Torrid

Current Germany ETA here -- yes, based on last year, the only next step for you is to rank you preferred Bundeslaender -- no translating or extra application materials need to be submitted. They will send you an e-mail regarding the ranking. I doubt they would go back to the old way of doing it; that just seems unnecessary and inefficient.

Exactly! They recommend about 1.5-2x the number of grants actually available, so everyone still in it has a reasonably good shot now! Fingers crossed for you all!! For all those that didn't make it, I'm so sorry Especially Kelsey, since I remember you from last year as well. Those of you who were not recommended and who are about to graduate with their BA -- I would encourage you whole-heartedly to apply again. I originally wanted to apply my senior year of college (2012) but contacted my FPA too late in the game to be able to start an application for that cycle. At first I was extremely disappointed, thinking that I would have a much worse chance applying after I graduated (since I was not going to grad school), but in reality, I think that was the best possible result for me. I grew so much during my senior year and had so many new experiences that I incorporated into my application, that I am certain even if I had been apply to apply that year, there's no way I would have made it past the first round. Waiting a year was an excellent decision for me. It's also worth noting that you CAN still apply through your university if you've already graduated. I don't know if there is a set standard for this, but at least one year out you still should be able to, but possibly even longer. Stay in touch with your school's FPA if you want to reapply! For those further along in their academic careers, I realize it's a more bitter (bitterer?) pill to swallow. But if you were applying for a research grant, that means you had a host country affiliation -- SOMEONE in that country thinks your research is interesting and worthwhile. Keep developing it, and you never know what kind of paths this will take you down in the future. Fulbright is a gamble, and not being selected doesn't at all mean your research wasn't good enough -- you have no idea what the committee was looking for, nor do you have any idea what kind of competition you were up against. Cheers to all of you, regardless of your status, and keep plowing forward!

Last year it was simply "Your Fulbright Application"

Nope! I am a current German ETA. No interview or language certification process beyond the language evaluation form you submit with your initial application. In years past, Germany ETA grantees did have to translate their materials in the second round, but that changed last year. We did not have to do anything extra beyond indicate our preferences for Bundesländer via an online form.

I think it usually says in the program description page whether there is an interview component or not? Germany definitely does not have an interview component.

No; alternate are only designated in the final round -- people are either given a grant, marked as an alternate or outright rejected. In this coming round, it's just a matter of being advanced (i.e. selected) or not selected.

Not to be overly negative, but it's not necessarily the case that -every- person not given a grant becomes an alternate; it is also possible to be not selected. I think for countries with fewer grants it might be either selected or alternate, but in the case of Germany, with probably some 200-280 would-be ETAs moved to the second round for 140, they won't name 100+ alternates...

I'm having a great time so far! Teaching is not enough of my calling that I'd want to do it a second year, but the chance to do this for a year, make connections in Germany and improve my language skills is just incredible. Good luck making it through to the next round!!!

FWIW you can still apply for a Fulbright through your university even if you graduated. I graduated in May 2012 and applied for the 2013-2014 cycle through my university.

Hello would-be Fulbrighters! Current Germany ETA checking in. Sorry you guys didn't find out last Friday; that's quite the bummer :/ Fingers crossed for this Friday! Seen some discussion on whether FPAs should known in advance... Based on last year, they will, but it may only be as much as a few hours before you do. Last year based on phone calls to IIE/hints from FPAs we knew with a pretty high certainty what day they were releasing results, at which point I badgered my FPA to see if he'd put me out of my misery (I was having a remarkably unproductive workday sitting around refreshing my e-mail). He was able to tell me that I was in, and maybe three or four hours later I got the actual e-mail. So, in short, yes, FPAs should know before you... but maybe not several days. Probably more like a few hours? Fingers crossed for you all!

I am also a current ETA in Germany, and I agree that you should reach out to your respective commission with your concerns, at the least so they are informed of your current feelings and aren't as blindsided if you do decide to leave. Your mental health comes first -- no one is going to look out for you better than you can -- so ultimately I think it's up to you to decide what you can and cannot handle, but your commission may be able to help in some way.

I'm very sorry to hear about your struggles. Best of luck to you. Just one thing to clarify -- Fulbright is paying for your flights, yes?

Are you certain that you can't apply through your university if you've graduated? I graduated in May 2012 but still applied through my school for the 2013/14 cycle.

So happy for you!!

As someone else mentioned, you might consider contacting Fulbright yourself, just for peace of mind. I would call rather than e-mail, since you can more easily stay anonymous if you call, and just ask point blank if this would factor into their decision. They may say yes, but they may also wave it off completely as a non-factor, assuming you have your condition under control. To some degree, this is also a concern you can put off until later -- you won't be filling out the medical form until you're accepted for the award. So, first things first, get yourself accepted

I received a Fulbright in the most recent cycle, and my study abroad grades were average/good (with an overall strong GPA). I wouldn't sweat it.

We had a good run. Thanks everyone for playing along over the months, and good luck to alternates/Brazil ETA folks who still have some waiting to do. Best of luck to everyone in all of their endeavors!

Oh, wow. I am so, so sorry. I'm glad you can finally move on from all of this, but I know what a disappointment this must be. Sending a massive hug your way.

bless your little hearts. stay strong.

Good for you! Get back on that horse

I'm still checking periodically and pulling for all of you!!

Haven't posted much here recently, but I have been checking in intermittently. Three thoughts: 1) I think it's WAY cool that they've added those 90 additional Brazilian grants -- fingers crossed for all you Latin American applicants getting a second shot!!! 2) The fact that some people are STILL waiting is absolutely absurd, and kind of pisses me off. I want to be kind and give people the benefit of the doubt that somewhere, someone is doing their best to get things turned around, but it is just so cruel to expect people to keep their lives on hold for this long, and it especially seems like it would be to the detriment of people who don't have the luxury of waiting around because need to make post-graduate plans ASAP. It's punishing people who need to know if they should accept that job offer or that graduate school position and possibly forcing them to make a decision that will harm their future prospects in these two areas, if they are forced to reneg on an agreement at the last moment. It seems somewhat ungrateful to criticize Fulbright, since hopefully in the end they'll be funding your fabulous year abroad, but at the same time, I don't think it's unreasonable to expect final results to come in within four months of being submitted to the individual country's committee. I don't know. It just angers me because it seems very callous. 3) Truly happy for all those that made it in the last few weeks, and my heart goes out to alternates and those who were not selected. I firmly, firmly believe that these things happen for reasons and that if this is the path that is meant for you, something else will come your way. Keep your heads up and don't lose sight of your goals.

Sort of like how Germany is playing the "We're not going to tell you where you're being placed until we feel like it" game while at the same time telling us to book flights by the end of this Month

Absolutely this. It would be a massive violation of the law for Fulbright to be granted access to your medical records without you explicitly consenting to it. I'd probably err on the side of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

Seriously. That's almost hilariously cryptic. "There is a signpost up ahead, and a cool breeze blowing from the north. I can say no more."