rustyhalos

Getting into TFA doesn't mean you've necessarily got a job. A principal still must hire you. Check the TFA member blogs for stories about those who finished Institute but didn't get hired for months...

educatedbrotha12

I didn't get a special invitation to the high priority webinar....does this mean I wasn't accepted? lol

BookAddict

Every region does placements differently, but in most, you do have to interview for a job with the district. Generally, you are placed by the beginning of the year, but there are horror stories where CMs waited a long time to get a job. Of course, even once you get your initial assignment, things can change at any time, but that's just the nature of teaching even outside of TFA.

Tulsa is nice, because we were placed by the district without interviews. I guess that means there's a larger chance of your principal not liking you, but it does mean that there's one less stress on you because you don't have to worry about interviewing.

rustyhalos

@educatedbrotha12 did you put a high priority region in your highly preferred section?

@BookAddict whoa, I didn't know there were regions where you were placed without interviews! Seems great...

educatedbrotha12

@rustyhaos--I did not. I listed Memphis as a preferred (but not highly preferred). After viewing the webinar it seems that memphis is not a high priority area anymore. I'm debating about whether or not I need to list Oklahoma in my preferred list.

so candidates who listed a high priority region in their highly preferred section received invites?

waltzindreams

My transitional funding status has changed to "complete," though there's nothing under "documents verified by transitional funding." Is this consistent with everyone else?

I'm trying not to freak out, because in previous rounds there was someone whose status changed but did not eventually get in, but I hope it's a good sign! Note, I haven't checked the status for a few days so not entirely sure when it changed.

bubblerj

Did anyone take it? I just got an email today that I passed it It says it has no effect on admissions, but...you know how it is

NYRicanGirl

Bubblerj, I took it too and passed :-) Not to knock people who don't speak Spanish but it should have an effect on admissions since you have so many Latina/o children in the underprivileged communities served by TFA. This wait is killing me!!! I need to get a draft of my thesis out asap and I can't focus!!! Ugh!

waltzindreams

Congrats to bubblerj and NYRicanGirl for passing the Spanish test! And I agree with NYRicanGirl - the need is great and you guys should probably be favored if you have that skill!

NYRicanGirl

Thanks Waltzindreams :-) I think it should be only one of many factors to be considered... How's everybody holding up? Only six more days to go and thankfully, the weekend is upon us which should help two days go by quickly :-)

rustyhalos

Slowly going insane lol. Today's the last day to make changes to your regional preferences!

BookAddict

The Spanish test really doesn't have an effect on acceptance, but it does have an effect on placement.

I didn't take the Spanish test, but I was a little sad to get placed in Tulsa at first, because I didn't think I'd get a chance to practice my Spanish. However, I ended up at a school with a Hispanic population of 40%, so that ended up well!

NYRicanGirl

Rustyhalos, me tooooooo!!! I actually went in this morning and made some changes to my subject/grade preferences.

BookAddict, that's good to know! I know that my high priority region has a large Spanish speaking population so hopefully that'll help...

tfaoldster

@ssadiesades sadly it is one of the "details" that TFA doesn't tell applicants about. It doesn't seem to be a big deal to me but I would have liked to know that the structured interviews with TFA were just the beginning of securing a teaching position in a district with needs.

I am sad that TFA didn't reach out to those of us who chose Memphis as our 1st choice because it is/was a priority region to tell us about the change in status.

I still hope to teach in Memphis.

KnickyG

@tfaoldster: I know I said I wasn't coming back till later...but it's so hard not to! Anyway, I put Memphis as my first choice as well mostly because I live in Knoxville so its only a 5 drive for moving and all that. I really hope to get placed either there or in Oklahoma or Delta area but I don't think I will get accepted at all...my hopes are slowly dwindling as the days go by! But then, I have to keep telling myself to wait WAIT and see.

Also, I don't think they advertise very well that you still have to go to personal interviews with the principles. I have seen that a lot really that people didn't know that you had to do more interviews...it kind of sucks for those CM's who don't get a job for such long times. To go through the initial acceptance process and then the summer institute just to still possibly not get a job must be heart wrenching!