Researching U.S. UniversitiesPresented by Marisa Rivero

Why research U.S. institutions before applying for a Fulbright?To become more familiar with U.S. graduate education,

programs, and scholars in your area of expertise

To identify and contact U.S. institutions and faculty/scholars that match your research goals as a potential Fulbright scholar (if you do not already have contacts).

To request and receive an official letter of invitation from a U.S. institution to be a visiting scholar

How will your research of U.S. institutions strengthen your application?

Demonstrates that you have a concrete reason for going to the U.S. to conduct research. (Your research cannot be done elsewhere.)

Proves that you are familiar with U.S. institutions, scholars, research facilities and resources, and scholarship.

Indicates that you have a focused and in-depth research plan with a specific U.S. institution and scholar, and that you have access to the resources required to complete your research.

Providing this information in your application will improve

your chances of being selected for an interview.

Considerations for Selecting aU.S. University and Department

Relevant (and available) research faculty

Top-notch research facilities and access to these

resources

Department reputation

Opportunities for professional development

Department size

Location

Finding the Best U.S. InstitutionIf you do not already have U.S. contacts, onlineresearch of the following topics will help you identifyinstitutions and faculty in your research field:

U.S. professional associations

Academic Databases

University search engines and ranking websites

Professional Associations• American Anthropological Association

http://www.aaanet.org

• American Association for the Advancement of Science http://www.aaas.org/

• American Bar Association http://www.americanbar.org

• American Chemical Society http://portal.acs.org/portal/acs/corg/c

ontent

• American Economic Association http://www.aeaweb.org

• American Mathematical Society http://www.ams.org/home/page

• American Political Science Association http://www.apsanet.org/

• American Psychological Association http://www.apa.org

• American Society for Engineering Education http://www.asee.org/

• IEEE Computer Society http://www.computer.org

• National Council of Teachers of English http://www.ncte.org/

American Chemical Society

American Political Science Association

Academic Databases Directory of Open Access Journals – open access to scholarly journals and

articles http://www.doaj.org/

National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy - library electronic resources of online open access journals http://www.library.ukma.kiev.ua/index.php?id=76

General list of academic databases –open access and subscription resources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_academic_databases_and_search_engines

Open Access Journals

National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Library Electronic Resources

University search engines and ranking websites

U.S. News and World Report

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools

PhDs.org

http://graduate-school.phds.org

Peterson’s Graduate Schools

http://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools.aspx

Princeton Review

http://www.princetonreview.com/graduate-schools-programs.aspx

GradSchools.com

http://www.gradschools.com

University Library – graduate ranking directory

http://www.library.illinois.edu/edx/rankings/rankgrad.html

U.S. News and World Report

PhDs.org

Preparing a letter to U.S. institutionsrequesting an affiliation

Before you contact a U.S. institution, prepare a detailed

letter with the following information:Who you are, your research project, and your goal as a Fulbright

Scholar;Why you would like to work with a specific scholar and department;What new ideas or research you can contribute to the U.S.

institution.How you would conduct your research and explain the resources,

materials, and interaction you would require for your research;When you would like to come to the U.S. institution and for how

long.

The more specific the information you provide, the better the

response that you will receive from the U.S. institution.

Recommendations for Contacting U.S. Institutions

Send the letter by email to the attention of a specific faculty/scholar or the department chair.

Attach your project objectives essay or summary of your proposed project.

At the end of the letter, make sure you mention the Fulbright application deadline of October 15 so that the institution knows by when you hope to receive a response.

Attach your CV in English. Attach any relevant examples of your work – i.e. a publication in

English.Contact more than one institution. Even if an institution is interested

in welcoming a Fulbright Scholar, they may not have the resources or time to accept a visiting scholar during your timeframe.

Getting a response from a U.S. institution

Waiting for a response If it has been several weeks since you contacted a U.S. institution

and the application deadline is fast approaching, be proactive and send a follow-up email.

If you have not received a response by the application deadline, be sure to explain in your application that you have contacted U.S. institutions (include the names of the institutions and scholars) and that you are still waiting for a response.

When you get a response Include the email or letter you receive with your application. (Original

letter is best, but a scanned copy of the letter or email can be included as well.)

Additional Resources Fulbright Ukraine Office

Fulbright Scholars Program, Natalia Zalutska, Program Manager, nzalutska@fulbright.com.ua Can provide contact information of past or current Ukrainian and US Fulbright

scholars working in your field. They may be able to provide recommendations of US institutions to contact.

Education USA Advising Centers

http://www.educationusa.info/Ukraine Collections of handbooks and informational guides to U.S. universities, advisors to

help answer your questions, and computers.

US Embassy Information Resource Center

http://ukraine.usembassy.gov/irc.html

Research assistance to help Ukrainian academics access online U.S. scholarly

journals and research articles (free service – must call or email in advance for an

appointment).

Fulbright Scholar Application Deadline October 15, 2011

Thank you!I am happy to answer questions.