Brainner:
Abuja
Approved ✅
First Attempt
16/05/22
Phd Marine and Coastal Management
Texas A&M
COA- 41k
Funding- 53k
Window 10
White male
VO. Good morning
Me. Good morning sir
VO. Can I have your documents
After the biometrics
VO. Have you traveled out of the country before?
Me. Yes, I was in Kenya last Nov to attend a conference organised by the Commonwealth Association of Planners
VO. Are you married?
Me. Yes I'm married, got married Oct, 2015
VO. Do you have kids, how many?
Me. I have two kids
VO. typed for like a min
VO. asked a question I didn't really get, but I heard wife and kids
Me. We have a plan that they will be visiting me at some point or I'll come home during the holidays to spend time with them.
VO. What do you do now?
Me. I'm lecturing in a State Polytechnic...
VO. Cuts in, what's your plan after the program?
Me. I'll be returning to my position as a lecturer, but I have an ambition of becoming a university professor, so I'll be applying to universities upon my return and I believe my knowledge and the degree will give me a headway
VO. Nodded, typed for a while, dropped my passport by the side and reached for the white paper, passed it to me with the I-20 then the instructions followed...make sure you have your I-20 with you at POE blah blah
Me. Thank you sir

I need to point out that grace flows all through for me. I'm using this period to show gratitude to these persons:
Ebi1
walerush
Moshkom
Themaths
Captaintitan
walepepe21
Your updates at some points were very handy and helpful to me, I can confirm this forum is the best.
I wish all prospective interviewees the best, in all of these pls don't forget the place of prayers.

dalo23:
13th April 2022
Texas Tech University
M.Engineering
COA: 34k
Funding: family funds.

Exchange greetings
V.O : have you ever travel out of the country
Me : I have never had any reason to

V.O : I can see you are going to texas tech university, why this school?
Me: the school offers graduate internship program during my year of study and I also met all the school requirements.
V.O : do you have any close relatives in the US
Me : No, but am in contact with my course advisor, I already made plans with her about my hostel accommodation and other necessary arrangements.
V.O : I'm seeing family funds. Who is sponsoring you?
Me : my dad is my sponsor
V.O : he is the chief financial controller of ***Automobile they have branches in lagos, port Harcourt and here in Abuja.
V.O : where do you work?
Me : **** real estate limited. I supervise building, make sure the masons adhere to instructions. I write reports for stakeholders etc....
V.O : what are your plans after your degree
Me: After my studies I will be coming back to Nigeria to take up a role as a senior engineer In my current place of work and I have future plane of opening my own firm in nigeria.
V.0 : your visa is approved passes me the white paper. I didn't hear what he said next

Tips*
- Fill your DS 160 yourself and remember what you filled in
- be bold and confident.
- look in the visa officer eye while talking
- prepare and pray alot.
- read transcripts alot. I read so many transcripts here.
- watch argo videos on YouTube.
- Do mock interviews
A big thank you to everybody here. You guys did it for me. With so many advice and explanations. God bless you all

ikeolafarm:
Thank you very much.

What will the relationship be then? There's a portion asking for relationship under the Company/Organization?

ikeolafarm:
Please, I need someone to help attend to this.

For a fully funded student, which option is to be selected to the question who is sponsoring your trip? And how can one answer the relationship?

Ggetter50:
Hello guys, please, can someone tells me if "Carolina University" is a good school worth venture into? This is second time am posting this.

I have done my research on it, but want to hear people's view about it here. I'm making this findings for one of my relatives.

Please, I would appreciate any response regarding this.

ukicom86:
Hi guys, did you print your i-20 your self or sch sent it down here?

ikeolafarm:
Please help clear my confusion

1. With a full funding, is it advisable to apply for the student's I-20 and that of the dependent at the same time?
2. Will there be a need to provide for living expenses of the dependent outside of the funding or the finding can cover both of them?
3. If they are to apply for it same time, can they attend visa interview same tone?
4. Are they going to fill separate DS 160 form? If yes, how can they plan to attend interview together?
5. How do you advise the dependent to answer the question 'why do you want to go with your spouse?

Thank you.

walepepe21:


Try and evaluate both your degrees (Bsc & MSc) as that will make sense since both cGPA didn’t up to 2:1. Also, In order to improve your last 60 credits, it’s good you do WES Evaluation as it’s widely recognized & Acceptable!

bayern4life:
Please house, I need your help. I am applying for PhD Chemical Engineering in USA. I applied to three schools. I had a CGPA of 3.13/5.0 in my BSC and 3.49/4.0 in my masters degree. I am afraid that my undergraduate CGPA might harm my chances of admission. Please house do you think I should do a course by course transcript evaluation with either WES or SPANTRAN. Secondly, is it before or after one has been given admission that one can apply for Graduate assistantship. Thanks house

Abacino007:
Visa approved
Location: Abuja

my 9th attempts.

THE SIEGE IS OVER

Firstly, I will like to thank God Almighty for answered prayers. I will also like to thank some few people specifically. Thank you @⁨100kobo for your supports so far. You are part of the story, thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement. I can’t even thank you enough.
@⁨Fairheart ⁩ can testify also, I met Fairheart 2018 and he really tried for me. @Fall2021, thank you for being a source of inspiration to me. Also want to thank everyone here for their contributions. @Rafman12, my brother from another mother, thank you so much.

1st attempt 2017 Lagos (Wichita state University) no funding
2nd attempts 2017 Lagos (Wichita state University) no funding
3rd attempts 2018 Lagos (Wichita State University) no funding
4th attempts 2018 Abuja (Central Michigan University) 50% funding
5th attempts 2018 Abuja (Central Michigan University) 50%funding
6th attempts 2019 Abuja (Central Michigan University) 50% funding
7th attempts 2019 Lagos (Central Michigan University) 50% funding
8th attempts 2021 (Abuja Illinois State University) full tuition waiver with $13,371
9th attempts 2022 Abuja (Illinois state University) same

As usual, I walked into the interview hall with the hope and believe that God will change my story one day.

Vo: good morning
Me : good morning

Me: how are you today
Vo: no reply

Vo: place your fingers for biometric

Vo: I can see you are going to Illinois state University for your master in Quantitative Economics

Me: no, I am going for master in applied economics with concentration in Financial Economics

Vo: okay

Vo: i see you have a GA, who will be paying for the rest

Me: my aunty and I will compliments with my little savings

Vo: what’s your thesis interest

Me: pardon,

Vo then carried a paper and wrote “thesis” then showed me


Me: okay you mean thesis, I will be working with Dr ABC who is a monetary economist at the school, we will be working on a thesis topic : *Nexus between unemployment and inflation* . We will gather data from Nigeria and USA for our analysis. We will be using co integration technique, granger causality test, Ecm etc. We will be using Philip Curve as our literature review.

Vo: where were you working before?

Me: I worked with ABC limited

Vo; a forex company?
Me: yes, we deal with foreign currencies.

Vo: it’s a family business right? (this question made me realize that she was asking me questions based on the answers I have given in this past by this time I realize i need to be consistent)

Me: yes, it is owned my uncle, I worked as an account officer there, I was responsible for their receivables and payables account, and budgeting. Before I left there I was able to recover #77m potential bad debts for the company.

Vo: where do you work now?

Me: I work as a lecturer with ABC where I am responsible for course development, teaching and grading students exams and seminar papers

Vo: what courses do you take

Me; I take micro and macro economics courses

Vo: okay. That’s good

Vo: will you be returning to the institution after your masters

Me: haven gained necessary skill, knowledge, experience and exposure in the course of this study, I will be returning back to my current work place to pick up a role is senior lecturer. I have a study leave approval here with me

Vo: how many siblings do you have

Me: myself, my brother and my sister including my parent.

She typed for a while and reach out to the white paper and said congratulations… who cares about the rest

I am still in shock, God is faithful, never give up on your dreams. I have been on this since 2016 but God did it in 2022. I was divinely favoured all through.. i stammered and stammered but the lady actually was calm with me. I will never be ungrateful to God.

Guys, pls don’t give up on your dreams, my application is another example to us that God will do it at the right time. DON’T GIVE UP

Abacino007:
Visa approved yesterday at the Abuja Embassy

My 9th attempts.

THE SIEGE IS OVER..

Transcripts coming soon..

Josephjay970:
Good day guys. I need some answers. The statement of account presented to the school for admission, can it be changed? Like when filling the Ds160 form. Or is the statement forwarded to the embassy? I need urgent answer, thanks for your cooperation.

Abfey:
I’m actually a second class lower student with no exams�(having 2:2 is not a limitation to funding)


Transcript
Status: Approved
Location:Lagos
Date Nov 19th
COA: $53,000
Funding: $59,000
Deficit : zero
Excess fund: $6,000
Degree: Masters
Exam: No GRE, No IELTS

Me: Good morning
VO: (no response) pass me your l-20 and passport
VO: hmmm Bleep university
VO: Why are you travelling to the US?
Me: To pursue a masters in plant pathology from Bleep University
VO: Why Bleep university
Me: Bleep university is an excellent fit for me, known for is excellent research in agriculture and their agricultural program is one of the top best 5 in US, they have an ongoing research which is of similar interest and I would be joining the team to investigate on (talked about the project)

VO: (smiled) its okay, your funding has said a lot
Me: i smiled back, (thought that was all, then off guard she asked)

VO: What would you do when you come back
Me: my company would be integrating a new service that has to do with plant diagnosis, I would be taking the lead and working with local farmers, I would also be taking a research position at IITA, I have a verbal agreement with Dr bleep (she wasn’t even listening but I just kept on talking)

VO: Cut me in and she started saying something about 5days return passport which I didn’t hear, I was just nodding my head and smiling like a fool
Me:Thank you
Security: Here’s the exit

Me: I need to use the restroom please (went inside to shout then come out like a civil person)

Talksub:
Visa approved !.

I want to take God.

Location:Lagos .

Vo: good morning
Me: good morning

Vo : purpose of trip
Me : holiday in NYC

Vo: what is your longest stay in the US
Me : 18 days

Vo : what do you do
Me : project manager at …::::::::::

Vo: Apart from the US what other countries have you travelled to .
Me : UAE , Kenya , turkey , Uk , Morroco, Rwanda , Singapore , thailand , Georgia, Ghana , Paris , USA

Vo: what took there
Me : holiday

Vo: are you married
Me : yes

Vo: visa approved .
Me : thank you

I just want to thank God for his favor, I really prayed and prepared and I have never stay in any countries Up to 3weeks .. this is my 5th us visa

Mide95:
Hey, guys!
Silent reader.
Visa Approved in lagos on my 2nd trial� �
I'm so happy!� Thanks to everyone that contributed to this thread. Learnt alot. Special thanks to @walspring for the SEVIS fee, and @beejhay69 for helping with the Bank state...
Transcripts loading..

Hazardd:
Pls is there anyone that apply to any USA University with HND certificate either then or now

BabsofAbj247:
Visa approved.

VO: What school are you going to?
Me: Stated the name of my school
VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: Told him the schools I applied to
VO: What program are you going for?
Me: Stated my program (Masters)
VO: What do you intend to use the program for?
Me: Upon the completion of my program, I intend to come back to Nigeria to focus on at my company. In addition, I intend to use the knowledge obtained from my masters to improve my start-up.
VO: What do you do currently?
Me: Explained in detail the nature of my job and the companies I have worked with
VO: Wow
VO: How do you intend to fund the program, I can see you got some scholarship?
Me: I would be using my savings and MPOWER. In addition, my uncle would provide financial assistance.
VO: What does your uncle do:
Me: Told VO the companies my uncle own
VO: I would be approving your VISA blah blah blah

It is very important to know what you have on your DS-160 form. While I was talking about the things I do for my Company, the VO kept looking at the screen to verify what I said.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Duisburg:
Guys, are there schools that still give full funding for a 3.24/4.0 GPA in Spring 2022?

No application fee
No GRE
No TOEFL.

Thanks.

Saintkollyjoe:
Visa approved at Abuja embassy this morning.
Transcripts.
I have been blessed by the members of this forum and I thank everyone that have shared their Transcripts or have answered questions here. I have been a silent participant in the forum. In April 2021, I got admission with full funding to University of Wyoming to do M.A history.
Fast forward to June 29 when my i-20 arrived, tye available dates for interview were in 2022. I asked for emergency appointment but when it was not forthcoming, I engaged an agent to find dates with the reschedule appointment tool for me and I got August 20 appointment. My resumption nis august 18 on my i-20. It was on this forum that I learnt that I can get a revised i-20. In short my revised i-20 reached my email in the midnight of August 20.
Now I must print but my appointment is 7.30 am. I got to the Abuja embassy before 6am. Omo entrepreneurial NIgerians are already on ground! Printing was expensive but I was happy to pay. They also scammed me by saying that my DS 160 submission confirmation read Lagos instead of Abuja and so I must change it to Lagos otherwise they will send me back. I said no but being my first time , I ended up paying. The gate hustlers also condemned my passport photo graph. Anyway Sha I snapped another one. In all I was milked of 22k naira.
I joined the queue at 7.15am. I have read all transcripts here and I was prepared with responses. Someone also coached me the day before interview. I have with me two company certificates, landed property, marriage certificate and many rehearsed speeches on why I will return to Nigeria.
I entered the interview and it was then I knew that my Lagos information for DS 160 is to be transferred to Abuja and I must wait Another 1 hour. It was then I knew that gate hustlers don scam me. While I wait only two approvals were granted and about six denials. At that moment, like a person given life imprisonment sentence, I started imagining how beautiful life under NIgeria and Buhari can be if one accept your fate.
Then I was called to enter again for interview.
V.o good morning
Me: good morning ma'am.
V.o I can see you are going to the University of Wyoming
Me: that's correct.
V.o: what do you do here in Nigeria?
Me: I'm a teacher and I teach History. ( In the cubicle there was a male white guy standing near the white female interviewer observing the computer screen. The white guy nodded at my response). She typed.
V.o: said something I could not pick. And I told her that please come again. She Held up a slip on which 'thesis was written'.
Me: yes my masters is thesis masters.
V.o: no, I mean what is your proposed thesis topic?
Me: oh, I shall working on prostitution during the colonial period of Nigeria

V.o : oh colonial prostitution.
Me: yes, that's correct.
V.o what will you be using this degree to do.
Me: I shall be coming back to teach History at the University of Ibadan.
V.o: teach at University of Ibadan?
Me: yes, I've been promised a position there.( The white guy beside her nodded at this)
V.o: I shall be approving your visa....
Me: I became deaf.to other things she was saying but I picked transit and pick up. I was given a white paper and she bid me best of luck.
My interview was less than a minute. Please prayer works! I prayed. My pastor prayed. While at the interview my mum, my dad, my wife, my mother in law and an aunt, my children were praying for me. This is the first time in my life that things that is supposed to be difficult became absolutely easy!
Ebami yin oluwo logo oooooo!

Tomibob:
Status: Approved
Location: Abuja
COA: $39000+
Funding: Full ride(Including health insurance and very good stipend)
Deficit: Nil
GRE: Yes
TOEFL: R26S26L24W30 (Thanks to the nairalander that helped with the part payment)
Appreciation: A big thanks to God and to every nairalander who dropped their transcript here at one point or the other. Your contribution really helped. Sir Walspring even went extra mile to register me (around 12am) for TOEFL even before sending him my part. He also helped out with my SEVIS. I'm really grateful.

Schools that offer full funding (I'm only sure about Pharmaceutical Sciences)
Purdue University, Indiana
West Virginia University
University of Mississippi
University of Minnesota
University of Rhode Island
University of South Carolina.

Transcript

Vo - guy on white shirt

Vo: pass your documents
Me: I did
Vo: what do you currently do?
Me: I work as a Pharmacist at xxxxx
Vo: (goes through my I-20 for some seconds)
Vo: When did you start working at your current work place
Me: March 1st, 20**
Vo: (looks straight into my eyes) what were you doing prior to this current job?
Me: I did my mandatory internship prior
Vo: what's your qualification?
Me: Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Ibadan.
Vo: Do you have any relative in the US?
Me: do you mean immediate relative?
Vo:Yeah
Me: No, I don't.
Vo: how did you get to know about this program/school?
Me: I came across this school while going through some journals during my undergraduate research project and went further to research about the faculty with research interest in pharmacogenomics, where I'll be working on studying the link between our individual genetic makeup and the way we respond to medication
Vo: (He was nodding all through and reaches out for the white paper) I'll be approving your Visa... Blah blah blah... Transit through some countries blah blah...

The truth about transcript is that it doesn't convey emotions... I was kinda scared but tried to maintain eye contact.

Success to Fall 2022 applicants!...

elegantxxx:
visa Approved today for family of three at Abuja Center :

Below is my Transcript:

Me: Good morning officer , how are you doing today?

Vo: Good morning

vo: How old is your son

me: 1 year and 2 months

Vo: i can see you are going for masters in finance

Me: Yes, in concentration in financial Analysis

Vo: what will this course do for you ?

Me: in the short run it will give me the necessary skills and knowledge to attain a more higher position in my current place of work and in the long term I will be able to set up a consultancy firm in the area of finance and investment portfolio for private individuals, institutions and government. Nigeria is faced with high debt service and revenue ratio of about 98% in 2021 and the government spent 1.8trillion in debt servicing in five months .. cut me off.

Vo: what do you do in Nigeria

Me: I work as a senior xxxxxxx at the university of xxxxxx as a senior financial officer in the finance department.

Vo: why New Jersey city University

Me: New Jersey city offers a unique program , it incorporates the curriculum of the chartered financial analysts with CFA institute and i was also interested in the research work of Prof. xxxxxx. Cut me off:

Vo: have you traveled before ?

Me; sure, I have been to Germany, Italy on two different occasions

Vo: when was that ?

Me; in 2018 and 2019.
With my wife in 2019.

vo: can i have your old passport

me: sure, gave her and she went through it to confirm our travel history

she kept on typing for like 1 mins

Vo: please madam can I talk to you?

Vo; what do you do?

Wife : I’m the ceo of xxxxxxxxx, im into xxxxxxxxxxx

Vo: how many staffs do you have ?

Wife: 25

Vo: what will happen to your business :

Wife: I have handed over all responsibilities to my second in command until I return back after my husbands study .

Vo: then came the magical word: I will be approving your visa !!, due to the v=covid 19, i became deaf and dumb for rest of the time.

BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY GOD DID IT, INDEED WHAT GOD CANNOT DO DOESN'T EXIST. THERE IS A GOD FACTOR IN THIS VISA THING.

This whole success will not end without acknowledging *Nigpatriot* and my dearest Friend Ife . Jesus this guy is selfless and God-sent. he went through my proposed transcript and did alot of work to perfect it without asking for a dine. not 1kobo. God bless you sir and everyone on this platform who has contributed positive for everyone to learn. you guys are just Amazing . GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!

SMREXY:
This is going to be a somewhat long...

Fams, in whatever you find yourself doing, always put GOD first. Without him, your hardwork and great profile could be regarded as nothing in few seconds. Indeed, GOD is nothing but Great and Awesome... Alhamdulillahi Robbil Alamin.

Also, NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR PURSUIT FOR SUCCESS!

My first visa interview was at LAGOS and was scheduled for November 27, 2019. I had a fully funded PhD in Civil Engineering (Water Resources Option) at University of Kentucky, Lexington.

So, this was how the interview went...

Me: Good morning ma'am
VO: Good morning, pass me your passport
Me: Should I include my I-20?
VO: Pls do
VO: Why are you going to the US?
Me: I'm going to the United States of America to have my PhD. degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Kentucky in Lexington
VO: Why University of Kentucky?
Me: I got to realize, during my online search, that the University of Kentucky meets my expectations with respect to my research specialization. I realized that Dr.__ specializes in fate and transport of environmental contaminants (had the mind to express myself further but wouldn't know what killed my morale at this point, just got blank)
VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: I was able to complete my application to only University of Kentucky. I would have also applied to University of Colorado but my GRE score was not up to the required score of the school
VO: What's your GRE score?
Me: 300 (I proceeded to give the breakdown)
VO: What do you do?
Me: I work as an Assistant Lecturer at....
VO: What will this PhD do for you?
Me: Apart from my research, the PhD will give me the opportunity to gain promotion to the position of full Lecturer as the position I currently hold is a training position that requires further training (meanwhile, I had prepared to say something different entirely but someone gave the advice and I thought it weighed more than what I planned initially, so my subconscious took it instead)
VO: Why are you changing career
Me: No, I would not be changing career. My first and second degrees were in Water Resources Management and I intend to specialize in Water Resources Engineering during this program. Moreover, I intend to focus on water treatment, which is better handled in Civil Engineering.
VO: What do you do?
Me: I work as an Assistant Lecturer at Federal University of...
VO: What do you teach? (I couldn't hear what she was saying until the third time)
Me: I teach water related courses (I had to say this twice and later realized I should have been explicit enough)
VO: Have you traveled out of Nigeria before?
Me: No, I have never had the need to
VO: Are you married?
Me: No, I'm not
VO: Started typing...
Me: In my mind, I felt it was going to be positive as she continued to type. Then a smile appeared on my face as she opened her mouth to say the unexpected.
VO: I'm sorry I won't be able to approve your visa this time. Then she passed my passport and I-20 with a yellow paper to me.
Me: I collected them with a smile and told her thank you.


My second visa interview at ABUJA was scheduled for January 12, 2020.

Me: Good morning, Sir! How are you doing?
VO: Good morning, how are you doing?
Me: I'm doing fine, thank you.
VO: Pass me your passport and I-20
Me: Here they are.
VO: Are you employed?
Me: Yes, I work as an Assistant Lecturer at the Federal University of...
VO: Why are you going to the US?
Me: I'm going to the US to have my Doctorate degree in Civil Engineering with specialization in Water Resources Engineering at the University of Kentucky.
VO: Why this school?
Me: Apart from the full time research assistantship I was offered, which covers my tuition fee with a generous stipend that covers my living expenses, the school meets my expectations with respect to research specialization. My guidance, Dr... who specializes in the fate and transport of environmental contaminants and their treatments also specializes in Water Disinfection, which is a problem I intend to tackle when I am back to Nigeria after my programme in the US.
VO: What do you do?
Me: I work as an Assistant Lecturer at the Federal University of... where I teach water related courses such as Water Quality Assessment and Pollution Control, Principles of Irrigation, Hydraulic structures and Elements of Hydrology. I am also a researcher by default (I had a letter from my Registrar but I didn't remember to mention it).
VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: I completed my application to University of Kentucky. Though I also have a pending application at Steven's Institute of Technology
VO: Are you married?
Me: No
VO: Have you traveled out of Nigeria before?
Me: No, I never had the need to.
VO: Sorry, bla bla bla
Me: May I please know why I was denied?
VO: It's written on the paper
Me: Thank you


The third one was at LAGOS on June 1, 2021 for a different programme and school.

VO: Good morning, how are you doing?
Me: Good morning, I'm doing fine. How are you doing too?
VO: Good, thank you. Pass me your passport and I-20.
Me: I did as instructed
VO: (Typed and glanced through his system and my I-20 for a while) I can see that you are going to Kent State University for a PhD in Geology.
Me: Yes please.
VO: How did you learn about the school?
Me: I used Google search and USnews.com to search and narrow down the schools that offer my course of interest.
VO: Why the school?
Me: Thank you for this question. Firstly, I will like to let you know that Kent State University offered me a full-time Graduate Teaching Assistantship position that fully covers my tuition fee and living expenses including 70% of my health insurance as you can see on my I-20. Also, I was able to establish a research correspondence with Dr... who was excited to receive my mail after mailing him to inform him about joining his research team towards conducting a research on the modeling of hyporheic zone which is the interface between surface water and groundwater systems and allows for the exchange of both organic and inorganic pollutants. Also, I should let you know that the school initiated a platform known as flashfriends that allows for the interactions between current and prospective graduate students to enable the sharing of information about the school and all, which was very helpful during my application process.
VO: I can see that you've been refused twice, 2019 and 2020.
Me: Yes, that's true for the same program in Spring 2020
VO: Which school was that? (I didn't hear well so I asked to be sure)
Me: That's University of Kentucky
VO: You applied for Water Resources Engineering then, why Geology now?
Me: Thank you for this beautiful question. I should let you know that my major, which is Water Resources Management, is an interdisciplinary course that cuts across geology, hydrology, civil engineering and environmental science including climate science. So I am going for the Geology aspect which will allow me conduct a research on the modeling of the interaction between surface water and groundwater systems which is similar to the research I intended to conduct with my PhD at University of Kentucky. (All this while he kept typing and wouldn't say anything). So I chipped in this... Also, I was unable to sustain my funding at University of Kentucky due to COVID.
VO: How did you get this great funding?
Me: Thank you. I believe the admission committee must have been greatly impressed with my academic excellence and research capability. I completed my first degree with a First class and my second degree which is a Master's degree with distinction grade. Also, I'm quite sure my recommenders must have submitted excellent recommendation letters on my behalf because they know me quite well having worked with them while they were HOD of my department where I currently work as an Assistant Lecturer. So they know about my capabilities quite well.
VO: Are you married?
Me: No, I'm single
VO: Do you have kids?
Me: No, I don't
VO: Typed for a while that I was already hoping I got the Visa this time... Then blah blah blah
Me: Felt bad, said thank you, then left.

The interview lasted longer than this as he was just typing, typing and typing. I noticed his countenance at some point while he was reading through something on his system so I have a feeling that the issue is from my profile which I wouldn't know what it is. The denial was quite shocking because I was not expecting it throughout the period our conversation lasted.


Now the fourth and the FINAL...

I wouldn't know how, but God perfected everything. The next 2 days after my last denial was my birthday. I checked my visa portal to see what's up and luckily, I saw first available date "June 28, 2021". I thought I was dreaming because the date appeared too close for a recent denial (that's a freaking 27 days after last interview). With faith, I rushed to pay another MRV fee and I was fortunate to still have the date intact at LAGOS Embassy.

What if I tell you that I do not really have a transcript to share for my fourth interview. I mean my experience was nothing but God's mercy. At the utterance of my first response, I was already about to give up because I realized I was in no way at my peak. However, God was merciful enough to change the story for me.

So, I was scheduled for 11:30 am but I left my hotel around 8 am. To locate me became an issue for my bolt driver so I spent several minutes trying to get him to find me. That didn't get me worried though because I felt I still had enough time since it's just a 25 minutes drive to the embassy. Eventually, I was able to capture him after he had passed me again. Thank God I saw his car colour and plate number on the app. I eventually got to the embassy arena and had my bag and phone kept with one of those business oriented fellows... If government no provide job at least some people thought it well to earn through a legit means other than scam and related ways. Meanwhile, they were not even considering the scheduled time of interview so I was just passed in for document verification. It's like not much people were fixed for today because the population was not so much as my first but more than my third.

After the whole waiting, I was eventually led with four other people into the interview hall. It was then I realized that people plenty small o... But still not as much as my first.

When it got to data capturing, the lady asked me when I took my passport photograph and if I had used it for a previous interview. Since the latter response was a yes, that's how she gave me a note to go and snap another one outside o. Thank God they already have a guy on standby in the waiting arena who was charging just #1,000. I went back in after I got the new passport and I completed the process. Then comes another long wait for finger print capture. That's how oyinbo's computer no wan capture my fingerprints o. I was like abi my international passport is fake ni abi dem don ban my passport ni... don't mind me, it's not a good thing to have visited the embassy several times without approval. He had to restart his system and apologized for the delay, then I felt a lil relief that the problem ain't from my end. At last the system came on and fingerprints were captured successfully.

Finally joined the last que for interview proper, then I started viewing different VO-Applicant interactions proper. In this life, until GOD says it is your time, my brother and sister just continue to have patience o because this visa approval/denial of a thing could make a denied best student feel like losing all hope. Some guys with strong case and everything intact, the next thing sorry blah blah blah�. While some with shaky voice and less effort will just get it ...boom... visa has been approved! There was the case of a guy who had previously went to US twice for tourism and spent 6 good months without any good reason to bail himself out. Mehn the VO tackled the guy till the end o even as he was trying to tender other high grade certificates to cover up his flaws. At last he was rejected and everyone kinda laughed because it was turning to a drama between them.

Meanwhile, there were 4 VOs (one was like a part-time because she wasn't really stable at the window but she eventually became my super hero).

I was checking out the scenarios at each of the windows but didn't let what was happening affect my morale because a lot of drama was happening for whoever is ready to laugh and some set of people were actually deriving joy from it. All the while, I just kept praying to God for mercy because after my 3rd interview, I knew what was left for me in this sojourn is nothing but Allah's mercy. I wasn't having any VO in particular in mind but was praying that I get interviewed by the VO that will be willing to allow God use him/her for my case. Thankfully, I got God's mercy in a miraculous way and my prayers were fully answered.

When it was almost my turn, there's a guy in my front that was about stepping to window 2 (or so) where the part-time VO is but was beckoned on to move to one of the active VO window where dramas were happening. This left me open for the window 2. I got there and the following happened...

Me: Good morning ma'am (with a smile)
VO: Good morning
Me: How are you doing ma'am?
VO: I am doing fine (with a smile)... Maybe she likes my attire because I wore native
VO: Pass me your documents.
Me: *(After getting rejected 3 times without me being asked if I have any document from my employer, a friend advised that I include it with my I-20 and fake ignorance. After all you've been denied before so it's no new thing, the most the VO will do is to return it)* So, I folded the letter of introduction I got from my Registrar (stating that I'm a bonafide staff of the Institution with my job role, including that I am expected back at my job after the programme) and placed it in front of my I-20 in-between my international passport, then passed it to her.

VO: (Luckily for me that was the first thing she saw) She removed the letter and glaced through it so swiftly as if she didn't read anything and returned it back to me that she doesn't need it. In my mind I was like... *chai mama don vex o* �
Me: Collected it and felt as if nothing has really happened.

VO: Why did you choose this school?
(Me that I already have a good proposed response for such question just realized that nothing was in my head again o, but at least went ahead to say the rubbish English that my mouth could speak at that time)
Me: I chose the school because among the schools that I applied to Kent State University had my focus with respect to course interest and research focus. I currently work as an Assistant Lecturer (VO cuts in...)

VO: that's okay, you work as an Assistant Lecturer? Where?
Me: At the Federal University of... in...

VO: Okay! What will this degree do for you?
Me: As an Assistant Lecturer, it is expected that I ensure (VO cuta in again)

VO: Where did you say you work again?
Me: Federal University of... in...

VO: Checked something on her system, then was like University of what did you say?
Me: Federal University of... in... In fact I have a letter from my Registrar incase you wish to see.

VO: No, I don't need that. Who is paying for your education?
Me: The school offered me a Graduate Teaching Assistantship position that comes with tuition fee waiver and a generous stipend which I am grateful for that covers my living expenses and 70% of my health insurance leaving me with a deficit of $1,835.

VO: So who is paying for the balance?
Me: I will be covering that with my personal savings.

VO: Checked my I-20 and was like 'Okay'

I was just staring at her. That's how she carried my passport and dropped it inside a box and removed a white paper o. Then she faced her system and started reading through what's there. Then everything started looking like a film trick. She wasn't really happy with what she's seeing there. So she took out my passport from the box and also picked my I-20. At this point, I became really scared and started saying all prayers that my mouth could say. Thank God there's nose mask to shield my mouth's movement. All I was asking for was God's mercy as much as I could. She eventually stepped out to speak with someone I was not seeing, but it was obvious she was soliciting for a consideration on my behalf (only God knew what these people don write for my case o). She came back, started doing something on the system and it seems like copy and paste or deleting something sha. Meanwhile, she's yet to return my passport into the box but at the same time still have the white paper placed beneath my I-20.

VO: What position will you attain with your PhD?
Me: Lecturer II

VO: Okay!
She resumed to her typing and after a while, the golden words came out of her mouth... "I am approving your VISA"

That's how my system just scattered that I was trying to listen to what she was saying but my ears no gree hear o. All I wanted at that moment was to allow her stop talking so I could thank her for the consideration.

Eventually she finished talking and I thanked her and pray that God continue to bless her abundantly. It was obvious from her facial expression that she's happy about the decision and how I felt afterwards.


Special appreciation to my one and only chiefest chief, PEPEronically macaroni who saw my first interview transcript on Nairaland, reached out to me and gave me some encouragements that denial is nothing, that I will eventually get it if I remain steadfast. Thank you very much great Scholar, brother, leader and all-in-1 personality. May God continue to be your fortifier.

God didn't stop at that, He always had people sent to me at every point of my bad times. In no order of arrangement, these Scholars have been of great and immense support to my morale in all ramifications: Afeez, Ariwoola Mattew, Demmy, Yusuf, Debik, Zaynab, Mayowa, Chinonso, Gifty, Enyo (Nairaland), Eyo, Kemi (Nairaland), Kush, the whole ACER family and FCLN family. You guys are the best!

Alhamdulillahi Robbil Alamin... God will not start what He cannot complete. So, remain steadfast in your pursuit for excellence!

librangyps:


Me: Good morning Sir,
VO: (Sighted us) wow goodmorning . Have you been to the US before?
Me: No sir
VO: First time
ME: Yes Sir
VO: So where are you going to....
Me: I'm going to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University for me their Master of Accounting and Information Systems program.

VO: Has your husband gotten his visa
Me: No sir, he is engaged with his business but will visit us at least once when he can

VO: Have you been here before
Me: Yes Sir, Lagos
VO: When
Me: November last year
VO: Same program
Same program: Yes sir

( At this point I believe he was reading where I wrote three paragraphs under reason for denial, I used this space to explain that it was due to home tie cos I believed leaving my parents date of birth blank affected me but I truly do not have their date of birth information as I lost them both in my teens and have no document containing their date of birth. Also I am married with kids and have all my sisters brothers cousins nephews and nieces here in Nigeria. Also I am a member of ICAN which is my professional family)

VO: How did you hear about this school or was it program (not sure which)
Me: My colleague first mentioned Virginia tech to me and upon further research I found out about the MADA certificate that I will receive in addition to my Master of Accounting and Information Systems Certificate without extending my program duration. I also connected with my program coordinator, Professor Nadia Rogers who also told me more about the program
Have you started classes
No sir but I have registered courses I will be taking this fall

VO: How are you funding this?
My GA and scholarship together cover about 80percent of my program cost

VO: Who is paying for the deficit
Me: My husband
VO: What does he do
Me: He is into the sales of electronics, computers and accessories
VO: How long do you expect your program to last
Me: 2years
Vo: Did you apply to any other school
Me: Yes sir also applied and got admitted to Kansas State university
VO: When is your program start date.
Me: My class starts 23rd August
VO: What was your most recent degree?
ME: I have Bachelor degree in Accounting and also just completed my ICAN exams and got induction May this year.

He said I should fly past some countries in Europe cos of covid

Hurdles I faced included taking passport for 4k cos me and one of my boys had the wrong passport photographs. No ears ...lol

Also I didn't go with my old passport. Explained its cos I wasn't asked for it during my first application in Lagos and it's also virgin passport.
I prayed for God to touch her heart and let the lady checking know it's way back in Lagos. We came all that way.
She let us through but please learn from this and go with yours.

Also of you have been denied before, stay through to your previous answers. If you must adjust your answers, expantiate on it instead.

I'm just happy to be out of this stage of life for now and go get that masters degree.

Best of luck and if your heart say yes...never give up.

iwa03:
Hi everyone
I hope we're doing well. So I was a late starter to this thread(literally a week before my interview) but to GOD be all the Glory, my VISA was approved. I'm sory if the formatting is wrong but this was how it went, extremely brief too.

Pursiuing: Bachelors at MHC.
COA: 10k
Course of study: Computer science and Psychology(although everyone is undecided until their sophomore ending)

Interview: Thursday , July 29, 2021
Consulate: Lagos, Walter Carrington
VO: Good morning
Me: Good morning sir
VO: So tell me what you're going to do in the US
Me: I'll be studying at MHC to pursue my undergrad degree in CS and Psychology (I should have said bachelors but oh well)
VO: So what will you do with that combination(He was interested in what I said at this point)
Me: Conduct research and build a software for a Nigerian Organisation.
VO: Ok, who'll be funding you I see that most of your fees are covered by your school.
Me: My mother.
VO: What does she do?
Me: She's an entrepreneur.
VO: Alright, I'll be approving your VISA please come back in a few working days.....I didn't hear the rest.

And that was it guys, it wasn't more than 2 minutes. All I will say is, do quality r4search on your school and what your degree is going to achieve for you. They want to see that you know why you're going to school and you can actually afford it. Also, quote Mark 11: 24, believe in God's word and speak it into existence. God help you all in Jesus name, Amen.

Ehizy007:

Firstly, I ascribe all the glory to God for His mercies and grace ��. If you believe in God keep believing, trusting and having faith do not let anyone tell you otherwise. Never underestimate the power of prayer and Grace!
I'd also like to say a big thank you to this platform for the wealth of information/knowledge herein and also transcripts shared, which I richly benefited from.

1st Attempt:
Appointment - 7th June 2021
Consulate - Lagos
Window - 5
Status - Denied.
It was a day of dishing out blue paper, for every 10-20 people interviewed, only 2 or 3 were approved while I was still there (not exagerating, you can ask those that had their interview on that day). I was interviewed by a dark elderly woman (black American in her 50's). On this day I was just gradually recovering from Malaria, so my voice wasn't as audible as it should.

V.O: Good morning, pass me your i20 and passport.
ME: I did.
V.O: Why are you going to the States?
ME: I'm going for my masters in Architecture with concentration in Sustainable Architecture (types...).
V.O: Who is sponsoring? (Glancing at my i20 and then staring at me).
ME: My mom (said where she works)...I also have some personal savings which will cater for my living expenses (types...).
V.O: Do you have proof to show that?
ME: I passed my sponsorship letter (glances through).
V.O: switches off mic and says I should give her
some time, she went inside with my documents...after 2mins she comes back, types for a while and then reached for the blue paper, returns my documents and passport and says I can try again (putting on a pity face). I was in shock as I didn't see that coming and didn't know what she went inside to confirm.

2nd Attempt:
Appointment - 29th July 2021
Time - 7:30am
Consulate - Abuja
Window - 7
COA - $32k
Funding - Nill
Status - Approved (8:30am).
My interview lasted for about 3mins. Interviewed by a beautiful white lady in her 30's. The two guys before me on the row were denied. Immediately I saw that and I was next to be interviewed, I resumed my words of affirmation, declaring that "my case is different, I shall not return with my passport" ( I was the first to be approved In my qeue).

V.O: Good morning
ME: Good morning.
V.O: Place your fingers for your biometrics
ME: I did.
V.O: I can see you're going to BG for your Masters in Architecture (starts typing...).
ME: Yes, that's correct...then quickly added with a concentration in Sustainable Architecture (nods head and continues typing...).
V.O: Will you be focusing on Green Architecture?
ME: Yes, exactly (keeps typing...).
V.O: What will this degree do for you?
ME: I intend to come back to Nigeria and hope to utilise this specialised knowledge and skill acquired in creating a niche for myself as an Architect, and my company where I currently work, here in Nigeria as I would be one of the pioneers to bring this back home (nods head and continues typing...).
V.O: What do you currently do?
ME: I'm an Architect in one of the leading real estate/ construction company in Banana Island, Lagos (nods head and continues typing...).
V.O: Who is sponsoring this?
ME: My mom (said where she works)...I also have some personal savings which will cater for my living expenses (nods head and continues typing...).
V.O: What did you go for on your last visit?
ME: Vacation.
V.O: Congratulations I will be approving your visa.
ME: Thank you.

Then she went ahead to talk of the strict Covid-19 protocol and all but I actually didn't hear anything just kept my gaze on her and was smiling behind the mask as I remembered what peeps here always say about "not hearing anything" (facts).

Advice/word of encouragement:
DO NOT Giveup on your dreams. Stay focused! A delay/denial isn't the end of Life, Try Again! (Na who giveup carry last). Above all, Trust God! Pray, fast if you can. DO NOT tell Lies. Speak with Confidence, maintain eye contact at all time. God that did it for me will do same for you �� (What God Cannot Do Doesn't Exists) GO GET YOUR VISA's! #Believe.

HisExcellency21:
I prayed that God should give me 'a twinkle of an eye' interview and JESUS did it. All praise and honor to God. I wish to also thank my friend & Boss, the Big Francis for paying my sevis fee from his pocket. My interview didn't even last up to 1 minute.
Note: NO FUNDING
COA: $42000
Me: good morning
Vo: good morning,
Vo: fine thank you
Vo: pass me your passport and I-20
Me: passes it over to her
Vo: I can see you're going to the University of Maryland College Park
Me: yes ma'am
Vo: What would you do after this master's degree?
Me: I will return back to Nigeria to seek reabsorption into my present place of work XXXX as a Senior Mechanical Engineer or take up a lecturing job at my Alma Mata, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka as a senior lecturer.
Vo: who is your sponsor?
Me: my uncle and his wife Dr. XXXXX
Vo: what does your uncle do for a living?
Me: my uncle is the Director, XXXX in Texas, while his wife is a Medical Resident at XXXXX .
Vo: I will be approving your visa...be mindful their are restrictions in London and Bleep. My mind was not there to hear all that as Joy overwhelmed my heart.

tonero4urch:
Visa Transcript

Consulate: Ankara -Turkey

Attempt : 5 (two B1B2 tourist visa in Nigeria, one B1B2 tourist visa and J1 work and travel visa in Ankara -Turkey).

Interview : As a family (with my Turkish wife)

School : Georgia State University -Atlanta Georgia USA.

Cost of Attendance : 57k dollars

Funding : I would say i am fully funded (monthly stipend and an on-campus employment as a lab Assistant) because without adding my wife as dependent I should have a surplus of 150 dollars but because I am going with her i have deficit of 4,630 dollars)

Program : Department of Mathematics and Statistics (Biostatistics concentration). I already have a masters in Statistics degree from Ankara university Ankara - Turkey which was on scholarship by the Turkish Government.

Visa status : Approved

Nationality : Nigerian

Date :July 28

Interview Time : 10:45 am

In time : 11:15am

Out time: 12:00 noon

Visa interview duration : less than 3 minutes

Visa officer: Black American guy.He should be in his late 30's. His name is Mathew.

He was approving visas quickly. Me and my wife are 191 on the line. The last person that the black guy interviewed was 175 on the line so we were surprised when the VO told the guy calling people in for interview to call us without even following the line serially. I just thought he was determined to give us visa because even when we were in the embassy me and my wife were acting lovey dovey in the embassy and it seems he noticed it. Going for my visa interview with my wife made everything easy because I remembered how nervous I was the other times I went to the embassy alone. We were just discussing inside the hall waiting for our turn to the cynosure of all eyes. It was like...every eye was on us. It really relieved all my stress because i wasn't alone. I had fun as company in my wife.

When we got to the VO:

Me: A very good morning to you.
VO: Good morning to you.

Me: How are you today?
VO: I am fine and you?

Me: We are fine too.
VO: Okay (he took our documents which are i20 and passports and said we should place our fingers to do our biometrics and we did)

VO: Where are you going in the US?
Me: I got a fully funded admission with an on-campus employment as lab assistant in the department of Mathematics and Statistics in Georgia State University Atlanta- Georgia US. I have a deficit of 4,634 dollars because I added my wife as a dependent and my cousin Michael will pay the deficit.

VO: (He nodded and started looking at my my i20 and looking at the computer screen, he is probably reading the comments made by the other visa officers that rejected me in the past). He then asked me : Have you travelled to any other country apart from Turkey?( I guess he was looking at my DS 160 form and saw that I have travelled to France)
Me: I have been to France through Germany for a conference about Woman mutilation in Africa and the protection of the religious minority.

VO: How long have you been living in Turkey?
Me: I have been in Turkey since 2016. I came here on scholarship and i am leaving again for another scholarship in America. As you can see I am married to my Turkish wife (pointing to my wife) and i am on the verge of getting Turkish citizenship.

VO: (Nodding in approval) What is your plan after this program?
Me: I will be returning to my al mata to take up a lecturing job in Nigeria. I have a verbal agreement with the head of department that I will lead the Biostatistics lab that would be opened there.

VO: (He nodded and said) : "Good plan"
Me: Yes

All these while my wife was just looking and smiling sheepishly(lols) and waiting for the VO to ask her questions too and she was shocked when the VO said the golden words : "Congratulations I am approving your visas. Your visa will get to you(me and my wife) in 5 working days. Take care and follow the COVID 19 protocols when you get to America".
Me: Thank you very much and take care.
My wife : Thank you!

VO: Take care!

When we were going out of the interview room, my wife was like....Babeeee....i was waiting for his questions and he didn't even ask me anything. I replied by saying "It's the will of God".

Tears of joy was just flowing from my eyes because I have been denied 4 times- If you know what that means. One thing about this visa stuff, if you get American visa on your first attempt you won't feel the same happiness someone that has been denied before but finally got it feels. The person that has been denied before would always be happier than the person that got it on first attempt. It's only God that did this for me and my wife and not man.

N/B : I just want to tell everyone here on this platform. No one on this Nairaland US student visa section has the power to give you visa. Only God, you and the visa officer make it possible. Why i saying this? I want to tell you my experience with Fairheart. I am not writing this to spite him or make vituperative statements about his person- to me he is a great guy. I wrote Fairheart on whatsapp with the help of a friend who gave me his number. I told him all the issue I am having about being denied 4 times (two B1B2 tourist visa in Nigeria, one B1B2 tourist visa and J1 work and travel visa in Ankara -Turkey). I wanted to have a mock interview with him and he charged me 50k saying he doesn't do it for free. I said that's too much and I can't afford it at the time so I removed the mock interview out of the equation.
Then I asked him his candid opinion about my case because I was helpless at the time and that was due to my past experiences. He then told me that I should remove my wife from my dependant and come to Nigeria and apply. He said it would be difficult to get a US student visa from Turkey as a Nigerian. I told him okay that I will take my chances since I have already book my interview date. So I told him that if I don't get it then I can come to Nigeria and apply.

Behold my brothers and sisters, me and my wife got out visa today. Why am I saying this? Let no one tell you that you can't get visa no matter anywhere you are and no matter how many times that you have been denied. It's only the grace of God, you and the visa officer that decides the outcome of your visa interview.

That will be all for now. Me and my wife are celebrating and popping champagne...shhhhh...no disturbance. Lols!

Ola9292:
I have a CGPA of 3.02/5 in my undergraduate(BSC chemical engineering) and second class upper degree ( Msc advanced engineering management). I will like to do a Phd in the engineering management field.