FULBRIGHT FOREIGN STUDENT PROGRAM Instructions for Completing the Fulbright Foreign Student Program Application

ROMANIAN - U.S. FULBRIGHT COMMISSION, Str. Ing. Nicolae Costinescu Nr. 2, 011878 Bucharest, Sector 1, Romania Tel:(021) 230-7719/231-550 Fax: (021) 230-7738 www.fulbright.ro Email: office@fulbright.ro Read all instructions carefully before completing the application STEP 1: Learn requirements for submitting an application The 2013-2014 competition for Romanian applicants is opening on February 22nd, 2012. The Romanian-US Fulbright Commission is pleased to announce the 2013-2014 Fulbright Student (Junior) Award program for masters study or research in the United States. Applicants can be Romanian graduates, MA and PhD students from both public and private universities. BA students are also invited to apply if they are in their final year of study at university. The Student Fulbright award provides: international travel, tuition and university fees within established budget limits as well as accident/sickness insurance and monthly maintenance allowance. The grant also offers books and supplies allowance depending on available funds. The applicants will be selected through open, merit-based competition to participate in quality graduate level programs in any academic field except clinical medicine. Grant duration: one university year (starting August 2013) Applicants must meet the following criteria: have Romanian citizenship; hold a university degree (BA students may apply if they are in the final year of study at university); have English proficiency; if applying in law, applicants must hold a degree in that field.

Each applicant will be required to submit: an online application (https://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/international/20/); three letters of recommendation from university professors and/or other acknowledged Romanian or foreign professionals (uploaded to the online application or mailed as official paper copies by May 14, 2012, postmarked); official academic transcripts and diplomas for all graduated levels - scanned and uploaded to the online application by May 14, 2012; official paper transcripts should also be sent at a later date.

Application deadline: May 14, 2012 Application process: Only online applications will be accepted. Incomplete applications lead to exclusion of the respective applicant from further selection process. Only applicants selected for interviews will be notified. Paper documents will not be returned.

NOTE: Test vouchers for exam registration will be provided to final nominees who must take TOEFL (for research) and TOEFL, GRE or GMAT (for masters study). Score reports will be required prior to November 19, 2012.

STEP 2: Record user ID and password in a safe place Your email address is your user ID. When you created an account for this on-line application, you created a password. An e-mail was sent to you indicating your User ID and Password. Keep this information in a safe place. You can log in and out of the application as frequently as you like; however, you must have your user ID and password. While you cannot change your User ID, if necessary, you can change your password by clicking on Update My Account at the top of the Home page of this application. STEP 3: Complete the application You do not need to complete this application at one sitting. You can re-enter at anytime and edit your application. But remember that once you submit your application, you can NO longer make changes to it. All forms in this application are to be completed in English. Items must be answered completely and carefully. Some helpful tips: Avoid using all capital letters when answering items, e.g. name, address, etc. It is better to use upper and lower case, e.g. Ron Smith. You can copy and paste information into all text boxes. In the text boxes, you must limit your responses to the space provided. Information that exceeds the space provided will not display or print. If what you have typed or copied exceeds the size of the box, you must edit it. You can review each page of the application in its PDF format by clicking on the Preview button on the upper right-hand corner. Closing out of the PDF view will bring you back to your application. You will create essays on pages 4, 5, and 6. On the essay pages, text entered that exceeds the space provided will display and print. However, it is recommended that you try to keep your essays to one page when possible. You have several ways in which you can create your essays. o You can compose your essay on-line. Please note, there is a 40-minute time out function. In other words, you will need to either complete your essay in 40 minutes or periodically save your essay. You will not be able to customize the formatting of your essay. o You can copy and paste text from another document and edit online. Again, you will have a 40-minute time-out function. You will not be able to customize the formatting. o You can upload text from another document. This is the only option where you will be able to have special formatting, e.g. bold, underline, headers, double spacing, etc. While you cannot edit an uploaded document on-line, you can delete your upload, make your corrections in your document off-line, and upload again. o Pages 4 (study objective) and 5 (personal statement) contain a header that displays on the PDF view. Therefore, you must leave a 1 inch (4cm) margin at the top of every page of your essays to allow space for the header that will appear on the print version of your application. You should preview all of your essays to make sure the formatting is correct before submitting your application by clicking the preview button in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. When you preview an essay, you must use the Back browser button to return to your essay. Closing out of the HTML preview (i.e. clicking the X in the upper right-hand corner) will exit you from your application. Some questions are required. In other words, you will not be able to complete and submit your application until all required items are completed. When you click on the Application Inspector button on the Home page, your application will be checked for completeness. You will be prompted to enter any missing information on required questions.

Often specific instructions for completing a question or item will be provided in the application. Please read all instructions carefully. In addition, please review the following important information. Preliminary Question Page: It is very important that the following questions are answered correctly: Question 1 Country of Citizenship: Make sure that you properly identified Romania as the country (i.e. country of citizenship) to which you are applying. Question 2--Program: Make sure that you correctly identify the Fulbright Program to which you are applying. Select the Fulbright Foreign Student Program. The other choice, the International Fulbright Science and Technology PhD Program, is not accepting applications since there will not be a competition for the 2013-2014 cycle. Item 1Name: It is very important that you list your name exactly as it appears (or will appear) on your passport. Please use upper and lower case when entering in your name, e.g. Mihaela Ionescu. Also, do not use diacritical markings as this can sometimes create computer-related problems. Item 11Application Cycle: Please select 2013-2014. Degree Objective: Select one degree from the drop down menu of choices. Do not select Bachelors or PhD.

NOTE: The Fulbright Student (Junior) Award competition for Romanian applicants is for either Masters study or post-university research. Usually, applicants interested in research programs are expected to be PhD students by the time of application. Candidates who are interested in research scholarships but already have a PhD degree are invited to apply in the Fulbright Scholar (Senior) Award competition which opens early June each year. For more information about the Fulbright Scholar Award competition please check www.fulbright.ro. Item 12Field of Study: From the choices, select the field of study most appropriate to your study objective. You can briefly elaborate on the exact nature of your objective in the text box that follows. Item 14Institutions Attended: Please list all post-secondary institutions (BA and MA level only) attended in reverse order (putting the most recently attended first). Do not include information on primary and high-school education. Item 21Position Code: Please select from the drop down menu the position title which best describes the activity in which you are currently (or most recently) involved. Item 27Study/Research Objective: The study/research objective description that you provide is an essential and highly important part of your application. You should take great care to write a clear and very detailed description of the program you want to pursue. Clearly identify the area(s) within your field of study in which you want to specialize or concentrate. If there is specific research that you want to accomplish, please describe. Remember to leave a 1 inch (4 cm) margin at the top of every page to allow room for the header that will appear on the PDF view. Preview your essay to check the formatting before submitting your application. Item 28Personal Statement: The personal statement is a narrative statement in which you can include information about your education, practical experience, special interests, career plans, and your purpose in applying for study in the U.S. Again, remember to leave a 1 inch (4 cm) margin at the top of every page to allow room for the header that will appear on the PDF view. Preview your essay to check the formatting before submitting your application. Item 29Additional Information: You are required to attach a professional resume (useful if you intend to pursue a professional degree, e.g. business or law) or Curriculum Vitae (useful if you intend to pursue a theoretical, academic degree). While there is no header on this page for which you need to leave space, it is still advisable that you preview your information to check the formatting before submitting your application. Page 7University Transcripts and Diplomas:

You should scan your university transcripts/records and diploma (if this is available by the deadline) //or the certificate issued by your university department and upload them to this application. The transcripts should list the subjects you studied and the grades you received during each year of your enrollment. High school transcripts are not necessary. English translations must be added for each item as well. NOTE: Official paper copies accompanied by authorized translations are required only after the Fulbright interview stage for Romanian applicants, in September, 2012. The paper copies of the official transcripts must bear the stamp of the issuing university; the copy of the diploma should be certified by a notary public. Only the applicants who passed the interview stage in September will be required to submit official transcripts and certified diplomas. If you cannot upload scanned transcript/diploma copies due to technical reasons, you may send official transcripts, certified diplomas plus authorized translations directly to the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission no later than May 14, 2012. Page 8Personal Information: The information provided on this form will be used by the RomanianU.S. Fulbright Commission and Fulbright administrative agencies for internal purposes only. Item 32National Identification Number: This is not a required field. However, if your country or state has a system for assigning an identification number, please enter it here. Page 9Personal Financial Information: Since the Fulbright grant that may be awarded to you might only cover a portion of your expenses, you may need to provide funds from your own or other sources. Please complete this form as completely and accurately as possible based on information that you have at the time of application. If you should have a major change in your financial resources while your grant is pending, you should immediately inform the Fulbright Program Office in your home country. The information provided in this section does not affect in any way your application and status in the competition. Page 10University Preference: It is not an expectation that you will have U.S. university preferences. However, if you do, please complete this page as fully as possible. Do not just list the name of a university in which you are interested. Be specific. Provide the name of the department and the specific program within that department in which you are interested. If you have been in contact or correspondence with a faculty member, please provide the name and contact information for that individual. If you have applied to a U.S. university within the past three years, please list the programs and the results. If you have letters of admission, letters of invitation, or other correspondence from a school, especially a preferred program, please forward a copy (not the original) of this correspondence to the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission. STEP 4: Print supplemental forms It is a good idea to print all supplemental forms prior to submitting your application electronically. However, even after submitting your application you will be able to access these forms. The following forms can be found by clicking on the Supplemental Forms button on the Home page of this application. a. Letter of Reference/Recommendation: You must have three letters of reference (or recommendation) submitted on your behalf. Letters of reference are extremely important. All letters of reference should be written by teachers under whom you have studied or pursued research or by someone who has supervised you in work related to your proposed field of study. Letters of reference should not be written by persons related to you either by blood or marriage or by personal friends. At least one academic and one professional or work related letter should be included among the letters. The letters should be written in English if possible. If they are not, an original English translation must be provided. NOTE: Your recommenders have two ways in which they can submit their letter: You can print out the Letter of Reference form and forward it to your recommenders who will then complete the form and mail it in original to the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission.

OR PREFFERABLY: Your recommenders can complete the form online and submit it electronically. You must click on the Recommendation button on the Home page of this application to register your recommenders.

b. Report on Proficiency in English: Complete only the top section of this form and leave blank the remaining portion. This will be completed by one of the types of certified English language evaluators listed on the form at a later date. c. Information Concerning Foreign Student Academic Records: In order to assist U.S. academic institutions in evaluating more accurately your academic credentials, this form allows you to provide information about the educational and grading system in the country where you did postsecondary study. A separate form should be completed for each college or university attended. d. Transcript Release Form (for post-secondary U.S. transcripts only): This form is needed for those students who attended a post-secondary program (undergraduate or graduate) in the U.S. Frequently the fees for acquiring multiple copies of U.S. postsecondary transcripts will be covered by the Fulbright Program. Check with your Fulbright Program Office. e. Signature Form: You must print out, sign, and forward this form to the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission by May 14, 2012 (postmarked). STEP 5: Application inspector Before you can submit your application electronically, your application will be reviewed for completeness. If there is missing data, you will be prompted to correct. STEP 6: Review and print your application Review a PDF version of your application and print a copy for your records. STEP 7: Submit your application After completing this application and thoroughly reviewing it, you will submit it electronically to the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission. Please note, it is very important that the following questions were answered correctly: Question 1--Citizenship: Make sure that you identified Romania as the country to which you are applying. Question 2--Program: Make sure that you identified the Fulbright Foreign Student Program as the award program to which you are applying. If you entered either question incorrectly, you must correct your answer(s) prior to submitting your application. You can make corrections by clicking on the update my answers to preliminary questions link on the upper-right hand corner of the Home page. Note carefully, after submitting your application electronically, you will be able to access it in a viewable PDF format and access supplemental forms. You will be able to print your application and supplemental forms. However, you will not be able to make changes to your application. In addition, you will be able to access tracking information (see below for further information). STEP 8: Track your application for missing documents At the bottom of the home page of your application, there is a track your status link. If items that are still needed to complete your Foreign Fulbright dossier have been identified, they should be indicated here. Only items that are missing will be identified. Please return periodically to check your status. STEP 9: Supporting documentation needed to complete your application A. Please be reminded that the following supporting documentation must be provided to the RomanianU.S. Fulbright Commission by May 14, 2012: three letters of reference/recommendation - either submitted by your recommender in the online application or mailed as hardcopies (including recommenders original signature); academic transcripts and diplomas, for all undergraduate and graduate levels attended, scanned and uploaded to the online application; all the documents must be accompanied by English translations (when necessary); high school transcript and diploma are not necessary;

the signature form (paper document);

Your application is not considered complete until the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission receives all your supporting documentation. NOTE: For the first stages of the competition, the transcripts and diplomas can be scanned and uploaded to the online application. Official paper copies accompanied by authorized translations are required to Romanian applicants only after the Fulbright interview, in September, 2012. B. Standardized tests: You will be required to take one or more of the following standardized tests to gain admission to a U.S. university. For instructions on registration, check the website for the test. a. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): TOEFL is an admissions requirement at U.S. institutions for applicants whose native language is not English. All non-native English-speaking candidates should immediately register for TOEFL. b. GRE (Graduate Records Examination): The GRE is required by U.S. graduate schools and/or departments for candidates in most fields other than Business Administration and Law. You should make every effort to register for the earliest possible administration of the GRE. c. GRE SUBJECT TESTS are required in certain fields. If a GRE Subject Test is offered in your field of study, you should make every effort to register for the earliest possible administration of this exam. d. GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test): GMAT is an admissions requirement for applicants proposing to study Business or Management, as well as any fields which may fall within the scope of offerings of a Business school or department. Arrangements should be made immediately to take the GMAT. IMPORTANT Note carefully, you MUST indicate that you want your score reports sent to the Institute of International Education (IIE). You must indicate the IIE code on the registration forms and/or the forms provided at the time you take the exam. For all TOEFL and GRE exams please indicate CODE: 2326. For the GMAT, please indicate CODE: F0F-4J-28. NOTE: Standardized tests are not obligatory in the first stages of the competition. Score reports will be required prior to November 19, 2012. After the interview stage, test vouchers for exam registration will be provided only to the Romanian final nominees who must take TOEFL (for research) and TOEFL, GRE or GMAT (for masters degree). OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
1. Duration of Grants: Fulbright grants and other fellowships, assistantships, scholarships and educational grants are generally awarded for ten months beginning in August or September. Candidates appointed to certain types of Fulbright grants may be required to arrive during the summer for an introductory course or intensive English program prior to the academic year. In some cases, arrangements may be made for an extension of the period of grant beyond the first academic year. Awards are not renewable. Duration of Degrees: The length of your degree program may exceed the available funding and sponsorship limits of your Fulbright grant. The requirements for completing academic work toward a degree vary depending upon the degree desired, the candidates academic background and the regulations of the individual U.S. institution to which the candidate is admitted. It is usually not possible to obtain a degree in one academic year. Although the minimum time required for a Masters degree is one academic year, a student should expect to spend from at least one summer session to an additional academic year to complete the academic requirements. Change of Plans: You should promptly inform your Fulbright Program Office of any change in your academic status or future plans after your application has been submitted.

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