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