Who Can Apply?
Seniors and recent graduates
Graduating seniors and recent bachelor's degree recipients who have some undergraduate preparation and/or direct work or internship experience related to the project.
Master's and doctoral candidates
Graduate-level candidates must demonstrate the capacity for independent study or research, together with a general knowledge of the history, culture, and current events of the countries to which they are applying.
Young professionals, including writers, creative and performing artists, journalists, and those in law, business and other professional fields
Learn more about the program
Students interested in the Fulbright Program should begin thinking about applying early in their time at Marywood. You are encouraged to research proposed host countries and institutions to determine where you would like to study. Additionally, students with research projects should begin developing the basis for these projects and forming contacts with University faculty to assist them. If you're interested in applying for this coveted honor, please contact Fulbright Program Director Dr. Samantha Christiansen to learn more about the process and request faculty support. It's never too soon to begin planning!
When do I apply?
Application deadlines are on the Fulbright website. In order to allow time to provide support for its candidates, Marywood University follows an on-campus application cycle. The application phase for 2016-2017 has passed, and the next opportunity to apply will be during the 2017-2018 academic year for travel in 2018-2019. Please stay tuned for exact dates- if you're interested, email NOW to get on a list for updated info as it comes out!
Once you have indicated your interest in applying, the Fulbright Committee will provide hands-on support through the entire application process. A complete application includes all Fulbright application materials: Fulbright application form, including short answers, statement of grant purpose, personal statement, research plans, three recommendations, language evaluations, transcripts, and any additional required materials.
Campus interviews take place in September/early October. This interview and the evaluation are intended to be supportive, rather than a screening step. For this reason, candidates are strongly urged to take advantage of Marywood's resources to assist with the process.
By the end of January, candidates will be notified of their status after a preliminary national screening. Candidates recommended by the national screening panels have their application transmitted to the supervising agencies abroad for further review. Final selection for Fulbright Grants is made by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Notifications are sent directly from the U.S. Fulbright Program on a rolling basis by country, typically in March and April. Grantees usually receive notification of the final decision by May.
Eligibility and qualifications
The Marywood University Fulbright Adviser and Fulbright Committee will assist candidates during each stage of the application process from inquiry through application.
Selection is made on the basis of the applicant's academic or professional record, language preparation, the feasibility and specificity of the proposed project, commitment and motivation, as well as personal qualifications.
Applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen at the time of application
- Hold a bachelor's degree before the beginning date of the grant
- Have a strong academic record and appropriate preparation to conduct their chosen project or teach English
- Have a plan to engage with the people of the country in which they wish to live.
Note: Graduating seniors, graduate or professional students, or alumni of any age are encouraged to apply. Applicants can apply to only one Fulbright program in any year. Applicants may not hold a doctoral degree.
Application procedures and selection criteria
The most important components of the application are:
- Two-page statement of grant purpose (single-spaced) articulating the research project or plan of study and its feasibility. For ETA applicants, this statement should be one page. For National Geographic Digital Storytelling (NGS) applicants, it should be three pages.
- One-page personal statement
- Three letters of recommendation, two of which are usually from professors in the applicant's proposed area of study. Exceptions are common. ETA applications require a recommendation form, not an open-ended letter
- Official transcript from every college attended
- Language proficiency report, to be completed by a language instructor whenever possible. May not be required in all cases
- Research grants require a letter of affiliation, usually from a scholar at a university or research institution in the host country.