₦airaland Forum

peacefull:
Happy New Year!

Sorry, I'm Japanese.
I don't know about USA visa.
Sorry about I can't help you.

Please, what do you really want?
Most of the things your husband is doing has nothing to do with Nigerian culture.
So understanding Nigerian culture will not make him change.

Seun:
Bad idea. We can’t guarantee her safety if she does this.

Exactly what came to my mind. Mr. Seun, is there anything that can be done to help this lady. At least if she knows the truth, she would be able to make a better and informed decision. I really feel her pain and she seems like a good person.

EZEIGBO1OFIMO:
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO don't tell me that you're going to pay for a PhD in Electrical engineering!!!!!!!!.... NO NO NO .. if so then this is very very very sad ..... Never pay for a STEM PhD; never ever ever ever ever ever pay; no funding, no school

He posted the information before he went for the interview, and We advised him not to pay for PhD and to defer his admission to Fall for better funding opportunity.

I remember him saying some current students assured him that he would be funded once he arrives, but if all that fails, He is prepared to pay for the spring semester until funding becomes available in Fall.

I just think We are sometimes a little too eager to leave Nigeria for the USA. However, that's easy for me to say, isn't it?

chaikie:
My program starts on the 11th of January and my flight is scheduled for 10th, January and I am supposed to attend the orientation on the 11th, January. Do I face any POE challenge considering the fact that orientation is mandatory but classes starts on the 16th, January.

Check the program commencement date on your I-20. That is the important date before which you need to enter the United States. Don't worry, the school will do a make-up orientation.

Fwesh101:
Hello is there anyway I can write here apart from quoting I'm new here

Just click the "reply" link at the top or bottom of a page on the thread

TWoods:
The tips you’ll need will depend on what type of jobs you’re looking for. Here is what worked for me:

1. As a toxicologist, I started my search from the job bank run by the American society of toxicology. This is where large companies looking to hire toxicologists would post targeted job ads. If such does not apply to you, then try the other freely available job websites.

2. Filter based on job type and types of organizations you wish to work for. Read the job ads to figure out what their requirements are. Use this to evaluate yourself and tips on how to structure your resume so those skills are front and center.

3. ALWAYS write a cover letter. I recall when I had to run recruiting for my group last year, applications without cover letters tended to be overlooked. Your cover letter should be short - maximum of 75% of an A4 paper. It should concisely tell me your educational qualifications, skills, an example of how you’ve successfully applied these skills at your previous job and how you think your skills will be of benefit to your future employer.

4. It is ok to use professional resume samples online. It is much safer!

5. If there is a contact provided in the job ad, it’s ok to call to follow-up your application. It was actually beneficial to me.

6. Apply early! Anticipate that the process can take months.

7. Be upfront about your immigration status. Better to be rejected early in the process than after you and your future employer have gone far in the process.

I’ll stop here for now. If you have more specific areas you want me to touch, let me know.

Good one Sir. Never knew you were a toxicologist. Happy Holidays.

buddwizer:
Hello all, Please would a fully funded graduate student (tuition+living expenses) all stated in the i 20 and award letter from the institution still require to take along or show any other financial evidence/personal funds/bank statements at the visa interview.
Thanks

Not necessarily. The Fund from the school carry more weight compared to any bank statement. If the funds in the i20 covers your tuition and living expenses, then are good and probably don't need any other statement.

Let me put it this way, if you have a valid statement, take it along, but if you don't have one, then don't worry yourself and spend your energy on other parts of your preparation.

The most difficult people to deal with are shameless people. And your brother is acting shamelessly. Have you informed your brother that he has to leave? Because all I can see from your write-up is that you haven't. Do not beg your wife to come back or bring back your wife while your brother is in that house.

The solution starts with him packing out and fast. Your brother has no iota of respect for you, even bringing girlfriends to your house while He is married. These are are the ways he is being your brother:

He is demeaning you.
He is abusing you.
He is controlling your life.
He is making your life miserable.
He is causing separation between you and wife.
He does not give a damn about your happiness.

So you can either continue to enjoy your brother's love, or you can stamp your foot down an say enough of this brotherly love.

lexzyg:
Bro, thanks for your concern and time, why do you think I will lie when I need help? I wish I have a recorder to upload here . I was so amazed that it was that short.

I never accused you of lying. If that is the case, I think you should give more detailed answers to the questions :
1. What will this degree do for you? You have to justify why you are traveling across the ocean and spending so much money to pursue your degree of choice. Come up with good, articulate, reason and try not to cram.
2. What will you do after the program? Your response was too vague. Again be specific and remember it has to be something back home in Nigeria where your newly acquired skills would be required.

sugah:
Is this really a problem? Considering the contract clearly stated the cost break-down and the fact that it's only applicable to self-pay patients.

He didn't say it is a problem. If it was a problem, He probably wouldn't have approved their visas. Probably just a benign observation.

@babiepraiz. I don't really have much to add to what happyday has written. You might want to save his response to read it from time to time.
One thing I want to add is that you should try to get research experience if possible. You can volunteer with a Professor if you are in university town or some other researchers in your area of interest. Not only does it make writing your SOP easier, but it also gives it more authenticity.

In addition, it will enable you to get letter of recommendation from someone you have research with. Letters from former research supervisors usually carry more weights with admission committees.

abeeolars:
I dont mean to be rude Bro, but i believe if you have been following this thread properly you wont give these type of answers above.

No offense taken. I have been following this thread for a while and I have visited the embassy for interview just like you. From what I observed, an interview which is results in a denial is not usually that short. I listened to a number of interviews. There is really not much help that can be rendered to him with that transcript. For a denial interview to be that short, there may be a backstory. I just have the feeling that there are some things OP is not telling us. Which VO will deny him after just this

lexzyg:
A silent follower, Delayed this morning by the window 1

VO: Good morning
Me: Good morning.

VO: Pass your passport and i-20
VO: Where are you going in the US?
Me; am going to MSU, Kentucky

VO: What for ?
Me: master in organizational communication.

VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: 1 school. But will have apply to 2 more which are WKU and WMU .

VO: What will do degree do for you ?
Me: it will help to to restructure federal institutions communication process and organization as well.

VO: what will you be doing after the program?
Me: Consultant and researcher.

VO: am sorry you are not qualified.

Please help me out, I need to refire.

However, I might be wrong and I apologize if I am. Just trying to help.

This is so disgusting and disturbing. Please stop sexualizing children.

lexzyg:
A silent follower, Delayed this morning by the window 1

VO: Good morning
Me: Good morning.

VO: Pass your passport and i-20
VO: Where are you going in the US?
Me; am going to MSU, Kentucky

VO: What for ?
Me: master in organizational communication.

VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: 1 school. But will have apply to 2 more which are WKU and WMU .

VO: What will do degree do for you ?
Me: it will help to to restructure federal institutions communication process and organization as well.

VO: what will you be doing after the program?
Me: Consultant and researcher.

VO: am sorry you are not qualified.

Please help me out, I need to refire.

I am sorry to say this and I may be wrong, but F1 denial interviews are not this short. The VOs ask more questions than these before denying Visas. You might want to post a full transcript if you really want people to help you.

lionlee216:
So, I have been to some corporate organisations in NY, CT, OH and IL but to my surprise, I only find out majority are white people. I use to wonder what blacks normally do. The dinner I attended tonight was organised by my wife's company and out of 100 people, only 2 people are black(My woman and the HR) but when you go to factories or places of menial Jobs, You find black people there and very few white(White Americans).

what could have caused these?

Well no thanks to the media, black people are always associated with crime. Watch Youtube and others, you will see blacks shooting at gas station robbing people. the media has always been painting black people as criminals to the extent i really done feel safe in midst of blacks(God forgive me). I usually see them as a threat especially anytime I go to Chicago.

Cc TWoods
lagosismyhome
Bossman
GoldenBoy007
BlowJobs

I think the causes are pretty clear enough; Slavery, Segregation, Institutional Racism, Poor education and Lack of opportunities. It is a perpetual cycle that continues to breed itself. I wouldn't want to go into details on slavery, but it's vestiges still continue to hold back African American communities. It has to be remembered that up until the Civil Rights Movement and Civil Rights Law of 1964, there was still segregation in the US. This means blacks cannot attend the most schools as their white colleagues, not to talk of jobs, they have to sit at the back of buses, and must give up their seats to a white person, if the white so desired. They were classified as inferior and sub-human compared to whites. So they were already at an economic disadvantage.

The economic prosperity of a generation directly correlates with that of their parents. Someone whose parents are college educated is more likely to be attain college education. It is also a known fact that the level of someone's education immensely dictates the earning power. So when generations of whites are educated and have established themselves in corporate America, many blacks are still struggling to produce college educated kids.

To make matters worse, institutional racism, which is still present in the US, continues to drown blacks as they try to keep their heads above water. The criminal justice system is stacked overwhelmingly against Blacks.Blacks are more likely to go to jail for the same crime compared to whites, A black male has a 1 in 3 lifetime chances of going to jail compared to 1in 17 chance for whites. A corrollary to this is that children from broken homes or without father figures tends to do less well in life because of lack of proper guidance. Public schools in black communities are also substandard compared to those in white communities.

Although, I think some of the attitudes of the black communities need to change too. The over emphasis on sports to the detriment of academics at times (For every LeBron James, there are 10,000 blacks kids with dreams of playing basketball who didn't make it). However, some of them use the scholarship to get the degrees that their parents would otherwise not be able to afford. The bling, bling lifestyle, black on black violence, and labeling anyone seeking upward mobility as wanting to be white.

But overall, the decks is stacked firmly against blacks. It has become a perpetual cycle of poverty, crime, jail, broken homes, poor education, lack of opportunities, low paying jobs, and it has become a sort of the chicken and egg conundrum.

sunshineluv5:
please ooo anyone here with the soft copy of GRE should please send to this email address ssunshine095@gmail.com please my exam is close by n my head is blank

This is not the correct way to approach GRE, your exam is already close and you are just asking for soft copy. GRE is all about assiduous and smart preparation. You might want to postpone the exam if possible.

You will find almost all materials you can possibly need here http://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-ii97JplpxMdzhHNnYxSUlPOEE All the best.

TWoods:
The term "troll"... the favorite word used by those who lack the intellectual wherewithal to have a debate, the last refuge of the dimwitted.

1. I actually provided my advice, you just didn't like it, because it did not square with yours... so you chose to cry louder than the bereaved.

In fact, according to Wikipedia an internet troll "is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting quarrels or upsetting people, by posting inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal, on-topic discussion, often for the troll's amusement."

and Sir, you didn't give him any advice in your initial response. So, it is either you are lying or a case of selective amnesia. Below are the question and your response.

Mitchely: Good day all, my wife and daughter F2 visa delayed at Abuja this morning majorly because I stated during my own interview they were not coming with me which was true at the time.
Please any helpful advice? And when is the next available date in Abuja? I am so devastated right now.

The VOs aren’t as stupid as you think. You most likely claimed your family wasn’t coming with you so you could use them as home ties and improve your visa chances. Now you want to sneak them in through the backdoor.

Second, in another post, you claimed the VOs should understand as they make changes as things happen daily. Well true. But a decision to move an entire family to the US on an F2 visa is not a decision you make over a bowl of eba. You must have thought this through for weeks and months... since your wife would have to quit her job, a decision no one takes lightly.

Don’t be devastated dear, you’re the architect of your own pain. The VOs are free to change their minds as they wish, the US is their home country. You are also free to change plans as you wish, in Nigeria. Stay home and enjoy the fruits of your own dishonesty. God isn’t mocked.

So, where is the advice in the response above? Take a look again at the definition of a troll and tell me if this is not consistent with trolling.

Therefore, please do all us a favour Dr Twood, when someone asks for an advice on this thread and you don't have any to offer, can you please just move on instead of giving your unsolicited, sanctimonious judgement which only amounts to trolling. It is not too difficult to do, I believe in you, you can do this, I know you can.

N.B: I want to apologize to everyone for derailing the thread. I actually agree with him on a lot of things, but the earlier we call him out, and he stops his trolling behaviour, the better it is for the everyone and the thread.

@Mitchely, I will like to apologize for his insensitive remarks, if his hubris wouldn't allow him to do so.

noblemann1:
Please tell me the required score for Gre and how to go about preparing for the exams. Also school that I can go for, Thanks

Go to this thread https://www.nairaland.com/1832477/how-achieve-high-scores-gre and read from the first to the last page. If that is too much start from page 140. All your questions and more will be answered. All the best

TWoods:
If someone asks for advice, and you don't understand what to say or you have a problem with advice others give, how difficult can it be to just move on?

The hypocrisy lies in the fact that you're long on preaching but can't even be depended on to take your own advice. Good luck.

The problem is that you never gave him any advice in your initial response but passed your impetuous judgment as usual.

You know what is hypocritical.? Screeching that non-immigrant visa is not for immigration purposes when you have refused to return to Nigeria after leaving on a non immigration visa. There are other numerous instances of your hypocrisy that I don't have time to get to at the moment.

You have to be careful because you are becoming nothing but A TROLL Sir. I am finally done responding to you. Good night.

Mitchely:
Thank you for the interesting discussion on the F2 visa.
@ Twoods: To be called a 'fraud for trying to sneak my wife into the US' ironically through an American embassy via the correct visa category, advised to stay home, called a mocker of God when I was hurting the most and needed your advice was really heartbreaking (No hard feelings though). For you to later advise 'do as madam lagosismyhome has suggested' shows that maybe you were too quick to pass only judgment, when I specifically requested advice. I believe the whole essence of this thread is to help each other and others learn from our collective experience, and not to clean up all the 'fraudsters' in Nigeria and those that have sneaked out into the US (abi oga justwise?).
I have learned from the entire experience, and happy that others will learn from it too.

Take heart dear, Everything will turn out well. After reading your post, I had to go and reread his initial response to you to make sure you weren't overacting. And you are absolutely right. It was so mean and full of bile.
If someone ask for an advice, and you don't have any to offer, how difficult can it be to just move on.

This is his post today on another thread.

author=TWoods post=63143295]Who needs 3 reasons when there is just 1 major reason? Nigeria is a complete zoo and only a fool will stay in it when other opportunities are available.

There is a fine line between being a straight talker and an internet troll.

TWoods:
I think the problem really is you. You're looking at this issue from an emotional point of view. The US visa is not issued based on a concern for the "emotional and psychological well being of the student". It is based on a frank application of the law - do you have ties to compel you to come back or not. It is just that simple. Do you think the VO that denied his family the F2 visa earlier was not aware of how important it is for a wife and child to be with the husband/father? Yes the F2 visa was created to help families stay together during their time studying in the US. However, it was NOT created as a vehicle to help your entire family emigrate to the US... and THIS is what the VO is going to use to decide whether to issue an F2 visa or not. If he/she is not convinced that you or your family intend to return after your studies, he has the discretion to deny you the visa, which they have already done, independent of anything i have to say.

Here is the bottom line (regardless of what you think)... if family is important to you, that's not a problem. However America is not obligated to keep your family together. You can easily stay back in Nigeria and go to school there. The VO is not compelled by any law to grant any family an F2 visa. It is entirely his discretion. This is as clear as day.

There is a thread where VOs directly answer your non-immigrant visa questions, feel free to send this question there.

This is my last post on this because I can see you are so set in your ways. It seems you have your talking point you always use even when they are tangential to the issue being discussed. You keep bringing them up despite the fact that I never alluded to them and it sounds robotic at times. Here are some them.
1. Stay back in Nigeria, don't come to US
2. Nobody has a right to visa (As if we didn't know before)
3. Issuing visa is at the discretion of the VO (Also, we all know this).
4. Non-immigrant visa is not for IMMIGRATION, so you have to show that you will go back to Nigeria (Also well known, but last time I checked, I am not the one that came on a non-immigrant visa, and then decide not to go back to Nigeria).

So keep hammering home ties as if that is the only question that will come up during the interview(Oh sorry, I forgot it is one of your canonical points) . So when the VO ask the wife - when next she goes for F2 interview - Why are going to the US, She should reply: Because I have home ties and not talk about her family .

That's what started this conversation, I never blamed the VO that denied them or say they've a right to a visa. I was trying to help to address the question of why his family wants to join him now, while he stated during his interview that they won't do so. And that was the reason they were refused, not because of home ties as you have been erroneously insinuating, since you were not present for the interview.

So the question is what has changed? And the Answer I gave is Because the separation is taking an emotional and psychological toll on the family and We realize that being together is what is best for our family at the moment. Then the VO has every right to consider their case on its own merit and based on other conditions being met, decide to issue or deny them a visa.

If you can't understand this, then honestly I give up.

TWoods:

Time2smile: I neither hinted nor stated America is obligated to make sure his family is not separated. America does have a law that allows his family to be united and he has every right to make use of the law. It then becomes the discretion of the VO to issue the visa or not. Likewise, the family also has the right to make the case that one the reasons they are applying is so as not to separate the family, which is the reason for the existence of the visa category in the first place.

America has no such law. They have an F2 visa that allows you to take your family but there is no law that says that you are entitled to the F2 visa. If you went to court based on that, you will lose. As you said, it is the discretion of the VO to issue the visa... he will issue the visa based on how much ties your family has that will compel them to return to the country after your studies, not on how much the separation is hurting them.

Bottomline, a non immigrant has no rights to a US visa. That has been made clear by the courts time and time again.

Oh man, what exactly are you not getting? Who is talking about them having a right to US visa? And where the hell does going to court come into this? You are just jumbling unrelated things. I also quoted my post for your benefit and I have to agree with your earlier assertion that comprehension is important.

If the emotional and the psychological well being of the student and his/her family is not important then why does the F2 visa exist in the first place? The home tie is one of the conditions for the Visa to be issued not reason. It is easy for you to sit behind your keyboard in the US and make highfalutin claims of what VO will do or won't do.

Bottomline, the F2 visa is part of US visa/immigration law, and the spouse and children of a student can apply for it and make their case in front of the VO lawfully, in the best way they deem fit.

TWoods:
While that is true, you also have the law working against you - which is that the VO has to view you/family as intending immigrants until you can prove otherwise.

I have not told him to go back to Nigeria to complete his studies (comprehension is important). Just saying that his arguments really do not hold up. America is not obligated to make sure that his family is not separated.

Whao new thread, More success stories loading.


I neither hinted nor stated America is obligated to make sure his family is not separated. America does have a law that allows his family to be united and he has every right to make use of the law. It then becomes the discretion of the the VO to issue the visa or not. Likewise, the family also has the right to make the case that one the reasons they are applying is so as not to separate the family, which is the reason for the existence of the visa category in the first place.

thefacelessguy:
Thank you Time2smile for your comment.

I actually remember you well from the GRE thread late last year...I remember your stellar result too
Hope you got funding?

Paying the first semester isn't something I'm happy about myself but instead of waiting for another year, I just want to do that.
Plus there's the chance of getting funded as soon as I get to school. My intention is to go round the faculties and see which of them I can get something out from(GRA or GTA). I spoke with someone in Chemistry department in the school and she was like, " just come, you'd not spend a dime"

Notwithstanding, I am planning to at least pay for the first semester in the worst scenario which I hope wouldn't happen.

Also, I appreciate the fact that you noticed that my lengthy replies: I can be unnecessarily prolix at times which is why I'd appreciate what part of the response I edit off. Any suggestions?

My I-20 also include personal funds of $6.7k, do I need to go with my statement?

What other question should I watch out for that I haven't mentioned? Any advice?

cc: Lagosismyhome, TWoods, mitchely, ABIM06, Ponpon, Femi321, everyone that can be helpful

Thanks again.

You don't have to go with your personal statement, but I think you have to go with a statement that covers the tuition and living expenses for the first year as stated in your I20. Personal in this context means funds coming your end, not from the school or a scholarship. But try to mention that you are likely to be funded upon resumption.
You should just try to be concise, clear and don't offer extraneous information that is not solicited. Just take it as if you are talking to a senior colleague about your career aspirations. Wouldn't you be excited to share plan and goals .? Make it a conversation and don't come across as scripted.
Relax, PhD applicants are hardly ever denied.
Have you considered waiting till Fall because funding is more available during this time?
Is your uncle ready to give you the tuition or is he lending you and you have to repay it? You don't have to answer that here, it just a food for thought so that you can think about the broader picture.

ridsan4real:
Hello Time2smile, drhopeful et al.
How's studies? Been awhile tho.

Studies is going on fine. Fall semester course work and exams are done, I am just trying to get some research done in my rotation lab before the start of Spring semester. I check the thread but don't usually comment. How is your admission process going?

thefacelessguy:
Hi people,

I've been on this thread for a while and finally my interview is this week.

I've been trying to reach guys for mock interviews but none is forthcoming yet.

So based on likely questions I've seen here, I decided to type out possible answers to likely VO questions.


My Presumed Interview
VO: Pass your documents(i-20, passport and Sevis)
Me: I do as instructed
VO: What are you going for?
Me: I am going for my PhD in Electrical Engineering at the University of Kansas with specialization in Communication and Signal processing.
VO: Why Uokansas?
me: Ans1: My interest has always been in the intersection of Power Engineering and Communication Systems. My previous employment and current job is in this field but I found out UoK while I was part of a research group in my current company which lasted 3months at Elizade University( I would provide the Power Point Slide).The research was to tackle the problem of power theft using PLCC. During the research, I found Dr Erik Perrins work on the subject and it was really helpful. I later spoke with him on my intentions for Graduate Studies which he encouraged and sent me the contact of the Grad Coord. I have been in talks with Pamala Shadoin since then. When I told her of my intentions of getting a PhD after Masters, she told me I could apply for a direct PhD and I gladly did.

A2: UoKansas is a tier 1 public research University and the ECE with core specialization in Communication systems and Signal Processing. Unlike other schools with similar specialization, UoK has it's Signal and processing well defined and further subdivided into 5 subgroups: Communication Systems, Network Systems, Network Engineering, RF and Radar and then Sign Processing. The department also has 3 IEEE fellows with over other 10 faculties working in Communication Systems. Also, the ultra modern the CReSiS laboratory founded since 2005 and funded by the NSF to carry out research monitoring ice sheet layers and effects of Climate Changeo on the Antarctica using Signal Processing technologies is enticing to me as I hope to work and learn using available resources.

(both are true but which is the best?)

VO: What will this course do for you?
Me: This course will help me achieve My ultimate career goal of getting a Doctorate and setting up Communications Laboratory specially suited for Smart Grids in Nigeria and subsequently, other West African Countries.A Smart Grid is basically the conventional power grid but with added communications and networking technologies which makes it easy for Power Distribution Company to optimally deliver power to Customers and also ensure that everyone pays the commensurate amount. Power and Telecommunications are 2major infrastructure lacking in most African countries and I forsee interest by Government and Private Investors in the next 5-10 years which opens up opportunities for people like myself who have needed skillset in that field.

VO: Did you write any standardized tests?
Me: Yes, GREQ161, V154 AWA 4, IELTS 8/9( Provide the documents)
VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: 4- 2 offered me admission (UoK, Montana State) while (UCB and Washington SU did not)
I'm not going to Montana because the Communication Systems there is not as broad as in UoK( Just one faculty does something similar and he is into Optical Communication as opposed to RF and Radar)

VO: I see you have very little funding,($2k) how do you intend to pay your bills?
Me: My Uncle who is a Senior Drilling Engineer at Total E&P Nigeria has been my academic sponsor since my Undergraduate will be sponsoring me( statement of $27k ) and he'd be supported by my Brother (N5m statement)
I also have been in talks with the department about this and the Graduate Coord confirmed that they only provide funding to students that are available and mostly will get a GTA or GRA the next semester (I printed the emails she sent and will provide it)

PS: I reaally don't want to use my Brother's statement.

VO: Where do you work and what do you do?
Me: I work with XYZ Power Distribution Company and my job is in the intersection between Power and ICT as I monitor and provide support for all Prepaid Energy Meters installed in the 4 States of our operation in Nigeria. I monitor each Prepaid Meter User account from the Head office and routinely go to the field when a case requires such. This job role was what influenced the research I was involved in to reduce Power Theft on our Network using PLCC. Also my previous employment was in a Company that worked with Renewable Energy Sources particularly Solar and also provide Internet and Communication services(an ISP) for homes and companies.

VO: Are you married?
Me: No

Expected outcome: Please take this White Paper and get out of Nigeria!


Please I will appreciate your critique, correction and advice. How best should I arrange the answers?

I look forward to your replies.

Thank you all.

Please don't give the VO any document unless you are asked. And the VO sure doesn't have time to read a PowerPoint presentation.
You don't have to choose one of the reasons you are going to University of Kansas, you can mention both. I do hope you don't plan to say it exactly as it is written up there. Having the general point and stating the points naturally without coming out has rehearsed will really help because you can be cut off anytime mid-sentence.

I am also not comfortable that you are not being funded from the get go as a PhD student in a STEM field. Paying tuition for the first semester does not sound right to me. You should get specific details about the funding situation. Trust me you won't feel good by the time you see all your colleagues getting funded.

TWoods:
This is not a winning argument. A VO could simply ask why you haven't considered going back to complete your degree in your home country if separation is such an issue? There is no reason why your family must be united in America, especially since your wife would be unable to do much of anything on an F2. The interview is less than 3 minutes, you won't have enough time to state everything listed up there anyway.

My advice, do as madam lagosismyhome has suggested. Wait a bit then have your wife reapply again. You never know, she might just run into a nice VO!

So he should go back and complete his PhD in Nigeria? OKooooo kwantinuee. The exact reason why the F2 visa category exists is so that family can be united during the period of study. The major thing working against them right now is the answer he gave during his F1 interview. Showing some form of home ties would also help their case.

By the way, the interviews are not always as short as usually portrayed on this thread, especially denials. So she can say as much. However, those are just talking points and doesn't have to be followed to the letter.

biikeys:
The bolded plea won't work at all, at least for a dependent visa..may be an okay supporting point for a visit visa case. For a dependent visa, provided that the principal beneficiary with an F-1 visa here is in good standing, the burden lies on the applicant(s) to prove they'll be taken care of i.e. there is enough funds to take care of everyone. Of course, to also prove that the whole family is not just relocating without plans of coming back.
Applying for multiple types of visa within a small time window can signal desperation and 'immigrant intent'.

I think I also stated clearly that they should not apply again for some time. I don't expect them to apply without adequate funds. The fund needed would be stated in the F-2 i20 that would be issued, and since public school is free for children of F2 visa holder, the extra fund is not usually much. And last time I checked, the reason for rejection was not a lack of adequate funds.
I know a lot of F1 visa holders with their family here on F2. It is very difficult separating a family for 4, 5 years. I don't know who the F2 visa is for if not for a married PhD student with kid.

Mitchely:
From recent experience, if you do go alone, please state clearly that they will join you later, even state when if you are certain. All the best.

I really empathize with what you are going through because I am in a similar situation, although my wife is not applying anytime soon and I was not asked about my family during my interview. You have probably painted a mental image of how you will meet them at the airport.

I agree with Lagosismyhome that you should give it some time before they reapply. You should wait until maybe Fall, 2018. When they do finally reapply, your wife should make a passionate case of how it has been extremely difficult living apart. That you are making good progress in your PhD but the separation of the family is taking a mental toll on you. Also, you don't want your daughter to grow up in the absence of his father and how you are missing out on watching your daughter grow too. How she is always asking about Daddy (which am sure she does if she is old enough).

So you have to be patient for a little while because I don't think B1 visa is a good option. All the best.

TWoods:
No such thing exists. Estimating cost of living depends on where you choose to live. One way to do this would be to add these up:

1. Tuition + school fees/expenses
2. Depending on where you live, housing can range from $500 - $1500/month
3. Gas/electric/cable/internet/cell phone - assume at least $500/month (it may be less)
4. Auto insurance - $200/month
5. Auto maintenance - $500/year (if you have a reliable car and all you need is an oil change every 4 months. If it's an older car, budget more.
6. Food/house supplies - $200/month

Add pocket/spending money.

What you'll need at the embassy should be at least enough to cover your first year of study.

Note these are just rough estimates. Use but modify to your own specific situation. For example, those who live on-campus won't need to worry about items 2, 3 and maybe 6 (except the cell phone).

I know you said it is a rough estimate, but I will still like to point out that those are on a very high side, especially for a student from Nigeria.
Every school will issue an i20 that contains an estimate of living expenses and one can also find an estimate on most schools website.
From my experience, after paying health insurance and tuition, no international student without funding and not schooling in the North East or California should spend more than $1000 per month (assuming you have a roommate), except you are OBO.
If you are borrowing money or your parents and relatives are coughing up the money, this is not the time to live lavishly. It is the time to live prudently and make sacrifices, although you will still live a darn good life with that amount.

Just for a meaningless show which adds no value to the society whatsoever. 99.999999% of them would not make it to the house. Get a life people. The decadence in the society is something else.

What I hate most about this show is the numerous hours of productivity that would be lost watching and discussing BBN.

PBundles:
Here is the biggest irony....................the WEST knew all along............. . If you search on the internet you will see that this was going on all some 3-5 years ago. I saw myself a video documentary on Aljazeer where they were talking about it. A girl from Ethiopia was telling the journalist about the horrors. For the west it was a way of saying DONT COME TO EUROPE, IF YOU DARE THIS WILL HAPPEN.

I hope that most of you know that this trade is going on in refugee camps sponsored by the west, please wake up. Don't fall for the crocodile tears they will start shedding.

Also there is some payback involved. Has everyone forgotten that Ghadaffi was paying missionaries, (chad, niger and even Nigeria) to fight for him against the uprising. Now that the liberators have won, they haven't forgotten.

Its sad that once again our African leaders don't do or say anything as they are all worried about stealing and getting their slaywives to be Gucci Graces,

I agree with you. I don't know how I have missed the news all along. One Google search was enough to bring up an 8 month old report from the UK Guardian.

So the Western nations and institutions knew all this while. But who cares about lives of Black Africans.?These hypocritic governments of the west will soon start threatening firestorms now that the public is aware.