₦airaland Forum

Ardedaryor:
Presume this isn't coming late.. Available date from 18th

Oh thanks, not late at all. Trying to book this week and I would love a July date no later than the 20th.

Hi all. Is there anyone that booked interview recently, what are the available dates please?

iCool:
So things like this happen!??

Overall, it is a well written piece.


I also did something different for my LORs

I used 2 professional from work (supervisors) and 1 academic - my then course adviser - from school (a doctor not a prof), these were the best people I could bank on and I didn't want the generic Nigerian professor LOR (even after several weeks of chasing them). I believe this added to my successes because they must have written glowing letters - I trust all 3 of them because I worked closely with them.

Yeah things like that happens, Some schools even request that applicant retake GRE and submit a better score.

You are right, One can make do with 1 or 2 professional referees in lieu of academic ones.

ridsan4real:
Time2smile. Thanks for this tips. God bless you.
What of 'we' that our Ogas don't have institutional email address, what's the way forward?
Thanks!

The institutional email address for referees is not compulsory for most schools in the US whereas certain schools in Canada and Germany would not accept anything else, so one can still make do with generic email address. Although, if your referee is in academics you might want to talk to the referee because most universities have provisions for staff email but a number of staff don't avail themselves of the opportunity.

One thing to note is that the generic email address of the referess should be in the form of first name.lastname@whatever.com. This also applies to applicants, an email address such as Adewale.Emeka looks more professional compared to ridsan4real @ example.com (Not saying that is your email address oooo)

IMPORTANT: The reason institutional mail is is preferred is not far fetched. One only need to read some pages back on this thread to see where potential applicants were discussing using fake referee email addresses. As much as I empathize with the hurdles applicants go through to obtain LORs, I am totally against this. This type of duplicity has far reaching implications. Apart from the potential pitfalls for the applicant if this is uncovered, the name of Nigeria has been soiled abroad in almost all spheres of life that blacklisting our country in graduate admission circle would be reckless and imprudent. Sorry I sabi talk too much

sheeda995:
please sir, what do you mean by good research experience? Am about to start my project, I need to know what a good research experience mean to the schools in US, so as to know what direction to go, thanks

Whatever research you do in your field would be the research experience you need. It is about being proactive during the course of the research. Learning experimental designs, methodologies, reading and researching previous literatures, understanding data analysis. Your supervisor and senior colleagues are in the best position to put you through.

Attending conferences, seminars and reading publications in your field also helps in generating ideas and keeping abreast of latest trends in your field.

obama14:
@Time2Smile, after exhaustively digesting your post on how to get high gre scores. I can't help but pay obeisance for a well crafted work and great strides acheived. I am opinionated of the great resourcefulness of the post, nevertheless I am quite nonplussed and vacillated about how long it took to secure admission with funding, considering your excellence gre scores. I do have the profound and recondite belief that superb scores in the gre and toefl tests coupled with good gpa score should suffice enough for admission and funding, now my precept wavers since it seems likely that arduous stress is reqiured for admission and funding even with excellent scores. I would be most gracious if you can pedantically extirpate why this is so, as you have always munificently do. Once, again congratulations on your admission to one of the most prestigious university. Thanks, in anticipation.

Whao.
I would do my best to answer your question but I can't cover all bases in one post. One thing all prospective students should have in mind is that a good, or even great, GRE score is not enough by itself to secure admission and funding from a good school. Other parts of the application such as GPA, SOP, research experience also play important roles. I would add unequivocally that an important aspect of the application that is often overlooked(especially in this part of the world) is the recommendation letters. A glowing recommendation letter can be a difference between an acceptance and a rejection. It is a n opportunity for admission committee to gain insight into some of the applicants traits that might otherwise not show up in other parts of the application.


That being said, A great GRE score significantly improves the chances of admission. On why I was accepted late in the admission cycle, It was due to a number of reasons.

First, I didn't start and submit my applications early enough. I only decided to apply around November and could not get an early GRE date so I was forced to write in January. By then the application for most schools had closed.

Secondly, When I started the application process, I didn't know much about PhD in the US and frankly was not interested in US. I was looking at Canada, Germany and some other countries. But as I was preparing to write the GRE to boost my chances in the other countries I started reading about US admission from this thread and the students visa thread. So, I resolved to submit application to a couple of US schools since I meet the minimum requirements for admission. Consequently, I only applied initially to two(2) US schools, LSU Health Science Center New Orleans (which I regarded as a safe school but I was rejected) and University of Houston (Don't have a decision from them application still under review!!! Can you imagine?).

Therefore, I wouldn't really say my decision was late because it took University of Texas about 6 weeks to accept me after scrambling to submit my application on the deadline due to the reticence of my referees to submit recommendation on time. And I believe my GRE and GPA played a great role in getting me accepted. I say this because the Graduate coordinator requested for another recommendation letter after the initial committee review of my application because he said the original three didn't say much about my research skills( An euphemism for they are useless). At that moment I knew I had a good chance if I submit a sparkling LOR, and lo and behold I was accepted when I got another referee to submit a letter I helped him to draft. (It still took two weeks to get him to acquiesce to my request).

I believe you and other prospective applicants can glean some knowledge from my story. But, I think it is worth listing some of the lessons I learnt.

1. Apply early before the deadline and Spread your risk. Apply to at least 6 schools containing a mixture of reach and safe schools.

2. Before you apply to a school know how the admission process in the school works. LSU probably rejected me because I am out of state, it was later I read complaints from other Americans. I didn't have any business applying there I the first place( I am talking especially about the health Science Center). My application to U of Houston was doomed when I couldn't secure a faculty support because it is Professors there that admit PhD student to their labs in the Department of Biochemistry.

3. Don't overlook any part of your application. A great GRE score and GPA are nice, but it may be your SOP and letters that clich the admit.

4. Work on your letters with your referees. A letter from a Dr. might be better than that of a Professor if the said Dr. writes a personal letter filled with anecdotes that shows he/she know you well and hold you in high esteem. (Your recommenders need to only write one letter each and just personalise by changing the name for each school). Also, Institutional email address gives more credibility compared to yahoo or Gmail accounts.

5. Start a draft of your SOP as soon as possible and let a number of people review it. The final version would be significantly different from the version you start with in most cases.

6. Like I have said before, the work that goes into securing admission and full funding is usually understated. However, the good thing is that it is a process with numerous steps and all applicants should take it one step at a time.

7. Last but not the least, Pray for favour, Grace and guidance.

I would add more tips as I remember them.

NB; At the risk of being pedantic, I would like to say that GRE verbal is more than learning vocabulary, it is the contextual meaning of the words in sentences that is being tested. It is always good to heed the advice I read somewhere "Write to express not to impress" in order not to come across as ostentatious.

aamstih:
Please as regards reading from sources like the Economist and New York Times inorder to get to see GRE words used in context and also get used to those obstruse passages, what sections on those sources do you advise I read? Thank you

Time2smile
hirschfelder
drhopeful

Reading any article from New York times and Economist would help you improve. However, if you looking for a specific section, then I would recommend the art, science sections and book reviews. You should also check aldaily.com. They have at least 3 esoteric articles per day.

OGreene:
How did GRE fall his hand?

Many factors come into play for funding.

I am late to the discussion but I just want to contribute my 2 kobo. Yeah 234ng44uk GRE score probably worked against him like @electronic suggested. With a perfect undergraduate GPA of 4/4 in an engineering field a GRE score of 157 in Quant probably raised a red flag with adcomms. 157 Q would be around 60th percentile and might make the adcomms to question the standard of his other degrees, especially coming from African Universities. A score of at least 160 in Quant is desirable for top engineering applicants, while 165 and above would be the ideal score.

Generally I believe GRE can have three effects on an application;
1) Hurt an applicant: For example in the situation I mentioned above in which lower than expected score plant seed of doubt in adcomms mind. Remember there are a lot of applicants with stellar profiles so why should they risk their resources and funding. Also, most PhD students serve as Graduate teaching assistants, so a low score screams; We are not really sure he/she would be able to assist our undergraduate students.

2) Doesn't help or hurt an application: In cases when the GRE score is commiserate with the applicant profile e.g 310 with a GPA of 3.2 to 3.6 gives an impression that the applicant is good and should be able to replicate his academic success in their school.

3) Open doors that might otherwise have been closed: In this situation, a stellar GRE score like 325 and above makes the adcomms to give real consideration to the application. They may view such applicant as a rough diamond that can be polished and might even request for additional documents or interview to assuage any lingering doubts about the applicant.

N.B: The scenarios I described above apply to middle ranked schools, When it comes to top 20 and the Ivy leagues, If you like submit a score of 335, if you don't have a track record of academic excellence, near perfect GPA, awards, research experience, informative LORs (not the bland ones from most Nigerian Professors) and dose of grace and luck, then you are on your own.

It also does not apply to the unranked and B class schools.

ridsan4real:
Eid Mubarak!

Eid Mubarak to you too

Ladon7:
Good mng, pls I want to pursue my phd in industrial chemisty in USA, pls is it a must I write GRE to get admitted
NB; I will like to have it on scholarship

Yes it is a must. No school in US would give you a PhD scholarship without GRE unless you are their alumni, which I guess you are not.

You might want to visit the thread https://www.nairaland.com/1832477/how-achieve-high-scores-gre/130

dawbbleOuEi:
Please help comment on this, sirs, even if it's a passing comment. Edakun
cc OluDare01 Time2Smile happyday

I think you are qualified depending on your GPA and scores in certain courses. You need to check schools that offer Master in Public health (MPH). Most would have epidemiology as a concentration under MPH. Stop focusing on B.tech. I think the tech as to do with the fact that you attended a University of technology.

seeker88:
Finally, I want to specially thank everyone here who has contributed to this thread in one way or the other...i can't mention names cos they are innumerable. I appreciate your selfless services.
I want to specially thank texrem who helped in paying my sevis fee.

I wish those who are to get their visa all d best. Just go through the transcripts here n go grab ur visa with confidence.
Congrats to those who also got their visas approved today, and to those who visas were delayed today, please fire back and get ur visa. Sorry for my loooooong story.

Congratulations!!! VO even used sir for you. I hail ooo. During my interview me self go use Sir and Ma for any VO that interviews me regardless of age. It is a nice courtesy.

ayopaul84:
Congratulations to those who have been given admission.

Please i am planning for Fall 2018. I need your advice pls. Esp @Time2Smile and the host of others.

My profile is as below:

Intending course of study: Cellular/Molecular Biology and Genetics (PhD)
Degrees obtained already: MSc, BSc (Biochemistry)
BSc GPA: 4.50
MSc GPA: 4.35 (messed up)
GRE and TOEFL: In view
(Preparation on going)
Experience: About 2 years as a Graduate Assistant (would most likely be an Assistant Lecturer before submitting my application.

The following are the schools I came up with after surfing the net.

Michigan State University
University of Delaware
University of Kentucky
Wayne State University
University of Texas, Dallas
Middle Tennessee State University (in no particular order of preference).

My enquiries:
1.Pls the gurus in the house should help me peruse the above list and give a sincere critique vis a vis my profile.

2. I need suggestions on SAFE schools for my profile (esp. schools that allow upload of unofficial transcript).

3. Anyone on the thread with a similar ambition or had a similar ambition and went through (currently running PhD program) should pls indicate for a personal chat including Mr Time2Smile.

Thanks and God bless you.

Depending on your GRE score (above 320 and 4.5 Awa will do) and TOEFL (above 100 with at least 24 in speaking), dare I say you can be a bit ambitious by adding 2 top schools( like top 30) to the excellent list you have up there- That is if application fee won't be a problem.
You should also look at Kansas state University.

ayopaul84:
Congratulations to those who have been given admission.

Please i am planning for Fall 2018. I need your advice pls. Esp @Time2Smile and the host of others.

My profile is as below:

Intending course of study: Cellular/Molecular Biology and Genetics (PhD)
Degrees obtained already: MSc, BSc (Biochemistry)
BSc GPA: 4.50
MSc GPA: 4.35 (messed up)
GRE and TOEFL: In view
(Preparation on going)
Experience: About 2 years as a Graduate Assistant (would most likely be an Assistant Lecturer before submitting my application.

The following are the schools I came up with after surfing the net.

Michigan State University
University of Delaware
University of Kentucky
Wayne State University
University of Texas, Dallas
Middle Tennessee State University (in no particular order of preference).

My enquiries:
1.Pls the gurus in the house should help me peruse the above list and give a sincere critique vis a vis my profile.

2. I need suggestions on SAFE schools for my profile (esp. schools that allow upload of unofficial transcript).

3. Anyone on the thread with a similar ambition or had a similar ambition and went through (currently running PhD program) should pls indicate for a personal chat including Mr Time2Smile.

Thanks and God bless you.

I would reply your Pm but I want to post it here for the benefit of everyone ; One of the things I learnt during this application season is importance of research experience for Phd admission in life sciences and recommendation letters from your research supervisors.

So I would ask you; Any publication.? What about current research activities?

sheeda995:
Undergraduate: Health Science Edu
GPA: 4.49
MSC: School & community Health Edu
what course would I be rather studying: Public health

That is a stellar GPA.
OK since Public health is your passion why didn't you study it in your MSc? I believe Master in Public health admission is broad and take students from different undergraduate courses( at least UI MPH). With your background in Health Science you should be able to find schools that would give you admission into Public health PhD program.

This is where you master degree comes in, Do not treat as an afterthought,. Admission committees know how to spot exceptional student, So the higher your MSc GPA the better. It would be useful if you can also garner some research experience during your MSc.

I believe there are schools out there, A Google query such as "PhD public health in US University" should give useful results. On the other hand, if you have specific school in mind you can search for example "John Hopkins University PhD Public health"

Let us know what you think.

sheeda995:
Good afternoon everyone, I am a US school seeker, I registered for GRE, but unfortunately I couldn't make it on my test date, so I was automatically disqualified from writing the GRE test, now I am planning to re register, but am having problem with course to even applied for because I am very confused. Right now, I am doing my MSC, so I am hoping to apply for a PHD. As I don't currently like my course of study, I am hoping I could change department, but the issue of doing a STEM course hopped in. Write now, as always I am depressed, because I don't know where to start from. My main problem I guess is what course to apply for, what is the probability of staying in the US after the course. I need a course I will be happy doing and as well a course with future prospect, I have googled and googled, and reading GRE together with MSC is as well challenging, I have tried to look for someone in my shoe for motivation but haven't found any

It is a long process so please you don't need to be depressed, You would need all the energy you can muster for the journey ahead.

Let start with this:
What did you study in your undergraduate and what was your GPA?
What are you studying in MSc?
Which course would you rather be studying?
I think the answers to these questions would inform the way you are going to proceed.

LagosismyHome:
If you dont find someone in 48hours...pm. i should be able to get u a naija person in that area

Thanks, I hope I get before then, but if not, I would buzz you

tomisinobm:
DHL should be able to pick up from the school directly

The school only has an option of regular mail or express mail through eshipglobal.

I am really smitten by everyone's good wishes, Thank you all. I have a lot to share which I would do in due time. Congratulations to seeker88 and Ndawe.

Ndawe's story is particularly sweet, I think she came here initially looking to rewrite the GRE, now she has 2 funded offers using her previous scores. It shows the power of information and threads like this.(Shout out to Oludare01). I hope we all continue contributing.

I just hope Scholastica16 would post his success story soon, we started this together and the thread is better with with him on board.

Hi all, Please is anyone in the Dallas, Arlington, Fort Worth metropolitan area? I want to request UT Dallas to send my I-20 to your address. I would then arrange for a pickup by DHL or UPS for delivery to Nigeria at a lower cost. Eshipglobal rate is too expensive. Please help a brother.

NB: The reason I specified Dallas, Arlington metroplex is because the I-20 would be sent from the school by regular mail and I want to reduce shipping time within the US. Thanks

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.

olusholaosas:
No one seem to be responding

Hello, Please read previous pages, I can't really remember the page numbers but check for posts around Oct 2016 to January 2017, you would find useful tips. It doesn't hurt to read the whole thread too, It is a treasure trove.

Ndawe:
Good morning house. So I've finally received a decision from Mississippi State Uni and my funding came through yesterday. PhD in Chemistry(fall 2017), full ride.

Congratulations, I know to say you are elated is an understatement. More good news coming hopefully..........Success is never too late

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.

Congratulations, but it was never in doubt, was it?

drhopeful:
Bros, na you dey reign oh! Congrats!

Scholastica and Time2smile, what's up with you gentlemen? Please give us some news! Our ears are itching for your good news. I hope we have not been abandoned......

Still nothing yet from my side, fingers crossed that there would be positive feedback soon...

nastydamus:
I got the official offer (Tuition waiver + monthly stipends + 79% health insurance) from UNL yesterday but I'll be turning it down.

Already decided to go with Drexel and UNL's tardiness only strengthened my decision.

Didn't bring this up to make other expectant applicants feel bad. On the contrary, brought it up to show that schools are still typing and sending out admission offers so just hang in there guys, yours will reach you.

Congratulations once again, I am sure it would turn out to be a good decision. I don't think anyone would begrudge you on your offers. If I am right, this is the second time you are applying, it just serve as further proof that perseverance and hardwork is needed.

I am not trying to scare anyone, but when acceptances are posted on the forum, it belies the effort and work that has been put in by the applicants. I am sure you have worked assiduously for this. So, please enjoy it, it is sweet.

Hmmm, following all the discussion with one eye. There is a lot going on with these admissions. I am learning a lot and would post my observations later.

About the letter of recommendation, I have written one myself and has politely requested from my referee if I can send it to him/her, so it could just be edited and sent to schools from the recommender's e-mail address. Some of those Nigerian letters of recommendation are just bland, that's apart from the fact that most of them don't respond on time.

@drhopeful. I know you are joking about test scores in your last post. It is not by test scores ooh. Admission gotten with the test score is the most important thing. I have one reject and I have not heard from the other program (At this point I assume it is a reject). I am trying to put some other applications together. The main problem is that I can't really wait till next fall. But I firmly believe that I would still get this. Nothing good comes easy.

@drhopeful, I think you are making the right decision. Having a Professor that actively recruited you and want you in his/her research team is a no-brainer compared to the alternative. The fact that you are looking at a career in research -that cannot be said of all PhD candidates-even makes it more important. Also, since you have not heard from your POI in Upenn, I suspect it is not guaranteed that you will get the opportunity to work with her. You might have to go through the hassle of securing a supervisor once you get there.

Finally, Please be quick to decline other offers you are not going to accept, quite a number of people are on waitlists hoping for a chance. One only need to read Gradcafe to see touching stories. Admission this season has been brutal, especially for international students.

@drhopeful, I am just curious, Were you in contact with your POI before the admission offer?

drhopeful:
Second offer from University of Virginia. Fully funded with a research fellowship + RAship. Rather late because I already accepted Penn State after waiting on Virginia for soooooo long. Spoke with my super nice POI from Virginia and he really wants to work with me and putting me in a big fix. Lol. Oh! And I already have my I-20 from Penn and paid SEVIS. Ah well... I don't know.


Scholastica16, how far for your end?

Whao Congratulations, How about throwing one of your offers to my side.

@tescoman90 I have replied your mail

Hi all, This waiting for admission decision is not easy at all. When I couldn't bear it any longer, I had to mail the Graduate Advisor at University of Houston about the status of applications and when I can expect a decision .

She replied: "Applications are still being reviewed. Final decision could be made by mid-April. Please continue to be patient."

So I guess patience it is then.

Congratulations to Nastydamus and everyone else with admits. Everyone still waiting, stay strong We would get ours.

Answer is 042
Let us start with 738 since non is correct then the number does not contain 7, 3 or 8.

780 one number is correct but wrongly placed. The only correct number would be 0.

206 two numbers are correct but wrongly placed. Then since 0 is a correct number and can't be in second or third position then it is the first number. Either 2 or 6 is also part of the code.

682 one number is correct and rightly placed. Can't be 6 since 0 is the first number, not 8, then definitely it is 2 as the number in the 3rd position.

That leaves 614 one number is correct but wrongly placed. If it is 1 it would be rightly placed. Last number is 4. Code is 042