Fulbright Visit Fulbrightonline.org
Fulbright Program for U.S. Students

Fulbright Program Adviser
Newsletter

Issue 45 | October 2010

Last Minute Tips for Submitting the Online Application
table of contents

 Program Updates

Steps in Submitting the Online Application


1. View lists of applicants from your institution who have started Fulbright applications.

2. View online applications submitted by your institution's candidates.

3. Communicate via email with both groups of applicants.

4. Review all submitted application forms, including language evaluations, reference letters and transcripts.

5. Complete and upload the Campus Committee Evaluation (CCE) form into each candidate’s application.

6. Complete and mail a hardcopy Memorandum of Transmittal to IIE, U.S. Student Programs, 809 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017.

7. View Recommendation status results in January.

If you or your canididates encounter any technical difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact IIE or Embark Support.

Thank you for your hard work and good luck to all of your candidates!



Back to Table of Contents
 

Getting Back to the Basics of a Successful Fulbright Application

by Maria F. Lander, Fulbright Program Adviser, Skidmore College

Maria F. Lander, FPA, Skidmore College 
Maria F. Lander, Fulbright Program Adviser, Skidmore College
 
A well-written project proposal and a personal statement that will appeal to both recommenders and reviewers is what will help an applicant receive a Fulbright grant.

First, I usually hold an informal conversation with an applicant in which I try to obtain as much academic and personal information as possible.  We talk about expectations, interests, ambitions, obstacles, a plan B and the future.  We discuss the applicant’s particular interest in their selected Fulbright country, the motivations behind pursuing their research topic, or their interest in assistant-teaching.  For me, encouraging an applicant to discuss these issues is crucial.  It has the power of pushing him or her to articulate, maybe for the first time, what lies at the core of their application: their points of view.  In other words, I am measuring their ability to reach the finish line.

An applicant who does not have a clear picture of what they want to do and where they want to go before meeting with me will have a hard time articulating the value of their application to the screening committees.  I see my role as an FPA as a facilitator who will help applicants realize that applying to the Fulbright Program is not just about good grades.  It’s about communicating clearly the intellectual value of their project or desire to assistant-teach - and their personal commitment to the program.

I always convey to my applicants that all Fulbright candidates have too many things in common.  Most of them have excellent GPAs, incredible recommendation letters and, in general, very interesting projects.  During that first meeting, I make it clear that writing an appealing personal statement and an engaging project proposal requires an honest answer to all the issues we've discussed.  In the soul-searching process of responding to those issues lies sincere, truthful, worthy-of-note writing.

To achieve “worthy-of-note” writing samples, an applicant must know from the start that many drafts must be written and many conversations with specialized faculty must be held.  That, in my experience, is what makes for a successful Fulbright application.



Back to Table of Contents
 

Meet the Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors


The Fulbright U.S. Student Alumni Ambassador Program was established in 2008 to identify, train and engage a select group of approximately 15 Fulbright U.S. Student Program alumni to serve as representatives, recruiters, and spokespersons for the Fulbright Program.  They are selected annually through recommendations from Fulbright Commissions and U.S. Embassy staff, area managers, the Fulbright Student Program Outreach Division, and approved by the sponsor of the Fulbright Program, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.  Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors come from an array of different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, states, fields of study, institutions and have participated in the Fulbright U.S. Student Program in all world areas.   

Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors represent the program’s rich diversity and play a key role in increasing knowledge about Fulbright opportunities. They provide testimonials about their Fulbright experiences at conferences and campus presentations and offer application tips in written articles, video and podcast interviews, Webinars, and at special events throughout the United States.  The Fulbright U.S. Student Program relies on the Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors to mentor potential applicants, sharing what a Fulbright grant is really like, along with how to successfully address the challenges of living abroad, and how to best meet the Fulbright Program’s ultimate goal – to increase mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and the people of other countries.

We encourage all Fulbright Program Advisers to contact the Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors to provide assistance in promoting the program on their campuses.  To learn more about this year's group, please click here.



Back to Table of Contents
 

Resources for Promoting the Fulbright U.S. Student Program


Below are several resources you can use to let your students know about the Fulbright Program:

Fulbright U.S. Student Program Applicant Blog

We encourage applicants to regularly visit and subscribe to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program Applicant Blog.  It can be found on us.fulbrightonline.org under MULTIMEDIA.  The blog features tips and advice on applying to Fulbright, student testimonials, a calendar with upcoming Webinars, campus visits, a link for enrolled students to find their Fulbright campus adviser and links to resources such as podcasts and YouTube videos.

http://usfulbrightstudent.blogspot.com/

E-Newsletters

We are currently producing two newsletters each month:

Fulbright U.S. Student Grantee Newsletter:

http://newsletter.fulbrightonline.org/newsletter/index.php?id=186

FPA Newsletter:

Each issue will cover tips on how to assist U.S. Student Fulbright Program candidates and will offer resources and best practices on how to promote the program.

http://newsletter.fulbrightonline.org/newsletter/index.php?id=189

Podcasts (available on iTunes)

Six types of podcasts are available:

Fulbright 101: Interviews with Fulbright U.S. Student Program staff offering the basics on how to apply.

My Fulbright Life: Interviews with current Fulbrighters talking about their projects and experiences overseas.

Applicant Podcast: Interviews with IIE Program Managers and others on how to complete a successful Fulbright application.

Webinars: Recorded Webinars featuring interviews with Fulbright U.S. Student Program and Mobility International USA (MIUSA) staff, and Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors offering information on applying and alumni testimonals.

Fulbright Alumni Roundtables: Interviews with Fulbright U.S. Student Program alumni grouped by world region or type of grant discussing their experiences in applying and being overseas.

Fulbright Guidance Sessions: Presentations with Q&A sessions on applying to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

Webinars  

The webinars provide an online forum for Fulbright U.S. Student Program alumni to discuss their experiences with applicants.  IIE Program Managers moderate the discussions followed by question and answer sessions.  Study or research and ETA applicants are encouraged to attend the session related to their proposed country of application.  Check the us.fulbrightonline.org home page for dates and times.

YouTube

The Fulbright Program has a YouTube page where you can view videos of students and Fulbright staff members talking about the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.  These are an excellent resource to get an individual alumni's perspectives.

Facebook

Encourage your students to join the official Fulbright page on Facebook to learn more about the Fulbright Program and connect with others - including alumni, current grantees and other prospective applicants from around the world.  Check the Fulbright Facebook page regularly for news, events, resources and more.

Twitter

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is now on Twitter!  Students can follow the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and receive updates at: http://twitter.com/FulbrightPrgrm.


Back to Table of Contents
 

Newsletter Archive


http://newsletter.fulbrightonline.org/index.html

Back to Table of Contents