TestMagic

Jhai · 06-09-2006, 06:56 AM

I'm considering applying to the Fulbright program this coming fall, along with various grad schools (for econ). If I got the Fulbright, I'd be doing working on economic development, with the (personal) goal of creating a good set of data which I could then eventually work into a paper. I'd probably be taking some master's level courses at the same time as doing research in the country.

Does anyone know if
A) econ grad schools consider the Fulbright a prestigious program and
B) the probability that a grad school would let you defer acceptance for a year if you got the Fulbright.

One of my main interests is development economics, and I've done a decent amount of independent research, so I think I could keep my research directed pretty well during my year abroad...

Ivo · 06-09-2006, 08:55 AM

Jhai, contact Freethinker, he's a Fulbright nominee doing Economics(he's going to Cal this fall). He'll help you for sure.
As to your question, I've discussed the advantages and disadvantages in one of my older threads. Just look it up, you might find the answers you're looking for.

OneMoreEcon · 06-13-2006, 05:59 PM

Ivo, did you end up accepting or declining the award?

For Jhai, I think the situation might be a bit different since Ivo and Freethinker are both international students coming to the US, while Jhai is looking to leave the US for a year. So I think that changes the considerations involved.

(EDIT: Sorry, person won a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship, not a Fulbright.)

As to the two real questions being asked:

"Does anyone know if
A) econ grad schools consider the Fulbright a prestigious program"

If you're thinking in terms of prestigious like NSF, then no. But the reason is because NSF gives funding for grad school (which the dept likes), but a Fulbright won't give you funding for the econ PhD. When grad schools say to apply for prestigious scholarships, they also usually mention the ones that provide funding for grad school (NSF, Javits, Mellon, Hertz, Truman, etc).

If you mean prestigious like a Rhodes or Marshall Scholarship, where the award is regarded as a signal of academic achievement, then my guess is yes (though not as prestigous as Rhodes or Marshall, since Fulbright gives out a lot more awards each year).

"B) the probability that a grad school would let you defer acceptance for a year if you got the Fulbright."

I don't think anyone can give you a solid answer here. But if you were good enough to get in to the school, and you want to take the time to accept a prestigious award and do econ-related research during the year, then I think many schools would allow you to defer.

I realize the application process for fellowships is intense, but your best bet is to start early and apply for Fulbright and grad schools. The worst that can happen is that you get declined for Fulbright and then still have the same options for grad school. I wouldn't worry about potential conflicts between Fulbright and grad schools until those options are all on the table.

Freethinker · 06-14-2006, 03:09 PM

In short, OneMoreEcon is right: the type of Fulbright award that Jhai is seeking is different from mine.

As to the questions:
A)Prestigious? For an international coming to the U.S., it's probably the most prestigious U.S. scholarship available and also, it funds grad school. For an U.S citizen going abroad, it's completely different. OneMoreEcon explains this very well.

B)Defer a year? It seems that some univs let you defer - I've read posts here from people who did so, and for much lesser reasons than a Fulbright award. Apply first, see your options and then, ask before making a decision. The only disadvantage is the expense of time and money during the applications, but it's worthwhile.

Jhai · 06-15-2006, 07:06 AM

Yeah, I'm planning on applying for the Fulbright and grad schools either way - just thought I'd inquire here to see if anyone else had been in a similar situation. I'd just hate to have to decline either a good admissions offer or the Fulbright if it were to come down to that (altho, from another point of view, I'd be extremely lucky).

Spinning the Wheel · 06-16-2006, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhai

Yeah, I'm planning on applying for the Fulbright and grad schools either way - just thought I'd inquire here to see if anyone else had been in a similar situation. I'd just hate to have to decline either a good admissions offer or the Fulbright if it were to come down to that (altho, from another point of view, I'd be extremely lucky).

I am also applying to the Fulbright scholarship. My strategy was to choose only top 10 schools for the Fulbright commission to apply on my behalf. This way I believe I am enhancing my chances at places like Harvard where competition is very tough.

And I will apply directly to some other universities too. If I get into one of my top pics with fulbright scholarship I will then try to change to a less stringent source of funding in the second year.

I hope that may help you cause I was as confused as one can be too

Freethinker · 06-18-2006, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spinning the Wheel

And I will apply directly to some other universities too. If I get into one of my top pics with fulbright scholarship I will then try to change to a less stringent source of funding in the second year.

I don't understand. Why try to change to another source of funding?

Unless your Fulbright rules are different, it doesn't matter how much funding you are given by Fulbright, you have the same responsibilities such as returning to your home country two years.

And yes, do diversify your options applying to other univs. Again, perhaps your rules are different, but Fulbright will support you at any U.S. university that admits you. The restriction in picking univs is only for the application process, but funding is not restricted to your "Fulbright picks".

Spinning the Wheel · 06-19-2006, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freethinker

I don't understand. Why try to change to another source of funding?

Unless your Fulbright rules are different, it doesn't matter how much funding you are given by Fulbright, you have the same responsibilities such as returning to your home country two years.

And yes, do diversify your options applying to other univs. Again, perhaps your rules are different, but Fulbright will support you at any U.S. university that admits you. The restriction in picking univs is only for the application process, but funding is not restricted to your "Fulbright picks".

Well, I've heard that sometimes Fulbright doesn't allow you use the scholarship in a PhD program other than the 5 you've listed. As for changing the source of funding, the scholarship has to be renewed every year and I believe the less time you hold it, the less time you are obliged to stay in your original country.

Jhai · 06-19-2006, 04:56 PM

Spinning the Wheel - I'd just like to clarify that I'm not applying for the Fulbright to attend U.S. universities. I'm a U.S. citizen considering going abroad for a year (to South Asia) before grad school under the Fulbright scholarship.

06-09-2006, 06:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jhai Within my grasp! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Greencastle, IN Posts: 312	Fulbright? I'm considering applying to the Fulbright program this coming fall, along with various grad schools (for econ). If I got the Fulbright, I'd be doing working on economic development, with the (personal) goal of creating a good set of data which I could then eventually work into a paper. I'd probably be taking some master's level courses at the same time as doing research in the country. Does anyone know if A) econ grad schools consider the Fulbright a prestigious program and B) the probability that a grad school would let you defer acceptance for a year if you got the Fulbright. One of my main interests is development economics, and I've done a decent amount of independent research, so I think I could keep my research directed pretty well during my year abroad...

06-13-2006, 05:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
OneMoreEcon Within my grasp! Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 498	Ivo, did you end up accepting or declining the award? For Jhai, I think the situation might be a bit different since Ivo and Freethinker are both international students coming to the US, while Jhai is looking to leave the US for a year. So I think that changes the considerations involved. (EDIT: Sorry, person won a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship, not a Fulbright.) As to the two real questions being asked: "Does anyone know if A) econ grad schools consider the Fulbright a prestigious program" If you're thinking in terms of prestigious like NSF, then no. But the reason is because NSF gives funding for grad school (which the dept likes), but a Fulbright won't give you funding for the econ PhD. When grad schools say to apply for prestigious scholarships, they also usually mention the ones that provide funding for grad school (NSF, Javits, Mellon, Hertz, Truman, etc). If you mean prestigious like a Rhodes or Marshall Scholarship, where the award is regarded as a signal of academic achievement, then my guess is yes (though not as prestigous as Rhodes or Marshall, since Fulbright gives out a lot more awards each year). "B) the probability that a grad school would let you defer acceptance for a year if you got the Fulbright." I don't think anyone can give you a solid answer here. But if you were good enough to get in to the school, and you want to take the time to accept a prestigious award and do econ-related research during the year, then I think many schools would allow you to defer. I realize the application process for fellowships is intense, but your best bet is to start early and apply for Fulbright and grad schools. The worst that can happen is that you get declined for Fulbright and then still have the same options for grad school. I wouldn't worry about potential conflicts between Fulbright and grad schools until those options are all on the table. Last edited by OneMoreEcon : 06-13-2006 at 07:15 PM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

06-09-2006, 08:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ivo I am ready Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Korea Posts: 465	Jhai, contact Freethinker, he's a Fulbright nominee doing Economics(he's going to Cal this fall). He'll help you for sure. As to your question, I've discussed the advantages and disadvantages in one of my older threads. Just look it up, you might find the answers you're looking for.

06-14-2006, 03:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
Freethinker Within my grasp! Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 269	In short, OneMoreEcon is right: the type of Fulbright award that Jhai is seeking is different from mine. As to the questions: A)Prestigious? For an international coming to the U.S., it's probably the most prestigious U.S. scholarship available and also, it funds grad school. For an U.S citizen going abroad, it's completely different. OneMoreEcon explains this very well. B)Defer a year? It seems that some univs let you defer - I've read posts here from people who did so, and for much lesser reasons than a Fulbright award. Apply first, see your options and then, ask before making a decision. The only disadvantage is the expense of time and money during the applications, but it's worthwhile.

06-15-2006, 07:06 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jhai Within my grasp! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Greencastle, IN Posts: 312	Yeah, I'm planning on applying for the Fulbright and grad schools either way - just thought I'd inquire here to see if anyone else had been in a similar situation. I'd just hate to have to decline either a good admissions offer or the Fulbright if it were to come down to that (altho, from another point of view, I'd be extremely lucky).

06-19-2006, 04:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jhai Within my grasp! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Greencastle, IN Posts: 312	Spinning the Wheel - I'd just like to clarify that I'm not applying for the Fulbright to attend U.S. universities. I'm a U.S. citizen considering going abroad for a year (to South Asia) before grad school under the Fulbright scholarship.

TestMagic

Free GMAT, GRE, SAT Test, TOEFL practice tests