mrs12

How are everyone's grad school applications going? I assume most were due recently or will be due soon. I just finished up my FAIT Fellowship application, so now I'm settling down to fine-tune my grad school apps. The SOP should be so simple but I just keep scrapping mine and starting over again because it never feels right.

Lately, especially over the holiday season, it's been very difficult to maintain my equilibrium. I tell myself all the time that I am a good candidate, that I am doing my best, and that I will find my way in life. But then everyone wants to tell me that I will get this or that, or that I have to do this or that because it worked for some other random person, or why should I be worried about my chances when it's all going to work out fine -- and I know they mean well, but it's upsetting. I prefer having very low hopes, and I usually manage to do that without feeling like I'm the wrong part of the equation. It's just a truth of the matter, at this stage everyone is amazing and my level of amazing isn't to such a degree as to make anything a guarantee. It's better to recognize that now, than think things will unfurl before me just because I have good intentions and am smart. So when everyone tries to tell me to stop being so negative, I don't think they realize that they're upsetting my careful balance and actually making me feel worse. If I'm okay with acknowledging the luck aspect of this whole process, that it's not entirely fair, and that my chances aren't guaranteed, then they should respect that. Because otherwise I start to wonder... What will they say when I get my inevitable rejects? Do they really just expect perfection? Why can't we celebrate the normal people in life? The people who keep going despite the hiccups and avalanches and rocky roads? What if I end up doing something totally different in life but I know I've tried my best, will they still be telling me it'll all work out and how I should just go for it again? I know they mean well, and I know too that they don't really understand the system, but sometimes I just want everyone to stop endlessly propping me up and to be more realistic about this process. A simple, "I believe in you, let's see what happens," would suffice. Wow... That was really helpful! I've never been able to say that to anyone, but it was really nice!

I'm not sure if this information is readily out there, but I thought I'd throw the question to GradCafe and see what comes up. When it comes to prepping for an exam like the GRE, often what one might do is look at the statistics of the content and format of the test and come up with priorities for studying or taking the test itself. For instance, if I know that I want a specific quant score, and I know roughly how many questions I'd need to achieve that score -- one could do some calculations based on the test itself. Say I know I'm better at Geometry, and that I, perhaps, don't have enough time to study higher aspects in Algebra before the test. I might then try to estimate how many Geometry questions are in the quant section in general, and try to estimate the low-hanging fruit from the rest of the quant section to focus my studying on, things that would take less time to brush up on or learn. So I could target both my studying and my test-taking to the parts that are easiest or that I was better able to prepare for within the time-constraints. Is this a method people use when planning their prep work or when taking the test? If so, where did you come across more detailed information on the contents of the GRE? I've yet to find much more than the most basic detailings, which isn't enough to base this sort of theory off of, and while I doubt that any such details are set in stone or heavily advertised I was curious if there were formal or informal statistics on this sort of thing.

Well then. I'm glad I asked! I didn't realize resumes could be that long for grad school applications. :3

Some schools also have information on their department websites about this topic. It may be hidden, and not somewhere nice and convenient like the FAQ. I know in one of my fields it is common to allow LOR up to two weeks after the application deadline, but in my other field the deadlines are the same. If you are super stressing, maybe scour their website to see if you can suss anything out. Especially if it's a larger university and has one of those online manuals. As far as the situation you're in right now. It can be super nerve wracking to be waiting, having done your part, and wanting it all to be set and finalized. It may help to recognize that it makes sense that you're nervous over this, but that once you contact the school(s) you have done everything right. Your professor may know your field better than you do and already understand when their actual deadline is. Even if that's not the case, by emailing the schools you will be taking control of the situation. They will let you know if there is going to be an issue, and from my experience most schools fully understand that professors are incredibly busy this time of the year and tend to drag LOR's out a bit. Most schools seem to plan for that. Even if by some chance your professor has misjudged, it is likely that by contacting the departments they will be willing to work things out with you, and then you can go to your professor with the actual deadlines. It's hard in times like these to remember that our stresses are valid but also that there's usually no reason to panic. I hope you can get the information you need quickly so you won't have to worry about this. Good luck!

Hey! I have a general question. When someone asks for your resume because they're writing LOR's for you, either because of grad school or a scholarship or something of the like, do you tend to send them your official resume? By that I mean, I have several versions of my resume depending on what sort of topic/program I'm applying to. I have a one page resume focused on my academics, a one page resume focused on my language work, and a one page resume that's more general. But I also have a resume that's about three pages that has everything you'd want to include on a resume as far as jobs/awards/internships and the like, which I use as my over-arching reference. I'm just curious... When someone asks for your resume in that context, should you give them more information, or keep to the short/formal version you're apt to include in said application?

We're getting so close to the Pickering deadline! How's everyone doing? And congratulations to @BrittOrange and @johnwfoster12 for being selected!!! You're both amazing and you should be extremely proud of yourselves! It sure sounds like you're all on the right track and doing some really interesting things right now. I hope the clearance process and all the rest goes smoothly for you!

Has anyone else heard about the IT Fellowship? It's for IMS, so it's a switch from FSO to a specialist, but it looks really interesting. I'm considering applying along with the Pickering. I know it's a big shift, but the more I look at what IMS do the more I see how important that job is. And strangely enough I've been able to keep up my tech studies alongside the rest during undergraduate so I think I would be a strong candidate. I know it would mean a lot of things, like not getting language training, and less work with the host-country, but at the same time it's really a very vital job... And a lot of the job is about working with FSO's and other embassy staff, through trainings and trouble-shooting, which I really like. That's one of the things I loved about tech, the opportunity to help people and make information easily accessible.

@Karakoy and everyone else, how's it going with preparing for the Rangel? Are you nervous? I remember previous applicants saying that they wished they hadn't been so obsessed with studying foreign affairs in the interim and had worked more on preparing for the interview itself, but that's anecdotal advice at best.

@BrittOrange, welcome and congratulations! To those of you who are finalists, if you haven't already some of the previous topics on the Rangel/Pickering have more advice/details on the finalist process and the interviews if you want to peruse back that far. Seriously congratulations on all your hard work! You can do this! @ayasofaya I get that, too. If you would enjoy the Fulbright, isn't that also something to consider? It's not time lost if you "take that year", because you're enhancing your application but also doing something really interesting that you're passionate about. Who knows what could come from it?

@ayasofaya It's incredibly hard to say. It is frustrating to never get feedback, and I understand what you're feeling right now. But it's also not a reason to lose hope entirely. Most applicants don't get through the first attempt. Often it takes time in the work-force or other activities, it seems, anecdotally. But also, remember that the Pickering tends to move on wholly different applicants than the Rangel for some reason. Many finalists for the Pickering were never selected to interview for the Rangel. (Similar with the Payne.) I know how crushing this news can be, how hard it is to figure out what to do next, but I also want you to know that there's a community out there and that whatever you chose to do it's amazing that you got this far. It's not easy putting yourself out there like what is required for these applications. And at this stage, getting a rejection isn't necessarily a comment about you or your situation, only the incredible level of quality of the many many applicants. This ratio of related degrees is in keeping with the general applicant pool, too. It is, after all, most likely students in those fields who know about the FS and find out about this Fellowship. Remember the chances of moving to the finals are so very slim, that you could very well be a shoe-in for one of these other Fellowships or perhaps next year, etc. Which is not to say that this doesn't suck and that you don't need to take some time to consider your options and plans for life. Just that I hope you can hold equal to the disappointment a level of pride and satisfaction that you are far enough along to apply to something like this, know what you want, and have your support/community believe in you. That's something pretty fantastic! I'm not sure if that's in any way helpful, but I honestly don't think it's a shame, so to speak, to not be selected to these things. We're all freaking amazing. And whether you end up continuing with the Fellowships or getting into the FS through some other avenue or even applying yourself elsewhere that doesn't take away from your hard work and commitment to public service. So, if you can, even just a little, try to pat yourself on the back and remember that you're pretty freaking great no matter today's results. <3

@ayasofaya, Hey, I just got the email. It's another no for me this year. But hopefully that means everyone will receive their email tonight at some point!

@ayasofaya Haha, I know. My immediate thought was, oh no if you don't get an email tonight maybe it's a sign? But then again, having been in this process before and for other programs there's always some weird pattern for emails. Sometimes it's based on names or other things, often it's just a way of automating sending out massive amounts of emails. So no worries yet! <3 (Not that that's easy to maintain!) Good luck though! I hope you get the good news sometime soon!

@Karakoy Congratulations! Oh my gosh, that's so great to hear. I'm wishing you all the best with the rest of the process. And, @johnwfoster12, welcome and congratulations to you too!!!

I wonder if they're going alphabetically?

I'm actually happily surprised, they've made a huge effort to streamline the dates this year for the Rangel. It's all very quick and neatly laid out.

They do seem pretty specific with the 26th being listed in several areas. Ayasofaya, I'm in the same boat, trying to plan everything as if I get a rejection so that I'll know what to do from here.

@ayasofaya That is an unfortunate situation. There's always been a lot of chatter about the unfairness of the Fellowships (not just the R/P) for normal applicants off the register. I completely understand that frustration, but part of me also wonders -- if we keep having hiring freezes, what would the FS look like with several years of cohorts where there is such a focus on diversity? Would we finally end up with more than just a smattering of ELO's coming from different backgrounds and could this result in a more balanced FS later on down the line? It's been a priority of pretty much all the SOS for a while now, but it's so hard to implement. I should hope that there's some positive benefits from all this, even if unintended. @Karakoy I'm trying not to think about it! These last few weeks/days always seem the worst in hindsight because you're so hopeful, beginning to truly imagine what life could be like and plan things, and then inevitably the answer comes and reality comes back down no matter the response. It's odd to go from that height to a no, or to suddenly frantically trying to figure out the interview process. How're you doing lately?

@ayasofaya I think normally this would be disconcerting but it seems to have been handled as well as possible. I've been reading some press briefings and Sec Tillerson's comments and it's clear there's still a really strong commitment to the Fellows.

Thanks @ayasofaya, I hadn't heard anything about the current Rangel/Pickering Fellows being asked to consider a Consular Fellowship position due to hiring freezes/no A-100 courses for the time being. It's an interesting concept, I wonder what they intend to do with all the fellows who don't have a 3/3 in the specific languages of the CF program. Or those who don't take the offer. It makes some sense though, since from what I understand you'd do a two-year tour, which any fellow would do anyway for their Consular obligation, and then have the chance of moving to an A-100 course if one was available.

I wish the FSOT was closer to where I live. :3 Also, I've been scouring the internet and look what I found for all our anxious-needs: http://foreignserviceproblems.tumblr.com/ Uh-huh, it's Foreign Service meme's and other jokes~ There's a ton of them, too. I've been browsing when I get too concerned and it's a nice reminder of how normal/silly/strange many of these experiences are.

@ayasofaya You should also consider taking the FSO test if you can. The fellowships are not the only way into the FS and I know some previous applicants got pretty far in both processes at the same time, which is to say it's possible.

@ayasofaya Yeah, I ran into that last year. So, because of time/money constraints I didn't apply to the Pickering last year as by then I had decided not to apply to grad school that application cycle. I applied two years ago to their undergraduate Fellowship, which was the same process, and then last year to Rangel, and then this year is the first year I'll apply to both at the same time. It's certainly something to think about. Honestly, I'm not sure how much the GRE impacts the Pickering. I think there was a time when they didn't ask for it, though I may be making that up. Obviously a very low score would be disconcerting, but from what I know you have a good score. I imagine it's used more to see if you're grad school ready rather than a bracket system. I.E. a good score implies you have the ability to get into grad school. I know that's not very helpful, sorry!

It certainly comes with advantages like you say, Ayasofya! I am always finding new opportunities no one else has heard about. Like the Rangel, for example. :3 The day is getting closer! How are you all feeling?

Obviously every first generation student has different experiences, but there's a commonly shared "curse" so to speak of coming from a background where your parents and/or +grandparents haven't gone on to higher education, and for some coming from a community where it's uncommon to do so. It leads to a lot of misinformation about the process. In my situation College was like the white horse and no one around me had any knowledge or advice to give me that could have helped me prepare for applying or my time there. Which is not to say that you can't research on your own, but it doesn't wholly make up for the breadth of common knowledge that would have helped me better navigate and plan the whole process.