ferdiii:

My thought exactly... the manner he rubbished WES made me typeless.

berexio1:
ICAS?? Mehn, you are in for a very long wait oo..

Thanks for your concerns. It's more of a dilemma and not me trying to deliberately ditch WES (although they still have terrible ratings http://www.consumeraffairs.com/education/world_education_services.html). I started a WES ICAP (Transcript, course by course) evaluation four yes ago. They received all my documents and verified my transcript from Nigeria. Later, they asked for my SSCE certificate which I sent to them (Even though they stated that it's optional). They later told me that they have sent it to WAEC for verification and WAEC asked them to pay before anything can be done. I contacted WAEC and I didn't get any response (I won't go into details about the horrendous and appalling service I got from WAEC). I also gave WES the option of sending a scratch card pin number to them for verification and they rejected the option. I was applying into PhD programs then and I had to send transcripts directly from Nigeria to the schools.

Fast forward four years later, I tried approaching WES to start my ECA since they have my transcripts but it was difficult for me to login because I have a profile with them. I called their customer service (they picked their call after trying for four days) and I was asked to send a message/email requesting for change of evaluation types through the 'contact us' service. I have sent about 4-6 different messages in a span of one month without getting any reply. My experience with WES was terrible - their customer service reps are uncouth and unprofessional. My current plan is to start with ICAS and not give up on WES too (even though it's very unlikely that I will get a reply from them).

Diamondmirror:
pla where did you buy your cambridge guide?

I actually got it from Amazon. Ask around if you can also get it from local bookstores (or if someone is willing to lend you the book).

ferdiii:
@waleprizu...good one! Do u feel that only the two u didn't do got u the 8.5 in Listening or u could have failed any other u did put sth down?

According to this link (http://www.examenglish.com/IELTS/IELTS_Band_Scores.html), you need to get 37-38 questions right to get a band score of 8.5. So,there's a possibility that I failed one more.

akanni:
team, for the EE, i heard someone mention that you can indicate all provinces but when I tried,it says select one province, how does one go about this please? I am trying to put someone through in completing the express entry form ie the first step on the cic page.Thanks

Hi Akanni! I started filling my EE profile online and I was able to indicate three of the provinces. I know that depending on the province(s) you choose, you may be asked some (Yes/No) question about allowing some particular province (I'm sure about Ontario) to access your EE profile. Click on check for completeness after indicating the provinces and see what happens.

This is for those asking about IELTS tips. I will write all I can below (Pardon the writing for being chaotic).

The first thing I did was to get the Cambridge Official Guide to IELTS (picture attached). The book is amazing and it contains all the tips you need to ace the test. Try to lay your hands on the book and study everything from cover to cover. Make sure you outline and strengthen your weakness(es).

Listening: For the listening exam, solve as many practice tests as possible. Also, you can improve your listening abilities by downloading different IELTS apps on your phone (android, iOS, Windows OS etc). Some apps have radio stations from different countries (Canada, England, Australia etc). This will attune you with the different accents. On the exam day, try as much as possible not to get distracted. If you miss an answer, don't waste time trying to ponder over it. Just go straight to the next question. Also, be wary of punctuation when writing down your answers in the listening section. On the test day, make sure you pre-read the question when they ask you to. Try to read the instructions and understand the maximum/minimum words required for each section. I'm not sure about the operating procedure for each centers. For my exam, I studied with earphones and I did the listening exam with loudspeakers (in an enclosed room). I was distracted and didn't answer 2 questions. I also made a mistake not to ask for a walkman/earphones which I was told that they would have provided if I asked.

Reading: For the reading, remember that the answers are in the passage (actually you just need to lift them verbatim from the passage except you're doing the true/false/not given or multiple choice section). Try to read the first 3-4 questions before reading the passage. Read slowly and try to answer without using common sense. Actually, my weaknesses are the true/false/not given section and using common sense to answer questions. Try to avoid that. If you have enough time, start with studying the Academic reading section (even though it is unnecessary) before approaching the General Training Section. It will make this section a lot more easier for you.

Writing: I didn't study for the writing part because I thought it should be intrinsic to my subconscious after writing several technical reports in the last few months (I also didn't have the time to study). However, try to write clearly and legibly within the box on the exam day. It's actually better to use pencils than pens. Time is a huge factor here, the first part should take approximately 20mins and the second part should take around 40mins. For the first part (letter writing), remember the different tricks and formalities for writing a formal, semi-formal and an informal letter. For example, ending an informal letter with 'yours faithfully' should be avoided. Learn the rudiments of paragraphing and try to put your thoughts into pen and paper quickly. Strengthen your vocabulary and avoid repetitions. Check online for sample IELTS letters and essays. Lastly, after each paragraph, count the number of LINES (not words) and assume that you write an average of 8-12 words per line depending on how tiny or big your handwriting is. For example, if you assume that you write about 10words per line, you should have at least 16-18 lines (160 - 180 words) for the letter writing. Do the same for the essay writing part.
Note: the minimum no of words for the first part and second part of the writing section are 150 and 250 words respectively.

Speaking: For this part, remember that your English speaking ability is being tested and it has nothing to do with how vast or intelligent you are (avoid arguments also). Be fluent and try to speak SLOWLY and steadily. We all tend to speak very fast if we are passionate about a topic. It's a trap, please avoid it. The mistake I made was that I didn't study at all for the speaking part too (I spent the 4days on Reading and listening). For the part two of the speaking test, I was asked to speak for about a topic for 1-2 mins. I spoke very fast for a little above one min and stopped before being asked by the examiner to continue (this is not a good sign). Try to speak calmly until you are interrupted by the examiner. There's no penalty for speaking beyond the time limit. Ironically, I learnt about the skills for the speaking test after seeing my results (I was worried about the score). I later stopped worrying when I found out that I got a CLB 10 in all section which is the maximum.

Those are my two cents about acing the IELTS. Try to have a target score and work towards it.

ferdiii:

which result?

LOL.. I'm confused too.

Do we have anyone on this thread who is still trying to ace the IELTS? I studied for about 4 days and I think I did fairly well.
I can give my 2 cents on how to approach the exam.

Secondly, has anyone (living outside Canada) tried applying for a PNP program? Can he/she give a brief summary of the process, name of Province, outcome etc. Do you need a job offer to apply for PNP? I have tried searching for answers to the questions but each provinces have different program/process and some answers are rooted in obscurity. I also do not mind being referred back to an earlier page. Thanks!

ferdiii:

Yea...ICAS is one of the organizations... but not that the wait will enable u involve the PhD. Will it?

No. I do not plan to include my PhD in the process. I probably need to wait longer (Which does not really justify the extra 15 points) and there are so many uncertainties when trying to complete a PhD thesis.

ferdiii:

Why don't u run with ur Masters if u did or have one from the US instead of waiting for Unilag to send B.Sc transcript to WES?

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, I was asked to submit ALL subsequent post-secondary school degrees/documents. I have already sent my US transcripts/certificate to them. BTW, I'm not using WES for a variety of reasons (they are expensive, pathetic customer service, long processing time etc). Instead, I am using ICAS of Canada which is one of the officially designated organization for CIC-ECA.

Kirri:
@WalePrizu......Impressive, but then how do u know your CRS since u haven't started swimming in the pool or am I missing something

My ancestors longest time o

I used the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) tool to calculate my projected points. I used this link:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/express-entry/grid-crs.asp

Great to be on Nairaland again after 5yrs (During my US Student Visa Interview preparation). The feeling is exhilarating. Nairaland is a great place to find resources and interact with people who are going through (or have gone through) the path one is planning to go through.

I am currently considering the EE under FSWP as a plan B for my career/life. This is a summary of my profile:

Age: 27
Status:Single
IELTS: L: 8.5, R: 8.0, W: 8.5, S: 7.5 (Total: 8/9)
Degree:I have a Masters Degree (About to complete a PhD in the states. Hence, my emphasis on EE being a plan B)
Experience: 3-4yrs
Classification: NOC 4012
Total CRS score (Projected): 481.

I am currently waiting for my ECA to be completed (waiting for UNILAG to send transcripts). I look forward to asking more questions and interacting with you guys.

Before it was the chinese woman in abuja(though we now have another one in lagos) and now it is the cubicle 4 guy in Lagos. On this thread, we will nail all the consulars and the success rate will continue to go up, God bless Nigeria, God Bless NAIRALAND, God Bless America.
@House, Is there any nairalander in North Carolina, pls reply.

Congrats to Ojap and those that got their Visa recently. Am happy that the success rate on NL is almost perfect. You guys are welcome to the land of opportunities, Amelica(like my Ibo brothers will call it). The guy in cubicle 4 also interviewed me, he said his first degree was in Physics and that was the reason for the technicality and drilling.
To the spring guys, Super Brain and co, go get your Visa.

@dj unit
At the POE, i was asked my passport, I20, I94 which they us in the plane, and customs declaration form. dont take up to 10k with you, any amount below is ok.

@walegamat, congrats to u my name sake,
@bomly, dont give up, reapply and they will give you. There is no synonym part in GRE Verbal. Only antonym sections and word analogies(though some are in the form of synonym variants).

@house, I just arrived yankee, this is the place to be.

congrats to Dasleeky, the Lord is doing wonders here,

@fagbon01, we shud celebrate it ooh, my YIM is dydx_wale
daleesky and others we will definitely wait for u guys b4 celebrating, lol

@fagbon, i actually did Will Smith(pursuit of happyness) style. congrats .bro            @ house, pls take time to go thru the pages here. the info will boost ur confidence. i met someone at d embassy that dont even know d meaning of sevis, i read them twice cos i saved them on my system and phone.                          nethacker,9ice,kenzema,daleesky,femilangy and others  that are making this thread a success, i say a big thank you. to those that will soon go for ur interview, u will get it in Jesus name.;

got my student visa this morning. I woke up around 4.30am, left my house around 5.30am and got to the Lagos embassy at 6.10am but I still met people. After the cue, the hussles and the waiting, I was interviewed by 8.50am. The guy that interviewed me already rejected two students in front of me so when he called the next person I don enter am today(for my mind), so the interview below

me: good morning
c: good day, hw ar u today, ur I-20, passport and application please
me: gave him
c: oh u are going for a masters in physics
me: yes
c:I did my undergraduate studies in physics at UCBerkeley even though I work as a consular.
me: for my mind I say na me send u do consular job.
c: so what is super string theory(advanced level physics question even MSc holders for physics go stammer small)
me: explained everything in details
c: looked at me and said, the Einstein unification theory, do u believe in it
me: yes
c:why
me: explained in details(einsteins unification in the 30's, abdus salam unification in the 60's) and I said maybe I will be the next to unify the four forcesand get the God unified theory
c:laughs, may be I will do the research with u. what do u want to do with a graduate degree in physics
me:explained my research option(nanophysics), and told him its relevance in todays world and Nigeria.
c:I can see u have a scholarship, can i see a letter to this effect(about 35k per year for 2yrs)
me: gave him
c: why didnt you choose UCB
me: because they dont do experimental nanophysics but theoretical(I just said sometin sha even though I wasnt sure)
c: which school did u finish from
me: University of Lagos
c: ok, i am checking your sevis payment, gave me the green ticket and a white paper to pick up my visa,



House, even though the interview was technical I thank God I scaled through, I was not asked for any documents unless my scholarhip letter, house you can actually wow the consular, when I was explaining all the physics jagons, he was lyk wow!!!!!!!!!!!celebration mood nw, NC here I come.

I was issued the F1-study visa at the lagos consulate, but i wanted to reject it and i just pitied them.
will post interview questions later, celebration mood,

@ freeman 007 and netotse, I have a scanned copy of my original transcript. Can I go to the embassy with a copy of this transcript(though the print will definitely indicate that it was scanned).

@ House: I got a scholarship which includes full tuition and living expenses(GA) and it was stated in my letter that I was given the scholarship after a review of my undergraduate transcript. What if the consular ask for my transcript which I dont have because it is unofficial to have a copy according to my school(LAG). pls reply ASAP,

Hello house, pls is it possible to pay the sevis online, A friend of mine in europe want to help me pay the money with his card, house please reply ASAP,

nethacker:

A friend of mine used it and it worked, u can go to Ecobank headquarters in V/I

house, I heard that you can pay your servis fee at Ecobank,
fee- $200
bank charges-$35
expedited delivery fee(2-3 business days)- $35
note- expedited fee is optional

HEy guys, I just started reading this thread today and i find it very interesting and helpful. I got admission and scholarship(including grad assistantship) to study in the US(MSc, Physics) and my I-20,scholarship and admission letter will arrive next week. Do i still need financial documents at the embassy since I am on GRA as stated on my I-20.
Also I currently work for a federal government research commission and I started work this month. Do I need to go with my appointment letter ad a prove that i will come back to Nigeria?