hank.img

Hey, I really admire your perseverance as I would not have enough courage to keep trying for 5 YEARS. Also, please don't let the rejections identify who you are! I will be rooting for you in your future endeavors (although from a far distance lol). As far as I can see, everyone here seems to be rooting for you as well.

I see. Thank you for your input! I guess patience is the key here lol.

When do you guys think the alternates can email to see if all the finalists accepted or if more spots opened up?

Sorry I should clarify, they were happy to let you know once you reached out to them first. I just don't know who to contact.

Ah that perfectly makes sense. So I guess it would be safe to assume there would be more alternates compared to non-select.

I know I am thinking way ahead but I am curious as to who I should ask for my status (A) on the list after waiting patiently for about a month. Apparently from the previous application cycles (both in 2014 and 2015), people who work in Fulbright commission communicated directly with the alternates on how things are looking for them as the time went on (AND even suggested them to apply again because of how high their application was on the rank).

Why don't they just use those funds for us alternates?

I am the same way! It's going to be insanely hard to learn the language in such a short notice... When do you think it would be a good time to reach out to see if any there is any update on our alternate status. If so, who would we reach out to?

@Dash123 Yeah I agree. I also came to a conclusion that even if someone denies his/her grant, I would only get it if that person had the similar profile as me. For example, if a certain university is in need for a STEM background ETA more so than Humanities/Language background ETA, that university probably picked someone from STEM. Since I am also a STEM major, I would only get the award if the selected individual for that university denies the award for whatever reason. Although the official Fulbright website states my country's current need/preference is someone from STEM background, not all universities are looking for a STEM major so there's the reduction in my probability already. Furthermore, my major is not the only thing that defines my profile. It could easily include race, school level, side-project type, or whatever else that might meet their own "quota". So I am very curious as to how they specifically picked out the alternates. Therefore, it also made me wonder if there is basically an alternate (or two) for every university/institution that wanted an ETA and if we would only move up when our specific "finalist pair" declined. On that note, let's not forget that our new political leadership in America is not a huge supporter for expansion in Department of Education. It's leaning towards either a cut or maintenance of the current funding from the articles I've been reading. It would be most likely for extra spots to open up if more universities/institutions from the host country decides to participate and contribute somewhat financially to this program. Please don't get me wrong, I am very grateful for the status I got as an alternate. I just want to decode the mystery of alternate selection process. Also OBVIOUSLY we won't be able to figure out completely what is going on here but I thought I'd share what is going through my head at the moment. Oh and one more thing... It's an honor to be surrounded by such self-driven and dedicated individuals on this forum.

@AnnMarie I know this sounds sad but when should we stop expecting the promotion?

I can really appreciate your positivity! Can't exactly say it better than this, but being in this together really helps me cope. Hoping many of those who are accepted for Fulbright also receive even better job/scholarship/grad school offer!

This would apply to all applicants somewhat, Do you guys think there will be more funding availble for fulbright program as a whole? With some political changes in the U.S., I'm curious if we are going to either face increase or decrease in overall funding. Increase in funding would benefit the alternates since our promotion is highly dependent on availble funding. Oh and also increase in the number of availble spots. For example, Poland had 15 ETAs two years ago and now they have 17.

@AnnMarie My university scholarship advisor also told me that traditionally there is a lot of movement on alternate list and that I shouldn't be so down about my current status. NOW we start the 10th circle of hell of waiting together.

@indexes CONGRATS!!!! Fingers crossed I will be able to join you in the future! I feel like because they had more grants this past year than they did the year before, they wouldn't have extra fund anymore? Or I guess they are constantly growing?

I was just asking because the email sounded like they pick a lot of alternates. It's really hard because we won't know how many are ahead of us on that list either. But hey, I really wish you the best and hopefully we can both get promoted at the end.