Sample Study Objective of a Successful Fulbrighter

The study objective (also called research objective) is an important essay that is submitted for the Fulbright application. It holds very high weightage for success in securing the Fulbright scholarship. In a previous post, we explained what to include in the study/research objective for Fulbright application. As promised, we have presented here a sample study objective of a successful Fulbright applicant.

Statement of Fulbright Study/Research Objective

Here is the statement of the study/research objective as prompted by the Fulbright application:

Write a clear and detailed description of your study/research objectives, and give your reasons for wanting to pursue them. Be specific about your major field and your specialized interests within this field. Describe the kind of program you expect to undertake, and explain how your study plan fits in with your previous training and your future objectives. This statement is an essential part of your application and is required. Do not mention specific U.S. universities at which you would like to study.
Please limit your response to 700-750 words.

Study / Research Objective prompt in the Fulbright Scholarship application

Sample Study Objective for Fulbright Scholarship Application

Here is the sample study objective for the Fulbright application. The candidate is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in the United States. Please note that the study objective example is only to guide you and give you an idea about the essays of a successful candidate. Don’t copy anything from this study objective. Write your own unique story which makes you stand out.

I have a three-pronged research objective that informs my decision to apply for this scholarship. Firstly, Pakistan lacks an economic policy and a taxation policy. Even though studies are being conducted on growing income inequality and lack of efficient taxation, a correlation has not been established. Research is being conducted for personal glory and not for impact; consequently, most policy decisions are replicated from what works in the developed world. This can be gauged by the fact that over the last ten years, the tax-to-GDP ratio has increased by merely  3% despite the fact that nearly $145 Million have been spent on tax reforms. All revenue targets are short term resulting in an ever-increasing gap between the rich and the poor. I want to research and develop insightful solutions to Pakistan’s real revenue generation problems keeping in mind the facts that nearly 36% of Pakistan’s economy is undocumented, tax evasion is at an all-time high, 1% of the 200 million people in Pakistan file their returns and that indirect (read regressive) taxation forms 58% of the country’s total tax revenue.

Secondly, I do not want my findings to end within my country. I understand that studying the economic impact of policies may not provide “the” answer but it might just provide “an” answer. An answer that can help turn the fate of other developing countries like Pakistan with relevant, if not exactly similar, sets of problems. I intend to reach out to like-minded individuals around the world, to share insights and collaborate on research that addresses the global problem of inequality. A decrease in inequality around the globe is the only way to economic growth which is why inequality was listed as a Sustainable Development Goal, working towards which is a worthy aim.

Lastly, within my country, I am a member of the Tax Advisory Council, a member of the Committee on Tax Reforms Commission, permanent liaison of the FBR to the Federation of Pakistan’s Chambers of Commerce and posted with a wide-ranging jurisdiction of audit and enforcement in the Capital city. I am in a unique position within my organization from where I can recommend policy initiatives, identifying the loopholes that need to be plugged and technical advancement that might be needed, and can also suggest measures to efficiently implement as well as enforce the resultant action plans. I can monitor the progress to gauge the impact and evaluate the policy. These are the responsibilities I am entrusted with.

With that being said, using taxation to eradicate inequality is a daunting task that also requires international exposure. I foresee a future where rooted firmly within my organization, The Federal Board of Revenue, I will broaden my professional exposure by taking on deputed assignments within the Ministry of Finance, the Federation of Pakistan’s Chambers of Commerce and the Economic Affairs Division, all of which are integral tiers of Pakistan’s economic infrastructure. At that juncture, having graduated with in-depth knowledge in the field of public policy will justify and authorize the arguments that I make in favor of knowledge-based government policies. A Ph.D. will allow me to harness the growth of my mind and think out of the box, empowering me to effect change. I will be able to introduce best practices from around the world in the field of Public Policy, liberated from the clutches of mimesis and blind dogmatism, enabling me to incorporate them into our culture of policy formulation. It will also provide me with a unique opportunity to impart that knowledge and invoke the interest of the students when I engage with universities in my capacity as a guest lecturer.

To fulfill the aforementioned objectives, I am in pursuit of a PhD in Public Policy with a focus on the Economics of Public Policy and Income Inequality. I want to study the impact of public policy on the economy of a developing country and to learn how and when should governments interfere.

Ideally, I would like to become part of a multidisciplinary program with wide-ranging content that teaches me to look beyond the boundaries of contemporary public policy. A course that will equip me with the kind of knowledge required for developing answers to questions posed by modern societies, something that combines economic theory with socio-economic policymaking.

This newly acquired educational qualification will mark me as a highly motivated visionary individual and an academically empowered professional. Based on my exposure, my opinion would be valued.

Final Words

That’s all folks. We admit that the study objective (SO) and other application essays are difficult to write because there is a lack of general consensus on the format and style of the essays. Still, if you follow these practices and carefully analyze the sample study objective presented here, you’ll see that you can improve your study objective for Fulbright application by a wide margin. Try to draft your essays well before the deadline and keep revising your essays. This is the key to secure the Fulbright scholarship for studying in the US.

Mention your specific queries in the comments. Your feedback is welcome. I’ll keep uploading more articles that’ll help you prepare your application for the Fulbright and other scholarships. Subscribe to our Facebook Page and YouTube channel for more updates and video guidelines.