NewStats: 3,263,392 , 8,179,983 topics. Date: Thursday, 05 June 2025 at 06:25 PM 641d6o

I think the temporary 30% slash suggested by the original poster is way too generous. I see no reason why these buffoons should be taking home anything more than 10% of what they are currently paid (on a permanent basis). It doesn't make any sense that the constitution of a country dictates that someone in the federal government is entitled to N250,000,000 per quarter just by virtue of his position and at the same time dictates that the minimum is N54,000 over the same time period for the common man. That makes no sense at all.

Petroleum Engineering is concerned with the exploration and production aspect of the oil industry which is known as the upstream industry. The downstream industry is more related to chemical engineering and deals mostly with refining.

drstasi:

Hi all.This thread seems to be focused on Engineering people.Please all,I am a dr and intend to write the GRE in November.Is there a different thread for medical drs?or can i freely ask my questions here?

Why not. Go ahead.

Hey guys sorry I've not posted for a minute. I got to the US last week saturday and have been extremely busy ever since. I got to Louisiana on Saturday night although school doesn't start till next week monday. My advice to anyone coming to school in the south would be to hae an international driver's license on hand before leaving Nigeria so you can renet a car when you get here and eventually buy/lease one when you get a US driver's license (which is quicker and easier to get once you have the international driver's license). If you don't you will suffer until you make friends unless your school is in a very tiny, compact town.

Bomly and Chiazogom congratulations. Being accempted and rejected within the same week is truly a miracle. I'm still very busy but when I'm more settled i'll go through this thread more thoroughly and give more detailed responses. To everyone who still has an interview go with God and best of luck to ya.

Superbrain:

Hello guys,

I'm back after some soul-searching. Had to defer my ission to the Spring 2011 semester. So I'm expecting a new ission letter and I-20 soon. Anyone heading to Oklahoma for grad school?

@ bebure, vandops, godeagle, and the others who got their visas, thumbs up to Baba God. Go and achieve your dreams. Will be ing you guys soonest.

@ bebure, since you'll be in Louisiana and I in Oklahoma, hmmm. say your guy dey backyard oh! Will send you a mail soon. Prof Wumi Iledare from LSU is presently in Naija at the SPE conference. A pity I had to withdraw my application . When are you deaparting from Naija?

Ah, why you defer ission now, hope no problem? I'm actually fading this night (as per August 6th)  , I got back to Port Harcourt from Abuja on tuesday after collecting my F-1 Visa on monday and it has been hectic ever since. I'll be in Louisiana so we'll definitely see at some conferences. To be honest I'm considering a transfer to UT or Texas A & M since there are much more opportunities available to graduates from those schools but I'd like to see what the program at my school is like before I take any action.
I wont be on this thread for a while due to traveling, sorting myself out etc but I'd like to wish everyone who has an interview coming up the best of luck and everyone who is flying to yankee for the fall semester a safe trip. Peace. I gotta go rest before my 15 hour flying marathon begins

I think I'm quAlified to speak on this thread. I did my A levels and university in the UK (six years) and I'm doing my master's in the US (starting this month), in addition I visit the US virtually every holiday and I can tell you the US is a million times better than the UK in of quality of life, opportunity, freedom etc.

seuncaroline:

@bebure, congrats, I cant wait to be in your position one of these days. I guess its "Step by Step".

Thanks. Yeah, just take it one step at a time. The better your grades, the easier things are. If I knew then what I know now with regards to gaining ission in the US, I would have strived for a first class instead of a 2:1 and for a GRE score above 1450 rather than one above 1300. You'll get there though. Just work hard, dont be scared of rejection and believe in yourself.

2good:

Congracts Bebure.
I am also going to the Technical University of Delft in the Netherland for my MSc. in Petroleum Engineering and Geoscience on full scholarship from the dutch government with everything paid for including my transport to and from the Netherland.
It also started like a childs play, writing all those exams, applying to several schools, getting several issions, but nothing is as good as getting a good funding to attend a reputable university.
My advice to new comers, would be to put in their best and always make attemp to try what ever they think might make their life better and believe so much on their capability. If you dont push for success, it will not come.
Always attempt,

Thanks my brother and congratulations to you on your accomplishments! It seems we old soldiers are finally retiring from this thread https://nairaland.unblockandhide.com/nigeria/topic-240241.0.html) but that's for after you've gotten ission sha. If any of you need help/advise feel free to holla at me.

idjulyten:

hello guys
i have been following this thread for a while so i decided to post my visa interview
to give back from where i have accessed knowledge
and thanks to everybody that has contributed so far.

Me:good morning sir
CO:good morning.let me have your documents
(i him the port,ds-2019 since im going for an exchange masters,sevis receipt and visa application receipt)
CO:what is this program about
Me:I tell him about the many details of the program confidently
CO:why are you going for this program
Me:i want to be involved in tackling the adverse effects of climate change in Africa particularly in coastal cities like Lagos and towns in the Niger-Delta as it has been estimated that Africans will be most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
CO:where are you working ?
Me:ABC bank (i was afraid here becos i knew the next question would be how does your program relate to your work but i was prepared for it)
CO:how does banking affect your program?
Me:according to the kyoto protocol by the ipcc in 1997.in the clean development mechanism section ,it was suggested that one of ways to tackle climate change in developing countries is to have industrialized countries partner with developing countries by providing loans to develop emission reducing projects.im learning how this loans can be assessed and my banking experience comes useful.secondly i work at the FX market and its activities are very similar to the carbon exchange market which is still in the pipeline.
(at this point he nods and i was absolutely certain i was going to get my J1 student exchange visa)
CO:how did you learn about this program?
Me:I used the google search engine and in addition the school was recommended to me by one of my professors as we were collaborating together on it.
CO:so you have a BSc.?
Me:yes i do (but i did not bother to tell him in what course )
CO:so its an exchange program,what will you be doing?
(i was unsure so i said come again)
CO:its an exchange program,what will you be doing there?
Me:Ill be studying there off course.and secondly since it is to tackle climate change in Africa,we are going to be exchanging ideas on how this can be done in my part of the world as climate differs from one region to another and moreover part of the requirement for the application is experience in diverse fields.
CO:who is funding the masters?
Me:the school is doing that.i have a full scholarship.
CO:do you have any family there?
Me:no (and offcourse i have no one there)
CO:what about here?
Me:I'm married
CO:where do you stay?
Me:i told him
CO:do you own it ?
Me:no i rented it
CO:does your wife stay there with you ?
Me:offcourse yes
CO:what will you do after the program?
Me:since the purpose of the course is to tackle climate change in Africa,im coming back to do that.i plan to work in environmental consulting firms in the country.moreover the school is already doing part of the work in Africa with some of their organizations.
CO:come for your visa on Monday at this address
(gives me a paper with the address circled) and take your green ticket along.

so guys that was how i got my j1 visa
what are my learning points
1.pls pray for God's favour
2.prepare becos even when you are favored by God ,dont disfavour yourself by appearing ignorant
3.based on your peculiar situation,try and imagine the kind of questions they can ask you and answer them in advance
4.speak confidently,my chest was beating but i was looking into his eyeballs directly and speaking confidently,i think this comes from knowing that GOd is with you and preparing really hard

Guys i wish you all the best.

congratulations idjulyten

OjaP:

To all nairalanders that got their Visa,i am very happy for you,Mine is August sha,infact,i dont pray to meet that chinese woman oo.

Don't worry OjaP, even if you get her you'll be fine. Just be confident, have all your docs in place and prepare a rough sketch of answers for questions you anticipate being asked that day.

obeycity:

mine was Square root of 121 and Nairaspace got square root of 144,I think the next candidate should watch out for the Square root of 169.lol
@ djunit 1,  I go like book with Virgin atlantic so I can transit via Heathrow, BHC denied me transit visa last year but KLM is much cheaper than Qatar
@ House I want to visit an Aunt in Houston,TX but my school is in NY, I hope home security won't question me @ POE.

They have no problem with you visiting another State/City brefore school. Not all school's are near international airports and moreso you are allowed to enter the US 30 days before school resumes. If they didnt want that we'd be allowed in one or two days beforehand. My school is in Louisiana yet I'm going to DC first. No stress yourself jo.

refinedsam:

@nairaspace: where was your first interview and wat was the reason for your first refusal? Your courage challenge me oh and am resolved to make a move also.that old Chinese witch must b avoided by all nairalanders, since she is nt a native American I guess she is not considerate like the real American males .talk to me friends, !

Unlucky mate. I think if you can you should book another visa appointment in Abuja asap. Like I said earlier; when I went for my student visa interview yesterday morning only one "student" was rejected and for very solid reasons. Everyone that was rejected in general did a piss poor job in their interview. Just pray the chinese woman isn't the one interviewing and you'll be fine (she seemed friendly when I went for my ten-print scan). Good luck!

Men. Tickets aren't cheap at the moment. Everything I've seen going to Houston is about $2100. Return is $1980. Maybe your agents will have better luck.

Abgovernor:

Congratulations bebure. its God that grants visa not even the consular officers. lets anchor our faith in God.

Thanks Abgovernor

vandops:

congrats bebure!!!

Thanks vandops

Godeagle:

Thanks a lot Bebure! I'm already checking out the different airline websites. I've also enlisted the help of a travel agency. I plan to jet out between 14th and 16th August.
Yes o! In fact, na we go chase all them multinationals finally. LOL

Abi. Na so.

Cheers SEFAGO. I am over the moon. One would think this would be my first time going to America. LOL. But getting a student visa is very different from being a visitor sha.

God pikin:

Congratulationssssssssss Bebure!!!!

Thanks God pikin. I saw your email about BP paying $10,000 a month on your profile page. Dunno what Seun has been doing with all our posts sha. The problem is they dont have any operations in Nigeria so if I said yes to BP it would have been like telling the CO that I planned to work in the US afterwards which is a big NO NO. But if a company offered me $10,000 a month- even BP- it will be very, very hard to say no but I think ultimately I'll say no. I dont want a job that makes me soo comfortable that I begin to deviate from my plans of owning my own business here in Nigeria one day. The rest of you guys that have interviews just believe in God and it will be yours. And read this thread from A to Z. Very good stufff on here

seadog406:

Goodnews! Goodnews!! Goodnews!!!.Congrats to Bebure.Just got a call from Nairaspace that he got his Visa, Yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Celebration Mode Guys, 

Thanks boss. Congrats to Nairaspace as well. Na God do am. I'm still over the moon.

Godeagle:

Congraulations Bebure!!!  I was sure you were going to get the visa. I hope we meet in one of the SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) meetings in the wild wild west.  

People, I have posted my successful experience at embassy on tuesday twice but my post was deleted each time. If anyone wants to read it, please check out the post from my profile. Meanwhile, please I have a question: I filled 21st August as my depature date on the DS 160 form but after going through the orientation documents from the school I realized I might have to travel at least one week earlier. Will there be any adverse effect if I do that? Also, any advice as per the best travel deals to Houston from Lagos and how to go about securing them will be highly appreciated as I need to book a flight asap.

Thanks guys! Wishing all other US visa hopefuls success!

Thanks Godeagle. I'm sure we'll meet at one of them SPE conferences as I plan to attend quite a lot of them.
There will be no adverse effect if you fly out on a different date than stated on your DS-160. It's if you fly out later than the required date that you'll have a problem.
Don't limit yourself to Lagos. Try Delta Airlines from Lagos to Atlanta and then get a connecting flight to Houston or you can try Delta Airlines from Abuja to New York and then connect to Houston. Also consider Arik air - they usually have ads in newspapers for $500 to New York or something crazy like that.
Search online for deals. I'll help also help you check online and if I find anything I'll let you know. When are you planning to jet out? Also consider getting a return ticket. They are sometimes cheaper. I came back from the US in April and just bought a return ticket then so I was quite lucky.
Na we go dey run this oil industry in Nigeria come ten years time. No shaking. Kase Lawal needs to watch his back. New oilmen on the block. LOL.

chiazogom:

Bebure, congrats. God is great.

Indeed He is. I'm glad. I see you've gotten a date. Just go with confidence and I'm sure you'll be fine. The two guys that interviewed today were great. I pray you get them as well. Pray before your interview. It really does work.

djunit1:

Bebure Congrats man. You nor wan waste time at all for naija? Next week you dey run? This is sweet.

Thanks brother. I have to be in school by 14th and I wanna enjoy yankee small before school starts. When are you going and how (as per airline)? I'd like to know if any nairalander is on my flight.

I'd just like to thank everyone on this thread once more. I when I started preparing for GRE all the way back in August last year. This thread has been a real asset for me in of applying to schools. I got my F-1 visa today and I am one step closer to my dream. So thanks guys. Those that are just starting out don't worry. Work hard, try and get a first class or a 2:1, get above 750 (preferably above 780 sha) in your GRE quantitative and above 500 in verbal, write a killer statement of purpose, get good recommendations, get your I-20, pay all neccessary fees and you'll hopefully be where I am today this time next year. This advice is strictly for engineers. If you do something more artsy you probably wanna get a higher verbal score like say 650, but you quantitative can also be lower say 600 to 700. I'll still add my two cents to this thread as a retired General.

Why can't I post on this thread Seun? I'll try one more time:

Kedike kedike ke di ke ke.

Yessir. Got me F-1 Visa folks. It was God.

I got to the embassy around 6:45am and waited till it was time for my interview. The interview was barely one minute long:

Me: Hello, good morning!

CO: Hi, how are ya?

Me: Fine thank you

CO: Can I have your port and application form?

Me: Sure. There you go

CO: What are you going to do in the US?

Me: Study

CO: What are you going to study?

Me: Petroleum Engineering, Master's

CO: Where did you do your bachelor's degree?

Me: ****** University in the UK

CO: So Petroleum Engineering huh. So are you gonna help clean of the oil spill in the gulf [laughing]?

Me: Well, if I can volunteer sure. My research is based on enhanced oil recovery; focused on trying to get more oil from already existing wells thus preventing the nedd for drilling everywhere [smiling/laughing as well]

CO: Oh yeah I've heard about that, you inject steam into the ground or something right?

Me: Yeah. After you inject steam, you get CO2 from natural sources or from industrial plants and then inject it into the same hole as the steam to generate the correct pressure thereby allowing oil to flow.

CO: Alright. Take this green card and go to this address to pick up your visa on monday.

Me: Thank you

CO: So do you plan to work for BP?

Me: God forbid.

CO: I hear Louisiana is a great place. I've never been there but I', sure you'll have fun there.

Me: Yes, I'm sure I will

CO: Alright, bye

Me: Bye

The whole thing lasted less than two minutes. I have my ticket ready and come next week I'll be on Delta Airlines to Atlanta then DC and then down to Louisiana a week later.
I wasn't asked for any bank statement or who was sponsoring me. All the worrying about my uncle sponsoring me and my sisters schooling in the US was for nothing. The guy after me also got his visa. In fact I only saw one student get rejected in Abuja and that's becaue he's applied thrice in seven months, is 30 years old without a degree and doesn't have any results. Be it WAEC, SAT.
This thread has been great. Everyone who still has an interview for fall go with God and as long as you're a genuine student you'll get it. AMEN!!!!

refinedsam:

Hail, pple in da house, I went fo
r my interview ystday and it was
sometin else entirely, before I say anything I wld like to advise all those going for their interview at abuja to avoid one horrible looking chineese woman who is looking aged.o boy no b small thing pple face ystday ooh cos 90 percent of applicants were denied ystady.initially I wasn't bothered when I saw ow applicants were turned down cos I so much blive in maself and all sorts of wat nairalanders have taut me.I was surprised to the extent that a lady who came for a renewal from Howard university was denied because of the fact tht she cldnt explain in details why she came to Nigeria during academic session bla bla bla, anyway I w

Ha. That doesn't sound great. Well all I can do now is pray that whatever happens I can give satisfactory answers to all the questions IU'm asked. I'm done prepping for this interview. I'll let y'all know how it went tomorrow.

Abgovernor:

THE NEXT PERSON SHALL COME OUT WITH HIS OR HER VISA!!! IF YOU BELIEVE U CAN COME OUT WITH YOUR VISA JUST LIKE djunit1 AND DASLEEKY. PLS SAY AMEN TO THIS IT PROPHETIC.

[table][/table]

Looks like I'm the next one on the hot seat. AMEN!

Godeagle I am extremely happy for you. I you from the "Preparing for GRE" thread and I when you got rejected. Thank God you got your visa this time around. Mine is on thursday and I can only hope I have a positive story to tell as well. Congratulations.

I'm very happy for you djunit1. Your interview to me proves the existence of God because you had a wicked interviewer apparently and all your answers were wrong not to mention all the drama pre-interview. But I guess the Lord had other plans. Refinedsam I hope you have a similar story to tell tomorrow.

Congratulations DASLEEKY. I hope we get good news from djunit1 as well as every other nairalander who had an interview today.

Dasleeky and Djunit1 I wish you both the best tomorrow. I pray you both come back with testimonies about how you got your F-1 visas.

@ciscoSE: Congrats on finally getting a date. It looks like wa have our interview same day, same place. I hope we have cause to celebrate afterwards.

@ djunit1: I really feel for you. I hope you find youoriginal receipt. But still try and pay for a new receipt whichever way tomorrow even if it means driving or flying to Ibadan. I don't think the embassy will stress you too much about showing them a different receipt no. if you explain what happened in a friendly and confident manner. I do hope you get your visa on monday. My appointment is next week as well and I am nervous as hell even with all my docs so I can only imagine how you feel. God will get us through sha and we'll all have testimonies this time next week. To those of you waiting for an expedited appointment you will get it as long as your email to the embassy contains all the neccessary info. It is well.

Good luck to Fagbon01, Dasleeky, Nairaspace, Djunit and the rest of us doing visa interviews through this week and next. You're all in my prayers.

Ey SEFAGO longest time. What brings you to these parts of Nairaland. Yeah I'm trying to relax. Easier said than done. I've been for a lot of visa interviews and it never gets easier even though I've never been rejected. Hopefully though I'll be in DC in less than 3 weeks. Its tempting to just use my visitor's visa but I dont want any future problems with the US embassy so I'll just be calm that day and hope I get the F-1 visa. @ chiazogom: Try calling VFS directly and see what they say.

Guys thanks for your words of encouragement. I will def pray before my interview and I will pray for u guys and gals who still have interviews for this fall. It us well @olule: I paid mine by money order. Just went to the bank paid them the $200 and a small additional fee and then sent the money order and the I-901 form by courier to the SEVIS guys in St. Louis I believe it was. If you send it tomorrow you'll have ur receipt by friday. All this is on the website.