[The 'Am I competitive' thread - READ ME BEFORE POSTING]

 

Hi everyone! Any advice at all would be much appreciated - particularly on the GRE front. With early Dec deadlines coming up I'm getting a bit nervous.

Program: Masters in Security Studies, Master of Arts in International Relations, MPP

Schools Applying To: Georgetown Walsh SFS, Johns Hopkins SAIS, Columbia SIPA, Sciences Po PSIA/LSE (Dual), Yale Jackson, HKS, Boston Pardee 

Interests: Parameters of war, grand strategy, unconventional warfare, arms control, post-conflict reconstruction, national identity, migration studies

Undergrad Institution: Bard

Undergraduate GPA: 3.63/4

Undergraduate Major: Political Studies, concentration Global & International Studies

GRE:  Unofficial  166 V / 156 Q / AW TBD 

Age: 27 

Languages: English (native), French (Rusty but advanced), Arabic (Novice) 

Nationality: US

Quant Experience: Intro to Macro (A), Statistics (A-), Physics for Nonmajors (A) (is this relevant?), currently taking an Intro to Micro class at a nearby community college, A expected.

Work Experience:  4+ years full time experience in immigration law.  During undergrad, relevant internship/part time office assistance work.

Misc: Awarded best senior thesis in the PS department at Bard; during undergrad served as rep for my school at the SCUSA conference at USMA West Point.

LORs: 2 Political Studies profs from undergrad (multiple classes, one was senior thesis advisor, the other was on the evaluation board) with whom I've stayed close over the years. 1 from my current boss, the partner I work with closely at the firm where I work - my only concern with her is that she's very busy, but I'm sure it'll be at least good, if not great. 

SOPs: Not finalized, but will focus on academic background in IR/security studies, work experience in US immigration, and hopes to study the connection/cycle of violent conflict -> national/regional istability -> migration (transnational refugees/IDP) -> further instability and increased likelihood of continuing violent conflict, and effects on conceptions of state identity and individual national identity. Aiming eventually for DOS as FSO and/or journalism.

Concerns: 

1. GRE Quant. Should I take this again? I'm worried about the time constraints of some deadlines, and I'm unsure how to weigh the cost ($200, less time for SOPs) and potential benefits of extra points. My highest quant score from practice tests was 161, so it seems feasible, but I'm still not sure (and if Q went up but V went down a bit, if there would be net benefit).

2. Volunteer experience. I don't have any substantial, recent volunteer experience. Between my job and some big personal matters over the past few years I just haven't had time for consistency. Is this an issue?

3. Quant experience. it's not a lot, but the grades are good. 

4. Financial aid. I know this requires a competitive level above the norm, and I'm not sure how high that is, and if I meet it.

5. I'm a little concerned that, given current events of the past year, my research interests will appear opportunistic. 

Thanks!

[Fulbright 2017-2018]

4 minutes ago, Horb said:

what if we don't find out?

Probably pass out from holding my breath.

[Fulbright 2017-2018]

2 minutes ago, Ally K said:

I'm applying to a PhD program. The immediate plan B though is to have a baby in the next month - found out I was pregnant after spending months on the Fulbright application. When I asked my advisor/faculty recommenders if I should still apply they were all like "yeah! Babies can get passports!" Haha. 

Your faculty sounds awesome. That's so fantastic. Congratulations!

[Fulbright 2017-2018]

44 minutes ago, milliedaisy said:

Anyone else barely sleeping in anticipation? Hopeful that the results come out today!

One nightmare of a rejection email and subsequent tossing and turning over it kept both my partner and I up practically all night. Now I just feel tired, antsy, aaand a bit guilty.

[Fulbright 2017-2018]

13 minutes ago, Photogeographic said:

*BRAIN EXPLOSION *

Same

[Fulbright 2017-2018]

8 minutes ago, thepictureisstill said:

FPA=Fulbright Program Advisor, yes? 

UM Fulbright sent the following email this morning:

Hello all,

 

We hope that the start of 2017 is treating you all well.

 

We wanted to take a brief moment to remind you about the application process and next steps for you as a 2017-18 Fulbright U.S. Student Program applicant.

 

1. Initial Notifications on Application Status will be sent by January 30, 2017. All applicants are notified (via email) as to whether they were designated as "Recommended/Semi-Finalists" or "Non-Recommended" by the Fulbright National Screening Committee.  

 

•  If you are selected as "Recommended/Semi-Finalist," please be sure to read the email from the Fulbright Commission carefully. All information about next steps will be in the email and notification letter. The email will tell you who to contact at national headquarters if you have questions. It is important to note that while an accomplishment, recommendation/Semi-finalist status is not receipt of a grant. Recommended/Semi-Finalist applications are forwarded to the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in the host country for additional review.

• If you are designated as "Non-Recommended," U-M Fulbright Program Advisors are happy to talk with you about resubmitting an application for the 2018-19 grant cycle. We will be holding office hours throughout the semester and are happy to meet with you in person, via phone, or Google Chat. These appointments can be made online using our appointment scheduler. Click here to schedule an appointment. Please note that it is the policy of the Fulbright Board that reasons for non-recommendation of candidates not be given. In many cases, candidates were well qualified to receive a grant and no one specific factor, other than the sheer number of applications to their specific country prohibited them from reaching the next stage. 

 

2. Final Notifications on Application Status will be sent beginning in March 2017.

• Notification begins early March and continues throughout the spring (late May 2017). Notification dates vary by country.
• All candidates in this round are notified as to whether they have been "selected for an award," designated as "alternates," or "non-selected." 
• If you are "selected for an award," please be sure to read the email from the Fulbright Commission closely. Please take note that the email will tell you who to contact at national headquarters if you have questions about your award.
• If you are designated as an "alternate," please be sure to read the email from the Fulbright Commission closely.  Please take note that the email will tell you who to contact at national headquarters if you have questions about your status.
• If you are designated as "non-Selected," U-M Fulbright Program Advisors are happy to talk with you about resubmitting an application for the 2018-19 grant cycle. We will be holding office hours throughout the summer and are happy to meet with you in person, via phone, or Google Chat.These appointments can be made online using our appointment scheduler. Click here to schedule an appointment.  Please note that it is the policy of the Fulbright Board that reasons for non-select of candidates not be given.

 

If you have any questions about the above process, please let us know.

 

We wish you all the best of luck with the competition!

"

 

When did you receive this? Or, was it sent to an FPA and forwarded to you?

(also: hi everyone, I applied for France, currently going low key nuts for all the same reasons.)