<p>@educatedbrotha12 - As a 5th deadline applicant, I have heard that you might have a greater chance of being waitlisted (depending on how the other deadlines went and what regions are hearing from the school districts). </p>
<p>As far as getting the regions you preference goes, being 5th deadline does put you at somewhat of a disadvantage. I was 5th deadline last year and was eventually told that my highest preferenced region (Boston) had filled after the 2nd deadline. (Connecticut was definitely my 2nd though! ) </p>
<p>Placement depends on so many factors. TFA always tries to send you to your highest preferenced region, but there are factors that may prevent that from being a possibility. Certification is a big one. I can only speak of Connecticut, but I know that it’s one of the hardest states for an individual to gain certification (especially through an alternative route). If you don’t have the undergrad coursework that is necessary to gain certification in a particulat state, then TFA is obviously not going to send you there. (That’s why you had to fill out that redonkulously long form based on your transcript.) I had initially wanted to teach secondary english, but I am only qualified to teach elementary in CT based on state standards. There are a lot of states like that, but there are also a lot of regions with extremely lax certification requirements.</p>
<p>Regions also need to be in constant contact with the district(s). The district tells TFA how many spots they are likely to have for TFA corps members in the upcoming year. TFA compares these numbers to the number of corrps members they have placed in the past and eventually decides how many new members they can take in with confidence. (I will be honest with you all and say that Connecticut was unable to place 3 of elementary corps members this year, who had to be given the option to defer, transfer to another region or drop out. This is extremely RARE though, but it can happen.) Districts may change their mind many, many times throughout the year, so regions may have the privilege of taking on even more corps members in later deadlines, or they may have to cap out early. The waitlist also comes into play here. If a district decides, in June, that they are (and this is an extreme!) going to fire 30 teachers and want 30 corps members to take their spots, a region can turn to the waitlist. It all depends. The last thing a region wants to do is take more corps members than they can place.</p>
<p>My preference list is all big cities–I’m a city type of girl–but honestly, I’d accept no matter what happens. My prefs aren’t as important to me as TFA and being a part of the movement.</p>
<p>Hey everyone! My TF Status still hasn’t changed, it’s seeming like an indication that I wasn’t accepted Lately I have been feeling so unsure and a bit doubtful that I will get into TFA, but you all have been so helpful as I know we are all in the same place. Only 2 more days! </p>
<p>I don’t even want to begin to think about being waitlisted. That thought scares me almost as much as a rejection.</p>
<p>I am feeling positive that whatever happens for all of us, we will all make an impact in some way- just maybe not in Teach for America. I am just a month away from graduation so if I don’t get in I will just focus on finishing off the semester & looking for other opportunities, but I want this so badly! Best of luck to all of you!</p>
<p>@QAWordArt: Thank you so much for the really insightful look into what happens behind the scenes and what the experience is like after acceptance. I feel like that kind of information should be made more public because I know that many people think that you get in and you’re set. I approached the entire process of TFA trying to be both inspired by the philosophy and at the same time enter it with a clear-eyed understanding of what it entails - I never heard of this aspect of TFA (especially the qualifications in places like Connecticut), and I really value it.</p>
<p>And everyone, please remain hopeful of a positive outcome! We’re so close!</p>
<p>Hey everyone. I just checked my TF and it changed to complete a few hours ago. I think it is taking a while for 5D to hear back because they are bogged down with a lot of late ones from former deadlines… so don’t be worried if yours didn’t change! Has anyone else had their TF status change recently?</p>
<p>Yeah… the last blog did not really sound too promising at all… hmhmhmh… maybe they wrote an extra long blog post because its the last admission deadline, not so much that they rejected more people than normally.</p>
<p>Wonderstruck08, I’m also tied to the DC-Baltimore area. My partner has a great job offer in DC and going elsewhere is really out of the question. Does anyone have an idea of the popularity or capacity of DC,Baltimore, or Delaware?
My feeling is that these regions are already full by now…ahhhhhhh I can’t wait another 48 hours!</p>
<p>I don’t like the last blog either. Bummer :/. Oh well. We will see what happens. If all these folks are so good why aren’t they accepted right away? Lol</p>
<p>I also have a N/A so i hope that is ok… I have Yes for the first 2 and an N/A for the pell grant. I submitted a pell grant document though so I’m not sure what this means</p>
<p>Oh, no. I have this sinking feeling that not having anything labelled yes is a bad sign. What if they were just like “saw the forms, whatever, we’ll change the status even if she’s not in, no need to put in a yes.” Goodness. </p>
<p>I won’t feel confident at all until I see real numbers on the TF page for grants and loans.</p>
) </p>
Lately I have been feeling so unsure and a bit doubtful that I will get into TFA, but you all have been so helpful as I know we are all in the same place. Only 2 more days! </p>