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I mailed a prof at Cleveland state University as regards funding, this was his response below.

Congrat bro, you have a good profile. I'm pretty sure your Phd application will come positive.

I also got accepted for Ms in EE at Cleveland State Uni,Ohio. Any news about funding?

rasheedtobi:
What do you guys think. I had a modest application list- 3 schools for MS EE. I was a little disappointed in my GRE scores so I felt applying to many schools would not make much difference. I was wrong actually.

I was accepted in all but nothing on full funding yet. I have a pending application for a direct phD program, recommendation letters delaying things do you think funding could still come through the PhD route given the time constraints for fall 2018..deadline is May BTW.

CSU ft Collins: Accepted
Cleveland state Ohio: Accepted
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville: Accepted+ (partial funding)

UTD - PhD....pending --Application incomplete.





GRE: 311 TOEFL 100
GPA: 3.61/4.00
RESEARCH : NIL
Relevant PROFESSIONAL work: 5years

Cc: masterforce Scholastica16 Dremanuel Yildiz


Shout out to Scholastica16. How are you doing Sir

Quoran:
I have not heard from TAMU despite seeing a couple of admission decisions on gradcafe. I submitted my application before the December 20th deadline.

Dec 20 is a bit far, I applied around mid-january.Just has scholastica have said, we have to keep checking the application portal for update.

Sure, it depends on my goals, I don't think am ready for the 5- years commitment in a PhD program. I want to test the waters first before deciding if I need to continue for a PhD or just delve into the industry.

ponpon:
arrrgh, why didn't you shoot for more PhD ''s, they are literally more funded. It all depends on your goals.

Very true,those indians have good support system for graduate education funding unlike Nigeria.

Nevertheless, the job prospect of studying in Stanford is very high for EE. Although the repayment period is around 5-10 years(for Stanford's foreign student loan) and 15-20 years for mpower financing but its better to study without the burden of thinking about outstanding debts.

Moreover,the deadline for admission offer accept/reject is mid-April. Till then,I just have to chill, hoping I get funding from other schools I applied to.

amanze15:
it's great if you are very sure of a Job after graduation regardless of what you Visa status is, The Indians take thousands of dollars in loan package from their home country most of them pay it off during their CPT and OPT. For instance, I still owe my school but I made a payment plan to clear it within a year of graduation. don't be scared, just be smartly aggressive.

ponpon:
You could consider UT Austin if you get funded, and is it a Ph.D. program, sir?

All masters except TAMU(Phd).

I got admission offer from Stevens Institute of Technology, Cleveland State University, Auburn University and Stanford University. No funding available yet from the aforementioned schools. I am still expecting decision from TAMU Coll Station,UC boulder and UT Austin.

Are you saying its worth for Stanford University?

ponpon:
Take the risk and join the millionaires, just work extra hard, you should be fine. Any other offer?

Although am optimistic, but am also looking at a worst case scenario.What are the pros and cons for getting a loan to study in a school like Stanford. The school has a loan package for international students. What's your view on this?

Thank you sir

tescoman90:
Congrat !

Thanks boss, I really appreciate.

Quoran:
Congrats bro.For the Skype interview, check the Professor's recent research papers and his lab's website. He won't ask anything extremely technical. Just check out methods and research tools he has used to conduct research. He will mostly likely be asking you questions to see if you are a conversant with all you will need to work with him. You should be fine. Cheers.

Thanks boss, you're one the few people that inspire me..

Scholastica16:
Congrats. You have really good schools on that list but I am not surprised.

I will tell you something though, funding for MSc is hard and it got harder with funding cuts from the government so prepare your mind to really fight and maybe be disappointed if you do not get funded for MSc.

If you get a chance to talk to PIs, pitch PhD dreams to them as those are the only cadre of people to still benefit from the reduced financial grant from the government. Of course, MSc students still do get funded but that number is getting far reduced.

As per Skype interview, the PI is not trying to rate your intelligence. He pretty much got that from your GPA..Test scores and supporting documents. All he would care about is to see if your research experiences match what he is looking out for in research students or if you have something unique that you can bring to his group.

So don't expect him to say "define this, define that". Far from it. He will ask about the research you did, things you figured out and skillsets you possess (like if you are a programmer, or an analyst etc). I don't think you have anything to worry about since I know you know your stuff very well.

Just set a good time, get quality internet service, understand your CV well and talk freely. He is a professional colleague not a Mafioso so treat him as such. In fact, talk to him like you would your age mate even if you should not forget the home training we have received from Nigeria. It will go well.

Cheers.

Thanks everyone for the input...great response!

Although am optimistic, but am also looking at a worst case scenario.What are the pros and cons for getting a loan to study in a school like Stanford. The school has a loan package for international students. What's your view on this?

UPDATE:

After waiting endlessly for weeks, my US dream almost withered. At last, admit decisions finally roll in. This is my update.

Confirmed List:

Stevens Institute of Technology(Ms)( accepted plus $15k fellowship award)

Auburn University(Ms)(accepted, scheduled a Skype interview with a prof later in the week)

Cleveland State University(Ms) (accepted)

Stanford University(Ms) (accepted, I actually applied cuz of the Knight Hennessey scholarship but I wasn't awarded).

Pending list,

UT Austin(Ms)
UC boulder (Ms
TAMU,College station (PhD).

Please guys, I need you advice on the Skype interview and how I can go about securing full funding. Your advise will be highly appreciated. #teamfall2018

UPDATE:

After waiting endlessly for weeks, my US dream almost withered. At last, admit decisions finally roll in. This is my update.

Confirmed List:

Stevens Institute of Technology(Ms)( accepted plus $15k fellowship award)

Auburn University(Ms)(accepted, scheduled a Skype interview with a prof later in the week)

Cleveland State University(Ms) (accepted)

Stanford University(Ms) (accepted, I actually applied cuz of the Knight Hennessey scholarship but I wasn't awarded).

Pending list,

UT Austin(Ms)
UC boulder (Ms
TAMU,College station (PhD).

Please guys, I need you advice on the Skype interview and how I can go about securing full funding. Your advise will be highly appreciated. #teamfall2018

Scholastica16:
My Visa Interview




PS: When I am chanced, I will explain my immigration experience just before I left Nigeria. How PTDF almost botched my ticket and travel plans and my experience thus far in the USA (Close to 2 weeks that I have been here) and what I have noticed about our GPAs and much-touted experience. Timezone difference is crazy but I coped easily as I used to be "Mr Nocturnal" in Nigeria.

Congratulations Scholastica, you're an inspiration to us. Amidst the hurdles in actualizing our graduate study dream; writing standardized test, paying for expensive app fees, tirelessly begging our recommenders to submit LOR in time, visa fee and interview and beyond. Unarguably, your story has escalated our desire never to give up, there is surely light at the end of the tunnel.

I wish you all the best in your studies. We will get there. repping #teamfall2018

His..please I need past question for the logical reasoning test. Here is my emailv; tizentos@gmail.com

Hello everyone,

I am registering for 2018 Commonwealth scholarship,are we allowed to choose other nominating agency apart from FSB, because I saw universities. Please advise. Thanks

Hello everyone,

Are we allowed to choose other nominating agency apart from FSB, because I saw universities. Please advise. Thanks

Scholastica16:
It is definitely not a red light. But nothing is set in stone.

Regards.

I will give it a try. This an update for my fellow prospective graduate students

My profile :

GPA: 3.8/4.0 ( WES free gpa calculator)
GRE: 312( 160Q)
TOEFL: 98

I wrote a paper based on my final year project. Decent work experience and extracurricular activities, did few volunteer work in my service year.

Schools Applied to (Ms in EE):

Stevens Institute of Technology ( got admit for spring but deferred to fall)

University of Texas Austin
UC, boulder
Auburn University

I plan to apply to Cleveland State University (Ms) and TAMU,College station (PhD). Still repping team fall.

Scholastica16:
Do you have a really compelling story?

Something in the lines of growing up in extreme poverty?

Are you with education USA?

If you don't meet the criteria above, it is recommended you swerve to avoid stories that touch.

1. I can craft a compelling story from my past experience.
2. lols, an average Nigerian is less privileged thus, I can still say something
3. I applied earlier this year but wasn't picked, my current location being a factor.

I shouldn't waste my few bucks on the school. The scholarship actually attracted me to it. Thanks boss

Hi guys, how sure is the mastercard foundation scholarship for Michigan State University for a Nigerian with a high GPA(3.8/4.0) and GRE of 312? Please I need suggestion based on past record of awardees.

EZEIGBO1OFIMO:
can we see a screenshot of what you sent to him

I sent the quick mail with the subject "Interested Research Student".

H guys, please what does it mean if a prof replies with this message in the image below. Is it a green light or what? my head is not booting at all.

ponpon:
send email not pm me Patrick.jimoh60@gmail.com

Though have sent scores, would surely contact you for later score report. tanks boss

Scholastica16:
MasterCard via PayPal I meant to say.
But ponpon's offer is way better. Endeavor to use it if available.

Yeah, I later figured it out. MasterCard via PayPal solved it

Good morning,

I tried sending my scores this morning and discovered that ETS does not accept MasterCard for tests written in Nigeria. Please who can help me make the payment so I will transfer the cash.

cc: ponpon( I can send dollars in case you don't naira via payoneer or PayPal)

ponpon:
By popular demand ministry of score sending as started send two scores at 15k. GRE and toefl, toefl and toefl, Gre and Gre.

Gre and toefl promo price still on with juicy A+ materials, just shoot me a mail.

wow...can I pm you?

Scholastica16:
You know today is a public holiday. Maybe they did not work today.

I think the rates should be the same because they are regulated by CBN. But you can ask your bank to know the current rate (it flunctuates day by day) but on average it has been N367/$

My bad, today is public holiday. I can't wait till Monday as deadline day draw nearer.

I will try my MasterCard instead. Thanks bro

ponpon:
The cheaper way is paying through people that are in the USA, I've made a couple of payments for people, but I presently don't need naira. Unless it is given freely. But my boss sends GRE and toefl score, just for people that are '' fanimorous'' at a cheap rate, I'll ask him if it has been fully commercialized.

But, why don't y'all pali with fall 15,16,17 guys and the old folks they'll be really helpful. Paying app fees at rates lower than the official and those centers, because it's annoying giving western union, box pay and the rest your 5$ as a poor graduate student. They can also help in paying for stuffs like insurance, sevis, bla bla at good rates, trust me y'all need to famz small. Some good folks on here literally walked me through every process

Yes boss, I understood every word here. They've been mute for some time now, though when the time of sevis, insurance, health and visa elicit, we don't have choice but to stand on their shoulders to breakthrough. We appreciate the veterans that still find time to charge us to keep the fire burning, much love bro.

Sure,please you can help me enquire from your boss for future transactions.

Scholastica16:
They have numbers online - 4 of them. Call.


If you have a MasterCard, use it to pay for your TOEFL as it is cheaper that way. FirstBank charged me N7340 for my TOEFL.

I have been trying their numbers since morning but its unavailable. I will continue trying it.

I have MasterCard for GTbank and Zenith bank, are their rate similar to Firstbank's? If so, I can spare some few naira to send the scores ASAP

Good morning guys, how are you doing?

I am very impressed with the GRE scores flying around in the past few days, congrat to u guys.

On the other hand, I have been able to apply to 4 schools out of 5/6 ( Stevens,Auburn,UT Austin and UC boulder) , getting recommenders to submit their recommendations is really a daunting task and its making it look as if my pursuit for higher education is impertinent. Albeit, I know it will end in praise.

I read on this thread that we can send our GRE/TOEFL scores via BY Mafit at a cheaper rate,unfortunately, effort to contact them proved futile. Can someone kindly tell me how I can go about sending my scores via BY Mafit, it's really urgent. biko

cc. Scholastica,ponpon, femi312 et al

mos4phy:
Same here, although it was previously my second choice. I've sent you a PM

pm replied