ripleus:
Hello Visa Officer and good people of Nairaland. I've just been admitted with full funding for a PhD program in a high ranked U.S. school (direct PhD from masters) so I want to apply for an F1 visa.
My concern is that I've never been out of Nigeria before and I think I'll find it hard to prove that I have any strong ties here (my whole family is here but I really nothing of financial value here).
Further, I've earned little or nothing since I completed my BSc because I've been studying a lot independently (and that may be one reason I got full funding from the school). My bank statements can only show enough to get a flight ticket. The school is covering every other expense guaranteed for five years.
I am really concerned about getting this visa because the PhD research is an opportunity that I've waited for all my life. My dream is to return to Nigeria to lecture at a federal university.
A friend said fully funded PhD admissions, especially at a high profile university are never rejected. Is this true? I have searched and it seems to be true.
Do you think the fact that I've never left Nigeria before will count against me?
Is there anything I need to be wary of? Do you have any advice for me?

spyke01:
Hello house, all is set and ready can I pay for my visa now and how much is it?

kunlebal:

Thanks for the info, I didn't know it was possible. But will they issue F1 visa to him or they will just adjust his status.

ripleus:
Hello Visa Officer and good people of Nairaland. I've just been admitted with full funding for a PhD program in a high ranked U.S. school (direct PhD from BSc, without a masters) so I want to apply for an F1 visa.

My concern is that I've never been out of Nigeria before and I think I'll find it hard to prove that I have any strong ties here (my whole family is here but I really nothing of financial value here).

Further, I've earned little or nothing since I completed my BSc because I've been studying a lot independently (and that may be one reason I got full funding from the school). My bank statements can only show enough to get a flight ticket. The school is covering every other expense guaranteed for five years.

I am really concerned about getting this visa because the PhD research is an opportunity that I've waited for all my life. My dream is to return to Nigeria to lecture at a federal university.

A friend said fully funded PhD admissions, especially at a high profile university are never rejected. Is this true? I have searched and it seems to be true.

Do you think the fact that I've never left Nigeria before will count against me?

Is there anything I need to be wary of? Do you have any advice for me?

aadeyi:


His status will be adjusted.

ripleus:
Hello Visa Officer and good people of Nairaland. I've just been admitted with full funding for a PhD program in a high ranked U.S. school (direct PhD from BSc, without a masters) so I want to apply for an F1 visa.

My concern is that I've never been out of Nigeria before and I think I'll find it hard to prove that I have any strong ties here (my whole family is here but I really nothing of financial value here).

Further, I've earned little or nothing since I completed my BSc because I've been studying a lot independently (and that may be one reason I got full funding from the school). My bank statements can only show enough to get a flight ticket. The school is covering every other expense guaranteed for five years.

I am really concerned about getting this visa because the PhD research is an opportunity that I've waited for all my life. My dream is to return to Nigeria to lecture at a federal university.

A friend said fully funded PhD admissions, especially at a high profile university are never rejected. Is this true? I have searched and it seems to be true.

Do you think the fact that I've never left Nigeria before will count against me?

Is there anything I need to be wary of? Do you have any advice for me?

slimmy05:
you won't be this pained if you stand nothing to gain.

Please, move on.

justwise:

ripleus:


Thanks! The school did three things
(a) waived my tuition (which is the bulk of the cost anyway) and
(b) they will be giving me taxable stipends every month and
(c) they gave me a health insurance plan

I have made lots of enquiries both from the school admin and from some ex-classmates now in the US; and I realize that after subtracting the tax, and subtracting cost of rent, transport and feeding I may not have more than $100 or $150 left each month but I'm thankful because it's even worse if you don't get any funding at all (since you can't work with an F1). So, all my basic needs will be met, but I don't expect to be "rich" in any way... however that's the normal life of a PhD student.

ripleus:

I'm reluctant to mention the school cos they only admit very few people each year (e.g. my program only takes 2 or 3 people per year all over the world, and that's how it goes for other departments too). I'm told by the admissions office that I'm the only Nigerian this year so I don't want to say it here and be possibly identified by a V.O. - until after I've passed my visa interview. So I'll post it after I pass the visa interview, as a reply to this message.

zeezahbee:
mtcheeew.

kunlebal:

ripleus:

Your response is really sad. So you want me to jeopardize my chances instead of just waiting for a couple of weeks? It's not like you can even apply to the school till end of the year, so I don't know why you're hissing.

Maybe I should have just ignored the question instead.

ripleus:
Please let's try and make sense. Nobody is hiding any information. My profile is very unique, and I don't want to hurt my own chances at the visa interview. I will post the name of the school after my interview.

zeezahbee:
mtcheeew.

aadeyi:

ripleus:


It's not such a big deal really, so I don't know why you're taking it like this. Most PhD programs in the US give full funding. I didn't say the school is unique. My PROFILE is unique, after all the information I have said about myself here. Nobody else here is being asked to reveal their identities or give information that will make a Visa Officer identify them. There is at least one Visa Officer on this thread and you're trying to make me reveal information that can jeopardize my chances. That's what I am saying, and I really don't know what else you want. I said I'll post the name of the school after my interview. Haba.

zeezahbee:
Pharm bbdd, whats up with your applications?

zeezahbee:
na so i see am oo.
where are you? enjoying those pay checks abi

ripleus:

Thanks