mrs12

@Africanagyal As far as I know, this is an individual school thing. Because even after receiving word from the government the FLAS centers have to run through their own internal calculations. I would ask your FLAS center if they have any information available on the probable timeline.

@Dan_H On the contrary, I think you sound like an amazing applicant and that your age only makes you stand out more rather than detract. Honestly, I believe that starting college later in life is a boon in a lot of ways. I started at 20, and just those few extra years really made a difference in my academic path and the things I was able to do. And: Sciences Po and the Gilman? Those are all really impressive experiences! (Especially if you swung going to France for the Gilman, they tend to be chary about more "typical" study abroad locations.) I would be really pleased if we got to meet up over this process! Are you headed to the Georgetown SFS Open House? If so, I'm also going to be in D.C. at that time, to interview for the FAIT Fellowship.

@Doge You never know their timelines! Seems to me like they'd be lucky to have you.

@ayasofaya, @Micr: I have no freaking clue, honestly. Ayasofaya is right, I didn't apply to the Pickering last year, just the Rangel. But I did apply to the Pickering the year before, as a Junior in college and received a rejection. So, thus far, I've been rejected from the Rangel twice and the Pickering once and then just now made it to the finalist stage. My applications have all basically been the same from year to year barring my essay which I always completely redo. I'm a good student, but I don't have that many extracurricular or tie-ins and my GRE scores are average (my math score is horrible, actually). So, really, I'm as flummoxed as everyone else. This year, after two years of rejection from various fellowships, I decided to just shuck the traditional essay style and write my own thing. I figured it couldn't be worse than what I'd always been writing and gotten rejected on. So, in the past I tried to write persuasively about my passion for public service and background, and the year before that I wrote primarily on the thirteen dimensions and my experiences at my internship with State and my desire to be a part of that community. These were all really polished essays and I felt strongly about them. This time around I threw all that out the window, and tried to write about everything else. I trusted that my resume and letters of recommendation would speak to those traits and experiences, and instead wrote a more personal narrative that highlighted my rural background and my desire to represent a multifaceted America. I gambled and figured either they'd throw it out as absurd or it'd catch someone's eye -- because clearly my past attempts hadn't. So, if I had to guess... Maybe this time around it was more sincere? Or different enough that it caught people's attentions? Or perhaps it was just less staid. I've always been a good writer, but I wasn't trying so hard to have the perfect essay this year. I wanted to share my story, and write what felt natural. Maybe that was the difference? But I've heard from past finalists and everyone has a different essay, some more personal, some more formal, some directly addressing the 13 dimensions, some never even touching on them. All I can speak to is my progression to this point, and I think the big difference was writing to my strengths. That is, writing the type of essay that I tend to write best. So whichever sort of narrative lets your writing voice shine best, maybe that's something to consider. So... yeah? I hope that's helpful, even though I'm afraid it's not a very obvious answer. Thanks for the well-wishes and support! Sorry it took me so long to respond, I kind of got the news and freaked out and retreated for a while. @Dan_H Hey, there! Congratulations! I applied for the 17th testing date. So if that goes through, maybe we will see each other! Good luck with the preparation! Remember that you're awesome, so try not to panic too much at this point. (If you can avoid it.) I think even though nothing is determined this will just be an interesting and fun experience!

@Doge I hate to say this, but I'm secretly glad you didn't get funding from Georgetown, either, in a horrible way. Because you're amazing, and I was starting to psyche myself out over the funding scenario there, and that it was some sign about my capabilities. This argument is rendered inert after hearing from you though, so, thanks? (and sorry!) Seriously, though, Yale? You'll do great there! And I'd assume that amount of funding means they really really want you, so that's a good thing to know/have in your pocket if you ever get worried. Enjoy your conference, and I hope I do get to see you at Georgetown!

Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god....... I'm a Pickering Finalist... I don't believe it. Seriously. I think this is a mistake. I've tried so many times now, is this even possible??? @ayasofaya I'm so sorry! I was hoping to get to meet you at the interview day, somehow. You have to keep trying. Seriously. I hope the Fulbright ETA comes through for you, but even so, congratulations on your grad school results, you're doing amazing. I know just how this moment feels, after waiting so long, and having so much pinned on it, and I want you to know that you're awesome and all of your hard work will pay off somehow/somewhere.

You're welcome, @KitKat99! I really like your avatar, by the way. Pusheen is the cutest!

Last year was March 29th, the year before that March 27th. So I'd assume we're not looking at this week. :3

@DogeWeirdly enough, my answer would normally be no because of distance, but I'm actually in DC that day doing an interview as a finalist for my fellowship... so if I somehow have time, I'd love to. I doubt I have time though, because it's an all day interview process. XPP Congratulations on Columbia and UIUC! I told you you were going to smash it! <3 What are you thinking about/leaning towards? Do you have all your financial aid packages yet? One of my concerns is that Georgetown probably gives out financial aid packages in their official letter off the site, and the fact that they don't mention funding at all in mine probably means I didn't get any funding. Otherwise they at least would have mentioned that they were sending them out later, you'd think... Or I think... Ahhhhh.

Oh my gosh! Congratulations everyone! You're all so amazing. I just heard from Georgetown, today, too. I'm in! But no word on financial aid, so it might not matter. XPPP I'm in a potential dilemma, as I'm also a finalist for an IT fellowship, which would necessitate me going somewhere other than the Georgetown program. But I decided early on to go where the money is, so if I get funded I'll be thankful and go wherever I have to go. I hope that means the Georgetown MAERES program, but we'll see. It's so cool hearing about all of your options and the things you've all been doing. Congratulations on all these opportunities and I hope we all get lots of funding offers!

From what I know, summer FLAS are sometimes available to outside-students in places where the host school doesn't have enough applicants of their own. And this, usually, only for the most understudied languages under the FLAS umbrella. I've never heard of it being offered for an academic year FLAS, and honestly I've only seen the summer FLAS given to students studying at FLAS-sites who themselves come from a university without FLAS. But that's just my experience!

@ayasofaya My gosh, that took forever to find. It got lost in a random folder somewhere on my gmail, which isn't usually my main email. Thanks! Also, I have good news!!! The results went out today for the Foreign Affairs IT Fellowship Finalists, and I'm one of them! I'll be going to DC in April for the interviews/written test! The odds are still pretty slim, only 5 people will be selected in the end (out of 10 finalists). But I'm trying to let myself be excited today before I devolve into worrying. Somehow I thought it'd take longer for the results to come out, so now my patience is shot and I want to hear back from the Pickering already...

@ayasofaya Wait! When did you get that, Friday? What email did it come under? I haven't received anything other than the first alert that the application was submitted... Gosh, I hate wait like this. XP

@Doge, Congratulations!!! That's so great! You'll have tons of options now! Here's hoping to some fantastic aid packages. @lawine Congratulations on Wisconsin! I really love Wisconsin-Madison and the program there is really snazzy. <3 February does seem slowww, though I'm really waiting until the middle of March for most of my information. Ughhh. Why do I do this to myself?

Georgetown doesn't officially say anything during the process, as far as I've been told. So the only thing you can do is check the online portal to see if they received everything. Other than that, it's a long wait to late February or early March. I don't know how many applicants they typically get, but @Doge is correct, the incoming class is something between 12-30 students at most. Also! Congratulations, Doge! One acceptance down, and plenty more to come!

@busybee I've heard from two other people I know that they're in the same boat. This happened last year too, it's a technicial error with how they send out emails. The official stance is that this is completely random and not at all an indication of the results. I remember a girl in my group last year who ended up receiving the scholarship after email delays like this. So don't give up hope, as hard as that is! I'm sorry the person you talked to was so brusque, I think they may be getting a lot of calls about this right now. Though why they can't just tell people over the phone at this stage is beyond me!

Oh my gosh, that's a ton of applications! Congratulations on surviving! Wow. :3 I think your advisor was correct, to spread it out like that, but I don't envy your work load. And yes, 500 words was so tough! I'm not sure I did anything to explain why they should pick me specifically, but it's pretty difficult with all the other things they want you to discuss. Your interests sound super snazzy! And widely applicable, too! Hopefully some of those schools see that. It's amazing that you got to do that much in your undergrad. My resume is a bit all-over the place, to be honest. My undergraduate focus was Turkish Studies, as in Turkey, but it swiftly grew from there. I really only have experience with Turkey and Azerbaijan, but my academic interests are the Turkic world. So, yes, from Turkey to Uyghuristan. Mostly I'm interested in pan-Turkism, questions of Turkishness and identity, nationalism, and especially how linguistics plays into all of these subjects. I applied to Georgetown because I'm looking for a professional program rather than a purely academic masters. I don't intend on going on to a PhD, and Georgetown would allow me to polish my area studies knowledge/language skills while also continuing with my tech background. I've actually also applied to some Data Science/IT programs coming from the other angle, at places where I could still take Turkish, but my first choice is Georgetown. I'm seriously so glad you posted this topic, I've yet to find anyone interested in the same programs! Now we can freak out together.

I'm so not in the Psychology field, but this topic is too good to pass up on. Best: Get a job at a Study Abroad company and cry over student-as-number's type scenarios for a year before applying again. Crazy Plan: Go volunteer at a Buddhist Monastery for a year and finally get good at practicing mindfulness, turn off all electronics, focus on coming to terms with myself and the world. (For those interested, yes, sometimes you can trade a needed skill for room-and-board at monasteries or similar places. For me it'd be I.T./website help, some people cook, do carpentry, farming, etc.) Is it bad that I've already fully researched my crazy back up plan?

@Doge This is my first year applying! From past experience, there aren't usually that many people on GradCafe in this area of study, but hopefully someone will have some advice for you! Is it safe to assume that you're more on the Russian side of things if you've applied to the REECA program at the Davis Center? Did you apply anywhere else? I just finished up my application for Georgetown's MAERES, and while I'd planned on two other schools (Indiana-Bloomington's CEUS and Wisconsin-Madison's CREECA) I had some unforeseen circumstances that kept me from applying elsewhere. This is more of an experimental year, I suppose, unfortunately.

They're usually in batches, some languages are earlier some later, sometimes even within languages they can batch up. So don't fear if you don't have an email yet! Congratulations to those of you who've moved forward! CLS is really tough! So if you didn't get through, please keep in mind that you're not alone. It took me three tries before I got through to the finals my first time.

That is so relatable, @ayasofaya! I was freaking out about the GRE and had a similar experience. At this point, I've just got to throw up my hands and try to focus on the fact that it is what it is. Or if I'm being optimistic, the GRE isn't the be-all-end-all for the Pickering, more a gauge, and thus there's more leeway with scores than say some grad school committees. Did everyone catch the deadline today? (Well, technically in 4 and a half hours.) I sat on my application for over a week now just debating wording, which probably wasn't too smart. But it's all in. Now it's out of our hands. The wait from here to semi-finalist notifications is the worst. I'm glad this year I have grad school applications to distract me for part of it.

@busybee That's so interesting! I've had an adviser who said the exact opposite, and she also was an application reader in the past. Who knows, then, maybe it's something that changes based on languages or years? I was always told to prioritize that aspect when critiquing essays or advising students about applying to the CLS, but there are many layers to the process for sure. It gives some food for thought. Good luck with everything, I certainly know the struggle of needing the language exposure/practice and not having many places to get it. Hopefully either CLS or FLAS will work out for you! I think we're often told it's hard to get CLS more than once, but at the same time I feel like you know so much having gone through the process... Again, anecdotally, I know at least four graduate students who did CLS so it's certainly not impossible! I feel like, too, that an application out of grad school would just carry so many more of the intangibles. I really hope it pans out for you! @sleepyficteer Thank you for your kind words. It's nice to know my perpetual lurking has had some positive effect! I feel very lucky to have received CLS twice, even if once I was unable to participate, and it's certainly a community that I want to give back to. I'm glad to hear that some of my thoughts were interesting for you.

I just wanted to pop in and comment on this! I was a recipient last year and a finalist the year before, and I have to say that the mix of people on my program, at least, came from all walks of life. There were plenty of students who had "done it all" so to speak, as well as students who had no real background in the language on paper. Obviously they put a lot of thought into having well-rounded cohorts, but the panel is looking way more at your demonstrable dedication to the language than whether or not you've ever/never studied abroad before or if you've had a lot of other opportunities in the past. I also wanted to just reach out and say that I know how stressful this month can be, and to caution you all to try to be kind to yourselves as you wait this out. It can seem like such a vital thing, like your whole year or degree or future hinges on this chance, but remember that you are way more than these odds and no matter what the results you will move forward with trying to learn these important languages. I'm not really sure how to phrase the sentiment, exactly, except that I really wish someone had told me all those times I was applying that it's okay to look beyond CLS, and important to think of yourself holistically at times like this when we're so narrowly focused on pass/fail systems. If you have any particular questions, please feel free to throw them at me. Good luck to all of you!

Hello, @m7752ne! I'm not sure you'll get a lot of traffic here right now for next year's applications. But if you'd like, there's a topic about this years applications where you might find more perspectives and advice:

Hello @hantoo, If you've never formally taken the language any previous language instructor will suffice. It will probably be taken better coming from a Spanish instructor than, say, a Russian instructor, but that's just anecdotal. It's more important to have an instructor who can speak to your abilities with language learning.