woodendress

I applied as an at-large both times when applying for the ETA in Germany. The second time, I actually wrote to someone at my university and while I still applied as an at-large, someone from the honors department looked over my application for me, which was super helpful. I would see if you could have someone at your university possibly do the same. It's worth a try!

I applied for the USTA Austrian Fulbright 3 times and mentioned that I was an alternate the previous year in my third application and I was accepted on my third try. I don't know for sure if it helped me or not, but I like to think it did. I don't think it will hurt to write that you were an alternate. It shows a lot of perseverance and dedication.

I'm not sure about the study scholarships, but I am pretty sure you can apply for both Austria and Germany at the same time, as they are separate programs. Good luck!

I would also suggest emailing professors in Austria! I know of several Fulbright scholars this year that went to Austria to study music.

I have a blog! Unfortunately, I haven't kept it as updated as I would like. You can also find other Fulbright blogs in my blog list: emiliainaustria.blogspot.com

There is already a Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/434901306592385/

The deadline for accepting the position or not (for the people initially offered a position) was a few weeks ago. I don't know for sure, but I would guess most positions have been reassigned, so if you have not heard anything by this point, it's probably a no. However, I have heard from past TAs that if you don't hear by June, you probably aren't going. However, I would encourage you to reapply if you aren't offered a position. I applied three times for the Austrian USTA. Rejected outright the first time, alternate the next time, but never was offered anything, and accepted my third time. I would say, if you are an alternate this year, your chances are pretty high to be accepted next year!

Someone from the honors department at my college told me that spending a lot of time in a country isn't a negative, but that you need to convey why you want to go back and spend more time in the country. For example, I had helped teach English for a month in Berlin, so the adviser told me to make sure I really write why I wanted to go back. If that makes sense. Otherwise, I have no idea if that is true. I had spent, at most, a month in a Germany, had never been to Austria and it took me three tries before I was accepted by Austria Fulbright as a USTA.

Oh exciting! Where were you placed?!

I know someone who came to the US from Russia, not on a Fulbright, but on a similar visa where she was required to go back to Russia for 2 years. She didn't want to go back to Russia and somehow lived in the US for 10 years, if not more. I'm not sure how she got around it. However, she was forced to leave the country last year, but luckily she married a Belgian, so she is currently residing in Belgium. Like others said, it's almost impossible to get around it!

Yes, apply again if you really want it! It took me three tries to get the Austrian USTA Fulbright. Good luck everyone!

The past two years, USTAs first year applicants were emailed on April 6th. That is on a Saturday this year, so I would hope for maybe an email on the 5th.

Actually, I found out last week, but I applied for a 2nd year in Austria, so people applying for a first year may be contacted at a later date. No idea!

For the record, I was a finalist for ETA Germany, but was accepted by Fulbright Austria as an USTA, after my third time applying. Good luck!

Yeah, I would say to anyone that doesn't get accept to try again if they really want it! I applied three times to the Austrian Fulbright and it wasn't until the third try that I got it. Maybe I was a little insane, but it finally paid off. And victory was just that much sweeter.