ADVICE FROM FORMER SUCCESSFUL BRYN MAWR APPLICANTS

Every year, Bryn Mawr students and alumnae compete successfully for numerous prestigious fellowships. Here are a few words of wisdom from past winners.

First, some words to inspire you from a Bryn Mawr international student who became a Rhodes Scholar from the Caribbean:

• Know your stuff - not just in preparation for the interview if there is one, but knows exactly what the fellowship or scholarship is all about, why you want it, why you are a good candidate for it. Committees are quick to spot uncertainty or vagueness, and this will not help your cause.

• Be confident, but not cocky. Don't underrate yourself, but don't let a sense of entitlement trap you into carelessness. Knowing your strengths is important, and it's not the same as bragging. Be honest with yourself.

• Don't panic - and don't despair prematurely. A positive attitude and resilience will go a long way. Allow yourself plenty of time to do what needs to be done.
  
• Above all, don't base your self-worth on whether or not you get a certain fellowship or scholarship. You'll get where you are meant to be regardless, as long as you are passionate about your goals.

Next, from a Fulbright Scholar to Morocco, a brief narrative of her experience and some encouragement to think broadly and to start early:

"After spending a semester abroad, I wanted a chance to build upon that intellectual and emotional challenge. I wasn't really specifically interested in one country, so I began looking at the country profiles listed on the Fulbright website to see which countries fit my interest and my previous study/language skills. I would encourage students to look at places outside of Western Europe, particularly in the developing world. Fulbrights to Western Europe are extremely competitive and tend to go to advanced graduate students. Moreover, I think that studying/researching in the developing world gives you an experience that you just can't get in Western Europe. For one thing, people are more curious to talk with you and exchange ideas--you're not just another American student studying abroad. After first-hand experience of the developing world, I finally feel that in some small way I understand better what I am talking about and what the stakes are when I have discussions about international politics, international opinion and so forth.

To develop a strong proposal you need to start working the summer before your senior year. Students should try to work with a professor who specializes in their subject, to discuss possible ideas and problems. If you have a solid foundation for your project, you will produce a better product. Once you have written a draft of your proposal you should circulate it among professors in different departments who have similar specialties. I even sent my proposal to experts at Masters and PhD programs, who are often willing to take the time to read your proposal and give you feedback. Most importantly, have fun with your proposal. If you love working on it now, you'll love working on it for a year.

I think the key for the Fulbright is that different countries are interested in different types of projects. For example, in Morocco, the commission gives a lot of grants to graduating seniors. The Moroccan Commission is most interested in giving grants to people who are doing social/anthropological research, a lot of which has to do with issues like women's literacy, maternal healthcare, the growth of NGOs and civil society in Morocco, immigrants' relationships to Morocco after leaving, and so forth."

And finally, some very specific suggestions and clarifications from a Bryn Mawr Fulbright Scholar to Uganda:

"The letter of affiliation from a project mentor in the host country is a crucial element and you should leave yourself plenty of time to obtain one. It does not need to be elaborate, nor does the relationship need to be formalized through an application to any host institution. The letter simply needs to be from an individual at the institution, writing on letterhead stationery that he/she will guide, sponsor, and support the project. I and others I know provided a sample text to the sponsor. This said that he had reviewed the proposal and thought it was feasible. It also said he would provide office support and guidance and noted his relevant credentials. In order to get this letter, you do need to have a working version of your proposal ready pretty early. It can change later on but put something together that is solid, proofread and SHORT -- 2 pp -- so that your sponsor and references can get a sense of what you want to do

Remember the proposal is for a general audience. The IIE staff emphasized this in the orientation I attended. Easy on the academic lingo; be as straightforward and clear as you can.

The personal statement really should not reprise anything that's listed elsewhere on the form - it is not a narrative resume. Instead it is an "intellectual autobiography," much more college-essay like than anything else. It also shouldn’t dwell excessively on your proposal. It is intended to provide a picture of who you are, something that might otherwise emerge from an interview."