Note, too, that a number of applicants include long opening paragraphs with extensive background information that contextualizes their topics. Provide support material in your body paragraphs as well: details, examples, and anecdotes are a must. You sell yourself, support your claims—whatever words you want to use—when you include adequate evidence or support in each paragraph throughout your curriculum vita. Include thoughtful insights about your experience. In other words, in addition to describing and detailing what you have done, reveal what you have learned and what insights you have gained— about yourself, about a subject, about an experience. Develop a thoughtful relevant conclusion—one that adds to your discussion and brings it to a close. The best advice is to stop when you are finished; do not tag on a needless summary or add a paragraph of generalizations and empty statements. Often you can end with the preceding paragraph and bring it—and your essay—to a close by adding a memorable sentence or two. As noted above, many writers end by focusing on what they plan to do after their Fulbright experiences. Language, Style, and Tone Use concrete and specific language; avoid general and encompassing statements. Instead of saying that you value social equality or diversity, show what you have learned and generate specific statements and explanations for why you value these ideals. Choose words appropriate to your audience—a group of thoughtful but non-specialist readers. Avoid jargon—unless necessary—and explain esoteric terms and disciplinary-specific vocabulary. Develop a tone that strikes a balance between too personal or too academic. Avoid stilted, overly formal, and pedantic language. Avoid clichés, sentimental language, and platitudes. For example: “I felt unbridled happiness, when a homeless person thanked me for helping to build them a new home.” Write concisely. Because of page limitations, every word counts, so work with an experienced editor to eliminate superfluous words, phrases, and sentences. Follow these suggestions: Condense phrases by using a single word—“Obviously” instead of “It is obvious that”; “Because” instead of “On the grounds that.” Eliminate nominalizations and adjective used as nouns)—“Victimize” instead of “Victimization.” Condense verb phrases by a single word—“Consider” instead of “Give consideration to”; “Understand” instead of “Have a great understanding of.”
Edit unnecessary adverbs used as intensifiers—“Finished” instead of “Completely finished.” Eliminate unnecessary relative pronouns (that, which, who, whom)—“The book I quoted was missing” instead of “The book that I had quoted was missing.” Eliminate redundant words—“Ready” instead of “Ready and able”; “Willing” instead of “Willing and eager.” Minimize the use of expletive constructions statements that start sentences and include “to be” verbs)—“We want” instead of “There is a desire for”; “We hope” instead of “It is to be hoped.” Combine two or more sentences and omit unnecessary repetition—“John went to the store on Saturday to buy bread and butter” instead of “John went to the store on Saturday. He bought bread and butter.” Whenever possible, use the active voice—for example, “The fireman put out the fire”, not “The fire was put out by the fireman.” Your tone should be genuine and convey sincerity and honesty. If you “sound” inauthentic or insincere, readers may make more general assumptions about your character and integrity. Because the personal statement focuses on you, use the first person singular pronoun, “I,” but keep it to a minimum, particularly at the beginning of sentences. And eliminate the “I thinks,” “I believes,” and the “I feels.” Vary sentence length and types: Simple sentences with one independent clause; Compound sentences with two or more independent clauses; or more Complex sentences with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
References and Additional Resources “The Application Essay.” Scholarships for International Study. University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign. 8 Jan. 2009 < >. “Hints for Writing Fulbright Application Essays.” Fulbright Scholarships. 10 Jan. 2008. Hope College. 19 Mar. 2009. <>. Path: Click on “Need Writing Hints?” “Fulbright Grants in the Creative and Performing Arts.” Office of Distinguished Fellowship and Graduate Studies. 8 Jan. 2009. College of Holy Cross < “Fulbright.” Rollins College Office of International Programs. Rollins College. 8 Jan. 2009 <>. “Information on the Fulbright Grant.” Study Abroad. Spring/Summer 2008. Temple University. 8 Jan. 2009 < abroad/fulbright.htm>. Path: Click on “Fulbright Information Booklet.” “Personal Statement.” Welcome to Fulbright. U.S. Department of State. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. 13 May 2009 <https://us.fulbrightonline.org/preparing_personalstatements.html>. “Putting Together a Competitive Application.” Fulbright Program. Azusa Pacific University. 19 Mar. 2009 <>. Path: Click on “Apply for Student Fulbright Scholarship; Click on “Student Application Resources”; Click on “Putting Together a Competitive Application.” United States. U.S. Department of State. About Fulbright. 4 Sept. 2009 <>