If you want to get enrolled in a U.S. college or university on a fully financed scholarship, the Fulbright scholarship is a fantastic option for you to take advantage of.
Graana.com has compiled a complete guide for Pakistani students on how to apply for the Fulbright scholarship.
What Is the Fulbright Scholarship?
The scholarship was established to support bright, young, and artistic overseas students who wanted to study at the graduation level and carry out world-class research in the US. It is a fully financed grant for overseas students (who have graduated from HEC recognised universities) that is available for master’s and doctoral programs.
The complete cost of education, a living allowance, full housing costs, flight charges, and medical coverage are all covered by the Fulbright Foreign Student Program.
The United States of America funds these scholarships. The Department of State is the U.S. government’s premier international educational exchange programme, which aims to develop mutual understanding among different nations via educational and cultural interaction. The funds are provided independently of the applicant’s race, colour, national or ethnic origin, gender, age, religion, social, economic background, impairment, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
The program strives to give individuals from various backgrounds a chance to study in American academic institutions. Individuals from financially poor communities, minorities, and individuals from historically marginalised groups are also given scholarships.
Fulbright Scholarship Coverage
The Fulbright Award 2023 is a fully financed scholarship that offers the following advantages to the beneficiary:
- The fellowship pays for everything – tuition, a living allowance, travel expenses, medical coverage etc.
- For a detailed set of scholarship perks, please visit the official site and any country-specific webpages.
Eligibility Criteria for Fulbright Scholarship 2023
Candidates must fulfil the requirements listed below:
- English is a required language.
- Foreign students representing 155 different countries around the globe are eligible.
- Program eligibility and evaluation criteria differ greatly between nations.
To learn more about the Fulbright Program in your country of origin, such as eligibility conditions and application procedures, visit the country-specific web pages.
How to Apply for Fulbright Scholarship 2023
If you wish to apply, please follow the steps below:
Submit Online Application
First, submit your Fulbright application, along with all the required documents, in order for the USEFP to evaluate your eligibility.
Prepare Academic Transcripts and Degrees
All documents and certificates of a four-year undergrad degree (or one that is equal to it) should be submitted. These include ACCA or foreign three-year graduate degrees.
Transcripts and a Master’s degree are required for PhD candidates. If you’re in your last year of an undergrad degree and plan to complete it by the end of this year, you can apply as well.
The USEFP considers all aspects of your documents, not just your GPA. It considers your educational background, the programs you studied, and how well you performed in each subject.
Take the TOFEL and GRE General
You may include either your unconfirmed GRE score from the exam day or your actual score, if you have already obtained your certified grade. Each candidate must ask ETS to provide an authorised assessment report to USEFP. It is necessary to submit GRE general (international) test results while applying. A good grade is 315 or higher for STEM, and 310 or higher for all other disciplines. No GRE subject exam is necessary.
To be considered for the Fulbright program, applicants must meet a certain minimum score on the GRE. This includes a score of 138 or higher in the verbal section and 136 or higher in the quantitative section. However, it is worth noting that those who are accepted typically score in the upper percentiles.
If you take the GRE multiple times, you can submit your highest score, and only that score will be considered. The TOEFL exam is not required at the time of application, but may be required if you are invited for an interview. IELTS is not accepted as an alternative to TOEFL.
Write Two Essays
The Fulbright application requires two essays, each with a word limit of approximately 800 words. It is important to use clear and simple language to effectively communicate your message to the panel, who may not have knowledge of your field. Plan to spend 4-6 weeks on the preparation and editing of your essays before submitting them.
Three Recommendation Letters
To complete your application, you must submit three recommendations as well. These can include a combination of one academic reference letter, and either two professional or two academic letters. Your referees must fill out the provided reference forms, and sign, stamp, and seal them in an envelope.
After you submit your online application, they will receive an online form to complete via email. There is no specific rule on whom to ask for references. It may not always be feasible to ask your current employer to write a recommendation, as the USEFP does not want to cause issues with your current job. It is important to choose individuals who know you well and can provide thoughtful responses. These can include past employers, teachers, or researchers you have worked with.
Upload Your Academic Resume
Please upload the most recent version of your resume or CV on the application form. There is no specific format required for the resume.
Online Application Submission
All applications must be completed and submitted online.
Interview
After you submit your application and they review it, they may invite you for an interview. They make interview decisions by mid-September and we conduct the interviews in October. If you do not receive any message from USEFP by October, it means that they have not selected you. The interview is a positive indication, but it does not confirm your acceptance. A panel of 4 people conducts the interview, which lasts between 15 to 30 minutes.
It is crucial to visit the official website and the country-specific websites for information on how to apply for the Fulbright Scholarship. The deadline by country, but it is usually between February and October each year.
For more information on similar topics such as Chevening Scholarships, visit Graana.com.
