This year, Oberlin College and Conservatory was recognized as the number one producer of Fulbright scholars for a U.S.-based undergraduate institution.
Oberlin College has been a top producer of Fulbright Grantees for 16 years. In the 2023–24 school year, Oberlin awarded the second most amount of grants out of any undergraduate-only school in the country — awarding a total of 16 grants out of the 43 applications received. For the first time, Oberlin made it to the very top of the list, awarding a total of 19 grants out of the 67 applicants from the class of 2024.
“Our achievement this year is especially rewarding and reflects the considerable time, energy, and resources we invest in our students’ success,” President Carmen Twillie Ambar said.
The majority of the grantees, 13 out of the 19 total, are currently serving as English Teaching Assistants. The other six grantees are engaged in graduate and research programs.
The Fulbright program is an international exchange program that was founded in 1946. It has produced Nobel Laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and government leaders. It is primarily sponsored by the United States government; Congress provides an annual appropriation through the Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. This funding helps cover the main expenses for the grantees, such as tuition, travel expenses, living stipends, and, in some specific cases, research allowances.
The main purpose of the Fulbright program is to help promote mutual understanding and cultural exchange between the U.S. and other countries. The program includes fellowships and scholarships for more than 160 countries worldwide. It provides opportunities for recent graduates, but also for graduate students, university professors, and even professionals looking to extend the wings of their research.
The English Teaching Assistant program places “Fulbrighters” in classrooms all over the world as teacher assistants. Though the ETA program is primarily an assistant position, Sophia Gliatto, OC ’24, a Fulbright ETA in Mexico, said that the reality of it is more of an additional teacher rather than purely an assistant.
“I think I went into this thinking that I would be more of an English teaching assistant,” Gliatto explained. “But what it’s ended up becoming is that I’m actively teaching.”
The process for a Fulbright application starts with the first round of applications happening around mid-October. The application begins with students deciding on the type of award they are applying for, between Study and Research Awards or ETA positions. The application requires academic transcripts and letters of recommendation. The essays for the application include a Personal Statement that serves as an introduction to the selection committee. The other main essay is the Statement of Grant Purpose; this essay details the proposed project or teaching assignment. Additionally, a language proficiency self-evaluation must be submitted for people outside the U.S. Oberlin’s process and promotion of Fulbright on campus has been commended by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs Scott Weinhold.
“Oberlin College’s designation as a Fulbright Top Producing Institution clearly demonstrates your dedication to promoting global engagement and mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries,” Weinhold was quoted as saying in a press release from the College.
According to Director of Fellowships and Awards Danielle Abdon, Oberlin’s approach to Fulbright provides very detailed and individualized guidance throughout the entire process. The process at Oberlin starts with a board that assesses your eligibility for the Fulbright program. If it is determined you are eligible, an entire support system will be made available. Those applying will have access to one-on-one sessions, information sessions, and unlimited revisions from faculty and staff trained in reading Fulbright applications. Abdon stressed the importance of this strong support system.
“Individualized comprehensive assistance is crucial because these applications are so complex and take months to complete,” she said.
Currently, members of the class of 2025 have made it to the semi-finalist round of Fulbright Applications. 76 Students applied for the 2025-2026 year, which is a record number for Oberlin. Within the 76, 48 applied to the English Teaching Assistant Program, and 28 applied for Study/Research Arts grants. Out of the 76 students who applied, 39 have been selected to move on to the next round and are currently hearing back from their respective countries.
