Scholastica16:
Congrats HappyDay. Thanks for sharing your experience with us although belatedly. It was worth the wait. I am sure alot of people will be inspired by your success and the corollary challenges that came, and will continue to come as you move on with your career. I wish you all the best at Baton Rouge and I am confident you would find more success as a researcher amongst other things.

cutemorgan:

Hope to be more active on the thread soon by God grace boss mi

Cephas0009:
Congratulations Fredoricko and ElDeeVee

Scholastica16:


Brother congrats. What is UNI? Too lazy to hit up Google.

fredoricko:


Congratulations

tolutweety:
@happyday.
I am in Lafayette.

How's Baton Rouge?

sybil33:
High-stakes standardized testing is educational malpractice and must be stopped now.

When typing my essay I understood that high-stakes testing (HST) is based on the wrong set of goals for education, faulty assumptions about development and learning, and already-falsified assumptions about the meanings of test scores.

In turn, so-called "value-added" schemes are also failing to examine the educational value that really matters, lack of responsible controls for variables that cause the lions' share of variance in test scores (60-100%), and are founded upon an outdated and inferior approach to promoting human motivation.

HST has failed on its own terms (test scores) as NAEP long-term trend scores for reading and mathematics were flat for both genders and all racial groups between 2008 and 2012, during the most intensive period of test-driven schooling in American history.

HST has been an unmitigated disaster for those who value a well-rounded education. Creativity started declining at the beginning of the standards movement, and traditional, test-driven schooling undermines creativity, initiative, critical thinking, respect for diverse views, and undermines intrinsic motivation to learn (talk about killing the goose that lays the golden eggs!). High-stakes testing inherently corrupts the true purposes of education and steers students and teachers into the alienating "game of school" that Robert Fried described so well.

High-stakes testing has done to education what junk food did to our bodies: Isn't a decade on damage enough to impose upon students and teachers?

Test-based accountability is promoted by CEOs, economists, and politicians who simply do not understand children or child development, and who have an unhealthy desire for America's children and teachers to be micromanaged by far-off bureaucrats. Test-based accountability is also heavily promoted by ed corporations who are rapidly taking over public education.

We have a moral obligation to end this assault on children and democracy.

seeker88:

Congratulations!!! All d best with funding...

Happy birthday to you too...we are waiting for our cake in form of funding update

DanjaNinja:
I made this post on the main usa student visa thread. As you prepare to study in the US, please note the following advise. You dont have to be in computer science either.

"If you intend to do a Masters in Computer Science in the Us and you do not have a first degree in computer science, i take God beg you, once you get here, dont skip these two courses/prerequistes: Intro to Computer Science and mostly importantly, "Data Structures". An intro to algorithm course is also necessary.

Computer Science is a deep and diverse field. All areas, from Artificial intelligence to database and standard applications programming (from windows to andriod) all require a good understanding of algorithms, data structures and some object oriented programming concepts (the latter is usually taugth in any standard data structure class).

One common mistake those with a non-computer science background make is to skip these topics beliving they can survive and learn these prerequisites on the go all in the name of cutting cost.

I repeat, Dont even think of taking any advanced level course until you have confidently understood the concepts taught in these courses. These are required "Prerequisites" and not "corequisites". You cannot learn as you go, you must already know these topics before you can take your regular graduate classes.

My first semester was a disaster of epic proportions because i failed to take these courses.
Imagine JJC like me taking classes on advanced database (i never even take database course before sef) and object oriented programming with c++. One thing is certain, you will struggle till the end of the semester and your grades would suffer greatly.

I have spoken with friends studying computer science from several universities and they all share the same opinion.

Please note, this is not Nigeria where your final exam makes up 70 percent of your final grade. Over here, your final exam is mostly 30-40% of your final grade. The rest is evenly split between your assignments, midterms, papers, projects and labs. In this amelika, to make an A, you need a score of 90 and above whereas in naija you need only 70 to make an A. The difference is like night and day.

So, for your own good, as soon as you arrive, approach your academic advisor and make them understand you dont have any background in computer science. This applies to every other discipline. Interact with your academic adviser as well as current students. Make them know your background and your limitations. Its not always about studying hard, sometimes for you to succeed, you need to "know what you dont know that you dont know". Only those with experience in that field can help you with that."

shayhune:


Very true. For me, it was recently I realized that all I did during my undergraduate days was La cram, La pour, La forget. Having gained admission to the US, I took it upon myself to download Andela's Computer Science study curriculum for their applicants, studied it and understood the fundamentals of CS seamlessly. Except you're an alien, you can never scale through CS without understanding the fundamentals.

happyday:
So, after a while of posting here, I would like to share what I've learned and unlearned since coming to America.

First off, if you think I should have been more open and carried everyone along here, you're probably right. But not everything is as they seem. I, personally don't believe I've done something extraordinary, and it has been a dream all this while. I've always felt better applying my experience to help others, and not just tell them what I did. Cos I believe our mileage might vary.

Be that as it may, if you're still excepting admission/funding decisions, the application season for Fall 2017 is (almost gone) or gone for most schools, and the best you can do now is wait. Patiently. Most graduate admission committee members are also professors and lecturers who have classes to take, conferences to attend, presentations to make, proposals to write, and a bunch of other activities not related to research or their field.

Worse still, you can continue to remind them. If you can't settle, keep sending them emails to remind or inquire. They've been there, and would generally understand. Contact them within reason of course. No foul language or desperation. Only make sure it's to the right person (see; grad prog co-ord, or to your proposed advisor, if you have one already).

Moving on to my story, though I've started looking at post-BS options, it was my undergrad thesis advisor who encouraged me to write the GRE, as soon as I can. I took the test during my NYSC. It was a paper-based test in Benin. I went into details here: https://www.nairaland.com/1832477/how-achieve-high-scores-gre/47#40778602

tl;dr: I had 157/157/5.5. I was dissapointed. Let's just say I learnt a key lesson that day to always plan for eventualities. It was in November, and already planned to retake, after NYSC. I selected UArk, Purdue and two others, cos I loved the way they sounded! In short, for all intent and purposes, the first was an attempt. To prepare for the real 'thing'.

Or so I thought. Coming out of NYSC into an already jaded labour market, I grabbed the easiest job I could find. Just to not stay at home. My take-home couldn't take me anywhere. In case you're wondering, it was less than $30 a month. Which would definitely mean re-writing the test was a dream. Or writing the TOEFL. Or sending scores to WES. In short, everything I've always thought goes into a grad school application.

The cash I didn't have, I made up for it in time. Anytime I wasn't at work, I was always online, looking for ways to 'make sense' of my 314 GRE score. With no TOEFL.

Hence, I knew I needed an SoP as awesome as it can get. LORs that took the writers time to write. And a convincing story on why I wanted to do research. Not just 'study' in the US.

And for the next 6 months after my April passing out, I managed to do all of those. Such that by October, I knew I would be coming in the Spring for an MS in Bio Engr with full funding at LSU. I don't know how others do theirs, but God did mine.

Though I practiced with likely visa interview questions, I spent less than 30 secs with the Asian guy, before hearing those 'golden words'. I was more stressed up that day with the endless security checks by the actual interview.

Moving here was another another experience.

Not to talk of settling down here; getting used to the American English, adjusting to the laid-back academic settings here, understanding the nuances of American dating (and possibly getting a girl friend) . . ., opening bank accounts, getting an SSN, and actually starting research.

Damn, I gotta stop here!

Cheers!

cutemorgan:

Hope to be more active on the thread soon by God grace boss mi

happyday:


Really? We should meet sometime. You went for Mardi Gras? BTR is good.

tolutweety:

Yea..went to New Orleans for Mardi Gras.

Pm me your contact .
We could arrange a weekend out,man

andradaeze:


Thanks for sharing your experiences so far. Still expecting more from you .

happyday:


Thank you! Any ideas you'd like for me to discuss?

iCool:


@House, I have been quite busy of recent that's why I haven't been turning up here. I have a question - How many years days/weeks does it take for a 'NIPOST transcript' to be delivered to the US?


I processed 2 transcripts to be sent on the 27th of January, 1 was delivered to the U.S 3 days later and I just discovered today that the second transcript I also paid to be 'DHL'd' was sent by Nipost 23days after the first one was sent.

iCool:
Congratulations ElDeeVee and Fredoricko, more good news coming in.

Fredoricko, try hijack some money from these schools na.


@House, I have been quite busy of recent that's why I haven't been turning up here. I have a question - How many years days/weeks does it take for a 'NIPOST transcript' to be delivered to the US?


I processed 2 transcripts to be sent on the 27th of January, 1 was delivered to the U.S 3 days later and I just discovered today that the second transcript I also paid to be 'DHL'd' was sent by Nipost 23days after the first one was sent.

sybil33:
High-stakes standardized testing is educational malpractice and must be stopped now.

When typing my essay I understood that high-stakes testing (HST) is based on the wrong set of goals for education, faulty assumptions about development and learning, and already-falsified assumptions about the meanings of test scores.

In turn, so-called "value-added" schemes are also failing to examine the educational value that really matters, lack of responsible controls for variables that cause the lions' share of variance in test scores (60-100%), and are founded upon an outdated and inferior approach to promoting human motivation.

HST has failed on its own terms (test scores) as NAEP long-term trend scores for reading and mathematics were flat for both genders and all racial groups between 2008 and 2012, during the most intensive period of test-driven schooling in American history.

HST has been an unmitigated disaster for those who value a well-rounded education. Creativity started declining at the beginning of the standards movement, and traditional, test-driven schooling undermines creativity, initiative, critical thinking, respect for diverse views, and undermines intrinsic motivation to learn (talk about killing the goose that lays the golden eggs!). High-stakes testing inherently corrupts the true purposes of education and steers students and teachers into the alienating "game of school" that Robert Fried described so well.

High-stakes testing has done to education what junk food did to our bodies: Isn't a decade on damage enough to impose upon students and teachers?

Test-based accountability is promoted by CEOs, economists, and politicians who simply do not understand children or child development, and who have an unhealthy desire for America's children and teachers to be micromanaged by far-off bureaucrats. Test-based accountability is also heavily promoted by ed corporations who are rapidly taking over public education.

We have a moral obligation to end this assault on children and democracy.

OluDare01:

I once used NIPOST registered mail and it cost me #400
My transcript was delivered to the US after 7 working days

andradaeze:

My dear, anytime I think of my transcript travails during this process, I get upset. I requested for two transcripts from my school and paid 40k for the transcripts and the transcripts got to the USA a month and a week later.

If yours got to the US on time without causing any irredeemable damage. You should be happy oh.

andradaeze:


For those that do not have much research experience, what should they emphasize during their application? Also, you highlighted writing an outstanding SOP during the application process, please, can you share tips? Of course, I know you are a great writer. But share tips for poor writers like me.

Personal Statements

1. Convince your audience that you have what it takes to succeed in graduate school.

2. Demonstrate that you have the ability to be a good follower (someone who takes directions and criticism well) and a leader (someone who can work independently and guide others).

3. Provide evidence that you are motivated and eager to learn.

4. Show that you are familiar with the program to which you are applying and that you are a good fit.

5. Prove to your readers that you will be successful and that you’ll complete the program on time.

6. Proofread: Typographical errors and grammatical mistakes can undermine your best efforts.

iCool:


You are lucky! Mine hasn't been received, I have considered it lost in transit.




There has already been damage by my calculations, Processing and sending transcript form naija, fastest is 2 weeks. Auburn says 2 weeks is needed to process it after it lands. Rolling admission is done by the dept and financial support is allocated mid-April. When will I be offered admission and considered for funding?

iCool:


I pulled this (written below) off the website of one of the schools I applied to - Auburn University. I also lack research experience but talked more about my work experience and luckily, it was closely related to what i was applying for.

andradaeze:


Oga happyday, my greetings...

For those that do not have much research experience, what should they emphasize during their application? Also, you highlighted writing an outstanding SOP during the application process, please, can you share tips? Of course, I know you are a great writer. But share tips for poor writers like me.

Also, you are doing research as you mentioned in your previous post, how is doing actual research in your school?

iCool:
Congratulations ElDeeVe.e and Fredor.icko, more good news coming in.

Fredori.cko, try hijack some money from these schools na.

andradaeze:
Congratulations to ElDeeV.ee and Fre.doricko. More admissions are coming your way.

seeker88:
Congratulations ElDee.Vee Fredo.ricko...

andradaeze:

You can send a mail to the Graduate school to confirm the receipt of your transcript.

BTW, I am talking about Auburn University too. The other school got it on time. But with Auburn, it was late. I sent emails to the Math department informing them of the issues. Then I sent my unofficial transcript to them. Keeping my fingers crossed.