Tips for Writing Strong Fulbright Essays for the Graduate Student and Faculty Development Programs Dr. Kate Mastruserio Reynolds [email protected] Myron

Tips for Writing Tips for Writing Strong Fulbright Strong Fulbright

EssaysEssaysfor thefor the

Graduate Student and Graduate Student and Faculty Development Faculty Development

ProgramsProgramsDr. Kate Mastruserio ReynoldsDr. Kate Mastruserio [email protected]

Myron O. StachiwMyron O. Stachiw

Director, Fulbright Program in UkraineDirector, Fulbright Program in [email protected]

[email protected]

What is a What is a Fulbright Grant?Fulbright Grant?

An opportunity to live and study in a An opportunity to live and study in a foreign land and culture (U.S.)foreign land and culture (U.S.)



An opportunity to represent your country An opportunity to represent your country of origin and its educational system to of origin and its educational system to othersothers




An opportunity to study a subject or topic An opportunity to study a subject or topic deeply without achieving a higher deeply without achieving a higher academic degreeacademic degree




An opportunity to study a subject or topic An opportunity to study a subject or topic deeply without achieving a higher deeply without achieving a higher academic degreeacademic degree

An academic scholarship to study in a An academic scholarship to study in a U.S. university to receive a Masters U.S. university to receive a Masters Degree or Ph.D.Degree or Ph.D.

The Application The Application The act of entering into the competition for The act of entering into the competition for

a Fulbright scholarship granta Fulbright scholarship grant

The Application The Application The act of entering into the competition for The act of entering into the competition for

a Fulbright scholarship granta Fulbright scholarship grant

A formal statement and presentation of: A formal statement and presentation of: Personal data Personal data

home and current address, date of birth, home and current address, date of birth, current status as student or employee, current status as student or employee, accomplishments, publications, accomplishments, publications, fellowships; family information; past fellowships; family information; past experiences overseas, etc.experiences overseas, etc.

The Application The Application An act of entering into the competition for a An act of entering into the competition for a

Fulbright scholarship grantFulbright scholarship grant

A formal statement and presentation of: A formal statement and presentation of: Personal data Personal data

home and current address, date of birth, home and current address, date of birth, current status as student or employee, current status as student or employee, accomplishments, publications, fellowships; accomplishments, publications, fellowships; family information; past experiences family information; past experiences overseas, etc.overseas, etc.

Academic qualifications Academic qualifications schools attended – when, where, fields and schools attended – when, where, fields and degrees; copies of transcripts and diplomas; degrees; copies of transcripts and diplomas; letters of recommendation from your letters of recommendation from your professors, advisers, employers; language professors, advisers, employers; language proficiency, etc.proficiency, etc.

The Application The Application Statement of Study Research Statement of Study Research

Objectives Objectives Your proposed course of study; why it is Your proposed course of study; why it is important to you and to the larger important to you and to the larger discipline in Ukraine and beyond; why discipline in Ukraine and beyond; why you need to go to the U.S. to conduct you need to go to the U.S. to conduct this research or to advance your this research or to advance your education; how you will apply this new education; how you will apply this new knowledge in your career and to knowledge in your career and to colleagues/students in Ukraine.colleagues/students in Ukraine.

The Application The Application Statement of Study Research Statement of Study Research

Objectives Objectives Your proposed course of study; why it is Your proposed course of study; why it is important to you and to the larger important to you and to the larger discipline in Ukraine and beyond; why you discipline in Ukraine and beyond; why you need to go to the U.S. to conduct this need to go to the U.S. to conduct this research or to advance your education; how research or to advance your education; how you will apply this new knowledge in your you will apply this new knowledge in your career and to colleagues/students in career and to colleagues/students in Ukraine.Ukraine.

Personal Statement Personal Statement A discussion of who you really are; what A discussion of who you really are; what has motivated you in life and to now apply has motivated you in life and to now apply for the Fulbright program; what do you for the Fulbright program; what do you hope to be and why.hope to be and why.

The Application The Application

RECOMMENDATIONRECOMMENDATION

Get involved in extracurricular activities in order Get involved in extracurricular activities in order to demonstrate your difference and potential. to demonstrate your difference and potential. Keep a running list of all of your activities, Keep a running list of all of your activities, employment, and accomplishments. Reviewers employment, and accomplishments. Reviewers want to see a strong, long-term track record of want to see a strong, long-term track record of involvement and a well-rounded, well-adjusted involvement and a well-rounded, well-adjusted person who thinks not only about him/herself and person who thinks not only about him/herself and his/her studies, but also about others and about his/her studies, but also about others and about issues in the society and culture around you. If issues in the society and culture around you. If you are involved in activities with professors and you are involved in activities with professors and community leaders, these are future community leaders, these are future recommendation letter writersrecommendation letter writers!!

Essay Writing OverviewEssay Writing Overview Make the best possible case for yourself. Make the best possible case for yourself.

Be convincing. Explain clearly and Be convincing. Explain clearly and succinctly why succinctly why youyou deserve to receive a deserve to receive a Fulbright award over someone else. Share Fulbright award over someone else. Share realistic and doable goals for learning realistic and doable goals for learning while on the scholarship; indicate what while on the scholarship; indicate what you are going to do with your new you are going to do with your new knowledge/degree . Indicate how you knowledge/degree . Indicate how you intend to share your experiences with intend to share your experiences with others when you return home from abroad. others when you return home from abroad.

Essay Writing OverviewEssay Writing Overview Make the best possible case for yourself. Make the best possible case for yourself.

Be convincing. Explain clearly and Be convincing. Explain clearly and succinctly why succinctly why youyou deserve to receive a deserve to receive a Fulbright award over someone else. Share Fulbright award over someone else. Share realistic and doable goals for learning realistic and doable goals for learning while on the scholarship; indicate what while on the scholarship; indicate what you are going to do with your new you are going to do with your new knowledge/degree . Indicate how you knowledge/degree . Indicate how you intend to share your experiences with intend to share your experiences with others when you return home from abroad. others when you return home from abroad.

State outright how you meet the eligibility State outright how you meet the eligibility criteria; reviewers are reading quickly to criteria; reviewers are reading quickly to check off on a checklist if you meet all of check off on a checklist if you meet all of the criteria. Make it easy for them to see the criteria. Make it easy for them to see that you do meet them. that you do meet them.

Essay Writing OverviewEssay Writing Overview When writing do not be self-critical; but do When writing do not be self-critical; but do

not boast or promote yourself immodestly. not boast or promote yourself immodestly. Do not make false statements, fabrications, Do not make false statements, fabrications, or exaggerate accomplishments. You are or exaggerate accomplishments. You are not selling some new product, but you not selling some new product, but you are are trying to convince the reviewers that you trying to convince the reviewers that you are ready for the U.S. educational are ready for the U.S. educational experience. experience.



Be unique, outstanding and different in Be unique, outstanding and different in your writing, but not weird. your writing, but not weird.



Be unique, outstanding and different in your Be unique, outstanding and different in your writing, but not weird. writing, but not weird.

Definitely use your most formal academic Definitely use your most formal academic writing. Make it well written with no writing. Make it well written with no errors! errors!

Essay Writing OverviewEssay Writing Overview Do not plagiarize . Use proper methods of Do not plagiarize . Use proper methods of

citation. If you quote another author, give citation. If you quote another author, give them proper credit. It is important to them proper credit. It is important to show reviewers that you know how to show reviewers that you know how to properly cite other authors and works.properly cite other authors and works.



Do not purchase your essay. Do not purchase your essay.



Do not purchase your essay. Do not purchase your essay.

Plan and work ahead in order to give Plan and work ahead in order to give yourself time to think, write and revise, yourself time to think, write and revise, and also to allow time to receive quality and also to allow time to receive quality feedback. Work as far as possible in feedback. Work as far as possible in advance of the deadline. Do not wait until advance of the deadline. Do not wait until the last minute!! Your essay will show it.the last minute!! Your essay will show it.

Essay Writing OverviewEssay Writing Overview

Ask friends, colleagues, advisers to Ask friends, colleagues, advisers to proofread and review your writing with a proofread and review your writing with a critical eye. You want someone who knows critical eye. You want someone who knows grammar, punctuation, and other elements grammar, punctuation, and other elements of good writing to carefully read your of good writing to carefully read your essays. Have more than one person read essays. Have more than one person read your essays. Revise, revise, revise.your essays. Revise, revise, revise.


Ask friends, colleagues, advisers to Ask friends, colleagues, advisers to proofread and review your writing with a proofread and review your writing with a critical eye. You want someone who knows critical eye. You want someone who knows grammar, punctuation, and other elements grammar, punctuation, and other elements of good writing to carefully read your of good writing to carefully read your essays. Have more than one person read essays. Have more than one person read your essays. Revise, revise, revise.your essays. Revise, revise, revise.

Because the competition for Fulbright Because the competition for Fulbright scholarships is stiff, reviewers are looking scholarships is stiff, reviewers are looking for any reason to disqualify candidates and for any reason to disqualify candidates and shorten the list. You may be disqualified if shorten the list. You may be disqualified if you skip even a simple question.you skip even a simple question.


If rejected (and you will be from time to time), If rejected (and you will be from time to time), seek feedback about why your application was seek feedback about why your application was not accepted. Many agencies are willing (and not accepted. Many agencies are willing (and allowed) to give you reasons why your allowed) to give you reasons why your application was not accepted; other agencies application was not accepted; other agencies are not allowed or do not keep the records. are not allowed or do not keep the records. Simply ask if they can and are allowed to do Simply ask if they can and are allowed to do so. Gather the feedback in a polite, non-so. Gather the feedback in a polite, non-personal manner. Use the feedback personal manner. Use the feedback constructively; strive to incorporate feedback constructively; strive to incorporate feedback into your future applications. Don't let the into your future applications. Don't let the rejection get to you personally. rejection get to you personally.

Persevere.Persevere.

Writing a Personal Writing a Personal StatementStatement Personal Statement…Personal Statement…

serves as a record of all the things you serves as a record of all the things you have done that would qualify you for a have done that would qualify you for a Fulbright fellowship, Fulbright fellowship,

describes your professional development describes your professional development path (how you got to where you are path (how you got to where you are professionally)professionally)

should include mention of how studying in should include mention of how studying in the U.S. will help you achieve your the U.S. will help you achieve your professional and scholarly goals.professional and scholarly goals.


serves as a record of all the things you have serves as a record of all the things you have done that would qualify you for a Fulbright done that would qualify you for a Fulbright fellowship, fellowship,

describes your professional development path describes your professional development path (how you got to where you are professionally)(how you got to where you are professionally)

should include mention of how studying in the should include mention of how studying in the U.S. will help you achieve your professional U.S. will help you achieve your professional and scholarly goals.and scholarly goals.

It is NOT a traditional vita (It is NOT a traditional vita (a list of your a list of your accomplishments and educational background), accomplishments and educational background), but rather it is an essay. but rather it is an essay.


serves as a record of all the things you have done serves as a record of all the things you have done that would qualify you for a Fulbright fellowship, that would qualify you for a Fulbright fellowship,

describes your professional development path describes your professional development path (how you got to where you are professionally)(how you got to where you are professionally)

should include mention of how studying in the should include mention of how studying in the U.S. will help you achieve your professional and U.S. will help you achieve your professional and scholarly goals.scholarly goals.

It is NOT a traditional vita (It is NOT a traditional vita (a list of your a list of your accomplishments and educational background), but accomplishments and educational background), but rather it is an essay. rather it is an essay.

It might be best written on a four section model. It might be best written on a four section model.

Writing a Personal Writing a Personal StatementStatement Section One: Your Educational Section One: Your Educational

ObjectivesObjectives This is probably the most difficult, and in This is probably the most difficult, and in

some ways, the most important part of some ways, the most important part of your narrative vita; you can only really your narrative vita; you can only really begin to answer this question after you begin to answer this question after you have fully worked out your statement of have fully worked out your statement of purpose. purpose.

Writing a Personal Writing a Personal StatementStatement Section One: Your Educational ObjectivesSection One: Your Educational Objectives

This is probably the most difficult, and in This is probably the most difficult, and in some ways, the most important part of your some ways, the most important part of your narrative vita; you can only really begin to narrative vita; you can only really begin to answer this question after you have fully answer this question after you have fully worked out your statement of purpose. worked out your statement of purpose.

Do not hesitate to ask those you work with Do not hesitate to ask those you work with who are senior in your field for help and who are senior in your field for help and advice. They will likely have a richer sense advice. They will likely have a richer sense than you of how your project, and your larger than you of how your project, and your larger interests, will fit into the larger frame of your interests, will fit into the larger frame of your discipline, and might be able to help you discipline, and might be able to help you articulate this as clearly as possible.articulate this as clearly as possible.


This is probably the most difficult, and in some This is probably the most difficult, and in some ways, the most important part of your narrative ways, the most important part of your narrative vita; you can only really begin to answer this vita; you can only really begin to answer this question after you have fully worked out your question after you have fully worked out your statement of purpose. statement of purpose.

Do not hesitate to ask those you work with who Do not hesitate to ask those you work with who are senior in your field for help and advice. are senior in your field for help and advice. They will likely have a richer sense than you of They will likely have a richer sense than you of how your project, and your larger interests, will how your project, and your larger interests, will fit into the larger frame of your discipline, and fit into the larger frame of your discipline, and might be able to help you articulate this as might be able to help you articulate this as clearly as possible.clearly as possible.

This is to be a short paragraph, likely no more This is to be a short paragraph, likely no more than three sentences; make them count.than three sentences; make them count.


ObjectivesObjectives Present your educational objectives in Present your educational objectives in

clear, concise, clear, concise, and and theoretical terms. theoretical terms.



clear, concise, clear, concise, and and theoretical terms. theoretical terms. Be clear with terminology, spell it out for Be clear with terminology, spell it out for

laypeople as clearly and specifically as you laypeople as clearly and specifically as you can.can.



clear, concise, clear, concise, and and theoretical terms. theoretical terms. Be clear with terminology, spell it out for Be clear with terminology, spell it out for

laypeople as clearly and specifically as you laypeople as clearly and specifically as you can.can.

Avoid restating the basic goals of your Avoid restating the basic goals of your profession. Explain briefly and succinctly profession. Explain briefly and succinctly how your work is placed within the field.how your work is placed within the field.


Present your educational objectives in Present your educational objectives in clear, clear, concise, concise, and and theoretical terms. theoretical terms.

Be clear with terminology, spell it out for Be clear with terminology, spell it out for laypeople as clearly and specifically as you laypeople as clearly and specifically as you can.can.

Avoid restating the basic goals of your Avoid restating the basic goals of your profession. Explain briefly and succinctly how profession. Explain briefly and succinctly how your work is placed within the field.your work is placed within the field.

For example, if your work is in agriculture and For example, if your work is in agriculture and you work with specific crops and soils, you you work with specific crops and soils, you should write specifically how your goal is to should write specifically how your goal is to improve the field of agriculture through a improve the field of agriculture through a study of the particular soils and needs of study of the particular soils and needs of those crops which are best suited to their those crops which are best suited to their native soils. native soils.


Psychology example: The main reason I spent the whole year in the

libraries to get prepared for the new competition in the Fulbright Program is that I really want to win a contest and get a profound education in the country that is nowadays the leader in my field – Organizational Psychology. My life goal is to establish a school of Organizational Psychology in Ukraine, a school where specialists from our country will have an opportunity to exchange their experience with the foreign specialists from the USA, Australia, and Europe.


Law example: My educational objectives in the United State

are linked to my academic work and teaching at a law school in the future, as well as to further work in NGOs as a legal expert. After returning from the US I intend to continue my academic work on human rights protection issues, in particular on shaping relations between the state and civic society based on democratic principles. The topic I have chosen as my study objective deals with one aspect of such relations - public access to official information.


ObjectivesObjectives

Law example: I hope to learn more about the legal

mechanisms providing the right of access to official information in the United States of America in order to better understand how they work and make suggestions how to improve relevant legislation in Ukraine.

Writing a Personal Writing a Personal StatementStatement Section Two: Your Education/Personal Section Two: Your Education/Personal

PathPath

The idea in section two is to show your The idea in section two is to show your development as a scholar, and to begin to development as a scholar, and to begin to create a story of your professional life to create a story of your professional life to which the Fulbright grant would seem as which the Fulbright grant would seem as some sort of culminationsome sort of culmination, even if only a , even if only a temporary peak.temporary peak.


PathPath

The idea in section two is to show your The idea in section two is to show your development as a scholar, and to begin to development as a scholar, and to begin to create a story of your professional life to create a story of your professional life to which the Fulbright grant would seem as which the Fulbright grant would seem as some sort of culminationsome sort of culmination, even if only a , even if only a temporary peak.temporary peak.

This section is a narrative, thus easier to This section is a narrative, thus easier to write. It will likely be the longest paragraph write. It will likely be the longest paragraph in the essay, or at least as long as the one in the essay, or at least as long as the one that follows.that follows.

Writing a Personal Writing a Personal StatementStatement Section Two: Your Education/Personal PathSection Two: Your Education/Personal Path

The idea in section two is to show your development The idea in section two is to show your development as a scholar, and to begin to as a scholar, and to begin to create a story of your create a story of your professional life to which the Fulbright grant would professional life to which the Fulbright grant would seem as some sort of culminationseem as some sort of culmination, even if only a , even if only a temporary peak.temporary peak.

This section is a narrative, thus easier to write. It This section is a narrative, thus easier to write. It will likely be the longest paragraph in the essay, or will likely be the longest paragraph in the essay, or at least as long as the one that follows.at least as long as the one that follows.

Tell your professional development story. Explain Tell your professional development story. Explain here, at as much length as you feel comfortable, here, at as much length as you feel comfortable, about how your educational and personal about how your educational and personal experiences helped you arrive at the particular experiences helped you arrive at the particular interests and scholarly objectives you have outlined interests and scholarly objectives you have outlined in the preceding section.in the preceding section.


PathPath

What made you choose this field? How did What made you choose this field? How did you start in the field?you start in the field?


PathPath


What were the major milestones that you What were the major milestones that you have encountered along the way?have encountered along the way?


PathPath


What were the major milestones that you What were the major milestones that you have encountered along the way?have encountered along the way?

What were your accomplishments (note What were your accomplishments (note here those awards won, papers delivered, here those awards won, papers delivered, and conferences attended, etc, which you and conferences attended, etc, which you think might make you look better in the think might make you look better in the eyes of the review panel)?eyes of the review panel)?


PathPath

Were there mentors or influences in your Were there mentors or influences in your academic/professional life who steered academic/professional life who steered you? If so, mention how they influenced you? If so, mention how they influenced you.you.


PathPath

Were there mentors or influences in your Were there mentors or influences in your academic/professional life who steered you? academic/professional life who steered you? If so, mention how they influenced you.If so, mention how they influenced you.

Create the impression that the Fulbright Create the impression that the Fulbright award is inevitable, not a gift, and the award is inevitable, not a gift, and the readers of your application will tend to readers of your application will tend to agree with you. Instead of making it seem agree with you. Instead of making it seem like a big leap for you to go and study like a big leap for you to go and study overseas, make it seem like a natural step in overseas, make it seem like a natural step in your education and scholarly development, your education and scholarly development, and something which the Fulbright and something which the Fulbright Committee can do for you. Committee can do for you.

Writing a Personal Writing a Personal StatementStatement Section Two: Your Education/Personal PathSection Two: Your Education/Personal Path

Psychology example: Since last year, when I applied for the Fulbright for the first time, I have

already started my career in Organizational Psychology. At present I work as a Junior Recruitment Consultant in the leading Ukrainian Recruitment Company “Brain Source International”. Recruitment is an essential part of Organizational Psychology and it provides me with valuable experience in the sphere of personnel selection. What concerns my background in 2003 I graduated from Kyiv National Linguistic University and got Master’s Degree in Psychology. While writing my graduate paper I immersed myself into the investigation of Prisoner’s Dilemma. It is one of the most interesting problems in Social Psychology but I think its solution will contribute greatly to the development of Organizational Psychology as well. And since the object under investigation was extremely interesting – person’s preference to individualistic or collectivistic way of behavior in the situation of choice – my reports in the conferences (Kyiv, Moscow, Saint-Petersburg) and thesis publications have always been widely discussed. In the International Conference that took place in Moscow State University I was deservedly honored with the Diploma of a prize-winner. However, despite the fact that I have read many works concerning the subject of investigation, I could not reach plenty of them just because they cannot be found in National Scientific Library and mainly they are not published in Internet. And this is one of the reasons why I apply for the studying in the USA – since this country is a leader in the investigation of group phenomena, its universities provide vast literature resources; and it is my deep belief that to become an expert in any sphere one needs profound theoretical base.

Writing a Personal Writing a Personal StatementStatementSection Two: Your Education/Personal PathSection Two: Your Education/Personal Path

Law example: My interest in human rights protection developed as a student at the Khmelnytsky

Regional Lyceum, where law was my major. My teacher of the history of law, in his lectures, consistently emphasized the importance of human rights protection, provided in the Constitution of Ukraine, for the development of civic society, a necessary attribute of a democratic state. My interest in the subject strengthened in the course of my studies at the National Law Academy. In the first-year course covering operation of judicial and law enforcement bodies, a lecturer spoke about the use of case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) by Ukrainian courts. I came to an understanding that the subject of human rights is not a purely theoretical and abstract matter, but a real-life issue, and that there are workable legal tools how to practically solve human rights violations, legal tools, which can be used in our national court system. I studied the legal nature of the European Court case law and tried to analyze the applicability of ECHR approaches to the Ukrainian legal system in my second-year term paper.

In order to find more material for my paper, my research adviser suggested that I go to the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group (KhPG), a leading Ukrainian NGO dealing with these issues and offering free access to their rich library of international human rights literature and I was soon to become a frequent visitor. Through more contact with KhPG people, I became curious about the work of the organization.

Continued on next slide…

Writing a Personal Writing a Personal StatementStatementSection Two: Your Education/Personal Section Two: Your Education/Personal

PathPath Law example:

Continued from previous slide… I was especially interested in their work in the field of the freedom of

expression and problems of access to official information in Ukraine. In order to gain practical experience I started to work as a volunteer. At that time KhPG was initiating a campaign against unlawful classification of information which is still continuing. It had presented a draft Law on Freedom of information in Ukraine to the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. Being involved in the campaign, talking to prominent national experts on the subject (V. Rechytskiy E. Zakharov, N. Kushakova, R. Romanov, O. Nesterenko), I came to realize how important it is to learn about the legal mechanisms providing the right of access to official information in the United States of America, where these issues are well developed.

Writing a Personal Writing a Personal StatementStatement

Section Three: Your Professional Project Section Three: Your Professional Project and Professional Needsand Professional Needs

This might be the second longest section of This might be the second longest section of the essay; think of it as the background to the essay; think of it as the background to your statement of purpose: the story of why your statement of purpose: the story of why you want to do the work you want to do.you want to do the work you want to do.


Section Three: Your Professional Project and Section Three: Your Professional Project and Professional NeedsProfessional Needs

This might be the second longest section of the This might be the second longest section of the essay; think of it as the background to your essay; think of it as the background to your statement of purpose: the story of why you want to statement of purpose: the story of why you want to do the work you want to do.do the work you want to do.

Describe the project you wish to conduct in the U.S. Describe the project you wish to conduct in the U.S. Avoid looking as if you have dreamed up this Avoid looking as if you have dreamed up this

project only to win a Fulbright award. Describe project only to win a Fulbright award. Describe the steps you have taken to date to advance the the steps you have taken to date to advance the work you would like to do in the U.S. work you would like to do in the U.S.

For example, if you want to study the nutritional For example, if you want to study the nutritional needs and benefits of beets, talk about the work needs and benefits of beets, talk about the work you have done with beets. you have done with beets.



You will be most convincing if you can make You will be most convincing if you can make a case that you have exhausted the a case that you have exhausted the resources Ukraine offers for completing your resources Ukraine offers for completing your task. But be careful – be sure that you task. But be careful – be sure that you HAVE exhausted Ukraine’s resources if you HAVE exhausted Ukraine’s resources if you make such a statement . Remember, make such a statement . Remember, members of the Review Commission have members of the Review Commission have been chosen because they are respected been chosen because they are respected specialists in your field. specialists in your field.



You will be most convincing if you can make a You will be most convincing if you can make a case that you have exhausted the resources case that you have exhausted the resources Ukraine offers for completing your task. But be Ukraine offers for completing your task. But be careful – be sure that you HAVE exhausted careful – be sure that you HAVE exhausted Ukraine’s resources if you make such a Ukraine’s resources if you make such a statement . Remember, members of the Review statement . Remember, members of the Review Commission have been chosen because they are Commission have been chosen because they are respected specialists in your field. respected specialists in your field.

In closing, suggest how you think studying in In closing, suggest how you think studying in the U.S. might offer you new resources, ideas, the U.S. might offer you new resources, ideas, contacts, etc., to accomplish your professional contacts, etc., to accomplish your professional goals.goals.

Writing a Personal Writing a Personal StatementStatement Section Three: Your Professional Project Section Three: Your Professional Project

and Professional Needsand Professional Needs Psychology example:

On my return to Kyiv I plan to start working as an assistant professor in Kyiv National Linguistic University (Chairs of Psychology) and develop a scientifically profound and practically modern program in Organizational Psychology (in KNLU psychological aspects of organizational work are still viewed only as a part of another course of Psychology of Management, and I believe they deserve a closer scrutiny). Then, I plan to become a postgraduate student and write thesis in organizational psychology. And after that, having received a scientific degree, I will establish Ukrainian Association of Organizational Psychology where specialists from our country will exchange their experience with the foreign specialists. My personal analysis proves that this sphere in Ukraine is in the infancy and needs intensive development and improvement. In some respect, such changes should take place with the help of foreign experience.

Writing a Personal Writing a Personal StatementStatement Section Three: Your Professional Project and Section Three: Your Professional Project and

Professional NeedsProfessional Needs Law example:

This year I am graduating from the law school. The skills gained there, as well as practical experience acquired at KhPG have significantly contributed to my professional development. However, to become an expert in the sphere of human rights and public information law I need to acquire advanced systematic knowledge in this subject. Unfortunately, there are not enough relevant training courses and educational resources in Ukraine. I hope, I could find the necessary educational resources in the United States, as well as better infrastructure, including research liberalities, law databases, etc. I also hope to establish contacts with US scholars, as well as with visiting scholars from other countries, which would be helpful for my professional development.

Professional studies alone are not what I consider sufficient to my development as a well-educated and open-minded personality. Thus, I would like to learn more about the US university culture and US social culture in general. As I was always interested in history, art, and architecture, so I hope to use this opportunity to do some sightseeing to enrich myself aesthetically and intellectually. And, of course, I would like to understand more the phenomenon, called “Spirit of America,” and share my grasp of it with my fellow countrymen upon my return to Ukraine.


Section Four: ConclusionSection Four: Conclusion

This section should also be short (no more This section should also be short (no more than three sentences) like the twin of your than three sentences) like the twin of your introductory paragraph, to which it is most introductory paragraph, to which it is most closely related. Make them count.closely related. Make them count.


Section Four: ConclusionSection Four: Conclusion

This section should also be short (no more than This section should also be short (no more than three sentences) like the twin of your introductory three sentences) like the twin of your introductory paragraph, to which it is most closely related. Make paragraph, to which it is most closely related. Make them count.them count.

Describe the way that your completed project, and Describe the way that your completed project, and the experiences you will have studying in the U. S., the experiences you will have studying in the U. S., will advance your knowledge and career, your field, will advance your knowledge and career, your field, and the general level of scholarship in Ukraine. and the general level of scholarship in Ukraine. How will your work influence the work in the How will your work influence the work in the

field?field? How will you improve professional life and How will you improve professional life and

scholarly work in Ukraine?scholarly work in Ukraine? How and what will you bring back to Ukraine to How and what will you bring back to Ukraine to

impact Ukraine’s future? impact Ukraine’s future?

Writing a Personal Writing a Personal StatementStatement Section Four: ConclusionSection Four: Conclusion

Psychology example: In conclusion, I would like to quote a well-known phrase uttered

by R. Waterman, one of the most famous American scholars in the sphere of management: “Organizations exist only due to one reason: they help people do things that cannot be done by one man”. The organizational culture in Ukraine is as young as the country itself, much has to be done, but everything begins with a profound knowledge and that what I want to get in the USA for being ready to contribute significantly into the field in Ukraine.

Law example: Therefore, I believe that my training in the United States would

be beneficial to me as a professional lawyer and a good person, as well as my research would contribute to better understanding of American legal institutions and practices in Ukraine.

Writing a Study Writing a Study Objectives EssayObjectives Essay Study Objectives: Your Project in the U.S.Study Objectives: Your Project in the U.S.

Your goal in this essay is to limit yourself to a Your goal in this essay is to limit yourself to a discussion of what you will do in terms of discussion of what you will do in terms of studying, research , and other professional studying, research , and other professional work when you are in the U. S. work when you are in the U. S.

Writing a Study Writing a Study Objectives EssayObjectives Essay Study Objectives: Your Project in the U.S.Study Objectives: Your Project in the U.S.

Your goal in this essay is to limit yourself to a Your goal in this essay is to limit yourself to a discussion of what you will do in terms of discussion of what you will do in terms of studying, research, and other professional work studying, research, and other professional work when you are in the U. S. when you are in the U. S.

For Graduate Students:For Graduate Students: Focus on the program Focus on the program of study and on the nature of the course work of study and on the nature of the course work you want to take. Try to show that you have a you want to take. Try to show that you have a plan, including the types of courses you would plan, including the types of courses you would like to take, to accomplish your project goal. A like to take, to accomplish your project goal. A realistic understanding of what your project realistic understanding of what your project entails is the most convincing evidence that entails is the most convincing evidence that you will be able to complete the project. you will be able to complete the project.

Writing a Study Writing a Study Objectives EssayObjectives Essay

Study Objectives: Your Project in the U.S.Study Objectives: Your Project in the U.S.

For Faculty Development Program candidates: For Faculty Development Program candidates: Focus on your research/study objectives. Focus on your research/study objectives. Define your research goals and how you expect Define your research goals and how you expect to achieve them. If there is a group of scholars to achieve them. If there is a group of scholars you hope to work with, describe them and their you hope to work with, describe them and their work, what you expect to gain from them, and work, what you expect to gain from them, and how you will achieve this. Limit your goals to a how you will achieve this. Limit your goals to a realistic number; if you list too many goals that realistic number; if you list too many goals that are far too broad, the Review Committee will are far too broad, the Review Committee will question how well you understand the problem question how well you understand the problem and whether you will be able to achieve the and whether you will be able to achieve the many goals that you propose.many goals that you propose.



It is best to write this essay on either a three It is best to write this essay on either a three or four section form. This essay will likely be or four section form. This essay will likely be the most important part of your application. the most important part of your application. It is worth writing multiple drafts before you It is worth writing multiple drafts before you are satisfied with it. are satisfied with it.



It is best to write this essay on either a three It is best to write this essay on either a three or four section form. This essay will likely be or four section form. This essay will likely be the most important part of your application. the most important part of your application. It is worth writing multiple drafts before you It is worth writing multiple drafts before you are satisfied with it. are satisfied with it.

Ask for help from colleagues, peers, mentors, Ask for help from colleagues, peers, mentors, relatives, as they may see links and facets of relatives, as they may see links and facets of your project that you may have otherwise your project that you may have otherwise missed or overlooked.missed or overlooked.


Section OneSection One: : Scholarship in the U.S.Scholarship in the U.S.

The first section is all about you and your The first section is all about you and your project, and will demonstrate how well you project, and will demonstrate how well you understand your project.understand your project.



The first section is all about you and your The first section is all about you and your project, and will demonstrate how well you project, and will demonstrate how well you understand your project.understand your project.

In a short but detailed paragraph describe the In a short but detailed paragraph describe the scholarly work you would like to accomplish in scholarly work you would like to accomplish in the U. S. Explain your project, and locate it in the U. S. Explain your project, and locate it in the realm of your field. Do NOT use excessive the realm of your field. Do NOT use excessive jargon, or a lot of formulas. Remember, ALL of jargon, or a lot of formulas. Remember, ALL of the Review Committee members will be voting the Review Committee members will be voting on your application, not just the specialists in on your application, not just the specialists in your field, so all must be able to understand your field, so all must be able to understand your project and why it is important.your project and why it is important.

Writing a Study Objectives Writing a Study Objectives EssayEssay


Briefly describe the way(s) your thesis will benefit Briefly describe the way(s) your thesis will benefit your field, and the way in which you intend to your field, and the way in which you intend to undertake it. But keep these comments brief, as undertake it. But keep these comments brief, as you will have a chance to return to them later. you will have a chance to return to them later.

Be creative. You may start the first sentence with Be creative. You may start the first sentence with something like “I wish to study in the United something like “I wish to study in the United States so that I might (complete whatever your States so that I might (complete whatever your project is)”, but there are other ways to heighten project is)”, but there are other ways to heighten the reader’s interest. the reader’s interest.

A master’s degree will require that you write a A master’s degree will require that you write a thesis; this paragraph should describe your idea thesis; this paragraph should describe your idea of a thesis topic. of a thesis topic.



Psychology example: “I have got the Higher education in the field

of Psychology and would like to further specialize in Organizational Psychology in one of the American Universities. What I like about Master’s education in the USA is that the academic program at this level combines scientific disciplines with professional practice. Student learning is achieved not only through obligatory and elective courses, but also by practical experience and development of a thesis. Going through my Master’s program in America I would like to pass all these stages.”


Section OneSection One: : Scholarship in the U.S.Scholarship in the U.S. Law example:

“I am hoping to complete a Master’s degree program in the United States in order to gain more proficiency in my major. The objective of my studies is to learn more about access to official information, democratic standards in this realm, and the United States experience in creating and ensuring the functioning of open government. The research I would like to conduct will deal with legal mechanisms providing the right to access to official information in the US. The United States of America is considered a world leader in developing democratic standards of open and accountable government. For this reason I would like to gain more in-depth knowledge of the system in the US and would hope to apply such positive experience on my return to Ukraine.”


Section Two: Your Project and Why in Section Two: Your Project and Why in the U.S.?the U.S.?

Describe your project in detail and connect Describe your project in detail and connect to why this project needs to be undertaken to why this project needs to be undertaken in the U.S., and cannot be just as easily in the U.S., and cannot be just as easily completed at home. It is better to make completed at home. It is better to make this claim through contrast, telling what this claim through contrast, telling what resources and opportunities you feel might resources and opportunities you feel might be available to you in the U.S. be available to you in the U.S.


Section Two: Your Project and Why in the Section Two: Your Project and Why in the U.S.?U.S.?

Describe your project in detail and connect to why Describe your project in detail and connect to why this project needs to be undertaken in the U.S., this project needs to be undertaken in the U.S., and cannot be just as easily completed at home. It and cannot be just as easily completed at home. It is better to make this claim through contrast, is better to make this claim through contrast, telling what resources and opportunities you feel telling what resources and opportunities you feel might be available to you in the U.S. might be available to you in the U.S.

Write not only about infrastructure issues Write not only about infrastructure issues (research libraries, for example), but also of being (research libraries, for example), but also of being in a foreign culture, or with a particular group of in a foreign culture, or with a particular group of scholars, and how this will positively impact your scholars, and how this will positively impact your work.work.



Psychology example: Since I have written my graduate paper in Social Psychology and have some

experience in this sphere, I would like to use it widely in my work concerning organizational development – I mean personnel training in organization. To my mind, thorough investigation of the following disciplines will contribute greatly to my future work: Psychology of Group Behavior or Group Dynamics, Psychology of Leadership, Organizational and Community Processes, Work Motivation and Attitudes. The last issue is the one I take great interest in. I have already enriched my knowledge of human motivation and the ways it influences our performance: being a junior student I wrote a course paper in this field, though it concerned sportsmen’s performance then. To my mind, knowledge gathered in the sphere of human motivation contains great possibilities generally for Psychology and particularly for Organizational Psychology as one of its most practical branches. That is why, I would like to take part in the faculty project concerning, either intrinsic motivation models or development of motivation trainings and thus advance in my knowledge of motivation and, moreover, of special techniques that are called to influence employees’ motivation for the aim of their work performance improvement.



Law example: It is now clear for me that the problem of freedom of expression in

Ukraine is very complicated. Having looked at the opinion of experts, as well as on the basis of my own experience in this field, I can see that state policy regarding the access to official information lacks consistency. There is special legislation but it is not effective and does not make it possible to exercise the rights enshrined in the Constitution of Ukraine. The goal of my study is therefore to research various factors, which impact on the efficiency of legislation covering the right of access to official information, including information laws, institutional division of powers for providing checks and balances, the involvement of institutions of civic society in shaping the government informational policy. I hope that my research may be of benefit to this field and contribute to better understanding of the issues involved and also suggest new approaches for dealing with the problems.

I would also like to learn more about the United States government policies affecting the flow of information. The US Constitution forbids abridging the freedom of speech, while most of the European Constitutions as well as international treaties, such as the 1950 European Covenant on Human Rights, provide a number of restrictions on it. Thus the US experience is of great interest for Ukraine, where the relevant legislation is in the making.


Section Three: How will being in the Section Three: How will being in the U.S. help your work?U.S. help your work?

Tie together the two sections above. Show Tie together the two sections above. Show how trends in the U.S. (in education, how trends in the U.S. (in education, scholarship, etc.) have particular scholarship, etc.) have particular products/effects that might help your work. products/effects that might help your work.



Tie together the two sections above. Show Tie together the two sections above. Show how trends in the U.S. (in education, how trends in the U.S. (in education, scholarship, etc.) have particular scholarship, etc.) have particular products/effects that might help your work. products/effects that might help your work.

If you know of theorists, scholars, or If you know of theorists, scholars, or scientists who are doing work there which scientists who are doing work there which is not being pursued in Ukraine, this is the is not being pursued in Ukraine, this is the place where you should mention them. place where you should mention them.


Section Three: How will being in the U.S. Section Three: How will being in the U.S. help your work?help your work?

Tie together the two sections above. Show how Tie together the two sections above. Show how trends in the U.S. (in education, scholarship, etc.) trends in the U.S. (in education, scholarship, etc.) have particular products/effects that might help have particular products/effects that might help your work. your work.

If you know of theorists, scholars, or scientists If you know of theorists, scholars, or scientists who are doing work there which is not being who are doing work there which is not being pursued in Ukraine, this is the place where you pursued in Ukraine, this is the place where you should mention them. should mention them.

If there are professional organizations or If there are professional organizations or conferences from which you and your work would conferences from which you and your work would benefit, you should also mention them here.benefit, you should also mention them here.



Mention how and why being part of a U.S. Mention how and why being part of a U.S. university community might help you university community might help you complete your work more readily than if complete your work more readily than if you were to stay in Ukraine.you were to stay in Ukraine.


SectionSection Three: How will being in the U.S. Three: How will being in the U.S. help your work?help your work?

Mention how and why being part of a U.S. Mention how and why being part of a U.S. university community might help you complete university community might help you complete your work more readily than if you were to stay in your work more readily than if you were to stay in Ukraine.Ukraine.

Remember not to request in your essay that you Remember not to request in your essay that you be placed at a particular university. However, be placed at a particular university. However, you may make your preference known in terms of you may make your preference known in terms of people whose work you admire, and with whom people whose work you admire, and with whom you might like to work. This shows that you know you might like to work. This shows that you know your field and project, and are aware of the ways your field and project, and are aware of the ways in which study in the U.S. might help to advance in which study in the U.S. might help to advance your goals.your goals.

Writing a Study Writing a Study Objectives EssayObjectives Essay Section Three: How will being in the U.S. Section Three: How will being in the U.S.

help your work?help your work? Psychology example:

The topics that lie within the area of Training and Organizational Development courses are closely related and they are of the greatest interest to me. In my opinion, the American experience is mainly concentrated in this sphere. And since we know how enormously some American companies developed, gaining its place not only within the US market but much further the borders of this country, the practical experience of American organizational psychologists is that I would like to scrutinize and be ready to apply in Ukraine. That’s why I really hope, I would be able to study such courses as Training in Organizations, Organizational Development, Leadership and Strategic Change, Executive Coaching and Development. They will give me an opportunity to develop practical skills in designing and evaluating training programs, to get profound knowledge in strategic planning, team building, goal settings, career development and many others topics without which professional growth of a company can be paralyzed. Another course I would like to develop in Kyiv National Linguistic University is Issues of Organizational Development which is supposed to contain practical workshops and seminars-trainings for developing practical skills of the students in this sphere.

Writing a Study Writing a Study Objectives EssayObjectives Essay Section Three: How will being in the U.S. help Section Three: How will being in the U.S. help

your work?your work? Law example:

The right of access to official information is based on the First Amendment which implies the idea of free society and public control over the authorities. For the United States, this issue seems to be vital judging from the number of the US Supreme Court decisions on the subject, such as New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964), New York Times Co. v. United States (1971), Gannet Co v. De Pasquale (1979) and many others. With references to authors of the Constitution Madison, Jefferson, Franklin; justices Hugo Black, William O. Douglas, Potter Stewart, Cox Broadcasting v. Cohn, William Brennan and others, one feels that American society views freedom of speech and of the press as crucial for the preservation of freedom as such.

The Freedom of Information Act is among the main legal documents regulating issues of the open government. There are also plenty of normative legal documents on the subject, on federal and state level (State Sunshine Laws) providing clear criteria according to which information can be classified as secret, confidential or as forming part of a criminal investigation, as well as legal mechanisms for appealing such decisions of state officials. A key component for understanding United State policy in providing public access to official information is having the opportunity to become familiar with the texts of the legislation on which it is based.

Writing a Study Writing a Study Objectives EssayObjectives Essay Section Three: How will being in the U.S. Section Three: How will being in the U.S.

help your work?help your work? Law example:

So my aim is to study such legislation as well as court decisions, executive actions and other means through which the United States conduct their policy in this sphere. These issues have of course become of special concern in the United States today in connection with the war on terrorism. I am deeply interested in the on-going discussion as to the balancing, through existing legal mechanisms, of citizens’ right to know and the government requirement to provide national security.

But it will be difficult for me to learn all this material without special skills. As far as I know, there are special courses on conducting legal research as well as computer-assisted legal research in the United States universities. As for my study plans, I would like to take courses on human rights and comparative law in order to learn more about the particular features of various democratic countries and specific characteristics of new democracies which emerged on the post-totalitarian terrain. I would like also to take courses that specifically address Public Information Law in order to understand the ways in which the federal government generates and disseminates information, learn to use basic and specialized informational sources, such as Westlaw and LexisNexis, and learn more about a concept of “digital government.”


Section Four: Summing it up!Section Four: Summing it up!

In your conclusion, write about your In your conclusion, write about your project on a practical, rather than project on a practical, rather than theoretical level as you did in the first theoretical level as you did in the first section. section. What will be the result of your project (a What will be the result of your project (a

book, a course outline, something else book, a course outline, something else altogether)?altogether)?

Why is it reasonable to think that you Why is it reasonable to think that you will finish it in the time allotted to you?will finish it in the time allotted to you?



More than anywhere else, express why More than anywhere else, express why youyou are the person to complete this task. are the person to complete this task.

Explain briefly how and why your Explain briefly how and why your completed project will benefit both the completed project will benefit both the larger field of your study as well as larger field of your study as well as Ukraine.Ukraine.


Section Four: Summing it up!Section Four: Summing it up! Psychology example:

As a conclusion of my studies on Master’s level in the USA I plan to write a thesis on work performance optimization. I will use the results of my “Ukrainian” graduate paper concerning collectivistic and individualistic behavior and try to develop them, applying to the sphere of organizational development.

To sum up everything stated above I would say that while studying in American university I will:

Scrutinize a number of obligatory and elective courses which will provide me with the foundation I/O theory and research;

Take special practicum on organizational development to get necessary skills and knowledge of personnel training and conduction of organizational changes;

Take part in faculty project investigating employees’ motivation and the ways it can be influenced;

Write thesis on techniques of work performance optimization (in connection to work motivation).

That’s the program I would like to undertake. Upon my return to Ukraine, I am eager to share my knowledge of Organizational psychology with my future students and colleagues to create our Ukrainian approach to the solution of human resources problems in business and industry.



Law example: The research I am hoping to undertake when studying in an

American university will be useful not only for my personal development and proficiency in my major. I intend to use the results of my work in the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group where I believe it will have practical application in contributing to drawing up Ukrainian legislation and law enforcement practice.

Thank you for your Thank you for your attention! attention!

We are happy to answer any We are happy to answer any questions you may have.questions you may have.

Documents

Tips for Writing Strong Fulbright Essays for the Graduate Student and Faculty Development Programs Dr. Kate Mastruserio Reynolds [email protected] Myron