Fulbright Outreach 2014Presented byMareka ChabediU.S. Embassy in Pretoria

Objectives

To provide you, as a prospective graduate student, with:

• Information regarding the Fulbright Program

• Clear directions on how to submit a Fulbright application

Whatis the Fulbright Program?

• Flagship educational exchange program to increase mutual understanding between people of the USA & other countries through educational, cultural and professional exchanges

• Established in 1946 under legislation introduced by Senator J. William Fulbright (Arkansas); sponsored by U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA); operates in over 155 countries

• Active in South Africa since 1953; over 1,500 South Africans have pursued graduate studies in the U.S. under the auspices of the Fulbright Program

Whatis the Fulbright Program? (continued)

Range of Programs

• Fulbright Foreign Student Program - FOR YOU• Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program• Fulbright U.S. Specialist Program

Whatis the Fulbright Foreign Student Program?

• Accepts applications from qualified students who want to pursue a Master’s or PhD degree in the U.S.

• Students registered for doctoral degrees in South Africa can apply to pursue one year of graduate study in the U.S. for non-degree purposes

• Provides funding for up to 2 years of study

Whoshould apply?

• 4-Year Degree / Honors / BTech required to apply for Master’s

• Master’s required to apply for PhD• Can apply if currently enrolled in your

final year • PhD requires great commitment• Terminal Master’s are often more

practical and professionally oriented• All fields welcome, except MBA and

medical studies

Whogets selected?

• Fulbright provides full funding, but only for a selected few• Remember that only 20 - 30 candidates are selected for

Fulbright each year in South Africa• Prospective graduate students can choose to apply directly to

graduate programs in the U.S. [EducationUSA advising services]

• Fulbright applicants should consider this option only if they are unsuccessful

Whogets selected? (continued)

• Fulbright South Africa Partner Opportunities

– Fulbright South Africa has partnered with the National Research Foundation to co-fund a limited number of PhD programs in the sciences and engineering. To be considered for this opportunity, candidates must first be successful in the normal selection process and compete equally with all other applicants. If selected, the PhD studies will be in the U.S. at U.S. universities.

Whendo I apply?

• Online applications for 2015-2016 cycle are now being accepted

• Deadline is 20 April 2014!• Late/incomplete applications will

not be accepted • US Academic year runs from

August/September to May/June• If successful, you would commence

studies in August 2015

Howdo I apply?

• Only online applications are accepted • Application instructions and the link to the application form

are at:

• http://southafrica.usembassy.gov/postgraduate.html

• Read the instructions first• Print them out and use them as you go through the online

application

Online ApplicationComponents

• Personal information– Financial information optional

• Degree objective – field of study, specialization

• Academic history• Essays

– Study/Research Objectives– Personal Statement

• Resume/CV (optional)• Transcripts (required)

• U.S. university preferences• Writing sample (optional)• Test scores• Letters of reference (required)• Interview location page

• Save your username and password somewhere safe• Don’t use all CAPS, use upper and lower case; e.g. John Doe• You can copy and paste into text boxes• Adhere to space provided• Save your application frequently • Essays and resumes/CVs should be concise and short• Follow formatting guidelines and preview your essays before

submitting • Do your research• Do not forget to upload your Interview Location page

Online Application General tips

Application EssaysStudy/Research Objective

• A clear and detailed description of study objectives – in one page

• Field of study and area of focus/specialization within that field

• Program type that fits your training and goals/career plans

• Do not mention specific universities or institutions

Application EssaysPersonal Statement

What is the purpose of this statement?• To convey your character, your passions, your way of thinking• To give a further assessment of you and your skills beyond the

transcripts and degrees• Determine your likelihood of success as a grad student and a

professional• To give you a chance to spotlight your potential, your drive to

achieve• To indicate what you will do with your experience and degree

when you return to South Africa

U.S. University PreferencesWhere to study?

U.S. University PreferencesWhere to study? (continued)

Provide short, clear justifications for your choices

Letters of Reference

• Three letters of reference/recommendation are required

• Register your recommenders on the online system

• Choose those who will write these early and cultivate them carefully

• Meet with them before requesting a recommendation, give them your transcript and statement of purpose to guide them

Timeline

• 20 April 2014: Deadline for applications• By 30 May 2014: Invitation for interviews sent out• June 2014: Fulbright National Selection Committee selects finalists• July 2014: Applicants receive notification of status• National finalists submitted to J. William Fulbright Scholarship Board

in Washington D.C.• Applicants remain in applicant status until acceptance and placement

at a U.S. university has been confirmed by U.S. Embassy

Application Process

Your city

Pretoria - National Committee

IIE

Universities Departments

Interviews

Short-listed candidates will be interviewed:

• Port Elizabeth (Eastern Cape candidates)• Cape Town (Western Cape candidates)• Durban (KwaZulu-Natal candidates)• Pretoria (Gauteng ,Limpopo, North West Province,

Free State, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape candidates)

You’re responsible for travel and other related expenses

After being selected What comes next?

Graduate Record Exam (GRE)•Verbal, quantitative and analytical writing assessment•Prepare and study well in advance•Computer-based•Study guides available in advising centers and can be ordered online

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)•Tests speaking, reading, listening and writing•Internet based

•For both, cost is covered by Fulbright•Scores can have a big impact on your placement

www.ets.org

Alternatives

http://southafrica.usembassy.gov/educational-advising.html

QUESTIONS ?

Thank you