19 students head to final round of Fulbright Competition

Nineteen Tufts seniors entered the final round of competition for Fulbright awards last month, more than half of the 32 who originally applied.

Only about 2,000 of the almost 5,000 applicants make it to the final round, and only half of those 2,000 are awarded grants.

The Tufts finalists who moved into the second round have varied academic interests, with seven IR majors, three German majors, two biology majors and one engineer.

Tufts students have a history of success in the yearly competition _ an average of 27 percent of applicants is awarded a grant, which is six percent higher than the national average. Last year, 40 percent of Tufts applicants were awarded a grant.

Each year, through Fulbright Grants, the US State Department funds nearly 1,000 projects in 140 countries, allowing students to continue their studies, pursue academic research or teach at a foreign school.

But reasons for applying for the grant can vary. "I'm really looking forward to teaching as a further career," said senior Justin Leahey, who hopes to teach English in Germany.

Senior Marianne Chow plans to conduct research if she wins a grant. "There is very little research of Chinatowns in Japan," Chow said. "I want to take documentary courses this summer, and then make a documentary," she said.

To receive a grant, students must go through a rigorous application process that involves a study or research proposal, essays, proof of proficiency in a foreign language, a transcript, and three recommendations.

According to senior Taryn Morrissey, the application, while challenging, can be rewarding. "It really made me reflect and affirm that I wanted to do this," she said.

Studying abroad often inspires many students to apply for the Fulbright. Many students see it as a way to revisit foreign countries and deepen their cultural experience. "I did study abroad in Japan," Chow explained, "but I didn't really get a full feeling of what Japanese society was like."

For others, like Morrissey, the Fulbright is a way to go abroad because they could not go while at college. "This seems like the perfect opportunity. Plus, I'm able to really get in depth, more than a senior thesis."

Dean of the Colleges Charles Inouye and the Scholarship Committee work to encourage those who study abroad to consider applying for the Fulbright. "We spend a lot of effort junior year finding likely candidates," Inouye said. "We visit study abroad programs to advise juniors getting ready for senior year."

Many of the finalists credit Inouye and the Scholarship Committee as the source of their success. "Charles Inouye egged me on; I don't think I could have made it this far without the help from the administration," Chow said.

Tufts promotes the Fulbright grants and encourages students to seek them because it helps to emphasize the school's strong points, Inouye explained. "We made this a priority because it fits so well with our strengths, and the strengths of our students, and it's a boost for the reputation of the school," he said.

The recent success of Tufts students in the Fulbright competition bodes well for both the school and the students. Like the National Merit Scholarship for high school seniors, success in the Fulbright Competition leads to additional scholarships, grants, and opportunities. "Scholarships are a domino effect, leading to grad school and fellowships," Inouye said. "It really changes students' lives. I've seen careers take off because of this experience."

Inouye added that the next step is to try to "do for Marshall and Rhodes Scholarships what we've done to Fulbright."

Ultimately, the success of this year's 19 finalists and the Scholarship Committee will be determined when the grants are awarded in late April.

For Chow, it already has been a success, "Even if I don't get it, I think the application process was a rewarding process. It gave me a ground to determine what I want to do in life," she said.

The grants are given to US citizens who have, or will, complete their undergraduate work that year, as well as graduate students and professors. The Fulbright grants began in 1946 when Senator J. William Fulbright wanted to fund projects of intellectual and cultural exchange for students here and abroad after World War II.