₦airaland Forum

Lorax:
Hello everyone. I'm in my final year student studying Accounting. I'll be applying for MSc when I graduate. Please I need suggestions on relevant courses to go for. Courses with better opportunities in the corporate world.
Thanks
cc: Bossman
Lagosismyhome
TWoods
Blowjobs

Send this to the USA student visa thread. You'll get plenty of help there.

Aramind:
Happy new year all, i wish us a year full of testimonies.
I have read different people apreciate Twoods and Lagosismyhome. and i want them to be a personal mentor because 2018 must not pass me by.
Please @Twoods and @Lagosismyhome agree to mentor me. I wasn't given admission last year let alone apply for Visa....
studied Sociology, Cgpa is 3.89, GRE 288, ielts 7.0 , intending course Criminology.......what can i do with those? do i retake GRE? if yes i will need to be taught (who will teach me) because i can't afford to have a low score again.

Criminology is a generic course that anyone can take. Secondly, your GRE scores aren't really stellar so why would a school bother with the added stress of getting an international student when there are many home students willing to take your place? When applying to competitive programs, you need to stand out.

OluDare01:
Thanks for this. I've heard from gurus here and things like this are very helpful as no one is an island of knowledge. I am an analytical chemist and what I do is separation science and environmental fingerprinting; basically using chromatography and mass spectrometry to detect environmental pollutants. My interest is not limited to this because I can also work as a QC chemist in pharmaceutical industries but I fancy my chances as a lab analyst in a food, drug amd envirinmental analysis laboratory.
On applying early, how early should one apply? I've heard different opinions about this.
Also, the main challenge as we all know is visa sponsorship. How can one navigate this puting into consideration OPT work authorization? Thanks.

Sorry for the late response. I had to be away from home unexpectedly. With respect to how soon you can apply, it depends on when the job is posted and how soon the employer is looking for applications. What I did then was set up alerts on the job search engines I used so that if certain jobs or company ads were posted, I got an alert emailed to me asap. I would say you should apply as soon as you see the ad or no more than a week after. If it's a big company, waiting more than a week or two means you application gets shoved under the pile and if they find one or two good candidates early, more often than not, the recruiter simply ignores other applications.

With respect to your degree, you have a wide range of places to apply to - pharmaceutical, contract analytical chemistry labs, chemical companies, oil companies etc. so do not limit yourself. Apply to as many openings as you think you are qualified for (I applied to over 10, just to be sure and I covered the range - academia, oil companies, chemical companies and pharmaceuticals).

With respect to your immigration status, once you are about to graduate, your International Student Office will assist you transitioning to the OPT phase (I think you still get the 17 months, but that might change in 2018 as Trump is trying hard to reverse this - but at least, you will have 12 months). The office helps you apply and you get the OPT work authorization in form of a card within 3 months. It is important that you apply BEFORE you graduate. Once you get the card, you can use this to start working. Most big employers are familiar with the OPT. However, my advice is that you should ask your employer to immediately file for an H1B position for you as soon as you start work. That gives you at least 2 shots at the H1B lottery system.

BlowJobs:
Translation:

"Yes, you are right, He married for papers. How that one take concern you"

I have never seen Twoods bow out of a discussion.

Him brother marry for papers

O please keep quiet. Lol if that makes you sleep better at night... I understand there are a multitude of cowards around here. If any of you is bold enough to face mt brother down with the false allegation... let me know. I'll readily release my number here so you can call to confirm - if you have the balls that is. It's easy for fraudulent cowards to hide behind the relative anonymity of the world wide web. I will allow 48 hours, anything beyond this and I will report every single post that continues to peddle this false information and tender a report to the Mods here. I understand the need to use "na who holy pass" to save face... but I will not stand false information on family members of mine....

and FYI - we don't all live on the www. Some of us do have personal lives.

Time2Smile:
Good one Sir. Never knew you were a toxicologist. Happy Holidays.

Yup I am. Happy holidays to you as well!

OluDare01:
Bros, can you share some job application tips when you are less busy?

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.

lionlee216:
The point is your brother married a USC for papers. Yes or Yes?

Welcome back from "Vacation". I hope the "Vacation" has reformed you a lil bit. Next time you accuse people of doing something illegal which you are not even sure it is illegal when you also have a skeleton in your wardrobe, Your next exile or "Vacation" from nairaland will be permanent

It is truth the word of the elders, who lives in glass house dont throw stones..

On behalf of good people on this thread, say us well to your brother's akata/oyinbo wife

You have the absolute right to believe whatever you wish, as long as it burnishes your fraudulent intent. I won’t dignify your false accusations with a further response. Good luck.

Klebsy:
Mr Twood

Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to attend to my initial inquiry. I have been placed on AP since Dec 22 and my start date is Jan 8. Is there anything I can do on my part to salvage this situation?It's been the longest week of my life. I'm already spent psychologically.
The research assistanship came in after my I-20 was issued and my guess is the VO wasn't convinced it was genuine. It's the holidays season and school won't resume until January 2 and I feel until then, the VO won't be able to clear her doubt.
What do you advise I do? I'm in a race against time.
I really look forward to your insight on this and I would really appreciate your advice on the right step to take to salvage this. It's all I have ever wanted; to learn, become an expert and hone my skill on the best platform available which NCAT university is offering me.

Unfortunately, other than wait, there is nothing, absolutely nothing you can do once your application is in AP. You just have to hope for the best.

Sorry bro. This is the reason the embassy encourages everyone to apply well in advance of intended travel.

shakol91:
It's only an aggressive egoistic person will tag his fellow country men "morally bankrupt and intellectually incoherent people because they opposed his crass ineptitude idea. Keep attacking, the more you do that, the more we no send.

Lol opposing a culture of rampant, deliberate fraud is what you call “crass ineptitude”? It’s quite clear you didn’t pay much attention in English class.

shakol91:
people like I hope I no dey among and don't forget to address your brother issue,I know you TECHNICALLY avoided the question.

I didn’t avoid anything... I just didn’t think it was a comment that merited a response. My brother, a surgeon-in training, has lived here for 15 years, happily married for 8 of those years, with a son who I get to see in a month. What was your point?

shakol91:
LOL, I tell you my brother. Not everybody can go by d way of school. No be everybody fit score above 300 for GRE to apply for grant but dat no mean they're dullards. Oga T should have jejely stay on US student thread instead coming here to criticise the motive of the thread.

I will always criticize the motive of this thread. People who reserve to themselves the right to be fraudulent, have no business complaining about how difficult Nigeria is.

omoluabiguy:
Lol Twoods has been active on the other Student Visa thread. He probably got tired of you guys here. Atleast he is more appreciated on the other serious students thread than here. This thread is more for people wey no send and just jaahh by any means

With vacations, family, friends, free food and err women... it sort of became pointless arguing with the morally bankrupt and intellectually incoherent lot here.

Lol I’ve noticed a habit. People who are approved a visa and who share their stories here, ALWAYS make sure to tell us how many people were denied before their interview. Why is that?

imperiouxx:
You left NJ already?

Not yet. On vacation with the parents and returning to the arctic freeze tomorrow morning. Hope you haven’t frozen yet?

jagaban17:
Hello People. I got denied today by the guy in Window 6,really felt bad because I couldn't pinpoint what really went wrong because I felt I was lecturing (I really prepared and prayed well too) the guy all the minutes in his front and he kept on nodding like an agama lizard as we were both smiling.

I'm going to Tamuk for masters in Electrical and electronics engineering,been working in a power engineering firm in Lagos. I got home and read my denial under section 214(b)( Bottom line, I'm not able to show proof I'm coming back after my studies) so I suspected where the problem came.

VO- so where do you work and your responsibilities.
Me- Told him where I work and all what i wrote on my DS-160.
The next question was
VO- Are you on a study leave.
Me- Yes. The management of organization are fully aware of my desire to pursue a masters degree as it would help me to attain the post of the head of operations in my dept when i come back and I have my study leave here.
VO- oh Good. Is your study leave with pay or without pay.
Me- My study leave is without pay as my dad will be responsible for my study throughout my programme.

Few questions after that and he was typing for like a minute and I was thinking I killed it and I should get an approval.


Then he issued me a blue paper. Asked him what went wrong, he said 'I'm really sorry, I don't coach bla bla' and I left.

So please any advise? I'm reapplying for sure but I can't get a study leave with pay at my organization and how else can I change my situation to stand a chance of getting a positive outcome.

Thanks. Please I need kind and frank response.

You shot yourself in the foot. You claimed you were on study leave. But it wasn’t obvious that this was the case. Did you provide a genuine letter attesting to that? A letter that expressly states what you are going for, how long you’re expected to be away and a clear indication that your job will be available when you return. It should also state if you are going to be paid or not during your absence. This letter should be on your company letterhead and signed by a management official.

Also, if truly this is to enable you move up in your company, why are they not paying for it? It’s strange.

The problem is that when you reapply, you can’t deviate from this again. See the question in bold that the VO asked, you didn’t answer it at all or probably did not understand it.

imperiouxx:
TWoods,

What's good with you? Hope you're blasting the arctic blast?

Lol bros, I’m doing good. Chilling in T-shirt in Arizona.

bigfamo:
Pls Mr twoods, am going for undergraduate course in sonography in Lincoln University after I did zoology and majored in genetics... Have been thinking of something to say as my answer might be too lame for the VO maybe to consider...
VO: why do you still want to go for an undergraduate course after you had one?
Ans: I was fascinated by the work while I was doing my industrial training in part and that has really changed my thought and moreso, the need for sonographers is on the rise in Nigeria to 26% and that's why I really wanna go for the course...
Pls help my life people...
Everybody's suggestions is wekcomed pls.. My interview January 10..thank you

This won’t wash. Bachelors to bachelors... bad news.

DamiOli:
Hello everyone,

Thanks again for all the insight. I have a female friend who is traveling on 11th January 2018 to study in (Texas state university) San Marcos. Please is there anyone that is willing to help with accommodating for some time before she finds her feet ther. She is also willing to pay. I appreciate your response. Many thanks

Your friend should contact the school and request assistance with accommodation. She can also go online and find affordable housing.

adrenaline02:
I have this friend of mine who was denied because he applied to community college,but has degree from Nigeria,which he filled on the form. How can he go about it as he wants to reapply.....

Your friend is not serious. He has a bachelors degree but is applying to a school that only grants an associates degree? After you’ll say it’s your village people or the devil bugging you.

bejust:
space booked.... #oluwaloniglory ;Dwindow 6 was hot today... but God pass devil.... transcript in a bit.... I wan chow

Ridiculous. The devil isn’t the one refusing people visas.

Olufemiopa:
Thank you for your message.

Organizational Leadership would majorly teach me some leadership courses which would equip me with world class practice in the management of employees for expansion of my business that I have been operating for 14 years. Did you say Lewis University is a small private catholic University? (It is ranked No. 23 in the U.S. News & World Report Midwest Regional Universities rankings this year) What is your specific advice?

How is this masters program any different from the one you did 5 years ago? What leadership/management skills are you learning that will make any difference since you’re already doing a pretty good job operating this business for 14 years? These are the questions a VO might be thinking. You’re not providing a strong rationale for why you’ve suddenly decided now, after 5 years, that another masters degree - almost identical to one you already have, would be invaluable to you.

What does “Midwest regional” mean? Any school can be ranked anything depending on your selective criteria.

My advice - figure out a convincing way to explain why this new degree is absolutely important to you. That is what the VO needs to hear.

BigBoss8296:
On ranking & reputation according to msinus.com. TAMUK for instance is suppose to be a safe school for my profile

There, you answered your own question. Now that you’ve selected those schools based on criteria that are of relevance to you, you can then begin the process of winnowing your list, based on other criteria such as costs, availability of funding, access to faculty etc.

Olufemiopa:
Please, I need some pieces of advice from the house.

I attended F1 interview in November and December 2017 respectively to study Master degree in Organizational Leadership with concentration on Organizational Management in Lewis University, IL, US but was denied. My highest degree was terminal Master in Managerial Psychology since 2012. During the second interview, the VO after so many questions and my confident answers, he denied my visa and said his colleague said previously that I was not qualified.....(I didn't understand why he said that anyway)

Though, I have contacted the Lewis University to defer my admission to May 2018. I have strong family ties in Nigeria (married with 3 children), have my personal residence, personal business, self sponsorship for the study with SOA to back it up. Kindly advise me on what mighty be missing as I prepare to re-fire towards May 2018.

Thanks.

You already have a masters in managerial psychology. What is another masters in organizational leadership going to add to you? How is it of any career benefit to you, 5 years after your previous masters degree? Besides, you’re also applying to a small private catholic university... didn’t sound like this was a genuine learning pursuit.

Ijebuboy525:
Travel gurus make una help me o, I've been trying to book flight for early January, but the prices I'm seeing are so high compare to weeks back, I understand it's festive period, I was thinking I could get a lesser deal between Jan 1st and 5th as school resumes on January 10, please anybody with a logic of getting lesser ticket should share
Lagosismyhome
Bigfrancis21
Boda Twoods

Flight ticket prices are typically high around the festive season. Chances that you will get really low prices between now and Jan 5th is low. Just buy your ticket and fly peacefully.

Teedawg:
Please anyone knows any African restaurant in Pitts?

Perhaps you should get to school first before thinking of food?

BigBoss8296:
Please Gurus in the house, I need suggestions on university that offer full funding for Mechanical Engineering based on your experience.

Masters preferably as I am scared of PhD longtime commitment.
GRE Quant:162, undergraduate score of 3.60/4.00

I have;
Texas Tech
Tennessee Tech University
Colorado School of Mines
TAMUK
University of Kansas.

Please feel free to criticize my choice of school too. Thank you

On what basis did you select the above schools?

ChidiJohn:
regarding my transcript, it just happen within few seconds, all I could remember was good morning and I responded, they she ask for my passport and asked where I am going. The next thing I saw was blue paper.

The reason why church is paying is....

It a yearly catholic pilgrimage program, so one person is nominated for the program yearly, I also do voluntary work as an accountant and I am the youth president.

They’ve probably seen so many going on “church programs”. They also known that some of the most corrupt Nigerians are also the most fervent church goers and tithers. You likely will be denied.

Dgovernor88:
my going to US is for my greener pastures I guess my answer we help. And why did you say my work history in Dubai maybe a red card Perhaps Dubai is not included among the Islamic countries that was banned from entering US or are they

I am presently on holiday in Arizona. The pastures here are very brown at present! Up in the northeast, it’s going to be a subzero week, I guess the pastures there would be white as snow.

But I digress; if your aim is to go to the US for greener pastures then you’re not only in the wrong thread, but you’re also taking the wrong tack. There is no visa that specifically enables you to go seek greener pastures in the US. if you want to go back to school, there is a thread for that.

Also, having worked in Dubai, it is clear that you have immigrant intent. That is going to be a huge albatross around your neck when applying for US non immigrant visas.

scaezar:
My visa was denied on friday 22nd of december..chop my eye. Actually i messed up. Lost all the confidence soon as i got to her front. One slim unsmiling white lady. Interview was short like MI. After the holidays on 25th and 26th, i was able to pay for another appointment yesterday 27th.

The issue now is classes starts on the 10th but the earliest date i could get was the 16th of January. Apparently, i cannot request for an emergency interview.

Please what can i do? What are my options? Shey my village people never get me like this?

Defer till fall 2018.

Hallos:
Please what email address did you send the change of intent mail to?

Read the very first post on this thread. The VOs painstakingly explain why a change of intent letter is a waste of time.

johnsonnob:
I was interviewed by the white man on glasses in window 6, after denying the first 3 persons before me.
My transcript as follows
VO: How are you?
Me: I'm fine? You?
VO: I'm good, Hope you had a wonderful night?
Me: (In my mind,i was like wa sere omo) It was good Sir
VO: I can see you are going for a masters degree at New Mexico Highlands University?
Me: Yes
VO: Whats your major
Me: Environmental Geology
VO: Why New Mexico Highlands University?
Me: I choosed NMHU because it offers me a new dimension to my current research, i have an ongoing research on Transport Mechanism of ground water contaminant within aquifers in Niger Delta, the school incorporate a geospatial application into the study of environmental geology and the school also own a geospatial research laboratory which.....(vo cuts in)
VO: What will this degree do for you?
Me: Last year at the World Economic forum, Nigeria ranked 133 out of 180 countries in terms of Enviromental performance index. This programme would equip me with the right skill to improve Nigeria's Environmental Performance Index.(VO cuts in)
VO: When did you finish your first degree and which school did you attend?
Me: 2015, University of Port Harcourt
VO: Did you write any exam?
Me; Yes, I wrote TOEFL, GRE was waived.
VO: Who is your sponsor?
Me; My dad
VO: Can i have his SOA and what is he into?
Me: (Passes the SOA).... He imports fish from Norway
VO: (got a bit relaxed, starts looking vividly at the SOA) what type of fish?
Me: He imports tilapia, scrumbia, titus fish and all sort of fish.
VO: But a lot of people here like smoked fish?
Me: Yes, they smoke the imported fish too
VO: (Closed the passage between us,left with the SOA) I'll be right back, he left for about 3-mins. As soon as he came back....He returned the SOA and said i'll be approving your visa, circled my pick up location, gave me the white slip and kept my internationa passport.

As Twood always say, be specific about your study plans and intention,make the interview all about yourself.
Thanks to everyone that i learnt from on this forum, God bless you all. I still think there is need to reiterate that the place of prayer can not be overemphasized , be confident and be consistent when answering questions. Also ensure you fill your ds160 by yourself , please.

Congratulations! I hope others learn from you. It was abundantly clear that you know your stuff, why you chose your school and what you intend to do with your degree.