Live to Learn

Tips for Preparing Written Responses

(compiled with the input and advice of Tony Claudino Project Manager for the Fulbright Student Program Outreach, and Alice Ilchman, former Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs)

Given the lack of an interview, the two essays of the application – the Curriculum Vitae and the Statement of Proposed Research or Study – are hugely important. It is on the strength of these that most applicants win or lose a Fulbright.

The Curriculum Vitae:

	“Curriculum Vitae” is a bit misleading: The Fulbright curriculum vitae is not a résumé or c.v. in the traditional sense. Instead, it should be a personal and intellectual biography, written in narrative form, that gives selectors a clear picture of who you are as an individual.
	Be judicious: A completely thorough biography is not possible or desirable. Include the most important pieces of information to explain who you are (academically and otherwise) and how you came to be that way.
	Fill in gaps: Use the c.v. to fill in otherwise missing information in your application. This applies specifically to explaining periods of poor academic performance, but it also applies to any part of your application that might seem inconsistent or incongruous, that obviously raises questions, or that might reflect poorly on your candidacy.
	Discuss the benefits of the Fulbright: Include in your c.v. a brief description of how you expect the Fulbright experience will benefit you as a person and enhance your career opportunities and abilities.
	Don’t repeat yourself: Any information that is included elsewhere in your application doesn’t need to be repeated in your c.v.

The Statement of Proposed Research or Study:

	Avoid discipline-specific jargon: Although your proposal will most likely be reviewed by individuals within your general area of study, it should be reasonably intelligible to outsiders as well. Additionally, details that require academic jargon are probably not significant enough to warrant covering in the proposal.
	Include a general timeline for your project: Like the rest, this doesn’t have to be hyper-specific (i.e., mapped out to the day), but it should definitely be included.
	Write about the community: Your proposal should include a description of how you intend to engage with your community in your host country, both through your academic project and via extra-curricular activities.
	Address any and all possible questions regarding feasibility: Your proposal should leave no doubt in the mind of your readers that the project you propose is possible and that you are perfectly capable of carrying it off. Include a discussion of your language capabilities, if relevant. Also, keep in mind that some research techniques (e.g., extensive surveys) are not possible or permissible in some areas.
	Organize your statement carefully: Have a clear, logical, and consistent structure. Don’t make reviewers search for information.
	Skip the bibliography: Since the Statement length is limited to two pages, space is at a premium. If you provide background information, it is sufficient to briefly cite your sources in a parenthetical reference.
	Make sure to address the following questions: - What exactly do you propose to do? - Why do you want to do it? - Where do you propose to conduct your study or research, and why is it important to carry out your project there? - Who are you going to work with? - What resources are at your disposal? - How will you carry out your work (include a discussion of methodology and goals? - What makes you particularly qualified for this project? - How will the project contribute to the Fulbright objective of promoting “cross-cultural interaction and mutual understanding”? - How might the culture and politics of the host country impact your work (and vice versa)? - What is exciting, new, or unique about your project?

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