Transcript Fulbright Scholars Program

Researching U.S. Universities
Presented by Marisa Rivero
Why research U.S. institutions before
applying for a Fulbright?
 To become more familiar with U.S. graduate education,
programs, and scholars in your area of expertise
 To identify and contact U.S. institutions and
faculty/scholars that match your research goals as a
potential Fulbright scholar (if you do not already have
contacts).
 To request and receive an official letter of invitation from
a U.S. institution to be a visiting scholar
How will your research of U.S. institutions
strengthen your application?
 Demonstrates that you have a concrete reason for going to the U.S.
to conduct research. (Your research cannot be done elsewhere.)
 Proves that you are familiar with U.S. institutions, scholars, research
facilities and resources, and scholarship.
 Indicates that you have a focused and in-depth research plan with a
specific U.S. institution and scholar, and that you have access to the
resources required to complete your research.
Providing this information in your application will improve
your chances of being selected for an interview.
Considerations for Selecting a
U.S. University and Department
 Relevant (and available) research faculty
 Top-notch research facilities and access to these
resources
 Department reputation
 Opportunities for professional development
 Department size
 Location
Finding the Best U.S. Institution
If you do not already have U.S. contacts, online
research of the following topics will help you identify
institutions and faculty in your research field:
 U.S. professional associations
 Academic Databases
 University search engines and ranking websites
Professional Associations
•
American Anthropological Association
 http://www.aaanet.org
•
American Mathematical Society
 http://www.ams.org/home/page
•
American Association for the
Advancement of Science
 http://www.aaas.org/
•
American Political Science Association
 http://www.apsanet.org/
•
American Bar Association
•
American Psychological Association
 http://www.apa.org
•
American Society for Engineering
Education
 http://www.asee.org/
•
IEEE Computer Society
 http://www.computer.org
•
National Council of Teachers of English
 http://www.ncte.org/

http://www.americanbar.org
•
American Chemical Society
 http://portal.acs.org/portal/acs/corg/c
ontent
•
American Economic Association
 http://www.aeaweb.org
American Chemical Society
American Political Science
Association
Academic Databases
 Directory of Open Access Journals – open access to scholarly journals and
articles
 http://www.doaj.org/
 National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy - library electronic resources of
online open access journals
 http://www.library.ukma.kiev.ua/index.php?id=76
 General list of academic databases –open access and subscription
resources
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_academic_databases_and_search_engines
Open Access Journals
National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy
Library Electronic Resources
University search engines
and ranking websites
U.S. News and World Report
http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools
PhDs.org
http://graduate-school.phds.org
Peterson’s Graduate Schools
http://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools.aspx
Princeton Review
http://www.princetonreview.com/graduate-schools-programs.aspx
GradSchools.com
http://www.gradschools.com
University Library – graduate ranking directory
http://www.library.illinois.edu/edx/rankings/rankgrad.html
U.S. News and World Report
PhDs.org
Preparing a letter to U.S. institutions
requesting an affiliation
Before you contact a U.S. institution, prepare a detailed
letter with the following information:
 Who you are, your research project, and your goal as a Fulbright
Scholar;
 Why you would like to work with a specific scholar and department;
 What new ideas or research you can contribute to the U.S.
institution.
 How you would conduct your research and explain the resources,
materials, and interaction you would require for your research;
 When you would like to come to the U.S. institution and for how long.
The more specific the information you provide, the better the
response that you will receive from the U.S. institution.
Recommendations for Contacting
U.S. Institutions
 Send the letter by email to the attention of a specific faculty/scholar
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or the department chair.
Attach your project objectives essay or summary of your proposed
project.
At the end of the letter, make sure you mention the Fulbright
application deadline of October 15 so that the institution knows by
when you hope to receive a response.
Attach your CV in English.
Attach any relevant examples of your work – i.e. a publication in
English.
Contact more than one institution. Even if an institution is interested
in welcoming a Fulbright Scholar, they may not have the resources or
time to accept a visiting scholar during your timeframe.
Getting a response
from a U.S. institution
Waiting for a response
 If it has been several weeks since you contacted a U.S. institution
and the application deadline is fast approaching, be proactive and
send a follow-up email.
 If you have not received a response by the application deadline, be
sure to explain in your application that you have contacted U.S.
institutions (include the names of the institutions and scholars) and
that you are still waiting for a response.
When you get a response
 Include the email or letter you receive with your application. (Original
letter is best, but a scanned copy of the letter or email can be
included as well.)
Additional Resources
 Fulbright Ukraine Office
Fulbright Scholars Program, Natalia Zalutska, Program Manager,
[email protected]
 Can provide contact information of past or current Ukrainian and US Fulbright
scholars working in your field. They may be able to provide recommendations of
US institutions to contact.
 Education USA Advising Centers
http://www.educationusa.info/Ukraine
 Collections of handbooks and informational guides to U.S. universities, advisors to
help answer your questions, and computers.
 US Embassy Information Resource Center
http://ukraine.usembassy.gov/irc.html
 Research assistance to help Ukrainian academics access online U.S. scholarly
journals and research articles (free service – must call or email in advance for an
appointment).
Fulbright Scholar Application Deadline
October 15, 2011
Thank you!
I am happy to answer questions.