traveler_5563

Octoberstormxx and emburst, may I ask which programs you've been accepted into? My plan B is also to keep working and reapply next year if I don't make it this year, so we'll see what happens. And to everyone: I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one anxiously awaiting responses from programs - hang in there!

Thanks for the responses, Meowlly and jforms. I figured that people will post on the GradCafe survey page, but was asking here in case it popped up on Facebook first. Thanks, again!

Hey all, Has anyone posted any Cornell rejections/acceptances on the MFA Draft page on Facebook? I'm not on Facebook, and I haven't seen any rejections on here yet. Thanks!

Kbui, what amazing news! I know how badly you wanted this, and that you've applied before, so a huge congrats. Yay!

My medical clearance took less than two days so I really do think it depends on the country and your personal history. Fingers crossed for those still waiting for clearace AND for those still awaiting on final grant news from Fulbright!

Thank you Mozartgirl53, TeraFirma and GnosisExchange! You make me feel a lot less crazy. Thank you!

Hey all, Did anyone else who's been selected as a principal candidate get a save the date email that starts like this: "Dear Candidate: You were recently notified that you have been recommended for further consideration for a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) Award. In the event that you are confirmed as a grantee, you will be required to attend a mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation in Washington, D.C. " I'm assuming this is a mass email and that's why it sounds like grant status isn't yet confirmed? It's sort of freaked me out, so if someone could be a voice of reason, that would be wonderful. I'm still a P, right? Thank you!

Hey there, just thought I'd share these blog entires and tips from ProFellow: http://www.profellow.com/tag/fulbright-application-tips/. The founder of ProFellow is a Fulbrighter, too.

When I applied the first time (4 years ago) they were still MAILING all notifications out. I was so happy when I realized they've switched to email...and then I wasn't as happy as every ding and chime on my phone made me jump. Hang in there!

Just to add my two cents, I also got my P email in the evening (around 8 pm EDT?) which was a happy surprise - I didn't expect any news after 5 pm. My FPA was copied on the email and that was the first they had heard as well. Good luck to those still waiting; I'm pulling for you!

Hey Spainbound, The first time I applied for Fulbright, their website stated that all student applicants couldn't have spent more than 6 months in the country to which they're applying. Now, a few years later, they've changed it to this: "Note: For most grants, applicants who have had extensive previous foreign experience are at a disadvantage, but are not necessarily disqualified for that reason. However, following the policy of the relevant binational Fulbright Commission or the U.S. Embassy in the host country, an application to the following countries will not be considered if the applicant is currently residing in or will be residing in that country during the year preceding the grant: Australia Hungary Mongolia Sweden Belgium Indonesia Morocco Switzerland Cambodia Israel Netherlands Taiwan Canada Jordan Norway Thailand Chile Korea New Zealand United Kingdom China Laos Philippines Uruguay EU Member States for EU Grants Luxembourg Portugal Vietnam Finland Macau Singapore France Malaysia Slovenia Hong Kong Mexico South Pacific Island Nations

Hey there, I have you contacted the department or office in the university that conducts the scholarship? This happened to me on one of my apps, and once I got ahold of someone in the scholarship office, they were able to tell me more clearly what the confusing question meant. I was nice about it: something like, "This is probably my misunderstanding, but can you clarify for me what you mean by_____? I'm trying to write a concise application essay and want to make sure I'm not answering the question incorrectly." I hope this helps! Good luck and let us know what you find out.

CONGRATS! I don't usually type in all caps, but had to match your enthusiasm

Hey Horb, I worked through college too, so I understand the pressure you're under. I will just add here that many of these programs/fellowships let you defer your loans, so you wouldn't be burdened with that and could still reapply to Fulbright and PhDs. Two good friends (in AmeriCorps and TFA, respectively) were also able to work with their private loans companies, so those were deferred too. I'm just mentioning this because it's often easy to feel pushed into a corner about money and loans. Either way, I hope you're able to reapply to Fulbright - that's what I've done this year!

Horb, Have you thought about not taking the PhD offer since it's not your first choice, and then reapplying for everything (including Fulbright) next year? Time off can sound scary, but there are a lot of fellowships and year-long opportunities in the US, or you could work or intern in your field. You could also apply for something like AmeriCorps or even teach abroad. I took time off between high school and college and again between college and grad school. Best decision ever! And I got into WAY better programs and schools with more funding when I tried later. This is all just a brainstorming thought, of course! Check out ProFellow.com - it's a great resource for fellowships and funding, and the founders are super nice and helpful.

Hey Vowel, I didn't apply to Azerbaijan, but I have a friend who was a Fulbrighter there a few years ago. If you're awarded the grant (here's hoping!) and you'd like an introduction, I'm sure she'd be happy to chat with you. Good luck everyone!

I just finished my ETA interview and I have no idea how it went...blah. I'm pulling for everyone on here!

Hey all, I've been researching master's in journalism programs and it seems that many of them don't have great scholarships/funding for students. Does anyone here have experience applying to and getting funding to attend a journalism program? Thanks for your thoughts and help!

Hey all, For those who are applying to Fulbright in 2015-16 and interested in heading to Asia, I'd like to point out two awesome fellowship programs to add to your list: The Luce Scholars Program (http://www.hluce.org/lsprogram.aspx): funds a one-year work placement in Asia in any career field for those without lots of prior experience in Asia The Clinton Fellowship for Service in India (http://aif.org/investment-area/leadership/): Funds a ten-month work placement fellowship with a nonprofit in India

Hey Elena, From Fulbright's page for recommended candidates (http://us.fulbrightonline.org/information-for-recommended-candidates) under the FAQs: "What is the ratio of candidates recommended to grants given in each country? The National Screening Committees recommend at least 1.5-2 times the number of candidates as there are grants available for a particular award." So you probably have around a 50 percent shot now! Although you have no idea how strong the other recommended candidates are or if your application is similar to other candidates, etc. In other words: it's hard to say. Good luck!

I just saw it and now feel silly. Sorry about that!

Hey there Z4Zebra, Where did you find the Google doc of past cycles? I'm not seeing it. Thanks for your help!

Hey Kennah10290, I was awarded an ETA in Vietnam for 2011-2012 and I received notification (a letter at that time) in early or mid-April. I ended up turning down the ETA for another fellowship, but it seems like Vietnam has a wonderful program. Good luck! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and everyone who's moving on!

Hey there, Sorry if this has been asked before, but I did some digging and didn't find an answer. Does anyone know if reapplying to Fulbright ETA after you've previously turned down an ETA hurts your chances? In other words: I was offered a Fulbright ETA for 2011-2012, but turned it down for another fellowship. Now, I've reapplied this year for another Fulbright ETA program and I'm wondering if they'll look down on my application because I turned down a Fulbright ETA in the past. I didn't mention it in my application but maybe that's something they look up? Or do I just sound crazy? I guess I shouldn't worry about this at this point in the game, but can't seem to help myself. Thanks for your help and good luck to everyone tomorrow!