In order to apply, applicants submit our online application by one of the deadlines below. Next, selected applicants participate in a 30-minute phone interview with a Teach For America representative. Then, the most promising applicants are invited to a final, day-long interview. Applications are non-binding.
All incoming corps members will attend the summer training institute in Summer 2009 and begin teaching in Fall 2009, regardless of the deadline at which they apply. Read more about how to choose a deadline
Rollover the steps below to view more information.
| Steps | Deadlines | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | |
Step 1  Apply online Completing our online application is straightforward. Here is what you will need to submit:
*You are not required to submit transcripts or Online Recommendation Forms by the application deadline. These forms are required prior to the final interview. |
September 19, 2008 | November 7, 2008 | January 7, 2009 |
February 13, 2009 |
| Step 2 Check online to see if you have been invited to attend an interview. Sign up for a phone interview, if invited. View your status on the Applicant Center. If invited to advance to the next stage, sign up for a 30-minute phone interview. You will also read and reflect upon two articles prior to your phone interview. Most applicants are required to participate in a phone interview before advancing to the final interview. |
September 25 | November 13 | January 13 | February 24 |
| Step 3 Participate in a 30-minute phone interview Interview on the phone with a Teach For America representative. The phone interview is an opportunity to discuss your interest in Teach For America and explain your past experiences in greater depth. |
September 27 - 30 | November 15 - 18 | January 15 - 18 | February 26 - March 3 |
| Step 4 Check online to see if you have been invited to attend a final interview Check the status of your candidacy online and, if invited to advance to the next stage, sign up for a final interview location and date, review directions to your interview, and access information about how to prepare. To view your status, you will log on the Applicant Center. |
October 6 | November 24 | January 26 | March 9 |
| Step 5 -Submit regional and subject/grade preferences and transcript information online -Deadline for recommenders to submit Online Recommendation Forms Submit your regional, subject, and grade-level preferences and transcript information online. You will have the option to rank our regions in order of your preference and indicate the subjects you prefer to teach, as well as your general grade level preferences. Lastly, you will be asked to enter course titles, departments, and grades for every undergraduate course you have taken or are currently enrolled in. This is also the deadline for your recommenders to submit their Online Recommendation Forms. You will list your recommenders upon being invited to an interview. |
October 24 | December 5 | February 6 | March 20 |
| Step 6 Attend a day-long final interview The interview day brings together approximately 12 applicants and two Teach For America interviewers. The group convenes in the morning for a variety of activities. First, each applicant leads a five-minute teaching session that he/she plans in advance for a grade level of his/her choice, while the other applicants participate as students. Applicants also engage in a group discussion, complete a problem solving activity, and reflect on a topic in writing. In the afternoon, each applicant participates in a 30-45 minute personal interview with one of the interviewers. |
October 28 - 30 | December 9 - 11 | February 10 - 12 | March
24 - 27 March 30 - April 3 |
| Step 7 Check online to see your acceptance status and regional and subject/grade level assignment View final admissions status on the Applicant Center and, if admitted, receive details about your regional and tentative subject-and grade-level assignment. |
November 17 | January 20 | March 10 | April 20 |
| Step 8 Learn about your assignment and make a decision Learn more by reading about your assigned region and talking to members of the Teach For America community, including regional staff members, your interviewer, corps members, and/or alumni. |
November 17 - December 5 | January 20 - February 2 | March 10 - 23 | April 20 - May 1 |
| Step 9 Accept or decline our offer by Accept or decline our offer on the Applicant Center. |
December 5 | February 2 | March 23 | May 1 |
Although our final admissions criteria are consistent at all four deadlines, the primary advantage to applying before the final deadline is more time. Selecting an earlier deadline provides you more opportunities to engage in thoughtful and thorough planning and to receive support during the admissions process and your transition as a corps member should you be accepted. Specific advantages to selecting our earlier lower-volume deadlines are:
That said, it is most important that you choose a deadline according to the timeline that works best for you. Please consider the dates scheduled for the phone interview and final interview to ensure that you will be available for the required interview dates for the deadline you select.
Questions? Visit Frequently Asked Questions.
Who we're looking for
How to apply