<p>As part of the second corps in my region, I can say that being guinea pigs can both be awesome (you really get to define how things are done in the region, and how people in your community see TFA) and not so awesome (since people in TFA and in the community and in your schools are still getting used to things and figuring things out). I personally think the awesome outweighs the not-so-awesome, but not everyone will think so.</p>
<p>I picked a large amount of options because I’m honestly willing to work with any region, but I still heavily ranked them according to my interests. I was advised by my recruiter to write detailed explanations regarding why I chose my High Priority regions (I picked ten). Was anybody else told to do the same? I’m not entirely sure that it holds all that much weight unless you are picking all significant overage regions like New York, LA, Bay area, Boston, etc. but I thought that it couldn’t hurt.</p>
<p>And I have heard the same from both recruiters and my interviewers - your region selection has no weight in regard to your acceptance!</p>
<p>bookaddict, how is oklahoma??</p>
<p>I’m curious as well. Oklahoma was in my Top 5.</p>
<p>Our countdown has finally reached single digits! 9 days everyone! :)</p>
<p>Ah, i can’t believe only 9 more days. </p>
<p>My friend from high school got placed in OK for next years corps. She applied 3DL!</p>
<p>9 days! I can’t believe it!!!</p>
<p>It is sooooooo stressful!!!</p>
<p>I have so much work I have to finish for school, but I keep thinking about TFA and it distracts me. I wish I could be put into some sort of forgetfulness chamber until the 9 days are up so I stop thinking about it!</p>
<p>My transitional funding status has not changed at all. For those of you who it has changed for, are there notes next to each of the documents you uploaded that say they have been accepted? I shouldn’t be worrying, because I did apply really late for the funding, but I figured I would see what it looks like for everyone else!</p>
<p>Hello everyone! I, like many others, have been an avid follower of this thread for quite some time, and I’ve read every single page. As the notification date nears, my nerves are getting the best of me so, I decided to give in and make an account. I applied 4DL and interviewed in New York. I applied for transitional funding, but I submitted my documents pretty late; the status of my submission remains “under review.” I am really REALLY passionate about closing the achievement gap; it is an issue near and dear to my heart. How do you all plan to get through this final week? I will be a nervous wreck!</p>
<p>I’m very jealous of those still in school who have other thing to work on at least! I graduated in December and am a full time job seeker. I was doing fairly well at distracting myself until a few days ago. Now I’m having a hard time filling out new job applications because I only put half the effort into them - I want TFA too badly! So my time has been unsuccessfully occupied with applying for Americorps and writing music.</p>
<p>I know what I can do! It almost slipped my mind but I still need to apply for my transitional funding.</p>
<p>Hi everyone! I, too, am among those who have caved with nine days left to go. The past few days I was much calmer, but am now worried after thinking about things that went wrong, specifically: </p>
<p>During my final interview, I had a poster and a handout… On my handout, while explaining cause-and-effect, I wrote the following:</p>
<p>What is an event?
- An outcome that is result of the cause
- It happens after the cause</p>
<p>How badly do you think it will cost me that I didn’t write “that is THE result” or “that is A result”? </p>
<p>The other error was not saying “Good morning,” at the start of the lesson. I was a bit nervous and was the first one to present. </p>
<p>Besides this, I felt that I put my best foot forward. My sample lesson ended with me asking “Does anyone have a question?” with two seconds left to go. Thanks everyone and I wish you all the best! My interviewer said that I was “a lot like her,” and that “she admired my ferocity,” so I hope these are good signs…</p>
<p>@CaliLo from what I’ve read here, interviewing first is a good sign. I don’t think a minor typographical error would have much bearing on your admission. I think the point of the lesson plan is to determine whether or not you can execute a successful lesson plan in 5 minute’s time. If you managed to teach a complete lesson, and prove that your “students” grasped what you taught, then I think you’re fine. Otherwise, how was your interview day? Mine went well. I was really comfortable during the one-on-one but I felt the group portion was too short to get anything in with so many other passionate and opinionated people. I definitely could have spoken up more.</p>
<p>cinemaniac7147 - there are currently no actions by the supporting documents. This is the only thing that changed on my funding page:
Transitional Funding Application Status: Complete
Your application has been approved. You will be able to see your award amount below after the notification date, should you be accepted to the corps.</p>
<p>Hi Fairytale and CaliLo! Great to see you guys join! We can all be each otehrs support systems these next 9 days!</p>
<p>CaliLo, I’m sure you did great! As Fairytale said, they just want to see you that you are able to explain a topic clearly in 5 min! I’m sure your lesson plan was amazing</p>
<p>@Fairytale Thanks for replying! It’s so helpful to hear from someone who is in the same boat. I’m glad to hear that, at least with you, it’s a really minor error. Thanks! My lesson plan (which I had practiced, rehearsed til the point it was secondhand) went well, following the I do, we do, you do style… Each second was used as I had intended it and made sure an my objective was met with the students having to apply it independently.
My interview day went really well! It was a small group (five applicants), which changed the dynamics of the group interview a bit. I spoke more than I was intending to, but all of us shared the time equally.
The one-on-one was great! From what everyone else has said, it seems like the interviewers do a REALLY good job at making you feel comfortable and confident. My interview was about 30 minutes and I felt really relaxed and confident during it.</p>
<p>How did your interview day go? From what I have heard, it should be okay that you didn’t speak up more. Sometimes, one sentence is all that you need. Being a good listener, being a team player, and being collaborative are definitely really important to them.</p>
<p>Hi calijunkie! Thanks for your input. Hope everything is well with you!</p>
<p>Cinemaniac- Mine says the same thing as calijunkie and also a YES by the two first rows:</p>
<p>A copy of the first four (4) pages of your most recent tax return
OR
A copy of this year’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Student Aid Report (SAR) for 2011/2012 school year</p>
<p>YES</p>
<p>Documentation verifying current amount of Federal Student Loans </p>
<p>YES</p>
<p>Documentation verifying undergrad Pell Grant </p>
<p>N/A</p>
<p>(not sure why it says N/A by the third one) </p>
<p>Anyways, welcome everyone that is signing up to share your thoughts and apprehensions:-)
We are almost there!</p>
<p>Oh yeah, I have two yes’s next to FAFSA and Documentation of Bank Account.</p>
<p>Again, I don’t think TFA would give out hints if you got accepted by changing your TF. Who knows though. I hope we all get in.</p>
<p>Officially done with my transitional funding application. With that, I assume that I won’t be able to play my cards by the “Under Review” or “Complete” game like everyone else. How many days total did it take for most of you between submitting your documents and receiving confirmation? From reading through most of this thread, it seems entirely random and difficult to predict, so I don’t think I’m going to worry about it for a while.</p>
<p>Cinemaniac, I seriously feel the same exact way! I am seriously STRESSING!</p>
<p>Just got off the phone with my mom talking about TFA and my backup plan, and…now I’m like 10,000% more stressed out too! </p>
<p>I’m really excited about the idea of institute and being partnered with other surrounding regions. I think it would be awesome to establish tight-knit friendships and maintain them throughout the TFA roller coaster ride.</p>
<p>While I never thought I’d be in Oklahoma (it was like halfway down my preference list), I really am liking Tulsa! I can speak more for Tulsa than for Oklahoma City, though the TFA team is the same for both and is great. Anyway, the community here in Tulsa very supportive (we have some great donors, and the superintendent is great), and Tulsa is definitely trying for educational reform. We don’t make too much money, but cost of living is cheap, and so what we do make is more than enough. TFA is a licensing agent for the state, which means that you don’t have to do anything extra aside from TFA to become fully certified at the end of your two years, but there are some awesome university partnerships as well if you want to go that route. You’d also be part of the 2nd OKC corps and the fourth Tulsa corps, so would still have the incredible opportunity of defining how TFA works and is viewed in this region. Plus, there’s Institute coming to Tulsa for the first time this summer, which is going to be an awesome opportunity for the students in the district, as well as yet another great way for TFA and the district to work together.</p>