---STEPS TO APPLY FOR THE FULBRIGHT 2018 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM-

By Talha Omer

https://www.facebook.com/groups/scholarships.pk/permalink/1435912456419308/

1) Online Application
To apply to Fulbright program you need to assemble a variety of materials to help the
USEFP assess your qualifications. All materials must be submitted with your application
by May 17th 2017. The following serves as a preview of what you need to prepare.

2) Transcript(s) and Degree(s)

All transcripts and degrees from a 4-year undergraduate degree or its equivalent –
equivalent programs include international three-year bachelor programs, ACCA, or a 2
year Bachelor’s/2 year Masters degree. PhD applicants must also submit their MPhil or
MS degrees and transcripts.
You can also apply while in your final year of undergraduate studies provided that you
get your degree by December this year.
USEFP does not require transcripts or degrees attested by HEC – you could send your
unofficial copies attested by the issuing authority (university registrar) from all
universities that you have attended. Once admitted to the Fulbright program you will
need to submit an official copy attested by HEC. If you have HEC attested documents
already you can send those along with your application – attestation by issuing authority
in that case is not required.
* The USEFP looks at your transcripts from a holistic perspective – not just your GPA.
They take into account where you went for your education, the courses that you took and
your performance in individual courses. They also account for the fact that different
universities have different grading systems in Pakistan. There is no minimum GPA to
apply, although most successful Fulbrighters have strong undergraduate records.
Undergraduate academics are just one factor the Fulbright panel uses to evaluate a
candidate.

3) GRE General Test

When submitting your application, you may report the unofficial GRE score given on the
day of the test, or your official score if you have received it. Every applicant must request
that ETS send an official score report directly to USEFP using the code 9388.
GRE general (international) test scores are required at the time of application. The
deadline to submit your GRE scores is 17th May 2017. You MUST TAKE your GRE
before 17th May. If you submit your application before 17th May and you have not taken
your GRE by then, you must submit your GRE registration slip with your application.
The date of GRE test must be before 17th May. A decent score for Engineering and
Sciences on the GRE is 315+ and that for other fields is 310+.
GRE subject test is not required.
The minimum GRE score required to apply for the Fulbright is 138 for verbal and 136 for
quantitative. But generally, accepted applicants have a GRE score in the upper
percentiles. If you take the GRE test multiple times, you may report your best score, and
Fulbright will only look at the scores that score.
TOEFL is NOT required at the time of the application submissions. You will have to take
the TOEFL exam if you are called for an interview. IELTS is not acceptable.

4) Essays
There are two essays for the Fulbright application. Each essay must be written in the
space provided in the application form, which approximates to 800 words. Don’t over
craft your essays; just write in a clear language so that the Fulbright panel that doesn’t
know your world can understand you better.
Before starting the essays you are going to need to figure out a marketing strategy for
yourself. Successful applicants generally take 4-6 weeks writing and perfecting their
essays. It takes long because it’s the strategizing and how you market yourself that takes
a lot of brainstorming and revisions. Good essays are drafter 4-5 times at the minimum.

5) 3 Recommendation letters
You will need to have three recommendations submitted with your application by the
application deadline. You can have 3 academic reference letters, OR 2 academic and 1
professional OR 2 professional and 1 academic. In other words, 1 academic reference
letter is a must. Your referees need to fill the reference forms given in the application
package and then sign, stamp and seal them in an envelope. Once you submit your online
application your referees will be sent an online form via email. Your referees can submit
the references either online or via mail at this address. Moreover REFERENCES MUST
BE SUBMITTED BEFORE THE 17th MAY.
P.O Box 1128, Islamabad
Phone: (+9251) 8431300
Fax: (+9251) 8431555
E-mail: info@usefpakistan.org
There is no set formula for “who should write your references”. Sometimes it is also not
possible to ask your employer to write your recommendation – USEFP does not want to
jeopardize your current position for the application process. Just find people who know
you well enough to answer them. It can be a former employer, teacher or researcher.

6) Resume
A current and most up-to-date resume should be added to the space provided on the
application form. You do not need to have it in any special format. You can use whatever
you would use to apply for a job.

7) Submit
There is no application fee for the Fulbright program. Applications must be sent to the
USEFP Online.
Applications must be submitted online by or on 17th May 2017. Applications sent after
17th May will not be entertained.

8) Interview
After your written application has been submitted and reviewed, you may be invited to a
panel interview. Interview decisions are made by mid-September and interviews are
conducted in October. If you do not hear from USEFP by October it automatically
implies that you have not been selected.
The interview is a positive indicator of selection, but is not a guarantee of admission.
Interviews are scheduled in Islamabad at USEFP’s office. The format, timing or nature of
the interview does not tell anything about your application or your candidacy.
Interviews are 15 to 30 minutes and are conducted by a panel of 4 people; two Pakistani
Fulbrighters and two American employees of USEFP. You have to take your TOEFL
registration slip with you on the day of the interview and it is not mandatory to have
taken the TOEFL exam by the interview date.

Best,

Talha Omer