Oliebollen

I ran into my FPA totally out of the blue just now (went in to say hi to the international education staff at a study abroad fair and there he was hawking fellowships!). He was seriously all smiles, which I don't think I've ever seen. Good sign?!? I'm weirdly zen about this. I think I've been worrying nonstop for so long and almost let it ruin my week way back before the 17th that now I'm just like, when it comes, it comes. Smith doesn't seem to have updated yet, interesting... maybe they got reprimanded?

Nice! Speaking of anxiety--do all countries interview recommended applicants? Are they done only in that country's language? I applied for a CLEA because my Chinese definitely isn't where it needs to be to do this project after 3-ish years of study (Chinese is HARD, man!), and I'm afraid I'd do poorly in an all-Chinese interview despite doing well in classes and being considered "advanced"...

My final semester starts tomorrow and I have a paper due the first day of class, so I've been able to put Fulbright thoughts on the back burner for >10 mins at a time.

Fantastic! Now I'm gonna feel especially bad if I don't get recommended, haha...

Drivin' me nuts! Well, we can probably rest easy this weekend, anyway.

(Congrats!) That's a tough one... My boyfriend and I are planning to find a place together after graduation if I don't get it this year, but apartment/job-hunting has to start well before I get the final notification (probably April or May for China). Oh well, just part of the package, I guess.

And he's still around! Keeper Maybe a little off-topic, but how did those of you in relationships break the news that you were applying? How do you plan to deal with the separation if you'll be long distance? Still working that one out.... SO is supportive, but not thrilled.

That's too bad, probably better off just turning off your phone! I know I'd lose it. Personally, I prefer to wait to check my email till I'm by myself with some time to process when I'm waiting for a really important notification...

De-lurking (hi everyone!). I swear my heart stopped for a second until "survey" registered. Mr. Claudino's trollin' us! I can see why they wouldn't want to give us the survey after the results are announced, but it would've made a lot more sense to send it out soon after the deadline, when everyone's got the experience fresh on their minds and nobody's expecting to hear back. I strongly suspect that they don't have the time/resources to go through everyone's surveys and compare them to their application. It's also in their interest if survey responses are honest (like if they get lots of complaints about a Fulbright adviser at a certain campus)... that's what I'd assume. For you guys who applied through a school, how was your experience with your campus adviser? I didn't have a great experience either. He gave me the wrong date for the mandatory info session and I don't think he ever forgave me for missing it. He was also unclear about the expectations for the internal deadline, and as a result my essays weren't polished enough for the interview. Bummer. Well, if I don't make it this time, I'm better informed for the next try.