₦airaland Forum

DreManuel:
You’ve raised some valid points but let me offer another perspective.

You can actually perform the role of a TA/GA (depending on what the role is) remotely. I did it. Professors still need graders and office-hours are still conducted online. RA role is tricky if you’re not in the U.S. so I can’t vouch for that.

You can get paid without a SSN. Schools can give you something in the form of a Temporary Control Number (TCN) pending the time you receive your SSN.

At this point, I would take what my school says as sacrosanct before making a final decision.

Well, my point is, you cant get paid if you don't have a SSN, whether remotely or not.
And I doubt an instructor will get you to officially start working, if you are not physically present on campus yet. You do not have the authorization to do so and that could land him and the Uni in trouble.

Yep, good advice and everyone should just adopt a wait and see approach. Hopefully in a month or two, the situation clears up.

Even us current students, we don't know what the Fall 2020 semester will be - online or face-to-face. Those enrolled for Summer semester are all being taught online.

For Fall, everyone is being advised to wait and see what happens in the next few months. Though some schools already have outrightly taken the decision to go online Fall 2020 and communicated same to their students.

There are too many universities in the US and they''ll have different approaches to how they manage the situation.

Good luck guys.

fairheart:
Subsequent to my former post, you can just secure your I-20 ahead (obtain a soft copy for now), start filling your DS-160 bit by bit, prepare your interview transcript--all done under a huge blanket of HOPE.

But don't pay the visa fee and SEVIS yet. If your passport has expired, renew it now. Don't put off those prerequisites to the interview, except for payment of sevis and visa fee (GTB won't take visa fee from anyone now self).

I have a few students in my DM asking if they should defer. DO NOT defer yet! I advice that you wait till August 10 (based on my calculation) before you defer. By then you'd have known that Fall 2020 is no-no.

If you have a GA and your school is among those universities putting all courses online, you may be required to start your program from Nigeria online. I even have information that some GA works will will be conducted from remote locations. University of North Carolina at Charlotte, for example, is trying to conduct some of its Master's programs 100% online. It may be possible to retain your GA role. Will they pay you? To which account? These are some of the questions I have been asked...

Well, from experience, nobody knows. But consider the possibility of taking your courses online in case your school go with that. Will you do online course? I know it is not lively and interactive as face-to-face in a four-walled classroom.

Well, all the best!

For those with GA/RA/TA positions, bear in mind that you could start your studies remotely, but you will not be able to perform any paid duties because you cant get paid without having social security number, for tax purposes..

And u cant get that SS number if you are not in the US.

Just wanted to put this here.

THEprometheus:
It is a full assistantship.

Okay..good then.

You are in a good position still..

Now its upto you to make up the rest.


Good luck...

THEprometheus:
The school is located in Texas. I was also given a health insurance waiver. I was given an estimated cost of living of over 20,000 dollars, the reason for the deficit. I wonder why it is that high.

Okay I see..

Texas is reasonable..

Usually though, for most schools, with a Tuition waiver Nd a Full time assistanship, you should be fine..

Unfortunately one has to show documentary evidence of what their 'expense' sheet shows.. b4 I-20 issuance.

Also remember, u'll have to show AND prove same for visa.

Another question I have for you.

Is it a full assistanship or a 50% assistanship??

THEprometheus:
Hello house, I am desperately in need of help! I got a full tuition waiver and a graduate assistantship with stipends of a little over 1000 dollars per month - which I believe is enough for my cost of living for a month. However, I still have a deficit of a little over 8000 dollars. I have been unable to request for an I-20 because of my inability to provide a sponsor. I humbly request the house to assist me with one, also I don't mind paying for a statement of account. Thank you.

I am curious at to what will make upto that deficit of $8k after full tuition waiver AND a stipend of the amount you mentioned.

Most schools' stipend will enable u get by, accomodation and upkeep, an okay lifestyle.. nothing flamboyant.

Apart from Health Insurance, which u'd have to pay a part lots even with assistanship/tuition waiver and some fees that do not amount to nowhere near $8k... Nothing else.

U ddnt mention the location of the Uni.. maybe the cost of living is sky high... But even at that... Those are factored into the amount given as stipends..

So again.. U may need to go look closely at wat that makes up the deficit.

Just my 2cents.

Living in a low trust society that is Nigeria...

It is very refreshing to be able to put ur full trust in a person you have neither seen nor spoken to before, all based solely on Nairaland recommendation and even blindly transfer money to him for a crucial payment of the SEVIS fees, all $350 (a sizable amount at that) and for that person to deliver within the time the person promised... It is rare...

@Walspring thanks alot for your reliable and timely service. Appreciate you..

texrem:
.

Congratulations! I dont get on here often. Just DM me when next you need me!

Hi @texrem..

Sent u a DM. Its about SEVIS fee payment.

Pla kindly respond.

Thanks

Hi everyone...

Please has anyone successfully paid SEVIS fee in Nigeria through Western Union QuickPay or any other medium??

Kindly help me with information on the method and bank you used.

Thanks alot.

folmus:
So this is my findings: and perhaps why @Logachev has refused to update us. It seems Justwise has the precognition of doors closing:

Any female applying for a tourist visa is mandated to do pregnancy test Note: you won't be asked when you submit your documents. You will be called after you've paid and submitted everything as requested from the Ministry of foreign Affairs from Brazil.

Thats interesting...

I thought its legal and part of their constitution..

You mind sharing your source? You're sure its authentic..

Tlontin:
Check my profile and previous post you would find my application timeline.
My eligibility started a day before I got medical requests.

thanks

Tlontin:
Yup

I know this is an impossible question to answer for sure (maybe even a stupid one, lol)...

Could you be more specific as regards timeline for decision, once eligibility review starts??

It'll also help if u cud mention how long urs took from eligibility review to PPR/final decision..

Thanks

Tlontin:
Background check... your eligibility hasn’t started

So once status shows "we are reviewing whether you meet eligibility requirements".... it means final decision coming soon??

insightful

yes

[quote author=Adjo10 post=77804145]....

Ok

simplynace:
About time the Twitter movement is started...

U pple are already wasting time sef...

FYI- wat I know frm someone I know that works thre is that this whole thing is largely 'long leg'...

take it or leave it..

Hi...

I had a little issue when paying for the Visa fee...

So last week, I helped a friend pay for her visa fees(N64,000) but unfortunately my bank account was debited twice..

I reported the problem to my bank (Guaranty Trust Bank) and they promised to look into the matter to try to resolve it.

Unfortunately, my bank got back to me yesterday informing me that I need to contact the embassy directly and inform them about the issue myself because once the funds go into the embassy's account, there isnt much the bank can do about it and the onus is on me..

Could you please advise how to go about this??

I have all the details, debit alerts, applicant's name etc..

Please do let me know...

Awaiting your response... Thanks...

hotmas911:
The harvesting went well though a combine harvester would have been better.

Hey... good morning... really appreciate all th info uve been giving here..

A few questions pls if U dont mind..

Wats th range of yield maize to expect on a hectare of land??

Also wats the average cost of all inputs required to plant per hectare?

Thanks alot... looking forward to ur response...

abujaniv:
Hello urstruly1. I apologize for your situation. We understand that these processes are sometimes complicated and drawn out, and we endeavor to provide the best service possible. Certainly our e-mail responses should be courteous, even when we don't have update for you.

Unfortunately, we can provide no time span for how long such processing will take. I can only suggest that you e-mail again to the Embassy/Consulate with your biographical details so that we can look into the matter.

Hmmm... Well, ok.. I'll email again..

But b4 I do so, I want to ask this..

If this goes on fr another couple of months, surely it means there's a problem somewhere or its an impending denial right?? Cant help assuming the worst here.. I hope u understand where I'm coming from.

Thanks again for your timely response.

Hi..

This is my conundrum...

As I'm currently STILL under administrative processing (4 months and counting, now) after a dropbox renewal application, I'm at a loss what to think as per my status.

Also, it seems by sending an email to request for a status update, one only gets a generic (atimes even rude) response back, saying to exercise patience etc etc etc..

I've had to miss out on a couple of important activities in the US cos of this.... a third one coming up in a few weeks..

My question is- after waiting for this long, is it safe to construe this as a denial or not?? Cos I dont know..

One needs to get some sort of 'closure' on this... and decide on alternatives..

Looking forward to ur response....

Thanks

Hi...

I have a visa application currently under adminstrative processing (AP), for just over a month now..

the VO said to email and inquire about status if there's no word after 3 to 4 weeks.....
(So far I've seen 2 different status update changes... But still havent been contacted yet....)

Will sending an email make any difference??

Cos my thoughts are that if the AP is complete, I'll get a call, an email or something, without me having to prompt them....

In my past experiences with AP (this is my 3rd), whenever I would email to inquire about the status after a month or more, I would get a 'not-so-pleasant' response back. I'm trying to avoid that this time around.

What's the best way to go about this??

Thanks....

Good day VO...

I am just curious about this...

EVERY TIME I apply for a US Non immigrant visa, my application ALWAYS gets put on an extended administrative processing. This is the 3rd time now, last two times being dropbox renewals but I still get called to come forward to an interview.

Is there something peculiar about my profile, name or situation that requires the extra scrutiny??

I've been to the US about 6 or 7 seven times now, never once overstayed, never once got in trouble

.. Infact, longest I've stayed is a month on two different occasions..

For the first administrative processing, it took about 7 months before I was eventually called..

For the second, took about a month... Now I've been placed on administrative processing again, after applying through a dropbox and being called for an interview.. Just a week now so far...

Its just a bit frustrating... I've lost alot of opportunities because of this.

Could U pls frankly answer this for me??

Thanks....

NB: Its really commendable that you have this platform where you can get in touch with and answer applicants directly... Really appreciate this effort... Kudos...

Just want to ask, please is there any one in Lagos who hasn't received their invitation, Cos I'm supposed to write mine in Lagos and I still haven't received my SRD invitation.

Though I got the mail informing me that I'll be contacted in the nearest future.

It appears the SRD has started in Lagos, pls correct me if i'm wrong,

Also@ OpenSesame, Thanks for the tips, really appreciated, Just want to ask, what kind of questions about your technical project where you asked
I'm at a loss at to how deep I should go with my technical project, we're supposed to present it in just 12 slides or so, So what kind of format is required. I know we're supposed to use our discretion but I would help if you could give some tips, Thanks,

Hey Ranbaxy,

Please could you kindly shed more light on the exercises that one would come across at the SRD,

for the Technical interview,  is one required to make a presentation on his final year project, or just write out a summary or abstract of it?? How detailed shud it be?? What kind of questions should one expect on this technical interview part

Also, I learnt there'll be group exercise and another exercise also,  Please kindly give some tips,

YOur response will be highly appreciated,  My interview date is coming up very soon,

thank you very much man,

Hello fellow Nairalanders,

Please I need an urgent advice, concerning my masters degree.

I have a B.Eng Chemical Engr. from a Nigerian Uni and I have offers from 2 Universities in the Uk - London South Bank university(msc petroleum engr.) and University of Surrey (msc process systems engr.),

I prefer to study petroleum engr. but i'm hearing so much negative feedback about london south bank university,

I know that Surrey is highly ranked, i've seen so many university rankings, but do they really matter that much

Please if there's anyone who went to any of the schools should kindly fill me in about the job prospects post graduation,
whether or not any major companies go to recruit in the schools,

I know that some multinational oil companies go to some universities to recruit Nigerians and bring them back home to work, schools like Robert Gordon, Heriot Watt, Imperial etc, that's exactly what I am looking, I just want to know if the same applies for London south bank and also Surrey,

your input will be highly appreciated, thanks alot,

Sagamite, since u reside in London, u might want to give ur own point of view, thanks

@tboy,

Do all those rankings really matter?? I've seen so many of them,

@Gamine,

Why not go to London?? Cos of the distractions The school isn't in Central London, it's in the southwark borough or something like that,

Hello fellow Nairalanders,

Pls I need an urgent advice, concerning my masters degree.

I have a B.Eng Chemical Engr. from a Nigerian Uni and I have offers from 2 Universities in the Uk - London South Bank university(msc petroleum engr.) and University of Surrey (msc process systems engr.),

I prefer to study petroleum engr. but i'm hearing so much negative feedback about london south bank university,

I know that Surrey is highly ranked,

Please if there's anyone who went to any of the schools shud kindly fill me in about the job prospects post graduation,
whether or not any major companies go to recruit in the schools,

ur input will be highly appreciated, thanks alot,