<p>This is truly killing me! This is gonna be the hardest week. My TF still says under review with no documents verified. I just wish the status wud change to complete. I want to teach english in Greensboro NC. Its the first year TFA is in Greensboro. Idk if this thread is helping or making me more anxious.</p>
<p>@tnbailyTFA - are you familiar with the Greensboro area? I spent 4 years living there (college) and really liked the area. And that was before they revitalized downtown (I graduated 2006). </p>
<p>Does anyone have a change to complete yet?</p>
<p>Hi, All–</p>
<p>I didn’t apply for transitional funding because I was fried from one month of meeting deadline after deadline till the final interview, which was 3 days before the transitional funding deadline. Sooooo…does anyone think that makes a difference re: consideration? Frankly, I am expecting a rejection because I am older than many and I have always felt that the organization is a bit “ageist.” In fact, with their diversity statement and the diversity discussion during the final interview it is noticeable that they do not mention non-discrimination because of age! I’m afraid I was brutally honest about that on the survey. </p>
<p>Good luck to all–regardless of age (:</p>
<p>Have been off the “board” for a while, so I missed how people were eligible for early notification?</p>
<p>@jtenglish - I’m a bit older too (thirty-two) but was pleasantly surprised that at my interview I was not the oldest. There were at least a couple of people who, I would hazard to guess, were older than me. I brought it up in my phone interview and my one on one interview. The person doing my phone interview said that in many ways she saw it as a benefit. She did tfa after having children and getting her masters degree. In the one to one interview, where I think my interviewer was probably a little younger than me (though not much) he claimed it wouldn’t be a problem and that they had many in my position. So, being the optimist that I am, I believe that it wont hinder my selection. My average performance during my lesson might though!</p>
<p>Also, let me introduce myself a little. I’ve been lurking the last couple of days and reading the whole of this year’s and last year’s boards. As a result I’ve been checking my tf status like crazy. Before reading this, I had never even glanced at it since I turned in my documents. So…thanks a bunch everyone! All my documents are confirmed (they all have yes next to them at least) but my status says under review no matter how much I will it to say complete! Thanks for all your posts so far.</p>
<p>@jtenglish - I believe there were three of us that got approved for early notification and all three of us were accepted. Yay!</p>
<p>I am 30 and was also convinced that I wouldn’t get in because I’m not fresh out of college. I even addressed that in my online activity and in my interviews and, like Everton1, my interviewers seemed to agree that my age and experience were assets. While I think that agemight have been more of a factor in the earlier years, I think that the organization has realized now how much those who have experience outside of school bring to the classroom, especially when it comes to the qualities of grit and bouncing back from setbacks.</p>
<p>Looking back at that ies study posted by emac542 a couple of pages ago, the average age of tfa math teachers (which happens to be my first choice of subject)in the study was 24.5. This is compared with their TNTP counterparts who were on average 33. The tfa math teachers were more effective in improving grades according to ies.</p>
<p>@Everton, don’t get too discouraged over the findings of a single study. Each program has a different training model and reaches out to different demographics - for example, as far as I know, TNTP doesn’t recruit on college campuses while TFA does. TNTP reaches out more to working adults and career changers. This accounts for the difference in average age. What the study looked at was the effectiveness of the different routes to becoming a teacher, which would have to do with training, ongoing support, etc., not the average age of the applicants.</p>
<p>Only a few more days guys!</p>
<p>@spedteacher84 I just graduated in Greensboro so I wud love to stick around and teach in the area</p>
<p>Hey everyone, I saw a few of these posts earlier today and just wanted to say its a great form of support. Considering a few of the earlier posts about age, I believe there is truly nothing to worry about. I believe that TFA being the selective employer that it is, uses a holistic method when accepting current applicants. Age, Socio-economic status, Experience, Race, Gender and so many more are all part of the equation. And there are trade-offs along the way. An older individual will certainly have more experiences, most likely is to have endured greater obstacles and shown perseverance than the average college student set to graduate in May. All of these factors are just as important and I believe that no one factor overrides or diminishes the validity and significance of another. I believe this is why TFA has pledged to become more diverse. Based on my own final interview, and maybe somebody can also attest to this, we all shared different stories, backgrounds, experiences and ideas. We come to think of diversity based on race, but its so much more than that and I wholeheartedly believe that TFA recognizes this as well. Its all about the holistic view and what you can individually bring to the TFA community that will enable us to eliminate the achievement gap. Just my personal opinion. As to introduce myself, I’m an African-American male and I went straight to the final interview. I thought it was great to meet other candidates also within the process and found it to be incredibly interesting.I just logged in and saw my overall status as Under Review, however, all of my documents have a YES or N/A next to them. However, like many of you I keep revisiting my lesson plan and wish I had done little things differently. Its hard not to contemplate after the fact.</p>
<p>It seems that there is a great deal of concern being experienced by nontraditional applicants. </p>
<p>To all the nontraditional applicants, thanks for applying. You come with varying experiences that will most certainly benefit you and your future students. I’m sure your age will, in no way, hinder your chances of being admitted; it can only improve the quality of your application. :)</p>
<p>To all, this suspense is getting to me…</p>
<p>These next few days will be very long…</p>
<p>Thanks for the reassurance valways92, rhswim9, and spedteacher84. I feel like I’m in excellent company here and even being considered along side you all is a complement. I am somewhat optimistic though because of the verification of tf materials. I know there isn’t a full agreement on how much of a sign this is on its own but it seems like a good start.</p>
<p>Hey all, I’m waiting to hear back as well on Thursday. Pretty nervous but trying not to think about it. I’m treating it as if I won’t get accepted, so if I do it’s just a great bonus. </p>
<p>Quick question, I saw that some other 3DLers (had your interview somewhere in early December I assume?) already know if they’ve been accepted or not? I was under the impression that EVERYONE found out at 5pm on Thursday, am I incorrect?</p>
<p>@Maizeeagle86 I believe those was the three that had requested early notification. Everyone else should find out this Thursday. I’m also trying not to get my hopes up, only a few more days!</p>
<p>@Maizeeagle86 - those of us who requested and got early notification had previous offers from other organizations/colleges that required a response before January 9th. They let us know if we were accepted into TFA and what region we were to be placed in. We will find out what subjects and levels we will teach with everyone else on Thursday!</p>
<p>I feel my anxiety starting to kick in lol </p>
<p>Do any of you guys know when we would take the Praxis? Do we take it before the school year begins? I was reading about it but got a little confused…</p>
<p>@Wanderlust685- Testing required for certification (most, but not all states, use Praxis) will vary depending on where and what you are teaching. For example, I know that in many states (NC included) you can begin teaching something like history, science, math, or ELA and take the Praxis II subject tests within your first year or so. To teach special education or other special populations, you usually have to pass the Praxis II tests before entering the classroom. </p>
<p>I’m waiting to find out if they waive the Praxis I tests if you have a masters degree. I would really like to avoid the extra cost if possible!</p>
<p>I just got an email saying that they were sorry for the delay but I finally got my Spanish results and passed.:D</p>