DD just received notification she is a semi-finalist for 2016. She proposed a research project in Latin America. Anyone else out there with a DC going through the process? Alumni with any advice?
This may help or not, but it’s a large, long running blog of waiters http://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/64818-fulbright-2016-2017/?page=12 This page picks up recently. Page down to see posts.
Congrats to her and the family. D1 was in a 3rd world country as an ETA. DH had been a scholar. Amazing experience and the grant award was quite generous.
It can take a while to hear more. D1 didn’t know her location in-country until July. I’m assuming, as a scholar, your D would be placed near a U. Generally, the program or the U will help find housing.
Thank you @lookingforward! D1 uses grad cafe for advice and information for her PhD application. Did not think of looking there for a Fulbright thread! D2 is proposing research in a city where she has lived and done research before and has contacts in the city, which would make it easier than most to get settled. The two U.'s in the city are both sponsors. Just trying to get a sense of how likely it is to happen now that she made the semi-finalist cut.
The Fulbright has inadequate health insurance for those with health conditions. Just wanted to mention that.
Right. Keep her on your plan. I think the F ins is described as backup or minimal. The program isn’t very forthcoming with details until the end, after selection…
Chances really depend on the country, how many applicants. Somewhere, there’s a list of how many applied last year vs taken, by country. I seem to remember, for some, the number of semifinalists is 2 to one, for others, less. I’d think endorsement by 2 U’s is a positive. Best wishes.
D was a scholar 2013-14. This was during sequestration, so most decisions were delayed until funding was clarified. It was so frustrating not to know until very late! The grad cafe was actually the best source for updates as various candidates reported their results.
Agree about keeping your kid on your insurance.
I think the adequacy of the grant varies by country. Most of the scholars in D’s country tutored to make enough money to live on, even though having outside work is not allowed under the program regulations. D supplemented her funding with her own savings, and we helped a little (miles for tickets, etc.).
The committee did not help with housing, other than warning about common problems with leases & landlords in her particular country. It was hard for D to find affordable housing near her university, and having to pay the rent in cash in the local currency was a headache, since her grant money had to be direct deposited into an American bank. Those sorts of issues might vary by country.
Honestly, D did get a little worn out and tired of being “other” by the end of her program. But overall, she would tell you that it was a FABULOUS experience. She had spent time in her country before, but living and doing research there took her relationship with the country and her language skills to a whole different level. She formed some lifelong friendships and widened her professional network to include other grad students, professors, content experts, and a few headline personalities. It was definitely a nice addition to her resume, and she subsequently landed several very nice contracts due in large part to her participation in the program.
It really is a wonderful program. Best of luck to your daughter!