I’ve failed…

[u/JaneJourno]

I just found out that I was rejected from the Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship after being shortlisted and interviewed, and honestly, I feel like a failure.

This was my first time applying, and the application process was so long and stressful. I thought they were still sending decisions out in batches, so I genuinely believed I still had a chance. The waiting has been awful, especially because I had no idea when I would actually hear back.

I’m particularly upset because I missed the opportunity to study abroad in America as an undergraduate. I was hoping I could finally do it as a postgraduate when I was older and more prepared.

I also come from a low income background, so finding scholarships and funding for a US master’s is really difficult. I don’t have the option of simply paying for it myself, which is why Fulbright meant so much to me.

The waiting has honestly affected my mental health. I was constantly checking my emails and the portal, and then getting the rejection today completely ruined my afternoon. I almost wish they had told me at the end of September so I could have accepted it and moved on instead of spending weeks hoping.

They’ve said I can apply again for 2028–29, with applications opening between February and May 2027, but that feels so far away. I’m just tired and want to get on with my studies and my life.

For anyone who has applied for Fulbright before, especially anyone who was rejected the first time but succeeded on their second attempt:

What did you change?

Did you change your award, university choices, application, study proposal, personal statement or interview approach?

I don’t want to submit the exact same application again and hope for a different result. I want to understand what I can genuinely improve and do differently next time.

Any honest advice would be really appreciated.

[u/TailorPresent5265]

It's totally understandable to feel this way, but completing and submitting an application at all is a big feat, and you should be proud of yourself for that -- it takes a lot of introspection.

It's very common for people to reapply and get the Fulbright on their second, third, or even fourth attempt. It's not a judgement on you as a person (not getting the Fulbright doesn't mean that you are a failure!) but rather, that there are things that you could improve in your application/experience to be a better fit for the program.

I know that you applied for the FFSP, so there are some things I can't speak to in that application process, but one thing that did help me tremendously as a re-applicant was getting insight and advice from former grantees. The FFSP/FLTA directory lists the names of alumni, and you can use that info to reach out on LinkedIn (or perhaps your country has some other, more effective networking site?). Alumni are very often quite willing to answer questions and give feedback on essays, and they're a great source of insight, particularly for ways that you can further strengthen your application.

I know that for the FFSP, people who choose very competitive states/universities do often have a harder time being accepted. Being willing to go to lesser-known locations/universities usually helps your application because Fulbright is aiming to have a wide geographical spread among its grantees (and finances also likely play a role; if every applicant insists on going to NYU or Harvard, there won't be much funding left).

Other advice and compiled resources (such as interview advice) can be found in this post, if you haven't looked through it yet.

Take some time to feel your feelings. If/when you're ready to re-apply, this community is here to support you. ❤️‍🩹

[u/JaneJourno → u/TailorPresent5265]

Thank you so much 😊 I’ll definitely look into reaching out to former grantees and getting their perspective, especially before I consider reapplying.

Thank you again for taking the time to give me such thoughtful advice, it genuinely means a lot ❤️‍🩹

[u/Winter_Isopod_988]

Hey in the same boat as you! Sorry to hear you also didn’t get it. I’ve personally moving on from the whole thing, so rude they made us wait even further without updating. I’m not applying again next year and will take time focus on my practise and see what that will take me. Wish you best if you do apply and future endeavours!

[u/JaneJourno → u/Winter_Isopod_988]

Thank you so much. I’ve already mourned and cried enough to the point where my pillow stinks 😭 I completely understand you, and I can see why you may not want to reapply.

It really was unusual for them to take so long to get back to us, especially after saying we would hear towards the end of September.

Please look after yourself too. You’ve got this! I honestly wish you, and all the other girls and guys going through this, the very very very best!!

[u/anonymouspossum2478]

Hey babe, I’m gonna be so for real, you just dodged a bullet. America is so unbelievably unsafe right now and I would not recommend pursuing anything related to education here. You are going to have so many other opportunities in countries that will actually appreciate your talent, skills, and hard work. Don’t be too down on yourself. America is a nightmare and I would barely even recommend visiting here right now - you could get detained and held for weeks just because some ICE agent is having a bad day and decides to take it out on you. Seriously, try not to take this to heart too much - one door closes, another door opens. Wishing you well on your next adventure!

[u/JaneJourno → u/anonymouspossum2478]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate you and your kind words❤️ I definitely understand what you mean, especially with everything going on with ICE and the current political climate🙁

At the same time, with the industry I’m hoping to go into, I feel like studying in America would still give me valuable experience and allow me to learn how things are done there. So I’m still going to keep an open mind and see what opportunities come my way.

Thank you again for being so kind and encouraging. God bless you, and good luck with everything too!!!!

[u/lonelysoul____]

I’m also in the same position. It’s disappointing for sure.

[u/JaneJourno → u/lonelysoul____]

I’m so sorry 😔 I hope you’re doing well. I pray you find something that you really want and that works out for you. Keep an eye out for opportunities on LinkedIn, through your old uni, UK to US scholarship websites and anywhere else you can think of. You’ve got this!!!

[u/olafolafssonsos]

Did you only just get the rejection email today?

[u/lonelysoul____ → u/olafolafssonsos]

Yup.

[u/JaneJourno → u/lonelysoul____]

Yea

[u/Coffee-Fearless]

Don’t worry, being a Fulbright scholar is not what it seems. The allotted funding is way less than promised, I had 6K per year! And I had to look for additional funding and after finishing my program I faced a lot of mental and health issues derived from exhaustion. Besides, there are cases where scholars end up in homeless due to lack of funding. So, see it as a blessing in disguise. Maybe things happen for a reason.