18-21 years old winners experience ?

[USAnDream]

I'm curious, has anyone here won the lottery at 18-21 years of age? Because, I'm gonna play and if I win I'll be 20. So, I've got some concerns. For starters - How do teens prove that they won't be a burden to the government ? Do they get a job offer somehow? Just, in my case, I only have relatives who might provide me with an affidavit or letter or support (I'm not sure about it though) and if they did, would it be enough? I don't have any work experience since I"m studying. I don't even have a bank account as I have no money to put there.. I can't understand how anyone could have a specialty in demand or be financially independent at such age. So, do I even stand a chance?

 

[Jeffy14]

By the time of the interview you'll probably be 21 =)
also you dont tell us everything. Are you studying ?
because you can be 20 and working already to support yourself.
Be more specific. I you plan on studying until 25y old, then maybe it's a problem if you dont have lots of money and/or a sponsor.

 

[USAnDream]

No, by the interview time I'll be still 20 that's for sure, because Im 19 now and my birthday is in april. I graduated from high school just a year ago..and I've mentioned that I'm studying but I picked the specialty due to circumstances and I"m not planning on working in that field (IN other words,I'm ready to drop out at any moment without any regrets). In my town there's not many colleges or universities to choose from, add to that- most of them have limited number of offered specialties, and also many them are getting more expensive every year(though the education level is getting worse). My parents are paying for the tuition because it's important to have any kind of a university degree in order to get at least a low paid job here (and I mean really low-paid, like 10 times lower than the same one in america). But if I were to move out, they'd better pay for all the expenses and a plane ticket. And I would have a sponsor in the states, I'm just concerned if it would be enough...

 

[Jeffy14]

Sorry but you can totally be 21 when your interview comes...
You are 19 now, you will be 20 in April 2011, and you can have your interview in April next year (2012) .... Interviews go until September 2012 so how do you know ?

You are studying fine. But what are you studying? how long is that ? What kind of diploma ? What country are you from ?
You know the more education you have, the better it is for your chances to get the green card.
Continue your studies. You may never win the lottery you know that ?
Dont base your life on something that may never happen.

 

[USAnDream]

until september 2012? Are you sure it's not 2011 ? Anyway, you don't understand, I'm studying just because It's like a standart. I'm in Russia and degrees we get usually mean nothing in the states. Especially when Im interested in a completely different occupation. I understood it just now and I'd hate to spend 4 more years here just for a worthless degree. I know, I may never win but I hope and pray that I do. If not..then I'll have no choice but to complete my studies and live on. But that's not the point, why do you say the more education I get here the better my chances are? I thought the chances are equall for everyone..plus, to enter the lottery, one must have at least a high school degree, not necessarily a university degree..

OK, you see, I'd love to take any kind of a low-paid job in the states and then I'm sure I could even start saving up for my further education there..plus with the help from relatives, it would be real. Unlike here,I know some people that have 2 degrees and barely make enough to buy food. And you know, you just have to be here, to understand what I mean.. Im sure I'd have a better chance across the ocean than wasting time and money here for a lousy degree and then work at a job I'd hate for peanut money for the rest of my life. Also always living in fear that the employer may not pay what I've earned at all... ok, this is getting off topic , but I'm just saying why I don't wanna continue like this.

 

[Jeffy14]

I'm sure lol this is the same every year
You apply right now October 2010 , for DV 2012.
May /June 2011 you get the results.
October 2011 Interviews for DV 2012 begin
September 2012 interviews for DV2012 end
=)
First the chances are not the same for everyone... for the lottery your education, income and stuff like this DO NOT MATTER. But your location counts. There are 6 regions and if you come from Europe your wining chances are almost 4 times higher than someone from Asia. That's because a lot more people play in Asia. Also a country cannot have more than 7% of the total numer of winners in a region. Finally, many countries are excluded such as China, Mexico, UK, and many others ... These country have exceed the 50 000 immigrants in the US in the last 5 years. More info here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_Immigrant_Visa
Russia used to be excluded, it's now eligible.

Once you get selected, it does not guarantee that you get the Green card. 100 000 people are selected but they are only 55,000 green card to give away.... So around 1/2 winners dont get a green card. Either because they dont want to (they changed their mind) or because they get rejected because they dont qualify.
Im saying again, the more education you have , the better. Yes the minimum is having high school diploma. But thats a minimum lol.
During my interview, they wanted to see ALL my diplomas,( I have a Masters degree). They asked me questions about it and payed attention to it.
Many factors are considered. Your TOTAL education, English level, age, experience, job, income, savings etc....
If you have a high school diploma and very little money on your account, poor English and no US sponsor. Then it wont be enough. But you said you could have a US sponsor so that's fine.
So lets put down your options:
what do you want to do? Stop school now ? if you stop school now hoping you will win next year, this is not a good solution... You know your chances of winning are 1/50 so you could be playing 49 years without ever winning (and 70 years old). Statistically and if unlucky, you could also play 100 years without winning...
Live your life normally. If you win you win, fine. Dont count on it.
But what are you gonna do in the US without even a degree from a Univ ? you think you gonna be rich ? A lot of people end up with shitty jobs and have to work 2 jobs and cant even pay all their basic expenses...
Life is not that easy even if it's not Russia.
You should live your life as if you would never win. Dont think about it. That's the smart thing to do.
Otherwise, you are better off going to the casino right now and play everything you and your family owns on one number... your chances are higher.... would you do it ? no. So thats the same thing for the lottery and you deciding to stop your studies...
Think about it

 

[USAnDream]

ok , my bad about the year. thx for the info actualyy I already knew all that..and I never said Id stop school now, I said I would if I won, ok? I'm not that stupid. I know high school degree is a minimum and actually Ive spoken to people who had only that and rreceived visas without any problems.. Of course they ask for as much proof as possible but, how old were you when you had your interview? I'd guess 25-30? Of course by that age you must have had some exprience and savings. I'm trying to say, they probably understand that a guy like me can't have master degree or a job offer..In fact, That'd be even suspicious. And you're talking as if students shouldn't even play the lottery because they will most likely fail to get approved in visas . I know everything plays a significant role..but I simply wanted to hear if there were guys or girls who had won at this age and how they proved their independence or whatever. Btw, I consider my english more or less enough to get by and what I asked was - Would an affidavid and decent english be enough? And yea- I'm not that obsessed as you might think..I'm not gonna drop out all of a sudden and sit around untill I get the results. I'm just curious, that's all. And I don't count on being rich, stop jumping to conculsions. I count on having any kind of a job no matter how hard, exhausting or "shitty" it could be, because it would be still much more profitable than in my homecountry and I won't have to worry about not getting paid, tricked or fooled. I could scrimp and save, take classes, get a specialty that I actually want, not that "I had to pick" because there was only one option. Do you even know how poorly some of the russian people live? Try living on 50 $ a month.. You just act like you know me and know what's better for me..Stop that.

And one more thing, you think having a master degree or phd helps russians or others get established in america? If so, you're mistaken..They come there..they have to start over, they work at low paid jobs just like every other immigrant..Nobody cares about their afghanistan degrees..They usually build their future from scratch and it's even harder especially if they were big bosses over here. Haven't you heard of russian doctors who work there as taxists or waiters? So think it over.

 

[Jeffy14]

"I'd guess 25-30? Of course by that age you must have had some exprience and savings" WRONG
"nd you're talking as if students shouldn't even play the lottery because they will most likely fail to get approved." WRONG again , I said MANY FACTORS ARE CONSIDERED OMG you are such a kid lol


You did not get the point of what I said.... . You must have not learned probabilities at school yet...
You are asking questions for a problem that has 1/50 chance to happen... are you serious ??? Man stop dreaming. Why are you asking this ? because If we told you you wont qualify without money then you would drop out to make sure that IF you win you would be eligible. Otherwise I dont see the point of you asking questions like this. Curious ? lol
And Stop thinking I was talking about you omg.... I was talking IN GENERAL TO EXPLAIN YOU when I talked about the factors. I also gave you examples omg .... I cant believe how you are.
You knew all this really ?
then why do you say "I thought the chances are equall for everyone.." ???????????????
You knew all this but you say such stupid thing ....
So before writing something, try to think....

then you say this"plus, to enter the lottery, one must have at least a high school degree, not necessarily a university degree.."
It's not true omg.... You dont even need a High school degree
GO READ the rules then talk to me.
You are just saying so many things wrong lol

I answered you, an affidavit + your level of English which looks excellent is enough omg
stop being such a drama
Im just telling you the problem is not winning the lottery or not because most likely you WONT.
Again, if YOU WIN (im tlaking about you this time), and have a sponsor, high school degree and good english then you will qualify.
I think it's clear this time

 

[USAnDream]

So you like humiliating people huh?

You did not get the point of what I said.... . You must have not learned probabilities at school yet...
You are asking questions for a problem that has 1/50 chance to happen... are you serious ??? Man stop dreaming. Why are you asking this ? because If we told you you wont qualify without money then you would drop out to make sure that IF you win you would be eligible. Otherwise I dont see the point of you asking questions like this. Curious ? lol

Can you read or what? I was asking if there were guys of the same age as me and how they got through the interview. And also if affidavit would be enough to qualify. WHAT"S SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND?

And Stop thinking I was talking about you omg.... I was talking IN GENERAL TO EXPLAIN YOU when I talked about the factors. I also gave you examples omg .... I cant believe how you are.

How what I am? Stupid?

You knew all this really ?
then why do you say "I thought the chances are equall for everyone.." ???????????????

Because you started confusing me "the more education the better people" I thought you were tryin to say that If a person has a phd then he'll have better odds at winning..

You knew all this but you say such stupid thing ....
So before writing something, try to think....

So becuase I said something wrong means it's a stupid thing? lol. DO you get high from mocking at others ?
and yeah..try to think before replying questions you weren't asked .

then you say this"plus, to enter the lottery, one must have at least a high school degree, not necessarily a university degree.."
It's not true omg.... You dont even need a High school degree
GO READ the rules then talk to me.
You are just saying so many things wrong lol

Yes the minimum is having high school diploma. But thats a minimum lol.

-So you replied it first, agreeing ..
then you went back to my previous post just to point out my mistake? Wow, you must be really proud of yourself.

I answered you, an affidavit + your level of English which looks excellent is enough omg
stop being such a drama
Im just telling you the problem is not winning the lottery or not because most likely you WONT.
Again, if YOU WIN (im tlaking about you this time), and have a sponsor, high school degree and good english then you will qualify.
I think it's clear this time

WHERE DID YOU ANSWER EXACTLY THAT ? And was it that hard to say this when I first asked, without going on and on that I could never win and making assumptions how naive I supposedly am hoping to be rich.

Oh because Russian = afghan people ? Lol
I think you missed a few classes at school have you not ?

IT appears you didn't go to school at all. I MEANT- IT DOESN"T MATTER WHAT DEGREE THEY HAVE. RUSSIAN, AFGHAN or WHATEVER..THEY"RE ALL THE SAME TO AMERICAN EMPLOYERS.


You're calling me a kid while you actually act like one. Laughing, mocking, calling me lame..What kind of a 4 y.o. behavior is that?

OK, I have no interest in talking to a man who's so full of himself. Hope you burst from your arrogance.

 

[Jeffy14]

ahahha ok calm down
I'm sorry for what I said.
But admit that your first post is not clear. You come and ask a question and tell your life about russia and droping out if you had a choice etc....
Man try to be clearer... thats a forum about laws and immigration. Be specific.
If you tell your life like this for a simple question, I'm gonna think you are not felling well... That's not the topic of the forum.
I think you are fun to talk with ahah

 

[USAnDream]

The key question was - In my case, I only have relatives who might provide me with an affidavit or letter or support (I'm not sure about it though) and if they did, would it be enough? You could've jsut said -decent english and affidavit would be enough

But you asked for the details and then provoked me by saying things like - What I was gonna do in the US without a degree or that I exxpect to be rich. People arrive in the US without any money in their pockets and survive. Others bring families while having only a high school degree. Heck, some don't even speak english.. It's the land of opportunities, and it means taking risks. THere wouldn't be America if people didn't take the risk to go there in the first place. SO I'm gonna do what everybody else does. Survive and persevere.

 

[Ziva]

If I were you USAnDream, I would just sign up for DV2012. It's free and chances of being selected are slim anyway.

If you do get selected in May, and want to process your request, just make sure you get all the papers you need and bring your highest education, plus an affidavit of support. Because you do need a place to stay after arriving and money to support yourself for about 3 months minimum. This however will cost you and you need to pay a medical exam and also the fee for processing your papers which is about 1000 euros.

But signing up only costs you a picture and you can always decide if you want to process or not after you been selected. I know people who were selected, didn't process that year and were selected again the year after that.

 

[asss]

Let's try to get this straight ..have you been selected yet..if u haven't play ..get selected first and then you can thin? of what next..

 

[littlecritter]

I was actually wondering the same thing; about how high the chances were for people 18 - 21 years old. From the time you sign up, and to the time you get the NL you've got as much of a chance as anyone else. But from that point on, they have to make sure that you're able to take care of yourself when you reach America. So, definitely get someone to sponsor you who already lives over there, and until then you should really get a job and try and save as much money as possible. Before even getting the green card there's a lot of expenses (like the dude above mentioned; medical, and the like, and the plane ticket too). The more money you've got, I think the more likely it is they'll see you as someone who's able to stay afloat and the more chances you've got of actually getting a green card. Because you are young, and I'm sure while they're conducting the interview they take that into account; Older people, I guess are more trustworthy when it comes to money, because of all the work experience they've had.


(my birthday is in April too btw )

Added a lil later:

I read a little bit more of what you wrote, and I don't know if the sponsor is enough, I've heard different accounts. It's really in the hands of the person who interviews.
But just hope for the best, and get everything in order so you don't get rejected for something small.

 

[Jeffy14]

The key question was - In my case, I only have relatives who might provide me with an affidavit or letter or support (I'm not sure about it though) and if they did, would it be enough? You could've jsut said -decent english and affidavit would be enough

But you asked for the details and then provoked me by saying things like - What I was gonna do in the US without a degree or that I exxpect to be rich. People arrive in the US without any money in their pockets and survive. Others bring families while having only a high school degree. Heck, some don't even speak english.. It's the land of opportunities, and it means taking risks. THere wouldn't be America if people didn't take the risk to go there in the first place. SO I'm gonna do what everybody else does. Survive and persevere.

Sorry i'm gonna say it again but you are lame ahahha
You edited your first message where you were telling all your life about how hard your life is and the drop out thing....
Your message was not clear, thats all.
Now it's clear....
And you see Littlecritter just told you it might not be enough....
"read a little bit more of what you wrote, and I don't know if the sponsor is enough, I've heard different accounts. It's really in the hands of the person who interviews.
But just hope for the best, and get everything in order so you don't get rejected for something small."

That's why I was telling you the more EDUCATION, the more money, the more you have the better.....
Really you are a little kid. you just want to hear the answer that suits you the best.
Lame so lame

 

[USAnDream]

Sorry i'm gonna say it again but you are lame ahahha
You edited your first message where you were telling all your life about how hard your life is and the drop out thing....
Your message was not clear, thats all.
Now it's clear....
And you see Littlecritter just told you it might not be enough....
"read a little bit more of what you wrote, and I don't know if the sponsor is enough, I've heard different accounts. It's really in the hands of the person who interviews.
But just hope for the best, and get everything in order so you don't get rejected for something small."

That's why I was telling you the more EDUCATION, the more money, the more you have the better.....
Really you are a little kid. you just want to hear the answer that suits you the best.
Lame so lame

Jeez, will you lay off already..calling me a lame kid only proves how immature YOU are. I GET IT, littlecritter said it all, easy and simple. Why are you even writing this? Learn how to talk to strangers first, and then give suggestions. You asked for the details, I gave them to you. I thought you'd understnad the situation better so I explained why I need this. You said continue studying, I explained why I wouldn't mind stopping if I won..You didn't properly read what I was saying.. THen you started making assumptions that I'm stupid then laughed at me as we were pals.. God, hope I never meet you in this life..You're so pompous and clingy.

 

[bentlebee]

If you look at my friends road to the GC you can see dates and I will add she was just a few days 20 yrs old when she got her interview and is not a happy GC holder!

She had so many savings that they were questioning where it came from but she could easily explain. She is a student in College and only after she gave the paper from the sponsor they said she was granted the GC...but according to the rules she had enough funding her self.

She was questioned more than maybe most people specially about memberships of organizations and she was not a member of anything other than the business club and honor society that she was honored with.

You never know why the ask questions the way they do and they have the right to do so and even to deny you for whatever reason they might have...

The DV lottery is a great tool to get a GC and for the US government a great tool to get tons of money in...every one who is not approved doesn't get a dime back and neither do people who made mistakes or aren't eligible and won and started to pay the fees before they figured out the were not even eligible...So this is a huge income based program for the USA, so better be prepared before you start paying.

It is not cheap but if you win, it is great if you really plan on living in the USA. The other thing is that it is harder and harder to get a job in the USA since the market is flooded with over qualified people and the employers have a huge pool to pick from. I'm an employer and get daily solicitations. We do hire a lot but most of them are 1099 independent contractors, which means that they don't get a dime unless they have a positive result...some make good money and others make no dime. It comes down to your skills and to go the extra mile.

I'm in the USA for over a decade and never saw so many unemployed people and more and more are added on a daily base so my guess is that this year and next year the most people ever will not be granted a GC unless they have funding or a solid sponsor...

 

[Bobsmyth]

Folks, you're reminded to keep the thread on topic. All off topic posts will be deleted without notice to ensure that the discussion doesn't escalate into a war of words. Any member using abusive language or posting instigative posts will be banned.

 

[ololo12]

@ UsaNdreams.

Sometimes at there Embassy during Interview they don't ask for all those things. I don't know whether it is applicable to your own Region. My friend who won last year, at the Interview wasn't asked for Sponsor. All he was asked to produce was his credentials like High School Diploma. They also asked him question on the subject he got high grade. That was all and he was issued a Visa. They said person was about the same age as you 19 yrs. And had finished High school a year earlier.

 

[Arekee]

@ololo yeah man you are right about that?