JTDeus:
Hey, F1 Nairalanders! You guys rock! You guys tutored me wella

congrats brov. Just kukuma goan become a Priest
Lucky you nailed that doctrinal question (imagine you had said something odd ).certainly that VO knows somethings about doctrine.

You I-20 contains your earliest date of entry, if you enter after that time at any airport it is fine. Inform your admission officer about your travel plans and if he/she is fine it's okay. My school is in Mississippi but I am stopping at Dallas. My admission officer is okay with it.

JTDeus:
Hey, F1 Nairalanders! You guys rock! You guys tutored me wella on these insightful and generous pages.

I've been waiting for my visa delivery so that I'd have complete peace of mind while posting the transcript. Interview was Thursday, July 11th, in Abuja, 9am (that's 2 weeks already).

V.O. gave me white paper but mentioned that my visa would be put on hold so as to verify my submitted SOA. I've been tracking my status via both email, website, appointment page as well as call option too. They're all saying visa still with the embassy/consulate.

My story long o. But it's just a full testimony of God's favour and grace at work. I'm a first class student, with Bachelor's degrees in Philosophy (2009) and Theology (2014) respectively, PGDE from NTI (2015) and COMPTIA A+ from NIIT (2015). I'm 32 and I've been teaching since 2014, plus other engagements like NECO SSCE Supervisor, education board volunteer, ICT manager in an establishment, charity organisation experience, etc.

I applied for Licentiate in Sacred Theology from 2 Jesuit Schools in the US - Santa Clara University, California, and Boston College, Massachusetts.

Both schools offered scholarships. SCU replied first with 50% tuition scholarship, and I processed everything with them (i20, SEVIS fee, and nonrefundable enrolment deposit of $500). I even paid visa application fee and was about applying for visa when BC miraculously showed up last month. I didn't hear from them after application, and because I applied later than their deadline, I presumed they didn't take me. They just appeared last month with admission and 75% tuition scholarship, which I appealed and they increased to 100%. Bingo! �

I immediately applied to DHS for SEVIS fee transfer request from SCU to BC, which they did immediately and hitch free too. I went for visa interview with BC full tuition cover, while my uncle (same surname) takes care of other expenses. I used 2 SOA (dollar and naira respectively) from him issued in May for my admissions and i20 processing. He gave me sponsorship letter, together with another SOA printed July 10, a day to my interview.

VISA INTERVIEW:
Abuja, July 11th, 9am, window 6 or so, elderly white man who was very calm and gentle with me. Arrived consulate around 7:50am, got interviewed after the series of queues and processes around 10:35am or so.

My situation: No GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS or other standardised tests, and no external transcripts evaluations (none required); totally Virgin passport (but I've been to Benin and Ghana, and I filled them in my DS160); Single and childless; sponsored by uncle. Big mistake in my visa appointment form which I never discovered as I did all my stuff and printed myself, until the guys checking at the front desk pointed it out to me - I put my email address in place of my first name so the appointment page bears only my surname and email address, no first names. I almost fainted! Good enough, my email is a twist of my first names, so the identity connection won't be hard. They passed me on to the next screening stage though.

TRANSCRIPT:
(I'm not good at quoting verbatim, please, but you'll get the whole gist as much as I can).

We greeted and I passed my passport and i20.

VO: Are you in Orders? (meaning, are you a priest?)

Me: No

VO: I'm seeing Theology

Me: I've been in the seminary all my life but I didn't continue to the priesthood. I want to advance in Theology so I can lecture in the senior seminary or Catholic University when I return.

VO: Do you have a place to teach when you return?

Me: Yes (I dash him the letter I'm holding)

VO: What level of students are you teaching now?

Me: Secondary students, but I want to advance so I can teach in the higher institution.

VO: (goes into typing mode, so gentle all the way like he really wants to grant the visa but remembered he hadn't really asked me anything) Let me ask you just one question, a quick one. (I say, sure). Can you tell me the only doctrine the Pope has pronounced as infallible?

Me: (I never expected that. I was confused whether he meant the current Pope or past popes. He saw my confusion and said since Vatican. So I answered) We have the Immaculate Conception, we have the... (I wanted to continue but VO cuts in...)

VO: There you go! You did your Theology well! Did you obtain any bachelors during your seminary studies?

Me: Yes.

VO: What subjects?

Me: Philosophy and Theology

VO: (looking at my i20...) I see you have generous funding from the school. (I no talk. He moves down to my uncle.) Your uncle is taking care of the rest. Can I see...

Me: (I didn't let him finish. I dash am my sponsorship letter plus 3 different SOA for same uncle, two naira and one dollar account, all three legit. He looks at the SOAs and exclaims)

VO: These accounts are loaded. Your uncle must be well off. What does he do?

Me: (I tell him uncle's job and professional level.)

VO: I'll put your visa on hold while we verify these accounts against fraud. If you're guilty of fraud, you won't be allowed to enter the United States for...

Me: (I cut him off) Sure, I know. With all pleasure, please, you can confirm.

VO: (sticks a small white piece of paper behind my passport, gives me white A4 paper saying) This is for your visa (white paper showing visa approved and collection info).

(Gives me another cut white paper saying) This is specifically for your F1 visa (contains F1 travel guidelines).

(Keeps my passport. Hands back my i20 saying something like) Keep it on you while travelling, not in your bag (and so on... But I wasn't listening. The only thing in my head was... Run � � �)

VO was still giving final remarks but I was already towards the door in excitement and also fear of being called back for another thing again.

Me: (Already turned to run away �) bye bye, bye bye... God bless you, Sir!



Na so I take waka. I wasn't asked most of the usually expected questions. The only documents I presented were passport, i20, letter of employment confirmation and financial documents (letter of sponsorship and 3 SOA from uncle).

First, it's God. Then, truth is key. Also, struggle for good grades, you have less worry afterwards in academic adventures or application processes. Study the scope of the interview well and know what they're looking for. Try have documents to back up answers, and present the document to backup your claims as you're voicing oral answer too, because you may not be asked. Don't talk too much. Stay on the question. Let the VO lead the conversation. Don't answer the next question VO hasn't asked.

Pray my dear. Fast. Abstain from sin for that period. Make God a project as you make the visa a project and also make your documentation a project, and all will rhyme in that small cubicle. Pray to also meet a gentle VO. A guy immediately after me who came with the same school I got in California (SCU), with same 50% tuition scholarship I had with them, was not successful at the visa interview and he said the VO wasn't letting him talk (I got their i20 and paid SEVIS fee with them but switched to Boston that gave me 100% tuition scholarship, transfered my SEVIS record and went for visa interview with Boston College.)

Another thing, I feel they check social media profile, else they wouldn't ask you for it. Have a mature consistent social media profile that would make a potential employer take you if they were to look at your social media; a social media profile that can tell who you are, and also match what you filled in your DS160. I was expecting to feel tensed as I approached interview, but only remembered after the interview that I felt no tension at all. My VO made me at ease. It wasn't really a grilling interview, but more of a coffee chat. He was an angel!

However, I've still not been contacted for my visa collection and tracking is saying still at embassy. I filled PH as my pick-up location. The white paper said 4 working days if using pick-up. It's 2 whole weeks now, that's 10 or 11 working days. What's your take guys about my situation?

Also, what's take about landing at a POE different from your school airport? I want to land in Los Angeles for some days before moving to Boston? Any concerns about immigration wahala if I do so?

My empathy to all those not yet successful, and best wishes to those going soonest. One love, Nairaland! ✌

Flaame:
Good morning dear sharwama, better pikin.... Please don't mind my previous post, it was just me seeking for the queens attention, please mami, I need your help so I'll add finish touches to my transcript. You said the best place to get you is here, so here I am.... Please locate me dear. Thanks!

Whenever you are ready.

@walspring please check your mail!!

sharwama:

Whenever you are ready.

Okay, can I have your contact please

Silent reader since 2016.
Lagos Consulate
July 18 - 8am
Window 5, White guy with beards.

Background : I had a wrong course on my I-20 , I’m currently at a Uni here in Nigeria - 4th year. I filled it in my Ds-160 form. (Thanks to Fairheart for asking me to keep it real)

VO Good Morning Sir
Me Good Morning Sir
VO Pass your docs (passed passport, I20 and sevis)
VO Why are you going to the US
Me I’m going for my bachelor of science degree in Mathematics from EWC.
VO Okay, *oh wait* did you say mathematics? He checked my I20 and saw Mass communication there.
Me That’s a mistake, I’ve been told it would be changed once I get there.
VO No No No (firmly)
Me I have an email from my dso
VO No, I don’t want to see any email (fear caught me)
VO Started typing and was muttering things to himself.
VO Why this school?
Me Of all the schools I applied to, this school offered me their prestigious presidential full ride scholarship which covers my entire cost.
*VO checks the I20 again, then continues typing*
Me It’s a small liberal art college which gives me a close relationship with my instructors. They also have this special academic program called FAME which helps new students integrate seamlessly into the student community.
VO How many schools did you apply to
Me I started 4 and completed 3
VO How many admits?
Me All 3
VO Name then
Me EWC, ASU, MSU.
VO Okay you said you have an email, let me see
Me Passes email where the dso explains that the course would be corrected upon my arrival.
VO So which department admitted you. Is it the communications department or Mathematics department.
Me We undergraduates don’t get to declare our major till the 3rd year.
VO Okay, starts typing while muttering things to himself.
VO so which course do you want to study
Me Mathematics
VO Why
Me I’ve always been fond of and inquisitive about (VO cuts in)
VO *Uses his hand to demonstrate that I’m giving him a rehearsed response* Give me something specific to you. Why do you want to study mathematics?
Me Mathematics has always been my core strength and I want to explore my mathematical prowess.
VO what do you mean by core strength
Me I’ve always loved numbers and I’m good with them.
VO What level of mathematics are you?
Me College level
VO what do you mean by college level
Me algebra and calculus
VO Okay what’s the difference between Integration and Differentiation
Me *I wasn’t expecting that* I told him correctly although I was breaking seriously and trying to demonstrate with my hands.
VO Okay. Which of them do I use to find the area covered by a curve ?
Me Integration
VO Okay. He starts typing
VO typed for so long but he kept looking up once in a while. I tried to maintain eye contact but it wasn’t possible. I was just tensed and I could literally hear my heartbeat banging.
VO Okay you seem to be a credible student but I want you to update your sevis record before going. You have to update it here not there.
*He brought out a white paper and ticked additional documentation * He returned my passport too.
VO Get an updated I20 and drop it with dhl.
Me Okay Thank you, I left.

I requested for a new I20 immediately after the interview and it arrived on Wednesday. I dropped it, my passport and the white paper with DHL on the same day and my status changed to issued today.

@homirefacuny , thanks for the email.
@Brown2green , thanks for your words.

Special thanks to @Fairheart. I don’t know what would have happened without you in this process. I’m saying it again ... “if not for you I for don go chop hot beans for embassy” Thanks for the morning and night mocks , scolding and everything.

Best201195:
Silent reader since 2016.
Lagos Consulate
July 18 - 8am
Window 5, White guy with beards.

Background : I had a wrong course on my I-20 , I’m currently at a Uni here in Nigeria - 4th year. I filled it in my Ds-160 form. (Thanks to Fairheart for asking me to keep it real)

VO Good Morning Sir
Me Good Morning Sir
VO Pass your docs (passed passport, I20 and sevis)
VO Why are you going to the US
Me I’m going for my bachelor of science degree in Mathematics from EWC.
VO Okay, *oh wait* did you say mathematics? He checked my I20 and saw Mass communication there.
Me That’s a mistake, I’ve been told it would be changed once I get there.
VO No No No (firmly)
Me I have an email from my dso
VO No, I don’t want to see any email (fear caught me)
VO Started typing and was muttering things to himself.
VO Why this school?
Me Of all the schools I applied to, this school offered me their prestigious presidential full ride scholarship which covers my entire cost.
*VO checks the I20 again, then continues typing*
Me It’s a small liberal art college which gives me a close relationship with my instructors. They also have this special academic program called FAME which helps new students integrate seamlessly into the student community.
VO How many schools did you apply to
Me I started 4 and completed 3
VO How many admits?
Me All 3
VO Name then
Me EWC, ASU, MSU.
VO Okay you said you have an email, let me see
Me Passes email where the dso explains that the course would be corrected upon my arrival.
VO So which department admitted you. Is it the communications department or Mathematics department.
Me We undergraduates don’t get to declare our major till the 3rd year.
VO Okay, starts typing while muttering things to himself.
VO so which course do you want to study
Me Mathematics
VO Why
Me I’ve always been fond of and inquisitive about (VO cuts in)
VO *Uses his hand to demonstrate that I’m giving him a rehearsed response* Give me something specific to you. Why do you want to study mathematics?
Me Mathematics has always been my core strength and I want to explore my mathematical prowess.
VO what do you mean by core strength
Me I’ve always loved numbers and I’m good with them.
VO What level of mathematics are you?
Me College level
VO what do you mean by college level
Me algebra and calculus
VO Okay what’s the difference between Integration and Differentiation
Me *I wasn’t expecting that* I told him correctly although I was breaking seriously and trying to demonstrate with my hands.
VO Okay. Which of them do I use to find the area covered by a curve ?
Me Integration
VO Okay. He starts typing
VO typed for so long but he kept looking up once in a while. I tried to maintain eye contact but it wasn’t possible. I was just tensed and I could literally hear my heartbeat banging.
VO Okay you seem to be a credible student but I want you to update your sevis record before going. You have to update it here not there.
*He brought out a white paper and ticked additional documentation * He returned my passport too.
VO Get an updated I20 and drop it with dhl.
Me Okay Thank you, I left.

I requested for a new I20 immediately after the interview and it arrived on Wednesday. I dropped it, my passport and the white paper with DHL on the same day and my status changed to issued today.

@homirefacuny , thanks for the email.
@Brown2green , thanks for your words.

Special thanks to @Fairheart. I don’t know what would have happened without you in this process. I’m saying it again ... “if not for you I for don go chop hot beans for embassy” Thanks for the morning and night mocks , scolding and everything.

Congratulations bro!
God bless your new journey

Best201195:
Silent reader since 2016.
Lagos Consulate
July 18 - 8am
Window 5, White guy with beards.

Congrats... May God bless your new journey

justwise:
@ProYouWebsiteUK

Any more advertisement here will earn you a ban

I think you should have said it better than this.

Advertising keeee?? Haaaahaaaaa. The person asked question which I thought I could help. I don't know bymafit CEO not to talk of working there so how come would I be advertising for them. I did my registration there and someone was asking where he/she could do Same registration. I'm not advertising oooo. How does that even sound like an advertisement?

Even if you did not feel good about it and you wanted to correct it, you could have said it in a polite way and not the way you said it and threatened to ban me as if Nairaland is the only way to make heaven and the only way to paradise.

That statement was extremely awkward.

ProYouWebsiteUK:

I think you should have said it better than this.

Advertising keeee?? Haaaahaaaaa. The person asked question which I thought I could help. I don't know bymafit CEO not to talk of working there so how come would I be advertising for them. I did my registration there and someone was asking where he/she could do Same registration. I'm not advertising oooo. How does that even sound like an advertisement?

Even if you did not feel good about it and you wanted to correct it, you could have said it in a polite way and not the way you said it and threatened to ban me as if Nairaland is the only way to make heaven and the only way to paradise.

That statement was extremely awkward.

Yes its an ad and you have done it 4times already.

Hi guys!

While filling my DS 160, I indicated that I have no relative in the US.

However my Dad's sister is in the US, but I have no form of relationship/ contact with her.
I selected the no relative option by default, now I'm concerned the link can be traced to me and pose problems.

Please, what is the best way to handle this if I'm asked at the Visa Interview?

Grace2516:
Hi guys!

While filling my DS 160, I indicated that I have no relative in the US.

However my Dad's sister is in the US, but I have no form of relationship/ contact with her.
I selected the no relative option by default, now I'm concerned the link can be traced to me and pose problems.

Please, what is the best way to handle this if I'm asked at the Visa Interview?

you can fill a new DS 160 and submit

Time2win:


you can fill a new DS 160 and submit

my interview is tomorrow

dipomania070:


Try it during the working hours...

Thanks boss

Grace2516:



my interview is tomorrow

you can't change anything again, attend your interview like that

CHUUKKSS:
You I-20 contains your earliest date of entry, if you enter after that time at any airport it is fine. Inform your admission officer about your travel plans and if he/she is fine it's okay. My school is in Mississippi but I am stopping at Dallas. My admission officer is okay with it.

The way you worded this is can be confusing and misinterpreted . .....if you first enter after your i20 start date it is not fine and you can be denied entry .

I dont want anyone resuming late and having issues at POE . While your comment is earliest date it can be confused for i20 date

Best201195:
Silent reader since 2016.
Lagos Consulate
July 18 - 8am
Window 5, White guy with beards.
Me I’m going for my bachelor of science degree in Mathematics from EWC.

congrats bro. you mind dropping the exact name of the school to also help others who might wish to apply there.
thanks

Grace2516:
Hi guys!

While filling my DS 160, I indicated that I have no relative in the US.

However my Dad's sister is in the US, but I have no form of relationship/ contact with her.
I selected the no relative option by default, now I'm concerned the link can be traced to me and pose problems.

Please, what is the best way to handle this if I'm asked at the Visa Interview?

We should always aim to be truthful.... if your dad sister is in the US why did you click no. You should have clicked yes which is truthful and then at the interview explain you are not intouch if asked

LagosismyHome:


The way you worded this is can be confusing and misinterpreted . .....if you first enter after your i20 start date it is not fine and you can be denied entry .

I dont want anyone resuming late and having issues at POE . While your comment is earliest date it can be confused for i20 date

You mean program start date?

Oh, what am trying to say is on the I-20 we have earliest admission date, start of class date. You can start coming to the USA when the earliest admission date reaches.

LagosismyHome:


The way you worded this is can be confusing and misinterpreted . .....if you first enter after your i20 start date it is not fine and you can be denied entry .

I dont want anyone resuming late and having issues at POE . While your comment is earliest date it can be confused for i20 date

CHUUKKSS:
Oh, what am trying to say is on the I-20 we have earliest admission date, start of class date. You can start coming to the USA when the earliest admission date reaches.

Thanks

I have to start moving to the USA for my post graduate studies.
B.eng Civil Engineering, 2.1.
Prospective Masters in Structural engineering

Best201195:
Silent reader since 2016.
Lagos Consulate
July 18 - 8am
Window 5, White guy with beards.


Special thanks to @Fairheart. I don’t know what would have happened without you in this process. I’m saying it again ... “if not for you I for don go chop hot beans for embassy” Thanks for the morning and night mocks , scolding and everything.

Congratulations

Please, is talking about the class size of a school when asked why a particular school was chosen by a VO cool? P.S it's an undergrad degree

Senatorbee:

Of course I traveled to Lagos immediately I was approved my Visa
And I collected it in Lagos at isolo after being issued

Thank you I appreciate

Good evening NL people,

Please is it possible to still get an interview date for first week of August at Abuja its pretty Urgent.

SEQUIN:
Good evening NL people,

Please is it possible to still get an interview date for first week of August at Abuja its pretty Urgent.

And you dey blow kiss

Well I pray so cuz 27th August is still available