OD09

Hi, maew7! This is so cool! I'm stationed at Chulalangkorn as well (in the Southeast Asian Studies department). I'm working on a medical anthropology project that studies the social perception of developmental disability in Southeast Asia. I'm hoping to leave the 15th of October. Where are you going to live, maew7? We have so much to talk about. I have a lot of questions! My email is: aathoang@gmail.com. We should talk soon! Are you done preparing? I'm both ecstatic and terrified to be going. hahah.

Thanks, top. That's good to hear. I called IIE and emailed my country's commission last week. The big packet is on its way.

Is there any chance you remember where you got the statistics for the Kennedy School? They are not published online. From what Kennedy's admission committee suggests, its admission rate for its MPP program is 20%, for their MPA 25%, and for their PhD (Government/Public Policy) 7%.

Thanks, mattstre, that's good to hear. I'll have to call them next week to see what's taking so long.

I would say relevant work experience is necessary for the top programs, but not to extend that some have suggested. I was a natural science and humanities double with not too strong a quantitative background and no economics background, but with a high GPA and solid GRE scores. I had limited work experience in public policy (I did a few internships in neurophysiology research and worked for an advocacy center for literary arts). I was heavily involved with my extra-curriculars, but I had no full-time work experience. I applied to three policy programs and got into two (HKS and Chicago) on scholarship. You shouldn't speculate as to what your chances are... that'll drive you crazy and prevent you from applying. Just apply and see what happens. Good luck!

I'm a 2009-10 grantee to Thailand. I've received my medical clearance in June. Other than that, I've received no correspondence from Fulbright or the Thai commission. Are there any other East Asian/Southeast Asian grantees out in a similar situation? P.S. Fulbrightest, I see you're back. Welcome back!

It's very much possible. I applied as an undergrad and got into both Chicago and Harvard Kennedy with scholarships. You should definitely apply. Your stats are certainly good enough.

Oh, I know what you mean. They offered me the same amount (half of don's) despite my being from a very modest background. I admit their lack of support was one of the reasons why I felt deferment was needed (I'm hoping to find alternatives sources of funding outside of HKS). I think you need to call the financial aid office and ask for an explanation. A call certainly wouldn't hurt. In fact, it could persuade them to change their offer post-acceptance.

I believe these are need-based grants. HKS barely offers any merit-based scholarships. Lots of students are deferring from Kennedy for a year, which may be freeing up previously committed need-based funds. I deferred matriculation to HKS to pursue some research abroad and I know some friends are doing the same.

I received an email asking me to call in. After the sixth or seventh call, I spoke with the program director of the Asia-Pacific program who informed me that "additional funding" was now available for the region I applied to. Are you waiting on the list too, top5678? Best of luck!!!

There is hope, Alternates. I just got word that I'm off the alternate's list for Thailand. "Additional funding" became available and they're offering me a full grant. Stay optimistic, alternates! I'm rooting for your guys and gals!!

hahaha! I'd gamble my bachelors' too, but mine wouldn't really be worth anything. There were 5 alternates at my school last year. Three of them made it off the waiting list. The stats were similar in previous years as far as I saw (you can imagine how much I bugged our campus rep. to get that bit of knowledge! They're refusing to answer my calls at this point. hahaha. ).

Mkurti, you're sweet to think so. I don't know, the email was too vague. I've been calling frantically, but they're not responding (office closed at 4). I'll call them tomorrow morning. Don't lose hope, mkurti (and everyone else waiting)! ~ 2 out of 3 students get off the alternate's list at my school (some in May, some in June,and others as late as August).

Hi, everyone. I received a really obscure message from the Fulbright commission. Hopefully, someone here can help decipher. I'm an alternate for Thailand. "Dear Fulbright Applicant, My name is [name] and I am the Senior Program Officer at the Institute of International Education responsible for the Asia-Pacific region. Please give me a call at the number in my signature at your soonest convenience to discuss the status of your Fulbright application." I called, but no one answered. Has anyone else received this message?

I don't see why people are so suddenly keen on making Fulbrightest the center of unnecessary, bitter criticism. His initial response to your defense of mkurti098, Rahkan, was insight and reflective of some much needed perspective. Corporatism and the corporate mentality has and will continue to fuel the vices and virtues of our capitalist society. His remarks of Stanford were facetiously made and was not meant to be taken literally (campus rivalry and inter-collegiate banter are nothing new). I know we're all on edge about the Fulbright, but we all need to claim down. I was a Fulbright Alternate this year to Thailand and I saw no insult in Fulbrightest's argument. Mkurti098, you are just trying to vent some steam, and you are fully entitled to do so! It was a crushing blow when I was named Alternate. I was also named a finalist for the Marshall and finalist for the Rhodes (all of which I did not win). Needless to say, I was devastated for months. We need to learn to cope with rejection in such a way that would build character, not expose vices. Also, I did not attend a "top five" school, but a "top forty" school. Fulbrights, Rhodes, and Marshalls do not consider college rankings. They care more about individual accomplishments and character. I am sure Fulbrightest didn't win because he went to Harvard or had Harvard recommendations. Let's be rational now. If anyone is in need of commiseration, please PM me. I have plenty of rejection stories to tell.