Horb

The odds are much better if you applied to China (98 applicants for 60 slots), assuming the odds stay the same. However, as someone you has read many a Fulbright application, I would recommend choosing the country that has the best resources and that you can make the most compelling argument for. I have read many applications in which the applicants apply to Taiwan because China doesn't offer ETAs. No matter how hard they try, I can usually spot from a mile away that this is their reason, not that they are interested in Taiwan. Research grants are certainly different; there are many more factors to consider for what makes a country a good fit, but my advice still applies. If you don't have reasons just as strong, if the committee can see that you're project is not perfect for China/could be done somewhere else, odds won't really matter.

I'm in my second year of a PhD. I got my MA last year and am working towards finishing coursework and them doing orals next year.

Just be as a clear as possible about how thankful you are. My program would find it rude if I tried to apply for a PhD program while committed to their MA/PhD program, but your place sounds different.

If it is akin to alternate, you hope for two things: that a selected candidate receives a better offer and turns down the Fulbright (which does happy) or that more grant money has been secured and there is a turnover of alternates to principal candidates. From previous Fulbright cycles, it seems you will be told if all principal candidates accept and thus there is no need for alternates. That being said, if there is more money available after this point or if a candidate does drop for some reason, you could be moved up (this of course depends on your position on the alternate list). Unfortunately, you generally just wait.

I wish I was from Germany! I just studied there during undergrad. I'm doing well! How are you doing?

That is awesome! I remember two years ago everyone was getting Duke rejections and I had not yet received one. Then there was a lull of a few hours and I thought for sure that I was either waitlisted or accepted. Another few hours passed and I got my rejection. Gradcafe is great for the community and the support you get when submitting and waiting, but it also has its downsides.

I think part of the reason there are so many Germany grants stems from the fact that it was the first Fulbright program developed.

Same here! Hopefully we both get it!

I presented at my first conference and got funding for it! I finally feel like a grad student. Congrats on comps!

Just a heads up to anyone submitting: there have been technical issues with certain components of the application (things are not filled out when they should be). Please double check your applications and contact tech support if you are having issues. They are really helpful and quick to respond!

I guess I have a different understanding of what mid-level is. I would have assumed a smaller portion of top tier (essentially Ivys plus schools like Duke, NYU, UChicago, etc.) and more schools being in the mid-tier level. As for UMass Amherst, my friend is currently doing her PhD there. They let in more people than most schools, but they don't always offer full funding (she had to do an interview and a bunch of other stuff to secure her 7-year funding package). It may be worth it to apply to Villanova's MA program first (full-funded) or even UMass Boston's MA. Those are the only two I know of that have secured funding for the entire MA.

How do you define decent? BU, BC, Northeastern, Tufts, and many other places are "decent" with funding around Boston (and much closer than UMass Amherst).

I'm so sorry to hear that you didn't win. Clearly, there are a lot of factors that go into the decision process and the likelihood that you had the same committees each year is very slim, which can affect who/what they select to fund. I know this must be a difficult time for you –– it was for me when I lost –– but I hope you've managed to take away something positive from the experience, even if it was only polishing up a resume or something. As for calling, I thought Fulbright wouldn't release information on decisions. Perhaps it is different for the scholar program? Either way, I hope if you call you gain some clarity. Good luck with your dissertation!

A MA in Research is literally you designing your own research project, you just get a degree at the end. There usually aren't required courses or anything like that. Just you doing researching. It is no different than patterning with an affiliate and doing research through them.

The only grants I know of for Western Europe are the DAAD (Germany), the Gates-Cambridge, the Marshall, the Rhodes, and the Churchhill. For the Marshall/Gates/Rhodes/Churchill, you could be doing a degree (M.Research or MPhil) that would allow you to design your own research project. However, most deadlines have passed (or are due in the next week or two) for year-long grants. I'd be surprised if you came across any well-known ones that haven't.

Oh god. That makes me feel awful. I got an interview but didn't get the award, which I guess means I bombed it? But I also know multiple people got interviews for one university, so maybe the process is different based on grant? Idk. I think the most awkward part about the interview was primarily not being able to see anyone. I'll be applying next year (or the year after). I'm doing my PhD right now and would like to use the grant for an MA in Research for my dissertation.

Just submitted my application. Good luck to everyone!

Are you applying for the undergrad, grad, or doctoral level?

The application process has closed and applying at large would not change anything. You might as well wait it out and see what happens. If you make it to round two, you can ask then.

Just email the contact person. They won't instantly reject you because you happen to have a question. The DGSs are usually good about answering unique questions.

I have a few friends who are thinking of applying next year. If you don't mind me asking, what do you think made both of you stand out? It is a pretty big deal to get an interview. The only thing I've been able to see from the profiles of selected candidates are that they tend to come from big name schools and have tons of unique experiences, but it obviously takes more than just that.

It is an entirely confusing process. They don't have word limits on the statement of grant purpose, there isn't a standard language evaluation, the CV has to be German style. But hey, I'll do whatever it takes!

From my understanding, they have to do the form letter.

My recommendation would be, if you definitely want to do a PhD, to just apply for MA/PhD combo programs, which will offer full funding if it is a good program. Doing an MA will be useful if you want to teach in a private high school (most public schools require an MA in Education and/or a certification for teaching) and if you want to go into publishing (places will hire people with degrees in History, English, etc. to proof textbooks). However, I want to add that unless you get into a top 10 program, the likelihood of you getting a professorship and not having to adjunct the rest of your life is extremely low. I think of last year's new hires, over 80% came from the same 10 schools (think Harvard, Berkeley, Princeton, Cornell). So, while adjuncting might be ok for a few years, it will likely not be a sustainable profession for the rest of your life. The further out of your PhD program you are, the less likely you are to get a job. Just look at the Chronicle for more facts and information.

You are probably one of the only ones who got an interview. Good luck!