Last year when in an unprecedented move the USEFP exempted the requirement of GRE examination for Fulbright application, many hoped making it a home. The results however were an eye-opener - less than two percent of the applicants could make it home. The art of presenting the details is what failed the rest.

Candidates spend a lot of time learning from the scholarship gurus; paying hefty fees to the Fulbright alumni but fail to write a masterpiece. Writing a successful application for the Fulbright is not an uphill task if the applicant gives attention to the details. Nuance is a friend!

So, what is Fulbright?

Commonly misspelled as “FULL-BRIGHT”, the FULBRIGHT Programme; established in 1946 under legislation introduced by then Senator J. William Fulbright opened avenues of endless possibilities for thousands of graduates and professionals from all over the world.  Embarking on a journey of learning, exploration and knowledge sharing in the United States of America is a dream of every Pakistani student and professional alike. 

Is it worth applying?

The program allows the candidates to study in the USA, learning its work-life balance. Pakistani students from all walks of life aspire to be a part of this highly competitive program which has an intensely rigorous stage-wise selection and is offered for Master's and Ph.D. degree programs. The program not only focuses on the uplift of the educational potential of the candidates but offers various resources for the spouse of the scholars. A detailed thoughtful application has a high chance to go through the selection process. A comprehensive application can win you a bag full of dollars and lifetime experiences. In writing for the most prestigious scholarship of the world; every word matters. 

Following are the ten most common mistakes that cause students to fail.

Not knowing the program in full:

Fulbright is one of the most widely recognized and prestigious international exchange programs in the world that grants support for graduate study and research in 140 countries. The program not only emphasizes knowledge sharing but also underscores the importance of cultural sharing by the candidates as they stay in the USA during their academic program. Candidates,not fully going through the details of the program commonly fail to find a connection between their life goals and the program.

Imposter syndrome: Am I the best fit?

Imposter Syndrome can cause people to doubt themselves and their ideas at work. Avoid it! Several students every year feel deterred to apply to the program thinking they are not smart enough. Every year we get hundreds of messages from students asking for the secret to being the best fit. 

The secret is no secret at all. The program always welcomes diversity in the cohort every year. However, it does look for some of the common attributes in successful candidates. 

The successful candidates are intelligent, interesting, persistent, can express themselves in writing and are optimistic. Evidence of leadership and initiative is of chief importance, as are community involvement and contributions to society. 

Previous coursework related to your major interest and or project proposal and command of the foreign language spoken in the country to which you apply (if required) is also quite important.

Fear of not having the highest cumulative grade point average (CGPA)?

This is one of the most repeatedly asked questions by the candidates. CGPa is certainly not the most important criteria in the selection of a candidate for the Fulbright. However, the official CGPA requirement is a 3.0, but an even higher CGPA may be unofficially required, depending on the level of competitiveness of the field in which you apply. Rest assured,however, that your GPA is not the most important factor in receiving a Fulbright Grant. 

Not realizing the importance of every step:

Fulbright application is one of the most systematic, detailed, cross-checking and coherent processes. The application documents are designed with an immense thought process. It strives to know the details of the academic achievements of the candidates and also inquire about their lives outside their classrooms and offices. The candidate must be able to present a truthful yet balanced picture ofhis lifestyle while proactively elaborating on any exceptional incidents that have helped or hampered the progress of the candidates.

Not starting early:

Unlike many other scholarship applications, Fulbright applicationsinvite the candidates to express themselves through their expressions and writing skills. Preparing flawless documents need several revisions and plenty of time which is only possible when the candidates start filling their applications early.

Unable to differentiate the Personal Statement from Statement of Purpose:

The documents although aimed at giving more information about the candidates having their distinct roles to play in the selection process. They are required for insights at different levels and perspectives- not having a clear difference about their roles and contents can result in confusion or redundancy.

Not finding the right Mentor:

Finding the right mentor can help candidates hone their applications. Getting the right mentors is believed to have increased the success rate of the candidates by many folds. The candidates must try to have a support system that can look for errors and omissions. Try to be perfect.

Not selecting the right references:

Numerous candidates fail to understand the weightage of well-written recommendation letters in their selection process. The Fulbright selection committee is hugely interested in knowing what other people have to say about you; how you have been dealing withyour previous job and coursework. Therefore, a generalized ill-composed recommendation letter by someone who does not know you will surely leave a bad impression on your selection.

Not selecting the right university:

It is truly appreciated to be optimistic however, one must realize the best-fit university and department considering the major of the candidate. Filling all IV-league will reduce your chance of landing at the university of your choice and will also leave you at the behest of the admission committee to select the university for you. Therefore, look for universities in the top, middle and low ranking. Give all the options so that your best fit can be matched.

Not knowing what to expect in the Fulbright Interview:

The Fulbright interview is usually held at the office of The United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) in Islamabad and includes short essay writing before the start of the interview.Graduate Record Examinations GRE before applying for the grant is mandatory unlike the pandemic hit year. GRE: a standardized test that is an admissions requirement for many graduate schools in the United States and Canada aims to measure verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills that have been acquired over a long period of learning.