KemLaughs:
A thousand miles they say start with a step!

The journey started in 2014/2015 during my service year (National Youth Service Corps) in Abuja Nigeria when I met my mentor. I call him Abu Umar meaning Umar's father. He advised I should consider going to the US to further my studies because he could see a lot of potentials in me as a fresh graduate who is so passionate about IT specifically in the field of Computer Networking. One thing I could remember was he always laid emphasis on taking the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), reiterating that the GRE could strengthen the profile of the prospective student in getting scholarships (Full Tuition waiver+ Monthly Stipends) which can either be in form of Graduate Teaching Assistantship or Graduate Research Assistantship. I thought about it and decided to do my research on studying abroad specifically in the US since it is the hub of Information Technology (IT) in the world.

As one who thirsts for knowledge, I Google searched “How to study in the US as a Nigerian Student”, I stumbled on an article written by Dr. Farooq Kperogi a professor, Journalist, newspaper Columnist, Author and a blogger based in Greater Atlanta Georgia, USA titled “Studying in America: What you need to know” and also an article on his blog titled “From HND in Nigeria to Ph.D. in America” this story specifically galvanized my graduate school journey and this was the turning point of my life. I also stumbled on a Nairaland thread titled “General U.S.A Student visa Enquiries” while searching the internet.

Words on marble: “Always believe in your struggle and let your faith be bigger than your fear”. I wish everyone who wish to pursue graduate education abroad all the very best. You can connect with me via LinkedIn Click here to connect with me on LinkedIn


Credit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hafiz-matti-bbb3a490/


SOME USEFUL RESOURCES to start your GRADUATE SCHOOL Journey:

https://www.4icu.org/us/a-z/ - A-Z Universities in US

https://www.farooqkperogi.com/2016/09/ibrahim-waziri-from-hnd-in-nigeria-to.html - From HND in Nigeria to Ph.D. in America

https://www.farooqkperogi.com/2011/11/studying-in-america-what-you-need-to.html- Studying in America: What you need to know

https://www.nairaland.com/6354180/general-usa-student-visa-enquiries-part- This Great Thread

https://www.naces.org/NACES_Members_by_membership.pdf- National Association of Credential Evaluation Service Members

https://www.scholaro.com/gpa-calculator/- Foreign Credits CGPA Calculator

https://applications.wes.org/igpa-calculator/- WES IGPA CALCULATOR

https://gregurublog.com/free-gre-practice-test/- https://gregurublog.com/free-gre-practice-test/

Wishing you all starting out the best!

Its nice you brought Matti's story here. It would go along way to inspire other applicants. We've both been on the same BDGI platform since 2017, when the group was effective...

The one thing I learnt during the Fall 2017, 2018 & 2019 application cycle was that people were very willing to prep and take standardized tests, pay app fees, and apply to more than one school to get to the USA.

Should drop mine in August or December

It depends on where your stop is. When you get to Lagos, i’d advice you use Lara.ng or google to find your direction

But from wherever your stop is, find yourself to Obalende and take a bike to Federal Civil Service Club (Demlis is inside that place).

revenant:
I need assistance with direction to Demilis Hotel & Bayland Hotel. I am coming from Delta State and hitting the embassy in the morning.
Thank you.

Normally, a newspaper publication should have been done to effect this change. If not, you can still go ahead to do the newspaper publication for the change of names immediately. This will serve as an evidence for all purposes and save you from embarrassments not just for the US embassy. There are no crimes in changing your names so far you have documents to back them up.

shawnmich:
Good day all the guru in the house.
I want to confirm some information and how visible it is , whether my past record will affect me or not?
I went to us embassy in the year 2011,2012 and 2013 and was denied for my bachelor degree, but now I want to go again but this time for my master degree. I have change my first and middle name because it's my father's name so I have change it to my other names but is different from the other name I have in the previous record with us embassy before. For example Surname: Aderibigbe first name: Samson middle name: ifamuyiwa (which I used to apply previously in the year 2011,2012 and 2013) but now change my name to Surname: Aderibigbe First name: Michael Middle name: Gbenga. Won't this new name affect me during the interview because they may be wondering why I change the name, though I have documents to back it up but being the fact that us are strict with data monitoring, won't it reduce my chance of getting visa?

Please kindly assist with advice so that I can know the way forward either to proceed or go to other country .
Thanks in advance

Hi everybody!

All I see here's mostly graduate and post graduate studies, application procedures, requirements and visa interview transcripts e.t.c

If you're considering going for your undergraduate studies and you've already started out with your application, It'd be a great deal to share (what your application process has been like, funding and some other information) as it will be of help to someone out here.

I'm pretty sure there are people who would appreciate such info.

Thank you!

Please

Good day everyone.

Please who is going to Michigan here?

So I can go ahead and pay for my Visa fee and the rest.... can I as well request for emergency interview just incase

Pefuele:


They will still open more dates especially in July.

Ok.
Thanks for the advice

Helkayklassic:


Fingerprint alone will reveal that you are the same person that came in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Sebi you sha know the reason why you change your name? Tell them.

Thanks for the advice

I really appreciate it.

omokennyoguns20:
Normally, a newspaper publication should have been done to effect this change. If not, you can still go ahead to do the newspaper publication for the change of names immediately. This will serve as an evidence for all purposes and save you from embarrassments not just for the US embassy. There are no crimes in changing your names so far you have documents to back them up.

Hi

Gbemi16:
Good day everyone.

Please who is going to Michigan here?

Hello everyone, please I need your assistance. I requested for expedite interview on Friday and got a mail yesterday to the effect that it has been approved. The mail then instructed me to reschedule for 25th of June. The problem now is that 25th of June remains unavailable each time I log into my portal to reschedule. Please I need urgent help on how to handle this situation. Thanks all.

Greenman2020:
Hello everyone, please I need your assistance. I requested for expedite interview on Friday and got a mail yesterday to the effect that it has been approved. The mail then instructed me to reschedule for 25th of June. The problem now is that 25th of June remains unavailable each time I log into my portal to reschedule. Please I need urgent help on how to handle this situation. Thanks all.

"Pick the next available date, 25th must have been fully booked"

Lag or Abj?

Greenman2020:
Hello everyone, please I need your assistance. I requested for expedite interview on Friday and got a mail yesterday to the effect that it has been approved. The mail then instructed me to reschedule for 25th of June. The problem now is that 25th of June remains unavailable each time I log into my portal to reschedule. Please I need urgent help on how to handle this situation. Thanks all.

walepepe21:


No mentioning the name of your sponsor on your i-20 is what many even prayed for, so you are SAFE as it doesn’t portend any danger at all.

Thanks @walepepe and everyone for your help.

Good morning to you all... Planning to apply for spring 2022 in Seton hall university. I graduated with cgpa 3.4 and my total GRE score is 335, TOEFL 104.

Does anyone know the acceptance rate for Seton hall University?

What are the possibilities of getting funding in Seton hall University?

.

tplink:
Good morning to you all... Planning to apply for spring 2022 in Seton hall university. I graduated with cgpa 3.4 and my total GRE score is 335, TOEFL 104.

Does anyone know the acceptance rate for Seton hall University?

What are the possibilities of getting funding in Seton hall University?

Reach out to the program coordinator of the program you wish to apply for or the graduate school for this information. They’re in the best position to give you the information you need

you have a cool profile . what course are you going for ?

tplink:
Good morning to you all... Planning to apply for spring 2022 in Seton hall university. I graduated with cgpa 3.4 and my total GRE score is 335, TOEFL 104.

Does anyone know the acceptance rate for Seton hall University?

What are the possibilities of getting funding in Seton hall University?

didogzy:


Reach out to the program coordinator of the program you wish to apply for or the graduate school for this information. They’re in the best position to give you the information you need

Appreciate..

chaiks:
you have a cool profile . what course are you going for ?

International relation

Malone122:
use the normal A4

Thank you @Malone122

chibertha:
A4

Thanks @chibertha

Hi everyone. My start date is 23rd of August. My interview appointment is 11th of August. Will it be an issue if I request an emergency appointment date in July? Thanks.

Mm

Tian24495:


Are you writing this to an African / Nigerian? I'm not even sure it would fly for a Nigerian professor.

It might just be me, but the intro comes off as very patronizing. The body also sounds like you're desperate. Even if you are, it shouldn't show in your writing voice.

If you were not African, and you had funds, what are the standout things about you that would make you a desirable advisee?

What have you done in the past that is in line with what your prospective advisor is doing?

What do you intend to do (in specific, technical language) that is in line with your potential advisor?

Then you can ask if the potential advisor is accepting students. If they are not, it would be a waste of time to apply, because even if you're accepted, you won't get funding. Note that you're not begging for funding. Rather, you're asking if they are accepting students. If they say "yes" and the first two questions are properly answered, there's a 90% chance that you'd get the funding (given that you meet other admission requirements like GRE, statement of purpose, etc)

Respected Professor Bola Ige, MD, I would like to congratulate you on your recent appointment as DEAN at NCU
My name is Sodiq, from Ogun, Nigeria. I'd like to apply to study Pathology and Laboratory Medicine as an international student.
I've a Higher National Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology with CGPA of 3.59/4.00.
I've spent the last 1 year of my life working as a volunteer at the department of Pain and Palliative medicine at the Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta Ogun State.
My time here as wetted my appetite to study medicine in an area that specialize in hospice care; having had first hand experience with old people, I'd like to contribute my quota to making the last end of their life comfortable.
I know you're passionate about guiding medical student through the course of their studies and gain quality education in the Medical field.
I'd like to inquire if you're accepting student, for the next admission intake.
I look forward to a favorable reply from you ma.
congratulations once again.
Thank you.
How about this way. Much better?

The old travel passport you mean here is the expired int'l passport, right?? If it is, I have the expired one with me though no travel history or visa stamp on it but I will take it along. Thanks boss

Boller:
Bros, you need only 1 passport photo but to be on safe side go with 2 or as much copy as you have, anything can happen. If you have old travel passport pls. go with it very important. I was just issued B1/2 2nd of June some denied because they don't bring thier old passport.

tplink:
Good morning to you all... Planning to apply for spring 2022 in Seton hall university. I graduated with cgpa 3.4 and my total GRE score is 335, TOEFL 104.

Does anyone know the acceptance rate for Seton hall University?

What are the possibilities of getting funding in Seton hall University?

335 GRE?

Bros make we swap names na

This profile will get you funding at the University of Heaven sef

Hello House, please I need your help. I applied for emergency appointment for my August 2021 programme, which has been approved, but upon viewing the platform, I still see dates from October,2021. What do I do please?

gerona:
Hello House, please I need your help. I applied for emergency appointment for my August 2021 programme, which has been approved, but upon viewing the platform, I still see dates from October,2021. What do I do please?

lmao ah which location
You literally cannot do anything and you cannot pick a date in October … your best plan is to wait and see if they open dates in July since emergency is showing October
It’s people going for spring that can pick October not fall

Do not request for emergency appointment, you can travel immediately you get your passport, at most you request for late presumption from you school to show at POE if can not make it before resumption.

Omonikansoso:
Hi everyone. My start date is 23rd of August. My interview appointment is 11th of August. Will it be an issue if I request an emergency appointment date in July? Thanks.

LONG POST AHEAD!!

Hello all, a very happy Fathers day to all the fathers in the house and a happy Sunday to all of us. Please I would love to say I am going for my interview on the 28th of June in abuja, this is going to be my 4th time. I have been refused 3 times now, once in Lagos consulate and two times in abuja embassy. I am praying for the lord to help me this time around because I have made some errors in the past.

First interview in Lagos 31st of December 2020
Vo: how old are you? Note: Undergraduate studies
Me: I am 22.
Vo: how come at the age of 22 you were able to travel to Congo, Kenya and Ghana for a missionary work?
Me: yes after my high school I went for a missionary service for my church which I did for two years.
Vo: okay I see, so were you paid during this missionary work?
Me: no it was a voluntary missionary service.
Vo: where are you going to?
Me: I am going to xxxy for my xxxx
Vo: why this school and what will the degree do for you?
Me: I explained as I was directed to the extent that the Vo continue nodding his head.
Vo: so how will you be paying for your studies, my COA was $34,000
Me: meanwhile in the place where it was stated who will be paying for the trip in my ds-160, I went to put self sponsor thinking it was just only the flight ticket. I told the Vo that my father will be my sponsor.
Vo: what does he do
Me: he works in a microfinance bank
Vo: did he gave you any of his financial documents?
Me: yes he did, handed his bank statement
Vo: he went through it and then said is this the same bank your dad works with?
Me: I never expected that question because I knew that microfinance bank was different from other banks so the Vo was thinking it was a regular bank, I told him No that this not the bank he works with.
Vo: he then asked me his position in the work
Me: I told him
Vo: he typed for so long, I was thinking I would be granted then he handed the blue paper that I am not eligible for this visa.

I dropped my transcript, some people told me I wouldn't have used microfinance as the occupation of my father, I then deferred to the fall semester and reapplied again in abuja.

Second attempt in Abuja.
Vo: have you traveled outside Nigeria before
Me: yes, I have been to Kenya, Congo and Ghana for a missionary service
Vo: who is sponsoring your studies and what is the occupation of your sponsor
Me: my dad, I told the vo that my dad is into sales of vehicles, which I didn't mention in the first interview
Vo: he immediately checked my i-20, he glanced through it, I am sure he checked my COA of $34,000 then he just gave me back my documents that I am not eligible.

Third attempt still in abuja ( this time around I used a different school, for this very school I had a tuition waiver of $5,000 and the deficit was $20,000 going for undergraduate (

Vo: I see you have a scholarship, well that's good. So where are you going to
Me: I am going to xxxxy for my xxxxy
Vo: how did you hear about this school
Me: from a colleague during my missionary service
Vo: who is sponsoring you and what does your sponsor do?
Me: I still repeated what I said in the second interview that my dad is the sponsor and he is into the sales of vehicles in my city.
Vo: typed for so long then handled the green paper. He said I am so sorry but you are still not eligible for this visa at this time.

I gathered myself again and then I reapplied gotten a date now and it going to be on the 28th of June that is 8 days from now. I know I changed the occupation of my father when I was asked in the second and third attempt of my interview. But this was because of what people told me about microfinance workers that it wouldn't convince the Vo enough so that was the reason I had to use the sales of vehicles, my dad does that too but that is not his primary occupation. I know the first Vo recorded the occupation I said in the first interview but I don't know if may is because of this that i was denied and I am going for the 4th time, my deficit is not too big compared to the one I used in the first interview. This very one is $20k. Please I need you to advice me on what to do in next interview on Monday the 28th of junr regarding my sponsor. Please your contributions will really help me, it took me a lot of courage for me to continue this journey I almost gave up. Please I need all of your help on this. @fairheart, Twoods and the rest of you all

mikael11:
So I can go ahead and pay for my Visa fee and the rest.... can I as well request for emergency interview just incase

Sure. If you have settled on the school you are going to.

osadestiny:
LONG POST AHEAD!!

Hello all, a very happy Fathers day to all the fathers in the house and a happy Sunday to all of us. Please I would love to say I am going for my interview on the 28th of June in abuja, this is going to be my 4th time. I have been refused 3 times now, once in Lagos consulate and two times in abuja embassy. I am praying for the lord to help me this time around because I have made some errors in the past.

First interview in Lagos 31st of December 2020
Vo: how old are you? Note: Undergraduate studies
Me: I am 22.
Vo: how come at the age of 22 you were able to travel to Congo, Kenya and Ghana for a missionary work?
Me: yes after my high school I went for a missionary service for my church which I did for two years.
Vo: okay I see, so were you paid during this missionary work?
Me: no it was a voluntary missionary service.
Vo: where are you going to?
Me: I am going to xxxy for my xxxx
Vo: why this school and what will the degree do for you?
Me: I explained as I was directed to the extent that the Vo continue nodding his head.
Vo: so how will you be paying for your studies, my COA was $34,000
Me: meanwhile in the place where it was stated who will be paying for the trip in my ds-160, I went to put self sponsor thinking it was just only the flight ticket. I told the Vo that my father will be my sponsor.
Vo: what does he do
Me: he works in a microfinance bank
Vo: did he gave you any of his financial documents?
Me: yes he did, handed his bank statement
Vo: he went through it and then said is this the same bank your dad works with?
Me: I never expected that question because I knew that microfinance bank was different from other banks so the Vo was thinking it was a regular bank, I told him No that this not the bank he works with.
Vo: he then asked me his position in the work
Me: I told him
Vo: he typed for so long, I was thinking I would be granted then he handed the blue paper that I am not eligible for this visa.

I dropped my transcript, some people told me I wouldn't have used microfinance as the occupation of my father, I then deferred to the fall semester and reapplied again in abuja.

Second attempt in Abuja.
Vo: have you traveled outside Nigeria before
Me: yes, I have been to Kenya, Congo and Ghana for a missionary service
Vo: who is sponsoring your studies and what is the occupation of your sponsor
Me: my dad, I told the vo that my dad is into sales of vehicles, which I didn't mention in the first interview
Vo: he immediately checked my i-20, he glanced through it, I am sure he checked my COA of $34,000 then he just gave me back my documents that I am not eligible.

Third attempt still in abuja ( this time around I used a different school, for this very school I had a tuition waiver of $5,000 and the deficit was $20,000 going for undergraduate (

Vo: I see you have a scholarship, well that's good. So where are you going to
Me: I am going to xxxxy for my xxxxy
Vo: how did you hear about this school
Me: from a colleague during my missionary service
Vo: who is sponsoring you and what does your sponsor do?
Me: I still repeated what I said in the second interview that my dad is the sponsor and he is into the sales of vehicles in my city.
Vo: typed for so long then handled the green paper. He said I am so sorry but you are still not eligible for this visa at this time.

I gathered myself again and then I reapplied gotten a date now and it going to be on the 28th of June that is 8 days from now. I know I changed the occupation of my father when I was asked in the second and third attempt of my interview. But this was because of what people told me about microfinance workers that it wouldn't convince the Vo enough so that was the reason I had to use the sales of vehicles, my dad does that too but that is not his primary occupation. I know the first Vo recorded the occupation I said in the first interview but I don't know if may is because of this that i was denied and I am going for the 4th time, my deficit is not too big compared to the one I used in the first interview. This very one is $20k. Please I need you to advice me on what to do in next interview on Monday the 28th of junr regarding my sponsor. Please your contributions will really help me, it took me a lot of courage for me to continue this journey I almost gave up. Please I need all of your help on this. @fairheart, Twoods and the rest of you all

Why did you suddenly change what your Dad does in your 2nd attempt. I hope you have not made drastic changes to your DS-160? It is clear your issue for denial is sponsorship though I dnt know what you fill in your DS-160. The next time you can say your father works in the position in micro-finance bank and is also into sales of vehicles worth NXXX with brands such as YYYY and ZZZZ. He has branches in so and so states. VO can ask who manages the vehicle company because he is also working in a bank....You should defend this. You should take the company account statement and your Dad's personal statement next time so that the VO can have an idea of your dad's financial standing. Best!