Fulbright Applications Require Determination and Persistence
It took me three applications over three consecutive years to be accepted. In the first application, I realized that my essays didn’t express me well enough. When I read them again, I wished I had the opportunity to rewrite them and give Fulbright more insights about myself, my goals, my personality, and my experiences. I didn’t lose hope, and realized that I needed to start preparing for next year’s application.
In the second year, I didn’t pass it as well. I started to question my capabilities to be a Fulbrighter. A few weeks after that, I had a conversation with a friend. We were talking about the energy security challenges in the world and how it would be more challenging to our country if we didn’t start acting soon. I also mentioned how I’m dealing with energy-related issues in my role as a research and development engineer. This conversation gave me the key to understanding why I wasn’t accepted the second time. I needed to tell Fulbright how my desired research would benefit my community and the world.
I organized my ideas for the third time, consulted family and friends, and started my third application with more determination. This time, Fulbright emailed me with an interview invitation. The interviewers already knew about my desired field of study; they had already read through my application and they understood my motivation. The interview lasted about 20 minutes. The panel wanted to make sure that I was capable of doing the proposed research. Also, they wanted to see how I would do away from family, friends, and everything I was used to having around me. Moreover, it was important for them to get an idea about how I would represent my home country. When you become a Fulbrighter, you become an ambassador who represents the culture of your home wherever you go.
More tips about the application process and interview
The essays are extremely important. This is the part where you will invest most of your time and your thoughts.
You should also speak and write more in English until you feel more comfortable expressing yourself in English. It’s not necessary to be fluent as long as people can understand you and you can understand them. Later, you’ll get the opportunity to enhance your language skills.
Also, be sure to practice before taking standardized tests like the TOEFL, GRE or GMAT. The more familiar you are with the test format and setting, the better chance you will have to get higher marks.
Always remember that the good impressions you leave, in your workplace, university or wherever you work, are what helps you get recommendations. Make sure to ask your recommenders for recommendations as early as possible to ensure they will submit their recommendations in time.
When you receive the interview invitation, make sure that you read your application well and anticipate which questions they will likely ask you. You wouldn’t have made it so far unless you’d already proven that you could be an ideal candidate to receive a Fulbright.
It’s only been about five months since I arrived in the United States, but it seems like I’m living my life again. I’ve enjoyed new friends, achievements, adventures, dreams, challenges, ideas, and surroundings. Fulbright has been one of the most adventurous experiences in my life so far. I’ve learned that you can think, dream, do, and achieve; the sky is your limit and the possibilities are abundant. Nothing can hold you back from achieving the things you’ve always thought.
Ahmed is a 2020 Fulbrighter from Egypt studying Mechanical Engineering at North Carolina State University.
You can find more information about the Fulbright Program, Fulbright Foreign Student Program and the Fulbright Program for the Middle East and North Africa on our websites. For more application tips and to learn more about other Fulbrighters, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and visit our blog.
