Fulbright Foreign Student Application Checklist

A complete application for placement purposes consists of the following components.

Required Items Description Completed

Application The web-based Fulbright Foreign Student applications are located at:
(Make certain to follow all instructions carefully, [Link]
especially essay instructions) In addition, all supplemental forms are can be accessed through Slate:
[Link]
Letters of Reference Minimum of 3 professional references from instructors, professors, or
(These can be submitted online) work supervisors who know you well.
Academic Transcripts Official, certified copies of your academic records for all post-
(See reverse for more information on the secondary institutions attended that come directly from the school(s);
definition of official transcripts) must list courses taken and grades received for each year of
enrollment (Note, if you have completed a Bologna-compliant degree
in Europe, a diploma supplement in English is also needed).
Original translation of transcripts Official transcripts translated into English: must be literal, not
(If official transcripts are not issued in English) interpretative.
Resume/CV (Curriculum vitae) Compilation of work experience, education, skills, other activities.
Diploma(s) Copy of originals.
Original translation of diploma(s) Diploma(s) translated into English.
(When original is not issued in English)
Standardized tests (TOEFL) Minimum 80 IBT depending on school and field of study;
(Sometimes IELTS can be substituted) Recommended 100 IBT+ for more competitive applications.
Standardized tests (GRE) Required in most fields of study except for MBA and Law.
Standardized tests (GMAT) Required for MBA and business-related programs.
Other standardized tests (Subject GRE) Requirements will vary by field of study and institution.
Items that may be needed to complete file Description: IIE will inform you if any of these documents are required. Completed
Writing sample Often required for study in the humanities or social sciences; all
(i.e. A research paper, published article, doctoral applicants in all fields will need one as well.
academic paper, etc.)
Work sample Often required for study in the arts or art-related fields as well as in
(i.e. Portfolio of slides of artwork, video, film, communication and/or journalism.
music, a sample of journalistic work, etc.)
Audition In-person auditions can sometimes be waived and replaced with a
(For study in the Arts) video presentation.
Interview In-person interviews can be waived and replaced with a phone or
Skype interview.
High School transcript In some cases, we may require a copy of your official high school
transcript or scores of official exams.
Other
(Varies by field of study, country, or institution)
Biodata page of your passport Required by IIE prior to issuing the DS-2019 form which you need to
apply for a U.S. J-1 visa.
Forms needed later in the year Description Completed
Fulbright Medical History Form Two parts—one completed by you and one by your doctor. Note:
please check with your Fulbright Office regarding any deadlines they
have set. Generally, this form is completed not earlier than 6 months
prior to coming to the U.S. We also recommend that you acquire and
complete the health form from the U.S. university you will attend.
See reverse for additional information →

Prepared by IIE’s Academic and Experiential Learning Division, December 2020

 Key Elements of a Competitive Application
Application:
• Take care to answer all questions to the best of your ability.
• Make sure that you spell your name correctly and in English; do not use diacritical markings, if you only have one name, use
the last name field.
• Make sure that the information you have added into the online application text boxes displays completely.
• When prompted:
• List all post-secondary schools attended, including study abroad programs, and list in order of those most recently
attended.
• List all academic, professional, and personal awards and honors achieved.
• Write a clearly articulated study objective or academic goal statement. This is an important component of your
application and is your opportunity to state what you want to study and to achieve. Be specific.
• Write a personal statement that clearly details who you are and your experiences. You can both highlight your strengths
and address any inconsistencies or perceived weaknesses.
• Review the plagiarism agreement and acknowledge that you understand and will comply with the agreement.
• Upload your resume or a CV (Curriculum vitae).
• Upload copies of your student transcripts (Please note, official transcripts prepared by the schools you attended will still
be needed).
• For programs that utilize IIE placement services, indicate up to 8 university programs in order of preference and share
any other pertinent information that someone handling your placement should know if you are selected.

Letters of Reference:
• IMPORTANT! Letters of References should ideally be from people who know you well in a professional capacity.
• IIE recommends focusing on work contacts OR on academic contacts. Depending on what is weighed more significantly by the
admissions committee—your work experience or your academic background. This will vary by your field of study.
• Referees should be able to speak to your strengths.
• Referees should be chosen so that they say different things about you.
• Note, in some educational systems the reputation of the referee is important. However, in the U.S. this is not a consideration
if the referee does not know you well.
• We recommend that your referees complete the online reference letter. You may register them as part of the online
application process. However, if they cannot complete the online reference letter, all supplemental forms, including the
letters of reference are accessible at [Link]

Academic Transcripts and Translations (sometimes referred to as mark sheets or degree statements):
• Transcripts must list all courses and/or subjects taken and the grades received. Ideally, they should indicate when the course
was taken. Most transcripts contain a ‘legend’ that will explain what an ‘excellent’ grade, a ‘passing’ grade, etc. is. (Please
note a description of the course is NOT required).
• You must submit official transcripts. In other words, they must be certified by the school, e.g. the Registrar’s Office or
Controller of Examinations (Official transcripts may NOT be certified by a professor or other legal authority) and be forwarded
in an envelope that has not been opened by you, the student.
• Transcripts should be in the official language of the country unless the school provides an official transcript in English.
• If a translation is necessary, it can be issued by the school or by a qualified translator. Translations must be literal—not
interpretive.
• Note, for those individuals studying in Europe and completing a Bologna-compliant degree, a diploma supplement in English
is also needed.

Test Scores
• IIE requires official test scores to be sent from the testing institution. An ‘examinee’ copy may be used while awaiting
“official” scores, but eventually, universities will need “official” test scores.
• When taking the test, please make sure to indicate IIE as a test recipient.
• For TOEFLs and all GREs, the code is 2326.
• For GMAT exams, the code is F0F-4J-28
• For IELTS, select Institute of International Education from the ‘Professional Bodies’ listing.
• Note: TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two years. GRE and GMAT scores are valid for five years.

Prepared by IIE’s Academic and Experiential Learning Division, December 2020