To decide against Fulbright..

[EChipouras]

---

Members don't see this ad.

For those of you who considered but decided against applying for/accepting a Fulbright scholarship--what was your reasoning? (ie thought-out reasoning, not 'I didn't have time to apply', etc.)

Are there similar programs that last for 2-3 months in the summer (after college graduation)?


E

 

[erica31]

I have a friend who decided against accepting the scholarship. After knowing how long it took him to complete the application, I sort of thought he was crazy. He received a Fulbright to teach in Asia-- and while I don't remember the exact reasoning he gave-- it was along the lines of he wanted to begin his career as a mechanical engineer (his college major) and begin making money. I think he applied for the wrong reasons-- 1. to see if he could actually get it, and 2. b/c his dad was a fulbright scholar.

I think if you receive the scholarship and can complete it before entering med school-- then by all means go for it. If I had gotten it instead of he, I would have taken it in a second!😀

For those of you who considered but decided against applying for/accepting a Fulbright scholarship--what was your reasoning? (ie thought-out reasoning, not 'I didn't have time to apply', etc.)

Are there similar programs that last for 2-3 months in the summer (after college graduation)?


E

 

[EChipouras]

Thanks for your input. Any other comments?

 

[elderjack21]

I think I would take it. Sounds like a great experience and also is great on the resume.

 

[custard]

Why would you not take it? Because it would mean an extra year before med school?

 

[ChakDeyPhutteMD]

i'm glad to see this up here....i'm gonna hear from fulbright on thursday...if i get into the second round i'm going to be somewhat ambivalent. i mean it would be sick if i got it...great resume booster but yea what good is it going to do if i'm going to be a doctor? i've proposed a public health project...plan on becoming a surgeon...what do you say?

 

[DBR]

I turned it down because Im racist.

 

[mttam]

anyone waiting to hear for 2008-2009?

 

[wisguy]

Why would you not take it? Because it would mean an extra year before med school?

Unless you can find cheap flights back to the US on short notice, it probably means two extra years before starting med school. I initially planned on only taking one year out, but the Fulbright stipend is paltry if you have to pay for things outside your grant country. Even though the dollar is weak, there is no way I could have flown back for even a few interviews, so I took another year to get some clinical experience.

On a more positive note (in terms of the application process - the personal benefits are too numerous to discuss and you're probably already aware of those), it makes amazing interview fodder from so many angles. Even though I had lots of other cool activities on my AMCAS, my Fulbright experience was pretty much the only one my interviewers wanted to discuss at length. They asked about everything from my work to living alone abroad to how Central Europe has changed recently to the best spots to SCUBA in Croatia. In my opinion, it was a major factor in the school options I have given my unknown undergrad and sub-par (for the schools I applied at) GPA. I've also been told that it will help set me apart in the residency match, but I can't comment on that yet.

I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about my experience if you're still having trouble deciding.

 

[nu2004]

the teaching fulbright is not quite the regular fulbright, but either are a great resumé booster that no one should pass up.

 

[Drogba]

I am also concerned at being forced to take 2 years off instead of 1 but I will be applying for a fulbright nonetheless and would likely not turn it down if accepted. Frankly, turning down a fulbright is pretty crazy.

 

[Drogba]

i'm glad to see this up here....i'm gonna hear from fulbright on thursday...if i get into the second round i'm going to be somewhat ambivalent. i mean it would be sick if i got it...great resume booster but yea what good is it going to do if i'm going to be a doctor? i've proposed a public health project...plan on becoming a surgeon...what do you say?

Surgery has a definite, if underecognized, place in public health.

See this comment in the Lancet: http://www.med.upenn.edu/globalhealth/documents/LancetSpiegel.pdf

 

[OncDoc19]

anyone waiting to hear for 2008-2009?

I am waiting to hear back from the UK committee after finding out I am a finalist back in January. I have won the Gates as well so I'm not sure yet what I'll do if I win both, but I definitely will be choosing one. England here I come!

 

[taponthecloud]

why would you decline a fulbright.... how about not applying in the first place?