Horb

Well also, when I applied, someone said FPA heard it'd be before X date and then it happened the next day. PURE coincidence, perhaps, but idk.

I think it'll happen tomorrow, actually.

Nope! I had applied initially for an MA in the UK. I got into a PhD program in the US and am now applying for research to Germany (I study German philosophers in addition to English lit). Edit to add: It was weird not applying to the UK, but it just didn't make sense with what I am currently working on and the rate of acceptance for the 2 open awards, since I'd be doing only research, not a degree.

I'm so sorry!

It is always EST, because that is where the office is. My year, it was between 3pm and 5pm (tons of emails to send, it takes a while).

Hi all! If today is the day, good luck! Editing to add a request: If you get a notification, would you mind sharing the subject line and beginning sentence with others when you post? I'm sure some of us may be working when they go out and it might serve as a peace of mind to know if one subject line leads to one thing and another to something else. Obviously, there is no obligation!

Unfortunately, there will be no next year for me.

I've been having nightmares about the Fulbright email. I'm really just ready to have my fate determined. I have a sinking feeling I didn't make it to round 2...

Preach.

The year I did applied, I received an email with the subject line "Your Fulbright Application." It then read: Dear MY NAME, I am pleased to inform you that the National Screening Committee of the Institute of International Education has recommended you for a grant under the Fulbright US Student Program for the academic year 2014-15." Then it had some details on what to expect next (send transcript, for example). We all heard through email and at the same time (rejections and acceptances).

It is, unfortunately, a federal holiday, so most likely not

Hi all! As the notifications approach and I continue to hound you with my presence, I wanted to say congratulations to everyone who submitted an application. Whether you spent months preparing it or you found out last minute and whipped an application together, it is a massive feat to have done so in the first place, so CONGRATULATIONS! While we all want the results AND WE WANT THEM NOW, try to savor this time of uncertainty. I, personally, am enjoying being able to still say, I might win a Fulbright! And when the results do come in, some of us may be disappointed, but I tell myself to remember what I've learned or gained through the application process: A clearer sense of myself, what I want to study, and why it matters (Research/Study) A connection with an international leader in my field (Research/study) The importance of cross-cultural communication The writing skills I have gained through countless revisions An awareness of my position and role in society The support of friends, family, and faculty who believe in my application And much more that I probably don't even realize right now I know I certainly gained a lot from the process both times I've applied, so at the very least, I all get an amazing consolation prize. So good luck everyone! And if anyone wants to vent about the results, please feel free to PM me!

You are so kind. I have the same hopes for you. I'm fairly open minded and I agree with President Obama when he said that we need to consider the fear the rust belt white man has as he sees his job prospects dwindling fast (and I get disliking Hillary because she did not treat the livelihood of coal miners with respect, IMO). I also understand (though by no means agree with) choosing someone who says they'll save your job (even though he is racist, misogynist, etc.) over someone who wants to get rid of it because...how would you live? I'm really interested, however, in how what is understandable (these fears) shifts into what is unfathomable (fascism, etc.). I'm not saying were are there yet, but there is a rise in radical sentiment and in hatred, and I'm interested in studying that and looking to the past for answers (or a further grasp) because I think it is much the same affect and emotion at play, but just unraveling in a different way. It is hard to imagine another Holocaust, but I understand (more than ever before) how important Holocaust studies are, for remembering what happened and remembering how it happened.

When I applied to Leicester three cycles ago, I had the same fears. If you make it to round 2, hit me up! I can talk about what the interview was like and where I think I went wrong.

Oh yeah, true. I find the challenge in dealing with science critics as a humanities student is explaining the importance of my project. So much of science is forward thinking, whereas in the humanities, we frequently revisit the past to reimagine the present and the future and push forward. You also need to add a lot of context (this guy who you've never heard of and who isn't even that big in my field, well, he is revolutionary and we should stop ignoring him!). So you're both right: it takes up more space than it would if we could assume a general knowledge base.

It did mention if it poses a threat to the government or something like that, which I could see them arguing. I personally think the funding it set for our cycle, but I don't know about later cycles. I don't understand why you would cut a program that is about forming ties with other countries and connecting people across difference. It is a fantastic foreign relations program, which we need in times like these.

Nah, humanities people would be like: Wordsworth wrote a BEAUTIFUL poem about moss. We must save it.

Well...I'm more worried about the final US approval, since it goes to someone appointed by the President...which is Trump at that time...so yeah... The other country definitely has gov't officials look at it, but usually as long as you aren't outright insulting them, it is ok. Some countries are obviously more touchy than others (studying the Armenian genocide in Turkey, for example, would not fly).

I've sat in on selection committees before. Your project sounds like the type everyone would be giddy with joy over (and I'm from the humanities). Usually, it is something like: "OMG, moss? That sounds so cool!" It will be different than trying to determine which of the many projects that deal with drug delivery should be funded (since many sound very similar and it becomes a question of which seems more feasible).

Having read that, I think even if I did make it to the final round, I'd be rejected considering I am studying the rise of the radical right wing and not in a favorable light...

I've heard something slightly different. They do meet (it mentions that on the website) and they discuss applicants. You are ranked and sent to the host country in ranked order. They may just accept the ranked order (so they send 100 people for 50 spots. The top 50 may get it and then they may take 15 alternates, and reject the rest OR they may choose differently). But the selection committees are required to keep the host country goals in mind. For instance, some countries have strict requirements for ETAs (they want X number of years teaching or maybe they care more about something else) and they may reject someone who wasn't a good fit based on the country description. So the people are discipline specific (but you might have a history person looking at another humanities app that isn't in history) and they are well versed on the country requirements. So if Germany said no history apps (for example) they would reject all history apps, regardless of how good they were.

It does mention under tips to write to a general audience, which makes sense considering it goes to the host country for approval and they don't send them out to specialists necessarily. Besides, all fields have jargon that even others in the field might not understand.

I think so too, but I wait until 5pm to be sure. At least that means another week where I can pretend I actually have a shot at this thing

The fulbright website says mid January, for what it's worth

I'm hoping it is today given that the first was a Friday in 2016, so it was just barely the third Friday, but in all likelihood, it'll be next Friday. However, when I last applied, it was a Wednesday, 1/28...