lkjl2007

The Fulbright Full Grant and ETA are American-specific. The awards for people of other countries have different names (and are for different things). Good luck with the waiting process--it will all be worth it

Country is definitely the country you're applying for. The only people eligible for the Fulbright Full Grant and Fulbright ETA are American citizens, so your country of origin is a given, whatever your ethnic background.

Hey--the amount of teaching experience you "need" is dependent upon which country you're applying for--what country is it? I'm currently doing the USTA in Austria, and was also accepted for ETA Germany. I have no teaching experience beyond working in a summer camp, doing a VERY little bit of private tutoring, and working as a nanny. What I did was write about these experiences as a sort of preparation for teaching in a more informal way, and talked about how what I had learned would be relevant to the ETA. The bottom line is this, I had no formal teaching experience, and neither did the vast majority of the people I am here in Austria with or the people I know who got the Germany ETA. It really just depends on the country--read their requirements carefully and play up the experience you do have. Regarding the secondary project, I proposed two, and really only vaguely described one. I have a degree in creative writing and had a writing project I wanted to do that required me being in Germany and having access to a community of Turkish immigrants. My other project (the one I only mentioned) was to start a creative writing group with students for after school. For Austria, we didn't really have to have a secondary project, but I talked about wanting to do writing projects and learn more German.

Hi Rach88 Seems like different countries have different preferences. Spain, for example, places a higher priority on ETAs straight out of undergrad. Other countries do as well. Hate to say it, but your advisor may be misinformed about the ETA. While naturally a full grant (research or study) is for the master's or PhD level student, the ETA isn't, exclusively. I was selected for 2012-2013 for the ETA Germany and the USTA Austria, straight out of undergrad (applied as a graduating senior). With both, my undergraduate student level status seemed to be an asset. Have a friend who will be doing the TAship with TAPIF (the non-Fulbright option through the French gov't) who was accepted straight out of undergrad as well. He also applied for the Fulbright ETA but was not selected. I'd definitely recommend applying for TAPIF as well as the Fulbright ETA so that you have options.

Ok, for the spreadsheet Promoted from alternate to selected for Germany ETA. However I will not be accepting the grant--have decided to stick with Austria. good luck to any Germany alternates waiting to hear--hopefully you will get it!

She replied asking if I can accept the ETA grant (to Germany). I've accepted the USTA Austria but had NOT taken myself off the Germany alternates list. Now I don't know what to do!

Alternate for Germany ETA. Just received a (short) email from Theresa Granza saying that the Fulbright Commission had asked her to find out if I'm still interested in the grant and to let her know by tomorrow morning. Given that when they told me I was an alternate, they said I would not hear from them unless I was being promoted...I can only assume that this means they want to offer me the grant. I'm freaking out, though. Germany was my first choice, but since I was not selected, I accepted the Austria USTA and have been proceeding with that. Bought my airplane ticket, sent in a deposit, completed health forms, have begun my apartment hunt... Now I don't know what to do!

Awesome to hear. I was trying to figure that out--I know that abroad experience is a huge plus, but I know that they also don't like to give the Germany ETA to someone with TOO much experience abroad, the whole privilege thing and all that (which I actually tried to recognize in my personal statement...like demonstrating an awareness of everything I've been given and relate it to why I wanted to be an ETA). Here's hoping 2013 will come through for me. I have a tentative offer for a teaching job in the US upon my return from Austria, though, so we'll see. Are you planning to reapply for Germany/Austria/both?

I'm considering reapplying to the Germany ETA for 2013-2014, but I'm not sure if my year in Austria (I start the USTA in September) puts me at a disadvantage for receiving the Germany grant. Because the grants are administered differently I think that I would still be allowed to do the Germany ETA--but if anyone knows anything about this I'd appreciate it!

I applied at-large (I'm a graduating senior, but my university doesn't have a campus application process for undergrads) for the Germany ETA and the Austria USTA this season (2012-2013). I was ultimately awarded the Austria USTA and selected as an alternate for Germany. I'm happy to offer advice to anyone applying for either/both and share what I learned through my own process. I'm also considering reapplying to Germany for 2013-2014, but I'm not sure if my year in Austria (which I start in September) puts me at a disadvantage for receiving the grant. Because the grants are administered differently I think that I would still be allowed to do the Germany ETA--but if anyone knows anything about this I'd appreciate it!

Hey, for anyone who will be doing the Austria USTA next year, we have a Facebook group! A girl on Tumblr asked me to make it, but so far it's just me so please join! https://www.facebook.com/groups/409277749107056/

I read in some literature from Fulbright (don't remember the source--it may have been one of the "circulars" that the German commission releases...yes, I was stalking those) that you should book through STA and Fulbright has some kind of deal with them.

Austria USTA alternates--I'm so sorry, but congrats on becoming an alternate, that is something to be proud of (and according to multiple people, something to also put on a resume!) Over in the Fulbright Germany group on Facebook, there are two or three people who have declined their USTA in favor of Germany, so with any kind of luck you will hear very soon that you've been offered grants! Crossing my fingers for all of you.

Try emailing Molly Roza--she got in contact with me regarding an issue with them not receiving my transcript and she was extremely helpful and a prompt responder. I also think she is American.

While "technically" you're not considered a Fulbrighter, the Austria USTA is still Fulbright-funded and found on the fulbright.at site. It's administered by the AAEC and thus possible to apply for both. My impression is because fewer people know about it, it's slightly less competitive than the Germany ETA, but just as much of a big deal, and something to be proud of receiving!

AFTER health care and taxes, Austria is still paying approx €1050 or so. Yeah, they don't pay back for your flight, but Germany only pays €800 a month, so if you get a decent ticket you still end up earning more. You have more flexibility with ticket price since you're not limited to a US-flag carrier

I just found out that I was awarded the USTA Austria! I got my email at 4:33am PST, and I've been placed in a small city very close to the Italian border, Villach. I'm so excited! Congratulations to everyone who just heard back, and hear's hoping the rest of you will hear from Austria soon.

Hi Molly--I emailed Dr. Hormann (sp?) almost immediately after I heard I was an alternate for Germany, simply asking when they were expecting to send out notifications, explaining that I'm in a position where I need to decide quickly what I'm doing next year. He responded yesterday and told me that notifications will be out by "mid-April" but potentially much sooner, and they are making decisions based on a variety of factors, including location and school-type preference. So my guess is that a) since your friend heard he was rejected, but we haven't heard yet, it's promising that we are selected or alternates, we will hear in the next week to two weeks, and c) that when we do hear, we will also be receiving a city/school assignment. Does anyone know any information from past years on the USTA regarding whether applicants received school/city assignments at the same time as their selection notification?

I'm all for the Rejectbright, let's do it. I'm sure there are some former Fulbright rejectees out there who have made it big and could fund it. I hope you're right about Austria and that they'll give me a bit more consideration. I put a decent amount of effort into the Austria application, but it wasn't my first priority in the way Germany was, so it probably could have been better. Good luck to you, too!

I thought it might be helpful if I paste the text of the email I received (It was from Theresa Granza) What I gathered is that they're informing me now so that I can move on with my life and make other plans, so maybe they're still deliberating about some applicants, and that's why they didn't send out everything--just the non-acceptances? I am an alternate, so ever-hopeful, and crossing my fingers for Austria. Dear Blankity Blank Blank, We are keenly aware of the pressure on candidates to make their plans for the coming year. Therefore, we want you to know the status of your candidacy for a Fulbright award for 2012-2013 to Germany. You have been designated as an alternate for the U.S. Student Fulbright Program. Thus you would receive an award only in the event someone withdraws or additional funding becomes available. It is our hope that you would be available to accept a grant should it be offered at a later date. In the meantime, it is important that you advise us immediately if there is any factor that could preclude your accepting the award. The majority of principal candidates are given one month to make their decisions regarding acceptance or declination of an award. You can assume that the principal candidates for your country are being notified simultaneously with this notice to you. Therefore, you can estimate the time frame in which most students will accept or decline their award offers. Please note, however, that there are grantees each year who accept the Fulbright award initially but, due to unforeseen circumstances, need to decline the award later on. In addition, every year additional funding becomes available in the late spring. Your chance of hearing from us will be greatest in May and June and steadily decline as the months go on. For that reason, you will remain on the alternate list through the summer and into the academic year unless you withdraw, in writing, from the competition. No additional information should be sent to us in support of your application, as it will have no effect on your status. Also, please be advised that in the event that we can offer you a Fulbright award, we will try to contact you by telephone or email first. If you need to update any of your contact information, please let us know in writing. You will receive no further correspondence on your status unless you are offered an award. We appreciate your interest in the Fulbright Program. Sincerely, Theresa Granza Director, U.S. Student Programs

Anyone apply to the USTA Austria? I'm still holding out that they'll accept me.

Just made the mistake of checking my email while driving--kinda glad I didn't get in an accident. I've been designated as an Alternate for the Germany ETA. I almost wish they'd just rejecte me, because now I have to wait longer! I'm so sorry to those who weren't selected, I hope we can all find a way to get to Germany in the fall anyway. If you're sti waiting to hear, good luck!!

I've been having those dreams for the last few months...it's awful! It's so good to know the waiting will be over in a couple of days, although then I'll have to wait to hear from Austria: not deciding till I've heard from both.

I'm back in my hometown for spring break, and went to see a play at my sister's high school last night (I went there too, small community...) and literally EVERYONE I spoke to: former teachers, other peoples' parents, etc. was asking if I've heard yet. Apparently my parents have been oversharing. I have a neverending list of people insisting that I let them know as soon as I know. Come on, Germany, let's get these emails out just so I can stop saying "No, not yet...I still don't know what I'm doing with my life next year".