arabiclover
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Posts posted by arabiclover
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20 minutes ago, LoSo said:
I was a semi-finalist for Fulbright this year and just found out yesterday that I was designated as an alternate. However, I'm more nervous about Boren because I had less time to work on my application, my school's advisor was a bit clueless, and I am worried about the tone of my national security essay. So, despite the odds being more in my favor for this, I feel less confident about it. I am sure it would be different without the self doubt. Anyway, I hope we find out soon! I really prefer to do Boren because I feel that it would benefit me more, career-wise.
Congrats on your alternate!! and I feel you on the self-doubt, but I am sure am sending you good vibes for your Boren app
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40 minutes ago, Umenohana said:
I agree, looking at numbers and everything, Boren is much easier to get. I'd surmise that the service requirement is probably the biggest turn-off for people. Even though I was sure it's the right thing for me when applying for the Scholarship, it feels like more of a confinement now. Yet here I am applying again!
I think you should also keep in mind that these are similar programs, but very different at the same time. CLS is all about languages, diplomacy and representing diversity of the U.S. Boren is about languages, national security, and government service. Fulbright is about academics, diplomacy and relationships, but not as much about languages. At least that's my take on it.
There are people who can get all 3. There's those who get one but not the other. There's amazing, dedicated people who may get none. I got CLS and Boren on the first try, but did not even make it to semifinals of Fulbright. This year, I was a CLS alternate, even though I felt like my application was far stronger than it was when I got it last year. Also got rejected from Blakemore-Freeman Fellowship, which is another language fellowship. So it's really hard to say what goes into the decision-making behind these things, on top of the criteria they tell you. Not sure what to expect from Boren right now, but I'm feeling alright, since it is not as competitive.
This was a very thoughtful answer and thank you for those considerations. For me, I am just not sure what much else i could do. Between applying both times, I created an independent major in the language, volunteered in my local community with refugees, studied abroad twice and wrote a thesis using only sources with the target language. I also completed summer programs every year (Middlebury, ones in DC), and studied abroad twice. Would you mind reading my essays and see if there is anything I can improve on for next year? I will be a graduate student (If i get rejected from Boren and another language program I am a finalist for) so I am hoping maybe that will improve my application? Any advice? I know asking you to read them is a lot so please feel comfortable to say no. You've already provided a ton of useful information, so thanks for your consideration
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52 minutes ago, SportPhD said:
I mean it demonstrates your commitment to the language so that’s a huge benefit and the iie programs (CLS, Boren and Fulbright) definitely have a connection, but CLS and Fulbright are more competitive programs overall, when you look purely at the numbers.
Thank you! That was a really nice answer and Im super obsessed with my language so I plan on applying to CLS however many times it takes! I hope it works out for you! Sending you good vibes!
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13 minutes ago, Umenohana said:
You know, I apparently go to an APSIA school now and I still don't see what it means for me as a student. Even our scholarship advisers never mentioned anything about it, so I doubt we are receiving anything that may put us at an advantage. My guess is that these schools tend to be pretty good in themselves and invest in helping their students compete for these types of scholarships. At my current school they push Boren, Fulbright, CLS all the time! (though they don't bother with getting FLAS...) At my last school, literally nobody tells students about those, nor offers any significant help. I was the only person to get Boren and CLS there, finding and applying to those opportunities myself. So while there is a benefit of going to "better" schools, your own merits are still the most important thing, so I wouldn't worry about that. I think they do also try to get a somewhat diverse group of scholars and fellows, including geographical and institutional diversity.
I was studying Criminal Justice when I got the scholarship and doing an MA in International Affairs right now. Both times applying to Japan.
Do you know if there is a correlation between getting CLS and Boren? I have been rejected from CLS twice now, and am scared that because of that I may not be Boren material.
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5 hours ago, Westtofareast said:
Yes ! I applied for the scholarship. You ?
yes
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16 hours ago, Westtofareast said:
Oman had one boren scholar and one boren fellow last year ! I chose a small European country so I am in the same boat as you.
Oh thats awesome!! I am sending you good vibes and positive hopes you get it !
did you apply for the scholarship?
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1 hour ago, Westtofareast said:
What country did you apply to?
Oman! I am completely in love with Oman lol. What about you?
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12 hours ago, Furby said:
I think boren looks for quality more than anything. It just so happens that less applied to countries have less applicants and thus theres a greater chance no one gets accepted!
Oh wow good point haha I guess I am just overthinking since there is literally nothing we can do now!
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Does anyone know if you apply to a lesser applied-to country, does that raise or lower your chances? Does it have no effect at all?
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9 hours ago, sb_12 said:
Has anyone received a second budget email? Results are supposed to come out next week.
Nope and I am worried but looks like others havent received the second budget email so maybe it's okay
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Guys if I put in my application that I wanted to get a Masters degree and then fulfill the service requirement do you think they will take my application less seriously?
Applying for a scholarship and I am currently a senior undergrad.
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On 3/30/2020 at 5:12 AM, Scaura said:
Didn't get a second budget e-mail. I didn't need to do any changes to my original, though! Did anyone else get a second?
Honestly, with COVID-19, we need Boren fellowship more than ever. Since I would be a fellow I could start whenever I wanted, but it would be nice having to NOT look for job in this current market lol.
I didn't receive a second budget email and I applied to study Arabic on the scholarship! Hope this helps!
Boren 2020-2021
in The Bank
Posted
omg mine is empty too, but I havent heard anything