Torrid
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Posts posted by Torrid
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I think it's closer to 50% now!
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!
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Does anyone know what the subject of the email from Fulbright has been in the past few years? Is it a different subject title for people who got recommended versus not?
Last year it was simply "Your Fulbright Application"
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Now I remember! They had to translate their application materials in the second round.
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.
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Has anyone else heard of ETA programs doing skype interviews?? Now I'm really nervous
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.
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So, are alternates designated in this round too?
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.
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You are right in that it varies. Say a country has 24 slots for student research grants. They will generally pick between 36-48 people (1.5 to 2x the number of slots) as finalists. That gives you a 67% to 50% chance of getting a grant. HOWEVER you are now going up against the best applications so it depends on your viewpoint on when the competition is at its fiercest. If you are not selected in that round, you become an alternate. Everyone not chosen becomes an alternate unless they choose to withdraw, but they do not tell you where you are "in line." You could be first alternate or tenth alternate.
Hope that clarifies things for you
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...
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Hopeful Germany ETA here...How is it??
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!!!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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I'm so hopeful for the ones who received a grant, didn't, and those who are still waiting.
One thing I keep being reminded of is "keep swimming." There are so many things that can and wish to drag us down but we have to keep fighting... keep trying.
I'm in a similar boat. At the beginning of the year I learned I had cancer... and now I have a month left before I have to go to China and I still have all types of financial things to take care of. I take care of my 91 year old great grandmother and am trying to put things into place so that she can be cared for while I'm away.
If anyone is interested in my story it can be found here - http://www.gofundme.com/CancerToFulbright ... all donations are appreciated and if you could help me get the word out that would be excellent. Thank you.
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?
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And one more thing (Sorry!!) Has anyone/is anyone applying at large? Last year I applied through my school but now I've graduated. How much differences does this make? What do I need to do differently?
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.
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I'm going to Brazil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So happy for you!!
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Well, yes I do tend to overthink ...OCD may contribute to that.
It was also somewhat obsessive to catch up on all 270 plus pages from this year's application process, but I did and got a lot of useful info. Thanks all! Very impressive... such a supportive group.
I hope you check in with us next year!
Anyway, fairly far back, an accepted candidate asked for advice re whether they had to report recently seeing a psychologist, Apparently, the medical questionnaire asked this and the consensus was NO. No one will be able to learn you've done so. Don't do it. It is private information. So my question stemmed from that.
But point well taken re concentrating on my application. Thanks.
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
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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.
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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!
- there'sanappforthat, nsuri and zhaskin
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Not selected
All that waiting for nothing. Feeling bitter.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.
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bless your little hearts. stay strong.
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Hi all! I hope all has been well since I haven't been checking in so regularly.
I was hoping to get into touch with Fulbright ETA's to Taiwan. As an alternate for a fulbright research grant to a different country, I've decided to apply for Taiwan ETA this upcoming cycle. I would really appreciate learning a bit more about your application and hearing about your experiences abroad! If anyone can help me out I'd greatly appreciate it.
There's no rush since I am in the middle of studying for a huge exam coming up in June anyways, but I was hoping to get some contact info before you all abandon this thread.
Good for you! Get back on that horse
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I'm still checking periodically and pulling for all of you!!
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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.
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WHAAAA?? Orientation starts JUNE 28TH and they still haven't made announcements/!?
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
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They do not have access to your medical records. The ONLY people who have access to your medical history is your doctor's office (and affiliated institutions, such as partner hospitals), your insurance company, and anybody you sign a release of your records to.
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.
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Ya, I certainly muttered a few words when I read the email. And that was literally all it said. I mean, really?
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."
Fulbright 2014-2015
in The Bank
Posted
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.