Congratulations!!!

Ekebs:
Brothers and Sisters, finally I received my passport with F-1 visa on it. Believe me, it wasn’t easy, but I give God all the Glory.
After fasting, praising and praying to God for 2 weeks, I went for the interview on 16th of July, 2018 at the US embassy in Abuja. Time allotted to me was 7.30am but I was there before 7am. After all the security check, I took my time, used the restroom before going in . After the biometrics, I joined the queue. I was interviewed by the “not too young lady”, and she was so nice to me. See my Transcript below:

Me: Good morning Ma
VO: Good morning, can I have your passport and I-20.
Me: Brought it out and passed it to her
VO: I can see you are going to Prairie View A & M University?
Me: Yes Ma
VO: I can see you are going to study Engineering?
Me: Yes Ma, with concentration in Environmental Engineering
VO: why Environmental Engineering?
Me: Because Environment is the only life support system given to mankind by the creature. I am from the Niger Delta region where we have a lot of oil spills due to oil exploration and exploitation. Currently, we have black soot problem all over the city. I studied Agricultural Engineering in my ist degree and it helped me to understand the concept and importance of the environment. Courses like Land use, land reclamation, land reuse, salination, and soil conservation are all environmental related courses of agricultural engineering. So I am going to learn how to use engineering principles in solving environmental challenges. Globally, the world has shifted… (VO cuts in, you don’t need to tell me much about the environment, I know it all). That time I know say wetin I talk make sense sha…
VO: When did you graduate from the University?
Me: December 2015. After that, I went for one year NYSC from May 2016 to April 2017, after that I started work with XYZ Company from May 2017 up to date, there I am in charge of the Environmental Impact Assessment, I supervise on-going projects awarded to the company, I write milestone report, I am in charge of Environmental researches and also I supervise erosion and flood-affected sites. The woman was nodding and typing…
VO: What were you doing before going for your NYSC?
Me: I was doing a volunteer work at my Uncle’s organization at XYZ Company
VO: Do you mean that you finished your NYSC in April 2017 and immediately you got a job in May, 2017.
Me: Yes ma, what happened was that doing my Volunteer work at my Uncle’s organization, I met the MD of the Company I’m currently working with and he asked me to resume work with them after my NYSC. She was busy typing o, and I was busy calling on God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to come to my rescue.
VO: How many Schools did you apply to?
Me: 4, Texas A & M, Louisiana University, Temple University and Prairie A & M University.
VO: Why PVAMU?
Me: My undergraduate supervisor who was my project supervisor did a research in the University so he strongly recommended the school to me.
VO: Did you write GRE?
Me: No ma, It was waived as per initial requirement, but the school said I will write it in my first semester because they use to save it in their database. She nodded her head. I was still calling on the Holy Spirit…
VO: Who is so so person (that’s the name of my sponsor)
Me: He’s my uncle.
VO: What does he do?
Me: He's a civil engineer, and works with the .... company
VO: Can I see his bank statement.
Me: I passed it to her; the bank statement has a closing balance of over $60k. Just about 5lines of 1page.
VO: We normally require 6months bank statement, but what you have here is 3months. She brought out yellow paper, checked that I should submit my International passport, 6+ months bank statement of the person paying and letter of support to DHL office she circled. She continued, if found fraudulent, you will be banned from entering the US for 10years. She said I will be placed on AP.
Me: In affirmation, yes ma.

And that was it o. I left happy, with a smiling face, at least en better pass blue paper… lol
I flew back to Port Harcourt that evening. I submitted the required documents at Port Harcourt DHL on the 17th July, it got to the embassy on the 18th July, my case was updated on the 20th of July, 25th of July, and finally 1st of August and it was issued on the 2nd of August, and today the 3rd of August, I picked up my passport. Brothers and sisters, It’s not easy to be placed on AP for over two weeks o , High BP fit catch person o… lol

IT WAS GOD WHO DID IT. I GIVE HIM ALL THE GLORY.
Special thanks to the wonderful people on this platform. Blessings!!!
Thank you osiokoye, lalahhh, for your encouragement and prayers; judgepelumi, I pray they issue yours soon.

I was interviewed in Abuja on 23rd of July. I was placed on AP and my visa was issued yesterday. My interview was very different even after I was well prepared and even took GRE and TOEFL, did consultation at EducationUSA and came on Nairaland for assistance. I have been denied USA B1/B2 visa twice in 2016. Here is my transcript;
VO: Hi good morning, how are you?
ME: Good morning, I’m good.
VO: Pass me your passport; I can see you’re going for a student visa. Pass your I-20 too.
ME: I did
VO: Why are you going to the USA?
ME: I’m going to Northwest Missouri state university to study masters in Agriculture.
VO: What do you intend doing after graduation?
ME: I intend working for a reputable agricultural organization such as (He cut me short)
VO: What University did you go to for your undergraduate degree?
ME: ****
VO: Who sponsored you?
ME: My dad
VO: Who is sponsoring you for your masters?
ME: My dad
VO: Do you have his account statement with you? If you do, pass it to me.
ME: I did and said it was printed last month because my dad and mum travelled to USA and Canada few weeks ago.
VO: Oh, You only have a little over 12million in this account
ME: (In my mind; Stop shouting my daddy’s balance now. lol) I said Yes, it is because he traveled but it’s not a problem.
VO: Where are your siblings?
ME: One in Nigeria, one in Canada and one in the USA
VO: Who is in the USA and what does he do?
ME: My brother, he is a student.
VO: Okay, how will your daddy cope since he’s still a student and this balance can only take care of like your first year in Uni?
ME: No, that’s not a problem at all; once my dad and mum get back everything will be sorted.
VO: Okay, where’s your old passport and I can see you went to Dubai last year.
ME: I didn’t come with it, yes I did.
VO: Okay, I will be approving your visa (gives me the white paper and a small slip) but I will hold onto your dads account statement to check if it is fraudulent. If it is, it will attract a ten year ban and it will affect you and also your brother in the USA and that wouldn’t look nice right?
ME: Don’t worry it’s not fraudulent, you can confirm it.
VO: Okay, you’ll get a feedback in some days.
ME: *Smiling* Thank you very much.
I honestly think it was God that did it. All the questions I had in mind that he will ask, he didn’t. I wish everyone aspiring to go to the USA all the best.

Any update on your visa?

Ekebs:
Lagos or Abuja? And why?

Why? What embassy?

FriendlyTop:
Majority of F1 appointments fixed for today were sent home to come back on Saturday...

Thanks for this information but for what rate? I thought it was same as black market.

lalahhh:
I went to the bank today to do somethings and I asked if I could buy dollars, they asked ticket details and all. I showed them but I was told that they don’t sell to people ( students)with one way ticket. After so much arguing and calls been made to confirm or not, I got to know that the rule would take effect next month. So if you are a student and you have your visa , il advise you try to get your ticket before next month so you don’t have to pay double for ticket.

Yes it is, the VO also told me in a few days. but its now a week. its Masters to resume 23rd of august, what about you?

Lawrence2291:


Its taking rather too long.. When are you resuming studies? Masters or Bachelors? You should have gotten response by now. In my case, the VO told me i should pick my passport in 3 - 4 days time..

Anyway, It will come out positive for us.

Okay same as me, Abuja but my interview was on the 23rd of July. I'm hoping we will get a positive response soon.

Lawrence2291:


Abuja

It isn't strange, they only want to confirm if the statement of account that was submitted is fraudulent. if it isn't, your visa will be issued, if it is fraudulent the applicant will receive a 10 year ban. What embassy? Lagos or Abuja?

Lawrence2291:


Okay..I hope it changes soon cause I have no time left to resume studies. Meanwhile, Im still concerned why the VO held back my sponsor's bank statement despite approving the visa. Its quite strange.

Try checking Travelstart.com they have really affordable prices especially if you’re traveling from Abuja. Abuja seems to be cheaper than Lagos route.

YoungTesla:
Somebody help me i’m flying to Texas and I’ve been surfing the internet persistently for the past few days in search of an affordable flight fare, all efforts have proved abortive oh, na like 700k or thereabout I dey see ,for Lagos(LOS) to Houston(IAH).

I no understand cos someone flew to the same location last April for 350k, is there a way I can tweak this to get a cheaper price? Thanks.

Really?? he was actually really nice. I will share my transcript after approval. Do they check for bank balance or they just check if the bank statement is genuine??

thirdpage:


Oh! Congratulation to you too. Buh the male VO wasn't smiling at all... you wanna share your transcript?

@Tunmise100 Thanks bro!

I was at the embassy too on Monday at 7:30am. Was also placed on AP by the male consular officer. I’m hoping we get a quick response and our visa will be issued. Congratulations to you

thirdpage:
I was at the US Embassy Abuja office on Monday 23 Jul, 7.30 am for my visa interview. I guess most interview transcript on NL are in the Lagos office cos things look more structured but time consuming at the Abuja office. You don’t have queues along one VO window; you only have a queue and you get moved to a VO as soon as the VO is done with an applicant. Asides from those close to window 6, which is closer to the queue, no one gets to hear your communication with the VO, except the person is really interested in your matter and paying deep attention.

Interview Proper

Called to meet the VO at window 8 VO. An older nice white woman.
VO: Pass me your passport (I passed it to her), yeah and that form (pointing to my i-20, passed it)
VO: You are going to the...Uni of Delaware for your MBA
3P: Yes

VO: How many schools did you apply to?
3P: Five schools - UDel, Clark Uni, Southern Methodist Uni, Ohio State Uni, Uni of Rochester

VO: Types for about 30 secs, I can see you got funding, do you have paperwork for that (I asked her to repeat while I quickly processed what "paperwork for funding" means). She repeated.
3P: Yes, I do, (while searching for it, she kept typing and asked the next question.

VO: What will be your major for the MBA program?
3P: Business Analytics

VO: What is your bachelor’s degree?
3P: (While still searching for the letter). It’s Statistics. (Actually, I have HND in Statistics)

VO: What year?
3P: 2012

VO: Did you take GRE?
3P: No, I took the GMAtT

VO: Oh the GMAT! What’s your score on the GMAT?
3P: 550
VO: 560?
3P: No, 550, Five Five Zero

VO: Are you married
3P: No. (Found the scholarship letter and passed it to her).

VO: Without looking at the scholarship letter, what will the MBA do for you? I mean where you want to be in 5 years’ time after your MBA?
3P: I will be done with my MBA in 2 years and I will be back in Nigeria to push for a promotion at my current place of work, that is “IJKL Limited” (A Big Four) and I look forward to joining the D&A team and build the practice with the skills I must have acquired. (Not sure I did as great as I’d have loved to do here but yeah….)

VO: Will they be holding your position for you?
3P: No they won’t, I will have to make a business case for myself when I am back.

VO: (Nods and types, and looks at the i-20 and scholarship letter). You got part-funding, do you have statement to cover up for the rest.
3P: Yes I do

VO: Can I see them
3P: Yes (passed to her). I will be funding the program partly, I have a student loan facility from Mpower financing, and my uncle will cover the rest expenses. (Passed all three documents to her, while she checked for like 1 minute. She didn't ask what my uncle does or why he choose to sponsor me).

VO: (While looking at the bank statements) This is for you and this one for your parent…
3P: (Cut in) No, my uncle’s

VO: Oh Okay! The loan facility covers one year…would you be taking another loan for the second year
3P: Sincerely, I wasn’t prepped for this question…asked her to repeat so I can quickly process if I should say my uncle will be funding it (which is one option I have) or I should say I will apply for another loan (option 2). There is a third option which is internship organised by the school in the second year. I ended up confirming option 2 to her.

VO: Wow, that’s some huge debt!
3P: Smiled, yes I know, but considering what I will get from the US after two years, and career prospects for me thereafter it is worth going for.

VO: (Nods) She said somethings I didn’t really hear but the summary is… here we verify bank statement submitted by students, and if found genuine, we will issue you a visa, otherwise, we refuse your visa application and place you on a 10 year ban. Do you understand?
3P: I smiled and nodded

VO: In that regard, is there any document here you would like to retrieve?
3P: No

VO: Now that I am sure that you are aware of the situation and consequences, I will be placing you on Administrative Processing… she went in, brought a yellow paper (conditions for AP), then a white paper (where to pick up issued Visa)… Then she passed to me. Passed my Scholarship letter to me, passed my i-20, and held on to my passport. Then she said one more paper…she went in and came back with a white slip (showing reminders before departure after visa issuance). She reiterated some information on the slip, and that I will be turned back at the point of entry if I get to the US a day after the day on my I20… So that will be all, we will get back to you.

Interview was straightforward for me and not “drilling” as I expected. I look forward to the Visa being issued. Account balance for my sponsor is about $55k and just before the interview, my uncle notified me it has increased to $97k.
I say a big thank you to all the guys who had shared their transcripts, comments, criticisms, opinions and thoughts here, I really learnt a lot from ya’all.
But three days on AP now… How long does this thing take?

Lol you didn’t read his message properly. He said it is wrong for the VO to punish you for not knowing details about your sister. Congratulations though.

lalahhh:

Lol, Punish my sister? I can never do that oo. She’s the angel God sent to me . My own God sent.i wouldn’t be here if not for her. I can never ever punish her oo, lai lai . Instead I’m grateful to her . And by the way, she didn’t do anything wrong so I don’t have any reason to punish her.

Me oh, I am. My interview was on the 23rd or July. When was yours?

Judgepelumi:
Please who else is till on AP?

Okay you're right, it is on the i20 itself. thanks

Nahum777:
Calm Down Man I never mocked you. I just thought it was funny in a good way and not the way you are thinking. I didn't get any funding, I didn't mention anything like funding during my interview. Just think about it, would stating it add to your case or cause problems? The VO will surely see it on your I-20 and I don't think you have to state it. It's my personal opinion though.

Sorry but how is this funny? I saw it on my i20 packet even when I never applied for it and I thought to ask and you're trying to mock me like how is it funny?

Nahum777:
Hehehe, this is funny Shaa. Mention it oo, it's something

hello everyone, please if you get a scholarship of just $1,000 from the school, do you need to mention it during the interview?

Okay, thank you so much...

jnyuwa02:


No do not give them or implant into their heads potential grounds to deny you too. Concentrate on showing why you chose to go for a PGD than a masters. You could mentions hands on experience in the agricultural fields that it can give you than a masters that deals mostly with the theoreticals.

I'm glad you replied me. Thank you so much. Do you think it's best to state I'm using PGD cause I've been denied admission for masters on my LOE?

jnyuwa02:


You should have thought about UNBC earlier. Apply with your PGD acceptance and pray you scale through. And don't relent in your application for a masters program, you will need it to reapply for TRV GOd forbid you are denied based on purpose of visit. Wishing you the best.

I understand you, thank you. Do you think I should state in my LOE that I've been denied masters that's why I opted for the postgraduate

makano:
Hello, I will advise you apply with your pgd, since its taking forever to get Masters. If u have gone though previous threads u will come across peeps that have gotten their TRV with PGD. A particular person here(I think Part 12 or so) got this TRV with PGD within a month. We have also seen how PHD and Masters applicants have also been denied Visas. So it not about PGD, Masters or PHD, Its how well you present yourself to the VOs through your application. I have 2 friends that got their TRV to this same Conestoga College, they are in Canada as we speak. Please do not get me wrong, I am not trying to discourage you from getting your Masters, all what am trying to say is that you can get your TRV with ur PGD, You just have to submit the required documents and hava a strong SOP to convince the VO that you are a genuine Student.All the best

I know McGill will be difficult as it is but only 6 Universities in Canada have agricultural related programs and I have already applied to 4 of them with no success. I mailed the graduate program coordinator of UNBC yesterday and they said they're not accepting anymore and they don't even have for winter till fall next year. Ottawa doesn't have any agricultural related programs.

jnyuwa02:


I saw someone with a second class lower get admission, you have a better CGPA and can do better all things equal. Try UNBC. And some programs at University of OTtawa are still accepting applications. Chances are you won't get into McGill, but there are second tier and third tier universities I am confident of you write good statements of intent and submit good recommendations, that can give you a spot in their masters program.

Okay I will do so now. Thanks a lot for your help.

Frankrobbn1:
.

Please don't give up easily okay. I know of a guy that you can connect with by phocusjosh , he is also heading to University of Manitoba , Agricultural related course too. He secured part funding from the school, you can look for his moniker and pm him. He will be in the best position to advise you on what to do to secure admission.

Get back to me after checking on him.
All the best!

Thank you. I applied to the university of Manitoba but didn't get in. The remaining schools you mentioned don't have Agricultural related courses and that's what I studied in school.

Frankrobbn1:
.

Osiokoye,

Please don't get tired of seeking for admission. You have a good CGPA (2.1). I best advise you stick to Masters program than suit for a PGD(That has less chances for visa approval).

Check schools like:
Memorial University of Newfoundland
University of Windsor
University of Manitoba.
Trent University

Have you ordered for your CAIPS file to know the factual reason why you were denied visa last year October.

DON'T GIVE UP, YOUR ADMISSION IS CLOSE

Hi good morning, please I need your help. I graduated with a 2.1 (3.69 Cgpa) I applied for masters in three different universities, last two years I wasn't given so I tried conestoga college. I was given. I went ahead to use maple education agency and I was denied visa on October 2017 for the lack of funds reason. I decided to apply for fall 2018 in three universities; Saskatchewan, Guelph and McGill ( for the second time). I got denied admission for Saskatchewan and Guelph and I've already lost hope for McGill. My question is, do I just apply with my college admission and state I didn't get into university that's why I'm ping for PGD? Cause I don't have much fight left in me. I anticipate your reply. Thank you

Frankrobbn1:
.

Please go on and also try as much as possible to share the GCMS NOTE here so that others with similar case like yours can learn from it.

Whether the professor said he will consider you or not, you should apply. I think the deadline has passed cause it was Jan 15th.

Aghatise:
Hello house, I sent an email to a Prof at Univ of Sask - just for PhD research supervision (Fall 2018) - he replied that based on my GPA he would support me for the deans scholarship at Univ of Sask; he requested documents from me like my transcript etc and asked me to fill out a particular form for consideration. After this , he informed me that he has submitted it to the department for consideration. My question is that , since I have not applied for admission at all; is it possible to be granted a dean's scholarship in Univ of Sask prior to applying? How long does it take to get response on this scholarship? My MSc GPA converted to univ of Sask equivalent was 85.5% and BEng was 4.43/5 - what are my chances?

I think you should upload another document in that space. Maybe upload your CV again so they can start reviewing your document.

CookieLaVee:
Good morning wonderful people. Please i need to clear this up. I applied to University of Sask. and i am in the process of uploading documents. On my admission page on PAWS, i can only see few documents to upload but was on the page for "required documents" to upload, i see

CV/ Resume
Degree Certificates
GMAT Preliminary or GRE Preliminary
Post-secondary Transcripts
Preliminary Statement of Marks
Program of Study
Proof of English Proficiency
Publication
Ranking Document
Reference Letters
Research Statement
Statement/Letter of Intent
Statement of Financial Support
Supplemental Application Form
Thesis Abstract
U of S Degree Completion Letter
I can even see a Pre-Screen Form on the list of "required documents" to upload but i cant see it on my "Requirements" on my "application summary page". With the exception of few documents(For PhD) and EILTS, I think i should upload others but there is no slot for me to upload them.

Also, i remember i wrote to graduate school asking if i need an English proficiency Test but i got a reply that i dont need, yet it is appearing on my list of required document to upload, and if i dont upload anything, my application status will still be reading "Oustanding Documents."

Anybody went through this? Please advise.

Thank you.

Alright, thank you!!

JoseJonn:


Osi I applied by August 15precisely and got a reply by Oct 25 or so. After much pestering lol. Don't bother, that's d normal process what is to follow is "decision made" they will review it give it time like by January it will be reviewed. Best of luck.

Alright!! Thank you !

cyborg27:
Osiokoye,

Why bother? Your application will go thru the faculty to the department and back to the faculty. Then their decision will be made known to you. Did you say fall 2018? You still should not bother. The status will change as the file goes from one stage to the other. Just pray for a successful outcome...

Cheers!

Hi please when did you apply to study and when did they offer the admission? I applied in November for fall 2018 but my status still says complete and ready for review. It doesn't state under review. Should I be bothered?

JoseJonn:
Hello house...to travel no be for mouth. Indeed nothing good comes easy.The thing dey weaken me sometimes. I got an admission from Usask. I was sent my conditional admission letter and asked to send my official transcript I did this and it was sent on d 6th of this month via dhl by my school. I sent my department a mail they replied me and said they have checked my file d transcript is not there. Well, I tracked d transcript then it showed that it was recieved at northern Saskatoon by someone. Here is the address it was meant to be sent to
"College of Graduate and Post-Doctoral Studies Admissions
116Thorvaldson Building
110 Science Place
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon SK,S7N 5C9

Pls attached is the proof of delivery I'm just confused and the deadline for course registration is very close. Pls somebody I need urgent help!

Hello guys, I've been following this thread since I submitted my application. My sister got banned for misrepresentation after using an agent. She didn't know she was banned until she applied for PR & got denied based on the ban. Do you think her ban can affect my application? Cause my name was included when filling forms as her sibling. I anticipate your reply. Thanks.