Hi Everyone,
I was wondering if anyone has had experience with Teach for America. It would be nice to hear from people who got accepted, and perhaps receive some tips and stories from other dopers.
To share a little of my background, I’m a senior who will be graduating in June. I am turning the application in on the next deadline (Nov. 2nd). I don’t have much experience in anything, I guess. I like Japanese but I don’t know if I could go back abroad for the time being. I thought Teach for America would be really good because I am genuinely interested in teaching (I realized this last year), one can earn their teaching certificate by the end of the two year contract (another plus, since my school has discontinued the education major), and it would be a steady, guaranteed job for 2 years (again, I don’t feel like I’m good enough in anything to get hired by a company right out of college, that would take a miracle!). If I get accepted, my tentative plan is to work in California (where I also have friends and family). I would defer my loans until after the two years, seeing as I’ll be leaving Kalamazoo with -$30,000 in my pockets. After gaining residency in California, I would like to stay in the educational field or at the very least continue my schooling. I’ve postponed my plans of world domination for now.
I’m trying not to count my chickens before they’ve hatched. I know plenty of people who have been rejected, and my aunt told me that only 1 of 6 people who apply are accepted. That scared me a little. It’s hard trying to look on the bright side of that when you’re a pessimist to begin with. The future is scary.
Anyways, I would be appreciative of anything that you experienced dopers offer me. I feel that my resume is decent, my gpa is fairly high, and I’m trying to hammer out the last flaws in my letter of intent and essay. If I pass the first preliminary, I’ll have the phone interview next. I will keep everyone posted as to what happens, too!