The USA is a popular study destination for Nigerian students who wish to obtain an international degree. It is one of the top countries that offer world-class teaching and research with modern facilities and curricula. Schools in the USA lead the world university rankings and are prestigious for their premium quality.
Undoubtedly, the requirements to study in the USA are the same for students from other countries. If you meet the requirements for studying in the USA, you will have a greater chance of being accepted. Nevertheless, it does not guarantee that you will gain admission. The reason is that other factors will come to play.
Although it is expensive to study in the USA, cheaper schools offer top education. Hence, it would be best not to focus on Ivy League schools when searching for schools. This comprehensive guide will enlighten you on the requirements to study in the USA as a Nigerian student and other related information.
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What are the Steps to Study in the USA as a Nigerian Student?
To study in the USA from Nigeria, you need to follow the simple steps below:
Research Your Options
The first step to studying in the USA is to find out more about the universities before making your choice. While researching the options, ensure to consider your course of study, budget, and the university’s academic standards. You should also learn about the university’s requirements to determine if you meet them.
Funding Your Education
It is not cheap to study in the USA. Hence, you must have adequate financial resources or sponsorship before starting the journey. You would not want to become frustrated by a lack of finance in the middle of the process. Therefore, you would show proof of financial resources during your USA student visa application. Without adequate money, you will not be allowed to enter the USA.
However, you can choose the option of a scholarship application. If you are fortunate, you may obtain a fully funded scholarship to cover your fees and expenses. Another option is to apply for work on campus to help offset part of your expenses.
Fill out Your Application
It is a requisite to complete your admission application to obtain a US F1 or M1 student visa. You will need to submit such documents as:
- Admission essay
- Transcripts
- English Language Proficiency Certificate (IELTS or TOEFL)
- Proof of financial resources
- Letter of recommendation
The documents are necessary for your admission. Without them, your application may not be approved. Therefore, it is a critical stage in your study in the USA process.
Apply For Your Student Visa
You will go to the US visa Embassy in Abuja or Consulate in Lagos for your student visa interview. This will be after applying for the visa online and booking an appointment for its submission and interview.
There are two visa options for study in the USA from Nigeria. They include the F1 and M1 student visas.
- F1 Student Visa: Issued for academic programs like business administration and architecture
- M1 Student Visa: Issued for vocational programs such as computer science & IT, and creative arts & design
In addition, the visa application fee for Nigerian students is $160. To approve your visa application, you must undergo an interview. Some interview questions include:
- What are the reasons you want to study in the USA?
- How do you plan to sponsor yourself as a US student?
- What are your post-study plans?
Prepare For Your Exit to the USA
After fulfilling the above options, the next step is to prepare for your exit to the US. At this stage, you would not just pack your bag and leave. You must be careful with what to pack to avoid having excess luggage or packing illegal items.
In addition, you must enquire about travel regulations and obtain your health status certification, especially the COVID-19 and Tuberculosis certificates. Finally, you should check your university website for information on average local temperatures, transportation options, accommodations, health insurance, etc.
US Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria
You will apply for your visa at the US Embassy or consulate in Abuja or Lagos. Below are their contacts to enable you to reach out on time and book an appointment:
US Embassy Abuja
Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive
Central District Area, Abuja, Nigeria
Phone: (234)-9-461-4000
Fax: (234)-9-461-4036
US Consulate Lagos
2 Walter Carrington Crescent,
Victoria Island, Lagos
Phone: (234)-1- 460-3400
Fax: (234)-9-461-4036
What are the Requirements to Study in the USA as a Nigerian Student?
You need to prepare the following documents for your US study. Obtaining them may take some time; the earlier you start, the better for you.
- Completed application form
- Copy of your valid passport
- A scan of the bio page of your current valid passport
- A scan of your passport photograph meeting these requirements
- Senior secondary school certificate
- Official transcript from your secondary school
- English Language proficiency certificate (IELTS or TOEFL)
- Essay
- Bank statement (proof of financial resources)
- Letter of recommendation
- Negative COVID-19 test result
- A receipt for your I-901 SEVIS fee
- A completed DS-160
- An approved I-20
- A bank (MRV) receipt for your visa fee
In addition, lower colleges in the USA are the primary schools that require TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) certificates as proof of English language test. If the TOEFL score does not meet the cut-off point, you may be required to take an ESL (English as a Second Language) program.
Moreover, some colleges may set their admission tests, usually SAT 1 (Scholastic Assessment Test 1) or ACT (American College Testing). That is why you should check with the individual college for their exam benchmark before applying for admission.
The SAT exams take place multiple times within the year. The registration materials are also available at advisory centers.
What are the US Universities that Accept Nigerian Students?
Here are some of the universities in the USA that you can apply to for studies:
- Harvard University
- Stanford University
- Columbia University
- Arizona State University
- University of California, Berkeley
- Califonia State University
- New York University
- University of Washington
- Minot State University
- The Ohio State University
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of the People
- South Texas College
- The City College of New York
- Arkansas State University
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Boston University
- Illinois Institute of Technology
- Binghamton University
- The University of Iowa
- Truman State University
- Delta State University
- Southwest Minnesota State University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Northeastern University
- Southeast Missouri University
- Alcorn State University
- Purdue University
5 Tips for Nigerian Students Who Want to Study in the USA
If you are planning to study in the USA as a Nigerian student, then you should follow these tips for a successful application;
#1. Start the Application Process Early
The earlier you start the application process, the better. Most schools demand the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for English language requirements. It takes some time to attend the training, take the exam, and receive the results. Ensure the time limit does not clash with the school admission deadline.
In addition, you will need the official transcript from your high school if you are applying for an undergraduate program. A bank statement showing your proof of sufficient funds to sponsor your education in the USA, letters of recommendation, etc., are among the documents to prepare.
#2. Check Application Deadlines
Knowing the application deadlines is as important as the application itself. If you miss the deadline, your application is a waste of effort, and you will need to return the following year. For instance, the deadline for the Fall Semester is around early November to a few months before the beginning of the school year.
#3. Use Study Guides for your examinations
It is best to obtain a study guide to arm yourself for the IELTS or TOEFL exams. The guide helps you prepare for the exams. In addition, you can practice your English skills by reading American magazines and newspapers, listening to audio by American speakers, and watching American movies. You can also obtain guides for SAT and ACT if your school requires them.
#4. Get involved in Extracurricular Activities
When considering your application, your grades are not the only options in focus. In addition, you must prove proficiency in areas like sports, volunteer work, social clubs, music, public speaking, traveling, etc. They are also crucial in grading your points.
#5. Understand that Details are Essential
If you leave any details unattended, it may limit your chances of acceptance by the school. Remember that you are competing against thousands of applicants. So, you must make sure to fill in the information accurately. Read the instructions carefully before supplying the information.
Conclusion
the USA is a top destination for Nigerian students who wish to study abroad. You must meet the requirements to study in the USA to make headway in your application process. Remember, you compete against thousands of applicants, so you must be properly informed to avoid errors. If you have read to this point, we urge you to start the process of gathering your documents. Then, research the most suitable school and start the application.
To your success!