F1 Visa Approved ✅
COA - $28,130
Deficit - 0
North Dakota State University (MS in Plant Pathology) 🎓
Abuja Embassy 🇳🇬
Window 10 (Female VO) She’s kind of chubby.
6th March, 2025
First Attempt
Before entering the embassy, I remembered Joshua1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Visa Interview Experience:
The lady before me got denied. I was tensed at first but I told myself that my case is different. I think my interview lasted for 3-5minutes or more. She asked much questions and I noticed from the person before me too.
So, I approached the Visa Officer (VO), greeted her, “Good morning, with fake smile) and she greeted me back. She then asked me to pass my document( I-20) and passport , so I did.
👩💼 VO: Why this program?
🗣 Me: I chose to pursue a master’s in Plant Pathology because in Nigeria, plant-parasitic nematodes such as Meloidogyne spp., Pratylenchus spp., and Heterodera spp., are major agricultural pathogens that cause severe crop losses and reduce farmer’s yields and quality. So studying this program will equip me with advanced skills, knowledge and research experience in which I will be applying in my home country at my current workplace (she was nodding and typing) in which I will be taking the role of snr. research assistant and contribute to sustainable food production in Nigeria… (she cut)
👩💼 VO: what do you do currently?
🗣 Me: I am currently working as a research assistant in the Nematology Unit at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture … (she cut)
👩💼 VO: What is your research at your current workplace?
🗣 Me: I focused on pathogenicity screening and management of root knot nematode and … (she cut)
👩💼 VO: What year did you graduate?
🗣 Me: I graduated year 2024. ( I sharply mentioned the full info. Date, month and year)
👩💼 VO: How old are you?
🗣 Me: I am 20+ years old.
👩💼 VO: How will you sponsor your program?
🗣 Me: I have been awarded a graduate assistantship that covers my tuition, health insurance and living expenses. The graduate assistantship is … (I mentioned the amount)
👩💼 VO: How did you get your funding?
🗣 Me: I submitted a well-detailed application package that included well written statement of purpose, excellent academic transcript (first class mentioning my cgpa), 3 strong recommendation letters from my lecturers. I also attended two interviews, one with my advisor (mentioned name) and the other with the admission committee (she paused typing and looked at me) me I just dey talk go I no send her… in which I explained my background in plant pathology and the research I conducted in my final year. (She cut me again)
👩💼 VO: Where did you finish your undergraduate?
🗣 Me: I graduated from Federal University of Technology, in department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management where I finished with first class and was among top 1% in my department.
🗣 Me: Do you want to see my undergraduate transcript? She said yes, I should bring it with my offer letter. I packed everything give her (because e wan be like say she no wan believe me)
👩💼 VO: You are yet to tell me how you came across this university.
🗣 Me: I discovered NDSU through LinkedIn where I came across the school advertisement about their graduate programs.
👩💼 VO: How many schools did you apply to?
🗣 Me: I applied to three schools, I applied to University of Georgia in Athens, North Dakota State University in Fargo and Kansas State University in Manhattan.
👩💼 VO: Are you married?
🗣 Me: No, I am not married.
👩💼 VO: Do you have any relatives in US?
🗣 Me: No, I do not have any relatives in US.
She typed for long… and paused. Then she packed my documents inside my passport and gave me a white paper that I will receive a mail on how to collect my passport.
🗣 Me: Thank you with smile on my face.
Cybersecurity Roadmap: Step-by-Step Guide for Aspiring Professionals
Embarking on a cybersecurity journey can be challenging, but with the right plan, you can progress steadily and achieve your goals. Based on my personal journey as a penetration tester in training, here’s a roadmap tailored to aspiring cybersecurity professionals, infused with my insights and practical experiences.
[A thread 📷]
Visa approved ✅
First and Only Attempt 🙏
F1 Visa Category
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
COA: $27k
Scholarship: $5000
Course: Industrial Engineering
Time 9:15 am
Date: Dec 19th, 2024
VO: Tall white woman with a pointed nose.
Me: *Smiling - Good morning, Visa Officer
VO: Good morning, types for abit.
VO: I see you’re going to Ohio to study engineering…
Me, continuing from there: Yes Officer, i’m heading to Wright State university in Dayton Ohio to pursue…
VO: *interrupts me - Please speak up, I cant hear you.
Me: *This interruption throws my confidence as I had trained to be very demure in my answers by removing desperation from my voice. I swallowed and spoke a bit louder.
Me: Yes Officer, i’m heading to Wright State university in Dayton Ohio to pursue a masters degree in Industrial and Human Factors Engineering. After my first degree in Chemical Engineering, I’ve been working as an industrial engineer at a lift fabrication and installation firm for the last six years and my company plans to expand operations to four african countries within the next five years. Management also plans to use local raw materials from these countries instead of the long supply chain we currently have all the way from china, so I’ve been given a study leave to get my masters degree and come back to lead a team of young engineers. I chose this course because industrial engineering not only combines all aspects of engineering but the human factors element will help me communicate better with my team as I build products that are unique to our customer needs in their different localities.
At this point, she has said anything so I ask “Do you want me to tell you more about industrial engineering, because the course is so muah” (i make the chef’s kiss gesture). She smiled and shakes her head no.
VO: Who is going to pay for this?
Me: Apart from my $5000 merit scholarship, my deficit will be covered by my parents. My father imports and installs solar panels and inverter batteries, he’s been doing this for the last 27 years. He mostly works with the ogun state and akwa ibom state government but he has branches in 6 nigerian states. He employs 19 people and earns 120M per year. My mum however is a consultant paediatrician in Saudi german hospital in Saudi Arabia. She’s been the head of department for the last five years and earns 80M per year.
Then I end it by adding “ I’m the last born and they love me so they will pay for it”.
VO: Smiles* Are you married?
Me: No
VO: Do you have any siblings?
Me: Yes, my sister. She went to Hull university in 2020 to study economics but she’s back in Nigeria and works for KPMG. She’s in line to take over my father’s business but I think my engineering masters might make me a better candidate for my father, even though i’m younger than her.
VO: Did your parents sponsor her?
Me: Yes.
VO: Types for a bit - I’ll be approving your visa, it’ll be ready in 2-3 business days, check the back of this white paper for more instructions.
Me: Thank you very much. Also, I love your shirt!
VO: *Blushes Thank you, next person please.
I’ll reiterate, keep your story straight. Don’t cram, understand because they will try to throw you off. The visa officer wants to know the answers to those three questions I explained earlier, but they will not ask you directly. Their job is to have a conversation with you and get the answers to those questions so you need to offer those answers in your replies. Be yourself because the more natural your answer is, the better.
Good luck and may God crown your efforts with success.
It’s almost 2025, and since Jan 1st, I’ve been deep in the #Crypto market...watching, learning, and adapting.
Here are a few tips (and mistakes to avoid) to help you navigate the upcoming year:
RT & bookmark so you don't lose it
1. Stick to a strategy.
Decide if you’re a trader or long-term investor.
Don’t chase every pump. FOMO kills portfolios.
2. Take profits.
A 10x means nothing if you don’t lock in gains.
Set targets and take profits along the way.
3. Avoid overleveraging.
Leverage can wipe you out faster than you think.
Protect your capital...survival is key.
4. Keep learning.
Crypto evolves fast; don’t get left behind.
Stay updated on new narratives, tech, and strategies.
5. Don’t marry your bags.
If a project isn’t delivering, it’s okay to pivot.
Mistakes to avoid:
❌ Chasing hype instead of doing your own research.
❌ Overtrading—sometimes doing nothing is the best move.
❌ Ignoring market cycles.
The market will be wild in 2025, but success comes from staying disciplined, managing risk, and adapting to change.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Play smart, and you’ll thrive.
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