So I had my second interview yesterday. I had already posted the first during which I wasn't confident enough to present my case.
So this is the 2nd:
V.O : Good morning
Me: Good morning ma'am (with a smile )
V.O: Why are you going to the US?
Me: I am going for my masters in Prjt Mangmt at Morgan state University Baltimore.
V.O : Why are you switching from Geology?
Me: Project Management will give me a right platform to grow in my career. I have taken on many project management projects in my organisation even gotten an award as a best project management team member on a Chevron Project but because I don't a degree in Project Management, Jobs are not assigned to me.
Also my organisation has stated in my study leave that on my return with this dregree from Morgan I will be qualified to apply for a promotion.
Project Management will not limit me to my Organisation as I intend to move to other industries on my return to Nigeria, gather experince and set up my own project management firm here in Nigeria.
V.O : (She looked really impressed)
Why did you choose Morgan ?
Me: Morgan offers an interdisciplinary project Management course. The program is board. And Ideal for my plans. I was excited by the thought that I will study scope management and integration. That is my major area of interest because Scope creeping is a major problem in the Nigerian project management field.
V.O: How did you hear about this school?
Me: It was initially recommended by my boss during my NYSC so when I decided to go for my Masters in the US I researched using Peterson's guide and College board. I found out... (She cut me short)
V.O: What was your highest degree on ?
Me: I have a Bachelor of Technology in Geology.
(She nodded )
V.O: So that is why you want you want to leave I.T?
Me: No GIS (Geographical Information System) not IT. (My current job) GIS is a part
Geology and GIS exposed me the experince I have acquired in Project Management so It is in line with my career plan.
V.O: (Starts typing.)
Sorry pls hold on.
Types for over 5mins.
(At this point I was feeling good)
V.O: Who is paying?
Me: My uncle.
V.O: What does he do?
Me: He is a civil engineer and also owns a real estate firm.
V.O: Buys and sells houses?
Me: No. He buys lands and develops. Build and sells.
V.O Nods)
Why is he sponsoring you.
Me: My mom trained him so this I like a pay back (Smiling)
V.O: Nods.
(Starts typing)
Me: was waiting for my white paper. Lol.
V.O: types for like 2 mins.
V.O: Did you write any standardised test ?
Me: Actually I was meant to. I had prepared to but on contacting the school I was informed that it was waived for me. I believe it was due to my work experince and the professional certifications I have bagged in Project management over the years.
V.O: Starts typing.
But it is clearly stated here on Morgan's website that you need GRE.
Me: Yes but the departments have their own requirements for each cousre.
V.O: Why would they have their requirement when it is stated on the site?
Me: That on the site is General but they have theirs based on the individual programs.
V.O : I am sorry you are blablabla.
Me: I still couldn't believe it.
I have written the school explaining my situation and they chair has replied promising to give me a letter to the embassy to prove that I didn't need the standardised exams.
DO I REAPPLY & PRESENT THE LETTER?
I AM CONFUSED. PLEASE GUYS KINDLY CRITICISE & ADVICE.

bushlance:
So I had my second interview yesterday. I had already posted the first during which I wasn't confident enough to present my case.
So this is the 2nd:
V.O : Good morning
Me: Good morning ma'am (with a smile )
V.O: Why are you going to the US?
Me: I am going for my masters in Prjt Mangmt at Morgan state University Baltimore.
V.O : Why are you switching from Geology?
Me: Project Management will give me a right platform to grow in my career. I have taken on many project management projects in my organisation even gotten an award as a best project management team member on a Chevron Project but because I don't a degree in Project Management, Jobs are not assigned to me.
Also my organisation has stated in my study leave that on my return with this dregree from Morgan I will be qualified to apply for a promotion.
Project Management will not limit me to my Organisation as I intend to move to other industries on my return to Nigeria, gather experince and set up my own project management firm here in Nigeria.
V.O : (She looked really impressed)
Why did you choose Morgan ?
Me: Morgan offers an interdisciplinary project Management course. The program is board. And Ideal for my plans. I was excited by the thought that I will study scope management and integration. That is my major area of interest because Scope creeping is a major problem in the Nigerian project management field.
V.O: How did you hear about this school?
Me: It was initially recommended by my boss during my NYSC so when I decided to go for my Masters in the US I researched using Peterson's guide and College board. I found out... (She cut me short)
V.O: What was your highest degree on ?
Me: I have a Bachelor in Technology in Geology.
(She nodded )
V.O: So that is why you want you want to leave I.T?
Me: No GIS (Geographical Information System) not IT. (My current job) GIS is a part
Geology and GIS exposed me the experince I have acquired in Project Management so It is in line with my career plan.
V.O: (Starts typing.)
Sorry pls hold on.
Types for over 5mins.
(At this point I was feeling good)
V.O: Who is paying?
Me: My uncle.
V.O: What does he do?
Me: He is a civil engineer and also owns a real estate firm.
V.O: Buys and sells houses?
Me: No. He buys lands and develops. Build and sells.
V.O Nods)
Why is he sponsoring you.
Me: My mom trained him so this I like a pay back (Smiling)
V.O: Nods.
(Starts typing)
Me: was waiting for my white paper. Lol.
V.O: types for like 2 mins.
V.O: Did you write any standardised test ?
Me: Actually I was meant to. I had prepared to but on contacting the school I was informed that it was waived for me. I believe it was due to my work experince and the professional certifications I have bagged in Project management over the years.
V.O: Starts typing.
But it is clear my states here on Morgan's website that you need GRE.
Me: Yes but the departments have their own requirements for each cousre.
V.O: Why would they have their requirementwhen it is stated on the site.
Me: That on the site is General but they have theirs based on the individual programs.
V.O : I am sorry you are blablabla.
Me: I still can't believe it.
I have written the school explaining my situation and they chair has replied promising to give me a letter to the embassy to prove that I didn't need the standardised exams.
DO I REAPPLY & PRESENT THE LETTER?
I AM CONFUSED. PLEASE GUYS KINDLY CRITICISE & ADVICE.

Oh damn!! You almost got the visa My advice is kindly defer the admission and write GRE. VO differs tho, you might be lucky in your third interview where the VO might not even look into any standardized exam but who knows. I stand to be corrected tho

Hello everyone. I refired and to God be the glory my visa was approved on Tuesday by a lady in window 1.
Transcript goes thus:

VO: Good morning
Me:Good morning ma
VO: Why you going to the US
Me: Im going for my Masters in Communication and media studies at Eastern Illinois University.
VO: What's your career goal
Me: To be a communication specialist. I want to be able to identify and develop the best communication strategies to solve communication problems when the need arises.
VO: Y eiu
Me: Cos the curriculum matches my carrier interest. Also, the communication and media studies programme is organized in three academic concentration which is the strategic communication, human communication and cultural studies.The strategic communication aligns with my professional ambition (Vo cuts in STOP)
VO: What's the requirement for the program? The credit hours, the core courses you'ld be doing what and what you would learn. (She was really focused here..we were looking at each other)
Me:A total number of 36 credit is required. I would be taking core courses like Communication theory, communication research methods, communication pedagogy, special topics in communication studies, organizational communication etc. Then I just briefly defined organizational communication and communication pedagogy.
VO: What do u do
Me:I work with a telecoms company
VO: Have you traveled out of the country before
Me: Yes
VO: Whats your highest qualification
Me: Bsc Masscommunication
VO: Who's sponsoring you
Me: My dad
VO: Can I see his statement
Me:I passed it. ( this time around I presented his personal statement and a letter from the bank though I also went with both the company's bank statement I presented the first time but she said she didn't need that)
VO: What's your father's name
Me: I told her
VO: How many siblings do you have
Me: I told her
VO: Do you have any relative in the US
Me: Not an immediate one (just as I filled in my ds-160)
VO: Any friends?
Me: Yes (I mentioned my friend's name and that my friend actually recommended the school being a student there)
VO: Typing....
VO: I would be approving your visa.............and handed over the white paper.

bushlance:

I AM CONFUSED. PLEASE GUYS KINDLY CRITICISE & ADVICE.

different VOs with different appetite. bro what if you just take the GRE. we all know it's not easy but it might have sufficed in this case. just my humble observation

Y not reapply and go with letter u expecting from school, since you've let the VO understand that it was waived and the letter indicates, writing an exam now can be as if u r nt specific... I feel 4 u o Y not reapply and go with letter u expecting from school, since you've let the VO understand that it was waived and the letter indicates, writing an exam now can be as if u r nt specific... I feel 4 u o

Hello house
Pls kindly help assess this.

Degree MBBS Nigeria(medicine and surgery)

CGPA Not applicable but average scores

IELTS Acad. W 7 S 7.5 L 6. R 5

GRE Q 143, V 139. A 2.5 one week preparation

2 YRS WORK experience in health

8yrs work experience in NGO

PLEASE Advice house should I apply for masters,MPH OR PGDIP

IF YES,please suggest universities with admission prospect considering the above profile.
Thank you.

Congrats!!

schrisade:
Hello everyone. I refired and to God be the glory my visa was approved on Tuesday by a lady in window 1.
Transcript goes thus:

VO: Good morning
Me:Good morning ma
VO: Why you going to the US
Me: Im going for my Masters in Communication and media studies at Eastern Illinois University.
VO: What's your career goal
Me: To be a communication specialist. I want to be able to identify and develop the best communication strategies to solve communication problems when the need arises.
VO: Y eiu
Me: Cos the curriculum matches my carrier interest. Also, the communication and media studies programme is organized in three academic concentration which is the strategic communication, human communication and cultural studies.The strategic communication aligns with my professional ambition (Vo cuts in STOP)
VO: What's the requirement for the program? The credit hours, the core courses you'ld be doing what and what you would learn. (She was really focused here..we were looking at each other)
Me:A total number of 36 credit is required. I would be taking core courses like Communication theory, communication research methods, communication pedagogy, special topics in communication studies, organizational communication etc. Then I just briefly defined organizational communication and communication pedagogy.
VO: What do u do
Me:I work with a telecoms company
VO: Have you traveled out of the country before
Me: Yes
VO: Whats your highest qualification
Me: Bsc Masscommunication
VO: Who's sponsoring you
Me: My dad
VO: Can I see his statement
Me:I passed it. ( this time around I presented his personal statement and a letter from the bank though I also went with both the company's bank statement I presented the first time but she said she didn't need that)
VO: What's your father's name
Me: I told her
VO: How many siblings do you have
Me: I told her
VO: Do you have any relative in the US
Me: Not an immediate one (just as I filled in my ds-160)
VO: Any friends?
Me: Yes (I mentioned my friend's name and that my friend actually recommended the school being a student there)
VO: Typing....
VO: I would be approving your visa.............and handed over the white paper.

Hello guys I'm a newbie here. I found this thread about 3 days ago. I'm currently still reading the earlier threads so I can get answers to some general questions. I must say you guys are doing soo well, everyone on this site has helped people from the university application stage to visa approvals. God richly bless everyone here.

I am a Fall 2018 aspirant with 3.92 GPA (out of 4) and GRE of 319 (163 Quant, 156 verbal and 4.5 analytical). I've applied to four US schs for Masters and I'm still waiting for their responses.

I hope by God's grace I'll get admission with full funding and get my visa approved. Once again, kuddos to you guys.

kylexy61:
Hello guys I'm a newbie here. I found this thread about 3 days ago. I'm currently still reading the earlier threads so I can get answers to some general questions. I must say you guys are doing soo well, everyone on this site has helped people from the university application stage to visa approvals. God richly bless everyone here.

I am a Fall 2018 aspirant with 3.92 GPA (out of 4) and GRE of 319 (163 Quant, 156 verbal and 4.5 analytical). I've applied to four US schs for Masters and I'm still waiting for their responses.

I hope by God's grace I'll get admission with full funding and get my visa approved. Once again, kuddos to you guys.

What course is this? I hope you applied to at least 1 top school because your credential is good.

platypelloid:


PLEASE Advice house should I apply for masters,MPH OR PGDIP

U.S don't use pgd stuff. To further your studies, you will have to apply for MS or PhD in this case OH, but this your GRE doesn't cut it. Rewrite it.

Pls, i dont knw if u schooled in Nigeria. I want to use ur Cgpa which is to 5.0 scale to get an inkling of what my cgpa will be when converted to 4.0 scale. I have a cgpa of 4.57 on a 5.0 scale.

kylexy61:
Hello guys I'm a newbie here. I found this thread about 3 days ago. I'm currently still reading the earlier threads so I can get answers to some general questions. I must say you guys are doing soo well, everyone on this site has helped people from the university application stage to visa approvals. God richly bless everyone here.

I am a Fall 2018 aspirant with 3.92 GPA (out of 4) and GRE of 319 (163 Quant, 156 verbal and 4.5 analytical). I've applied to four US schs for Masters and I'm still waiting for their responses.

I hope by God's grace I'll get admission with full funding and get my visa approved. Once again, kuddos to you guys.

.

tactmayor:
Pls, i dont knw if u schooled in Nigeria. I want to use ur Cgpa which is to 5.0 scale to get an inkling of what my cgpa will be when converted to 4.0 scale. I have a cgpa of 4.57 on a 5.0 scale.

I schooled in Ghana. My GPA is to a 4.0 scale. A rough way to convert your cgpa to a 4.0 scale is to multiply it by 4/5. That is, 4.57 x 4/5 = 3.66

kylexy61:


MSc Civil Engineering. Yes I applied to 1 top school, Stanford

Fine. You know ur sop, experience and recommendations matter too.

kylexy61:


I schooled in Ghana. My GPA is to a 4.0 scale. A rough way to convert your cgpa to a 4.0 scale is to multiply it by 4/5. That is, 4.57 x 4/5 = 3.66

Although you said rough estimate, I don't think he can drop below 3.6. But according to professional evaluators conversion is done by evaluating your transcript course by course (the way your original courses were put together to calculate your cpga) but not by conversation of the cumulative gpa.

imperiouxx:


Fine. You know ur sop, experience and recommendations matter too.

Yes. I tried my best to gather as much info as possible online about writing SOP's. I hope my sop and rec letters are good enough. I have no work experience as I graduated in 2017. I'm currently doing my national service, which is compulsory here in Ghana. I think it's something similar in Nigeria too right?

imperiouxx:


I don't think it works that way. Conversion according to professional evaluators is done by evaluating your transcript course by course (the way your original courses were put together to calculate your cpga) but not by conversation of the cumulative gpa.

Thanks for the info. I wasn't too sure, that's why I said "a rough way to convert".

kylexy61:


Yes. I tried my best to gather as much info as possible online about writing SOP's. I hope my sop and rec letters are good enough. I have no work experience as I graduated in 2017. I'm currently doing my national service, which is compulsory here in Ghana. I think it's something similar in Nigeria too right?

Your experience can be your research work or volunteering (in this case national service) not only those gathered through paid job.

kylexy61:


Thanks for the info. I wasn't too sure, that's why I said "a rough way to convert".

I saw that part, that's why I modify while you're quoting me. He shouldn't drop below 3.6 though.

kylexy61:


MSc Civil Engineering. Yes I applied to 1 top school, Stanford

Why not throw in one or two Phd Applications? Mind you now adays faculties are looking for students they can work with on a long term. If I were you, with that profile I would have applied to at least 2 top 20 school for PHd. You can check Northwestern University if the application is still on,if you apply for phd and even if you dont get admitted for Phd, you will be granted Msc admision.

tactmayor:
Pls, i dont knw if u schooled in Nigeria. I want to use ur Cgpa which is to 5.0 scale to get an inkling of what my cgpa will be when converted to 4.0 scale. I have a cgpa of 4.57 on a 5.0 scale.

Go to wes.org and use the free evaluation Tool

Wow...dis is also the course I applied for...which other skuls did u apply to?

kylexy61:


MSc Civil Engineering. Yes I applied to 1 top school, Stanford

I have gone there but i can only calculate the gpa for a semester on it and not CGPA. If there is a way to calculate for CGPA, pls do assist me.

Also with CGPA of not less than 3.6 on a 4.0 scale and a GRE score of 303, which oda schools can i apply to for fall 2018?. I already applied to washington state uni.
Thanks.

femi312:
Go to wes.org and use thr free evaluation Tool

kylexy61:


I schooled in Ghana. My GPA is to a 4.0 scale. A rough way to convert your cgpa to a 4.0 scale is to multiply it by 4/5. That is, 4.57 x 4/5 = 3.66

Gpa are not calculated this way ..... totally wrong.

but I came here for a different comment . Never wise to put all youreggs in one basket

tactmayor:
I have gone there but i can only calculate the gpa for a semester on it and not CGPA. If there is a way to calculate for CGPA, pls do assist me.

Also with CGPA of not less than 3.6 on a 4.0 scale and a GRE score of 303, which oda schools can i apply to for fall 2018?. I already applied to washington state uni.
Thanks.

Many schools my friend. Just do Google search or let's hope femi still has that post that contains school search engines.

tactmayor:
I have gone there but i can only calculate the gpa for a semester on it and not CGPA. If there is a way to calculate for CGPA, pls do assist me.

Also with CGPA of not less than 3.6 on a 4.0 scale and a GRE score of 303, which oda schools can i apply to for fall 2018?. I already applied to washington state uni.
Thanks.

No..go there and click the free evaluation tool and input ALL you grades from part 1 to Part 5. Thats how it works, I dont know any school, you left it too late. Most funding deadlines have passed, however you can use the civil ranking to check school's website one after the other. You might be lucky to see some other schools

femi312:
Should be around 3.2 or so. Go to https://applications.wes.org/igpa-calculator/ and calculate it.

tactmayor go to the link above and click start now. Check the link below for 2017 Civil school ranking, start perusing there websites from 1 to 70. You should find one or two school if you are lucky https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwKmQy59LeEpUW5tbEZhRHJmR1U/view?usp=sharing

.

tactmayor:
Wow...dis is also the course I applied for...which other skuls did u apply to?

Purdue University
University of Washington
Arizona State University

I think you should defer your admission till Fall 2018, Write GRE and reapply for Visa. The VO already noted the lack of GRE has a Major reason for your Visa denial. So, it would be a waste of time and resources to refire for the third time in a row. My Opinion though. Best Wishes.

bushlance:
So I had my second interview yesterday. I had already posted the first during which I wasn't confident enough to present my case.
So this is the 2nd:
V.O : Good morning
Me: Good morning ma'am (with a smile )
V.O: Why are you going to the US?
Me: I am going for my masters in Prjt Mangmt at Morgan state University Baltimore.
V.O : Why are you switching from Geology?
Me: Project Management will give me a right platform to grow in my career. I have taken on many project management projects in my organisation even gotten an award as a best project management team member on a Chevron Project but because I don't a degree in Project Management, Jobs are not assigned to me.
Also my organisation has stated in my study leave that on my return with this dregree from Morgan I will be qualified to apply for a promotion.
Project Management will not limit me to my Organisation as I intend to move to other industries on my return to Nigeria, gather experince and set up my own project management firm here in Nigeria.
V.O : (She looked really impressed)
Why did you choose Morgan ?
Me: Morgan offers an interdisciplinary project Management course. The program is board. And Ideal for my plans. I was excited by the thought that I will study scope management and integration. That is my major area of interest because Scope creeping is a major problem in the Nigerian project management field.
V.O: How did you hear about this school?
Me: It was initially recommended by my boss during my NYSC so when I decided to go for my Masters in the US I researched using Peterson's guide and College board. I found out... (She cut me short)
V.O: What was your highest degree on ?
Me: I have a Bachelor of Technology in Geology.
(She nodded )
V.O: So that is why you want you want to leave I.T?
Me: No GIS (Geographical Information System) not IT. (My current job) GIS is a part
Geology and GIS exposed me the experince I have acquired in Project Management so It is in line with my career plan.
V.O: (Starts typing.)
Sorry pls hold on.
Types for over 5mins.
(At this point I was feeling good)
V.O: Who is paying?
Me: My uncle.
V.O: What does he do?
Me: He is a civil engineer and also owns a real estate firm.
V.O: Buys and sells houses?
Me: No. He buys lands and develops. Build and sells.
V.O Nods)
Why is he sponsoring you.
Me: My mom trained him so this I like a pay back (Smiling)
V.O: Nods.
(Starts typing)
Me: was waiting for my white paper. Lol.
V.O: types for like 2 mins.
V.O: Did you write any standardised test ?
Me: Actually I was meant to. I had prepared to but on contacting the school I was informed that it was waived for me. I believe it was due to my work experince and the professional certifications I have bagged in Project management over the years.
V.O: Starts typing.
But it is clearly stated here on Morgan's website that you need GRE.
Me: Yes but the departments have their own requirements for each cousre.
V.O: Why would they have their requirement when it is stated on the site?
Me: That on the site is General but they have theirs based on the individual programs.
V.O : I am sorry you are blablabla.
Me: I still couldn't believe it.
I have written the school explaining my situation and they chair has replied promising to give me a letter to the embassy to prove that I didn't need the standardised exams.
DO I REAPPLY & PRESENT THE LETTER?
I AM CONFUSED. PLEASE GUYS KINDLY CRITICISE & ADVICE.

kylexy61:


Yes, after I applied to the four schs, one of my recommenders advised me in late November to do that. Unfortunately I had just bought a new laptop after my old one got spoilt. The new one cost quite a fortune and most of the deadlines were nearly up, 15th Dec.

In the end, I couldn't apply to any PhD. But I think I should still consider and see if any uni has their applications still open.

You should have sourced for funds or something. Getting admision is easy with a good grade but getting admision with funding is the hard part. Many crazy students are coming from India, China with profile like yours or even better, so funding competition gets crazier each year. Let me ask you, what aspect of Civil are you looking at? Environmental and Geotechnical aspect seem to have more funding than structures. So if you intend to specialize in Structures, try apply to 1 or 2 phd programs. Additionally check Washington state University, I know application closed 2 days ago but who knows, with your profile you might just make it if you complete your application in 1week. My phylisophy in life is to do my own part as well as possible so I dont regret later that what if I try harder bla bla

LagosismyHome:


Gpa are not calculated this way ..... totally wrong.

but I came here for a different comment . Never wise to put all youreggs in one basket

Lol..No he didnt. I thought so too when he said 1 top school, but he applied to 1 top school and other schools