I understand very well and quite agree with you and of course the OP. My point is that in addition to the right fit (good CGPA, GRE, etc), securing a potential Professor to support your application is one of the MAIN criteria for evaluation (especially Ph.D. admission). This is necessary because not all Profs admit students yearly for some reason (the lab is full, no funding, retiring soon, etc) as such if you apply, they won't review it. It's highly important to establish contact prior to application. Although this depends on each school and such information (securing prior or not) will be stated on the departmental website. But in most cases, you need at least ONE. Some schools will even state explicitly that "they won't review the documents of students without the support of a potential Prof".

fairheart:
I think what sultanfortune was saying is that his application was not competitive enough! While securing a supervisor is usually encouraged, not able to secure one prior admission doesn't mean application is automatically rejected. I can tell you based on experience that the applicant was not accepted into the program because of the quality of his application. The guy in question applied to schools well within top 50 schools in the US. Norte Dome for example, is ranked very high. Your GRE, SOP, etc, couple with experience must be competitive. A potential supervisor will evaluate you before he say go ahead! Note that a top 20 school will be looking for top 10 to top 20 students in GRE, GPA, etc. [/b]In this case, you can't get in if your application is not strong; in fact, no supervisor will give you attention, because you are well below the standard they are looking for. I learn this from Pepperdine! Haven't you contact a graduate school for inquery and when they see your GPA, GRE, and work experience, they tell you: [b]"You are a very strong student; while I cannot personally promise you admission, there is high chance you will get into our program. We look for students like you" More so, these top schools handpick applicants; they don't just ditch admission out. If he has highly competitive application, I can tell you he would have been accepted and then recommend him to a potential supervisor.

No school will overlook a student with GPA of 3.75 and above, 320-above in GRE, strong SOP, undergraduate education from top school in the US, Europe or Asia over someone with 310 from Nigeria. Remember, they are doing business, and it is required that they pick only highly qualified students that will contribute to the high standard of the department and the entire school profile. Anything short of this na waste of money--even if you have a supervisor that is ready, they would still not offer admission. That is my take, based on experiences with my students!

In your response to why the course, you need to add more salt. Although you appear to know why you pick the course, you didn't state clearly what you intend to do with the degree. Are you going to be a programmer and video game designer? State that specifically. The consular would sense this is something you want, hence a valid reason for going for the degree.

You started your response to why this school with generic tone, which is very common on this thread. A student should not start his response to an interview question like this. Say, "I" chose Lynn University because of ...Personalise! Personalise! That is the key
Generally, your response there should be rewritten.

How do you plan to link your undergraduate course, present employment and the program you are going for? You haven't done that in your transcript.

Also, look at what you said you will come home to do after graduation? You want to go to the US to study games, interactive design, then after two years, you will return to Nigeria, hang the certificate and continue with sales of building materials? Are you joking?
Abeg, go and rewrite the entire transcript. I am not impressed at all! But hey, this is my assessment; I am not a consular.

uzmu:
please Guru in the house help review my intending Transcript,b4 my interview i will be going for the 4th time.


QUESTIONS

WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO?

Am going to lynn university,Boca Raton Florida for my Masters deqree program in
Games and interactive Media Design,with specialization in Interactive
media design and front end Development .

WHY GAMES AND INTERACTIVE MEDIA DESIGN?

I have always have a penchat for programming and especially how most programing
lauguage interact with front end development irrespective of their platforms,i had my first
degree in computer science and a certificate in Java Technology ,using web component Technologies,
having a masters deqgree will help broaden my horizon by giving me the technical skill-set required.

WHO DO YOU HEAR ABOUT THE SCH

From my undergradute course mate who had is M.sc from there,and he currently works
with Ericson Nigeria,he told me about the Quality of their Education and how its Researched
based,after which i checked online using us news to see there rating and ranking.

HOW MANY SCHOOLS DID YOU APPLIED TO

I applied to 3 others schools,university of southern California,Tuft university, and utah valley university.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE LYNN?

Because of its Diversity and innovation
The programs are Accelerated and Affordable
Award winning ipad-powered programs
good faculty Ratio of 18:1
cause of the research currently going on interactive Media
cause of its Rich curriculum that offers a course in web marketing and search
engine optimization,which is of kneel interest to me.

WHAT DO U DO?
Am a bossiness man,am into sales and supply of building materials.
NB,having being working in an IT Firm for the past 8 years,Resigned into full time business

WHO IS SPONSORING YOU?

Me dad,He is the deputy Registrar in one of the state owned polytechnic. and i also have so savings too

YOU HAVE BEING DENIED B4,WHAT HAS CHANGED?

This time am going to a Top Ranked university of all my admit,
I now have document to show i have ties to my home country.

WHY ARE YOU CHANGING UNIVERSITY

Cause am interested in schools where i can get good Quality education that is well
ranked and recognized.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER GRADUATUION?

Upon Graduation i will return back to Nigeria and continue with my Business while i seek gainfully
employment,cause i know my degree will enable me to stand out.

WHAT WILL THIS DEGREE DO FOR YOU?

This Degree will equip me with the technical skills required to be a web Developer and digital marketer,
this will in turn give my Business a complete boost and make it more competitive as most business today
are now online.

WHAT ARE THE COURSE U WILL BE OFFERING?

Web Design Technology
Design Management
Analytical website interface & usability
web Marketing and search Engine optimization
Advanced web Technology
web Applications.
just mentioned this few

please i will accept corrections,additions and critics with suggestions thanks.

Pardon me, didn't mean to ask. I just sent a DM.

fairheart:
If you can't post it here, you can use the DM to contact me. I won't post my email address here.

Hi guys, who else got admission from TAMUK. Any word on funding?

Shuayb0:
Hello everyone,

Lots of respect for the guys commenting and helping people out here.

My issue is I got into undergraduate via direct entry, IJMB from Ahmadu Bello Uni be precise. I’m currently applying to a school in texas and I added both my IJMB and undergraduate study, while also uploading IJMB certificate and unofficial undergraduate transcript.

School requires all official transcripts from post secondary institutions be sent electronically or post mail. Now I don’t have any information whether ABU sends IJMB certificates abroad or not. I will really appreciate any info on this. I did my IJMB in poly Ibadan in 2014.

Thanks for the anticipated response.

Yes, ABU send IJMB certificate abroad, and you will need to contact Institute of Education behind Geology department ABU.

Coincidentally, I did IJMB in polybadan too, 2006 though, and finished my degree in ABU.
You can DM

Did you get admission and funding with that GRE score?

all this arguement about Phd makes me laugh, even in europe you need to get a potential supervisor for the school to reason you, reason why some schools do phd for 5years is because the mentioned student couldnt get a Potential supervisor as such you will use 2years to do some course work which is still like masters, but it is always advisable to talk to some professor from the interested department or else yout application dey God hand... best

electromagnito:
all this arguement about Phd makes me laugh, even in europe you need to get a potential supervisor for the school to reason you, reason why some schools do phd for 5years is because the mentioned student couldnt get a Potential supervisor as such you will use 2years to do some course work which is still like masters, but it is always advisable to talk to some professor from the interested department or else yout application dey God hand... best

Stop saying what you are not too sure about Oga.

When I applied for a PhD I did not contact anybody or talk to any potential supervisor. I just contacted the DGS, asked him about the program and told him about my qualifications. He asked me to apply and I repeat I did not contact any supervisor. The rest is history.

Nobody is telling you that it’s not proper to contact a potential supervisor, but the success of ur application does not lie squarely there.

Emeritusseun:



Yes, ABU send IJMB certificate abroad, and you will need to contact Institute of Education behind Geology department ABU.

Coincidentally, I did IJMB in polybadan too, 2006 though, and finished my degree in ABU.
You can DM

Thanks for this response sir.

I don’t know how this nairaland mail works, this is my mail( ismail.shuaibb@gmail.com). Pls be kind to say hi, I really need this info.

Onyedika11:
Thank you so much

Did you get admission and funding with that GRE score?

@fairheart, Thanks for the review I will work on the areas you have spotted. Thanks Bro

In your response to why the course, you need to add more salt. Although you appear to know why you pick the course, you didn't state clearly what you intend to do with the degree. Are you going to be a programmer and video game designer? State that specifically. The consular would sense this is something you want, hence a valid reason for going for the degree.

You started your response to why this school with generic tone, which is very common on this thread. A student should not start his response to an interview question like this. Say, "I" chose Lynn University because of ...Personalise! Personalise! That is the key
Generally, your response there should be rewritten.

How do you plan to link your undergraduate course, present employment and the program you are going for? You haven't done that in your transcript.

Also, look at what you said you will come home to do after graduation? You want to go to the US to study games, interactive design, then after two years, you will return to Nigeria, hang the certificate and continue with sales of building materials? Are you joking?
Abeg, go and rewrite the entire transcript. I am not impressed at all! But hey, this is my assessment; I am not a consular.
[/quote]

abid4akin:
Hi everyone,

Is it possible to get an on-campus job while still here in Nigeria. Is it also possible for stipends from this job to reflect on my i20?

Why I ask this, I was offered just tuition scholarship at ETSU cos there are no more GA positions, therefore left with living cost, about 18k usd. I'm so much looking into cutting this down to bolster my chance.

All advises would be appreciated.

Thanks y'all.

Hello bro! Is the tuition scholarship full or partial and did you have to apply for it separately or it came with admission decisions.

Good morning everyone, I was surfing the net to seek information about studying in the US and remembered Nairaland is always a good place for such.
I just received an offer of admission for my PhD at University of Georgia 2days ago and I’ve commenced the procedures to get my transcripts sent to the school. I was a bit worried before I stumbled on this thread as regards the Visa ban issue and other Nigerian factors, now I’m assured that there are capable people who would be willing to assist me in this academic journey. I dunno who to direct this message to but I hope this family will accept me, I’m glad to be here.

I’m hoping my application for GA will be accepted as I’m still expectant. You guys will assist me in this journey as I’m like a novice in all these. Thanks �

electromagnito:
all this arguement about Phd makes me laugh, even in europe you need to get a potential supervisor for the school to reason you,[s] reason why some schools do phd for 5years is because the mentioned student couldnt get a Potential supervisor[/s] as such you will use 2years to do some course work which is still like masters, but it is always advisable to talk to some professor from the interested department or else yout application dey God hand... best

This is not true.

@bold, you shouldn't make a generic statement when you're not sure. This is not true for most of the programs here. You have to go through the advisor selection process after resumption. Infact, some schools/programs give up to two semesters for lab rotation and exploration before you can choose a PI.

OluDare01:


This is not true.

@bold, you shouldn't make a generic statement when you're not sure. This is not true for most of the programs here. You have to go through the advisor selection process after resumption. Infact, some schools/programs give up to two semesters for lab rotation and exploration before you can choose a PI.

Thank you for still letting him know.

Because it’s what is obtainable in France or wherever he is currently does not mean that it’s obtainable in the US.

I hope he say what he is very sure of going forward so that he will not be misleading rookies here.

I sent you a PM

Milkshakes01:


When did you receive your response from Notre Dame?

There are still some schools you can apply to, send me a pm. There is this interactive platform that can help you.

electromagnito:
all this arguement about Phd makes me laugh, even in europe you need to get a potential supervisor for the school to reason you, reason why some schools do phd for 5years is because the mentioned student couldnt get a Potential supervisor as such you will use 2years to do some course work which is still like masters, but it is always advisable to talk to some professor from the interested department or else yout application dey God hand... best

please let us not mislead people here most PhD in USA is 5yrs with or without having supervisor. I was given PhD admission with full funding without contacting any professor and I have a friend that have 3 PhD admission without having supervisor. In fact a professor just sent me a message from my school, telling he will want me to work with him

Onyedika11:
I sent you a PM

.

I replied

You are welcome. Be free to contact anyone or drop your questions on the thread. Wish you the best!

jhidey08:
Good morning everyone, I was surfing the net to seek information about studying in the US and remembered Nairaland is always a good place for such.
I just received an offer of admission for my PhD at University of Georgia 2days ago and I’ve commenced the procedures to get my transcripts sent to the school. I was a bit worried before I stumbled on this thread as regards the Visa ban issue and other Nigerian factors, now I’m assured that there are capable people who would be willing to assist me in this academic journey. I dunno who to direct this message to but I hope this family will accept me, I’m glad to be here.

I’m hoping my application for GA will be accepted as I’m still expectant. You guys will assist me in this journey as I’m like a novice in all these. Thanks �

sultanfortune:


Thank you for still letting him know.

Because it’s what is obtainable in France or wherever he is currently does not mean that it’s obtainable in the US.

I hope he say what he is very sure of going forward so that he will not be misleading rookies here.

"whatever" i find that disrespecting, you need to learn how to correct people. no one is misleading anyone, i gave my comment out of experience and if you feel is totally not true; you can call my attention to it and not sound like you never asked for information from this group.

Is it compulsory one get interviewed to get a PhD admit?

electromagnito:
"whatever" i find that disrespecting, you need to learn how to correct people. no one is misleading anyone, i gave my comment out of experience and if you feel is totally not true; you can call my attention to it and not sound like you never asked for information from this group.

For the records, I never used the word "Whatever". Instead I said "Wherever", I used that to say what is obtainable wherever you are currently.

The reason I picked on you really, was because me and some other persons here tried to correct your ignorance about the application process in the US but you kept making it look like it’s a MUST or compulsory to contact a potential supervisor which is misleading.

Anyways, let’s leave what bite in the night to be mosquito. I hope you are doing well today?

Have a blessed day ahead.

Glokit:
Is it compulsory one get interviewed to get a PhD admit?

Nope it’s not compulsory.

Some programs may wish to have an interview with you before admitting and funding you, while others can also admit you without any form of interview.

I hope this helps.

Oh, okay.

Am I supposed to be worried if a PI that asked for a convenient time for a Skype interview hasn't sent fixed a time yet for it after weeks?

sultanfortune:


Nope it’s not compulsory.

Some programs may wish to have an interview with you before admitting and funding you, while others can also admit you without any form of interview.

I hope this helps.

The scholarship apply to your tuition. If you look at the deficit and the living expenses you'd see that you tuition and fees are almost covered. Check your school website for GA opening and talk to your department.

abid4akin:
Hi everyone,

Is it possible to get an on-campus job while still here in Nigeria. Is it also possible for stipends from this job to reflect on my i20?

Why I ask this, I was offered just tuition scholarship at ETSU cos there are no more GA positions, therefore left with living cost, about 18k usd. I'm so much looking into cutting this down to bolster my chance.

All advises would be appreciated.

Thanks y'all.

Glokit:
Oh, okay.

Am I supposed to be worried if a PI that asked for a convenient time for a Skype interview hasn't sent fixed a time yet for it after weeks?

Maybe you should send him a reminder through email that you are still expecting the date for the Skype interview from him. Tell him you hope to hear back from him with regards to that, trust me he will respond and put more clarity on why he hasn’t fixed the date yet.

I already did, but I didn't get a response. I think I'll wait and be expectant. Thank you

sultanfortune:


Maybe you should send him a reminder through email that you are still expecting the date for the Skype interview from him. Tell him you hope to hear back from him with regards to that, trust me he will respond and put more clarity on why he hasn’t fixed the date yet.

Glokit:
I already did, but I didn't get a response. I think I'll wait and be expectant. Thank you

Yea! Just be positive about the outcome of the delay in communicating to you. There is still time for him to get back to you as the admission cycle is still not late to admit you.

I hope you applied to more schools while waiting for his further communication?

Yes, but just two other schools. Both came without funding (msc and PhD). Although, I already sent a mail to the graduate coordinators for assistantship.

sultanfortune:


Yea! Just be positive about the outcome of the delay in communicating to you. There is still time for him to get back to you as the admission cycle is still not late to admit you.

I hope you applied to more schools while waiting for his further communication?

I didn't see the response. My email address is onyedikaanthonyokoli@gmail.com. I will like to join that group you talked about earlier. Thank you

Milkshakes01:
.


I replied

Glokit:
Yes, but just two other schools. Both came without funding (msc and PhD). Although, I already sent a mail to the graduate coordinators for assistantship.

All the best bro. I hope you get funded from those admits.

Good luck!

Hello house,

Pls, must SEVIS fee be paid only via GT Bank Western Union or GTBank is just for VISA only?

Pls it's urgent.

Thanks.