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.
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| 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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