sulz

Final Countdown?!?!

Try 9,600 -- that was last year's applicant pool.

It is my understanding that universities rank and rate, to address the inherent bias. Applications are ranked against others in the pool from the university. You're only ranked against those that can be compared; PhD students are not compared to those with only a bachelors. I applied through my university and worked with the scholarships office. It was an intense process, they give very critical feedback directly tied to the criteria the Fulbright committee is scoring. I think this type of support is common at large R1 universities.

Greetings! As a third time applicant for the Fulbright I thought I’d share some of my experience. I first applied for a Fulbright research fellowship halfway through my masters program. I had a research question that I wanted to explore abroad, and support from my advisor. I started the application process late with only a few months to prepare all the materials. My application advanced, but in the end I was not selected. I’d received word just days before graduating. Having waited months the news was devastating. In the end I picked up the pieces, found a job, and moved to a great new city. A year later, my research interests remained and the time felt right. This time around I had months to prepare my application materials. In January I received notification that my application was not moving forward. I was shocked to have the process end so quickly. I was satisfied that I had reapplied and done my best, I would have always wondered if I should have given it another shot. It was nice to find out early and avoid four more months of anticipation and putting my life plans on hold. Having gone through the lengthy application process twice, I swore it off. This past August I received an email from my university advisor, Fulbright had just announced two new research fellowships in my field. My first thought was to delete the email. I thought it over – similar research topic, new country, enormous resources, and a rushed timeline. Then I decided to jump, for a third time. So here I am, back in the familiar waiting game. Applying for a Fulbright is a lengthy, demanding process that few understand. You carefully craft the materials, the statement, and proposal to show your interests and character in the best light possible. You’ve laid yourself bare to be judged here and abroad. One my close friends shared this passage with me from Theodore Roosevelt, it’s stuck with me and I hope some find it useful. The Man in the Arena, Excerpt from the speech "Citizenship In A Republic" It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. Happy 2013, be pleased with yourself, regardless of that outcome, you have stepped into the arena!

Yes, I applied for the 2010-2011 fellowships. It's impossible to isolate the exact reason an applicant is or isn't selected. It's a very competitive process, and some countries/areas only give out a few fellowships. I focused on ways to strengthen my application and research ideas. This time around I have a better research plan and local connections. I did a bit of research on those selected, they were uber qualified and did some great research. It's been a rewarding process, the second time is a lot easier and less stress. Last time it took until early May for me to find out. It's better to sit back and enjoy the ride. This time it's also easier because I'm not a recent grad waiting to see which direction I'll take. Good luck to everyone!

You should contact faculty at the universities and express interest in their research and ask how the programs might fit in with your interests. I have my MUP and served on the admissions committee for a year. If your app isn't competitive enough you have other means to help yourself stand out. Getting accepted is half the battle, then you want to be competitive for funding.

For anyone else out there waiting to hear about water management fellowships to the Netherlands. I spoke with Rachel Holskin, fellowship decisions have been made, but funding is still not confirmed. So, the wait continues! I am posting because I was quite concerned when I saw the other country notifications and had not yet heard. Good luck!