Q & A: General Questions Answered
by Publicity and Program Managers
Previous Experience Abroad
Q 1: I am currently serving in the Peace Corps. Will my P.C. service adversely affect my application for a Fullbright grant to study at an English University?
A: Your Peace Corps service will not affect your application for a Fulbright. The only instance when Peace Corps experience could adversely affect an application is when a candidate is applying for a grant to the same country in which he/she had the PC experience, especially if the PC experience was in the previous year. - Walter Jackson, Publicity Manager.
Q 2: My question relates to the Fulbright committee's treatment of traveled candidates. I have worked on projects in several African countries, and in eastern Europe, as well as having completed my undergraduate studies abroad (Paris, France). I wonder if my chances of gaining a Fulbright are reduced -- because the committee seeks out applicants with mostly domestic experience. Is it helpful that my proposal represents an experience entirely new to me?
A: Your Fulbright application would only be negatively impacted if you already have a lot of experience in the country to which you are applying. Travel to and experience in other countries are not a negative factor. - Valerie Hymas, Europe & Eurasia Program Manager
Q 3: I studied abroad for my junior year and am returning to my home university for my final year. How should I list this under question number 21, "Education," on page 3 of the application? I have remained enrolled at my home university for the full 4 years of my undergraduate work. Should I list the university I studied abroad at separately in the education section for 2003-2004, and list my home university twice - once for 2001-2003 and once for 2004-2005? Or should I simply list my home university for 2001-2005 and include my study abroad experience only in question 25, "Foreign Experience," on page 4 of the application? Thank you!
A: I've seen applicants list junior year study-abroad experience in both of the ways you have given above, so one method is not preferred or required. - Jermaine Jones, Africa, Near East, North Africa Program Manager
Q 4: For persons who have studied abroad as an undergraduate, is a transcript from the foreign institution required as well, or is it sufficient to have the credit posted on the transcript of the American educational institution of record? Also, because I was unable to complete the undergraduate study abroad due to family crises at home, I did not receive grades/certificates for my time abroad. Will this have a negative impact on my Fulbright application?
A: If this work is noted on your undergraduate transcript, then this is fine. If the courses are listed on your transcript with a mark of "withdrawal" or "drop," then you should explain this in you CV. - Jody Dudderar, Western Hemisphere Program Manager.
Q 5: Answers to other questions say that a year of study in the country to which you're applying is a disadvantage, but is that true even if the study has not yet happened at the time of application? I will be going to that country to begin study this year, and am applying for a grant for the following year.
A: If you are studying in a graduate program in the host country prior to taking up a grant, your application will be severely disadvantaged. In some country programs, it would render you ineligible. Contact the IIE program manager for your country if you have a question about this. - Jody Dudderar, Western Hemisphere Program Manager.
Q 6: My project doesn't really offer anything in the way of promoting cultural understanding (ex. hard science projects). Am I still a competitive candidate?
A: Certainly, because there are other ways that you can promote mutual, not necessarily cultural, understanding outside of your project while in-country. You are encouraged to get involved in cultural and/or community activities, as this is basic to the philosophy of the Fulbright program. Everyone can do this no matter what projects they are doing. Examples include: teaching English or American studies, volunteering with a charitable organization, spending a weekend painting a school or helping to restore a national monument/park area. - Valerie Hymas, Europe & Eurasia Program Manager
Q 7: Where can I access sample copies of past project proposals/personal statements?
A: Past projects and CVs are not available for review. However, if you are interested in the types of projects that have been selected in past years, please look at the Directories of Fellows on our website at www.iie.org/fulbright/us in the Fulbright News & Publicity link. - Walter Jackson, Publicity Manager.
Q 8: Is priority given to applicant's whose proposals are one year long? I read that it is not recommended to enroll in a degree program in the host institution; however, I intend to apply to an MA 2year program and hope to use the Fulbright to assist in my first year of study...and then use personal funds for the second year. Am I at a disadvantage?
A: In your proposal, you should indicate that you plan to complete the 2nd year of the program with personal finds. Unless indicated otherwise in the country summary, enrollment in a degree program is not necessarily a disadvantage. - Jody Dudderar, Western Hemisphere Program Manager.
Q 9: I'm applying for a Fulbright for the year after I graduate. As a graduating senior, how specific does my study proposal have to be? I have an interest in a few general fields of study, and narrowing it down to something very specific leaves me with so many options it is difficult to know what to do. How broad is too broad? And if I do have a very specific proposal, will I be limited if, in the course of my research, I decide to take it in a slightly different direction?
A: First, your project needs to be focused enough to accomplish in one academic year. If it is too broad, it will not be feasible; if it is too focused, it won't be a year long effort. You should spesk to an academic adviser on structuring the project timeline and methodology. Many grantees find that they need to make adjustments to their project after working in the host country. The Fulbright Commission or Post, as well as your host country affiliation, will provide supervision and assistance when modifications are needed. - Jody Dudderar, Western Hemisphere Program Manager.
Q 10: I'm a playwright, and I wish to apply for the Fulbright through the creative writing category. I've been told that there is a 10-page limit to writing samples. However, one page of a playscript can be read in one minute, whereas a page of prose can take much longer. Are there exceptions to the limit, or should I just try to find the most profound bit of the play? Also, is it better to have two five-page snippets to show variety?
A: The 10-page limit applies to all creative writing applicants-be they playwrights, poets, novelists, etc. -so there are no exceptions to this. However, it would be perfectly fine for you to submit two 5-page writing samples. - Jermaine Jones, Africa, Near East, North Africa Program Manager
Q 11: I am submitting a portfolio for research in architecture and wanted to know if photographic slides were the only method I can use to present my visual ideas. Another way to document and show my portfolio would be to make a small book or other visual document.
A: Photographic slides are not mandatory for architecture candidates-hard copy drawings, graphics, sketches and other materials are also perfectly acceptable. In other words, a small book or other visual document would be fine. - Jermaine Jones, Africa, Near East, North Africa Program Manager
Q 12: As I am writing my CV, I feel as though it is more of a story of my life and why I am interested in the research that I am pursuing. However, I feel like it is becoming a bit informal. How formal should the CV be, and should it read like a story?
A: The CV can be written in a manner that reflects you, your interests, and your personal background. It is in your voice and if that is informal, then it is fine. It is the one opportunity that you have to express your personality and you may determine the most appropriate way to do this. - Jody Dudderar, Western Hemisphere Program Manager.
Q 13: Do most Fulbright recipients who are recent graduates affiliate with a university in their host country? Are other affiliations (non-profit organizations, centers and institutes, etc.) allowed or encouraged?
A: All Fulbright grantees, regardless of where they are going or what they will be doing, must have a host country affiliation. The nature of that affiliation is first, country-specific and second, related to the candidate's project. Information on the types of affiliations required is in the Individual Country Summaries on our website in the Fulbright Grant Opportunities link. Graduating seniors, as a general rule, tend to affiliate with host country universities and take courses. - Walter Jackson, Publicity Manager.
Q 14: If I need to have an affiliation with a university, do I need to apply to the university and gain acceptance this fall? Or can it be a less formal "affiliation"?
A: You will not need to apply and gain acceptance to a college or university in order to be affiliated with it. While the nature of the relationship between you and your prospective host institution may ultimately depend on your project needs and what the institution can offer, you should know that less formal affiliations are perfectly acceptable. - Jermaine Jones, Africa, Near East, North Africa Program Manager
Q 15: I've researched and made contact with affiliates in my interested country. I've chosen a university that has a good reputation on evaluation and research, which I'm hoping will aid my studies. I've already submitted my application for a one-year program with them, if approved then my courses will begin in January 2005, will I be disqualified because I started my academic year before the grant period?
A: If you are studying in a graduate program in the host country prior to taking up a grant, your application will be disadvantaged. In some country programs, it would render you ineligible. Contact the IIE program manager for your country if you have a question about this. - Jermaine Jones, Africa, Near East, North Africa Program Manager
Q 16: Does each letter of recommendation need to be written by a professor who has taught you in a college course? I ask this question because I am rather close to a professor who is in my major department, but I have not yet taken one of his courses. He knows a great deal about me, however, especially since he organizes the foreign exchange program that I took part in last year. Because I think he could write a strong recommendation for me, I would like to ask him to write one, but as I am not sure whether he is eligible to do so, I thought I would inquire about that. Thank you very much.
A: There is no eligibility requirement for recommendation letter writers, so it would be perfectly fine for you to ask this professor to draft a reference for you. Keep in mind, though, that your referees will need to comment on you, your proposed Fulbright project, and your ability to carry it out successfully-so you'll want to be certain that whoever you ask to write a letter for you can cover all of these bases in their statement. -By Jermaine Jones, Africa, Near East, North Africa Program Manager
Q 17: How do you recommend getting a "certified" language report? I have been out of school for two years and have lost touch with my language professor. How might I demonstrate and prove my level of language proficiency? Thanks.
A: The foreign language proficiency report form does not necessarily need to be completed by a teacher with whom you have studied. It can be completed by another language professor, or professional language teacher. If the language being evaluated is one of the commonly taught and acquired foreign languages in the US, e.g., Spanish, French, German, Italian, etc., the form must be completed by a language professor or professional language teacher. If the language is one of those not commonly taught, e.g., Shona, Hausa, Tagalog, Quechua, etc. a native speaker can complete the form. But that native speaker of the language cannot be a family member. -By Walter Jackson, Publicity Manager.
Q 18: May US Students who have already been awarded a Fulbright be awarded another one while still a student?
A: After three years, a past US Student Fulbrighter may apply for a 2nd US Student Fulbright grant. However, they will be considered very low priority candidates, and it is highly recommended that they do not apply to go back to the same country as the original Fulbright grant. - Valerie Hymas, Europe & Eurasia Program Manager
Q 19: Are there judges/specialists in each specific field or are they general? For example, are there judges for music composition?
A: Most Screening Committees are comprised of country or regional specialists representing several fields. However, applications in the arts (where supplementary materials are required), teaching assistantships, and Business Programs are reviewed by professionals and/or university faculty in the field. - Jody Dudderar, Western Hemisphere Program Manager.
Q 20: Is it possible to apply for a Fulbright for one year of a longer period of study? (For example, the first year of a two-year masters program?)
A: Yes, this is possible as long as it is for the first year of study. Be sure to note in your proposal how you will fund the second year, as Fulbright will not cover this. - Jody Dudderar, Western Hemisphere Program Manager.
Q 21: What support do you provide for married applicants (w/out children), if any?
A: Some grants provide a small dependent's allowance. See the individual country summaries for information. - Jody Dudderar, Western Hemisphere Program Manager
Q 22: I started a masters program, and realized halfway through it wasn't for me (this was two years ago). Yet, I have graduate credits; should I include my one year of classes/my transcript on my application even though I don't plan on completing the degree?
A: Yes, it provides relevant information about your academic background. - Jody Dudderar, Western Hemisphere Program Manager
Q 23: On the application, there are two sections asking for information on extracurricular activities, fellowships. Should we provide different information in each of these sections, or should they mirror each other?
A: Page 1A asks for an abbreviated listing of these activities, so choose the highlights. This is a summary page for review purposes. Page 2, question 23 allows space for you to expand on the list. You must keep to the space limits in each section. - Jody Dudderar, Western Hemisphere Program Manager
Q 24: I have a BA, and will be working toward a masters, but because of the difference in the school system where I'm going, they are having me spend a year or two in the bachelors program before proceeding to the masters. Can I still apply for a Fulbright for one of these years?
A: Since there are restrictions in some countries, it would be best to speak with the IIE program manager for the country and describe the particulars of your situation. - Jody Dudderar, Western Hemisphere Program Manager.
Q 25: I recently received my BA, and the Fulbright adviser from my alma mater thinks that I can still apply through my former university as my host institution even though I'm no longer enrolled in any classes. Is this true, or do I need to apply at-large?
A: You can still apply from your alma mater as long as the Fulbright Program Adviser on campus agrees to handle your application. - Valerie Hymas, Europe & Eurasia Program Manager
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