From First-year to Fulbright

Plan ahead for graduate study abroad with a prestigious Fulbright fellowship.

  • 1

    First Year

    • Study hard and get good grades, to create a solid foundation for a strong GPA
    • Go to the study abroad fair in September to learn about the wide variety of programs offered by NIU
    • Concentrate on learning to write clearly and concisely
    • Identify and participate in at least one campus or community activity
  • 2

    Sophomore Year

    • Study another language offered at NIU: there are 16 languages to choose from
    • Go to the study abroad fair in September and choose a program for summer study abroad; by participating you will gain needed international experience
    • Concentrate on improving your written communication skills
    • Continue your campus or community activity
    • Enjoy a fabulous summer study abroad program led by an NIU faculty member
  • 3

    Junior Year

    • Identify the country where you would like to do a Fulbright and choose a program
    • Continue language study, preferably of a language spoken in your proposed host country
    • Continue your campus or community activity
    • Talk with your major professors about the possibility of writing a proposal for the Fulbright; ask for their assistance and guidance
    • Consider taking a semester abroad or another summer program abroad
    • Meet with the Fulbright program advisor to discuss your plans
    • In the spring semester, explore potential universities for affiliation in your proposed host country and learn how to apply to them for admission
    • Over the summer, start writing your two essays for the Fulbright proposal: a one-page intellectual history and a two-page description of what you plan to do
  • 4

    Senior Year

    • Continue meeting with the fulbright program advisor
    • Continue your campus or community activity
    • Complete your essays; get them reviewed by your professors and by the University Writing Center
    • Complete the foreign language report assessing your proficiency in the language of your proposed host country
    • Complete and submit your proposal by early September
    • Interview with the campus Fulbright committee in mid-September

Contact Us

Division of International Affairs
Williston Hall 406
815-753-9526
slindell@niu.edu