omofola93:
Lagos Consulate 6:30...Wednesday Morning (19/06)
V. O: What's your highest degree
Me: I have a bachelor of Pharmacy degree
V. O: When did you complete this
Me: 2016
V. O: What have you been doing since then
Me: I worked for a couple of months as a locum pharmacist before I went for my one year internship program to become a licensed pharmacist, then I went for my compulsory one year National Youth service, which I completed in April, I was retained where I served and I work there till now.
V. O: Did you apply to any other school
Me: Yes I did
V. O: Name them
Me: SDSU, OUHSC, WSU
V.O: Were u admitted in any other school
Me: No, I was rejected at wsu and ouhsc and waitlisted at sdsu
V.O: What will you be doing as a research assistant
Me: I would be working in the laboratory of Dr Wood, who I would be assisting in setting up of laboratories ans working on his current work in d development of immunotherapeutic for the treatment of cancer
V. O: Thank you, what would you do after your program
Me: I would return back to nigeria to work as a research scientist and academic at my undergraduate university, where I would promote the local production of pharmaceuticals in Nigeria
V. O: Are u married
Me: No
V. O: Do you have any kids.
Me: No
V. O: your passport would be available for pickup in d next three days, seems your pick up location is isolo? Have a nice day
Me: Kukuma Catwalk out with grace

Thank y'all for being a part of this Journey.

Congratulations!!!!

I've been wondering..what's the use of 'are you married?' and 'do you have kids?' when VO's can see all that in their system.

I've seen those questions in the end of delayed transcripts with Yes and Yes as the responses, and in the end of approved transcripts with No and No as responses.

These VO's are trying to make us oblivious of the responses that led to their decision.

LagosismyHome:


Nigerians are now treated more harshly because our people don do and undo so sadly everyone is painted with the same brush .....

My sister after secondary school came and stayed with me for 6 months in UK, 2 months in USA and about 4 months in Canada . That because she took a gap year as we felt she was too young to enter Uni so she went travelling instead . If she needed a visa from Nigeria when she started Uni in the states , that might have come back to be an issue... But the point of the story is really 2 months or 6 months holiday or even a gap year holiday for a child that young is really not a big issue (some Americans take full gap year and go travelling) but as our people don spoil everything, little things like that becomes an issue ......... you cant blame people from trying all they can to have a baby outside Nigeria these days

I would say she should try again, just review some of her response about school and make sure they sound smart ...lol. interview is so subjective jare, she can go next time and the next Vo won't have any issue with 2 months. This thing it's all about the voices in the Vo head . Does she have any scholarship or funding. Also check that it's a reasonable rated school

thank you so much for your response, God bless you. yes, she was on a gap year because of age like you said. the reason for our hesitation for her to go back is that we are not even sure of what to fix before her next interview, let them not be denying her multiple times at that age. we are still protective of her, that's our baby lol

[quote author=Passion2009 post=79470724]

Yes. She also needs to make the VO understand it was a summer vacation(alongisde her sister giving birth to a baby) and her high school was on holiday. She can also make reference to visiting the U.S more than 15times. I think she should have responded to the question of: have you been to the U.S before with "Yes, fifteen times". That may have made the VO more comfortable than "Yes, for 2months."


Cc Abike12. [/quote

very valid points, thank you.

AgreatMan:


I think u r taking it too far while subtly insulting most people on this thread with the "it's not a big deal" card.

U said d US is not a big deal, yet u have spent 20years there. Everyone on this thread thinks d US is a big deal, that's y they contribute. But not everyone's life depends on the US. It's a big deal to the girl n is certainly a big financial deal to her father who is only coughing out 18k per year out of his 40k SOA. Even you, u r this worked up about what u feel is not a big deal. You even went as far as prepping her with questions u gleaned from this thread, but somehow still said it's not a big deal.

Times have changed and TWoods have provided a plausible reason, prepare the girl again and try at least one more time.

apologies if it sounded like that, I meant it literally. of course waking up at 6am to go to an interview for a school that you planned to attend and getting denied is a big deal. the problem is we are not even sure of what happened and what to fix so it's discouraging. coupled with the fact that we've never faced a denial, we just freaked out and abandoned the mission.

Passion2009:




I advise she reapplies and then appear before a VO more prepared. She has an incredible travel history and she only needs to make a case for her reason to study in the U.S. She needs to be confident, factual and convincing. She also needs to make the VO understand it was a summer vacation(alongisde her sister giving birth to a baby) and her high school was on holiday. Also, put God first.

we all fasted and prayed and didn't take it for granted since a visa is not her birthright. that's why i'm even questioning that is it God's will for her to study here. I know it will be more convenient for me to have her close by but she has her own life to live and her own destiny. it is well.

Nigeria have net quota really!!! with all the private schools, if you can afford to go for BSc in America, then you should be able to afford a private school in Nigeria, you need to figure out a better explanation why there is a gap in your education, then apply again

Deefav:
Good morning ☺
my visa was denied today at 6.30Am in Lagos.
I was interviewed by the old white man at window 1.
me: Good morning
VO: pass me your passport and i20.
passed
VO: when did you graduate high school?
Me: 2017.
VO: Are you in any school here?
Me: No
VO: Why? What have you been doing since
Me: I applied to schools here after I graduated in 2017 but I didn't get in and then I started SAT and Toefl tutorials in 2019.
VO: why didn't you get in
Me: um (I said something like) universities in Nigeria have a set quota of people that they admit per year and unfortunately I didn't get in. ( it was along the line of this)
VO: so you took SAT the whole year
Me: Trying to explain the duration for which I attended SAT and Toefl lessons when he cut me off and said " your visa has been denied"
I was really upset, the whole thing happened really really fast.
I'm scared of getting rejected again ☺ and dates are far gone.
I picked McNeese state university.
Had a waiver and scholarship of $11902 Deficit of $15k
SAT 1330 Toefl 109

abike12:
wow things have really changed since I got my F1 visa almost 20 years ago...

thank you so much to everyone that contributes on here. I used a lot of the information from this thread to prepare my sister for her interview. she has been visiting the US almost every year since she was a handheld baby. I will try to give as much of a transcript as possible to give back in my little way.

background: undergraduate, sponsored by parents who live in Nigeria. i20 deficit - $18,200, SOA belonging to our dad: around $40k for the past 6 months

greetings and passed VO her i20
VO: Why did you choose business administration?
A: she gave her reasons and said she will be focusing in Human Resources
VO: when last did you visit the US and for how long
A: last year and for two months
VO: Why did you stay for two months
A: for Christmas and to see sister (me) who had a baby
*tried to give documentation for birth of her niece and the VO pushed it back*
VO: what does she do
A: gave answer
VO: what company
A: forgot and hesitated
VO: what are your plans after graduation
A: to return to Nigeria and work for a few years before getting MBA
VO: unfortunately you don't qualify for the visa

To applicants:
If you have any immediate family member here, please remember all their basic info, where they work, how many kids, address, immigration status and how they got it, etc.

If you are planning to come and study and have all your money, please apply to schools in Canada as backup so these people don't delay your life.

If you have no travel history, fear not, because as you can see travel history doesn't equal visa.

He didn't collect any document from her apart from i20 and seemed to be hung up on the fact that she spent 2 months here on holiday when she was given a two year visa and has been to the US at least 15 times, as well as other countries. If they are discriminating against non-STEM degrees, well that's just hilarious. We won't be reapplying and will try the more peaceful, serene and happy Canada.

Good luck to all and thank you for sharing all your experiences.

lol!...Canada...even with their peaceful, serene and happy Canada...they no get joy when it comes to their immigration process too.

Go to the Canadian Student Visa Thread and see how it takes months upon months to get feedback either with approval or denial responses from them.

Times have changed our brothers and sisters really messed up the visa process, but it doesn't mean you guys should give up, prep her with mock interviews make sure her responses are reasonable enough, it could also help if she's going to a top tier school and has some scholarship

abike12:


apologies if it sounded like that, I meant it literally. of course waking up at 6am to go to an interview for a school that you planned to attend and getting denied is a big deal. the problem is we are not even sure of what happened and what to fix so it's discouraging. coupled with the fact that we've never faced a denial, we just freaked out and abandoned the mission.

Beautyaddy:


lol!...Canada...even with their peaceful, serene and happy Canada...they no get joy when it comes to their immigration process too.

Go to the Canadian Student Visa Thread and see how it takes months upon months to get feedback either with approval or denial responses from them.

ok, thanks. and goodluck with your process as well.

omofola93:
Lagos Consulate 6:30...Wednesday Morning (19/06)
V. O: What's your highest degree
Me: I have a bachelor of Pharmacy degree
V. O: When did you complete this
Me: 2016
V. O: What have you been doing since then
Me: I worked for a couple of months as a locum pharmacist before I went for my one year internship program to become a licensed pharmacist, then I went for my compulsory one year National Youth service, which I completed in April, I was retained where I served and I work there till now.
V. O: Did you apply to any other school
Me: Yes I did
V. O: Name them
Me: SDSU, OUHSC, WSU
V.O: Were u admitted in any other school
Me: No, I was rejected at wsu and ouhsc and waitlisted at sdsu
V.O: What will you be doing as a research assistant
Me: I would be working in the laboratory of Dr Wood, who I would be assisting in setting up of laboratories ans working on his current work in d development of immunotherapeutic for the treatment of cancer
V. O: Thank you, what would you do after your program
Me: I would return back to nigeria to work as a research scientist and academic at my undergraduate university, where I would promote the local production of pharmaceuticals in Nigeria
V. O: Are u married
Me: No
V. O: Do you have any kids.
Me: No
V. O: your passport would be available for pickup in d next three days, seems your pick up location is isolo? Have a nice day
Me: Kukuma Catwalk out with grace

Thank y'all for being a part of this Journey.

Congratulations.
Please were you fully funded?

I thought they said they don't give Nigerians students visa again but someone got f1 visa today doe it mean the information is false

Nehemiah77:


Congratulations.
Please were you fully funded?

Can't you see research assistantship position he mentioned? Meaning it's a funded program

Congratulations
, guess u had full funding with no deficits ight?

akannium:
My Visa Experience
Date: 19-06-19
Time: 06:30
Consulate: Lagos
Consular Officer: "The old man"
Counter: 1


CO: Pass my your i20 and passport.
Me: Morning Sir, I did as requested.

CO: Are you going for a straight PhD?
Me: I'd be obtaining an MSc along the way.

CO: When did you graduate from high school?
Me: 2007

CO: What's your Bachelor's degree in?
Me: Chemical Engineering.

CO seemed concerned, Systems and Chemical.
Me: The Systems Engineering program is an interdisciplinary one. I would have a concentration in Petroleum Engineering.


CO: Starred at the form i20 and said "I would be approving your Visa".

Thanks to everyone who shared their Visa experience. I learned a great deal from those.

Please anyone posting his transcript should try and follow this format, it will help others

Embassy Location:

School name:

Program:

Status: either approved or refused

Before telling us your experience at the embassy/conversation with the Visa officer.

abike12:


thank you so much for your response, God bless you. yes, she was on a gap year because of age like you said. the reason for our hesitation for her to go back is that we are not even sure of what to fix before her next interview, let them not be denying her multiple times at that age. we are still protective of her, that's our baby lol

How many can you protect against. It is all part of growing up and build resilience . Don't go and over baby her ooo..... there are rejections all through life visa , on campus job, graduation job. Etc. It a tough world out there and only the strongest make it

Beautyaddy:


lol!...Canada...even with their peaceful, serene and happy Canada...they no get joy when it comes to their immigration process too.

Go to the Canadian Student Visa Thread and see how it takes months upon months to get feedback either with approval or denial responses from them.

True... their process seems more tedious and they historically had a high number of rejections for student and visting visa.

abike12:


we all fasted and prayed and didn't take it for granted since a visa is not her birthright. that's why i'm even questioning that is it God's will for her to study here. I know it will be more convenient for me to have her close by but she has her own life to live and her own destiny. it is well.

Nigerians you all need to leave God alone.... . He is busy ooo

LagosismyHome:


How many can you protect against. It is all part of growing up and build resilience . Don't go and over baby her ooo..... there are rejections all through life visa , on campus job, graduation job. Etc. It a tough world out there and only the strongest make it

You're right. Thanks for the encouragement and yes, we need to let her stand on her own. Once she starts school, no more meddling.

Passion2009:




I advise she reapplies and then appear before a VO more prepared. She has an incredible travel history and she only needs to make a case for her reason to study in the U.S. She needs to be confident, factual and convincing. She also needs to make the VO understand it was a summer vacation(alongisde her sister giving birth to a baby) and her high school was on holiday. Also, put God first.

summer vacation and Christmas holiday, no bearing

CptCharlesVane:


Show that you accept responsibility for your shortcomings, even though many times the decisions are largely subjective. When asked say: "I am better prepared to present my case as I was unconvincing the last time" (Yes, take the blame like Akon and don't say it's the VO who didn't give you a chance)

In my opinion , you didn't own up with your response about admission into a university in Nigeria. You should've been upfront saying "I was slightly below the cut-off for admission and didn't qualify for an admission ..." Saying quotas, although true, appears to absolve yourself from your responsibility in the outcome. Don't blame JAMB or the system or anyone at interviews.

At interviews, you turn negatives to positives in interviews, so to follow up a response like that above, say something like: "... so it made me doubly determined to secure a scholarship at a much better and equipped university in the US" (which you did btw)

You should anticipate such questions when there are gaps in education and employment history. A typical question is "What have you been doing since xxxx?" Also, let what you say be consistent with what was filled on the DS form. I noticed after submitting, you no longer have access to the information on the form, so print the review before submitting and practice answers for specific questions.

There are general questions and there are specific questions tailored to each individual according to your profile. Use yours to raise questions and provide answers that you'll be confident about. For example, if you responded on the form that you have family or relative in the US, anticipate questions such as: "how long have they been in US?"... etc for something like this you shoud have at least 5 possible questions

It's never easy being on the spot but the good thing is that the more you practice the more confident you become.

Best of luck with your next interview

On the response to what change:'I am better prepared to prepare my case as I was unconvincing the last time'

What of if the VO then ask:'You were not prepared and you want to go and spend thousands of dollars for a degree?

I saw someone that was denied I think yesterday that said exactly the same thing....infact,he/she was denied immediately.The transcript was on this thread I can't remember the moniker though!

Yes I am

Nehemiah77:


Congratulations.
Please were you fully funded?

Embassy Location: Abuja

School name: ETSU

Program: MPH

Status: Refused

VO: Good morning, pass me ur passport and I 20
Me: good morning ma, docs passed

VO: why East Tennessee SU? *Though not audible enough
Me: cos of their well structured practically oriented academic curriculum which is what I actually needed for my training so as to be able to impact maximally in our health system once I come back after the program.

VO: I can see u are a doctor, working.... Where did u have ur degree
Me: answered in affirmation

VO: how will you be funding this studies
Me: I have a GA offer which comes with tuition waiver and stipends, my uncle will be assisting with the deficits

VO: Do you have letter from the school for the GA?
Me: No

VO: what will you be doing as a GA?
Me: working with Prof...on his current work on....
Went on explaining details

VO: sorry this paper will explain why you are not eligible for this visa at this time

Green coloured paper handed over. Felt depressed for 2days.
Please guys I need your thorough perusal and advice on what to do.
Thanks in anticipation.

.

Stanmedix:
Embassy Location: Abuja

School name: ETSU

Program: MPH

Status: Refused

VO: Good morning, pass me ur passport and I 20
Me: good morning ma, docs passed

VO: why East Tennessee SU? *Though not audible enough
Me: cos of their well structured practically oriented academic curriculum which is what I actually needed for my training so as to be able to impact maximally in our health system once I come back after the program.

VO: I can see u are a doctor, working.... Where did u have ur degree
Me: answered in affirmation

VO: how will you be funding this studies
Me: I have a GA offer which comes with tuition waiver and stipends, my uncle will be assisting with the deficits

VO: Do you have letter from the school for the GA?
Me: No

VO: what will you be doing as a GA?
Me: working with Prof...on his current work on....
Went on explaining details

VO: sorry this paper will explain why you are not eligible for this visa at this time

Green coloured paper handed over. Felt depressed for 2days.
Please guys I need your thorough perusal and advice on what to do.
Thanks in anticipation.

How much is your deficit ?

Stanmedix:
Embassy Location: Abuja

School name: ETSU

Program: MPH

Status: Refused

VO: Good morning, pass me ur passport and I 20
Me: good morning ma, docs passed

VO: why East Tennessee SU? *Though not audible enough
Me: cos of their well structured practically oriented academic curriculum which is what I actually needed for my training so as to be able to impact maximally in our health system once I come back after the program.

VO: I can see u are a doctor, working.... Where did u have ur degree
Me: answered in affirmation

VO: how will you be funding this studies
Me: I have a GA offer which comes with tuition waiver and stipends, my uncle will be assisting with the deficits

VO: Do you have letter from the school for the GA?
Me: No

VO: what will you be doing as a GA?
Me: working with Prof...on his current work on....
Went on explaining details

VO: sorry this paper will explain why you are not eligible for this visa at this time

Green coloured paper handed over. Felt depressed for 2days.
Please guys I need your thorough perusal and advice on what to do.
Thanks in anticipation.

What does the green paper say?

Please can I use a photo of 24kb for the visa?

Stanmedix:
Embassy Location: Abuja

School name: ETSU

Program: MPH

Status: Refused

VO: Good morning, pass me ur passport and I 20
Me: good morning ma, docs passed

VO: why East Tennessee SU? *Though not audible enough
Me: cos of their well structured practically oriented academic curriculum which is what I actually needed for my training so as to be able to impact maximally in our health system once I come back after the program.

VO: I can see u are a doctor, working.... Where did u have ur degree
Me: answered in affirmation

VO: how will you be funding this studies
Me: I have a GA offer which comes with tuition waiver and stipends, my uncle will be assisting with the deficits

VO: Do you have letter from the school for the GA?
Me: No

VO: what will you be doing as a GA?
Me: working with Prof...on his current work on....
Went on explaining details

VO: sorry this paper will explain why you are not eligible for this visa at this time

Green coloured paper handed over. Felt depressed for 2days.
Please guys I need your thorough perusal and advice on what to do.
Thanks in anticipation.

Is your GA stated on your i20

Stanmedix:
Embassy Location: Abuja

School name: ETSU

Program: MPH

Status: Refused

VO: Good morning, pass me ur passport and I 20
Me: good morning ma, docs passed

VO: why East Tennessee SU? *Though not audible enough
Me: cos of their well structured practically oriented academic curriculum which is what I actually needed for my training so as to be able to impact maximally in our health system once I come back after the program.

VO: I can see u are a doctor, working.... Where did u have ur degree
Me: answered in affirmation

VO: how will you be funding this studies
Me: I have a GA offer which comes with tuition waiver and stipends, my uncle will be assisting with the deficits

VO: Do you have letter from the school for the GA?
Me: No

VO: what will you be doing as a GA?
Me: working with Prof...on his current work on....
Went on explaining details

VO: sorry this paper will explain why you are not eligible for this visa at this time

Green coloured paper handed over. Felt depressed for 2days.
Please guys I need your thorough perusal and advice on what to do.
Thanks in anticipation.

What was displayed on your I20?

What's your deficits?

$12k

Time2win:


How much is your deficit ?

About not being eligible

hollateejay:


What does the green paper say?

Yes

LagosismyHome:


Is your GA stated on your i20

The GA and stipends about
Deficit about $12k

Brown2Green:



What was displayed on your I20?

What's your deficits?