First visit to Gambia!  Recruiting is both professional and educational.

One of my personal passions while recruiting is to sample a culture in terms of its cuisine, social customs, and to learn how the folks go about their daily lives.

I strongly believe that having some knowledge of a culture, assimilating a bit, getting into the politics, local issues, and the dietary nuances all help me to connect with prospective students and also to better tend to the needs of those who actually make it to the US to Study.

Gambia is the 14th African country I have visited along with 23 others from the rest of the world.

With a packed agenda, I anticipated little time to “feel the country.”  But the most striking thing I observed was a conspicuous orderliness to the way people go about their daily lives.

There is no traffic, no hustle, no chaos.  This is quite atypical for African capitals where traffic is usually a predictable nightmare.

I had my first session at a church hall, a rare Christian enclave in a country with the highest percentage of Muslims at over 90%.

I have other stops scheduled at three international schools along with the American Corner—the Education USA access point.

My first stop yielded a modest 15 students.  Sadly 12 of them we highly representative of what I meet in West Africa–brilliant students with a dream and a glitter in their eyes—but with no financial means to make it remotely plausible.  I encouraged them to seek options in Gambia where the ” not affordable” cost for them is still less than 10% of our modest cost.

For students with the challenge of paying for an undergraduate education in their country, but with a dream of going to the USA, that can be a daunting proposition.

There are very few full scholarships (and I personally don’t know of any) funded by universities, for international undergraduate students—certainly none for other than the very top students—top as in perfect SAT scores and five A levels.  The hyperbole is meant to stress the rarity of such a scholarship if it does indeed exist.

I will keep my line of optimism, from a recruiting point of view, a bit more open as I visit the international schools.

The public sessions do allow me to connect with the population, advise some really polite and impressive young folks, but seldom serve as fertile recruiting grounds because of the aforementioned financial disparities between the US and most other countries in this region.

As a matter of general advice to those with such challenges, try your best to get the lesser sum, finish your degree in your home country; do well; and be assured that the options are much better for you at the graduate level in the USA.  As the cliche goes, Keep hope alive….but adhere to reality. Sometimes, life just is not fair.

Related posts:

1. Midwestern State University in Gambia 2012

Midwestern State University, Texas USA will be holding information seminars for those interested in attending university in the United States.  See below for schedule of events

Seminars – Gambia

More about Midwestern State University

http://students.mwsu.edu/international/

Related posts:

1. Midwestern State University International Student Seminars Fall 2011
2. Midwestern State University Seminar in India
3. Free Seminar: Midwestern State Univeristy in Ghana, Sunday March 15th 2009

This is it! Crunch time! The month of May is crucial for international students planning to come to the USA for the next school year.

If you have aspirations of studying in the US this coming year then you will likely have come across at least one deadline by now. The most likely would be a cut-off date for admission. Since students ask the question, what are my steps, here is a generic structure of what should happen now.

Transcripts

If you have not yet been admitted, it is probably getting to the very last minute to make sure that transcripts and test scores have been submitted to the admissions office. If you are relying on a foreign university or college to submit a transcript, you may well have to go there in person to get it done. Take immediate action, do not wait!

Test Scores

Also, if you have done TOEFL or IELTS or SAT, GMAT or GRE, these scores take time. Depending on which exam, you might have an idea of your score before the final transcripts are sent. It is helpful to email your admissions counselor with the score. Some will gladly give you the synopsis of where you stand based on an official score. That information could guide your choices.

Admission

I would advise that you always seek admission to more than one school. In the event that you do not get admission, or that do not get some financial assistance or scholarship, or that the cost is too high, or even that the process becomes too frustrating, you will have a back up in the same school year.

At this stage, you are likely limited to the choices you made a few months ago. While it is still possible to apply to and get admission to some schools, particularly junior colleges or smaller schools, the logistics of getting that process done, plus the financial and visa processes, all in a dwindling time frame, makes the possibility of a Fall enrollment less likely.

Financial Statement

Although many schools will not evaluate international students for admission without first seeing the financial qualification, others will handle the process in two phases. So if you have an admission, many schools, will prompt you to send a financial statement equivalent to the cost of at least one year of study.

In doing so, please be aware that the Embassy may still require you to show that there is a sufficient basis of guarantee of funding for the later years. Also, many schools may require a deposit equivalent to one semester or even one year’s tuition, particularly for markets with a history of defaults among international students.

SEVIS and Student Visa Interview

Once you have submitted your financial statement, ask your DSO (Designated School Officer)—the person who signs the I-20, to please urgently provide you with your N-Number. That will allow you to pay your SEVIS (I-901 Fee), book a visa appointment, and then face the interview. That, in effect, is the last step before you need to book your travel. It is imperative that you get that N-Number, and pay your SEVIS fee as soon as possible.

Important to note, for prospective students from Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria, you will not be able to pay your SEVIS FEE online. Due to the pervasiveness of fraudulent transactions in your countries, you will have to engage Western Union or ask a colleague in the USA to pay your SEVIS fee with a money order. Credit cards and online transactions will not be honored for those countries. A person cannot pay your fee with a credit card even from the USA online. Therefore, your process is inherently longer, making it critical that you have everything wrapped up by mid June at the latest, in order to secure an early enough visa appoint that will allow you to arrive in school on time.

Good Luck!

Keep all of this in mind as you prepare to come to the USA this year. If you happen to be late, then no worries. Most schools will defer your admission to the next semester. But be sure and confirm that your particular program allows a January start. That is more applicable to graduate students. Naturally you will be curious about the critical student visa interview process, so pay close attention to the tips, guidance and testimonials on this site. Good luck!

On our various recruiting expeditions we get a unique opportunity to interact with prospective students with different circumstances. In so doing, we find certain commonalities that are nonetheless inhibiting their aspirations.

At the very least, these observed phenomena complicate their quest.

The simplest axiom we can use is the proverbial “putting the cart before the horse.”

Almost universally, students are obsessed with the student visa process from the get-go. That is flawed for several reasons.

Although we recognized that there is severe trepidation about embarking on the visa process, it is totally impractical to make it the initial focus.

Still, understanding that it is the penultimate point in the process, the antecedent procedures are just as critical and may well lessen the visa process anxiety once they are put in proper perspective.

Step 1

Our advice to students then is to focus FIRST and foremost on a family discussion about your quest to study. Be sure to discern that the financial means are available.

We would love to send out a universal message to all those wonderful and brilliant students in the developing world in particular who believe that a full scholarship in an American university is available for the asking.

That is a profound myth. An email to an administrator will NOT get you a scholarship regardless of how well you explain your unfortunate family circumstances.

If such a scholarship exists, and they are few and far between, they will be available on merit–objective factors such as a perfect SAT score. So step one, get the finances in order, see what the family can afford and then go to step two.

Step 2

Look into universities that you can afford that offer the programs you seek and wield the best possible reputations. In other words, try to get the best that your family can afford.

A partial scholarship, tuition reduction program, a relative living close by who can accommodate you, will all enhance your spending power.

Make sure that you meet the admission requirements and even better, make sure you stand attractively enough to gain whatever award that university may offer.

Step 3

Go through the application process and financial qualification process.

Once you have an admission—and once you are assured of getting an I-20, then and only then does the visa process become relevant.

In effect, the process that most student put first, is really the penultimate process next to actually traveling to the university.

Follow the correct sequence

Many students ask about obtaining a student visa. Well this is something you cannot do on your own. That requires the following:

1. The school accepts you
2. The school accepts that the financial statement you provide honestly reflects your reality
3. The school  issues you an I-20
4. You pay your SEVIS Fee and make an embassy appointment for the student visa interview

Only after the above sequence of events will the US government decide whether or not you are eligible for a waiver.

Stop Worrying

In short, the anxiety about the visa process is somewhat warranted, especially if your finances are marginal, your intent is dishonorable, and your study plans are not clear. However, worrying never helps it is prudent to get help with this process from competent sources. Hopefully My American Degree site qualifies as a trusted source to you.

But you also can’t have a mindset of “beating” the embassy. Rather, it should be on communicating your truthful intent more intelligently.

Good luck with the process! But first build the foundation, put things in the proper order and perspective, and the rest will fall in line.

Seminar conducted by Dr. Randy Glean, Associate Professor and Director of International Services at Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas; 20 years experience in placing international students at MWSU; graduate of Washington University, St. Louis; 90+% graduation rate for international students.

Seminars – Zimbabwe, Kenya, India, Sri Lanka

More about Midwestern State University

Midwestern State University established 1922; fully acredited state institution in Texas; located in a small, economically upscalse city of 110,000; safe environment:

• Offers full range of undergraduate degrees and 12 very good master’s degree programs; all programs open to international students
• Previous voted #1 best value university for good quality and reasonable tuition; has been in top ten of that list for the past 6 years; currently #4
• Quick evaluations and I-20 processing; excellent reputation with US consulates
• Complete logistical assistance with off campus or on campus housing, airport pickups, post graduation employment, adjustment
• Completely FREE local transportation for all students on city buses to anywhere in the city
• Very low cost affordable housing options for international students that can be paid monthly; assistance in finding room-mates and apartment set up
• 79 TOEFL or 6.0 IELTS score required; GRE (approx 1000 + 3.0 writing sample) for all grad programs required; or for MBA, GMAT of 450 minimum.

Deadline for application this year for Spring will be the day of seminar. Dr. Glean will accept spring packages then and waive application fees for anyone who hands him a COMPLETE package at the seminar.

Related posts:

1. Midwestern State University Seminar in India

Midwestern State University‘s Director of International Student Services, Dr. Randy Glean will be conducting Free Seminars in India for prospective US University students.

Please forward this information to everyone you know in the following cities so everyone can learn firsthand How a US University Education can benefit them, and EXACTLY what you need to do to give yourself the best chance of making it to the US to study.

Please use the Name and Email link on the right under Join My American Degree so we can reserve a place for you at the seminar, and keep you in touch on future seminars.

Nagpur Seminar

Date: 30th August 2009.
Time: 11.00 am to 5.00 pm
Venue: Krishna Consultants Office , Nagpur.

Ahmedabad Seminar

Date:1st Sept.2009
Time: 11.00 am to 1.00 pm
Venue: AMA (Ahmedabad Management Association) Atira Campus

Friday, Sept 4th (Hyderabad)

Event: Focus Group Session With Students
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Venue: Ameerpet Office – Flat No: 118, First Floor, LAL Bungalow, Opp Dr.Reddys Lab, Ameerpet, Hyderabad-500016

Saturday, Sept 5th (Hyderabad)

Event: Focus Group Session With Students
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Venue: Vidyanagar Office – # 204, Usha Kiran Arcade, 1st floor above Andhra Bank ATM, OU Road, Vidyanagar,Hyderabad, 500044

Sunday, Sept 6th (Guntur)

Event: Focus Group Session With Students
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Venue: Guntur Office – 2nd Floor, Ranga Complex, 4/1, Brodipet Guntur 522002

Sunday, Sept 6th (Vijayawada)

Event: Focus Group Session With Students
Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Venue: Vijayawada Office – Door No: 40-5/3-6/1, ShyamNagar,Tikkle Road, Labbipet, Vijayawada-10

Monday, Sept 7th (Warangal)

Event: Focus Group Session With Students
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Venue: Warangal Office – 2nd Floor,K K R Complex, Opp SBH, Nakkalagutta, Hanamkonda, 506001

Related posts:

1. Free Seminar: Midwestern State Univeristy in Ghana, Sunday March 15th 2009

A Midwestern State University Representative will be meeting all accepted and prospective students in Ghana.

Date: SUNDAY MARCH 15
Time: NOON SHARP
Where: The University of Ghana, Legon, SARBAH HALL READING ROOM.
What to Bring: Please bring your transcripts to deliver in person.

There is no application fee if application is turned in at the seminar.

For Directions: Call 0243 979 748 or 0240 819 701
For all further Information: Call 0244 541 043

Forward this information to all your friends interested in studying in the US. And please bring your friends along.

Read How to Improve your chances of getting admitted, securing a visa, and completing your studies at a US University.

Related posts:

1. How to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Visa to Study at Midwestern State Univeristy?
2. US Visa Seminar for Students, Yaounde Cameroon April 22 2009

Sorry Registration is Now CLOSED for this SEMINAR. We will notify you when we hear of another seminar.

What: Visa Seminar

When: APRIL 22 AT 1:00 PM

Where:The Embassy In YAOUNDE

Who Must Attend: Everyone in Cameroon seeking admission to Midwestern State University or other US University.

How to Register: Send an email to ——– with your name and telephone number.  Or contact the Education Advising Center in the US Embassy in Yaounde

DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY to get all your specific questions asked and answered.

At My American Degree we try to answer with cursory and general information about the assumptions made when one applies for any non-immigrant visa.  However, it is best for you to hear it from the counselor’s at the embassy.

Please register as soon as possible to ensure that you will be accommodated.

Good luck with the application process.  We are doing everything we can to assist you to get to Midwestern State University.  However, the final decision on your visa rests entirely with the US Embassy.

To receive more information like this please subscribe to My American Degree

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Whether you are seeking an F visa or J visa, you face the seemingly arduous task of traveling to a US consulate for a face to face visa interview. Since both visas fall in the “non-immigrant” category, there is a legal assumption that governs its issuance. In effect, you, the applicant, face a legal burden of proof the minute you walk up to that window.

Let us explain. According to US immigration law, every person who enters a US consulate to apply for a non immigration visa is presumed to be an intended immigrant unless that person can show evidence to the contrary. This is serious! It is an assumption under Section 214 B of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( INA).

The government of the United States has instructed every counselor at the window to believe that you might be using the student visa as a pretense for entering the US on a permanent basis. So you will have to show them that such is not the case when you get there. How do you overcome such a burdensome presumption?

The key is proper preparation and understanding what is required. Let’s talk about the documents:

Passport

You will have your passport. Generally, if you have traveled to the USA before and not violated the law or the terms of your visa, you are probably most likely to get the student or exchange visa. If you have traveled extensively in developed countries, that helps.

However, if you have been to Cuba or are from a Middle-Eastern or communist country, you may have to do some explaining. While these factors may not directly impact the decision, they are complications that will make the interview a bit more nerve wrecking.

Forms DS-156 and DS-157

You will fill out a form called the DS-156 (and the DS 157 if you are male). The first is the visa application form; the second is the security form. The form requires two passport photos with clearly indicated dimensions, and a $100 US or local equivalent application fee. The form itself is not complex. But you will need to have your intended address (so get it from the university), and you will need to answer questions about your plans.

One touchy issue on the form is about your previous travels to the USA. Records exist, especially for post 2001 activities, so be honest. Another touchy issue is that of relatives. If you have had a previous immigrant filing or a current immigrant petition, then it is not advisable to seek a student visa. You would not be able to clear the “intended immigrant” hurdle. Previous, but not current filing can be explained but might be a hurdle.

Having relatives in the USA is NOT an asset. Don’t believe for a minute that your uncle in New York or your sister in Los Angeles would work in your favor. On the contrary, it demonstrates ties to the USA and not your home country.

If such a condition exists, be prepared to explain why it would not be a factor in your plans to return home after completing your degree.

Fees

Fees can be costly. So a mistake the first time could result in you having to re-apply and pay another $100. But even if you have everything right, prior to going for the interview, you must pay a SEVIS or form I-901 fee, in addition to your visa fee. That is also $100. You must have evidence that you have paid this fee online prior to arriving for your interview.

Making An Appointment

Online is a good way to make a visa appointment (where available), and also to submit your DS-156 and or DS-157. Submitting the forms electronically and arriving at the embassy for your scheduled visa  interview can help to expedite your case and give you a preferred place in line. You will have a bar-coded printout that you can take with you allowing easy access to your application.

Supplemental Documents

Supplemental documents are critical. In addition to the passport, photos, forms, and documents, always carry your financial information that you submitted to the school. But it is also wise to carry any additional evidence of current or future financial support.

Carry all your academic documents and copies of your test scores. Carry any correspondence from your school especially scholarship offers or housing confirmation. If you have a family business, a house, a significant other, a pending job, or a bond, or evidence of anything that suggests or compels you to return, then these are great things to carry.

Remember, the purpose of the interview is to simply assure the counselor that you intend to go to school in good faith and complete the intended program and then dutifully return to your home country.

It is also important to convince him or her that you have the language skills, academic ability, and the financial means or support to accomplish this. Given those circumstances, you should have no problems getting your visa.

Read “Student Visa Interview – How To Get The US Consulate on Your Side” to improve your chances of getting the student visa.

Many students who visit US Embassies report varying outcomes from their Student Visa Interview. On a given day, in the same embassy, two persons, one with a solid financial structure, the other with some contrived documents, approach the same counselor seeking a student visa. The well grounded person is denied, but the imposter gets a five-year student visa.

It happens all the time and everywhere. Why? It is an inexact science. The counselor is making a subjective decision based on some cues that he is trained to observe. It is those subjective nuances that can affect your outcome, and we will attempt to address them here.

The student visa interview is two human beings interacting with each other face to face. Therefore, human factors will intervene regardless of the presence or absence of objective criteria. So how do you combat that? Simple, apply what you know about basic human behavior. Use your interpersonal skills to your advantage.

How You Look at the Student Visa Interview…

First thing is appearance. Dress neatly but not in a pretentious fashion. Don’t wear too much makeup; don’t wear an earring if you are male; don’t wear large or multiple earrings if you are female; don’t have an exotic hairstyle; don’t use artificial hair color if that is obvious; don’t chew gum; don’t wear revealing clothing. These are just some of the obvious things that can hurt your case. What are the positives?

How You Say, What You Say at the Student Visa Interview…

Speak clearly! If you have an accent or are not 100% comfortable in English, speak slowly. Answer questions politely in short sentences. Add information for clarification but do not argue. If things appear to be going badly, then listen to the counselor’s concerns.

It is better to address those concerns and return a few days later, rather than get an outright visa denial from trying to argue. If he is expressing doubts, unless you have the items that can clarify or satisfy his doubt, you are better advised to return another day better armed. Often, you will get that chance to correct the problem without paying another fee.

Likability is the key. If the officer conducting the student visa interview likes you, there is a greater chance he will give you a positive result. Smile, be pleasant, explain yourself clearly, provide answers in a non-combative tone, and be ready to think quickly on your feet.

The 214 B Reality and the Student Visa Interview…

Section 214(b) is part of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). It states:

Every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer, at the time of application for admission, that he is entitled to a non immigrant status…

Normally if you are denied a Student Visa the consular officer might say something like:

“Your student visa application is refused. You are not qualified under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.”

The 214 B reality is there. You might have to answer some hypothetical questions about your intentions that could get you in trouble. Remember the burden of proof that you must withstand and answer those questions to the best of your ability in that light.

If you are really an intended immigrant or plans to remain in the USA, then legally you do not qualify for a student visa. The reality is that a significant percentage of prospective international students, particularly from the developing world are in fact intended immigrants–meaning they have no intentions of returning home after their studies. Most counselors and their bosses know this.

Telling the truth would not per se disqualify you from getting the visa if everything else is in order, especially if your proposed field of study is something that will benefit the USA. So in reality, even the 214B burden might be overcome with an honest answer.

If you are really an intended immigrant or plan to remain in the USA, then legally you do not qualify for a student visa.

The key issue remaining to be resolved is whether or not you are a legitimate student likely to complete this degree in the time frame allowed? If yes, and if the funding is sufficient, the visa will likely be granted! Then you are on your way to Studying in America.

Many perceive this topic of Student Visa Interview to be complex because of rumors and anecdotes that are in circulation. But as you can see following the three sections above that this topic is not actually complex. Never buy into rumors and hearsay. When in doubt use your best judgment based on facts you have gathered from reputable sources.