limbo2009

I was going to reply to mkurti098, because that sense of entitlement really pisses ME off. But nemolover, you said this so well, I can't add anything. I take that back: I'll add my own experience. Last year I was a finalist, and then got flat-out rejected. I was heartbroken, crushed, and yes, pissed off. I brooded for three months. And then I picked myself up and tried again, and worked doubly hard. This year, I got a Fulbright. And I think you're right, nemo, it's pretty arbitrary in the final selection stage. But hey, if you're going to compete for things at this level, you gotta know what your competition is, and you gotta suck it up and deal with the 7-month process. No daily phone calls to IIE, no State Department petitions, and for God's sakes, no playing the daddy card.

My manila envelope arrived on Saturday, sending me to South Africa. I'm not sure I quite believe it yet. But I'm very happy. Aireater, FBGhana, and applesoranges, I'll look forward to meeting you at the DC orientation! Orcappuccino, I'll keep my fingers crossed that the alternate status is bumped up to a yes quickly for you. By the way, this was my second time applying. (I was a finalist last year.) So sometimes it really does work on the second try. Good luck and anxiety to relief to all!

After 6 weeks of obsessive forum monitoring, I'm finally posting here. It's been really helpful knowing I'm not the only one in this interminable limbo. I'm waiting to hear about Sub-Saharan Africa. applesandoranges, thanks for posting the email from Jermaine Jones. It helped a lot to read something specific, but also upped the anxiety level (hard to believe it could go any higher!). Nothing arrived in the mail today. And I live on the East Coast, so I was hopeful. Any news for others to Africa? And here's a question: What's the proper terminology for this thing, if you're going for a research grant? I know the shorthand is just Fulbright ("I got a Fulbright to India, woo-hoo!"). But properly, is it a Fulbright grant, a Fulbright fellowship, what? Does anyone know? Trying to find distractions now...