₦airaland Forum

DreManuel:
Congrats!

GRE is only one part considered in your application. With other solid application materials, you can make your dream school. I'm not saying this to be pollyannaish but it's possible. Someone close to a friend made Stanford for this Fall with about your score and got RA too, but has a high GPA, extracurricular and being a lady too in STEM can count in your favour.

RexCheeng:
Congratulations Temmitats!
Moving on to the next thing cannot be overemphasized!!! Choice of schools, contacting grad cords and POI, etc.
Definitely, we'll get there.

gokuu:
Yeah. I'm looking at UTAustin, that have a good programme and very good graduate placements, and Texas economy is booming.

gokuu:
Yes o. Very important. Myself as well, I'm looking at schools in regions that have booming economies so that chances of getting a decent job post-grad is higher.

gokuu:
@temmi, where are you looking to apply?

Scholastica16:
Great score. You can do a lot with this provided you avoid the crazy top 15-20 schools. 316 is nothing to sneeze at as I doubt any school has anything higher than 315 as their base minimum.

Congrats.

TheZed:
Congrats gokuu and temmitats

dawbbleOuEi:
@emboldened.... I crave for this feeling.
Congratulations, miss!! Would you be kind to share the strategies you hired with us prospective takers?

Plus...
How did you figure out your experimental section?

gokuu:
Oh okay,
I didn't do very good for my choice school.
I got 324 (Q:162 V:162), took the exam today so nothing yet on AWA.

Time2Smile:
This is the belated second half of my travel and POE transcript. I am sorry it is coming late but I have been extremely busy with orientations and registration.

So where did I stop, hmmmm okay Killing some time at JFK. My connecting flight from New York's LaGuardia to DFW in Dallas was scheduled for 3:20PM New York time and our flight into NYC landed on time and I was cleared before 2:00 am, so I had a lot of time. I got a cart lying around and used it to take my baggage to the first floor of Terminal 4, where the airtrain offload and loads riders, so that I could watch CNN and also use the internet. I stayed here for a while and a Nigerian girl with connecting flight to Seattle helped me to watch over my luggage as I went to pray Fajr Salat in the JFK islamic centre around 5am(Located in the departure area of Terminal 4, at the corner of Virgin Atlantic check in counter).

I really should have gotten some sleep in the mosque but baggage storage was not opened, so I had to wait it out. I used some of this time to type the first transcript. At about 10 am I came down the arrival lounge , used the bathroom to freshen up a bit and change my shirt, got a cup of coffee and 3 doghnuts from Dukkins Donuts at 6.80 Dollars. I then presented my ticket to Airporter agent and was informed that the next bus for LaGuardia leaves at 10:40 am. I got to La Guardia before 12 noon for my 3:20 pm flight. I used the internet a bit before commencing check in around after 1pm.

Delta has a self check in which allows you to print your boarding pass but my card was not accepted so I had to opt for manual check in. The Delta official asked for my travelling documents and then the card I used to book( A big Thanks to @Ndawe because I might not have taken it along if not for your advice). I was told that my ticket was placed on hold, He proceeded to call someone and after a few minutes I was cleared and payed $60 for my 2 checked baggage in cash. I then joined a long serpentine queue for security check in.

Although I know that Blacks make up only 13% of American population, my experience in LaGuardia really drove it home. About 19 out of every 20 passengers were whites. Some of them gave me a knowing smile because the probably guessed I am an international student with the size of my luggage(the nylon wrapped around it at MMIA didn't help too). As I stood on queue, the folder I was holding kept touching a middle aged white guy in front of me, he looked back a couple of times while I was quite oblivious to his concerns. Suddenly, he detonated on me; PLEASE STOP TOUCHING ME, OKAY. YOU ARE MAKING ME NERVOUS, THIS IS ABOUT THE TENTH TIME, NO ONE ELSE IN TOUCHING ANOTHER PERSON HERE. I apologized and made sure I kept enough distance from him until we cleared security.

We boarded on time and I had a window seat on the wings of a small Brazilian made Embraer jet. For some reason I was really nervous about the takeoff, and being my third flight in 24hrs I really should not have been. LaGuardia is under construction so there was literally a queue on the runway we used with a plane taking off almost every 2 minutes. The flight took off late, was really smooth with great view of New York and we made up the time lost in the airport during the flight. Therefore we were able to land on time in Dallas at 6:30pm Central time after a three and half hours flight.

My roommate was out of the country, so he arranged for his project mate, who happens to be a Nigerian, to come and pick me up from the airport. I borrowed a young Asian American guy phone to call him upon arrival. He took me to the apartment and also brought a delicious bowl of rice, fried plantain,meat and chicken courtesy of his wife. I arrived at the apartment around 8 o'clock on Sunday 13th of August. Overall my journey was smooth and straightforward and I appreciate everyone who assisted me in one way or another.

I have been trying to settle in but sleep cycle has really been messed up. I am always dosing seriously around 5pm Dallas time which translates to 11pm Nigerian time. The first thing everyone ask you is where are you from and I was told by my Graduate officer that I am the first Nigerian that would be admitted to Molecular and Cell Biology Graudate programme of UT Dallas. I hope to do well, serve as a good ambassador and open doors for other Nigerians. I know this applies to a lot of us as well. I have been mightily impressed by the school, and If you are someone like me who has always valued good education, then I say keep putting in the hard-work on that GRE prep, SOP, application, Visa interview process. It is a life changing opportunity.

Let me stop here at the moment, I still have a lot to share. All #teamfall2017 people who have entered the US and couldn't be bothered to post a POE transcript, remember there is Godooooooooooo.........

calculator123:
so what do you advise

obene12:
I had to write back to him stating am a bit naive abt what he meant by strong research profile with my detailed CV on research work done. Am getting a feeling he meant my work been published still in doubt but still yet to get a response back from him almost 3 days now.

Scholastica16:
As most know, I applied to 8 schools. Michigan State and Uni of Houston were my preferred destinations in that order and for obvious reasons: Michigan state was the highest rated of the schools I applied to whilst Uni of Houston posed (In my opinion) the best connections to the oil and gas industry based on its location and proximity to the oil Hub.

5 schools rejected me in this order: LSU, UNM, KSU (which reminds me, has Hirschfelder gotten his visa ?) UUtah, and then UH. UH came in April or May but I would hazard a guess and say mid April. It shook me to my bones especially because some Iranian with this profile (GRE 307 AWA 3.5, TOEFL 94, GPA 3.27/4, no publications) posted on grad cafe that he was accepted and fully funded for the same PhD program I opted for.

I tried to do a bit of research as to why most of my apps had fallen through but a few of the feedbacks I got centered on not finding an advisor or the acceptance process being more holistic than stats. (Absolute hogwash if you ask me) and I would say why.

So a friend of mine in Houston (MSc Chemical Engineering) told me his supervisor is Iranian and those who can count their teeth with their tongues know what I am trying to imply. I am not alone; someone ranted about UCBerkeley and pretty much said nothing thorough was done in selecting the PhDs for a particular program he applied for. So people are advised not to get disillusioned when some schools inexplicably reject their apps.

Anyways, moving on to something more positive. Michigan State accepted me on the 22nd of May but as I type this, they have proferred no word on funding. I had hoped to post here as soon as it was made available but I missed this thread and felt the need to keep you guys in the loop.

My final 2 schools- Mississippi State and USF have said nothing either. No reports on grad cafe as well and historically they respond in July i.e for my program (I figured it out when push came to shove).

Moving forward, I might (and it is a big might) consider a detour to the U.K. and then re-fire to the US with bigger schools in mind just to see if heaven will fall. Since I feel it is not financially expedient to use one's personal resources to go to the U.K., this my plan is hinged on securing a federal govt scholarship I applied and wrote for (PTDF). I am very optimistic about my chances because I am a man of the spirit + I wrote well.

Conversely, I could secure the same scholarship and stall till Spring- armed with the scholarship letter, I would apply to a top 15 program in the US for MSc seeing that I could secure it readily because of the letter. The trend in MSc acceptances gives credence to this plan but I am having fits about it because it negates my #TeamFall2017 Mantra.

God will direct my steps.

Thanks to Tescoman90 and a few others. He knows why I am thanking him.

LagosismyHome:
So true neither do they see children as do or die ... a lot get married and say no to kids

That been said some times it can be asked to assess Home ties

DeeTus:
She wasn't satisfied with your marital status and thought that you ought to have kids by now.

happyday:
I see. Was talking of IB.

happyday:
Documents that prove your age, LGA, state and country of origin. Speak to any of the officers on duty, they'll show you what to do, where to go, in time. You should get your passport in a week, max.

Time2Smile:
I guess that is it from me for this application season.

I have been accepted to the Molecular and Cell Biology PhD program of The University of Texas at Dallas with a Graduate Tuition Scholarship that covers all tuition and fees. In addition, I will receive a very generous stipend through Graduate Teaching Assistantship.

I only contacted the Graduate coordinator on April 14 and submitted my application on May 1st when the schools were trying to play cello with my future.

I appreciate everyone that has been asking after my application status. It has been arduous, but the difficulty pales in comparison to the sweet taste of success. For those still expecting a decision, don't lose hope. #TeamFall2017 Yes we can.

lola234:
Thanks for your reply. They didn't specify.

lola234:
I got accepted for Msc Computer Science but I couldn't secure a GA with the department so I applied for GA at recreational sport office for Fitness Graduate Assistant and I have been scheduled for a Skype interview. Please what questions will likely be asked also I don't have experience in fitness stuff, I have never been to gym centre. Please I don't want to lose this opportunity.

TheZed:
Use Google Chrome it will translate it seamlessly

drhopeful:
Visa approved this morning at Lagos Consulate by the purportedly mean Chinese-looking guy. After dishing out blue papers, it finally got to my turn.

VO: Good morning Ma'am
Me: Good morning
VO: What are you going to do in the US?
Me: I am going to study for a PhD in Materials Engineering at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville
VO: Cool. Pass me your documents
Me: [Obliged]
VO: [Critically peruses my I-20 while I stare at him like one mumu girl and then he exclaims...] Wow! You got a full package from UVA! UVA is a great school. I am so excited for you and I can imagine you can't wait to start! Wow! This is nice! Are you excited?
Me: Yes, I am. Thank you. [At this point, I was just too shocked because it was not kind of interview I have been hearing about on here. I expected those their standard questions, which I had ready answers for]
VO: When last were you in the US?
Me: February last year, on vacation
VO: I am still so excited for you!
Me: Thank you
VO: Where is your husband?
Me: He is outside
VO: [Types and stares at his screen...] Honestly, everything looks perfect..... [Hands me white paper]. Enjoy Your studies!
Me: Thank you

End of interview that did not feel like interview. After all my prepped-up answers

Anyways, thanks guys and ladies. You guys have been of immense help on this thread and on the GRE thread. I try my best to help out to the best of my ability. I wish everyone success in their interviews.

Walspring:
Happy new month all, It's been a while and to those who sent me pm and I didn't reply your email please don't be offended it's due to my busy schedules.

GRE, TOEFL and SAT 50% offer is out again, 5 people needed for GRE, 5 people for TOEFL and a single person for 1 SAT.

Courtesy of benevolent member of this thread because am just a middle man to oversee this, therefore no time to waste because the window offer already opened today and I won't wait for anyone to spend more than 48 hours to gather his/her 50%.

N.B--- It's not by force to benefit from this offer its all about your choice.

Please I'm interested in the Gre slot

ChiomaL0ngLEGZ:
I am an international babe.There's nothing about scam here.Thats a ignorant and stupid comment but i don't expect more from people who have not got the same educational standard that I have.SMH

fredoricko:
I usually don't do this, but I'm hoping tou prove me wrong.

Bros I find it hard to reconcile all you've said. You've lived in Germany for 22 yrs, did your undergrad and Msc in UK and now in US doing PhD in soft science.
Drive from Louisiana to Houston to eat.
Bros how far you?