Advice to Fulbright Applicantsby Dionne Griffiths, 2006-2007, Trinidad and Tobago
My experience applying to the Fulbright
Program was a very time-sensitive process. I
inquired about the Fulbright Program a couple
months before the application deadline, so the
application documents -- such as the
recommendation and affiliation letters, research
proposal and CV -- were needed within a relatively
short period of time.  | | | Dionne Griffiths, 2006-2007.
Trinidad &
Tobago | |
My
advice to current applicants is to work in a very
time-efficient manner by being proactive and
getting all documents as soon as possible. Also,
take the necessary time to think about what you
are curious about researching in order to create a
strong and unique project proposal. Below are a
few other suggestions:1)
Stay organized with the application materials,
application-related meetings, and
deadlines;2) Be professional and
positive in all of your interactions with your
local Fulbright Program Adviser (FPA). Meet with
him/her to get advice on how to put your best self
forward in your application;3)
Really know your subject matter and why the
country you are proposing to go to is significant
to your research;4) Utilize the Fulbright website. Read its
newsletters and read about Fulbright Fellows who
have gone to your country of interest and who are
within your discipline;5)
The application process is long and detailed. Pace
yourself, be proactive, be organized and
passionate about your research topic;6)
My FPA helped me figure out how to choose my
research subject by asking me what was true to my
heart and what I was most interested in pursuing.
For me, it was dance and my previous experiences,
education and extracurricular activities which
supported this type of research;7)
Acquiring official letters of affiliation can be
challenging as far as finding the appropriate
organizations, institutions and people you want to
work with abroad, so start as early as possible.
It can also be a challenge in getting a response
from them via e-mail, fax and standard mail. You
may have to make international calls to them to
get an initial response. However, emphasize as
politely and assertively as possible the
importance of having an official letter of
affiliation for your application by the
application deadline. Also, summarizing what the
Fulbright Program is may cause them to work more
time efficiently on your behalf. At least have one
or two solid affiliation letters to include in
your application, depending on the number of sites
and nature of your project. Best wishes to
you in preparing your Fulbright applications.
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