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| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by Nsurg: 7:23pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
My interview took place at the US Embassy in Banjul, Gambia. I have worked here for the past 7 months in a research institution owned by the UK government. I was denied a visitors visa in Lagos last September to attend a conference. I have been reading the transcripts of other members of this forum starting from page one of part one over the past few weeks and I must show my appreciation to everyone who have contributed in one or the other to the forum. This is probably the best online resource for student visa interviews. But if you ask me what I consider the most important factor to a successful interview, I would say GOD. This is a highly subjective interview and the GOD factor is key judging from my experience and the experience of others here. So fast and pray hard, it works. Next on the list is confidence ( prayer gives confidence anyway) and then preparation. My interview went thus:
Me: Goodmorning with a smile
CO: goodmorning, smiles back
CO: where is your family?
Me: (*surprised by the question, wasnt really expecting that as the first question) In Nigeria
CO: Ok, what do u plan to study in the US? (* I already submitted my documents. You are requested to do so here during biometrics)
Me: masters in public health at the University of North Florida
CO: Did you apply to any other school? *checking his computer
Me: Yes, Harvard and John Hopkins
CO: *looks up and smiles (as if saying guy u get mind o). Were you admitted?
Me: No
CO: why do you think so?
Me: These schools are highly competitive and they receive thousands of applications every year and unfortunately they are not able to admit all qualified applicants
CO: *nods his head in agreement with me. So why this school?
Me: The program's course content and research areas emphasize the practice of public health in low resourced settings such as what we have in Nigeria and ....
CO: *cuts in(seems to have seen something on his system) Oh, you are a doctor.
Me: Yes
CO: where did you get your medical degree*while checking his system
Me: University of Benin, Nigeria
CO: where do you work?
Me: the medical research council(MRC) *it is quite a popular research institution here
CO: how long have you worked there?
Me: 7 months
CO: what is your specialty?
Me: I am a primary care physician
CO: Do you do any research?
Me: I work primarily as a medical officer in the clinical services department, but I also collaborate in researches done in the clinical ward
CO: what kind of research?
Me: clinical and public health research
CO: how will this degree help you with your work?
Me: it will give me an indepth understanding of research methodologies used in public health and...
CO: * cuts in (looking intensely at my I-20) how do you plan to pay?
Me: * being cautious about my reply because my I-20 said personal funds but financial documents included mine and my sis. ) A combination of personal savings and my sister
CO: How much do you earn monthly?
Me: 61, 000 dalasis (about N310, 000)
CO: is your sister in Nigeria?
Me: No, she is a Belgium based business woman but she goes to Nigeria from time to time
CO: Oh, Belgium! *seems excited (don't know his personal experience with Belgium) do you have another relative in Belgium?
Me: No, just her *my brother is there o, God forgive me.
Co: do you have any relative in the US? *checking his system
Me: No *with an who send US? look
CO: What are your plans after study in the US? *by this time he was typing on his system and I was already sensing victory
Me: I plan to return to the MRC here in the Gambia to gain some field experience in public health research and thereafter return to my home country Nigeria to work with the federal ministry of health
CO: How long is your appointment at MRC? *it is a fixed term appointment with opportunity for renewal
Me: 2yrs
CO: I can see you were denied a visa in Lagos last September, what happened?
Me: I was invited to attend a scientific conference by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and I was denied. It was a visitors visa (*so we be clear oga)
CO: *brings out a white paper and says: you would need this paper to pick up your visa at this address on ......
Me: smiles and says thank you
The CO had my documents in front of him all the while but never bothered to check them out except the I-20 and sevis payment. He seemed to be more interested in what I had to say than any documents I had to show. I prayed to God before the interview that any documents that will cause a denial would not be requested for and He answered! Bless God. 14 Likes |
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| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by Nobody: 7:54pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
Nsurg:
My interview took place at the US Embassy in Banjul, Gambia. I have worked here for the past 7 months in a research institution owned by the UK government. I was denied a visitors visa in Lagos last September to attend a conference. I have been reading the transcripts of other members of this forum starting from page one of part one over the past few weeks and I must show my appreciation to everyone who have contributed in one or the other to the forum. This is probably the best online resource for student visa interviews. But if you ask me what I consider the most important factor to a successful interview, I would say GOD. This is a highly subjective interview and the GOD factor is key judging from my experience and the experience of others here. So fast and pray hard, it works. Next on the list is confidence ( prayer gives confidence anyway) and then preparation. My interview went thus:
Me: Goodmorning with a smile
CO: goodmorning, smiles back
CO: where is your family?
Me: (*surprised by the question, wasnt really expecting that as the first question) In Nigeria
CO: Ok, what do u plan to study in the US? (* I already submitted my documents. You are requested to do so here during biometrics)
Me: masters in public health at the University of North Florida
CO: Did you apply to any other school? *checking his computer
Me: Yes, Harvard and John Hopkins
CO: *looks up and smiles (as if saying guy u get mind o). Were you admitted?
Me: No
CO: why do you think so?
Me: These schools are highly competitive and they receive thousands of applications every year and unfortunately they are not able to admit all qualified applicants
CO: *nods his head in agreement with me. So why this school?
Me: The program's course content and research areas emphasize the practice of public health in low resourced settings such as what we have in Nigeria and ....
CO: *cuts in(seems to have seen something on his system) Oh, you are a doctor.
Me: Yes
CO: where did you get your medical degree*while checking his system
Me: University of Benin, Nigeria
CO: where do you work?
Me: the medical research council(MRC) *it is quite a popular research institution here
CO: how long have you worked there?
Me: 7 months
CO: what is your specialty?
Me: I am a primary care physician
CO: Do you do any research?
Me: I work primarily as a medical officer in the clinical services department, but I also collaborate in researches done in the clinical ward
CO: what kind of research?
Me: clinical and public health research
CO: how will this degree help you with your work?
Me: it will give me an indepth understanding of research methodologies used in public health and...
CO: * cuts in (looking intensely at my I-20) how do you plan to pay?
Me: * being cautious about my reply because my I-20 said personal funds but financial documents included mine and my sis. ) A combination of personal savings and my sister
CO: How much do you earn monthly?
Me: 61, 000 dalasis (about N310, 000)
CO: is your sister in Nigeria?
Me: No, she is a Belgium based business woman but she goes to Nigeria from time to time
CO: Oh, Belgium! *seems excited (don't know his personal experience with Belgium) do you have another relative in Belgium?
Me: No, just her *my brother is there o, God forgive me.
Co: do you have any relative in the US? *checking his system
Me: No *with an who send US? look
CO: What are your plans after study in the US? *by this time he was typing on his system and I was already sensing victory
Me: I plan to return to the MRC here in the Gambia to gain some field experience in public health research and thereafter return to my home country Nigeria to work with the federal ministry of health
CO: How long is your appointment at MRC? *it is a fixed term appointment with opportunity for renewal
Me: 2yrs
CO: I can see you were denied a visa in Lagos last September, what happened?
Me: I was invited to attend a scientific conference by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and I was denied. It was a visitors visa (*so we be clear oga)
CO: *brings out a white paper and says: you would need this paper to pick up your visa at this address on ......
Me: smiles and says thank you
The CO had my documents in front of him all the while but never bothered to check them out except the I-20 and sevis payment. He seemed to be more interested in what I had to say than any documents I had to show. I prayed to God before the interview that any documents that will cause a denial would not be requested for and He answered! Bless God.
Again, was your interrview today? |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by ridimic1: 7:56pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
Nsurg:
My interview took place at the US Embassy in Banjul, Gambia. I have worked here for the past 7 months in a research institution owned by the UK government. I was denied a visitors visa in Lagos last September to attend a conference. I have been reading the transcripts of other members of this forum starting from page one of part one over the past few weeks and I must show my appreciation to everyone who have contributed in one or the other to the forum. This is probably the best online resource for student visa interviews. But if you ask me what I consider the most important factor to a successful interview, I would say GOD. This is a highly subjective interview and the GOD factor is key judging from my experience and the experience of others here. So fast and pray hard, it works. Next on the list is confidence ( prayer gives confidence anyway) and then preparation. My interview went thus:
Me: Goodmorning with a smile
CO: goodmorning, smiles back
CO: where is your family?
Me: (*surprised by the question, wasnt really expecting that as the first question) In Nigeria
CO: Ok, what do u plan to study in the US? (* I already submitted my documents. You are requested to do so here during biometrics)
Me: masters in public health at the University of North Florida
CO: Did you apply to any other school? *checking his computer
Me: Yes, Harvard and John Hopkins
CO: *looks up and smiles (as if saying guy u get mind o). Were you admitted?
Me: No
CO: why do you think so?
Me: These schools are highly competitive and they receive thousands of applications every year and unfortunately they are not able to admit all qualified applicants
CO: *nods his head in agreement with me. So why this school?
Me: The program's course content and research areas emphasize the practice of public health in low resourced settings such as what we have in Nigeria and ....
CO: *cuts in(seems to have seen something on his system) Oh, you are a doctor.
Me: Yes
CO: where did you get your medical degree*while checking his system
Me: University of Benin, Nigeria
CO: where do you work?
Me: the medical research council(MRC) *it is quite a popular research institution here
CO: how long have you worked there?
Me: 7 months
CO: what is your specialty?
Me: I am a primary care physician
CO: Do you do any research?
Me: I work primarily as a medical officer in the clinical services department, but I also collaborate in researches done in the clinical ward
CO: what kind of research?
Me: clinical and public health research
CO: how will this degree help you with your work?
Me: it will give me an indepth understanding of research methodologies used in public health and...
CO: * cuts in (looking intensely at my I-20) how do you plan to pay?
Me: * being cautious about my reply because my I-20 said personal funds but financial documents included mine and my sis. ) A combination of personal savings and my sister
CO: How much do you earn monthly?
Me: 61, 000 dalasis (about N310, 000)
CO: is your sister in Nigeria?
Me: No, she is a Belgium based business woman but she goes to Nigeria from time to time
CO: Oh, Belgium! *seems excited (don't know his personal experience with Belgium) do you have another relative in Belgium?
Me: No, just her *my brother is there o, God forgive me.
Co: do you have any relative in the US? *checking his system
Me: No *with an who send US? look
CO: What are your plans after study in the US? *by this time he was typing on his system and I was already sensing victory
Me: I plan to return to the MRC here in the Gambia to gain some field experience in public health research and thereafter return to my home country Nigeria to work with the federal ministry of health
CO: How long is your appointment at MRC? *it is a fixed term appointment with opportunity for renewal
Me: 2yrs
CO: I can see you were denied a visa in Lagos last September, what happened?
Me: I was invited to attend a scientific conference by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and I was denied. It was a visitors visa (*so we be clear oga)
CO: *brings out a white paper and says: you would need this paper to pick up your visa at this address on ......
Me: smiles and says thank you
The CO had my documents in front of him all the while but never bothered to check them out except the I-20 and sevis payment. He seemed to be more interested in what I had to say than any documents I had to show. I prayed to God before the interview that any documents that will cause a denial would not be requested for and He answered! Bless God.
congrats 1 Like |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by Nobody: 8:00pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
ferdiii:
hahahaha  LOL. Had to ask because anything is possible on Nairaland. VO said something related to this last time and she was absolutely right. |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by Nsurg: 8:03pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
DeeTus:
Again, was your interrview today? Oh, yes my interview was today in Banjul, Gambia. Not a public holiday here today. I guess that's because wednesday is their national day celebration so they they are cutting down the number of public holidays. |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by Nobody: 8:07pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
Nsurg:
Hello everyone, I got my visa today. Well I have been a silent follower of this forum, so I would like to follow the trend by sharing my experience because I learnt quite frankly from the experience of others here. Transcripts to follow shortly. Hahaha!!..I swear, Na you lie pass!.. |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by Nobody: 8:08pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
DeeTus:
Again, was your interrview today? public holiday for Monday is not worldwide, it's Nigeria. From his transcript it shows he wasn't interviewed in Nigeria rather Gambia. Xenophobic guy: ordinary gambia 1 Like |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by Nobody: 8:10pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
Nsurg:
Oh, yes my interview was today in Banjul, Gambia. Not a public holiday here today. I guess that's because wednesday is their national day celebration so they they are cutting down the number of public holidays. Ok no problem but I will check on that later. What kind of visa do you use over there? |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by Nobody: 8:18pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
slimmy05:
public holiday for Monday is not worldwide, it's Nigeria. From his transcript it shows he wasn't interviewed in Nigeria rather Gambia.
Xenophobic guy: ordinary gambia No country is ordinary. It depends on what you do there. Using the word xenophobic on me is totally uncalled for. I am neither a racist nor from South Africa. 1 Like |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by Busconductor: 8:19pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
Good day guys, I'd like to congratulate everyone who's gotten their visas recently.
I have one question; do They ask for bank statement at POE and if so, can I use d statement I used for my interview in June.
My POE is JFK and I'm going first week August. Anyone else going during that time frame and using the same POE? |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by samnoah(m): 8:23pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
DeeTus:
Ok no problem but I will check on that later.
What kind of visa do you use over there? Holiday defers by Countries. Not certain today is even a public holiday in US. Same for most European Countries. |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by worry357: 8:30pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
Busconductor:
Good day guys, I'd like to congratulate everyone who's gotten their visas recently.
I have one question; do They ask for bank statement at POE and if so, can I use d statement I used for my interview in June.
My POE is JFK and I'm going first week August. Anyone else going during that time frame and using the same POE? If you use a statement printed in June when entering in August it shouts to entry control that the funds are no longer in the account! They will check and you could be looking at the next plane back home with a ban in your passport. Get an up to date honest statement close to your travel date. |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by Nobody: 8:34pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
samnoah:
Holiday defers by Countries. Not certain today is even a public holiday in US. Same for most European Countries. Alright thanks. |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by sammynwaGod(m): 8:38pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
guys please who they carlifornia . Los Angeles to be precise |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by Nsurg: 9:01pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
Hey guys, no need arguing over public holidays. If you actually READ my transcript, you would see I was interviewed in a different country. I have nothing to gain by sharing my experience other than giving back to a forum I learnt quite a lot from the experience of others. And sincerely, this is not the right place to troll. People are here for serious stuff. All the best. 2 Likes |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by pcbo: 9:08pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
Busconductor:
Good day guys, I'd like to congratulate everyone who's gotten their visas recently.
I have one question; do They ask for bank statement at POE and if so, can I use d statement I used for my interview in June.
My POE is JFK and I'm going first week August. Anyone else going during that time frame and using the same POE? Wasn't asked,only my I 20 |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by Ctemi(f): 9:25pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
Busconductor:
Good day guys, I'd like to congratulate everyone who's gotten their visas recently.
I have one question; do They ask for bank statement at POE and if so, can I use d statement I used for my interview in June.
My POE is JFK and I'm going first week August. Anyone else going during that time frame and using the same POE? You don't need statement of account at POE what you only need is your i-20&passport. |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by Nobody: 9:39pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
Nsurg:
My interview took place at the US Embassy in Banjul, Gambia. I have worked here for the past 7 months in a research institution owned by the UK government. I was denied a visitors visa in Lagos last September to attend a conference. I have been reading the transcripts of other members of this forum starting from page one of part one over the past few weeks and I must show my appreciation to everyone who have contributed in one or the other to the forum. This is probably the best online resource for student visa interviews. But if you ask me what I consider the most important factor to a successful interview, I would say GOD. This is a highly subjective interview and the GOD factor is key judging from my experience and the experience of others here. So fast and pray hard, it works. Next on the list is confidence ( prayer gives confidence anyway) and then preparation. My interview went thus:
He seemed to be more interested in what I had to say than any documents I had to show. I prayed to God before the interview that any documents that will cause a denial would not be requested for and He answered! Bless God.
Congratulations, boss! The information from this thread is transcending borders. Right information is power! 3 Likes |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by Nobody: 9:40pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
Ctemi:
You don't need statement of account at POE what you only need is your i-20&passport. Ok, lady. Thanks for the information. |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by Loverswater(m): 10:04pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
BOOKING THIS SPACE TO BEG YOU GUYS TO FILL ME WITH MORE INFORMATION ON HOW THIS VISA THINGS WORKS |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by MaxiDj(m): 10:10pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
sammynwaGod:
guys please who they carlifornia . Los Angeles to be precise My school is in Burbank. Interview is scheduled for next month. Which part of LA are you based? |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by Busconductor: 10:15pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
Ctemi:
You don't need statement of account at POE what you only need is your i-20&passport. Ok Thanks alot. |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by Busconductor: 10:16pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
pcbo:
Wasn't asked,only my I 20 Please sorry to disturb but what questions were you asked? |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by pcbo: 10:26pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
Busconductor:
Please sorry to disturb but what questions were you asked? Sch name n state ,also duration That is all |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by akin3102(m): 10:32pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
Boss,Just for clarification..do you have Gambia PR? Nsurg:
Hey guys, no need arguing over public holidays. If you actually READ my transcript, you would see I was interviewed in a different country. I have nothing to gain by sharing my experience other than giving back to a forum I learnt quite a lot from the experience of others. And sincerely, this is not the right place to troll. People are here for serious stuff. All the best. |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by Busconductor: 10:33pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
pcbo:
Sch name n state ,also duration
That is all Ok Thanks alot |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by Walspring: 10:34pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
STENON:
Yes, thanks very much. I couldnt meet up with fall2015 due to some reasons. I'v started my preparation for fall 2016 but this time around, I'l be applying to Graduate schools both in US and Canada. Wishing you the best big boss |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by Walspring: 10:36pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
Loverswater:
BOOKING THIS SPACE TO BEG YOU GUYS TO FILL ME WITH MORE INFORMATION ON HOW THIS VISA THINGS WORKS They dont book space here... Ask your question and you will get a reply and answer |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by Nobody: 10:51pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
akin3102:
Boss,Just for clarification..do you have Gambia PR? I asked him a similar question. Gambia makes a lot of sense. 1 dollar to their currency is very low. Less than 40. |
| Re: General U.s.a (student) Visa Enquiries-part 7 by Nobody: 10:51pm On Jul 20, 2015 |
Profojah, I hail ooo. Please can I have those materials? Can you kindly send them to my mail? Thanks in anticipation. |
