Sam Adé Jacobs gave a presentation on studying abroad in the USA. Some key points included: - Studying in the USA can boost your career through an advanced degree from a school with international reputation and diversity. However, admission and funding are not guaranteed. - The academic calendar typically includes fall, spring, and summer semesters. Scholarships and assistantships are often only available for fall start dates. - Application requirements include strong GRE scores, a statement of purpose, recommendation letters, transcripts, and evidence of research or work experience. It is important to start preparing applications early. - Funding options include scholarships from government programs, employers, research assistantships provided with PhD admissions, on-campus employment

1. | Slide 1June 6, 2015
SCM Personal and Professional Development
Sam Adé Jacobs Ph.D.
Study Abroad (USA)

2. | Slide 2June 6, 2015
Disclaimer
I have not received any compensation in sharing this information
For your information only!
The image above (and subsequent images) are exclusive copyright of their sources

3. | Slide 3June 6, 2015
Sam Adé Jacobs
Married to an SCMer- Dr. Wura Jacobs (Class of 2007), blessed with two daughters!
Class of 2003 (Elect & Elect Engineering)
Brief Profile
Ph.D. Computer Science
Texas A&M University
M.Eng. Computer Engineering
Covenant University

4. | Slide 4June 7, 2015
First Thing First
The Whys, Why Nots, and Myths of Study Abroad
‫‫‬International Reputation
 Quality; excellence in teaching and research
 Diversity of culture; the true global village!
 No language barrier
Funding
 Advanced education (MS and PhD) is somewhat free
 Financial aids (i.e. teaching/research assistantship) pay
your tuition and monthly stipends
‫‫‬Boost your Career
 Advanced degree is needed for some professions
 The right kind of education is never wasted
 Not a guarantee for success, but a good avenue if you
have the passion and opportunity
 Not easy, but rewarding!
‫‫‬Greener Pasture
 USA‫‫‬is‫‫‬not‫“‫‬heaven‫‫‬on‫‫‬earth”,‫‫‬the‫‫‬grass‫‫‬may‫‫‬be‫‫‬
greener here but you still have to mow the lawn!
Job
 You may be better off in terms of skills and education,
but‫‫‬job‫‫‬offer‫‫‬still‫‫‬not‫‫‬guaranteed,‫“‫‬time‫‫‬and‫‫‬chances‫‫‬
happen‫‫‬to‫‫‬us‫‫‬all”
‫‫‬Visa and Funding
 Admission offer does not necessarily guarantee travel
(entry) visa and or funding
‫‫‬Not for First Class only
 I know 2nd class lower graduates from different part of
the world who have gone on to obtain advanced
degrees, and have done excellently well thereafter!
Whys Why Nots
Myths

5. | Slide 5June 6, 2015
Be in the know
The beginning of academic year; classes run from August to December
Most scholarships & assistantships are available for students starting in
Fall semester (related to US states and federal government budgets)
Typically, new International students enroll in Fall semester
The coldest season of the year (varies by regions)
Classes run from January to May
Spring classes are independent of Fall classes but could be follow up to
them
End of school year and time of relaxation and travels for many Americans
Unlike Fall and Spring semesters, US laws do not require International
students to enroll for classes in Summer (May to August)
You can work off-campus in Summer for up to 40 hours per week
School Calendar
Most schools operate the three semesters calendar

6. | Slide 6June 6, 2015
Study Abroad Requirements
Beyond Bachelor Degree
GRE is the first filter and most important of all!
‫‫‬Important requirement
for most US schools*
‫‫‬Start preparation early
 6 months
preparation on the
average
‫‫‬You will need study
materials
 Same study
materials may be
good for job
aptitude test
‫‫‬Need to provide list of
4 schools on the day
of the exam
‫‫‬You, telling your story!
 Previous
experience
 Future aspiration
‫‫‬How does your story
fit with the program
you applying to
‫‫‬Be real but not
apologetic!
‫‫‬Samples available
online
 No copy and paste!
 Customize to tell
your story
‫‫‬3-4 Letters from
people who could
attest to your
intellectual abilities,
team work, technical
and leadership skills
‫‫‬Letters from lecturers
(professors) and
supervisors are given
more weight
‫‫‬½ or 1 page letters
are not good enough!
‫‫‬(Un)official transcript
‫‫‬Publications
‫‫‬CV and Resume
 Do not need to
indicate your
gender, religion,
ethnicity, DOB etc
‫‫‬Extra curricula and
leadership activities
‫‫‬Anything that make
you standout among
peers
GRE
Statement of
Purpose
Reference Letters Others
‫‫‬* Some schools require TOEFL in addition to GRE

7. | Slide 7June 6, 2015
Useful Tips
The web is your friend (the first place to go), take advantage of it!
US News provides up-to-date ranking of US Universities
Diversify your applications; 1 top-tier, 2 middle-tier, and 1 low-tier
The EducationUSAAdvising Center (EAC) of the US embassy provides
counselling for persons wishing to study in the US for a fee
URL: http://nigeria.usembassy.gov/educational_advising.html
Check it out and decide if it is good for you (and if you can afford it!)
Family and friends could provide useful information and tips
Including personal and relevant stories that may not be available online
If possible, apply to schools where you already know people
School Search
Application process takes time, start early!

8. | Slide 8June 6, 2015
Funding
Beyond Family Income & Personal Savings
Where God leads, God provides!
 Federal (Nigeria) and
States Government
Scholarship may be
available for study
abroad
 Major corporations and
organizations in and
outside the country
provide scholarship
(sometimes with
restriction)
 If required for your job,
some employers could
provide scholarship for
study abroad
 Or at least offer study
leave with or without
pay
 Many PhD admissions
offers come with
teaching and or
research assistantship
 The assistantship pays
your tuition, fees, and
monthly stipend
 Contact professors upon
admission offer to inquire
about research
assistantship
 On-campus and off-
campus (in Summer)
employment possible
In-country and Foreign
Scholarship
Employment-based
Scholarship
Financial Aids

9. | Slide 9June 7, 2015
Finally
‫‫‬Sam Adé Jacobs Ph.D.
‫‫‬: samadejacobs@me.com
‫‫‬ @samadejacobs
Contact