daprince5898:


04-04-2018.
My transcript 1

My transcript 2: 19-04-2018

Vo: pass me ur passport and i20
Me: good morning ma, as I hand over the materials to her.

Vo: I discovered you have been denied, wht has changed
Me: yes, i was denied, amd nothing has changed.
I don't kn why I was denied. But I think I wasn't given enough time to express myself.

Vo: OK, now you have the time, express yourself; whts new: what has changed in ur new application.

Me: (@ this point I was getting confuse, and she repeated it again) and I started talking about the school again, [s] just like the way i said in the first one [/s] , perhaps der was no change in the former. And it ended with same denial.

Please I need assistance on how I can go about it?
What do I do? Planning to take Lagos embassy this time, because my admission is closing 15th may.

I'll try to answer this without being a dream-killer. According to your first interview, it went horribly wrong because you simply didn't prepare for your interview. Your answer was too generic, those people are tired of hearing the same things over and over and it gets frustrating for them at a point.

Going back to do the same thing, expecting a different result was just wrong. Changing the embassy isn't going to do much if you're still going to repeat the same mistakes. She kept asking: WHAT has changed? Your answer was self-indicting. Nothing has changed hence the decision also isn't gonna change. If you go again in May, they'd gladly take your application fee and deny you IF you make the same mistake.

Now that we have covered what you did wrong, how do you correct it? First, until there's something significantly different in your application and/or what you're going to say next time you go, please don't waste that money. Secondly, read about your school, your course, the city, the ranking, etc. and use convincing words to show you are a good student who put in work to secure the admission.

Avoid statements like "well known for its well structured curriculum and a high quality research program which aliens to my area of interest", instead, say something original, something that really shows you put in work and have a particular reason to CHOOSE the school, course, etc. Don't just say "my career goals", tell them specifically what your area of interest/career goal is and what about that school/course is going to help you reach that goal and how it's going to do so.

A quick example: I intend to start a poultry business in Nigeria after my studies (instead of I wanna set up a business when I'm back), and ABC university's department of Agriculture is well known for teaching students eco-friendly practices in the 21st century (instead of ABC university's agric dept is ranked highly). I believe learning from a school like that would set me apart from my rivals. (Don't stop there, say something original like because eco-friendly agriculture in Nigeria is non-existent, and you think you'd have an upper hand). Etc. When you keep talking like you know what you're doing, the VO nods and moves to next question.

Always speak like you REALLY know what you're doing and you have a plan.

Finally, PLEASE, make sure something about your application changes before you reapply.

Good luck and I hope you make the right decision.

Wakanda forever lol.

EMMAACHILE:


It may not be worth the stress as the stories currently online or trending here is discouraging. Many cannot get professional jobs after school especially in Europe.

This is exactly the reason I created this thread. Many people don't tell the whole story. many cannot get professional Job's after school is often taken out of context. I'll try to explain some things.

These countries have strict immigration laws. There is a system, and I promise you, those systems work. Visa for visitors, students, workers, etc. are such labeled because that's all they are supposed to be. There are restrictions for visitors, students, non-residents in general, etc. People start encountering problems when they try to do something contrary to how the society was designed to work.

Before leaving Nigeria, many people are aware of the restrictions of their visa. When you hear that visitors aren't allowed to work, or students shouldn't work more than 10/20 hours weekly or that foreigners are taxed at a higher percentage than residents/citizens, you know what you're signing up for before traveling. It's stupid for anyone to get there and complain.

If you understand the system and make plans for how to blend with it, you will avoid most problems. If they give visa to visit or simply study, do just that. If you decide to violate the terms of the visa, you lose the right to complain. Whatever you face afterwards is your own doing. I promise you, it's still a lot better than what you'll face in Nigeria.

Like people have said on here, majority of those who complain are people who are abroad without proper documentation, qualification, yet, they expect too much from the host country. There are success stories everywhere, just like there are stories of failures. In the end, everyone's gonna be ok.

kingfintan:
Hello gurus, I have something bothering me, am about applying for a visa, but the issue now is I completed my NYSC on 21st December 2017, and since then haven’t been working, please what can I say if asked what have been doing since December which is 4 month ago , we all know it not easy getting a job immediately like that..
Secondly how do I convince them I actually finished my NYSC in December as my certificate says October .. @ walspring and co. Please help oo

1. What can you say if asked... first option: the truth, second option: the truth, or just say the truth. Lol, on a lighter note, you can say you've been volunteering anywhere or getting set for grad school. Lying could complicate your interview. Don't tell a big lie you wouldn't be able to back up.

2. These people don't worry much about these things. They have better things to talk about than NYSC's incompetence. Again, if they ask, just say the truth. Keep your answers short and straight to the point. If you're not asked for more info, don't give more info.

Good luck sir!

@go4value

You're welcome lol

@lucrezia

Hahaha, listen to someone ooo. Two mistakes in life: taking everybody's advice and taking no one's advice. Always listen to positive advice and make good decisions. For example, if you wanna enter Mississippi with visiting visa, overstay and hustle with only $200 cash in hand and someone advises you not to do it, don't do it ooooo!!! They're saving your life. Lol. Unless you are a big risk-taker.

@mobilia

Thanks. I agree with you, experiences are personal and significant. People generalize hastily and that leads to many problems in life. The funniest part of their "people are suffering abroad" rubbish is when they search for pictures of the ghettos in the US and say "this is the America you wouldn't see on TV" and try to mock the country.

My response is always: it's not for everyone. If you don't like it here, go and live where you like. Lol

Gbemmy120:
Good morning everyone, I migrated from Canadian student visa thread on here after denial and ever since I have been a silent follower. I had my interview today at Lagos embassy for 6:30 but unfortunately i was delayed. Here goes my transcript below for your input because i plan to re-apply soon.

Me: Good morning
Vo: no reply (passport and I20)
Vo: Where will you be going in the USA
Me: Lincoln university at Oakland in California
Vo: Where will you be staying
Me: Lincoln offered me a list of hostels so I could choose my preference once I get the visa
Vo: I meant what will you be studying (don’t know how I didn’t hear her)
Me: Oh, sorry. I will be studying International business
Vo: What’s your highest form of certification
Me: Bsc
Vo: What course?
Me: Accounting
Vo: So why the change to international business
Me: [s] it’s not really a change, there’s no business without accounting and no accounting without business. [/s] I’m presently employed by my mums company that deals with import and export of fabrics and home decoration. So this course will enable me become certified professionally when it’s time to relieve her off her duties
Vo: keeps typing for long, how many schools did u apply to?
Me: Just one
Vo: Why?
Me: [s] When I spoke to my cousin and best friend [/s] about my plans of going for masters, they referred Lincoln to me with great testimonials. However I realised that [s] Lincoln offers me all the courses needed for the program which aligns well with my career goals so I narrowed my search to Lincoln only [/s]
Vo: Did you apply to any other school outside the USA!
Me: No
Vo: I mean outside the USA (looking to confirm from her system)
Me: [s] Oh, yes. (Thinking maybe she saw something about Canada or so) I guess I fell for psychology here) [/s]
Vo: What country/ school
Me: Canada/Seneca college. Before I could say it was 2017
Vo: cuts in...Have you travelled outside Nigeria before?
Me:Yes
Vo: To?
Me: Uk
Vo: Are you married?
Me: No
Vo: Engaged?
Me: No
Vo: who is sponsoring your education?
Me: My mum
Vo: Naso she just dey talk gibberish

I had my hands in my mouth.. I was confident but I don’t know what went wrong, I was the first to be interviewed by a black non smiling big woman

After reading your transcript, I think you gave the VO a very easy decision to make. You chose only ONE school in the whole country, and your reason for choosing the school wasn't that convincing. If Family/friends over here have a very big influence on your decision to travel, it triggers the "intending immigrant" bells in a VO's head.

They told you to pick just one school, and the reason is because the school has all the courses that will help with your career goalS which you already said was taking over your mom's business. All the schools in the US have "courses that help career goals", your answers seemed rehearsed.

In addition, unmarried, not engaged, etc. gave the impression you have no strong ties in Nigeria. I don't know if she could have seen that you applied to other schools outside the US and hooked you for that too. All in all, I'd say you were not prepared for that interview.

Being a non smiling black big woman has nothing to do with her being professional. She did her job, you were not well prepared.

If you intend to reapply, please correct your mistakes. Be better prepared and avoid answers that give the impression you rehearsed what to say. I'm sorry you didn't get it this time, I hope it works out for you next time.

@go4value

Haha, I can only give advice. Secure visa, follow the proper channel, and she'll be able to move out. There are very informative travel threads on here.

@lucreziaborgia Don't mind those ones lol.

@lucreziaborgia don't mind them lol. I won't raise hopes and sugarcoat anything. Life is not easy anywhere, I get mad when they only focus on negatives and completely ignore the positives. If I start talking about the hardship in Nigeria, I'll get upset for 5 years, and laugh for the remaining days of my life.

If Abroad is hell, Nigeria is what? Call emergency service in Nigeria when your house is on fire or let your wife need surgery to give birth to a baby when you're broke. You'd know what hell is.

Abjay97:
Thanks for this.. My people, una Don hear am, quit the sh!t hole

You're welcome lol. I'm not against anyone who's choosing to stay. I'm against those who have nothing positive to say about risk-takers who simply wanna find a way to live a better life. I respect people who try stuff but fail, than those who just sit in their comfort zone and laugh at others.

I'm from Nigeria, I lived there for over 25 years. I came here and I'm now an American citizen through Naturalization. It's the best thing to happen to me. I won't look down on people or say B.S because I know it's just a privilege and every day I wake up, I'm grateful.

Nothing irritates me as much as the arguments between Nigerians in diaspora and those back home. I understand how patriotism can cloud good judgment but please khaki is nothing like leather. I weep for Nigeria.

Chinedu will get visa to UK or USA, find a way to get permanent residency, then come to discourage everyone about how life is hell for him there, he will choose all the negative examples known to mankind to stress his narratives. Ogbonna, his cousin in Nigeria, will gloat and talk about how Nigerians abroad are suffering but pretending to be doing ok on social media, etc., guess what? Chinedu will still run back when his vacation is over. Come back to settle in Nigeria, never.

so, who is deceiving who?

Both of them are stupid. Take this from me: Nigeria is a failed nation and if you are still wondering whether to run or stay and someone is discouraging you, please run if that's what you want, don't let anyone discourage you!!! It may be too late when the big opportunity passes you by.

I won't even talk about the Nigerian government and the level of corruption/poverty/underdevelopment. Instead, I'll focus on the mentality of the average Nigerian citizen. In 2018, men are still chasing their wives away from home for failure to "give them" a male child. A woman is still called a witch and sent packing when her husband dies. Men still beat women and when they complain, "elders" will say "he's just a man, they're all the same" to justify it.

Tell someone you're disappointed in Buhari, they'll say "did Jonathan do any better?", youths selling their votes for 5000 naira or less, you hear about a rape case, and the response is "why did she dress like that or what was she doing outside at 10pm?". Talk about the Nigerian Police OMG, I don't even know where to start from. Lecturers failing students for absolutely NO reason at all, old shameless men sleeping with female students before they pass, people working for months and not being paid!

Don't get me wrong, there is no perfect place on earth. I can list the issues in other countries too, the gun violence in the US, racism, high cost of living, etc. but a working system is a working system. If you get the opportunity to travel and you blend with the system and follow rules, you won't regret it unless your expectations are crazy and unrealistic.

I want to state here, life abroad is NOT for everyone. Some people will go and fail to adapt/succeed, some people enjoy how things are in Nigeria and are happy with what they're facing. I have nothing against anyone's decisions. I'm not looking down on anyone and their choices in life.

If you think washing plates, taking care of elders, cleaning floors, being a babysitter, cleaning restrooms, etc. for a living makes someone less human, and you end up mocking them, you're part of the problem in Nigeria. Life is unfair, nothing will be given to you on a platter of gold, but what's better than taking risks and trying to survive in a society that rewards hardwork? The most important thing in life is happiness, being happy is priceless.

Personally, I'd sweep floors for a living, live with 3 roommates, eat French fries and drink water for the rest of my life if that's all I can afford and know I live in a country where there are opportunities, and my children have access to a life of quality. If you're still not convinced, look up the life expectancy of the average Nigerian and compare to other developed countries.

This is an opinion, counter-arguments are welcome.

cc @justwise in case this is in the wrong section.

UzzyBreeze:


Yeah
Thanks very much for this. I'm expecting SOA (which bears same surname with me) but the one I have currently doesn't have same surname. So I intend using the one I have to obtain I-20 then I'd use the one in my surname for the interview.

I'm just trying to ensure there are no discrepancies and then wanna get the I-20 on time too.

I'd say if possible, wait until you get the "interview SOA" before you try to obtain the i-20. Imagine your interview going really well then the VO asks "who's sponsoring you?". Due to your situation, you may get anxious thinking "Oh God, I hope I don't screw this up", your whole demeanor could change and you become uncomfortable (like shaky voice, speaking at a different pace than you had been speaking all along, etc.) which a trained VO would notice and that could be the point that opens a bigger can of worms. I repeat, you don't want those problems.

Long story short: if it's avoidable, avoid it at all costs. Unless you have no other options.

quinzypearl:
Hi guys,

Please, I need someone that can help me proofread the interview questions and answers i came up with, Please!!!!.....
And also help with the mock interview.
Love you guys..

Still need help with this? Let me know.

UzzyBreeze:
Hey house

Please I really would like to know the contents of an I-20. I intend using a different SOA to obtain I-20 from the school but would be going for interview with another SOA. I really wanna find out if I-20 wouldn't carry the account holder's details.

Thanks in advance for the swift response.

The i20 is going to have the name of your sponsor and the amount required (tuition and expenses). While going with a different SOA for the interview is not the end of the world (you may get lucky and not get asked who's sponsoring or be required to show any SOA), it's better to avoid such situations that can really mess up your chance. Is it a risk you're willing to take?

You really don't want those problems, better to avoid them and not complicate matters. Remember the burden is on an applicant to prove to a VO that everything's clean, no shady deals or ulterior motives.

May I ask why you don't wanna use the same SOA you're taking to your interview to secure your admission?

I hope this helps.

Shedonnaoz:
Good evening all, please I need help. I applied to university of Texas in Tyler for a masters in public health. I am a nurse. Unknown to me, they need TOEFL and I have already made payments. Please can I get schools that do not need an English proficiency and is international friendly.Secondly I am thinking of using an agent this time. Can someone please recommend a good agent that resides in Lagos. Thank you.

1. Most schools require proof of English proficiency for graduate degree and it's in your best interest to cover that part. Is it too late to correct that, as in admission window? You have already made payments for what? You can get a conditional admission, while you go ahead with TOEFL and you'll be fine. You could be asked if you took any tests during your visa interview and seen as an unserious student or unfit to succeed in Grad school.

2. Stay away from agents. While there are a few good ones who get it right in the end, there's nothing an agent is gonna do for you that you can't do for yourself (except add documents/stories to your application that could put you in trouble - again, you can still do this yourself).

My advice would be: get TOEFL sorted. You'll be glad you did.

timesup234:
And that's my intention here- to make you all cry your eyes out. At least in Somalia people own shiit. Nobody owns anything in America, and that right there is slavery in the highest order

"It is better to say nothing and let people think you're stupid, than so say something and remove all doubt".

I won't drag myself to your level and try to argue, when you have stupid arguments with stupid people, you lose. Have a good night sir/ma'am.

timesup234:
mumu still converting currencies there. It is now globally accepted in the world that America is the land of failures and depressed people. Keep living in illusion when millions of Americans over 35 years are still living with their parents and most females students now sleep with Europeans in order to raise $200 to pay their monthly student loans. In reality Somalia is even better than America

I can't believe a sane person in 2018 will utter such a reckless and hopeless statement. You need help, and you need it quickly. I fought the urge to reply but I wouldn't be able to live with the thought that I saw someone with this kind of mindset and I did nothing about it. So, this is the only reply I'll give you: you need help. May God help you.

That line in bold summarized your IQ. A child in 5th grade wouldn't say something like that. I weep for you.

I just came across this thread and tried to watch the videos. I stopped watching after about 2 minutes. I understand the concept of freedom of speech and being entitled to one's opinion, and that's fine. In what world is life in Nigeria better than life in a country as developed as the U.S?

Same Nigeria where there's no regard for human rights? People get lucky, travel abroad and have the nerve to look down on the people they left back home and talk crap about them. Ungrateful wastes of space! When people say Nigeria is better, I ask myself "Is it the same Nigeria?".

How many people are working in Nigeria and are owed months of unpaid salaries? Nigeria where a woman will be forced not to work, waste years being a full-time housewife and then sent packing for not having a male child? Where professors in school fail people unless they have sex with them?

I could go on and on but I'd simply get mad. Every place on earth has its ups and downs. The downs in Nigeria greatly outnumber the ups. Failed government, frustrated people, disappointing country as a whole. They'll pick a series of sad stories and push a worthless "people are suffering abroad and pretending" narrative.

Smh.