There's no quarantine before proceeding to connecting flight, in NY.

amos4real:


Okay thank you bro.
Please do you know weather people landing in New York will quarantine themselves before proceeding to their connecting flight?

Same view about him.

God's mercy, know your content, do not answer what he did not ask you, do not give long response but concise ones and filled with them your strong points ...


When my turn reached, the Black American rejected three people straight before me, I was clueless but only noticed he didn't spend much time with them, during this time the white man still having a good conversing interview with a very young girl going for her Bsc in sport area... He just focused on the system. I also focused looking at him and kept praying)

VO: (After like 3 seconds on his system he asked) How did you hear about the school you're going to?
Me: After decided to study my Master degree in the United States, I did my research using some academic websites and I found about 5 schools that I met their requirements. I eventually applied to 2 (WIU and CSU)

VO: After typing for like 10seconds, he asked what do you do?
Me: I work as an Accountant a XYZ company, where I prepare the financial statements, audit the financial statements, give business advices and compute taxes. (Thats exactly what I filled in my DS-160 as work responsibility)

VO: Immediately he asked, since when have you been working with them?
Me: I started working with the company after my Professional exams since July 2019

VO: After typing for like 10 seconds, Are you married?
Me: No, I am single

VO: Have you ever travelled before?
Me: No, I have never

VO: After typing for like 20 seconds, Who is your sponsor?
Me: My Uncle, Mr XX, who is also my mentor is my sponsor (I kept praying and stay focused looking at him even though he didn't look at me for once apart from the first time)

VO: Straight up, he picked the white paper, add my Passport to the ones he had approved then said I will approve your Visa, then returned my documents and gave me the white paper.

No one did this but Allah.

Tips: Please Pray Pray Pray and practice well before your interview, and Pray Pray Pray.
Know every details you filled in your DS-160 form even the dates. Do more practice.
Dress nice and comfortably, If you're going for any Management or business course or Law, pls make sure you dress like one of their students. Try to look at the VO eyes, if he/she looks at you back put on smiles pls (that white man likes that here in Abuja, that black American is good too, I think he assesses people psychologically).
If you are having your interview in Abuja here and perhaps still going to be interviewed my these two men, note this, the white man likes conversation pls make it easy for him with big smiles. And the black man like straight words please don't say what he didn't ask unless you know they are key words.

Fairheart, I DM you and you responded immediately like you do to others. May Almighty grant you more goodness and continue to bless you. You are always available to help even when you felt Ill. No, You are a Man brother, God bless you.

Benita, Strong woman. May Almighty stay with you always and bestow you His mercy. You are always there to help me. You put more effort even after getting your Visa approved a month ago. God bless you.

Thanks everyone. Sorry, it's coming late..[/quote]

@hannania
Yes, I have a publication in international journal

Please note, not by my power but by the grace and mercy of God.

BACKGROUND
BSc: 3.85/5.0
GRE: 301(V-147, Q-154)
TOEFL: 100(S-23, R-24, W-26, L-27)
Funding: Full (Tuition Scholarship and monthly stipends) (TA)
Course: Materials Engineering
Time:10:30am but got there around 8am and interviewed around 9am


Because I didn't change my location on DS-160, they had to download it from Lagos to Abuja, and it took time. Well, my spirit was just okay with not filing new DS-160 or changing my location on DS-160 since it is permitted according to the info on the embassy website.

INTERVIEW
VO/Me: Good morning

I passed only my I-20 (unstapled) and international passport. He typed for some time.

VO: How did you come about this school?
Me: Sir
VO: This school (Clarkson Univ.), how did you (can't remember this)
Me: While searching for universities that align with my research area... My research area is composite and alloy materials... I came across Clarkson University on MSinUs.com. Then I checked for more details on niche, USnews,... (I don't know if I added thegradcafe).
(Though, I planned to keep talking but I just stopped here. I restrategize with God's wisdom that the black VO can be pissed off with excess talk that does not make sense to him. For my mind o, as I stared seriously at his face that day sha)

VO: How will you fund your studies
Me: The school offered me TA that gives me full funding that covers the tuition and provides monthly stipend that covers living cost. (of course he has stared seriously on my I-20)

VO: How many years is this program? (since, he's been typing on his computer but while asking this question he looked at me seriously)
Me: 5 years (I fixed my gaze seriously on him too)

VO: How do you support yourself? (continued typing)
Me: I am the Lead Tutor in *** where I coordinate training on computer programming (I deliberately emphasized this, as my publication is computer simulation and my supervisor research area is computer simulation of composite and alloy materials)
Also, I research composite and alloy materials (not too sure if I added my research area but I think I did) under Prof. *** at the University of ****

VO: Did you apply to any other university?
Me: Yes please

VO: Which other universities did you apply to?
Me: (I chopped Missouri but continued with confidence) University of Science and Technology, Michigan Technological University, Portland State University

VO: When have you been in the University of ****
Me: 2018

VO: Are you married?
Me: No

VO: Have traveled outside Nigeria?
Me: No, sir (I intentional added "sir" here. My personal opinion of letting him know I respect his position. Of course, everyone is not expected to share the same opinion)

VO: What will this program do for you?
Me: I will return to the University of *** for the offer of being a lecturer and will continue my research... (can't remember the next line).

(here, I remembered that I have gone off track to what I will be doing after the program instead of what the program will do for me. Immediately I quickly finished it up with the next line to get myself back on track)

So, knowledge and research from this program will provide me with what all these need.


Na so he passed the white paper to me o. For some seconds I went blank (I am testifying to the sudden deafness, I was not expecting his decision at that time, no evidence requested, just I-20 and my passport) until I heard that "the information on this paper will explain where to pick up your passport".

The shock in me made me to start thinking "this man should not call me back" as I was going. I was interviewed by the black guy. My smiling mode disappeared the moment I knew I was going to him and handed myself to Jesus' mercy (due to what I have read here, and I saw him denied people before me while I was on the queue). I couldn't bring myself to smile but without fear anyway... My emotion was just blank.






If you need more details about asterisked info please PM, I did this to protect the interest of those involved since I do not have their consent to reveal their details publicly.
Bonus: Hotel booking ₦5000 per night. Hotel within about 7 minutes drive to the embassy, secured, quiet, neat, and good customer service even at 11pm when I entered Abuja.


If I remember any info left out I promise to add it.


Many thanks to all ogas on ground for sharing their wealth of experience always.
Pardon me for sending it in late, I left a lot of my travel plans preparation till visa approval.

Acuna91:

Masters or PhD?

PhD

@Time2win Please, your response will be much appreciated. My destination is CU.

For preparation, don't memorize lines of scripts, only prepare with them.

Create a picture of who you want the VO to take you for (be objective). This will make you different from others. This invariably means there is a level of genuineness in you as an applicant. The VOs appreciate this. It makes you look human and not just a number to work with for their day job.

For example, if your profile (academic, career, publications, etc) will best portray you as a researcher, passionate student, or career person who wants to go for higher position after postgraduate, you must practise your verbal interview responses in that light. If your profile supports career person don't force your verbal responses to show you as a researcher. This could give you away as a pretender. Once the VOs read your profile a picture should form in their head about you and when they ask you questions, your responses must support that same picture. Anything different could result in a long interview (if you are lucky) or denial straight.

I Have some key points of what you want the VOs o know from your response which they possibly cannot get from your DS - 160 submission and I-20. Put them under these three sections
1) Proving I am a GENUINE STUDENT
2) I have SUFFICIENT FUNDING
3) I will let them know I have a STRONG HOME tie in the form acceptable
(remember you will not be saying this directly but you will embed them in your response that it will be easy for the VO to mark these three requirement/sections in his mind, and maybe on his system too)

For example, in my response, either short or long, the VO must know clearly, my going for PhD, having full funding, have a publication, have a relevant job offer, within the first three questions. And my first response must be captivating and convincing. Put your strongest points as first sentence of your responses as you may not have time to cover everything you prepared to say.

By yourself, locate the weakness in your profile and prepare a good response for this. Ask friends if your response seems genuine and convincing to them.

Don't expect some particular questions before making your point known instead coin your responses with God's wisdom, "impregnating" them with these salient points.

With this, you will be able to make your point known to the VO, without been derailed by few or uncommon questions.

ABOVE ALL, PRAY AS IF YOU HAVE NOT PREPARED AT ALL.

Bonus: Fear would have crippled me but the quotation help me "For God has not given me the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (I kept saying this each time fear gripped me. Simply to say, I said it uncountable time. lols).

Hello fam,

Jesus Christ has finally settled it on the 18th of Dec., 2020 at the Abuja embassy. Completely not by my power but all by mercy and grace.

My visa was approved without the request of any evidence.
Only passport and I-20 was submitted.

Please, due to the time left for me to conclude my travel plan, uploading my transcript could be delayed. Forgive me pleaaaaaase.

In the meantime, prepare as if that's is the only option and pray for God's guidance, mercy, and grace as if that is the only option.

Billions of thanks to everyone!

@time2win please I sent a PM to you, I am coming to CU. Your response is very valuable. Thank you!


.

I just sent a message to @Walspring. Thank you!

Please, can I complete and submit my visa application before SEVIS fee payment?

Thank you!

Hello fam,

Please, how do I pay SEVIS fee from Nigeria?
It is showing check, money order, and western union options.

Thank you!

My CGPA is 3.85/5
Thanks

Hello fam,

I am a silent follower of this thread. I appreciate everyone's contribution and time. It's a great gem.

I am a Fall 2020 applicant in Chemistry. I received 3 rejs consecutively from SIT, Purdue and UKY. Currently, it is devastating! I concluded on asking the house if there is any follow up that can still boost my chances in the remaining schools.

My credentials:
Cgpa: 3.85
TOEFL: 100
GRE: Q-154 V-147 AWA 3.5

Thanks greatly for your time