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@mrs12 Haha. I have that exact form! I think they're very glad that they made everything electronic now so that they don't have to sift through a ton of handwritten applications. I am applying to the Rangel and Pickering, and possibly the Point Foundation Scholarship. The Point is hyper-competitive, but it also has a lot of benefits. I'll probably end up applying, but at the moment I'm still a bit overwhelmed with the job search and graduate school applications to focus on it. Have you written a draft yet? Or have an idea of what you want to write?

Yes! I would love to get your advice. 1. What made you want to work for the Foreign Service? 2. What do you think made your application stand out among the hundreds/thousands of others? 3. What are some "do nots" that you recommend we avoid on the application and interview? 4. Other advice that you would recommend for prospective applicants.

That's great that you're applying so early in the game! I wish I knew about the program when I was in college so that I can get the benefit of looking persistent in the case that I didn't get it back then. But no worries, I do feel like I am in somewhat of a good position because of my experiences, but still very, very competitive. And yes. I was researching the Pickering and they changed administrators for the fellowship from the Woodrow Wilson School to the Washington Center. It looks like they've been doing work in D.C. with internships for a while, so it seems like a good fit for them to administer it. I just hope that I can think of and craft a personal statement that ties together the 13 dimensions that they're looking for--since you're right, the application does seem like they revolve mostly around the essay. Let's help each other out if we find out any new information. As for my own experiences, this is my second time applying for graduate school (I applied for an MPH and got accepted into a program last time, but this time I'm applying for MPP programs because it aligns more with my career goals in public service.). And then I studied biology & Mandarin Chinese. They're a bit disconnected, but I'm hoping to connect them together to make a cohesive argument.

@vonham That sounds intense! Sounds like you're really working towards what you want (through talking to your advisors and in your courses), so I'm confident that you will continue to try if this year is not successful. You're still young! (I assume because you haven't gone for an MA yet and you're still taking courses.) Just know that life will go on no matter what happens, and that there's always next year. Good luck! Tell us how things turn out.

I was looking at the Soros last year and some of its recipients' profiles. And they are doing some amazing things. I was thinking about applying but I think I'd just be wasting my time. What accomplishments/stories are guys focusing on in your applications?

Are people thinking about applying for the Point scholarship? I got into the semi-finals a couple years ago and am thinking about applying again. Though the statistics look insane with ~2000 applicants and ~20-30 recipients. https://www.pointfoundation.org

I'm so sorry to hear about that. I know how student debt can really be a burden, especially when you're trying to get new opportunities. And also about the credit cards and applications to graduate school--I totally get you. I was there (I am there, actually), and it's such a gamble. But we just have to believe in ourselves because in one year, we will be studying something that we love and we will wonder why we even worried about it in the first place. Though of course we'll have new worries: extra student debt from graduate school, where to live, our courses and projects, post-graduation life. There are never a lack of things to have stress over, so maybe save some anxiety for later too! :P

OH NO! LOL!

Really? That sounds crazy! That's also double the amount of anxiety. What are you looking to do in the future? And do most people who are doing it now need the two degrees?

Really? that sounds crazy! That's also double the amount of anxiety. What are you looking to do in the future? And do most people who are doing it now need the two degrees?

I am so glad that I'm not the only one having anxiety over graduate school applications. This year I'm applying to three programs (which totals to seven essays) and then two fellowships (three essays). And because my GPA isn't the best and my GREs aren't the greatest in the world, I just have so much pressure to make my essays perfect. And plus my family's asking me what I'm doing with my life and when I'm going to get a stable job, and the pressure builds up even more when I see my friends with jobs and stable lives and I'm over here jumping place to place. Sometimes I wish I had the bliss of those who don't have dramatic goals like I do and just work a regular 9-5, drink with friends on the weekend, get married, and vacation here and there once in a while. It doesn't seem so bad especially when I'm amidst crafting essays. Upon essays. Upon essays.

I'll be trying my luck this year with these two fellowships (along with MPP programs). Anybody else in the same boat?

Hey fictionalfinalism, I've just updated it with the link from teachlovemusic. Thanks for telling me.

Hey everyone, I'm so happy to see that theGradCafe is still an active source for applicants. I'm applying for a different fellowship this year, but I'll be checking back here every once in a while to answer questions if I can. I was in your shoes last year, and I hope you the best. It's a wonderful feeling of accomplishment, both the application process and (if the stars align) the award letter. My one advice now is to find out who is on the Fulbright board in your host country and tailor your essay to their interests and mission. Have them shaking their head fervently in agreement while reading your statement of purpose. That's the one advice I would give myself if I could go back in time.

Oh no, I'm so sorry Meowsica. Devastation was what I felt back when I got rejected form Fulbright (three times) and it was very, very painful. However, what helped me was to realize that this is just one of the many, many hurdles that I will have to go through in life. And there's no good time for rejection, but it's so necessary to build up our resilience and determination. If it made you feel any better, when I was rejected my first time I actually got a Boren scholarship to go to Taiwan, which was one of the best experiences of my life. Then when I got rejected a second time, I got a job away from my home state (MN) and moved to California. When I was rejected a third time, I got a position teaching English in Korea (but then miraculously I got a phone call from Jonathan that made my Fulbright dream come true). Life is beautiful, and life is full of opportunities for those who are brave enough to risk their time and feelings to get it. Keep up your spirits! If you were truly meant for it, it will come. Trust me.

Hey, quick question about the Boren Fellowship. Can it be used for (almost) purely language study? Or does it have to connect to a research project that you'll be able to complete while in the host country and at the university you'll be at? Or do they not require it but it's suggested that you have a research project?

I've messaged you.

Congratulations to people who've been accepted! I love seeing people who are passionate about public health out there with goals to change the world.

Congratulations to everyone who got a recommendation from Fulbright! You're on your way to one of the best experiences in your life!

For those who are soon interviewing, here is the form that the FPAs at your school is required to fill out and upload into the system. The questions will most likely revolve around trying to answer these questions, so if you have the opportunity to interview with your campus make sure that at the end of the interview the FPAs have CLEAR answers to write down and send.

I received this from the Boren Scholarship/Fellowship, and I want to share it with GradCafe. IIE is pleased to announcement the launch of the Confucius China Studies Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship. Applications are now open, and will be accepted until the deadline of January 29, 2015 for awards starting in the fall of 2015. The Confucius China Studies Program (CCSP) Fellowship offers generous funding to students in doctoral programs at U.S. institutions who are pursuing China-related research across a broad range of fields in the arts, education, humanities and social sciences. Successful applicants will be supported for a period of at least six months to up to two years as they pursue research at one of 15 designated universities in China. 60 grants will be available in 2015. The CCSP Fellowship includes: - An annual living stipend (80,000 RMB, approximately 12,900 USD) - An annual research stipend (20,000 RMB, approximately 3,200 USD) - Host university tuition - Travel to and from China - Insurance coverage - Pre-departure orientation at IIE’s central office in New York - Airfare coverage for a research visit to China by the recipient’s home university advisor. To be eligible for this award, applicants must meet the following criteria: - Be enrolled in a doctoral program at a U.S. institution (a terminal master’s program does not meet this requirement) - Be pursuing China-related research in the arts, education, humanities, or social sciences - Have an HSK score of at least level 3 - Not be a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macao), or Taiwan - Will not have extensive experience in China prior to graduate school enrollment (i.e., will not have been enrolled as a degree-seeking high school or undergraduate student in the PRC) All materials must be submitted and received by January 29 (not postmarked), and candidates will be notified of the results of their application beginning in April, 2015. Recipients of this award will begin their research in China in the fall semester of 2015. For more information on the award package, eligibility, timeline, and the application itself, please visit our website at www.iie.org/CCSP. You are also welcome to contact the Program Officer at IIE for the CCSP Fellowship, Steven Dale, by email at sdale@iie.org or by calling 1.212.984.5346 Thank you! Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Regards, Steven Dale Program Officer Confucius China Studies Program Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship Institute of International Education (IIE) 809 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017 P: +1.212.984.5346 F: +1.212.984.5325 sdale@iie.org www.iie.org

This is along the same lines that I'm thinking. It's going to be a long, long time. I've been abroad in Taiwan for 9-10 months before, and I developed and grew so much that it's hard to think that I was even the same person. I'm feeling that this year in Thailand is going to do the same for me, and I'm going to meet so many new people that it's going to be hard to determine if we're going to be a match or not afterwards. I'm just going to play it by ear, and see what happens after I come back to the States (which, at the moment, seems like I'm probably going to graduate school). Thanks, Maelia8.

Not particularly. Since having a Boren/Gilman means that you've already gained a lot of international experiences, and that can be counted against you (especially if you are applying to the same country).

I've wanted to answer this question every time I see it, but I've yet to really solidify four positions I would really like to pursue. I guess it's still a bit scary for me to think about it because I haven't met/been in those positions so I don't know if I'd be happy or not once I get there.

I would apply, then go back to graduate school for the second year. I asked my MPH program about taking a year in between my first and second for possibly a Fulbright/Boren, and they said, "go for it!" I can't imagine a school that wants to invest in the well-being and success of its students rejecting someone's return to go on a Fulbright.