How I Secured a Fully Funded Master's at New York University (NYU), United States Through the Fulbright Scholarship

My name is Amalia Ordoñez Vahi. I’m from Spain, and thanks to a Fulbright scholarship, I was able to pursue a two-year Master’s in International Relations at New York University (NYU). I decided to apply for the scholarship and pursue graduate education in that field because I wanted to do a career shift; my previous background was in translation and interpreting, and I wanted to change towards international affairs.

Fulbright Scholarship Details

I received a Fulbright scholarship from the US Department of State, which covered tuition to pursue a Master’s degree at a US university for two years, plus health insurance, flights, and a monthly living allowance. The Fulbright programme is over 75 years old, and it has national commissions in different countries, meaning the requirements for the scholarship may vary from one country to another. For instance, some may value more previous professional experience, and others require you to be admitted to an American school prior to applying for the scholarship.

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program enables graduate students, young professionals, and artists from abroad to study and conduct research in the United States. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program operates in more than 160 countries worldwide. Approximately 4,000 foreign students receive Fulbright scholarships each year. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program application and selection process is administered by binational Fulbright Commissions/Foundations or U.S. Embassies.

Educational Background

Before receiving the Fulbright scholarship, I had completed a BA in Translation and Interpreting at Universidad Pablo de Olavide (Spain) and an MA in Conference Interpreting at The University of Manchester (UK). For my BA, my GPA was 8.7 out of 10, and for my previous MA, it was a Merit. This background helped me in my Fulbright application because I presented the story of my previous educational background and how I wanted to do this shift in my career, hence why I needed to pursue that MA in International Relations, and why the scholarship would help me make that shift.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to New York University?

How Did You Find Information About Fulbright Scholarship and New York University?

I had heard about Fulbright through my parents, who are University professors and mentioned it existed, and then I did online research about the programme and the requirements.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

I took the TOEFL and the GRE. For the TOEFL, considering my background in languages and the fact that I had already done other English tests such as IELTS and Cambridge, I didn’t prepare much other than the format of the test, through online materials. For the GRE, I bought a test preparation book and studied on my own.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Fulbright Scholarship?

I did research online; there were plenty of testimonies from previous grantees who gave tips on how to prepare the application and the interview, specifically, the fact that you need to build a story that relates your previous background and explains why you need to pursue graduate studies in the US and why in the institutions you selected. This may change from one national Fulbright commission to another, but in the case of the Spanish one, the scholarship I applied to required that you select three Universities which you would like to attend, and give a rationale for why those three (this doesn’t mean you end up going to those schools if you’re selected, but you need to be prepared to justify your project). In the case of this scholarship, I found out that a lot of weight was also placed on being involved in the American culture and society beyond the academic life, so I prepared my project accordingly, researching how I would like to be involved in the community to properly immerse myself in American life.

How is Your Experience at New York University?

It was an incredible experience that changed my life, not only because it allowed me to develop a new career, but also for the personal experiences I lived those years and the doors it opened. NYU is a fantastic school, and it’s set right in the heart of New York, so the opportunities to pursue all kinds of interests are endless. The programme was very good also, with many possibilities for students to adapt the curriculum to their interests. Plus, there was always something going on at the school: events, seminars, trips, cultural activities…

How Do You Rate New York University Academically?

I rate NYU very highly; the academic programme was demanding but very flexible, and I was able to adapt it to what best suited my interests, taking classes from other programmes and schools. The faculty was very strong, and there was a combination of theoretical and practical learning, with many seminars, talks and events to complement the lectures, as well as opportunities to be involved in study trips and research.

How Does New York University Support International Students?

As NYU is an international campus, with locations around the world and set in a city that is per se very international, there were many international students and therefore many support options, from clubs and associations to administrative help and counselling.

What Did You Pursue After the Fulbright Scholarship?

I graduated in May 2020, so right at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and after that I pursued work combined with further graduate studies (I completed another master’s at an online university while working at the Spanish Consulate in New York).

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I think it was a matter of clearly explaining my background and providing a justification that persuaded the jury that I was clearly set to pursue those studies and that doing so was a logical next step to continue advancing in my academic and professional goals.

That being said, I believe with scholarships a large share of the success is down to luck and chance: how the other candidates were, how you presented during the interview… sometimes you have to try a few times until you get it right.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

Perhaps I would have done further research and contacted previous grantees to hear about their experience. I think it’s always great to ask questions to others who have gone through the same process before and may be able to give tips and guide you.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask questions. Usually, previous grantees are happy to share their experience and help others in their applications. There’s also plenty of information and resources online on how to prepare a strong application, so make sure you research your scholarship, requirements, tips for the interview… and own it; craft an application that speaks about who you are and what you want to do. Don’t be afraid of putting yourself out there and talking about your interests, your previous successes and, if any, your failures. Make an application that is personal and tells a story about you and your goals. And don’t forget that these processes often take time, so if you’re not selected the first time, try again.