<p>Does anyone know if, for the Assignment Preference Form, it is okay to select “Preferred” for subject areas that we may not be that strong in? For example, I would be open to teaching Chemistry and/or Physics but am not very strong in either of these subjects. So, I was wondering if, for this reason only, I should select “Least Preferred,” regardless of the fact that I would be interested in teaching them…</p>
<p>Everyone- wow!! So inspiring!</p>
<p>And Socalgirl, I put Physics and Chemistry as “least preferred” because I truly don’t think I have the background for it, and I don’t feel in any position to teach it. I didn’t think it’d be fair. Although, if I felt stronger in those subjects, I would not mind at all teaching them!</p>
<p>It’s hard not to go over our interviews. It’s what most easily we can remember, right? </p>
<p>Siva, my recruiter received her MA from LMU when she was a corps member. I didn’t hear about any online courses…she even talked about how happy she was to go to LMU because of the beautiful campus. So I got a strong feeling she was taking courses at/through the university.</p>
<p>Thanks for the funding replies everyone! I’ll try not to dwell on it too much!</p>
<p>Hey everyone! </p>
<p>So I found this blog and have been reading it obsessively, so I finally joined. I am so glad to see that there are others who are freaking out as much as me about TFA! I applied 3DL and find out on January 17th like many of you!</p>
<p>I know I’m super late on the discussion, but ya’ll have already helped me so much in knowing that I’m not alone on this horrible month and a half long wait.</p>
<p>Good luck to everyone and I hope to get to know ya’ll better while we wait for 11 more days until the admission decision!</p>
<p>socalgirl82 - Definitely go with your interests! You may have to work harder to teach a subject you aren’t strong in, but it’s definitely possible. If nothing else, it makes relating to students who have a difficult time in the subject easier! </p>
<p>lifeawaits - Grad school-wise, so much is region-dependent. I think most times, you have an option as to which grad school you attend (and in some regions, attending grad school at all is optional). But I would talk to the regional staff to be sure.</p>
<p>Siva and SoCal you will both be fine, I mean tears are always a good thing but sad ones. I hope that everyone here is accepted because you are all so passionate about closing the educational gap. That is the most important thing and I can tell by everyone’s obvious passion for doing good that these children will get help. Like many of you it seems I was raised in a low income area and my mother was a third grade teacher, I got to witness first hand the impact a truly caring teacher can have in a community and you will all have that impact.
Sorry for the rant just can’t think of anything else it’s so close and theirs nothing to do because my school doesn’t start back till the 18th.
Anyways hope y’alls new years have been splendid!!!</p>
<p>It seems like you all have a great chance of being accepted!! I really hope we all get it and can use this thread to celebrate together 
I have been spending the past few days thinking about my interview, of course. I just feel like none of my responses were moving enough 
the questions that she asked me were all related to academics and my school activities, and I feel like I didn’t work in why I want to do TFA. I really wish that I found some way to emphasize that more…I feel like so many people from my school are applying because they think it will make them look good for grad school or law school. They all have impressive resumes, but I am frustrated because I actually want to do this because I am passionate about closing the achievement gap and I want to work in education reform after TFA. Im just hoping I don’t get passed over :-(</p>
<p>Hi Woozle,</p>
<p>I know what you mean. It is hard not to ruminate over the final interview/the answers we provided. However, as Siva562 said, we cannot worry about the errors at this point since we cannot change the interview. We just have know we gave it our absolute best and be content with that. (Easier said than done, I know.) I think it is hardest on those who applied at the 3RD DL because it is the longest wait. </p>
<p>Woozle, did I read in a previous post that you were wait listed with City Year? If so, when will you hear back?</p>
<p>Siva562, what organization did you receive a competing offer from? Of course, I totally respect it if you prefer not to share that info.</p>
<p>That’s true!!! We can’t go back and change anything…I guess I just wish we didn’t have to wait so long! Lol. Yes I was wait listed for city year! I will find out sometime within the next few months. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do it though, because they only give you $560 every two weeks, and I applied for Boston and i dont live anywhere near there so I’m not sure if I’d be able to afford to relocate</p>
<p>Sunday, Monday, D-DAY!!!</p>
<p>Naw…I’m just playing.</p>
<p>Socalgirl,</p>
<p>The org I got a competing offer from is the one I am currently
doing a year-long fellowship with. It’s called The Greenlining
Institute, and it’s a nonprofit research and advocacy organization
dedicated to helping low-income communities and communities of
color gain greater access to the American dream. </p>
<p>I love the work I do; but, my true love is education policy. </p>
<p>Everyone on this thread is so awesome and supportive. Let’s
all try to keep in touch no matter the outcome. </p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Siva562</p>
<p>P.S. for those of you looking interested in helping those
communities my organization is recruiting a new class of fellows.
Go online and check it out or forward the info to someone
who might want to apply.</p>
<p>(Also I’m the Executive fellow :))</p>
<p>hahaha, Siva, what you said about your organization sounded really interesting, so I checked out the site… While browsing the “our team” page to look for a link to apply, I read the profile for… the executive fellow! hahaha, I feel like a total stalker -__-, but anyways, just wanted to say I liked ur bio. U put in a lot of work toward helping communities in need! :)</p>
<p>p.s. And now I can actually put a face to someone from this online support group! xD lol</p>
<p>Whoa…haven’t been on college confidential since my neurotic high school senior days…
(I time so long I’ve forgotten my username…and accompanying email) X^P</p>
<p>Back to mingle amongst my fellow TFA applicants</p>
<p>January 6 applicants, anyone?
woot.</p>
<p>I applied in November but waiting for their response on Jan.12th :-)</p>
<p>Hello Everyone,</p>
<p>It is 3:00 a.m. and I can’t sleep. I suppose the range of emotions I’ve been experiencing is quite normal as the decison date (slowly) approaches. </p>
<p>Siva562, I also checked out the Greenline website. What a phenomenal opportunity!! Thank you so much for sharing this as I had never heard of this organization and am very interested in applying. Would love to keep in touch/exchange contact info. with you. Well, I know you must be on edge since tomorrow is your big day. Just a friendly reminder that we are ALL rooting for you. And whatever the outcome, you are truly an inspiration for me and others on this forum and should be <em>extremely</em> proud of yourself.</p>
<p>Well guys, I should try to get some shut eye now.
Good night.</p>
<p>Hi folks,</p>
<p>I just wanted to wish all of you luck! I was accepted during the first deadline and just got back from a trip to my new city where I interviewed with school districts and took a certification test. </p>
<p>I know how incredibly nerve wracking this time period is, but what you get on the other end is so worth it.</p>
<p>NerdGarcon, </p>
<p>Congratulations on your acceptance with TFA. How exciting. What city will you be teaching in? Could you also share a little about your experience interviewing with school districts?</p>
<p>Tomorrow is the day! Tomorrow is the day! TOMORROW IS THE DAY!!!</p>
<p>AHHHH!!! </p>
<p>Tomorrow I find out TFA’s decision. I’m a little anxious; but, I am
very excited. I REALLY hope I get it.</p>
<p>Lifeawaits, you are such a stalker!!! Lol jk 
Thank you
for your kind words. Hopefully we can link up and remain colleagues in the
field of Education. </p>
<p>And socalgirl, thanks too! Your story is truly inspirational. Oh and
my email is on the Greenlining website. Please don’t hesitate to send
me an email if you have any questions about the program. :)</p>
<p>Nerd, I too would love to hear your experience as a corps member.
Which city do you teach at? Which subject? Were the certifications
hard to pass? Did you apply for transitional funding and if so did they
grant you loans or give you a grant?</p>
<p>I really hope I can make it through today and tomorrow without
getting to freaked out/anxious/crazy/nauseous.</p>
<p>Oh and sup, good luck on the 12th! Hopefully we both will share good
news!</p>
<p>With so much love!</p>
<p>Siva562</p>
<p>P.S. The picture of me on the Greenlining website is HIDEOUS! Ewww</p>
<p>I’m going to be teaching elementary school in Atlanta. </p>
<p>The interviews were with principals in two different school districts and were brief. They will be used to hopefully place us in a district and from there we will interview with different schools to find a final match. </p>
<p>The testing was interesting and fairly difficult. The hardest part was learning about phonics and phonological awareness since both were concepts that I only had very cursory knowledge of. </p>
<p>I applied for transitional funding but since I have a full-time job along with some money saved I was only given loans. Many other people were given nice grants though. </p>
<p>Wishing you the best of luck Siva! You sound like you would make a great corps member. For everyone else, I hope that some of you will be joining the 2012 Atlanta Corps with me. It was so great to get to meet other members this past weekend and it really made it hit home that I am going to be a teacher in August.</p>
<p>Good luck tomorrow, Siva! Everyone else-- ONE MORE FREAKING WEEK!</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I’m checking every hour on the hour!</p>
<p>Goodluck Siva562!!! :)</p>