F1 visa requires you to demonstrate that you will be returning back to your home country.

Sorry… modified my original comment. Having huge loans in USD and coming back to Nigeria is not realistic. Maybe don’t emphasize coming back to Nigeria so strongly in the interview. Unless you convince them that you’ll be employed at a multinational that pays in USD

The VO already knows you’re not planning to come back because how will you pay those loans living in Nigeria earning Naira?

propexticy:
Hello Ladies and Gentelemen, I am quite new to this platform.
Please i need sincere comment on this.

got admitted for a Masters in Electrical engineering to a US school (Drexel Uni.) with $10,00 funding and a deficit of $53,000 (COA)
i have a personal savings of $3000 and i took an Educational loan of $50,000 from Mpower

my interview at Abuja is few weeks from now.

1. Do you know anyone that was approved with majority of funding from educational Loan?

2. If so, will it be a matter of convicing the VO of my Payment plan?

3. How slim is my chances of getting approved in % ?

URGENT HONEST REPLY PLEASE

definitely don’t say you plan to move back to Nigeria after you graduate because it’s not realistic to pay loans of that amount with a job in Nigeria except you can convince the VO that you’ll work for a multinational company that pays well (not local currency)

[quote author=kingjonez post=115791174][/quote]What does delayed mean? Is that different from denial?

techguress1:
I filled out the online applications on June 15th, and immediately requested EA, because my school resumes on 22 August, EA was approved on June 22nd which was exactly 60 days to my school resumption

Do you have any advice or tip to share for getting approved for EA? Thank you

Chimma5:
Please i got admission last year into ball state university without funding. I was asked to show proof of funds and i deferred twice because i was hoping the school would give me GA .right now am about to take it up now again for spring 2023 without funding . But i would like to use my big sister bank statement who is a usa citizen as my sponsor .am kind of sceptical about it. Please advise me if there's any group you can add me please help me.

Can’t you apply to a better ranked or more competitive program and get funding? Why does it have to be that school?

Equity15:
my EA was approved on august 4th after i had already secured an august 12th interview date. The email stated the EA was valid until August 30th

Sadly, I was denied the visa on Aug 12th.

My question now is; if i pay for another visa fee, would i still be able to use my EA??

My funding is really at stake

Thanks

According to the website:

“Applicants who are granted an expedited appointment but subsequently refused a visa at either the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos will not be allowed to utilize this option in either location to obtain another expedited appointment.“

Equity15:
my EA was approved on august 4th after i had already secured an august 12th interview date. The email stated the EA was valid until August 30th

Sadly, I was denied the visa on Aug 12th.

My question now is; if i pay for another visa fee, would i still be able to use my EA??

My funding is really at stake

Thanks

You may have to call the embassy helpline for an answer to that question.

What did you submit for your EA request? Any tips for getting approved?