Ryan Muncy, now studying in Paris with a world-renownedsaxophonist, graduated from Ball State in 2003 and was the firstBall State student to participate in the Fulbright U.S. StudentProgram.
Students interested in participating in the Fulbright U.S.Student Program, a prestigious grant given to people with abachelor's degree, must turn in their applications by 5 p.m. onSept. 30 to the Center for International Programs.
"In the ideal world, students would get an early start. When youwait until the last minute, the work reflects that," BarbaraStedman, scholarship and fellowship adviser, said.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants approximately 1,000awards yearly and operates in more than 140 countries, according tothe Fulbright website. The grants go toward travel and livingexpenses and full or partial tuition for graduate students.
"Fulbright grants are to promote cross cultural understandingand intellectual exchange," Kelly Wright, study abroad and exchangeprogram coordinator and the Fulbright program adviser, said.
Wright's advice for students who wish to participate in theprogram is to focus on the Fulbright mission when they write theirproposals.
"Think about how that proposal will promote cross culturalunderstanding," she said. "A strong proposal utilizes the resourcesspecific to that country. The committee is more likely to choose astudent whose research is something that cannot be done anywhereelse."
The application has two written parts: the personal statementand the proposal. Stedman said that applicants should use thepersonal statement to give the selection committee a chance to getto know them as an individual by telling it what motivates them andkey events in their lives. Stedman said that the research proposalshould outline why the research is important and why it needs to bedone in another country.
"A weak proposal does not use resources particular to thatcountry," Wright said.
Students must send three letters of recommendations along withtheir personal statements and written proposals. Wright alsosuggested that students obtain letters of recommendations frompeople in the country they wish to visit to show the committee thatthe proposal is feasible.
"It's important to look at the number of Fulbright scholarshipsoffered in a given country. Your chances are improved if you'reapplying to countries off the wall," Stedman said.
Students applying for the grant must complete their bachelor'sdegree to be eligible.
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