Congratulations to you, trust you are enjoying USA already. Please, I'd like to ask. How many days did it take to return your passport to you after gotten approved? whitewizardry:
I am currently in the US, and i realized i haven't shared my transcript. Find below, it would inspire someone to not give up!
Visa approved
4th Attempt (2F1s, 1B1/B2)
Abuja
July 2022.
PhD Construction engineering
Fully funded
COA: 25,000 dollars
Funding: 30,000 dollars.
Fringe VO dark hair
**I dressed very casual, 4th attempt isn't your mate na, �. I just needed a miracle.
VO: good morning pass me your documents.
VO: have you travelled to the US before?
Me: No ma I haven't. (My legs started shaking because she had denied like 4 people before me)
VO: where do you work?
Me: I currently work as a research assistant at my alma mater where I graduated as the best in my department, and my CGPA is one that hasn't been attained in the department in the past 5 years. My roles include; statistical data analysis in the field of construction engineering, conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis of data using SPSS, python, and R programming language. I also assist undergraduate students with their research papers and assignments, I attend conferences and produce technical reports from these events. I also assist undergraduate students with laboratory work and testing such as slump tests, Nondestructive tests, and abrasion testing. I help to source for data for proposed publications, I also assist in reviewing literature of proposed publications. (I said all of these word-for-word, while staring her in her eyes. While saying all of these, she was looking at what I filled in on my Ds160 - the work description, to see if it actually rhymes).
She started typing for like forever.
Then she asks;
VO: what will you do when you return back:
Me: I will be returning to my alma mater where I currently work as a RA to take on the role of a senior lecturer - I had an incredible CGPA and the faculty members are really certain that I will be an asset to the department when I return back. On the long run I will be starting up a first of it's kind consultancy firm that will focus on safety in construction. Currently, from my master's thesis, I analyzed that in Nigeria about 900 construction workers die as a result of poor safety measures. I would be...(she was nodding - seemed impressed at this point, then she cuts)
VO: would you be taking a study leave?
Me: yes, I would be.
VO: is it paid or unpaid?
Me: it's paid but I would be only paid about 50% throughout my 5 years.
VO: I see that All your family are in the US? (Omo my mind was like �). - (at this point she looked straight into my eyes, if not that I was prepared, I would probably have stammered or just gotten lost)
Me: I said No I have a lot of my family members here in Nigeria inclusive of my dad, brothers and sisters, although my mum is a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR), while my other siblings are on OPT, who will be returning to Nigeria soon. As for me, my sole intent for travelling is to go for study, after which I would return to Nigeria, because Nigeria needs me more than the US, and this skill I would be getting from this PhD is very vital. I have a strong ambition to become a full-time professor before the age of 40, and to publish high quality research content that will improve the current state of things in the construction industry here in Nigeria. (She smiled, and typed back into her system)
VO: have you been to any other country outside Nigeria?
Me: No.
VO: Are you married?
Me: No.
VO: Any Kids
Me: Not anytime soon, I am really focused on my career in academia (she laughs).
Then she touched the blue papers (my mind almost cut, but I was ready for any outcome, as I felt I had been astute and sincere enough) then she moved the blue papers to the other side and reached out for the sought-after white paper and said the golden words congratulations. I just fell down on the ground, everyone was laughing like who's this village boy ��.
Vo put her hand on her chin and was just shaking her head while smiling. I picked up my white paper was almost in tears while giving God praises. - people must have been so shocked to see my reactions. But i couldn't hold my emotions;
This is my 4th attempt, and I had the odds against me, because I have been denied severally even without the VO checking my i20. Once they see that I have my family members in the US they already assume that I have immigrant intent and instantly deny me.
One thing I'll advise people, is to be truthful with their DS160 (especially what you filled on your first DS160, please be consistent with it), I declared the family members I had in the US. In all the DS160 i filled. (Even when people kept telling me, to lie about that - the chances they have the information about them in their system is high), so just come out plain and truthful. And defend yourself as to why your intent is genuine.
Let your story make sense. VOs are human, especially when you have a VO who's ready to listen to you. Please don't give one-word replies. That's too dangerous.
Maintain eye contact with the VO, and watch the body language of the VO.
While you're waiting for your interview, please listen to the questions the VO is asking other people - there is a high chance it's the same questions you'll be asked.
Speak boldly, don't be shy about whether anyone is watching you or not, your purpose there is the white paper so please stay focused - and shout if you can. Confidence is an underrated skill in this journey.
If you can get funding, please do. Funding plus adequate preparation works magic. (Less questions, you'll be more confident). Most of the people they approved today had at least some level of funding ( even if it was 20%)
Write standardized tests and cold email professors. The chance of being denied when you have full funding is very slim because VOs know you have a low tendency to abscond when you get to the US.
Lastly, delay is not denial, I knew that I really needed to study in the US, so I made up my mind that it had to be the USA or nothing - call it desperation, but I call it ambition.
Appreciation to all the several groups (mocks, prayer groups, date groups) I was in - we shall all win. Although, i was scared to do mocks because I knew my story didn't resonate with that of others. So, I just listened, and asked questions from people who had experience in this Visa Journey.
Thanks to @Geraldine from Active Participant group she's amongst the reasons I got a date in July ��. She kept re-adding me to the date group even the admin kept removing me �. That admin guy, if i catch him ehn  .
Also, Major thanks and gratitude to @NigPatriot on nairaland, i believe he is a cheat code in this visa thing . That guy should be a visa officer. He's too damn smart. I reached out to him and he helped me for free without charging a dime; in answering questions which were troubling me with regards my visa application and also provided clarity for me in this application process. I wish every applicant success in their upcoming interviews. |
Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 17 by thermy08(f): 1:39pm On Oct 22, 2022
