sirmixalot

Mozartgirl, thanks for the kind words. Life indeed goes on. I had some time to grieve and now I am moving on lol. Best of luck to you and everyone else who is still waiting!
 
This is all that I can do right now lol: 

Can't believe we're still waiting. Especially those of us still waiting for Europe. Ugh. Luckily I have committed to my Master's program in Denmark and received a scholarship, but I can't finalize all of my plans or work on getting my visa until I know if I got the Fulbright. I do know my plans for the most part though, so I know I am luckier than many. 

I GOT THE FULBRIGHT!!!!! OMMMMMMGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't lose hope, I'm right there with you! You'll notice that the alternate email mentioned that they sometimes need to look at profile characteristics of alternates when a principal declines. So even if a principal drops out today or tomorrow, it probably takes a couple of weeks for them to weigh these various factors in their selection of a replacement.

I myself am planning on continuing the job hunt, getting prepared for post-grad, and if the Fulbright comes through it'll be a nice surprise.

We need more news of alternate to accepted. So far I think we only have had this happen to one forum member  : /

Brazil - it's this week. Not "soon" and not "hopefully this week". It's actually this week. I called and asked and she gave me a very definite "this week."

I wish Fulbright had a FedEx-type tracking log so we could see where our individual countries were in their processes, like "Malaysia is still in committee" or "Zambia has moved to state department for approval, expect notification within two days".

Thank you for the kind words. I'm generally a very positive and resilient person, so I'm sure I'll be able to move on in a very optimistic way. I was just very disappointed at how hard work does not always equal great opportunities. But I genuinely believe that you folks are some of the best people out there, and that you get the grants!
 
Three time is apparently not the charm. I'm actually going to apply again, but this time I'm going to go for the research grant. I think japaniia is right; maybe I'm not meant for the ETA program, and I was destined for something else...

I felt kind of pressured into applying--"It's such a good opportunity!"--but kind of felt in my heart of hearts that I needed to settle down. I went to grad school in Chicago last year, and I was so, so lonely. I was so relieved to move back home and get a job. I think this is the universe's way of telling me to stay put for a while. I do think everything works out the way it should, so I wish everyone the best. I know I never really got into the "spirit" of the board (only started commenting in the past few weeks), but everyone seems like such passionate, intelligent, and committed people. You'll do wonderful things wherever you go. Mazel.

Accepted for Bulgaria!!!! So excited - and totally unprepared to get it so early in the morning! The P was in the subject line, by the way.

Congrats, Mike!!!! I am totally looking forward to meeting you and everyone else going to Bulgaria!

Do'vizhdane!!!

I'm right there with all of y'all still waiting this week, meditating a bit on that first part of the serenity prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.  I have an April 15th deadline to decide on a graduate fellowship for next year, and while up until maybe last week I didn't think I'd need to make that decision without knowing my final Fulbright status, it now looks like a real possibility.  While it would mean I'd miss out on a great, albeit still hypothetical opportunity, I'm in no place to complain about where this has all taken me.  The Fulbright application process is actually what led me to realize that it was time to go back to school for my PhD, and now that's an actuality.  It's encouraging to see that most of those that weren't selected for their Fulbright grants this time around are planning to apply again in the future - I'll definitely be doing the same if this week doesn't bring the news I've been waiting for.
 
That being said, have faith everyone, our work here is done.  
 
Your move, Fulbright committees of Latin America/Asia/Africa/Eurasia.

So I'm reading the Fulbright Orientation book from last year in hopes that my preemptive preparation will be forced to fruition this week.
 
#determined

For those wanting background music in your "check gradcafe, refresh email" cycle, here you go :
 

The U.S. Department of State verifies that all applicants are valid U.S. citizens, have not been convicted of any prior felonies (specifically related to illegal drugs) and are medically fit to conduct their proposed study/research. The last part of that process is of course verified after acceptance. Other factors are the verification and allocation of appropriate funding, and other bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo I am sure would not interest any of you. That was the general answer that I received from the PAS (Public Affairs Section) of the local U.S. Embassy. I think it is quite a rare occurrence for somebody to get rejected on that level, but who knows. Lets let our paranoid minds run wild...
 
GLTA.

I was selected for Fulbright to India! FYI, there was no notification in the subject line.

Does anyone else find themselves surrounded by people who are getting into amazing programs and fellowships and you just sit there waiting? I know a ton of people who are going for peace corps, Marshall, Boren, med school, etc. It's making me feel like a failure!

Got the Germany ETA! Now I have to decide between this and JET  . So hard when you have no idea where you'll be placed...

I just received notification that I'm no longer an alternate! SO PUMPED FOR TURKEY!

To all of you who have yet to hear...just try to stay cool and excercise a bit!! I know that helped me when I was in the same waiting train as you. I know you are all feeling like you are waiting for the Hogwarts letter to come hah
 

Think this pretty much summarizes the whole stalking your inbox/suddenly surprised by Fulbright email phenomena:

 
Found this on the always brilliant: http://whatshouldwecallgradschool.tumblr.com

I got it! I GOT IT I GOT IT IGOTIT!!!!!!!! Principle for Germany!
 
Oh man... I didn't expect to have to figure out what comes after this. WEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Congrats everyone, you are all brilliant. I have really enjoyed hanging with you. I also really appreciate your kind words. I may reapply but likely not in the same capacity as this year, as I will be into my PhD next year (and I honestly need to look up what that means for what programs I can apply for.) You likely haven't seen the last of me, I'm afraid. Might be taking a little break though 'cause I just need to not obsess right now!

This has got to be the most melodramtic forum on the internet...

I guess. I'm going to get my PhD so maybe I'll reapply as a scholar (or whatever the PhD level one is.) Just so confused because I thought my application was really quite good. It's just getting so tiring hearing people tell me how much potential I have and how I'm going to achieve great things, and I have nothing to show for it. I'm a singer (classically trained) and people are constantly telling me I'm the next Birgit Nilsson (very famous Germanic-style opera singer) yet I never get accepted to... anything... sigh.

Hello everyone! I've been lurking since January, and I just wanted to shout out that I've gotten the Fulbright to Japan as well! As expected, there was the notification in the subject line, but I actually was notified from my grant advisor first because the Fulbright e-mail was delegated to spam.
 
bangkang, your project sounds really fascinating. I'm extremely interested in the Occupation era and recasting narratives from that time, so I hope to meet you and learn more about your ideas and project!
 
As for mine, I'm going to Okinawa to do some work on the Ryukyuan languages and work with the communities there on a variety of projects, including, ideally, a documentary. We'll see how that all pans out! Best of luck to everyone! No matter what happens, at least the waiting game will be over soon.