Prepare for each stage of the admissions process and present your best self on your corps member application.
Tips For Your Online Application
The online application is your first opportunity to tell us about your accomplishments, experiences, and interest in Teach For America. You will upload your resume and respond to a short-answer question. Read about ways to improve your online application.
Before applying, you’re encouraged to learn about TFA’s mission and what it’s like to lead a classroom.
Many applicants choose to meet with a recruiter so they get more personalized information about what to expect in the application process and as a corps member.
You can also check out our stories, which frequently feature articles about corps members, alumni, students, and others in the TFA community. This will help you get a stronger sense of what it's like to be a corps member and see our work in action.
On your resume, you should highlight your academic and professional achievements and leadership experience.
Academic achievements include participation in an honors program, inclusion on dean’s lists, and notable awards you’ve won.
Leadership can be displayed through extracurricular activities, work experience, volunteer experience, and your experience managing teams.
Examples of Effective Resumes:
On the application, you’ll be asked to write two short-answer response about why you want to join TFA and your greatest accomplishment. Make sure you answer the question thoroughly.
“My interviewer made me feel comfortable being myself. I felt like most of our interview was like a conversation. This was one of the most positive interviewing experiences I've ever had.”
Tips For Your Interview
The interview consists of three major components, all of which take place over one day. The components are: a five-minute sample teaching lesson, a case activity, and a one-on-one interview. Due to COVID-19 precautions, all interviews will take place virtually this season, via Zoom, an online video conferencing service.
Tip 1: Practice Using Zoom In Advance
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Your interview will be conducted virtually via Zoom, so we suggest testing it out on your computer or device in advance of your interview time to ensure that you have time to practice or troubleshoot - in case you encounter issues.
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You’ll also be delivering your 5 minute sample lesson via Zoom, which we recognize might be a new experience for you. We encourage you to practice delivering your lesson virtually as well as familiarizing yourself with Zoom features such as using the screenshare and annotation tools.
Tip 2: Actively Engage by Listening and Reflecting
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Your interview is our chance to learn more about you, but it’s also your chance to learn more about Teach For America.
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Be sure to actively engage by listening and reflecting throughout your interview time. Our selectors want you to succeed and understand that you might arrive with and/or develop questions during the interview, so we aim to engage in dialogue with you throughout the process.
Tip 3: Be Yourself
- When you’re relaxed and prepared, you’re most likely to perform at your best.
- You’re encouraged to share as much as about yourself and your experiences as possible during your one-on-one interview.
Redefine Opportunities
Make a lifelong impact on students while growing your own leadership skills.