dancer2011

I couldn't agree with you more. To be honest, I felt like I was excellent candidate for an award because I speak two of the languages in the country I chose, I already have experience in the federal goverment, and I feel like I have an interesting project that I proposed. But my guess is that I didn't propose my project well in the essays. It was hard as a science/engineering student to explain my project with little scientific jargon to a panel that may not necessarily be familiar with the subject matter. That was the hardest part of the application for me.

Don't worry about it. Rejection is not always a bad thing. Personally, it makes me stronger and makes you strive for what you want more. I mean winning would have been AMAZING, but if you are really comitted to studying abroad, it will happen for you my friend.

Hey guys, If anyone is willing to send me their proposal (just their essays), please let me know. I'd like to get an idea of what a successful application looks like before I apply again next year. I am a science/engineering student, so if you are a completely different background its absolutely okay. I just wanted to get an idea. -Thanks!! I

Didn't get it guys...as expected. I was prepared for this rejection letter. Looks like those who did recieve the email mid-march ended up getting accepted. So its definitely an indicator. Good luck to everyone and congrats to those who got it.

I chose India, and I definitely want to write a proposal for the same country again. I wanted to apply what I was doing for my thesis research to my project in India. I felt like my proposal was strong and that it stood out, but that's not enough for a Boren Fellowship. With so many well-thought out proposals that the panel is bombarded with, and with some students who just have exceptional backgrounds when it comes to experience abroad, I realize my chances are slim. Hence, the re-applying for the second time...hopefully that sends the message to the Boren staff that I am dedicated to do this project.

At least all of you have plans in case Boren doesn't work out! I will be working on my thesis research and making presentations, and writing a killer proposal again for BOREN so that I WILL get the award to go abroad next summer. I guess that's my back up plan right there...?

Hahaha! That was hilarious. I just have my inbox open right in front of me...its probably not a good idea because everytime i hear a *PING* i jump in my chair and sulk back into it...

So not everyone received the survey e-mail around March 8?? I didn't think that was the case. I figured every applicant got it because it asked questions about how the Boren process was, and what I would change about it etc.

I am fellowship applicant, and all I received was the survey form Boren around March 8. I assumed that all applicants, including scholarship and fellowship students, received that e-mail as it was very general.

I just have this forum open as a tab as I continue to work. It's nice to know that other people are undergoing the same kind of anxiety @riverguide: Nice one. It's just strange that they gave him a proper burial according to Islamic laws and thus far have not released any visual evidence regarding his killing. I am not speculating whether the incident actually happened...I am sure it did. But the way the whole thing went down was just eerie to listen to on the news for me. I am definitely glad that he was killed and not held hostage because that's just a waste of tax money in my opinion. I also think regarding national security, it would not have been safe to hold him as a prisoner. But then again his killing also raises questions about possible terrorist attacks from his followers, and I would have to say I will remain on edge for a while when I think about that.

I thought we should be getting e-mail notifications today. Hope we hear soon!! On the other note, Bin Laden's death was just such unexpected news. The way his whole murder was conducted was just weird to listen to for me...

Hey Guys, I am a fellowship applicant, and did NOT receive an e-mail in March like most of you did. I read every word in this forum hoping for some clue! Sounds like the e-mail that was sent out is a good indicator whether you made it to the national panel. Makes me very, very sad. Hopefully, they send out comments on how to make your application better when they send the rejection letters. I shall apply next year again! Good luck to everyone! I hope the best for all of you!