OliviaKate84

big congrats to everyone who has made it to the next round!

Did anyone find out about making it to the next round for Italy? I really can't take this anymore. I feeling like throwing up my organs.

Anyone else hoping to do research in Italy?

Congrats Traveler70!!!!! Did your FPA tell you or are they already sending out the emails?!?!?!!

omg I am counting down the hours....ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

One thing I want to suggest (as I am telling myself the same) is that you have to have faith that what will be will be. I am sure that everyone on this board and those just reading, are extremely talented and ambitious individuals, or else you wouldn't have applied to for a Fulbright in the first place. If you don't get it, it just wasnt meant to be, and you have to believe that there are other, perhaps even better, things around the next corner. Life is often unexpected. Congrats to everyone who applied and is hanging in there.

THANK YOU legallyproper!!!!!!! Omg I wish I could buy everyone on this board a stiff drink! God knows I'm in need of one!

Thanks jnashski!

@ Ikahmil: so very true... Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences. It def. makes one feel a lot less alone in this hellish process.

PS: Anyone else in the running for a full grant in Italy?

To those of who you have applied a 2nd, 3rd or X amount of time, why do you think you didnt get the Fulbright when you applied? I know they don't tell you if you are rejected, but I'm just curious. I have so much respect for everyone in the running. The waiting is serious hell. Is it Friday yet? Good vibes to everyone.

Crepi il lupo!! Grazie amico! Anche in bocca al lupo a te!

jng1520: It sounds like you're in a really good place. From what I've heard from other Fulbright Fellows, your affiliation letter is the most important aspect of your application, followed by a very specific, community-related research proposal. Best wishes to you!!

Yeah, the wait is absolutely killing me as well. I worked on my application for almost two years, which included language classes in both Sicilian and Italian, reworking my research proposal 20 + times, publishing in Italian literary journals (I'm applying in the field of creative writing), even visiting this sulfur mining museum in Enna, Sicily, where I met the museum director in person in order to get a solid affiliation. I have SO MUCH admiration for people who apply multiple times before finally getting the Fulbright, because I am going to be so devastated if I don't get it. But there's only so much prep work you can do, and I know I did everything in my power to prepare the best application possible. Whatever will be will be, as they say. Good luck to everyone!!!

Did anyone else apply to Italy?

Thanks so much, cabooklover!

Hey sulz thank you for taking the time to share with us your experiences! A friend of mine, who was a recent 2010-2011 Fulbright Fellow to Ecuador, was rejected her first time around and accepted on her second try. According to her, she feels as though she may've been passed over the first time because she did not have a specific research proposal and applied without an affiliation letter. From what I've heard by many past Fulbright Fellows and through my own research, your research proposal and affiliation letters are the absolute more important aspects of your application. If you don't have those two items nailed down, you are less likely to receive the grant. Where you propose to do research in a specific country also affects your chances of winning. I was told by the head of the Fulbright committee in Italy that they prefer projects in the South. Why? She wouldnt explain, but it must have something to do with it being less expensive to send Fellows to that part of Italy. Obviously Milan is going to be more expensive to fund than a smaller, more rural town in Puglia, for example. But that doesnt mean you shouldn't apply to Milan or Berlin for that matter.

that would be so wonderful, Jeb266!

Anyone applying to Italy?

So many wonderful projects that people have put together...I wish the best for everyone and that those of you who are posting all get ETA fellowships.... Is there anyone out there who has applied for an ETA in Italy? Thanks!

PS: I was on the phone with Fulbright headquarters in DC the other day, and they reported no chance of funding cuts, at least not for the 2012-2013 season. Don't believe me? Call them yourselves and take what you will with the necessary pillar of salt.

I have zero interest in Germany, regardless of how well off they are and continue to be. There's a lot of work that needs to be done in Italy, especially in Sicily, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to help, however slim the chances may be. Let's keep the negativity to a minimum. Thanks.

Thanks for the great info, Futurelawyerchick and Withoutpictures... these are really scary times, and I do hope the gov. thinks twice before cutting Fulbright funding. It would be devastating to countless people, not to mention crush both academic and artistic research alike. Withoutpictures, thanks for sharing your info and support! I do hope you get the Fulbright to Iceland in spite of all of the potential cutbacks... Where did you do your residency in Italy? Was it for creative writing? Painting, etc? Good luck to everyone posting and reading this site. God knows we're all going to need it.

we find out if we've passed the first round by Jan. 30th 2012.... Final results take until April, maybe May... but it all depends on which country you're applying to. Withoutpictures, where did you apply to?