Thomas said that when she first started as a Fulbright adviser, four or five students would apply, and maybe one or two would get grants in a "good" year. Last year 34 undergraduates and five graduate students applied, and 14 were awarded grants. This year, 44 undergraduates have applied.
Thomas proposed two recent events that have boosted the numbers of applicants and, subsequently, the number of grants awarded.
"First, the Advanced Study Grant competition, an initiative of the University Fellowship Committee begun in 1996 and open to any BC undergraduate, supports students in their first experience in applying for grants. Many students who proceed on to apply for Fulbrights and other awards learned how to conceive and carry forward a project by crafting an ASG application," said Thomas.
Thomas also credited the Arts and Sciences Dean's office, which has "generously" supported the Fulbright program on campus, for the increase in recipients. For instance, the office funded the creation of the BC Fulbright Web site, where students can read all about how the Fulbright works, how to apply, deadlines, and information about workshops held on campus for students thinking of applying.
"In addition, the Dean's office has involved more faculty this year. For example, because we had an extra-large contingent of applicants to Germany this year, professor Michael Resler of German Studies and professor Elizabeth Chadwick of the [A&S] Honors program joined me in advising Fulbright applicants this year," said Thomas.
"In my own department, German Studies, the default assumption is simply out there from the very start that, if you major or minor in German at Boston College, you will also apply for a Fulbright grant in your senior year," said Resler. He added that in the final analysis, not everyone does apply and not all who apply are awarded the Fulbright.
"However, the mere fact that this is the long-term goal, looming down there at the end of your undergraduate career, means that the academic bar is raised to a significantly higher notch than it would otherwise be. If you don't aim high, you'll never attain high goals - and the Fulbright fellowship is indeed a high goal," said Resler.
"Aside from the native smarts of BC students and their willingness to work hard to pursue high goals, and I think a lot of credit [for the increase in Fulbright winners at BC] should go to professor [Donald] Hafner's University Fellowships Committee," said Thomas. The committee has raised consciousness on campus about the existence of national competitions like the Fulbright, Rhodes, Marshall, and Goldwater and has brought students' attention to accessibility of these awards, with the huge range of opportunities that they open, she said.
Hafner also commented on BC's high yield of Fulbright winners, citing various attributing factors, including an "eager" faculty ready to help guide students in formulating a strong Fulbright application.
"A winning Fulbright application starts with an imaginative idea - an idea worth pursuing in a year-long project abroad. From the day they arrive on campus, BC students have an abundance of encouragement and opportunities to be imaginative and to be engaged with the wider world," said Hafner. "I'm not at all surprised that such a high percentage of our Fulbright applicants succeed."
"As a university, BC is distinguished by its commitment to international awareness and involvement. This commitment begins with Father Leahy and can be seen at all levels and in all schools at BC," said Chadwick. She referenced the A&S foreign language proficiency requirement, as well as its cultural diversity requirements as influencing factors in BC's being awarded so many Fulbright grants.
"In addition to the various academic programs and majors on campus, there is a comprehensive study abroad program [CIPP]. Students also take advantage of numerous opportunities for internships abroad and for volunteer and service work and learning," said Chadwick.
Finally, there is also the Global Proficiency Program at BC, which recently won national recognition. "There are a lot of people and programs on campus that reflect international concerns," said Chadwick.
Jay Blair, A&S '07, another applicant this year, offered insight from what he learned during the application process.
"The application is much more solid if you revise your Curriculum Vitae and Statement of Proposal about 20 thousand times each, so it would be wise to think of a country, a theme, and then a very specific idea very early on," said Blair. "For those who are abroad, you may find that you'll want to return to do a Fulbright project wherever you may be, so establish really strong relationships with people who may be able to support you with research opportunities or internships later on."
An informational session will be held on campus this week for students interested in applying for a Fulbright grant on Thursday, Nov. 2 from 4:30 to 5:20 p.m. in Cushing 209. For more information, contact Margaret Thomas at thomasm@bc.edu.
Grant Hatchimonji is a Heights staff reporter who regularly covers academic issues.
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