Scat Detector

Professional Development, that is exactly what Fulbright is, noted previously in detail by me if you looked at the other post. Don't try to dispute that, especially if you just agreed with Isaac. You haughty young people need to step back take a good hard look at yourselves and realize that you have some growing up to do and that maturity does not come from being haughty toward others or from being a negative nancy. You can't disagree with me and agree with Isaac (sorry Isaac) all at the same time unless you plan on contradicting yourselves. Maybe consider a "plan B" on your route through adulthood as maturity comes with age not grades. DISCOURAGING PEOPLE IS INAPPROPRIATE ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT KNOWING SOMEONE PERSONALLY AND ITS INAPPROPRIATE TO TELL A STRANGER TO GO FIND SOMETHING ELSE AND VERY INAPPROPRIATE TO TALK DOWN TO PEOPLE IN SUCH A HAUGHTY MANNER. SPEAK OF YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES NOT WHAT YOU THINK OTHER PEOPLE'S EXPERIENCES SHOULD BE. RESPECT!!! TRY IT SOMETIME COMMENTS LIKE, "IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'LL NEVER MAKE IT SO JUST STOP TRYING ALREADY or telling people the fulbright rules when no one asked. No one deserves to be spoken to in a haughty manner. "AS I SAID IN THE OTHER THREAD ...... " "DONT APPLY" GET A PLAN B" "Be more realistic (wth, you cant say that to someone you dont know)" When you get older, you will be wiser and learn not to speak in such a haughty manner. Your grades wont get you that sweet heart.

haha yes it seems indeed I did open that can of worms LOL specifically thoughts on that info. Specifically from that post. - I never asked what the fulbrught reqs are - I never asked for advice on grad school especially since I'm finishing. - to keep it short there was a ton of bits about what had nothing to do with thoughts on THAT post. - its like .... and this is how you cross the street ... well duh of course we know that already buddy...no one asked how to cross them street LMAO - and then repeating the same thing by saying "As i said in my last post..." over and over on something totally unrelated was just ridiculous. But you are right I did indeed open myself up on ANY THOUGHTS? Lol

Frankly Japaniia I seem to be the only positive one here. I laid out eachbpointbthat "X/..." made and agreed with more than half (for anyone who actually ready the post). If others are getting butt hurt over it I can't help that. Sometimes people know how to give brutal honesty but the often can't take it and while I overtly stated my appreciations and agreement with many things it clearly looks like its the others taking it personally. One should only be blunt if they are able to receive it and its silly to take offense which is what appears to be what these others have done. Sounds like they need a glass of wine or something to lighten their mood. 1-6 was more than half agreement so whose really the offended bitthurt ones over there? LOL

I didn't ask for either advice or approval. Don't over step ones bounds and try to overstep one's bounds without all the facts.

Trust me I'm not taking anything personal. If I asked a question I welcome all answers but if I never asked for information on something I'm already informed on it would be fabulous if people could focus on the questions and not on over stepping their 2 sense where it was not asked for or where over speculation is inappropriate. To see secret ninjas comments you can find them in the new thread for this the next coming years applicants in case you were looking for these referenced remarks.

I'm haven't taken offense to anything what so ever. Perception is in their eye of the beholder, that be the reader. I thanked people for their thoughts on how they think I should or should not live trying to give advice without all the facts and where it was not asked for and I said I appreciate honesty. I'm not sarcastic and I've been nothing but sincere. I would however appreciate it if people would stop over analyzing things CHILL OUT PEOPLE Good grief LIGHTEN UP Don't read so much into things. I say exactly what I mean and mean exactly what I say no hidden message no attach emotion. Just stop over analyzing circumstances that none of you are informed on in MY scenario. Things aren't always what they seem, but that was pretty funny that English was thought to be a second language all because the auto correct got too involved in my phone typing. HILARIOUS

Hello X, I find it completely hilarious that you hypothesized that I am a non-native speaker. I appreciate your honesty. As you stated this is an informal message board, not a place where grammar and spelling are reviewed and mandatory. Now that this post is being typed on my lap top rather than my cell phone, the dictionary mode and auto-correct of a cell phone did not inappropriately replace words in this message. Of course earlier when was using my phone to type those other messages (as lengthy as they may be) the silly word replacement feature reared its ugly head in my post. (ie. "them" instead of "the"). 1) I'm certainly not starving, its simply called "budgeting." 2) I wouldn't call it a hardship, there are plenty of budget friendly things to do over the summer, and anyone who loves what they do would not consider it utterly perverse when its enjoyable. 3) I'm not paying anyone anything, (you made an assumption here). I feed myself and pay for my share house supplies. I don't pay anyone, and i made dang certain of that. I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU, and there are MANY programs out there that require $2000 from people just to quote unquote volunteer for a week and THAT is ludicrous. 4) Just because I mention 1 aspect and did not lay out all components of Fulbright does not mean anyone should assume I did not know the other component goals that make up Fulbright THIS IS NOT AN EXAM. I am aware that it is far more than professional development. (there's another assumption). 5) Furthermore, as someone who is ABT at a R1 university, I can safely say that I "presume" we are "likely" in different fields, in which case, you would find it interesting to learn that greater than 75% (of those admitted in m field) have publications coming out of UG. Different fields, different trends, plain and simple. 6) Not everyone has the privilege of having passion for their research. There is a fine line between enthusiasm and passion. 7) No publications on CV yet? Now that is ludicrous, as an incoming professor to not have any pubs. Any good program will have their PhD's with minimum 5 before finishing their dissertation. I'm not knocking your school but what top tier school is this? Different locations and fields clearly have different notions of what is and is not a high standard based on each University's expectations of their faculty if what you say about no pubs (in your field) being true. 8) I'm a 5th generation American typing the bulk of these message board replies from a cell phone. When you put 2 & 2 together you get crazy cell phone auto correct and a post between tasks where no one is graded on grammar. Completely hilarious though that you thought I was foreign. TOOOOOO FUNNY!!! Disclaimer:This next line does not refer to either you or myself Try this thought on for size: Some student does their UG in Plant Science or Cultural Affairs or something, and then decides those same career goals would be better served going to vet school. So now Mr. Plant guy or Cultural Affairs guy (or girl) has to convey on paper that clearly they meet every single STEM course req. for vet school and demonstrate that they have what it takes for vet school. Although this fictional person has been a vet assistant for couple years, with a letter of rec from the vet, on paper he/she is still just seen by admissions as "plant guy" or cultural affairs guy/girl with a splash of vet experience like he/she slightly dabbled in it. HOWEVER this light dabbling in vet clinic work does not surpass the Pre-vet background that floods the other more competitive applications. So WHAT IS Cultural affairs/plant science person to do about this??? #1 they were not admitted because they needed more "subject related" EXPERIENCE despite meeting all UG pre-reqs and despite GRE's in the 96 percentile and glowing LOR's #2 The best thing to do is find out the weaknesses of the application and then REAPPLY after remedying those components of the app. Bottomline is that not everyone has the ability to learn from their mistakes, necessary to come back bigger better and greater than before. None of those subjects are related to me but the gist is the same. When you are either changing fields OR in an interdisciplinary field across depts. then showing that a certain subject/department is the right place for such person to do their PhD is more challenging than for someone who takes a smooth clean cut path by not having a cross-departmental educational background. While breadth in UG is important you have to specialize and focus your concentrated area the higher up you go which means COMPENSATORY DEMONSTRATION OF THE FIELD/SUBJECT IS ESSENTIAL. Am I going to pay $2000 for a week of volunteering like everyone else does? Heck NO! Am I going to get 10 months instead of 1 week and pay less for housing than I would in the US? YES Was this post intended to tell you about the fulbright required key factors of an application? NO Does omitting it mean I dont know what Fulbright requirements are? NO (dont assume.....its bad science). So Mr. X, would you mind saying what your "field" of study is? Thank you for not being assuming or presumptuous with your words. You did get the first 2 lines right, but that's about all that was accurate in any reference to me, Innovative L. Just because I happen to be the under dog for multiple reasons does not mean a plan B is appropriate, and for anyone reading this, it really is all a numbers game and sooner or later anyone seeking a phd will get a phd unless their heart isn't in it, no matter what anyone says about another, assuming or otherwise. and to you Secret_Ninja I never suggested that any funding was retroactively applicable. Though I appreciate your implicit disclaimer. Just as you are not trying to be annoying or harsh, keep those same thoughts at the front of your mind when you are reading mine. There is a fine line between conveying oneself as a know it all or as someone who inquisitively looks up information. The short comings of ANY "know-it-all" is often the presumption of correctness by failing to make further confirmational inquiry which leads to a reduction is accurate information. So heed caution in your advisory ways and pose questions for thought rather than attempting to "TELL" individuals "how it IS" without first confirming one's speculations. Speaking less definitively is ALWAYS better just as using absolutes when you write up your research findings is a clear No-no. The same should be carried over to prevent making accusatory and/or assuming remarks when referring to others. Blunt is good, as you are, but the possibility that is it probable but not definitely the case is always better regardless of the point in reference. Do you see a clear difference when you look at the pronouns you use as opposed to the pronouns I have used when addressing a general point?

To actually be speaking to everyone and not just directing your statement at me where you explicitly show believing me to be ineligible after saying I am. Do speculate anyone's eligibility. Secret Ninja I suggest you consider altering your pronouns. "If ...A PROSPECTIVE APPLICANT .... is already in their PROSPECTIVE COUNTRY at the time of applying HE/SHE will be ineligible." Its important to speak broadly to the masses and that will help you avoid assumptions and accusations. You intended to provide clarity and reduce confusion FOR OTHERS so as such its best to adjust the use pronouns accordingly so your intent comes through in your message.

You don't know where I will at the time I apply. Just because you have "many accolades" to your name does not mean you have no room to better yourself especially when based on your own mis-reading of something. This is not a debate and you have no business trying to make so many speculatory assumptions about me or anyone else for that matter. Think about your choice of words. You may have meant to provide clarity and prevent confusion for others but you instead directed your statement at me further demonstrating your presusumptions and mis-readings of perfectly clear information under the heading that refers to "funding your degree" not my degree, not my anything. You come off like you think you're a know it all but when you don't pay attention to what you read you will obviously lose credibility while others also see you clearly didn't read the heading above the links provided. Work on your inquiry and reduce your assuming presumptions. Replace yourassuming statements with inquiry and your outcome will better match your intent which would "seem/appear" to be that you were wanting to be helpful. To avoid assuming statements you can at least try admitting that something "appears" a certain way to avoid accusing or assuming types of statements.

A quite deserving well done for you too, for paying better attention to what you're reading. The skill to read more carefully will help you in your future endeavors Secret Ninja. I would not have posted that FULBRIGHT APPLICANTS DO NOT NEED AN INDEPENDENT PROJECT if it wasn't true and already confirmed with Fulbright a week ago. I don't need to talk to Fulbright about this because it was already done and confirmed much before you suggested I speak to them. There are many avenues to Fulbright. Maybe consider expanding your breadth on the variety available would be a good idea.

You got this aaaaall the wrong way sweet heart. I provided the NSF info for the individuals who were trying to fund their own degree. I never said I am applying I said I'm experienced with the lengthy process and referred to the past and provided them links for those without their masters. No you're not a Debbie downer, blunt is always better. However try not to make assumptions about me please. This excitability you claim I have is not what you have projected I am and since you don't know me try refraining from speculating about the person I am. Thank You

I'm aware of what ford fellowship and what NSF GRFP are for. I never once suggested that it was possible to apply to these without a project. I suggest you re-read my post where I included links. They were for individuals looking to fund their degree. Try to read more carefully please. I have a Masters degree I'm not new to how NSF GRFP and how Ford Fellowship work. Fulbright unlike Other fellowship is for time while not enrolled and while one may be matriculated while applying Fulbright is not primarily intended for tuition purposes which is why I had suggested NSF and Ford. Read more carefully please I am well experiences with a grueling application process don't misinterpreted my point in mentioning NSF in my last reply to you. Direct from the horses mouth at Fulbright, "A project is not mandatory as long as you can show that your intended activity abroad leads to your own professional career development...." as well as how that activity impacts that country and the US.

I would definitely have to make a good case for sure. I'm finishing my masters with dawn to dusk field research experience in addition to 3 years of both lab and field research as an undergrad. I have soooo much research experience but lack the breadth of data collection methods. Thus I have a ton of independent research but also know that those projects could have been 10x's better if I had been able to learn more data collection techniques. the lack of that may very well have stunted the quality of my independent thesis research currently being submitted to journals for publication and conferences for presentation. However, the drawbacks of being in an "interdisciplinary field" is that in depth experience is not always perceived accurately. For example, studying Sociobiology and the embryological epigentics of behavioral syndromes in wildlife through a psychology department doesn't shine through on a transcript when applying to ecology programs. I have substantial independent research but the subject depth in life sciences doesn't shine through on the transcript. Thus this opportunity would overwhelmingly demonstrate that what my transcript fails to due to the independent research being listed as subject Psych. The biology dept was not looking at behavioral syndromes so I opted to work with the professor who was and who happened to be housed in Psych. So my LORs for PhD admission also will show to come from psych dept further leading to further misinterpretation of my background in life science. Therefore with 5plus years of research and more than 1 independent research project under my belt, unlike most it doesn't seem that an independent project would further my professional career development while additional techniques of data collection could substantially lead to better ability to execute hypothesis testing for a PhD when accepted upon completing this. Secret_Ninja, I find blunt is best and really appreciate your perspective and insight that you gave. I'll check that URL as well. I will have to.make a serious case for it definitely. Hopefully some of the above details help me when I write the full "persuasive argument essay" which is what I will have to think of it as when finalizing the parts of my whole application. NSF GRFP is also just as time consuming as far as the time investment goes with them application. Of course it has to impact the country and I have all those component parts of how the US, S. Africa and my development are impacted. Any added feedback for my scenario is welcome. Telling it like it is, is a good thing.

Hmmm a specialized Fulbright grant is for what purpose? I would be doing research yes but my situation sounds more like a specialize circumstance. I'm going in October regardless, but it may just mean I live on rice and have a dull summer to retain more funds. I guess my purpose is more of needing an "internship grant" even though it is still research.

Thanks, that was very helpful. Im set to arrive in South Africa 10/1/2014 to 7/1/2015. It sounds like I wouldn't get to make use of it until basically after my return to the U.S. How unfortunate. Hmmmmm..... maybe they do reimbursement? Maybe? My ultimate goal is to just get in a PhD program. I suppose this will help me with that, but not with my more immediate funding need Every little CV building block helps and I could alway return to my same site since I would have established connections in South Africa, plus I expect additional PhD rejection this next year due to a lack of publications at the time of the Dec. PhD application submissions. Hence my aggressive fellowship search. Anyone else needing Grad School funding check these Fellowships - NSF GRFP more research oriented for your experience - Ford Foundation Fellowship more funding than NSF and more teaching oriented - http://www.uncfsp.org/cms/index.cfm - http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/ - http://www.buffalo.edu/iseed/phd-students/external-funding-opportunities.html THAT'S RIGHT! WHEN I SAID MY FUNDING HUNT WAS AGGRESSIVE, I WAS NOT KIDDING!!! A lil' off topic but check out those resources I got 6 fellowships to prepare for now throw a few more GRE tests in their too.

Did you email them with a proposed project? Did it complement their research? Did you make reference to their research, a paper or two? Did you explain your motivation, sorta like a motivation statement? Did your email come across like your are enthused or motivated etc? Whether its Fulbright or a graduate application, approaching faculty to do research with/under them is always challenging. Those are some pieces of info in your email that may help increase the response you get. Are you sending a CV attached to your emails? That will help you substantially.

I'm completely new to Fulbright and only stumbled onto it after A NEED TO HUNT DOWN FUNDING for existing (but new) affiliation/acceptance/plans. I have a question, how fast can one begin to use funding? What the turn around time? -- You apply with an October deadline and you hear back in January. Could you potentially start using it for your proposed abroad affiliation as early as Feb March or April that follows January? OR Do you have to wait til the fall of 2015 to begin using the funding? After my 2nd round of PhD rejections and I found out early, I got super motivated and like a hungry tiger was voraciously hunting down research opportunities to show that I indeed do have what it takes and will be doing poster presentations at several conferences submitting my current research for publication (I have none). I'm doing everything imaginable to fulfill any short comings to "PhD admission" ------To make a long story short MISSION ACCOMPLISHED ---- Im presenting poster presentations over summer working on journal submissions for publication of my thesis research AND managed to get accepted to a research station in South Africa. I have my letters from the field established research station, BUT MUST FUND MYSELF as a "volunteership" Im sorta in reverse sequence here - I now have all my affiliation and currently only have the letter that goes to the embassy when requesting my 10 month visa I could live on rice from now until my October departure and have a dull summer in order to fund myself, but seriously!!!!! So I began hunting down funding as more of an after thought. I will have saved enough money to sustain my stay for 2-3 months BUT NEED ADDED FUNDING. whats the problem you ask? Its not MY project. I will be the sole field researcher to 5 PostDocs of a French University with the field station in Africa. Subject is small mammal ecology I spoke to someone at fulbright about my lack of a proposal or independent project and they said its do-able Goals of fulbright are professional development. What I would gain and the infinite multitude of data collection techniques blood samples blood analysis for hormone levels and nutrient levels, radio-tracking, GPS, GIS tracking, camera monitoring and thats not even half the list. I strongly feel I could learn sooooooo much more with a much greater capacity for and access to developing my professional career by assisting on 10+ research projects for 10 months rather than proposing my own project. ANY THOUGHTS? and how soon can someone begin to use funding once accepted by Fulbright? Like IMMEDIATELY?

Sweet! New thread. I accidently landed on last years thread

Holy Crap it looks like we need a new thread for 2015-2016 I have a question, how fast can one begin to use funding? What the turn around time? -- You apply with an October deadline and you hear back in January. Could you potentially start using it for your proposed abroad affiliation as early as Feb March or April that follows January? OR Do you have to wait til the fall of 2015 to begin using the funding? After my 2nd round of PhD rejections and I found out early, I got super motivated and like a hungry tiger was voraciously hunting down research opportunities to show that I indeed do have what it takes and will be doing poster presentations at several conferences submitting my current research for publication (I have none). I'm doing everything imaginable to fulfill any short comings to "PhD admission" ------To make a long story short MISSION ACCOMPLISHED ---- Im presenting poster presentations over summer working on journal submissions for publication of my thesis research AND managed to get accepted to a research station in South Africa. I have my letters from the field established research station, BUT MUST FUND MYSELF as a "volunteership" Im sorta in reverse sequence here - I now have all my affiliation and currently only have the letter that goes to the embassy when requesting my 10 month visa I could live on rice from now until my October departure and have a dull summer in order to fund myself, but seriously!!!!! So I began hunting down funding as more of an after thought. I will have saved enough money to sustain my stay for 2-3 months BUT NEED ADDED FUNDING. whats the problem you ask? Its not MY project. I will be the sole field researcher to 5 PostDocs of a French University with the field station in Africa. Subject is small mammal ecology I spoke to someone at fulbright about my lack of a proposal or independent project and they said its do-able Goals of fulbright are professional development. What I would gain and the infinite multitude of data collection techniques blood samples blood analysis for hormone levels and nutrient levels, radio-tracking, GPS, GIS tracking, camera monitoring and thats not even half the list. I strongly feel I could learn sooooooo much more with a much greater capacity for and access to developing my professional career by assisting on 10+ research projects for 10 months rather than proposing my own project. ANY THOUGHTS? and how soon can you begin to use your funding? Like IMMEDIATELY?

Some programs are just not diligent about getting back to each student, especially in more competitive programs with higher volume of applications. Often if you call or email the program coordinator, just be direct. "Im calling about the status of my application" ..................................., ................! "As I'm sure the applicaiton pool was rather competitive, would you mind telling me what some of the shortcomings in my application may have been?" Often times the faculty who are the coordinators are the program coordinator for a reason, such as their ability to be more helpful, personable, and more objective than some other faculty members who just don't have the people skills for it and willing to answer your questions. I got my rejections early, and when I didn't here, I called. I found out what needs improvement (professional research experience and needing publications). So I quickly (last month) jump on those tasks and am now accepted to a field site in South Africa for 10 months (volunteer) to develop my skill set more extensively and present at conferences over the summer. I've already looked into additional funding and portable funding fellowships. I will master this process and write a very calculated personal statement for each (woo hoo great summer fun), and present my current research at conferences. (Apparently poster presentations are valued quite compensatory for the shortcoming of no publications).

Indeed its applicable. However it is still the broader impacts that your "background" contributes rather than the proposed method of dispersing your research findings in relation to the general public. General public doesn't need to be a minority group for BI. Many under-represented groups are part of the general public that have reduced "access" to educational settings. Though there are also areas of the community that are not minorities that also lack access to educational resources.

Totally agree! This is sooooooo true and at Hunter they pay 100% of it not just part of it. That is unless at the CUNY Graduate Center, they're funded.