NewStats: 3,265,428 , 8,186,720 topics. Date: Saturday, 14 June 2025 at 10:15 PM 2ya5z

Hello All,

I am actually posting this on behalf of my friend who is in a dilemma and needs advice. He is a U.S citizen in the process of completing her PhD in December. He intends to invite his parents and siblings to his graduation. Here are the stats for the parents and siblings:

Parents: Regular traveler to the USA. Just need to renew their visas.

Sibling 1 & 2 - Male, Single, have traveled to the USA once and was denied visa the second time when they wanted to come visit again - 2 years ago. Sibling 1 is a medical doctor, sibling 2 is currently undergoing NYSC

Sibling 3 - Female, married with kids, working class and works with the Federal Government of Nigeria, 12 years work experience. Has never traveled to the USA or applied applied for a USA visa. She was denied a UK visa 7 years ago, was pissed and has never applied to any embassy since then.

Questions:

1. How possible is it to get an expedited appointment for them for December to attend a PhD graduation?

2. How possible is it for sibling 1 & 2 to get visas this time around?

3. What are the chances of sibling 3 getting visa with no travel experience?


Thanks,
OjaP.

GboyegaD--

I just sent you an email. Please check your inbox.

Why do I think I know who SaudiBoy is?

Yildiz:

Well one of my major concerns is that the course is relatively new and without ranking, but with full funding, so how acceptable will it be in the job market. My specialization is Signal processing and Machine learning. Again since you have mentioned DOD, then it means I will also need clearance if i am to work in the US with the data science PhD since my concentration will be national security. Thanks

I posted this in 2017:

Prospective PhD Applicants:

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville just initiated a Doctor of Philosophy of Data Science and Engineering (DSE). This PhD program is interdisciplinary for lovers of big data, statistics, supercomputers, modeling, engineering, etc. One of the perks is that you get to use those supercomputers at ORNL and also have those research scientists at ORNL as mentors or research advisers. I would think that their ission decisons would be flexible since this would be their first. Technical people considering a Ph.D. in the following research areas should take advantage:

Health and Biological Sciences
Advanced Manufacturing
Materials Science
Environmental and Climate Science
Transportation Science
National Security
Urban Systems Science

The program provides an annual stipend of up to $30,000, a tuition waiver, and health insurance for PhD candidates pursuing research in one of the areas mentioned above.


Good luck!!

That said, you have nothing to worry about. UTK is a great school; I am working on a PhD in the school and I have no regrets so far. Data Science is the big thing now and it will be fire by the time you complete your program.

The link below contains all you need to know about Data Science:

https://www.datascience.com/blog/data-scientist-skills

You can thank me later

MrHistorian:

Sorry I beat you to this

Wow!!! Results released in less than 2 months after writing the exams? Good job, NECO.

BleepTWOOD:


I stopped worrying about Twoods when i saw his profile picture. That states clearly who he is

This your name get as e be ooo, I am actually rolling on the floor here Haba!! It's not that serious

cojunior:
I got this message from a Grad Coordinator; please learn from it.
Dear Sir,

 

Thank you for your kind words.

 

All application processes are competitive. I can’t predict your chances. Those depends on the size, the depth, and the quality level of this year’s applicant pool.

Next year’s pool may be better, same, or worse. There is no predicting that. Despite lower than desired GRE scores, we have itted applicants who showed evidence of clear and consistent promise

that gave us confidence they would be successful and that therefore funding them would be a good investment. I can recall as an example, an international student who had an undergraduate degree from the top university

in her country, a master’s in education research methods from another good university there, showed that she had significant quantitative methodology skills (statistics, econometrics), had a very good TOEFL score, showed unambiguous indications of strong motivation and hard work  etc. In short, there was more than enough there in the file to act as counterweight to the disappointing GRE score. We look at the overall file of each applicant because we have had some applicants with high scores and very good grades who failed within a year. There is more to a good meal than just the spices. I cannot predict what would happen if you applied this year. All I can say is that success is not impossible

and that success is not of a high likelihood. If you wait a year, you would have the opportunity to conduct a systematic and thorough GRE and even TOEFL preparation to improve your scores. I understand the financial challenges of that on a typical Nigerian salary. An application now costs money too, so you must decide whether the risk/reward ratio is satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

 

Look again through the program and read the course descriptions. What preparation, skills, and abilities would you need to be successful? What do you have other than the GRE that would convince you if you were on an issions committee and saw that file in a box with fifty other files? issions means choosing a few out of the many.

 

We will give your file the same careful review whether we receive it this year, next year, or even two years in a row.

 

If I have to start all over again; this school would be one that I will be considering. Most grad coordinators don't have the time on earth to explain to you in details the strengths and weaknesses of your application. I would suggest that you retake the GRE if you haven't. Mind sharing the name of the school and program? I am just curious.

Hello Folks,

I am looking for a reputable and approved stockbroking firms that is big on e-transaction. I am not in Nigeria physically, so I am looking for a firm which would let me do all registration and transactions online. I will appreciate any good recommendations.

bigfrancis21:


Fourth, @OjaP....actually if she evaluates her transcript and it comes out to be at least 2.5/4.0, she would be applying to schools requiring external evaluation with her WES evaluation, and not with her direct Nigerian transcript which gives her a shot at possible ission or conditional ission worse case scenario. Let's encourage her to give it a shot and let's see how it turns out for her.

So go ahead and evaluate with WES and let's hope for the best. I look forward to learning what your final and official GPA turns out to be!

Thank you for posting this on here for the learning benefit of other people. Your post could serve as a source of hope to others like you who may feel reluctant to pursue their academic goals in the US due to their perceived low GPA.

Thanks for the explanation BigF. I'm eager to see what the converted CGPA would be. I hope he shares it with us when it's all done.

Thanks again.

lonelyhrt:









LONG POST ALERT (i pray this becomes true @bigfrancis21 )


let me start here eg:



Course unit Grade Grade Grade point
3 50C 3.0 (3*3=9)
3 44E 1.0 (3*2=6)
2 52C 3.0 (2*3=6)
2 44E 1.0 (2*2=4)
2 54C 3.0 (2*3=6)
Total course unit 12 Total unit grade 31


Total course unit Total grade point
1st yr 31 - 85.32
2nd yr 35 - 91.61
3rd yr 27 - 77.94
4th yr 24 - 67
Ext yr 33 - 92.98

Total grade point/Total course unit=2.76/4 cgpa could this be real for naija 1.75cgp though lots of D's

You can never ever get to 2.76 GPA with your 1.75 CGPA from Nigeria. I am not sure any American university will it you with a 1.75; it's most unlikely.

I am sorry if this would diminish your joy. I just want to be honest with you.

slimmy2005:
I noted "by right".

He can still report by "right"

ddbluv1:
Hey Guys..

I am on OPT with job due for STEM extension next year or hopefully my company sponsors me next year. The job pay is not fantastic but it pays bill. I got a 2nd part time job on the low key for weekends for like 150 - 200 each week. However, they asked for documentation, SSN and all. I filled all the form but last minute I changed mind and said I forgot to bring my ID for scan, so they said I would start when I bring the ID's. I verified online that I can work many jobs on OPT but it all has to be related to my degree which this 2nd one isnt {Production job]. I want to know if USCIS do SSN when doing OPT renewal or H1b sponsorship application?

Note: I no wan use extra $200 spoil my slow and steady life wey dey go jejely. Bt if bois don do am b4, abeg ginga my swagger

Boys and girls don do am many times. You won't be the first.

slimmy2005:
Yes they do. By right you should report all jobs to your DSO and jobs not in line with your major or filed would jeopardize your STEM extension and H1-B

He can actually work his way around it. It's not a biggie.

TWoods:


at last! someone with a good school. i'd be willing to bet you won't be denied... fingers crossed.

Well, only because he has a good travel history. I've seen people who have been denied even with an Ivy league ission.

Scholastica16:


Yes I am sir.

I vied for a chemical engineering PhD but the snag is, I did so without having an MSc already and my GPA is not in the >4.5 category. I don't know how much the latter matters but I guess already having an MSc helps those of us who got our first degrees from Nigerian schools.

It seems to be the trend.

Smart choice with Chemical Engineering. Have you checked Washington State Uni.? They have a strong Chemical Engineering program and funding. You can still get in with a BSc. I think timing and availability of funds matter a lot. Don't give up....keep pushing. Winners never quit.

Scholastica:

I see you are eager to get into a fully funded PhD program. If you don't mind; would you be willing to tell which program it is? Is it Petroleum Engineering?

onispark:
Hi guys, I hardly comment but I'll just drop my transcript. F1 VISA approved at Lagos consulate. I was interviewed by the new guy in window 2. I actually heard him interview @Ndawe.

VO: Good Morning
ME: Good Morning
VO: me your port, your I-20 (he checks and sees the stamps on my old port, keeps checking and found VISAs for UK n US (which is still valid))
ME: Handed them over
VO: You've been to d US before?
ME: Yes, in 2015
VO: You're going to study at Louisiana state university?
ME: Yes
VO: You'll be going for your bachelor's degree?
ME: No, doctorate in Petroleum Engineering
VO: where did u do ur MSc?
ME: UI, Nigeria
VO: What do you do?
ME: I'm a reservoir engineer which is a sub-discipline in petroleum engineering, I model hydrocarbon and reservoir behavior.....
VO: What will u do after ur degree?
ME: I'll return to Nigeria to teach in UI.
VO: How long have u been in ur current place of work?
ME: this is my 4th month but this my 10th month as a reservoir engineer.
VO: So u will not return to ur current workplace after studies?
ME: No, I'll go and lecture in UI
VO: How will u fund ur studies?
ME: My Dad will fund it
VO What does he do?
ME: He is a medical practitioner, specifically a pry healthcare physician who specializes in preventive medicine. He works with ...., a mgt consulting firm in , they are focused on health care policy projects in many countries...

He mutes the microphone and speaks to his supervisor.
He switches on the mic and the supervisor says, Salam alaykum (smiles) -LSU is a good school.

I responded with a smile and agreed with him.

He gave me a white slip and told me it has been approved.

Thanks be to GOD!

Advice: Be composed and prayerful. Two guys before me were rejected B1B2. The woman behind me was rejected last week by the same VO so she wanted to change queues. Don't fret! Just have faith...

All the best to future interviewees.

Congrats!!!

But are you actually serious about going back to lecture in UI after possibly interning in some of the top oil companies here or when you get a juicy offer after completion of your doctorate studies?

LagosismyHome:
Side eyes....person no fit quote again in peace without all you researcher.

I gave one example stylishly without putting full details out there intentionally..... i know d person quite well so could post full details but didnt............ within moment una don fish out the post, another post moniker, link this and that .... world people. I greet una

..lol

No one is anonymous. People will dig and know who you are. They will even tell you what you will eat tomorrow night. They are bad like that

I fear my people. Me sef greet una oo

LagosismyHome:


This is a school i know a couple of alumni...... Lincoln and howard are good HBCU in that they have good full ride scholarship so if you can get full ride why not

Also depending on your course, both are good in of recuritment because companys go there to fill their diversity quota . Hence u see a good no of their students interning or graduating with good jobs. Both schools i know a couple of Nigerians who finished there for undergrad and did very well post graduation.

You're right. I know many that graduated from grade B schools and still got jobs with big companies.

TWoods:


I've never met anyone from Howard or Lincoln at my company... its sad that these schools are simply good to fill "diversity quotas". But the really big companies are getting smarter... they know they can easily fill their "quota" from the MITs, Yale, Harvard, UT and other top schools. No offense but my preference is to not attend an HBCU if you can help it. There are better programs out there if you can work for it. Top schools do take diversity into consideration when they offer issions. A black kid from MIT won't have to worry about finding a solid >$150,000/year job ever.

Twoods is just so funny. That graduates from Howard or Lincoln are not in your company doesn't mean they are not in other bigger companies. I didn't even go to the MITs or Yale or Harvard for grad school. As a matter of fact, I graduated from a state university in Nigeria; yet I got my dream job. When I was job hunting, I interviewed with Chevron, Exxon-Mobil, Occidental, Anadarko, Apache,Halliburton etc. Many of my friends who decided to work for these companies didn't even attend Yale or Harvard. It is more of applying to the right jobs, timing, and location of your school. MIT and co. are renowned and many organizations go there to recruit - Amen. But that doesn't mean folks from other schools can't or won't get in.

A black kid fresh out of college with a solid >150k job a year? Well, I know entry-level geologists and petroleum engineers don't make that much anywhere in the world.

Prospective PhD Applicants:

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville just initiated a Doctor of Philosophy of Data Science and Engineering (DSE). This PhD program is interdisciplinary for lovers of big data, statistics, supercomputers, modeling, engineering, etc. One of the perks is that you get to use those supercomputers at ORNL and also have those research scientists at ORNL as mentors or research advisers. I would think that their ission decisons would be flexible since this would be their first. Technical people considering a Ph.D. in the following research areas should take advantage:

Health and Biological Sciences
Advanced Manufacturing
Materials Science
Environmental and Climate Science
Transportation Science
National Security
Urban Systems Science

The program provides an annual stipend of up to $30,000, a tuition waiver, and health insurance for PhD candidates pursuing research in one of the areas mentioned above.


Good luck!!

sirRiddy:
This is what you should be doing instead of flirting with slay queens (MsNas).
They will slay all your pay check.

Sometimes, you even pray for a slay queen to slay all your pay check especially if she has a good check too and has same goals as you. MsNas is one.

seeker88:

Thanks a lot boss.. ..
I work with an Oil servicing firm in d area of project cost controlling.
My decision to switch was because I feel that d era of petroleum is gradually phasing out and also d fact that Pet considers mainly the non-renewable energy sources (ie, crude oil n natural gas) which makes it more streamlined . Since I still have interest in energy, mechanical engr on d other hand will give me more avenue to explore various renewable energy resources and not being restricted to only crude oil n natural gas.

That's a smart move. With a Mech. Eng. degree, you can still go back to the oil industry and work as a petroleum engineer. You can also easily get other engineering jobs outside of petroleum too. In contrast, you may find it so tough to get into other sectors with a Pet. Eng degree.

I see you mentioned Engineering Management, some schools have it as a concentration in their mechanical engineering program. My school has it as a concentration in their Industrial & Systems engineering program and I picked that concentration - don't ask me why. So, you see it depends on what you actually want the degree to do for you.

Congrats again not just for the visa but for the wise decision.

seeker88:

No document was asked. He didn't ask me why I'm switching to Mech Engr from Pet Engr......neither did he ask how my current job relates to my intended Msc program. Everything was just God's favour.

Congrats!! Just out of curiosity; where are you working presently? Why did you switch from petroleum engineering to mechanical with a renewable concentration?

ABOLORUNKING:


I sent you a pm I want to make some enquiries from you.

I just got to read. Will respond later in the evening.

sirRiddy:

see the slay mama flirting with married man. I pirry you

Go and warn yourself oo

Fatezee:



Lol... Maybe he does not like girls sliding into his dm, the other way round instead

You are in the spirit my sister. I don't like girls sliding into my dm

MsNas:
OjaP:

Permission to slide into the DM?

Please slide in as much as you want

RexCheeng:


Hello, UTK is one of the top schools on my radar and I have some queries, especially as regards their CURENT laboratory(I'm into smart grids).

Can I send you a PM?

Fo sho!!

Rasengan02:
would really love to have a chat with you as I am also gunning for PhD in Industrial and systems engineering though my interests lie in supply chain or production management.

Slide in

OluDare01:
wooow! I never knew you school at UTK. Great school especially their collaboration with ORNL. I am not interested in nuclear and radio chemistry, would have applied for a PhD there. Some profs in my department here at tech use those super computers at ORNL for computational chemistry and they speak highly of the kind of research going on there.

I school there but work in California. My classes are flexible. The research is the biggie. You're right about the supercomputers at ORNL. That lab is full of some smart guys. I'm actually working with one on a review paper on energy systems, we should be publishing soon.

I think UTK nuclear engineering program is one of the best in the world. The UT Space Institute at Tullahoma is another big one - big on space research and aeronautics. If in doubt, ask the U.S Airforce.

ABOLORUNKING:


Thank You.will schools like UTK, Texas A and M or Montana state give me PhD ission without research experience.

UT Knoxville is a great school just like Oludare rightly said. The engineering school is also associated with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). ORNL prides herself as the largest science and energy national laboratory in the Department of Energy system by surface and by annual budget. One of their most funded research areas is Energy Science and Nuclear Engineering. Depending on what your research interests are; you may want to go for an energy science concentration for the PhD in Electrical Engineering.

I am in my 3rd year of PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering at UTK myself. I am researching energy systems and climate. ORNL is so big on this and would suggest you look into energy science too - that's the future. Alternatively, research on data analytics or big data and see yourself working in one of the biggest financial institutions or IT companies upon graduation. You can thank me later.

Go Vols!!