Friedpotato:
baba even with 100% acceptance as long as it's a genuine and registered school, you stand the same chance with everybody except ivy league schools are their likes.

Acceptance rate has nothing to do with Visa approval.

No wahala sir if you say so, apply to DeVry university or advise those close to you to do same. it is registered and genuine and has an acceptance rating of around 95% and i'm absolutely certain you'll be given admission and come back with visa story. Again I didn't say people do not get visas with such, it does happen as I know a really few cases however, it is very few compared to those international students who applied to more selective schools.

Best201195:


Then you don't use the usnews you were talking about in your post.

On U.S News, they are currently No. 166, their acceptance rate for fall 2018 was 84% however over the years they've averaged around 78% acceptance. But again that's not the issue here.

JSnw:
what's your rationale for the 10%? Do you have statistics to back it up?...or you dine with the VOs?

Most of the ones you see are majorly for undergraduate. Though you may be right but don't make it sound factual.

Wasn't trying to make it factual, again this is my opinion just based on the amount of interviews experiences I've seen over the years and the results of a couple of people I advised (those who took it and those who did not). I'd rather advice every prospective student to strive a little better in their search for schools since this is a major decision they are about to make (going to another country to study, ticking all the right boxes will make the process much easier)

Best201195:


The acceptance rate of a school does not have anything to do with visa approval. Even VIU has a 40% acceptance rate. Colorado State Uni (among the top 100 public schools in the US) has an acceptance rate of 83%.

No worries I will not argue, Colorado state uni has an acceptance rate below 80%, it's in the 70's not sure where you got 83% from neither are they in the top 100, Top 200 probably but not top 100 not sure where you get your statistics from, and about VIU not sure why the embassy frowns at the school but they do till now and i'm certain this isn't news to you especially for international students.

However, I'm only giving my two cents.

Best201195:



Not true - at least for undergraduates.

I did not say it's not possible that's why I said 10%, other factors definitely could help that individual case, however if a school accepts every tom, dick and harry, chances are that their requirements may not be strignent enough. and I said if one can "as much as possibe" look for schools with lesser acceptance ratings. I've seen a few get visas for a school with 94% acceptance but it's extremely rare. However, it's each individual's choice on the school they decide to apply to and decide to go to upon admission.

I still see a certain school popping up till 2019, it's name has been known since when I applied over 7 years ago and still does till now so let me just scare those who are planning on using such rogue schools first:
1. VIU (Virginia International University) - Chances of Visa approval: 0% (you will only keep enriching the embassy's economy and bank account)
2. DeVry University - Chances of Visa approval: 0% (Same as above)

3. Community Colleges - Chances of Visa approval: 10% (only 1 in 10 applicants might get a visa approved, and this number is me being generous, don't think you will be that miracle applicant. Get better schools with better chances)

4. Any school in the U.S with 80% and above acceptance rating : Visa Approval: 10% (The higher the acceptance rating of a school, the harder your chances of getting a visa, try to look for schools with 75% and below as much as possible). To find acceptance ratings, you can use google, there are many sites that will show you, e. g U.S news, even google search might give it to you.)


please feel free to add to this list as more rogue schools might have reared their ugly heads in 2019, lets help enlighten those who are newbies so they don't make these expensive mistakes.

LazyFolk:
PLEASE HELP!
Good evening everyone!
I have a very important question as regards bank statement.
Can one use two separate bank statements? That is, when the one used in applying for graduate school at the initial stage is different from that which is tendered at the embassy?

Yes you can, I did that and had no issues. Situations/ Circumstances change, Sponsors decide to pull out, you may decide not to use a certain sponsor anymore. The only thing is that if this is asked, be able to answer convincingly why the change in sponsorship.
Good Luck

amos4real:
Good afternoon everyone. and weldone. I appreciate everyone contributions to this platform, your informations are wonderful. congratulations to those that have gotten their visas and I wish those of us waiting and hoping for good news God will surely do it.
Plz I want to ask a question and I need a direct answer and way to go about it.
my passport will expire next year April 2020. Though I think I can only renew the passport when is 6 months or less to the expiry date.
presently I have 8 months to the expiry date .
I wish to go for my student Visa interview by October 2019 because I'm to resume class by January 2019 I want to do that on time
I'm considering the possibility of seeing a date earlier. that why I want to choose October.
so, if I choose October can I use my present passport? that will be 6 months and some weeks to the expiry date.
I don't know if I can do that .
please what do you think I should do?
shld I wait till November to renew the passport before applying and what is the possibility of seeing a date around this year again.
I will appreciate your responses.
thank you and God bless.

Bros go and renew your passport ASAP! infact choose an expedited process for renewal if it's available because they will not allow you in come January 2020, at the POE. you need at least 6 months validity left on your passport at the port of entry not when applying for a Visa.
Renew your passport, go for your interview in December and if all works out well fly out December or January to resume school on time.

ubigurl:
Kk I got my visa in January 2014 and traveled on February 2014 for the two weeks vacation then went again in February 2015 to have my son over a year later
In fact after applying for a drop box then I was called for and interview and was asked why I traveled to the and I told them before I was given my present visa, I was just confused when she threw that question at me again. And going for the associate degree, nope that's not the case I'm only going for prerequisites at the college then proceed for my masters it's in the same school and that is the only way to go about it its an accelerated-nursing-program have a family friend that did it and succeeded

It does seem as if you have a rare situation as it is very rare for you to be denied visa based on their miscalculations or misinterpretation of your case, it does happen albeit rare. Maybe luck wasn't just on your side.

If you all you've said here is all that transpired then maybe give it another try. Although a few things to note;

On your I-20 was it associates degree on it or masters? (I'm still confused as to what degree is listed on your I-20) as that is what the VO will go by regardless of what you tell them. Also be wary that any course related to Healthcare/Medicine/ Law is given more scrutiny, reason being that the chances are extremely high that such individual isn't coming back to their parent country. So for Nursing make sure you get your responses apt and convincing.

Also take note that everyone's case is unique with the embassy, that your family friend went with it and succeeded doesn't mean yours will go the same way. We tend to make the mistake of comparing the experiences of others to what ours will look like. That almost never happens. What is paramount is how well you answer the questions asked and how convincing you are.


Wish you the very best again!

ubigurl:
My interview was short and brief it was a black American woman, the moment I came forward greeted her and she did not reply me and was like that's fine and smiled hmmmm I was asked why I misrepresented when I came for a B1/B2 visa In 2014 that I told them I was going on a 2 weeks vacation with my husband but ended going to have my baby instead, I was SHOCKED AT FIRST!!! Because that's not true I had my visa in 2014 January and traveled for two week with my husband that same year then traveled again in 2015 to have my child and I tried explaining to her but she kept shutting me down and also asked me why I was going for an associate degree instead of a masters and I told her I was actually going for a masters but need to get prerequisites from the college to enable go for the accelerated masters program in nursing she shut me down again, I wasn't given the opportunity to explain myself for that reason my visa was denied!!! We just reapplied but could only get a date in Abuja.

So from your response I see a couple of things that may have come out as red flags to the VO.
1. you got your B1/B2 visa in January 2014, the question now to answer is when in 2014 did you travel initially for your two weeks vacation, was it in January 2014? did you conceive before travelling in 2014, what was the duration between when you traveled in 2014 and your second trip in 2015. Pregnancy is 9 months, if the space was less than 9 months, then it's a no brainer!

Again I'm certain this sermon has been preached times without number on here that the embassy frowns at BSc holders going for associates! it's like trying to carry water with a basket.

My advice is to reapply for a Masters program. don't rush. Your info is already in their system. before you argue or explain to the VO, ask yourself sincerely the questions I've asked above and be ready with a convincing answer should it arise again. But if your mind is gingering you to reapply immediately,take your best case and confidence forward. I wish you the very best.

SpaceAdenle:
Guys, my interview is on Thursday and am so tensed. Kindly advise me on preparation based on the latest interviews. I am going to the consulate in Lagos. Time is 6:45am and the VO is 8. Am going to Michigan Technological University to gain masters in Applied Physics. No scholarship by the school but possible scholarship by the supervisor who has already shown serious interest.
Thanks as I await ample and candid advise.

Number 1 thing you need is confidence.
question format is usually very similar
what school, how many schools applied to, what course, why that course, what is your background (relating to your course of study), who is sponsoring you, did you write any standardized test.
Basically these are the questions that determine your fate and how well you answer them. Yes there are a few unique situations some times but they usually do not ask questions away from the norm.
also be a good listener, do not cut the VO short even if you think you have the answer ready. wait for them to finish with the question.
Scholarship or not is not a deal breaker. I've seen people denied even though they has scholarships and many have been accepted even without $1 grant. it's all about how well you answer.
Don't give too much information and don't give ambiguous responses also.
Confidence is key again.... confidence and stay relaxed.
All the best!

SpaceAdenle:
Guys, my interview is on Thursday and am so tensed. Kindly advise me on preparation based on the latest interviews. I am going to the consulate in Lagos. Time is 6:45am and the VO is 8. Am going to Michigan Technological University to gain masters in Applied Physics. No scholarship by the school but possible scholarship by the supervisor who has already shown serious interest.
Thanks as I await ample and candid advise.

Number 1 thing you need is confidence.
question format is usually very similar
what school, how many schools applied to, what course, why that course, what is your background (relating to your course of study), who is sponsoring you, did you write any standardized test.
Basically these are the questions that determine your fate and how well you answer them. Yes there are a few unique situations some times but they usually do not ask questions away from the norm.
also be a good listener, do not cut the VO short even if you think you have the answer ready. wait for them to finish with the question.
Scholarship or not is not a deal breaker. I've seen people denied even though they had scholarships and many have been accepted even without $1 grant. it's all about how well you answer.
Don't give too much information and don't give ambiguous responses also.
Confidence is key again.... confidence and stay relaxed.
All the best!

Where are February interviewees? For those of you this month that have visa interview. God will grant you all favor. Go grab that visa!

Jerrypics:
See details below.

Who is this one?

Boss2411:

2260/2400 for Christ sake

You are a bloody liar! I've been reading your posts and I'm sorry to say ....you are full of bullsh*t (please pardon my language everyone and my able moderator)
I thought everyone will see through your lies.. How do I know you are lying, These:
1. First you claimed to score 1256 in SAT and 99 in TOEFL... When you saw you were being closed in on, you switched to...
2. 1452 in SAT... Then again people closed in on you then...
3. You claimed you didnt know that Harvard and Brown are competitive schools? Who the hell doesn't know that any ivy league school is extremely competitive..then
4. You claimed to score 2260 in SAT and you didn't know how it was calculated....How the heck did you get an admission into Harvard when you cannot do simple calculation....then again...
5. Your written english sucks....I did not want to talk about this so as not to seem like I was judging you but I wonder how Harvard will give you admission with such poor grammar composition.

For a Harvard admission? Even those who are offered admission under Affirmative Action still have to be ultra-smart in every facet of their studies not to talk of an international student applicant. Even if you have the money, Harvard has a strict standard to uphold!

I'm not sure what your intent is but please this is a forum for very serious applicants...we aren't here to play games!

Everyone please pardon my manners today. I just get angry when I see people trying to make fun of seriousness!

wintabotom:
Hello Everyone

I got denied f1 visa in Dec 17 2018 and Jan 2 2019. Should I proceed in reapplying mid year. Schools resumed in January and am thinking of deferring to the next session.
Should I hold on for now. Because I don’t want any red flag with those guys I don’t want to look desperate. I just prefer USA as school choice that’s all

What were the questions asked and what were your replies. If you can post your transcript, we might be able to assist with a thing or two regarding approach to your situation.

imperiouxx:
Hello friends. More grace to those keeping this thread going.

To everyone that got the visa since the last time I was able to do this...cheers!

Another crazy semester done. Few more to go for me....

All eyez on that white coat!

My Oga, yes oo get that coat make i see reason to come chop rice and "shicken" for NY

Hi All,
It's really been a while I've been on here. Came across this again as I was searching for some info online for my upcoming visit to Naija. I was in many of your shoes almost 7 years ago and did go through some of the comments on here.
I see that many people on here are using Uncles as sponsor, while there is nothing wrong logically from using an uncle or some other extended family member, please be aware that the embassy frowns at this. The question in their minds is that "Why would an Uncle want to sponsor you, doesn't he have his own kids to sponsor?" This is because they know that sponsorship from an uncle or extended family or from any source other than your direct family member i.e mom, dad, blood sister/brother isn't a reliable source. In fact Brother and Sister sponsoring you will still raise their eyebrows.
Not sure when things changed but about 6 to 7 years ago when I was applying for my student visa, we were advised to avoid used of anyone besides our parents as much as possible. I do understand that not everyone's parents can sponsor them but if you must use a source other than them, make sure your answer goes with a valid reason.

For example, I read about someone on here who used an uncle because his/her father was late and has been sponsoring their education since then, now that is an answer with a valid reason.

There is someone who applied to California State Uni Sacramento, That was the school i attended, also for MS in Mechanical engineering with concentration in Manufacturing also, you can contact me for details regarding your next appointment if you need more tips regarding the school and your future interview.

For the Person who was denied in abuja because the lady kept typing, One thing to learn from that encounter is that Americans have the shortest temper (they might not show it like we naija that frown when angered, they will smile to you even after you've angered or pissed them off), while she was typing, you shouldn't have stopped her to ask if she was listening to you, that may have come out as being rude to her (even if that wasn't your intention) and she probably blocked you off after that and didn't want to listen to anything else you had to say because she was pissed. even if they seem not to be listening to you, DO NOT ASSUME so and just keep answering the question. Believe me, they are listening to you even though they may be typing at the same time. It's their job and they have been trained to multitask.

Hopefully some of you may get a thing or two from my epistle here. I apologize for the long comment but I felt a few of you might find it helpful.

Wish you all the best in your upcoming Interviews.

Here Is my transcript 6 years ago. For you all to read maybe it can encourage a person or two. Sorry this was all typed on a mobile phone 6 years ago so abeg make una manage the thing

me: good morning (fake smile)
vo: good morning (faking smile it as well) , pass me ur docs
vo: (typing and checking some tins for a while) hummm....so what school are u going to and course?
Me: california state university sacramento, mechanical engineering
vo: why dis school?
Me: this was the school dat offered me admission in the area of my interests amongst d other schools i applied to and owning to d fact that they have good facilities as well as a good research environment but majorly because i was offered admission there...
Vo: so what benefits do ur course have in nigeria
Me: well...(listed some manufacturing coys in naija) and said with the developing economy of my country need for expertise and professionalism is highly needed.
Vo: hummm....so what other schools did u apply to
me: london school of commerce uk and d national power training institute of nigeria.
vo: so did u get admits there also?
Me: yes at both schools
vo: so why didn't u go to the uk, do they not offer manufacturing there? (i'll be majoring in manufacturing)
Me: the school in uk offered me masters in information technology and the one here offered me a graduate skills prog in the power sector here nd also manufacturing was what i majored in during my undergraduate studies
vo: so what school did u graduate from
me: university of ilorin
vo: so what have u been doing since u left school
me: i went for my nysc and den started working at a civil/mechanical engineeering coy
vo: so how much was ur salary, do u have payslips (me wey no dey earn shishi wey still dey hunt for job)
me: i wasn't collecting salary as i was there to gain experience pending wen admission into the schls i applied to pulls through.
Vo: so what were ur functions at ur work
me: was involved in repairs and maintenance of earth moving equipment and generators majorly earth moving equipment and we also consult for other coys by maintaining their machine and moreover the coy is owned by my dad
vo: oh...so ur dad will be paying for your tuition and living expenses
me: no....my mum
vo: ohhhh...ur mum....what does ur mum do
me: she's a legal practitioner and property consultant
vo: so does ur mum have personal property
me: yeah (final smackdown!) and we also have family property
vo: (wrote something like a small code on my ds-160 and tore d green ticket for me and also gave me the white paper and said ur visa will be ready on friday...blah blah blah........
Me: thank you

note: try to demonstrate while talking, it shows sign of confidence, i wasn't even asked to show a single document or bank statement or toefl or gre scores.

doublezero7:


Thank you dear.

God bless you.

Also if I may add to theamerican's Very nice and detailed response, Be yourself, don't cram these answers, instead let it flow from you. Be very very confident but don't be cocky! one single fidgeting can cost you.

You look solid in all areas so far. I wish you all the best.

imperiouxx:


India.

My oga Hafa, you still dey here. Nice job Bro

Gewezzy1:
Am currently trying to apply for Masters in Emergency Management and Homeland Security in Arkansas Tech University in the United States. Please how do i send my supporting documents, i mean any postal services? Thanks

Use a courier service such as DHL

Stanleych007:
Please isit true visas are rejected for private schools, and must you have a travel history before you are given a students visa?

Nope! you can use a virgin passport!

Hello Hello...It's really been a long time

momoyama:


What do you mean by asking what I am trying to 'achieve'? I am interested in visiting Nigeria and I have a special interest in it. I just do not like those who use the 'travel' section of this site (which I thought was about travel to Nigeria and by Nigerians to other countries) to attack the country and repeat ignorant stereotypes in order to keep people from visiting. I do not want to get into arguments about things that I admittedly do not know, but when people talk in extremes and with exaggeration, it is difficult not to comment. I certainly will visit Eko. As to hotels, I have a Nigerian friend here whose cousin owns a hotel in Ikeja, but I am tempted to stay in the Radisson Blue, where my Nigerian employee here has worked in the past and recommends. Wherever I actually stay, I will make sure I see the city and experience it in its entirety.

What I meant by what you are trying to achieve is that for some reason, you have been dwelling too much on the "electricity issue...they have told you there is no constant supply of electricity and you chose not to believe it, then don't let it expand, keep it to yourself not to believe until you see...at least Thomas in the bible did that! It's nice you want to visit Nigeria...but I should expect that someone as you who is interested in visiting should not pick any sides at least until you see...how do you know those exaggerating or not? You do not...the people saying negative things might be exaggerating while those saying good things might be exaggerating....you don't know of course so don't be quick to judge and pick sides just yet....visit and pick a side! Hopefully you'll be able to spend one of your nights in "eko" out of your comfy hotel room so your "exploration" will be complete and accurate. I also believe in Nigeria and I know all will get better....but one thing I'm very sure of is that it's not anytime soon (not being pessimistic just judging by the current happenings). And wait! I thought this thread should be about Nigerians at home against Nigerians in the diaspora...how did it get to Nigeria ' economic and infrastructural problems?

momoyama:


So you HONESTLY mean to tell me that the lights go out on average every single day in parts of Lagos? Sorry, but I do not believe that.

OK to be very candid, I just don't understand what you are trying to achieve? Nigeria has very bad intermittent power supply, some people might get 17 hours and some might get only 3 hours a day, some people haven't even seen any electricity in 6 months in some parts of Nigeria and yes I know people who have not...if you want to believe or not....it's your choice no need to dwell on that point too much! Visit Nigeria...Visit Lagos! Don't stay in a nice hotel when you visit....stay with a friend...in the real mainland and see for yourself.

JewelStone:


That fellow believes everyone that has a positive personal story about Nigeria must be lying, he has some serious psychological issues. Since I woke up @6am, there's electricity in my house, even as I'm typing this response. Why would I lie about this or my travel experience and job, what do I stand to gain?

Even if I upload my pictures and Intl passport here, he will still be too ignorant to believe. Smh

Please don't post anything on here identity theft is on the rise. This is exactly my point....you said basically (the way I interpreted it) that my exact question had nothing to do with you because obviously it made no sense to you because you know no one who hates someone who has been out of the country. Now you seen someone basically talk you down when you said you have been to certain countries and said point blank that you have not...my point exactly! When some people I do not know ask me where I am and I say I'm in the usa...they say "stop lying, you are not in the us". So maybe now it makes some "sense" to you why I asked that question. And I think the reason why this thread derailed till this sad point amount commentators is just because of this same question I've asked. Maybe when you fully migrate to the US to be with your husband to be...you'll come to understand why I asked the question.

zeezahbee:
Same thing happened last week at cook county hospital in Chicago, I was feeling feverish and as my first time in that hospital, during registration , the lady in charge said whats my country of birth and I said Nigeria, she said have you been out of USA in 21days and I said no. Even after I met the doctor, still same question. I finally asked the last doctor I met and he said it was because of Ebola . Mtcheeew.i had to lecture him

lol, in fact someone saw me at the gas station and I was talking to a fellow Nigerian, as in, in naija tongue, and she asked where we were from, and we answered proudly...for "Nigeria" and then she said we should not come near her because of ebola....and she's black! Lol...we just looked at her like maybe she was high on stone or something...and yet to Nigerians back home (and not least from some comments on this thread) we the Nigerians abroad are the ones painting our country bad....smh

momoyama:


I am aware that many Nigerians migrate. But I am certain that only a small percentage of the country would leave just because they got a US visa. Every country has some people leaving its shores, but the way some people paint Nigeria is as if everyone wants to leave, which cannot be true.

I'm a Nigerian and will always remain one, I miss home and want to return, but at the moment just to visit, when I have money, I'll add my quota to the economy by having a business down there. I always defend my country but at times the truth needs to be told...yes not everyone wants to leave but I can tell you over 80% of Nigerians of given the opportunity, will leave....even USA visa lottery applications speak for themselves...Nigeria still held a record of the most applied country in Africa if not in the world....now that Nigeria had been banned from it for 10 years, I understand why the hatred for those here may increase. Life if not a bed of roses for everyone here as many people in Nigeria think, and this has nothing to do with what friends I keep or whatever, it's a general thing, if you send things to Nigeria you must send to the whole neighborhood, if you don't there is problem. Also some Nigerians abroad have lost a sense of where they came from, imbibing the bad culture here than the good ones. So it's both ways.

momoyama:


But how can you begrudge this man for wanting to stay at home and help his country? It is fine if you are happy abroad. But do not criticize those who want to remain at home and improve their country.

I really appreciate your defense for patriotic nigerians. Always realize that the best way to stay happy is to make yourself believe that everything will be better one day even if you know within your heart that it will not (just to reduce blood pressure and prevent depression), I'm sure if the consular general of the US comes across this thread and says he will issue visas with work permits to all Nigerians who have contributed here in one capacity or the other, you will be shocked at the number that will abandon this thread and run to the embassy for the visa. I lived over 20-something years in Nigeria before moving...can you survive for that amount of time in a country with nothing to show for it? I'm sure if you don't get paid your salary for two months, you will go into "self-destruct" mode. But hey, many nigerians go without pay for 1 year, some even more than that, that is those who were privileged to get a job. So tell me, if an opportunity comes at another place, do you think they won't grab it. I'm sure most of the contributors here have tried to leave the country at one time or the other.

Some people accused Nigerians staying abroad of painting a bad image of Nigeria to foreigners? I think the opposite is the case. I defend Nigeria almost on a daily basis here, if you check the foreign media as what they paint Nigeria as, you will be sad. They paint a poverty ravaged nation, plagued with diseases and terrorism. Are the Nigerians abroad the cause of this? Anytime I got to the hospital for regular check up, the first question is " have you left the US within the last month" well you know why they ask....ebola!....Are Nigerians abroad the cause of this also? Not all Nigerians or Africans are enjoying life abroad, but many are very comfortable here but the sudden hatred is what I still try to envisage.

I've been able to read a lot of comments on here, I started this thread to see if we can reach a solution to this issue, but many comments on here..... let me just stop right there. I've come to see that the mentality of Nigerians living abroad and that of Nigerians living in Nigeria are totally different. I have been privileged to experience both worlds. First of all I tend to disagree with respect that Nigerians abroad have contributed to the country's downfall due to migration, Chinese are everywhere, more than triple the number of Africans abroad yet their country is number 1 in the world. I come from a family in which everyone is fully educated and has a degree, not just any degree but professional degrees...I decided to leave Nigeria because I looked into the future and even though I believe in Nigeria that she will get better one day, I knew that the future for me and my career choice will be bleak for some years. I left and within 2 years of staying here, I schooled and now work with one of the best companies in the world, and someone calls this "slavery"? I tend to "dis-concur" sir. I won't go into details of how much I earn per month not to cause an uproar but just due to my one job, my family back home are all doing better. I'm the last child by the way, to show you how bad the situation is. My friends who lived abroad and went back home are complaining. They cannot even get jobs back home because the hatred is too much. When they apply for jobs, even the interviewers get "angry" and say things like "don't think because you studied abroad, you will get the job" and yet when this same set of people remove their study abroad from their CV, they say they aren't qualified.