burnside201

Hi everyone, I still haven't heard back yet (last name U, committee 5). However just for fun, I thought I'd share my stats from last year to contextualize this. Last year my subcommittee was 3E research ability and potential: 9.6 relevant experience: 10.21 Total: 9.91/12; score of last funded application: 10.36/12 Rank: 71/102 applications: 102; fellowships offered: 49 (48%); fellowships not offered: 53 (52%) As you can see, I didn't receive it with a 9.91, which is still quite high (it's just that the last funded score was higher at a 10.36). In fact, some people in other committees got it with less than 9.91 (some in the 9.7's) because the score of their committee's last funded application was lower. Okay my point of sharing this is to show that there is a subjective element or I guess you can say as much as they try to standardize the process, there may be some bias depending on the sub-committee you're in or who your evaluators were that day. I know it sucks, but maybe your research topic just resonated (or didn't resonate) for a certain person that day. I know it's disheartening but I totally believe all of your research projects are important and worthwhile, so please focus on that if you don't get it. (and if you did get it, I'm so proud of you!). Continuously cheering you all on!

I'm truly so sorry to hear this. I'd love to hear about your thesis topic if you want to talk about it cheering you on!

I applied last month and my institution just nominated me to the national competition! I’m currently making some minor edits to my application following my institution’s committee’s comments. Then I guess I’ll find out the results next April