Fulbright 2014-2015

[conservationbiologist14]

Since the online application starts tomorrow, I'm getting the ball rolling.

 

I am a graduating senior (current junior) in the Environmental Science field applying for a Full Grant to Kenya for 2014-2015. My project involves a study on big cat and livestock conflict with a particular focus on cheetahs, and my affiliates are Action for Cheetahs in Kenya and Kenyatta University! Currently working on my two essays. 

 

From what I can tell, this application process is rather involved, so let's support each other the best we can.

 

And...go!

[worldpeasplease]

Hey,

ConservationBiologist14, Kenyatta University is a great place (speaking from experience..)! I visited last summer.

I'm prospectively applying for an ETA in Laos.

Let the (Fulbright) games begin...

Edited May 10, 2013 by worldpeasplease

[conservationbiologist14]

Awesome! What were your other impressions of it? Did you sit in on a class/speak to some faculty? I'd love to learn as much as I can.

[worldpeasplease]

Hey, I was actually going with my mom who was planning on starting up a study abroad program so there were just a lot of meetings with administrators. But the campus overall has a nice vibe-it's not too far from Nairobi and there's a shuttle, so that's good. There's great resources as well. Unfortunately, I didn't get to visit any classes...

[vPersie]

Hey all, I'm currently an alternate for a 2013-14 research grant. Will be applying for the same grant or for a Taiwan ETA spot. Just thought I'd drop in.

[Busti Bustamante]

Previous ETA Portugal Alternate 

Applying for ETA Greece this year!

Good luck everyone!

[chicity05]

Think I will be applying to Malaysia. But still considering... .good luck all!

[Mississippi Snow]

Applying for Turkey ETA, side research being Turkish contemporary art. It's such a hotbed right now, and has been for art. I'm going to be amazed at what this revolt turns out artistically. It's sad to see one of my favorite cities under such duress, but I see so much creativity coming from it all over the country. 

[lalakey]

Hi all. Very excited this is started up again. I applied last year and was rejected, but I think I figured out my  mistakes-- and would like to share if anyone is interested  

 

1. I made the project all about me. Basically oh look how qualified I am, I went to all these fancy schools, I'm really awesome! Take me! When I realized what they really care about is how the money will be used to create a meaningful project that will look good both for the host country and for the U.S. when you return. Making an actual impact instead of just talking about how the money will help YOU. 

 

2. My affiliation letter was pretty bland. Just "oh yes we'll accept her and support the project" but I think finding someone truly excited about the idea is crucial. 

 

3. My project was also a bit bland. It was interesting but it wasn't particularly innovative. It had been done before and the music I was exploring (I applied in music) was done to death. Maybe the general public didn't appreciate them like I did, but the classical music world had already explored them. 

 

Also, I had to have an in-person audition, and my audition kind of sucked. Isn't that always the way? Sigh. I can sing like some glorious diva for the little opera company I don't give a crap about, but for the Fulbright... lol. 

[kelseygwynne]

Hi everyone!

 

I applied for a full grant this past year and was rejected during the first round. It was probably the most difficult news I've ever heard...and yet, here I am again, considering applying the very next year.

 

I am still thinking about what country (the programs I'm looking at are available in the UK, Spain, and Canada only), but I want to get my MS in medical anthropology studying the effect on third world countries from American missionary groups on their psychological well-being, self-worth, and self-esteem, and also physically (i.e. diseases ala small pox in the Americas from Europeans in the 1500s).

 

Anyway. Last year I went the creative route, which I think made it more painful because my writing was rejected. This year, I'm hoping a STRONG affiliation and a well-thought out project will help. I will be applying at-large, though, and I don't know how much that matters.

 

If you have any questions about applying, let me know! Last year I spent over a year on the process and this year I'm cutting it closer, but if you really focus it can be done. Don't be daunted! 

 

 

[lalakey]

Hi everyone!

 

I applied for a full grant this past year and was rejected during the first round. It was probably the most difficult news I've ever heard...and yet, here I am again, considering applying the very next year.

 

I am still thinking about what country (the programs I'm looking at are available in the UK, Spain, and Canada only), but I want to get my MS in medical anthropology studying the effect on third world countries from American missionary groups on their psychological well-being, self-worth, and self-esteem, and also physically (i.e. diseases ala small pox in the Americas from Europeans in the 1500s).

 

Anyway. Last year I went the creative route, which I think made it more painful because my writing was rejected. This year, I'm hoping a STRONG affiliation and a well-thought out project will help. I will be applying at-large, though, and I don't know how much that matters.

 

If you have any questions about applying, let me know! Last year I spent over a year on the process and this year I'm cutting it closer, but if you really focus it can be done. Don't be daunted! 

 

HEY! Fellow rejected person applying again! My project idea is way cooler this year, and I am currently going wild on emailing as many professors as possible to find a GREAT affiliation letter. I am also applying at large!!! My advisor last year was awful frankly. I might shoot an email to my undergrad Fulbright advisor to get her input. Other than that... Here goes nothing!

[krys315]

ATTENTION:

ANYONE WHO DOES NOT THINK THEY HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO EARN A FULBRIGHT GRANT

 

I just want to tell everyone to please be encouraged! Apply again. Even if you think you won't be accepted. I have posted in the 2013-14 forum but thought you all may need this. I have just been accepted and did not want to seem like I was bragging, but decided to post this anyway. 

I thought GPA was everything, but apparently not. I was a straight A student from Kindergarten through graduating High school, but not so much in college.

I had a 2.9 GPA and got a Fulbright. I am super happy for everyone with high GPA's (and would have loved to have a high GPA) but I don't want anyone to bank on that alone because it may hinder you elsewhere in your application. You have to stand out. Also although I had a 2.9 GPA I was a Bio major and did poorly, then switched to SPanish/Latin American Studies and got straight A's.

 

Some pointersL

 

1.  For my recommendations:

• I had the Dean of my college in my University (who was one of my Spanish professors in my last yr of university) rate my Spanish level,
• had an AMAZING teacher I had for 2 Portuguese/Brazil classes rate my Portuguese, proofread my statements, and write a recommendation,
• had one of my SPanish teachers (from Spain) write me a recommendation who I had for 2 Spanish courses,
• and a professor who I had for 1 Brazilian History class, and who worked on the Fulbright committee in the past at my University (who also semi suggested Fulbright for me to get to Brazil) write my third recommendation.

I'm not saying these professors/deans made me get the grant, but they did help, especially with my poor GPA and I wanted to share with you. Make sure if you all apply again (and change nothing else) that you have professors who are current or who you participated in their courses and you know liked you much.

 

2.  In addition, I had 2 professors for Brazilian/Portuguese classes write recommendations. taking these classes probably showed I had a good level of the language

 

3.  I also know I put my heart and soul into (even though I started my statement about 2 months before the Oct 17 deadline), but once again I did not get even an alternate status in January. I thought to myself "Wow I did not even get an alternate status. How could I think I had a chance at being a competitive applicant?" not thinking that "Hey there were only 30 ETA slots and 1bout 170 who applied so that has nothing to do with you not having a good application"

 

4.  Apply to a country even if you do not think you have a good chance. There are people who applied to a country with very few grants or applied to a country with a lot of grants, a lot of applicants (low percentage of receiving a grant). Apply to what you want. Who would have thought there would be 90 grants added to the country you applied?

 

DO NOT GIVE UP. If you have a passion for a certain country and would like be there. DO NOT GIVE UP.

 

5.   Also, make sure your 2 statements are not the same at all. I PERSONALLY think your personal statement is slightly more important (but should definitely relate to your 2nd statement. Just be REAL in your statements. Do not exaggerrate or make things up. And DO NOT BORE THEM. Imagine how many essays they have read that sound the same. Tell them interesting things and important moments to you. In addition, prior to writing my statement I volunteered for a few months teaching immigrants English (since I did not have any experience teaching adults) and that in itself was beautiful.

 

6. I just felt the need to write this. Hopefully someone who doesn't think they are good enough and is on the fence about applying will read this and change their mind. Writing the statements definitely helped me see myself clearer than before. Overall be honest about your intentions. If you have a poor GPA in comparison to the 4.0's who you know are applying make sure you mention it in a half sentence. I mentioned that because my family came from poverty I wanted a career that would mean MONEY even if I did not like it. Directly from my statement:

 

"......Tales such as these often bothered me as a young girl, and as I reached adulthood, they directed me toward a pre-dental career path for the sole purpose of financial stability. Over the course of several semesters, all-the-while with Spanish as my minor, I acknowledged my long-time passion for language, and made a necessary change in career goal..."

I did not mention it ever again in my statement.

 

7. So BE ENCOURAGED. God has a path for each and every one of us and if you feel it in your heart that you are meant to do something please try again! When I attended the Fulbright meetings at my college (although I had to apply At-Large) I felt inferior in comparison to many overly confident students who knew EXACTLY what they wanted (research grants not ETAs).

 

Hopefully no one is annoyed Sorry if I'm not typing perfect English. I just woke up and my kitten, Rosie, is distracting me

 

Any alternates, there is a chance for you!!! Keep your hopes up! After I was turned down in Jan (no alt status) I felt a tiny bit sad, but decided "I guess it was not meant for me" so hearing more slots were there in may, made me FLIP. Also I had people pray for me too :-)

 

Any questions? Contact me ;-)

Twitter: Ms_Krystalina

tuc15735@temple.edu

Edited June 22, 2013 by krys315

[krys315]

 A suggestion from March 2012

Edited June 22, 2013 by krys315

[moregraceful]

Just stopping by this forum to wish all of next year's applicants good luck! Those of you who are reapplying ESPECIALLY deserve to get it this time around! In a few short weeks I'll be headed to Vietnam on a Fulbright. Last year's forum helped immensely with my nerves. (Well, it put them on edge at times, too, but the good outweighed the bad.)

 

Feel free to message me if any of you are planning on applying to Vietnam, I'd be happy to field any questions from you. (I had no other Vietnam applicants to commiserate with last year, unfortunately.) Chúc may mắn! 

 

[lalakey]

Does anyone have advice about what to do for this affiliation letter? I've sent out 10 emails to different professors that were recommended to me and have gotten zero responses so far...

[ElleBee]

I have a question for those who reapplied and were successful the second time around.

 

A few years ago I was named as an alternate and am reapplying for the same country/grant again this year.

 

Should I list that I was a former alternate in the "ACADEMIC HONORS, FELLOWSHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS" section? I definitely consider it an academic honor, but am not sure if it would seem too overt to mention that I was previously so close to getting the grant...

 

Thanks! 

[kelseygwynne]

GUYS!! I just sent out an inquiry letter to University of Cape Town, and this is the response I got: 

 

Dear Kelsey,

 

Thanks for your e-mail and for your interest in the GSB.  Your proposal seems very interesting, as well as your current project.  I think you would find great value in the Social Innovation Lab (part of the MBA).  I have put Francois Bonnici in copy who is the director of the Bertha Centre. I am sure he can write you the required endorsement, and if anything would be needed from me, he will certainly revert to me.

I wish you all success with your application and I am looking forward (hopefully) welcoming you next year.

Kind regards

 

AM I CRAZY OR IS THIS AN AWESOME RESPONSE TO MY PROJECT?? Last year I lost and I NEVER got a response like this. Should I be stoked??

[kelseygwynne]

Additionally, has anyone started working on their application yet?

[kelseygwynne]

And one more thing (Sorry!!) Has anyone/is anyone applying at large? Last year I applied through my school but now I've graduated. How much differences does this make? What do I need to do differently?

[Torrid]

And one more thing (Sorry!!) Has anyone/is anyone applying at large? Last year I applied through my school but now I've graduated. How much differences does this make? What do I need to do differently?

 

Are you certain that you can't apply through your university if you've graduated? I graduated in May 2012 but still applied through my school for the 2013/14 cycle.

[kelseygwynne]

i dont think mine will allow it. does it hurt me to apply at large rather than with a university?

[ElleBee]

i dont think mine will allow it. does it hurt me to apply at large rather than with a university?

No, I remember it being mentioned in a webinar that there's no penalty for applying at-large. The only "disadvantage" is that you won't have an advisor to help you through the process or an interview for feedback on your app, but it's not like you're going to immediately be looked at negatively for being an at-large applicant or anything like that. It wouldn't make sense for them to allow at-large app if they looked down upon them.

[woodendress]

I have a question for those who reapplied and were successful the second time around.

 

A few years ago I was named as an alternate and am reapplying for the same country/grant again this year.

 

Should I list that I was a former alternate in the "ACADEMIC HONORS, FELLOWSHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS" section? I definitely consider it an academic honor, but am not sure if it would seem too overt to mention that I was previously so close to getting the grant...

 

Thanks! 

 

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.

[woodendress]

No, I remember it being mentioned in a webinar that there's no penalty for applying at-large. The only "disadvantage" is that you won't have an advisor to help you through the process or an interview for feedback on your app, but it's not like you're going to immediately be looked at negatively for being an at-large applicant or anything like that. It wouldn't make sense for them to allow at-large app if they looked down upon them.

 

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!

[kelseygwynne]

dumb question-if you're applying for a 2 year masters, there is no fulbright that covers two years, is there