<p>@booger I’m sorry to hear that, it sounds like you certainly exhibit several of the qualities TFA looks for. May I ask what the organization it was? That might give me more insight to why they were focusing on it.</p>
<p>@emac At my school we have this organization for Model UN. You basically go through an application process to get in which includes written application, interview, and a participation in a mock session. I was a delegate for two years and went to different conferences in Washington D.C., Canada, and Australia. I was even recognized as an honorable mention in D.C. out of hundreds of delegates haha but idk I didn’t feel like this was something that showcases my qualities that would have me me a good fit for TFA and was confused about all the questions that were strictly pertaining to this organization.</p>
<p>@booger That is odd, I can’t say anything about that sounds like it would cause questions. But, if it eases your mind, in both my phone and final interview the interviewers focused on my experience at an AIDs group. I assumed it was because of my leadership experience there, but in all honesty I’ve heard this a few times - that they focus on one thing. You sound highly qualified, I’m sure you’ll do great things regardless!</p>
<p>@booger I am sorry to hear that disappointing news. However, I think focusing on one particular organization is pretty normal for TFA. In my phone and final interview I found that odd as well. I have over three years working directly with students of all grades and ages from underserved communities and schools, and have held amazing leadership positions in all of those works, however, I was not ask one question about them. My phone interviewer, just like yours, ask me about 10 questions surrounding my position in Sigma Tau Delta (English Honor Society) I was not prepared to talk about that particular organization, but I had to dig deep and make myself shine. </p>
<p>My recruiter did say it was okay to mention your strengths in another organization, even if your interviewer was focusing on a different one. </p>
<p>I think you are amazing, and very qualified!! You should look into TNTP, and keep us updated on law school! Good Luck!!</p>
<p>@booger: Sorry to hear that as well but like the others have said, I’m sure you have something amazing to come in your future as well…</p>
<p>Also, like the others, TFA definitely only wanted to talk about one thing from my information during my phone and final interview - my work on Pres Obama’s election and re-election campaigns… That was an awesome experience and I did have many things to elaborate on, but if I had a better experience elsewhere, I absolutely mentioned that.</p>
<p>My final interview was in the Chicago office and we got the chance to walk around a bit. I spoke with a few of the employees and they all said, no matter what the interviewer asks, make sure to express your passion for ending educational inequity. My interviewer only asked about the campaign, never about educational inequity or other leadership positions or other relevant experiences. I brought up my passion for the cause and other examples of how I successfully exemplified the 7 traits.</p>
<p>How many regions is everyone putting in their columns? I think I went overboard with some of mine haha. I have 9 in my highly preferred, 6 in preferred, and 2 in least preferred. I tried to have a mix of regions too with some popular, high needs, and regular regions. </p>
<p>For the teaching, I only have 3 highly preferred and 2 preferred, but again it’s a mixed area with a high-needs (SPED) and some other non-high needs areas. I’m hoping I am flexible enough with my teaching preferences, but I don’t know if I’d be able to do some of them like math and science.</p>
<p>Hey Guys,</p>
<p>So I stupidly forgot to upload my recommenders and reference list by 11:59 pm (the deadline) and did it around 1:30 instead. It seems like everything still uploaded okay though. Does anyone know if I will be penalized for my mistake?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>@duck59 I’m almost 100% sure it is okay!!</p>
<p>Hey, everyone! I need opinions!!! Here’s the deal: The first time I attended college was 10 years ago. I dropped out, but eventually went back and finished. My question is should I include a transcript from 10 years ago that isn’t my degree granting institute? Most likely I will include it as I’ve already requested an official transcript from them. I just want to know what you guys think.</p>
<p>@Wanderlust685 – When you say you dropped out…Did you finish like a semester and then not come back? If the transcript wizard says that they want you to upload that transcript then I would do it. I transferred schools and still needed to upload the official transcript from the institute that wasn’t my degree granting institute.</p>
<p>@AmbitiousME I did 2 or 3 semesters and never went back. I just wasn’t sure if they would actually count classes that were done so long ago, as most colleges don’t. I’ll upload it anyway since some of those courses are on my degree granting transcript. Thanks! :)</p>
<p>For those of you who have already experienced the final interview, I would love to know the one thing that you were most nervous about. How did you prepare for that moment??</p>
<p>@saeabea Mines was definitely the sample lesson. I was nervous about it because I had no idea what other people were going to do and I was worried about the engagement aspect of my lesson. What helped me was the fact that I practiced it multiple times. Most of the people in my group were cut off before they could finish and I could tell it was because they didn’t practice their lesson. So make sure you pick something that you can make interesting and practice it as many times as you can so you feel comfortable when it’s your turn. Try getting some friends to be the “class” to help you out!</p>
<p>@sarabea126 I was nervous about the sample lesson as well. I think mainly because it was the very first thing we did. I arrived really early, and being able to laugh and joke with the others interviewing really calmed my nerves. I didn’t practice my sample lesson in front of friends and family, but my living room walls heard it several times a day.</p>
<p>@sarabea, another element that was a bit stressful was the roleplay during the one on one interview, which they don’t really talk about much. you don’t get the specific roleplay prompt til the day of your interview, but you have time to think about it during the lunch break between the group and individual interviews. i would definitely say it helped me to sit down for a bit and jot down some notes for my various responses to/ideas for the roleplay. i agree that the key to the sample lesson is to prepare & practice!! good luck!!</p>
<p>Thanks guys! That is very helpful information. Looking forward to December 6th!</p>
<p>@sarabea126 for me the scariest parts were also the sample teach and the role play. As far as the sample teach, I echo the advice of others to practice keeping it to less than 5 minutes (that way you leave time for questions if you are asked any). It was a lot scarier anticipating the lesson than it was actually doing it, though - the interviewers and interviewees were all friendly and supportive which really calmed my nerves.</p>
<p>As for the role play, I was pretty worried about it because I read about it on College Confidential forums from past years, but there wasn’t too much information on it. However, that also wasn’t too bad because we got the prompt before lunch. This gave me more than enough time to think of suitable responses and I didn’t have to think too much on my feet.</p>
<p>For everyone filling out their region preference form, be prepared to go to whatever region you include in your preference list, even if you highly preferred a high priority region! Also, you have to be very careful if you’re someone who is already certified in a state or who will be certified by the start of the summer. I plan on being certified in PA and I’ve already taken and passed most of the Praxis exams. I just have to take one more before I can get certified. But I got screwed because I didn’t check whether or not Michigan accepts Praxis scores or has their own state exam. Now I have to take 5 other certification exams!!! I’m not too worried because they are pretty much the same as the Praxis I and Praxis II but it sucks that I have to still take them. So be careful. Choose your regions carefully!!!</p>
<p>Thanks for the heads up Rolemodel32! I’m certified in Ohio but I have other regions down outside of the state. For the certification reciprocity, is it mostly just taking the Praxis tests vs other tests that other states have or are there other steps you have to take? I know IL, CA, and a few others have there own non-Praxis exams for teachers, but I think it’s standard in most states. I’ll have to look carefully.</p>
<p>@Pastaholic I reached out to my region contact person to see whether I could avoid having to take the Michigan certification exams. It seems like they give you one-year temporary certification if you are already certified but you still need to take their exams if you want to make it permanent. So I’m hoping my contact person has some slick ways I can avoid them. If you google “Praxis states” you should find a list of all of the states that use the Praxis as their certification exams. I’ll give an update if my contact person can help me out but I recommend you preference a state that accepts your scores and certification if your concerned about taking more exams. </p>
<p>In regards to other areas, most states will accept my certification. So other than taking the Michigan exams, I won’t have to take additional coursework like other corps members. Check this site for more specifics <a href=“http://www.lakeforest.edu/live/files/1495-state-certification-reciprocity1pdf[/url]”>http://www.lakeforest.edu/live/files/1495-state-certification-reciprocity1pdf</a> , but it seems as if most states respect Ohio reciprocity. So your certification will help you save some money!</p>
<p>I’m surprised that I didn’t find this out till now, but TFA is also requiring me to take a certification exam in another subject. Since I’m Secondary Social Studies, my options were Secondary Math, Secondary English, and Elementary School. So it makes me more marketable to schools but once again, I have to take one more exam! Yeah it’s time for me to start saving money…I don’t know if it’s because of my region or if they require everyone to do this. For the people that have been preparing for their exams for the corps, is TFA also requiring you to take exams outside of your original subject placement?</p>