Tomsss:



My undergraduate degree was in anatomy and I’m planning to go for Masters in Public Health.

Tomsss:



Thank you so much!
The reason why I said I wanted to apply before the year ends was because I heard priority is given for early applicants. I’ll take my time to prepare and ace my GRE and TOEFL

Phaithy:
I have a BA degree in History and I’m gained admission into one of the business schools for my masters in supply chain management. My 4 years of work experience is in supply chain and I also wrote the Gmat Exam I had 620.

Pefuele:


Research Interest? How can that be key when it is not everyone that is going for research based( thesis Masters)? Some are going for course works( Non-thesis based Masters) and of course MBA.

Infact, research is mostly key when you are talking about PhD. You will noticed that VOs mostly ask questions on dissertation or research interest when you are going for a PhD. Check the PhD transcripts approval well. I am also going for a PhD and the first question I was asked is about my research and professor and the second I was asked is course alignment ( what is your Bachelors degree)? That's all.Infact,you may not have a supervisor or a permanent research interest( you can change based on supervisor) even as a PhD student until you touch base cos you may be offered a TA based on course works and TOEFL scores.

However, I would say all these course alignment and research interest is soft now because the embassy in Nigeria is more concerned about funding. The situation is also very unpredictable now in Abuja because you can see candidates with huge deficit getting approved. So, I would say for now it is difficult to be narrow it down! However, the Lagos Embassy is quite predictable with mostly funded guys approved ( I saw a transcript that someone was approved yesterday with no course alignment but VO just approved based on the fact that he/she may not drop out because he/she is fully funded).

Normally: this is the formula. Your UG course should align with your intended Masters/PhD program. If there is a career change your intended program should relate with your new career. However, we are still in the period where funding is more significant. We were once in the period where GRE was key whether you get 300 or 340 just write the GRE.

Tomsss:
Good morning guys, I finished with a second class upper (3.84) and I plan on applying for fall 2022 before the ending of this year with the hope of getting fully funded. My target is research assistantship but I do not have any publication yet although my undergraduate project is in the process of getting published but I fear it might not be ready before I start my application. I have experience teaching Spss, very proficient in excel and word. I also plan on writing the GRE by September.Please what are my chances of getting a research assistantship without a publication?

gozmoc8167:
Hello guys, sorry to deviate from the focal point of this thread.

I wrote GRE yesterday and got the following scores:

Quant-149
Verbal - 153

Any hope for funding with such score?

My intended program is MS/PhD in electrical engineering. My CGPA is 4.32/5.0

Thanks in anticipation of your responses.

shams040:


To correct you. On the outside you view it like Civil relates to URP and I'm telling you a No as far as Nig is concern, this is my domain. While I agree with you that visa and admission are diff games, I will like you to know that Interest has a lot to play in the two. For Example, I applied but urban planning schools that was my under grad but was rejected bec currently only few in that school handles advance GIS as I have proposed to work on.

As far as forestry admission is concern I reserve my comment on why I made my choice. But let me hint you, the research interest of d advisor aligned with mine and no 1 get admitted to that dept except a professor got a grant to fund him for the whole study duration. This prof advertised and I applied as I was sure other candidates too must have applied (bec he wrote on his twitter page that he has received 00's email) and he selected me after two interviews. Not to blow my trumpet I need to let u know I got Australia scholarship at UNSW in Environmental sci and another in Univetsity of guelph canada Geography all because of research interest.

In conclusion research interest is number 1 in respective of visa or admission application. When I processed my US visa the VO only asked me a question "what is ur study plan?" before completing he already approved my visa with good comments from him. URP to Civil is not a possible transition in Nig. So you should know US isnt my first country.

Thanks

chuksmanred:
I'm going for a second bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering. My first bachelor's course is civil engineering but in a Polytechnic.

Please, I need help on what more to say to defend my intent on why I switched.

And also, in my I-20 it doesn't show second bachelor's, only bachelor's. How would I defend this?

My I-20 again doesn't show the name of my course of study. It only shows the faculty name which is Engineering technologies/technicians.

Please, help me on how to go about all these in my interview.
Thank you all.

HushTee:
Visa Transcript

F1, F2 (wife and baby)
Location: Lagos (initial date was Jan 2024, but we were able to reschedule to July 8 2021 - we didn't apply for EA, we just found that we can reschedule)
Time: 7.45am
Status: Approved
COA: $104k approx. Fully funded (no deficit)

God did it.

I was interviewed first..... Dude seemed nice, he also did our fingerprint.

VO: What are you going to the US for? (I requested he repeat the question again though cos my baby's cries didn't make me hear the first time)
Me: I'm going for my PhD degree in Evolutionary Biology at Yale University.

VO: Can you say the name of the school again?
Me: Yale University

VO: How many programs did you apply to?
Me: Seven (six admits)

VO: So, why Yale?
Me: I talked about how the professors research interests aligned with mine, with specific research topics. I also talked about the presence of a strong network of researchers in my field who produce some of the best research in that field in the US. I forgot my practise (but uncrammed) lines at some point but replaced them with whatever came to mind regarding my research interests - they kuku have almost no idea what my research is about,

VO: Have you been to other countries before?
Me: Yes, India.

VO: For what?
Me: A research fellowship. I got a research fellowship and I went to India for a year to carry out the research.

VO: That's great, excellent. So, I see you're fully funded, are you aware of the kind of apartments there for you?
Me: Yes, one bedroom flat... One bedroom apartment

VO: Has your school settled it?
Me: I was about saying "no, but I've paid for it," only for him to say "I'm sure they have." I kuku kept quiet.


All the while I was being interviewed, my baby was crying seriously. When I finished mine, I collected her from my wife so she too can be interviewed. She cried all through, we didn't stay in any of the queues cos of that.


Then he moved to my wife
VO: What do you do?
Her: I'm a fashion designer, I run a fashion business.

VO: What will happen to your business here? (this was a slippery slope question that we already prepped for)
Her: I've handed over to my second in command for the duration I'll be away

VO: What will you do when you get there?
Her: I'll spend time with my husband, I'll take care of my baby

VO: So you don't have any intention of working in US?
Her: No, not at all.


After she was interviewed, she was told our visas will be ready in a few days. I heard that and passed her our baby to collected the white paper containing the pickup address. We had a long day celebrating.

I have a fairly okay profile. I'm a 2:2 BSc grad, really good MSc, a few publications and conferences, a few years of research experience (about 5 years including and a research fellowship abroad), I did TOEFL and scored 101 but didn't need to use it cos I did it because of only one school - Cornell (that rejected me), and had solid references.

I've been a silent observer here, but I'll just share my 2 cents / tips on a few issues that I find worrying on this thread.
Firstly, I searched and searched and for transcript from someone going for a visa interview the same day with all family members (to predict my chances. cos I'd been told by some people that we have low chances of approval if we apply together - terrible information) and someone who's going to an ivy league (to know if I'll get any privileges). But, that was ineffective, I guess my research skills just got the better of me (not sure I was mistaken to do that though). When I didn't find specifics on nairaland or quora or reddit (and generally on the Internet), I decided to read all transcripts in this particular thread from beginning till the end. The few transcripts from one-traveling parent and their F2 child(ren), and every other transcript including unsuccessful and proposed ones were very helpful in many different ways.

I'm indifferent to not sharing/not-sharing programs and schools in transcripts, everyone has a reason for not wanting to share theirs - I particularly don't like being bugged with questions that a simple googling and DIY can fix. But IMHO, sharing helps a lot in linking possible questions with program, cost of attendance, work/research experience, exams done, and CV record - a DYOR person would easily be able to put 2 and 2 together from your transcript.

One other issue that got me worried initially was the DS-160 question of "who's funding your trip." I picked "self." Apparently, it wasn't something to worry about. Also, I changed my current work on the form from my paid jobs to my volunteer (unpaid) research assistant job, just to avoid questions that I may not be able to answer clearly. I updated my profile four days before interview and went with the updated confirmation page only (since it was over 72 hours).

My wife and I practiced every kind of question regularly including slippery slope questions, and had my sister do a final interview for us using almost 70 questions (of cos, she had no idea whether our responses were good, but we know when they're not good). Every question we were asked was practiced - not one wasn't practiced. I feel like it's just good to prepare for every kind of question and have very specific and clear (not vague) responses to them all - you'll know if your responses are vague. Also, don't lie!

I'll rest. I'm deeply sorry this was long.

I wish every other person going for an interview (whether F1 or F2) all the best. God's favor!

Immacharles:
Good day all, please I’m new here. I graduated with a second class upper in chemical engineering and I’m looking for a school outside Nigeria that will offer me scholarships to do my masters in Business Administration. I don’t know how to go about it. Please can someone assist me. Thank you

myaisha00:
Hello good evening. Been reading the thread for few days now. Just graduated university with a Bachelor in agriculture with a first class and I'm interested in plant and/or soil sciences. I am planning to write the GRE by September ending.

Schools I want to apply to:
UC, Davis - MSc Horticulture and Agronomy
University of Kentucky - MSc Integrated plant and soil sciences
TAMU, college station - MSc Agronomy
UBC - MSc plant science

Will add more schools as time goes on. Any piece of advice about my choice of schools, funding, suggestions will be appreciated.

Excited to start this journey

bidemialade43:
Hello guys,
Please I really need some clarifications....
1) My mom wants to be my sponsor but she is retired...Can She still request for for payslip??
2) my transcript is an original one in which I got from my university with school stamp and signature but I told my school it was my employer that is need of it... can I still use this transcript for authentication In Abuja
3 My certificate is already been laminated... can I still use it to it at the Ministry?

Bami26:
Good morning guys!
please help me asses my transcript
Thank you

VO: Good morning how are you ?

Me: I’m fine and you ?

VO: good, pass your documents

Me: passes the documents

VO: what’s your purpose of visit to the US?

Me: I am going for my masters degree in pharmaceutical sciences at Bleep. I am particularly interested in drug discovery and research.

VO: why did you choose to study in the US?

Me: the US is a land filled with great knowledge and a degree from this country will allow me impact the knowledge gained in a high position in a pharmaceutical company here in Nigeria

VO: why this school ?

Me: Bleep has an utmost state of the art facilities in their pharmacy department and this particularly drew me to the school this combined with the curriculum of the program.

VO: how many schools did you apply to?

Me: I started my application to three schools but completed only one

VO: why didn’t you complete the other applications ?

Me: I was the one paying the application fee as at then and I could only afford to pay one after the other. Since Bleep was my preferred choice when the admission came in I didn’t bother about the remaining.

VO: how did you hear about the school ?

Me: I searched online for schools offering drug discover and it was listed.

VO: Tell me about your study plan

Me: my masters degree program in pharmaceutical science runs for two years and the total required credit for graduation is 34 credits. In my first semester, I’d be taking a total of 9 credits and this includes courses on molecular biology, pharmaceutical chemistry, analytical chemistry amongst others

VO: what will this program do for you/ your career?

Me: a masters degree from the US puts me on the radar of top pharmaceutical companies. It would allow me to be licensed to work in research institutes like NIgerian institute of medical research and contribute my quota in drug discovery and research in Nigeria

VO: what are your plans after graduation ?

Me: I plan to return back to my country and start applying to companies like gsk Nigeria , Pfizer Nigeria for the role of drug discovery manager and even NIMR.

VO: did you write any tests ?

Me: yes I did. I wrote GRE and scored 298 and IELTS and scored 7.5 band

VO: who’s sponsoring you ?

Me: my father is my major sponsor and he would be paying for my expenses. My grand uncle dr. Harold Demuren sponsored me with about 10,000 dollars and he signed an affidavit of support with my school to make this amount available for me for the entire duration of my studies.

VO: I can see that you have 10,000 dollars here stated as personal funds. How did you come about that ?

Me: like I said, my father has more than enough money for my studies abroad. My grand uncle after learning about my admission decided to support me with the amount. He sent it into my account and said he would make that amount available for me for the two years of my study as a little contribution to my studies.

VO: have you been to the US?

Me: no sir

VO: do you have any family/ friends in the US?

Me: no sir

VO: where would you be residing in the US?

Me: I already contacted the office of residential life in the university and inquired about accommodation. I’d be staying on campus for the first year of my studies. I would pay for the accommodation on arrival and that is because I want to see the apartment I’d be staying before paying.

VO: what do you do currently ?

Me: I work as a medical sales representative/ regulatory officer for a pharmaceutical firm in Lagos.

VO: do you plan to return back to your county?

Me: of course! My family and friends are all here in Nigeria. And I also want to contribute to help build my country’s health sector so I am definitely coming to Nigeria to impact what I’d learn in the US

Bami26:
Hey guys
Please I just cancelled my appointment in Lagos and I want to apply to Abuja
But I already used my emergency request for Lagos.
What can I do please ?

Timgreat31:
Visa approved
Date: Tuesday 6th July
Location: Lagos
1st Attempt
Full Funding
Program: Msc Sociology

I give glory to the Almighty God for the grace and favour I received.
The questions were few. I believe it God's grace. And I really appreciate everyone who has dropped transcripts as well as one info or the the other that guided my preparation.
Thank you all
My appointment was for 11:15am. But I got to the embassy by 8am. Many things happened but no time to explain all that now.

My transcript below


VO: Good morning
Me: Good morning ma'am
VO: Where are you going
Me: I'm going to Mississippi State University. (She started typing for about 30seconds or more)
VO: What are going to do?
Me: I'm going for my masters degree in Sociology.
VO: What was your undergraduate course?
Me: Sociology and Anthropology at Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife.
VO: What's your intent?
Me: (I became fussy a bit, so I answered poorly) My intent, I want to study sociology at the masters level because I believe it will make a me better sociologist. (I knew that wasn't even to my taste). Then she cut in.
VO: Wait, where do you work?
Me: I work as a data analyst at xyz. (I thought I'd lost it that point, but I still kept my eye contact firm with much less tensed facial expression)
VO: What's your intent? She repeated
Me: My intent is to go for my PhD in sociology after this course so that I can pick up teaching appointment at my alma mater.
VO: What was your undergraduate degree? She asked again
Me: Sociology and Anthropology at Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife.
VO: Ok, congratulations, I will be issuing your visa. She reached for the white paper, circled the pick up location and passed my documents to me. Your issued visa will be ready in five business days... I didn't hear the remaining part again jare.

I packed my things and left. Meanwhile she mistakenly dropped my passport together with documents, but excitement didn't let it occur to me that I should call her attention to that. I sha packed everything and left. It was the security man I greeted well on my way out that called my attention to the error. He guided me back inside and another guard led me back to the window where I was attended to. Then I explained to the VO that she mistakenly returned my passport, I had to show her my white paper for her to believe. She oh thank you, took my passport and dropped into the trail.

The joy that flooded my heart was like the deep water that surrounds the embassy.

I wish you all well I'm your interviews.

Shanid:
GREETINGS, MY SCHOOL REQUESTED FOR STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT BUT DIDNT SPECIFY THE MONTHS IT SHOULD COVER....HOW LONG SHOULD IT COVER, SHOULD I JUST SEND 6 MONTHS??

Favour1998:
Please how long does it take to get a response if your emergency appointment was approved?

mimme14sure:
Please, I would like the gurus here to advise/ assist me.
I want to apply to a university in US for my master's program and I will be needing their graduate assistantship. I graduated with a CGPA of 2.88/5.0, I studied Agricultural Economics. I still want to study Agricultural Economics or anything related. Do I stand a chance of getting admission with an assistantship? What do I need to do, please? Thank you, guys.

Vicky2021:
Please I would like the gurus here to advise me.
I want to apply to a university in US for my masters program and I will be needing their graduate assistantship. I graduated with a cgpa of 3.38/5.0, I studied Accounting. I want to study something related to computer science or data analysis in my masters program. Will it be possible for me to switch? Do I stand a chance of getting admission with an assistantship? Thank you guys!

Favour1998:
Hello guys! Please I need your advice.
Am trying to fill the DS 160 form.
I don't know the reason I was previously denied. What other reason can I give for being denied the first time?

Themaths:
VISA APPROVED.
Abuja 02/07/2021.
COA = $27k
Graduate Assistantship = $24k5
Deficit = $2k5

Transcript as promised.

My interview was slated for 9:30PM. I came at the exact time, the security men were asking me why I was late, I told them I came at my exact time.

Completed my check-ins, realized I'm the second to last on the queue, no matter.

Me: Good morning

VO (Huge white lady): Good morning, place your fingers there for me.

Me: Alright.

VO: Pass me your i-20, passport and DS-160.

Me: Here they are. Please, I stutter, if you would be so kind to me patient with me.

VO: Of course (she had time, I was the last person she was to attend to) So, I see you are going to the University of Arkansas for your masters.

Me: Yes, masters in Mechanical Engineering.

VO: Alright, what did you study in your undergrad?

Me: Same Mechanical Engineering, here in Nigeria.

VO: Alright. What will this program for your you?

Me: This degree from the US will place me in a very competitive position in the Engineering Design industry....

VO: cuts in...will you be going back to your previous job?

Me: Yes.

VO: Did you have a talk with them you will be returning to the company after your studies?

Me: Yes, my supervisor especially was in full support, he even paid for my Visa fee to show his support.

VO: Alright. Will you be returning to the same position?

Me: Of course not, a more challenging and managerial position.

VO: Pointing at my i-20, who is *****?....

Me: He is my older brother.

VO: Where does he live?

Me: ******, here in Nigeria.

VO: Starts typing furiously.... alright, I will be granting you this visa, you will get your passport after.. blah blah... COVID-19 blah blah.... She was just speaking so fast, I couldn't even comprehend anymore.

Me: Thank you.

Know what you filled in your DS-160, look them straight in the eye, even though you stutter or cannot speak fluently. God that did mine will do yours for you. Thank you once again.

Fikayoid:
VISA APPROVED
TIME: 8.30 2nd July, 2021. Abuja

COA = $35k
Funding = $13k
Deficit= 22k

Arrived early, just to get myself acquainted with the environment. Did all the documentation and stuffs. And it was time for the interview.

I was so reluctant to when the VO called for next, and I was asked to go there, (she denied the last 2 applicants)...I almost went for the other window that jus got opened...Anyways sha I proceeded. Did my Biometrics and stuffs. The interview was as follows

Me: Good morning ma'am
VO: Good morning, pass me your documents.
I passed her everything....i20, sevis, passport etc.

VO: oooh, you're going for a Master's in this Construction Engineering and Management, that's nice.

Me: yes, that's correct.

*she stares at the I20, starts typing....

VO: what will you do after you complete the program

Me: where I work at the moment, **** Construction. The Research and Development department has just been opened, I interviewed for a position in the department and I was recommended, all that is left is to get the minimum requirements of an msc. The position triples my current pay. In the long term, I plan to start my own construction firm, where I will focus majorly on "Digital Construction".

She stopped typing and started at me, saying,

VO; What is Digital Construction?.

In my mind I was like, yes, I don get am

Me: Digital Construction is an application of the emerging trends in technology to Construction. Emerging trends includes Internet of Things, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, etc. Its very rare in Africa and I want to be one of its pioneers over here.

She continues typing for a while....

VO; who is your sponsor

Me; mentions the name

VO; yes, so??

Me; He is my uncle

She looked like She wanted more information and I picked it, so I continued talking

Me; He has been an ever present figure in my life, he actually sponsored my first degree. In my 3rd year as an undergraduate, he told me, "if you can graduate with a first class, I will sponsor your international masters", and here we are.

VO; when did you complete your Bachelors Degree

Me: 2016 ma

VO: how long have you worked at **** construction. (Almost like she wanted to confirm the information on the DS160)

Me; this is my fourth year, I have been there since the beginning of year 2018

Vo; nods her head and continues typing for a while, then she asked what does your sponsor do

Me; He is into large scale mechanised cocoa farming. He exports cocoa from Nigeria to Cameroon and Benin republic.

She nods her head and picked up the white paper....all the things wey she talk after, na she know o....lol.


Thanks to everyone on the platform, I learnt a lot, in all honesty. Although I haven't been long on this portal, but I took time to read a lot from the previous pages and I really learnt. God bless you all.

My advice; If you can get a relevant working experience to your intended study plan, it's a big plus.

See you all at the top.

cliffton:
Tough nuts to crack bro lol. I hope the person applying to these made first class hahaha

Parko:


Congratulations. Please does NIU chemistry require WES evaluation of transcript. Thanks

osadestiny:
I want to say I am really glad and i don’t know how to express my joy. Because what God can not do does not exist. God has helped me and I am really thankful to Akeem Ajao, for always encouraging me and being by my side. I am indeed grateful for my fairheart. For all of the advice he has given me, I was not worried again after receiving all of this advices and counsels. Now I know even if we had made mistakes in the past, there is still a way to correct this mistakes, we should never be frustrated or try to give up because of this. I know I already shared my transcripts on my first, second and third interview. I will be sharing the fourth one today. The VO that interviewed me in Abuja today was the same VO that interviewed me during my 3rd attempt. Just a month ago after I was denied. Visa approved
Visa approved Abuja embassy 28th June 2021. Fourth attempt.

VO: pass me your documents, he was kind of typing in his system. He said sorry hold on.
Me: with boldness I was not really smiling at all. I said here is my documents. There is no problem you can continue doing what you are doing.
VO: checked my passport, so he said what did you went to do in the Democratic republic of Congo.
Me: I went to the DRC for a missionary service, which I did for my church for two years. This service is required for every male member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint from the age of 18-25. Because of this service I was able to go to Kenya, Ghana and Togo. I then handle over my missionary photos and my missionary certificate for prove of the service.
VO: don’t worry I believe you. With a smile. So I see you are going to Missouri.
Me: yes I will be going to Missouri state university for my bachelor’s degree in chemistry and I am going to be concentrating on biochemistry.
VO: he checked his system and then he said how come so soon you reapplied again and how did you got this date seeing that there are no available dates?
Me: I found out that I don’t need to give up on my dreams, so after being denied on that last day. I went straight forward to purchase another mrv fee and then started my application again. So I had to request for emergency appointment. Because I came to find out that student going for f1 visas are been granted emergency request. So I had to do mine and I was given this date.
VO: nodded his head and then he said that’s fine. I see you have a scholarship of $5,000 how are you going to be paying the remaining fees.
Me: my parents have always been sponsoring my activities and they were the one who sponsored my missionary program and they will be paying for my education.
VO: okay what do they do?
Me: for my dad he works in a micro finance bank and he also has an automobile business in my home city whereby he deals on used Nigeria vehicles and my mom she is a pharmacist.
VO: okay so what will you do with this degree?
Me: first of all after the completion of this degree with the amount of knowledge I am going to acquire in this field. I will be able to pursue a career someday in becoming a biomedical scientist. Because i love to know how our plants and animals can resist diseases, droughts and other afflictions. I will then be able to carried out biological and laboratory test on tissue fluids so that clinicians can be able to diagnose and treat diseases in plants and animals.
VO: he kept on typing and typing for like 1 minute. He added my passport to the others and said I will be keeping your passport and I will be returning this i-20 to you, you need this at the point of entry. He thé gave me the white paper.
Me: I was like really surprise and I said thank you sir. God bless you.
VO: don’t worry you are good to go, just prepare your travel and always maintain COVID19 guidelines to always stay safe.

I left and I was really happy and was kind of confuse because it looked like a dream to me. I am really thankful to God and I can’t really express my joy.

Edenman:
Please i need informations on schools with full funding for MSC or PhD in us University in Civil Engineering or construction management

LeoNwa:
This is exactly how my interview happened on 25th June

Visa Approved✅
Emergency appointment
Location: Abuja
VO: White man

School: Illinois institute of technology

Program: Masters in Advanced Manufacturing, Automation and Control systems

COA: $49888
Funding: $11000

Deficit covered with Mpower Loan and Personal Savings.

I forgot to sign my i20. I have to sign it in front of the VO�

The two persons before me were denied.

VO: Hi, Good morning, how are you?

Me: I'm fine and you?

VO: Cool, pass me the documents.

Me: I gave him only my passport.

VO: (He smiled) I mean pass me those documents you are with.

Me: Oh! I wasn't aware of that, sorry. I then passed my DS160 and i20

VO: I see you are going for Manufacturing Engineering.

Me: No! I'm going for Advanced Manufacturing with a specialization in Automation and Control Systems.

VO: Looked at his computer to confirm what I filled in DS160 and nodded.

VO: What is your highest qualification?

Me: Bachelors of Engineering, I studied Mechanical Engineering, I graduated in the year Bleep.

VO: Looked at his computer again and nodded

VO: What have you been doing since then?

Me: I've been working in the Oil and Gas Industry.

VO: I can see you worked as a Non-- (I didn't allow him to finish, I completed the sentence for him)

Me: Yes! I previously worked as a Non-destructive Testing Engineer

VO: He looked at his computer again and nodded. He now picked up my i20

VO: I see you have a Loan ( I didn't wait for him to finish, I had to complete the sentence for him)

Me: Sure, I secured a fully approved education loan from Mpower Finance. It will be paid directly to my school upon arrival.

VO: How much is the Loan

Me: $35000

VO: Great! He Nodded! Your family will give you $4000


Me: Sure, my aunt Mrs xxxx will be supporting me with $4000, I will also be supplementing it with my personal savings.

VO: He looked at his computer again and confirmed my aunt's name on my DS160, kept on nodding

VO: What does she do?

Me: She is a real estate investor. She buys and sells lands. She also develops them into estates.

VO: I can see you are genuine! (We both smiled). I will be keeping your passport. He gave me a white paper

He was telling me bout COVID 19 restrictions and Port of entry, I didn't hear anyother thing. I kept on saying. Okay!!. When he was done talking, I told him Thank you!, Bye and have a nice day.

VO: you too

No Document was asked

----------------------------------------
Note:

1) Know your DS160 and make sure you filled the DS160 by yourself without error.

2)Know your funding.

3) If possible, get relevant work experience

Be Confident and see this as a discussion not just question and answer.

Adaigbonile1:
MY TRANSCRIPT
Date: 25-06-2021
Venue/Time: Abuja, 8.30am
Merit Scholarship: $26,000
Deficit of $50,000
Number of attempts: 1st
Status: APPROVED
School: Syracuse University College of Law (SUCOL) New York.

V.O: Good morn(with a warm smile on her face), can I have your passport and i20.
Me: Good morn(I gave her passport and i20)

V.O: I see you're going to SUCOL for your LL.M
Me: yes ma'am

V.O: which area of law will you specialise
Me: International Environment law and International Human Rights Law

V.O: I see you have a scholarship of $26,000 and deficit of 50,000. Who's paying for the deficit ?
Me: Mr XYZ, my guardian
V.O What do you mean by your guardian, is he your uncle or cousin or immediate family, does he live in Nigeria, what does he do?
Me: No, he's someone from my community who has shown great interest in my education from time immemorial, even during my undergrad days when my mother died. (She nodded). He lives in Nigeria. He's an established business man that deals in automobiles, auto transport and logistics business. I have been under his retainership as the legal representative of his company since after my call to bar. He's also into properties and real estate. As his legal rep, I always conduct due diligence in his real estate deals.

V.O: do you know anybody in the U.S
Me: Yes, I know Mr ABC. (Note: I filled mr Abc in my DS160 as my contact person upon arrival)

V.O: what's your relationship with him, is he your uncle or cousin
Me: he's a distant relative

VO: what do you mean by that
Me: he's not my immediate family. I met him on facebook and I got to know he's from my hometown and I made arrangement for him to pick me up upon arrival and take me to SUCOL where I'll meet my DSO for documentation..( note, at this point I was almost loosing focus, sweating and stuttering. Anyways, VO nodded after I laboured to give this answer)

V.O: What do you do currently?
Me: I work in Xyzzz law firm as an Associate

V.O: how many years practice experience
Me: 6 years

V.O: what are your duties
Me: Litigation generally, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Legal representation of companies upon retainership, property and real estate

V.O: what aspect of litigation
Me: Civil litigation
VO: (looks suprised) you mean you represent clients in court from inception to judgment?
Me: yes ma

V.O: how many lawyers do you have in your firm
Me: 10 lawyers

V.O: what are your plans after studies in SUCOL, will you return to the firm or are you quitting?
Me: I'll definitely return

V.O (types for a while) I see you got this admission last year and deferred twice.
Me: yes ma'am, because of the pandemic last year.

V.O : I'm going to approve your visa. Take your i20, you'll need it at the POE and remember there are a lotta restrictions at the POE...blah blah blah

*During the interview I maintained close eye contact with her especially when she's not typing. I didn't memorize any answers, I made sure my confidence was intact.
Anyway, I struggled a lot to hear her cos she was speaking very fast, so in two occasions I told her to repeat the question. She was quite patient with me.
One thing is, you can't lie to them and get away with it easily, so make sure you stick with whatever you filled in your Ds160. They like to hear that you have work experience too. That was my biggest selling point. She didn't ask me about sponsor's bank statement nor any other documents. I also want to believe that they don't like hearing "uncle or cousin". The reason she emphasized on it in two of my questions.
Note: this whole questions and answers happened under 3-4mins. I also noticed many F1 students were granted visa that day.

iWasNotHere:
CONGRATS

post=103074805]Approved
Abuja
25 June 2021
Deficit: 25k
No funding


VO: I see you're going to Missouri State University for your master's degree in computer science
Me: yes ma'am
VO: did you apply to other Schools
Me: Yes, I applied to 4, (I mentioned the 4 and said one rejected me)
VO: so why did you pick Missouri State?
Me: (I went blank after all the practice I've done, I couldn't recall my rehearsed answer, so I freestyled)

Missouri State seemed very interested in my career goals, immediately after admission I was offered an advisor who read my SOP and advised me on the best courses for my career.

VO: who's sponsoring you?
Me: my mum, she runs the family hospitality business with 3 hotels

VO: What will you do when you return?
Me: The Nigerian fintech sector is currently booming and we have two unicorns, with this boom there will be a requirement requirement for labour. With my background in financial services and the skills I will be acquiring through this program, I will be able to get a role in the fintech sector.

VO: I see you have a sibling there?
Me: Yes, my brother is there on a basketball scholarship (I was still talking, VO cuts in)
VO: where does he stay? (I kept on talking tangential to the question)
VO: Where!!!
Me: SD

She typed for a long time and then gave me the white paper.

Please always look them in the eye while speaking, it helps to display confidence. I have never been a cramming person, so while doing my mocks I suspected a blank out. During that time, I worked on a freestyle alternative and this saved me a lot. The VO never smiled all through just kept a neutral face. When you see this, don't be discouraged - it's part of the job.

techkay:
My Transcript

Date: 23-06-2021
Venue: Lagos Consulate
Funding: Fully funded with surplus of $3K
GRE: Nill
TOEFL/IELTS: Nill
Number of attempts: 1st and only
Status: APPROVED

I initially scheduled my interview for Monday 14/06/2021, the Federal government declared holiday and the embassy rescheduled me to Friday, 18/06/2021. I got to Lagos on Thursday evening, I was already in my hotel room when the US embassy message came in around 8:30pm that my interview has been rescheduled again to Wednesday, 23/06/2021 because of US June eighteen Holiday, it was so painful but as a Christian, I quickly realized that this is God in action because a day before that June 18, I discovered from Nairaland here that I shouldn't have picked "SELF" as entity paying for my trip since I have fully funded. Immediately my interview was rescheduled to Wednesday, I went back to fill another DS 160 and I picked "EMPLOYER IN US" as entity paying for my trip.

Yes, the real day came, Wednesday, 23/06/2021.

Though, the interview was scheduled for 10:15 but I got there exactly 7am, I met many on queue and I quickly joined them. I was subjected to normal screening and the rest.

I got to the interviewing hall around 9:15am. Four windows, 1,2,5 & 6 were working. They were all giving out blue forms except the VO in window 1 who was a little bit nice. The VO in window 2 was dashing out blue form like father Christmas' gifts.

Like 10mins to my turn, the window 1 VO left. I was praying to God within me and speaking to my passport saying " this passport you are not going home with me today, this passport you are sleeping here for three days after 3days come and meet me at home with US visa.


Now, it's my turn and I was directed to window 1 VO, who specializes in dashing out blue form.

Me: Good morning

VO: No response

Me: I say good morning here sir

VO: Pass me your passport and I-20

Me: Passed them

VO: Tell me where you are going and what you will be doing there?

Me: I am going to the united states to study for my PhD in Physics at CSU and I will specializing on how to synthesize, fabricate and characterize non-toxic, hybrid peroskite semiconductors for commercial generation of electricity, particularly in a country like Nigeria where there is inadequate supply of electricity.

VO: Tell me, what will this degree do for you?

Me: I have been a lecturer in Nigeria University for the past 7years, with my certificates, experience and 12 international publications, I have not been able to cross the level of Associate Lecturer but with my PhD from CSU, I will getting to the level of Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor and eventually become a Professor when I return back to Nigeria.

VO: I see you married, do you have children?

Me: Yes, two wonderful children that love their dad so much.

VO: Will they be visiting you later.

Me: Definitely yes.

VO: congratulations, I will be approving your visa.

He then placed his hand on blue form, I was saying within me, this is not for me return in the name Jesus. He quickly took his hand, he said sorry and then picked white form.

He said take your I-20, you will need it at the port of entry, don't forget to go with your jack, you are welcome to the united states.

Immediately, I picked my white form and I-20, I didn't wait again. I was going out and I was saying thank you, thank you, thank you thank you...........

Deductions from my little experience:

1. Don't rule out the power of God

2. Have faith in God and believe that you are going back home with white form while your passport stays with them to receive visa before coming back to you.

3. While filling your DS 160, be honest and fill it correctly because I guess they might have gone through the DS 160 even before your interview.

4. Be bold, confident, precise and straightforward.

5. Pray, pray, pray, pray and pray endlessly.

I wish all waiting for their interview best of luck.

I will rejoice with you soon in Jesus name.

Those that were denied before, denial today does not mean denial forever Keep trying, be persistent and be hopeful. I see you getting your approval soon.