How to Get Selected for a Fulbright and Other Competitive Fellowships [Episode 624]

Send us your admissions questions!What does it take to get selected for a Fulbright or Boren Fellowship? In this episode of Accepted’s Admissions Straight Talk podcast, host Dr. Valerie Wherley sits down with Steven Tagle, an Accepted admissions consultant and fellowship specialist, to break down two of the most prestigious, and most misunderstood, awards in graduate education.Steven draws on his own journey: a Stanford undergraduate, an MFA funded by a Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship, a Fulbright that turned into eight years in Greece, and a second writing fellowship from the Institute of Current World Affairs (ICWA). Today, he helps applicants navigate the entire fellowship landscape, from “fellowship matchmaking” to final interviews.The conversation covers the structure and purpose of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, including the differences between Study/Research Awards and English Teaching Assistant Awards, and how country-specific requirements shape a successful application. Steven also makes a case for the Boren Awards, an often-overlooked option with acceptance rates as high as 40%, a service requirement, and language study built in.Whether you are a college senior, a graduate student, or a professional considering funded study or research abroad, this episode offers a clear, practical foundation for approaching some of the most competitive awards available.00:00 Introducing Steven Tagle 01:03 Steven’s Path: Stanford, Soros, Fulbright, and ICWA02:36 What Exactly Is a Fellowship?04:09 How Fellowship Selection Advice Works05:52 Inside the Fulbright U.S. Student Program10:33 Study/Research vs. English Teaching Assistant Awards12:08 Why the Boren Awards Are Often Overlooked14:32 When to Start Preparing a Fellowship Application17:54 How to Submit the Most Competitive Application19:30 Closing Thoughts and How to Work with StevenRelated Resources:Steven Tagle bioAccepted’s Fellowship Consulting ServicesFulbright U.S. Student Program (U.S. Department of State)Boren Awards (National Security Education Program)Follow UsYouTubeFacebookLinkedInContact [email protected]+1 (310) 815-9553