Here'sHopin'!

l Great! What a nice FPA! And I graduated to caffeinated! Woohoo! Hahahaha.

I remember reading that last year, for the final notifications, Germany sent them out before anyone else. A lot of people on the forum didn't believe that the recipient was even telling the truth. And yes, at this stage, I thought we've heard that the country does not know anything, and that it was only at the second stage that they know. Perhaps the country took it upon themselves to notify people that they received their applications and will now begin reviewing them themselves.

I am hoping that Finland sending out notices is a good omen about the next 48 hours! Yeah...about waiting patiently... That's not happening. I'm refreshing my email over and over.

Thanks!!! That explains it! I will continue to (try) to wait patiently until (hopefully) tomorrow then. I don't think Luxembourg or Ireland has a history of sending notices out earlier than the US office. Glad you had this part of the wait end on a happy note!

Congrats!! What time? And what was the email address that sent it to you/ the subject line? I'm trying to determine if it was the U.S. Fulbright people or the Finland Fulbright group. Sometimes the country you are applying to sends out notifications separate from the U.S, office, and sometimes different countries work differently, so that may explain why you have gotten one and others haven't. Congrats again!

Ditto that. I'll still compare my feelings with trying to win the lottery, when you fully realize that the odds are against you, but you just can't stop hoping that you'll win anyway!! If my husband would get a job offer soon, finding out about Fulbright wouldn't be as bad since we'd have a nice long term option that involves a salary. (Though I have a job so if it comes down to it we're still in a good place without even that. It'd just be nice!) It shows that everyone found out in the evening, 7/7:30ish on last year's gradcafe posts...Anyone know if that was Eastern or Central time...?

There you are, legallyproper! You found out via FPA that notifications were being sent out the following day, did you not? Any chance your FPA may be able to know when we're about to hear this time? Just wondering! I dont know exactly if that is accurate or not- i thought thst was the case, but Im not longer stressed enough to try and go back through last year's posts again. Hmm I didn't realize that my husband and I could get notifications on different days. That could be interesting!

When you look at your application, you'll see that you'd be grouped into having already attained your Bachelors, masters, or phd. If you don't yet have the phd, then I guess you're in with the masters group as far as your application goes. But I don't think that's what they were referring to in the webinar. I don't think it was referring to how things were necessarily grouped for evaluation, but more just grouped by general applicant type.... Because an at-large candidate could have received any of the three levels of education.

http://chronicle.com/article/MFA-Madness/135608/ @colgateuniv: Top Producers of U.S. Fulbright Students by Type of Institution, 2012-13 http://t.co/fqvP7VG This was recently tweeted though its not that recent information . Thought I'd share- since i applied at large its only semi interesting to me. I'm sure if your school is listed it will be much more interesting! They really should have also listed percentages of how many applications were accepted out of the amount sent in the first place to make the data easier to interpret at first glance. Some schools are much more thorough than others. As far as you university campus committee ranking or whatever, I imagine you probably wouldn't survive if you didn't get a high enough rating to outrank fellow classmates.... Also, doesn't it seem like there's almost an average percentage of accepted ones per schools, since ones with the same amount of applications did somehow get a similar amount of acceptances...? like they reached a maximum? Thats just what it seemed like at first glance, anyways. But i didnt go through and do the math, so I could be going off a preconceived notion and jumped to this conclusion with no real data..it just reminds me of how we discussed earlier in this topic that fulbright tries to diversify its students geographically/regionally/by institution,

Yes, I noticed on our application forms how they intended to group our applications. This is yet another interesting thing about the decision making process. Is it that, all other factors being equal, those with higher degrees would win over the lower ones..in case of a tie? It makes me curious as to how the final decisions are made. Depending on the program, I know some prefer advanced training while others feel that you'd be "overqualified".. My feeling is that there are just so many factors in being selected, with much of it depending on your proposal and the current "economical, social and cultural environment of the US and the host countries," as Books2readme aptly put it, that one factor (the degree) would merely be a contributing factor to acceptance or rejection, but not the end all and be all... But again, I'm no expert. These are merely musings. Still hoping for the best while trying to keep an open mind to all the other possibilities that are open to me and my husband. I feel so silly hoping for it though, like I'm trying to win the lottery! And seriously, how many posts does it take to become "caffeinated" here? Sheesh!

I was just discussing this with my husband! Our discussion covered the following thoughts: Obviously, universities are trying to get as many of their students into the Fulbright program, so their rating couldn't automatically be taken on its own since, though honest, they are not exactly impartial.... I imagine that the universities' rating is then used as just another way to weight that universities' own applications, to help in the process. It seems that the universities probably are grading on a curve based on their current applications and the ones that they have done previously, and maybe compared to what they have learned if they ever receive training on this sort of thing. But they couldn't possibly know the quality of their top rated application as compared with another's application, either at-large or through a university. As I said, my only guess is that maybe the Fulbright reviewers use the university ratings to help weed out the weaker ones, but not necessarily to trump at-large applications. However I still think that getting the highest university endorsement does bode well for Books2readme, if those FPAs are knowledgable on what Fulbright is looking for. And I think that it could be like having a very good letter of recommendation, that is supposed to be judging you fairly, and presenting your strengths and weaknesses to the board in an effort to show that you've already been tested and tried. As far as advantages go, it is interesting to note that at-large candidates are at a statistical disadvantage when compared with those applying through a school. My guess is that, although they may not necessarily say "do this, change that," the network of people available to help tends to be wider for those with a university than those at-large. Those at-large, and I am generalizing here, have had to figure the process out on their own, may have missed a section on their application without someone else to look over it, etc. Whatever it is, there is a difference, but I don't feel that it is unfair. I could have gone back to my university, but my impression was that they were not knowledgable at all (it was just the regular career center), the same with my husband's grad school. I'm very detail/task oriented, and so we chose to apply on our own terms. I knew going in that my chances would be statistically less (for whatever reason), but I'm okay with what we wrote, so may the chips fall where they may! As a side note, my husband actually found out while applying that a professor of his was a Fulbright Scholar (phd), and he wrote a reference letter for him and read his statements. His personal opinion was that it all looked good, so we'll see. Anyway, what I wrote isn't very organized. Just random thoughts. This is all interesting to discuss as we wait these (hopefully) final few days. Something for me to write and all you "lurkers" out there to read! Good luck to you all!

Congrats! You're short-listed! I only saw it described as "brief and informal" on the fulbright page...as long as that is the actual program you are applying to. The last time I tried looking for info on interviews, all I found was stuff on interviews for foreign applicants applying for fulbrights in the US. But I don't know exactly what I'm look for, either. Good luck on your preparations for that! Let us know how it goes!

Awesome!!!! Well, we shall soon see how much that predicts and/or influences your final acceptance. My money is on you getting it, especially if your school is experienced with Fulbright apps! That should be added to the spreadsheet, too, I think, as a new column.

I know, right? Something more to think about for you all! Applying at-large means I didn't have the benefit of a knowledgeable editor for my statements, but at least I dont have to think about that on top of everything. Hana... I looked over the campus committee form again, thinking that may have been specific to her school, but it doesn't seem that way. It looks like a fulbright-made form. For some reason I've been thinking I didn't like my statements...I just kind of started feeling unsure about them. But I just reread mine and my husband's, and honestly I don't think there's much I would change. It made me have some peace about whatever decision comes- we did our best, and that's all we ever could have done! I have more faith that everyone is being judged equally in this competition than in any other job application, so I feel like I can take the decision standing up, so to say, without trying to find fault with the decision making process or some other type of bitter reaction. I hope my response will be honorable, at least!

Yeah!! Crunching numbers was one of the first things I did! When you think about it, depending on the program, your chances of getting a fulbright grant could be just as good as getting a job in your field. In Ireland last year there were 64 applicants, which is definitely a reasonable number of resumes any one job posting could attract... (That's where my husband has applied.) Ooh so nervous! It's finally down to the wire! I expect that we'll have a lot more people checking in to this group to keep in the loop this week. Good luck to all!! Or, as the French say, "Bon courage!" which seems a little more appropriate!

http://www.vdu.lt/lt/files/974 Found it! Page 17 of the file, I think. There's a big "10" at the top right of the page and it says "campus committee evaluation form."

From what I've seen, I think some schools know EXACTLY what they are looking for. I accidentally came upon a school's directions to faculty, explaining how best to write a letter of recommendation for the fulbright- with very detailed do's and dont's. So it appeared that to them, it was not just about training the students to write good applications, but training their faculty on how to best assist them as well. Then I read someone's complete fulbright application, including the letters of recommendation AND the FPA's assessment of her application! The university actually PRE-rated the strength of her application for the fulbright committee. It said that although it is possible that you could have a low university score and still get through the first round, it is very unlikely. Crazy! Imagine going through your university to apply for a grant only to realize they pre-rejected you! I think that you don't generally find out how they rate you... Tis application was an exception since she did receive one. So, I think they were using it as an example..

Ha- no problem! My reaction was interesting to me: though I want the wait to be over, I was so afraid to finally find out! But apparently we are almost there anyway. Thanks for that info, Hopefulforthefulbright. That was very interesting. Pmc64, I think that anyone applying for the fulbright student program finds out on the same day (full, eta, masters program). I am pretty sure I remember reading that some emails got lost in cyberspace last year, but I think the intention is for everyone to know at the same time... Regarding getting a rejection, I think my husband and I have built up a minor tolerance to it. He's in the arts, and there's always rejection involved in that- sending things in to galleries only to get a rejection letter, for instance. We recently were hoping for a pretty awesome job overseas that I thought was in the bag, so when we found out it was a no, I was both surprised and disappointed. I've been making sure to have realistic expectations this time, which is that there are many well qualified applicants besides us. As Porshyen said, hoping for the best, bracing for the worst!

Ditto that! Do you know the specific one she was applying for and how she found out...? Was it by email from the commission or her FPA...? I haven't gotten anything yet.... I'll be sure to let everyone know one way or the other.

Awesome! Thanks ambitiousmind07! The end is in sight! I'll be glad to know finally- even if its a negative response, at least I'll be able to focus better on pursuing other paths.

This wait is a week too long! It's reminds me of when I was pregnant..the first 8 months were fine, but Month 9 seemed to last so much longer than all the others! Ha... I'm still letting myself believe that we will find out at the end of next week or right after MLK Jr. day. That's the easiest way for me to survive this interminable waiting. If anyone has a nice and talkative university FPA you should start grilling them for info and share it here with the rest us who applied at-large! I feel too bad for those fulbright program directors to call them since they must get so many emails and calls at this point...but I don't feel bad enough to wish that someone else would ask them for me! Haha...

Anyone notice Fulbright Ireland tweeted: "@Fulbright_Eire: First day of #Fulbright interview are done! Good luck to everyone in the next batch."? I'm guessing they're talking about either Irish applicants who are trying to study in the US, or American applicants applying for the Fulbright Student masters program grant or the Fulbright Scholar phd grant.... I don't think the rest of us get interviews before first cut... (Not counting if you applied through your school.) Right???

Thanks for sharing! I took a look at the candidate profile for Bulgaria and it just so happens that those with ESL experience are at an advantage when applying to that country. But apparently, that doesn't mean only those with experience will be considered, since from what you say there are many who don't have that background. That seems fair to me- just because someone didnt have an MA in esl didnt automatically put them at the bottom of the list. I guess it really must depend a lot on the statement of grant purpose/personal statements and all those recommendations. It's nice to think that they really look at the whole application and give everyone a fair appraisal! The waiting kills me, but attributing the length of time to a fair evaluation makes it more understandable. Kelseygwynne, love the meme and the bunny heart metaphor. I wholeheartedly agree. Books2readme, believe me, I've been told to just sit and wait patiently, but that's easier said than done. That's my husband's talent. I can easily take a little disappointment, but it's the waiting that gets me. And anyway, in gmail I can see the first few words of the message in the subject line before I even open it (and when I get notifications of emails on my iPad it shows them too), so I'm hoping ill be able to tell before I even have to click! Agreed, kbui! Happy new year to all and God bless us in whatever path we all may end up taking this year!

This will be the last one, i promise. im on winter break, so i dont have any grading to take up my time!!!! And I was really productive today, too. I wrote a whole unit and a half and even put all of the vocabulary online, organized by chapter, for my students. So, two years ago they found out on Thursday 20th around 640pm, eastern time I think. Last year, it was Thursday, 19th, around 7/7:30... This year..maybe the Thursday the 17th? Dare to dream! At least thinking that we'll be notified in the evening should keep me from obsessively checking my email during work! Also, "legally proper" was the one who found out via university FPA that it would be the 19th. Maybe you will be so lucky as to have the same notification? And, here is an example of how a rejection letter may begin from last year: The National Screening Committee of the Institute of International Education has completed its work and has recommended candidates for the 2012-13 academic year. I regret to inform you that your application is not among those recommended for further consideration And here is an example of how an acceptance letter began: I am pleased to inform you that the National Screening Committee of the Institute of International Education (IIE) has recommended you for a grant under the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for the academic year 2012-13. Your application has been forwarded to the supervising agency abroad for final review. In addition, your application will be forwarded to the program sponsor, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State, for transmittal to the presidentially- appointed J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FSB). The FSB makes final decisions on Fulbright awards. It's some comfort to know that I may only have to read the first word to know if I'm rejected! You know, in the movies, when the person is waiting to hear some news, and has to get to the second or third sentence to get to the rejection? Awful. Like in Corina,Corina.

I wonder, Eternal Icicle, if you could tell us how much previous experience in teaching the rest of the ETA's in Bulgaria have? Or other ETA's if you know of any? I know it's different from country to country, though. I'm applying to Luxembourg, which has only been available for 2 years, so there's not a lot for me to go on. The winning applicants have applied via their universities, so it seems they have only very recently graduated... I'm hoping that since in Luxembourg they put the ETA's into the university there, that they'd actually want someone a little older and with a couple years of experience.... (Although honestly I get mistaken for an 8th grade student at my work still!) Not that it will make any difference now! But you know, anything to give a reason behind their choices...something that I can tell myself to explain why I might not have gotten it. Oh, and thanks to whoever out that reddit link on here. That was really interesting! BTW, I'm still hoping for a Jan. 19/20th notification like last year. I'm planning on going back over last years posts to see what school was given the heads up that the notification was going to be sent out.... One school somehow found out earlier than anyone else about when the emails were going to be sent. Or, dare I hope, we could be told earlier than that! Annnnnnddd one more thing. Does anyone know for the regular fulbright student grants (non eta) whether the host country has viewed the applications yet? My impression was that they only view the applications that get sent over by the commission after the first round, but someone in Ireland (where my husband has applied) visited his website recently. And i feel like that has to has to have been related to this, since it was right near their offices. (thanks to google analytics) So maybe the host country commission and the fulbright commission in the US both review them at the same time? Okay, signing off. Have a happy new year!