:: Frequently Asked Questions about the Fulbright Graduate Student Program

GENERAL INFORMATION

For whom is this program intended?
This program is designed to award Pakistani citizens the opportunity to study for a master's or Ph.D. degree program at a US university beginning in fall of 2009. Applicants must be citizens Pakistan who permanently reside in Pakistan and who have a completed 16 years of formal education to be eligible to apply for a master’s or master’s leading to Ph.D. degree and 18 years for the Ph.D. All disciplines except for clinical medicicine are eligible to apply.

Because one of the major goals of Fulbright programs is to promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and Pakistan, in addition to academic work, persons selected for Fulbright programs are expected to share information about Pakistani life and culture with their U.S. colleagues and with community groups in the U.S. On returning to Pakistan, Fulbright grantees are expected to share their U.S. experiences with colleagues and community groups in Pakistan. All Grantees are contractually bound to return to Pakistan immediately upon the completion of their programs.

The Fulbright organization especially seeks applications from individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who would not otherwise have such an opportunity. Women, minorities and people with disabilities are also especially encouraged to apply.

How many Fulbright grants will be awarded for advanced degree programs beginning in fall 2008?
Approximately 100 grants will be awarded for master’s degrees and 60 for Ph.D.s.

What is included in a Fulbright award?
Fulbright grant recipients will be receive up to four years of tuition at a US educational institution.  The grant also funds required textbooks, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance.

APPLICATION

Do I really have to take the TOEFL and GRE?
TOEFL and GRE are Fulbright Scholarship requirements in Pakistan. Valid score reports should be attached to the application. No one will be interviewed for whom score reports have not been received.

I have an ‘A’ in A-level English, do I still need to take the TOEFL?
Yes, all applicants, even those with an ‘A’ in A level English, need to take the TOEFL.

I can’t register for the TOEFL in time to meet the deadline?
For applicants who are taking the GRE and TOEFL after the application deadline, proof of registration must be attached with your application and scores must be received by July 1, 2008.

Can I submit an IELTS score instead?
No, an IELTS or any other standardized test of English language score is not acceptable. Only the TOEFL will be accepted.

I’m applying for business; can I take the GMAT instead of the GRE?
The GRE and TOEFL are scholarship requirements. Even if you are applying for business you will have to take the general GRE. If you are selected, you will be asked to take the GMAT. If you want to take it earlier, that’s great but we do not require GMAT scores with your application.

Do I need to take the GRE subject test in my field?
With the application we need a GRE general score report. If you are selected and your field is computer science or engineering, you will be advised to take a GRE subject at that time.

Do I need any particular score on my GRE to qualify?
The minimum requirement is 300 on each section of GRE. However, the GRE is only one part of the application. The applicants with the highest scores are not necessarily those who are selected. Many factors are taken into account. The portion of the GRE most relevant to your field is given more weight so that English Literature applicants, for example, should not be discouraged by weak scores on the quantitative section and applicants in heavily quantitative fields, such as Computer Science, will require relatively higher quantitative scores.

How do I decide whether to apply for a PhD or Masters?
If you have completed only 16 years of education in Pakistan, you should apply for a Master’s or Master’s leading to Ph.D. If you have completed at least 18 years of education, you should apply for the Ph.D.

Can I apply in a field other than the one I have my degree in?
Yes, you can apply in a field other than the one you have your degree in, but you should justify it in your personal statement and study objectives in the application. You should present a strong case for a change of field.

I understand that I must write a statement concerning my study objectives.  What should I include?
Your statement of study objectives provides you the opportunity to explain what kind of study/research you wish to pursue in the U.S. and why.  Do not mention specific universities at which you would like to study in your statement of study objectives.  Your statement must be clear, concise and detailed.  Without a clear understanding of your study objectives, your application may not pass to the next stage of the selection process or may be misunderstood by universities in the U.S.

How important is the Personal Statement?
The personal statement is a very important part of the application. It is used not only in the selection process for the Fulbright scholarship but also by universities in deciding whether or not to admit an applicant. American students spend a great deal of time perfecting their statement of purpose as well as their study objectives and you will ultimately be competing against them for placement in a U.S. university. If you Google “personal statement” you will get an idea of the importance of this piece of writing. Many links with advice for writing these will come up. Just a few are given here for you to get started. http://www.petersons.com/gradchannel/file.asp?id=932&path=gr.gs.yourpersonal; http://gradschool.about.com/od/essaywriting/All_About_the_Graduate_Admissions_Essay.htm; http://www.essayedge.com/graduate/essayadvice/course/;  http://education.yahoo.com/college/essentials/articles/grad/gradessaysecrets.html

What kind of additional info should I give under Additional Information?
The space given for additional information should be used to note anything pertinent to your application that has not been covered elsewhere in the application. For example, certain aspects of your application may call for an explanation. Such aspects might include any of the following: grades, standardized examination scores, lack of work experience or extracurricular activities, gaps in the chronological account of your previous education or employment, disciplinary action.

I understand that I must submit three letters of reference.  Whom should I ask to write such a letter?
Consider asking teachers, advisors, or other professionals who are familiar with you and your work and who can objectively evaluate your study objectives.  At least one academic letter must be included among the three you provide.  If you are currently working, ask your supervisor or other professional.  Family members or other relatives are not eligible to write letters of reference.

How will I know that my application was received?
The Fulbright Office will notify you of receipt of your application by email.

Should referees send our reference letters directly to USEFP, or can they be sent with our application form?
It is preferred that the reference letters are sent directly by your referees in sealed envelopes. It is important that your referees should clearly mention the name of the program the applicant is applying for and the applicant’s name.

Should I send my original documents with my application form?
Please send attested photocopies of all your documents (transcripts, degrees, certificates, etc.)

I'm interested in doing an MBA, why am I being required to submit a GRE instead of a GMAT score?
Although it is true that most business programs require the GMAT rather than the GRE, USEFP has to evaluate business applicants against applicants from a variety of fields other than business. The GRE is an important tool enabling USEFP to compare applicants coming from diverse backgrounds, academic disciplines, and geographic regions.

If a business applicant succeeds in the selection process in competition with applicants from all over Pakistan in other fields, he or she will then most likely be required to take the GMAT. The GMAT will be required for placement at a U.S. university where an applicant will be competing only against other applicants in the business field.

While we don’t wish to inconvenience MBA applicants, we have to make our selection as fair and transparent as possible and the GRE requirement helps us do this.

SELECTION

How does the selection process work?
Applications will be reviewed in four stages:
Round 1: All applications will be screened by USEFP staff for completeness and minimum qualifications.
Round 2: Complete applications that meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated according to a set of established criteria and shortlisted.
Round 3: In-person interviews of short-listed applicants will take place in Islamabad (and possibly in Lahore and Karachi) between June and September 2008. The interview panels are made up of both U.S. and Pakistani citizens.
Round 4:  Final candidates and alternates will be selected in October 2007. Applicants who have become finalists or alternates will be notified by telephone.  Those who have not will be notified by mail.
Final approval is given by the Foreign Scholarship Board in Washington, D.C. 

I don’t know where I want to study.  What should I do?
You may suggest schools at which you wish to study.  Although your preferences will be kept in mind, there is no guarantee that IIE can secure your admission to the institution(s) of your choice.  IIE will make every effort to place you at a suitable educational institution. If you have already applied to a university in the U.S., you are reruired to mention that on your application.

If I’m SELECTED

Will I need to submit any additional documents if I become a finalist?
Yes, finalists will be required to submit a completed Medical History and Examination Form.

Can I defer my Fulbright grant to the following academic year?
No, generally you may not defer. Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis where circumstances are genuinely difficult. You can, however, decline the grant and reapply at a later date.

If I decline a Fulbright grant, and reapply, will my application be given preference?
Although you are welcome to apply again, your application will not be given preferential treatment.

Can I take my dependents?
Fulbright grantees go to US alone, initially. Once they are settled in their program in the U.S., usually after the first semester, grantees can bring their dependents. However, they will need to demonstrate financial ability to support their dependents while they are in the U.S., including obtaining medical insurance. Please note that only spouses and children up to the age of 21 are considered dependents.

Will I have to get admission to a university on my own?
No, the Institute for International Education in New York will find an appropriate placement for you. They will apply to the universities (usually 4-5 in number) that their experienced placement professionals think best matches you profile and suits your program needs. IIE will take your stated preferences into account, but it is not always possible to or appropriate to submit the application to a grantee’s preferred university.

Do I have to return to Pakistan as soon as I’ve completed my program?
Yes, you will need to return within 30 days of finishing your program. Under the provisions of a J-1 visa, you are required to spend two years in Pakistan on completion of your degree before you can return to the U.S. on anything other than a tourist visa. Under the trems of your grant, you are required to return immediately after completion of your degree to begin your service requirement.

Will I need to post a bond?
There are three sources of funding for the Fulbright scholarships. One is the Fulbright Commision, the second is USAID and the third is the Higher Education Commision of Pakistan. The Masters programs are funded by the Fulbright Commision and the USAID. The PhD programs are run in conjunction with the Higher Education Commision.

Successful Applicants are only required to post a bond if they are selected for a HEC funded program. The bond can be up to the amount of $250,000. However, the bond is fully redeemable on a year to year basis. As long as a grantee returns to Pakistan and contributes productively for an amount of time equivalent to the time spent in the U.S. on their program of studies, they will not have to pay anything. Grantees for the Master's and Regular Fulbright programs have to sign a contract with USEFP stating that they will immediately return to Pakistan upon the completion of their program. This contract places legal liability on the apllicant of Pakistan, the U.S. or any third country for the cost of their program, should they fail to return for a time equivalent to the length of their program.