Educational Advising

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I obtain financial aid to pay for school?
Students should research online at http://educationusa.state.gov or http://iefa.org . In addition, graduate students should contact the school that they wish to attend and the department of their major if interested in a position on campus as an assistanceship, research assistant, etc.

2. Why did the Consular section deny my visa request?
Under U.S. immigration law, all applicants for nonimmigrant visas are presumed to be intending immigrants. In order to be approved for a visa, applicants must satisfy the interviewing officer that they are entitled to the type of visa for which they are applying and that they will depart the United States at the end of their authorized temporary stay.  This means that before a visa can be issued, applicants must demonstrate strong social, economic and/or family ties outside the United States.

3. How do I register for a standardized exam, such as the TOEFL?
You can pick up a test bulletin from the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy, American Language Center in Yaoundé, American Language Center Douala (Akwa) or download and print a form from the internet. TOEFL: http://www.ets.org/bin/getprogram.cgi?test=toefl

4. Where can I take the TOEFL, GRE and SAT in Yaoundé?
The TOEFL, GRE and SAT are offered at the American Language Center located in downtown Yaoundé on the same street as Taxation Bureau / Direction des Impôts.

5. Where can I take the GMAT?
The GMAT is offered at Microlog located at ancien Sonel de Mimboman Yaoundé.

6. How many times can I apply for a visa?
You may apply for a visa as many times as you wish.  However, unless there has been a significant change in your circumstances it is unlikely that a second application will result in visa issuance. 

7. What factors should I consider when choosing a school?
Base your decision on attending a school by its size, location, services, financial aid, housing, environment, safety, retention rate, alumni success, work study availability, among other considerations.

8. I obtained my degree at a university in Cameroon, but I want to study in the United States. Do I need to start over again and get my degree in the U.S.?
You could, but it is not necessary.  Instead, you could transfer your credits earned at university in Cameroon to a 4 year university in the United States. Credits may be applied toward completion of a 4 year degree in the United States. The U.S. university will determine whether your transferred credits will be accepted and/or if you need to take additional classes that will allow you to graduate.