Horb

Thanks for your response! I applied for the UK grant as an undergrad and was a finalist, so I know how competitive it is and the necessity of having a well composed, thought out project. For the Fulbright, I'd be doing an MA in Research (for the UK, you can only apply for a study degree and thus have to have a very solid plan) and turning the final product (a thesis) into the first chapter or two of my dissertation (this is the goal, anyways). This seems slightly...odd...as I'll already have an MA, but it will give me extensive research skills, access to archives, and more guidance, which will be useful, since I need an outside reader on my committee. For the DAAD, it would be research in a archive in Germany for 3 months. For my degree, I don't necessarily NEED to do international research. My project could be done here, but it would be an issue with trying to find online versions of manuscripts and whatnot. Additionally, getting an external grant would also reduce my funding by a year (as in, I couldn't roll over the funding and secure a sixth year of funding).

Hi all, I'm currently finishing up my second year of a combined MA/PHD program. I do not start working on my dissertation until year 4. At the start of year 4, I begin writing my prospectus for my dissertation, then do the bulk of the research, and then write and research as needed. I'm looking at fellowships to fund archival work in England/Germany (I'm applying German theory to British literature). I'm wondering when I should anticipate applying for funding for research (I'm looking at a DAAD research award and a Fulbright). On the one hand, if I want it for the start of year 4, I'd need to apply this coming fall, but I highly doubt I'll have my dissertation idea fully fleshed out, which is what is required for most fellowships. I could always apply and then reapply in year 4 for year 5, which would push my graduation back a year. I'm planning on talking to my future advisor about it, but wanted feedback from this community, particularly is anyone else has been through this process.

Thanks for letting me know! I've applied two years in a row and have never received a confirmation (always emailed in) but I think the intensive language grant has a different process. Last year it was all on paper, this year it was moved to online with a mail in component. They also moved our deadline up, so I'm hopeful! Last year seemed unusually late (notified in late April) compared to previous years (early to mid March). I plan on enrolling in a local GI course if I don't get it, though doing the language course in Germany would really help me solidify academic connections.

Hi all, did everyone receive confirmation that their application was received? I had to email in but I'm worried that signifies something bad...

Yeah, I was told if I reapplied with a Fulbright I would definitely get into better programs simply because of the name recognition and prestige, so if one ends up not getting into their top choice, it may be worth accepting the Fulbright and reapplying. Though it is always lottery.

I was told I would not be allowed to defer when I told a PhD program I was accepted to that I was a Fulbright finalist. You should just email the DGS and see what the department and university policy is. It's becoming more common, I've been told, for schools to not allow deferrals, as more people are applying to grad school.

Thanks for responding! I haven't either. I'm hoping we'll hear sooner this year, but I have no grounds to think such things!

Any news fellow DAAD hopefuls?

So, I use Mint to track my spending and make budgets for each category of spending, such as: rent, utilities [for me, this means internet, cell phone, heat, electric bill], groceries, renter's insurance, student loan payment, fun money [i.e. for going out], credit card payment [if necessary], and emergency fund contribution. I make about $20,000 a year before taxes. Last year, I managed to save $4,000 of that (and go on a vacation). This year, I took on a second job and have saved $4,000 in the first semester. I didn't realize how much money I spent on eating out or on random stuff I purchased on amazon until I got Mint. So recommend finding an app or some way to track spending.

Is it 50,000 for two years? If so, that seems about right for a private school, which usually has high tuition but low fees (the inverse of state schools).

What do you mean?

Welcome to the community! I'm finding that because people were notified so late last year, that I'm not as anxious about it (until April rolls in...that is...)

As of last yer, their base was 26k and then you got an additional year of fellowship that you either could save for a sixth year or divide over 5 years. So it really wasn't THAT much. Also, I think Harvard, at least for English, has more years of fellowship than teaching. . .

P.S. I'm also more than happy to pm my budget if you want

I go to a great university in the northeast (not Ivy League) and am paid about 20k a year. I actually live really comfortably and have been able to save a significant amount (about 4K per year), which I could use to cover summer expenses. However, I now started a second job (counting grad school as the first) and I essentially just save that money for vacation or emergency expenses. Living off a 20k stipend is quite doable, you just need to accept that you'll have roommates and maybe take public transport instead of having a car (which I prefer anyways).

I didn't apply from a developing country but from past years it has been 2-3 months before the start date of the program (last year people found out in late April for June start dates).

Wooooo what school??? Or program???

US to UK

Perhaps they changed it then? My year it was just phone interviews. Maybe for time difference issues?

U.K. Interviews are done via phone. No need to travel.

Unfortunately, the only ones I know of have deadlines that have passed.

I applied Fall of 2013 and was a finalist.

You only need to show proof if you are selected though during my interview they asked if I had been accepted yet. I was still waiting to hear at that point.

It varies year to year and grant to grant (ETAs may make less/more than study/research awardees, based on a friend who won a grant to Germany). Additionally, not all countries determine the cost of living the same way. For instance, in Germany, everyone received the same stipend amount, yet someone placed in Munich has a much higher cost of living than someone in Stuttgart. However, if in the UK, you get a larger stipend for being in the London area. This is all to say that it changes each year and they usually don't post it (excepting the UK, which has it on its Fulbright page).

Key word: significant. If you dropped from a 3.9 to a 3.0, I'd call that significant. If you ended up having a medical condition that a particular country stated you can't have (some have weird requirements), then you would report it. An extremely small GPA change is not a concern.