Advice from Former Applicants
My name is Marty Bode, and I am Linfield '08 alum and currently a Fulbright Scholar studying aeronautical engineering at the Universität Stuttgart in Germany. Here is some advice that I have for applicants to the Fulbright program:
-Start early. Seriously. The editing process is very extensive and you want to leave yourself as much time as possible. Try to get first drafts done as soon as you can. Also, finding a mentor for research projects isn't usually easy so try to get the ball rolling with that. Ask professors for suggestions and look up the authors of journal articles or books that interest you.
-Make a list of any of your experiences you can think of that might relate to the grant you are applying for. Even if they do not directly relate, you may be able to tie them in as evidence that you are prepared for and/or are truly intersted in the research or teaching you want to do. No matter how small they might seem, you might be able to pull some of them together.
-Be sure to address why you need to go where you are proposing to go. Whether it be the mentor you want to work with, the research facilities, or the city itself, I think it is very important that this comes out in an application.
-Have as many people as possible look at your essays. Different people will have different ideas about improvements that can be made and that will give you more options. Of course, people sometimes have conflicting ideas and so you won't be able to use all of them, but ultimately it is your application.
-Be aware how much time you will need for the application process. Expect to put in about as much time as you would for a three credit class.
Good luck!
Marty Bode a Fulbright Scholar at the Universität Stuttgart
Be inspired and passionate about your proposal. Craft it as a 'next step' that builds on skills and experience you gained at Linfield, and will connect you to later endeavors in graduate school, policy work, or the like. Edit the entire package
Consider taking a class in your Junior spring or Senior fall that will help you deepen your understanding of what you plan to research. In any case, learn everything you can about your topic. Know more about your topic than simply what you put in the proposal. Your understanding and expertise will show.
Understand that just the process of applying will be beneficial. It will focus your thoughts and help you envision the future, and make all your later applications (for grad school and jobs) feel simple. Take the risk of pouring yourself into it. Want it, but know that if it doesn't work out thistime, you are still a success. Thinking about your expectations from the judges can make you choke on anxiety and lose your vision. Writing inspired proposals comes much more gracefully and easily if you can genuinely release expectations of the fruits of your work. Find ways to let this process be an end in itself: do your best work, and do it early!
Angela Jamison Fulbright grant to Nicaragua 1999
I think that the most important element in your application has to be your passion. You have to really believe in who you are and what it is you want to accomplish. There are two reasons for this. One is that the application process for competitive scholarships is really intense and kind of heinous while you are actually doing them. If you are focused on what you want to accomplish and can keep excited about your chances it will make the whole process a lot easier. Two is that if you are really passionate about your project or area of study that can't help but come through in your application. I suggest thinking long and hard at the beginning of the application process about what is really important to you academically, professionally and personally. You may even want to write these goals down to refer to when the going gets tough. Even if you don't end up getting the scholarship you will have had an application process that will help you in your future endeavors.
Rachyl Stupor Fulbright Teaching Assistantship to Chile 2007
Try. Don't be shy about asking for help and advice. It's an especially good idea to ask people to read and critique your writing sample or personal statement.
Melissa Koosman Fulbright grant to Austria 2001
In my case, I knew that I wanted to apply for the Fulbright teaching assistantship but needed to come up with a project to do while I was in Uruguay. I had a lot of ideas of things I could possibly do, but nothing really seemed to fit perfectly with my goals, training, and skills. Finally my advisor told me to picture myself in Uruguay, and asked simply what I would like to spend my time doing, regardless of it being a good project. For me the answer was just listening to people's stories and talking to them about their lives and experiences. From that we built my oral history project. So I guess my advice is to just make sure that your project is really something that you love. You will spend a ton of time thinking about it, writing about it, and convincing others that you should be given the money to do it, and it is a lot easier if you really love the project yourself.
And of course, start early and send your drafts to bounce ideas off of as many people as possible! Linfield professors and advisors are so willing to help; take advantage of your resources!!!!!
That's all! Good luck!!!!
Holly Brause Fulbright Teaching Assistantship to Uruguay 2007