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Application Process

The once-in-a-lifetime journey starts here. Discover what it takes to apply to TFA.
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Are You Eligible?

Before you start your application, check your eligibility status:

CHECK IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE



Not sure about your eligibility?

If you don't meet all of the three criteria above, you may still be eligible. Check our Admissions FAQs (below) for more specific information about our admissions policies and for frequently asked questions.

Special Info for Immigrants & Refugees

We are also committed to supporting immigrants and refugees who want to teach. If this applies to you, check out our Admissions FAQs to learn more.

Admissions FAQs

Choose Your Application Window

Whether you’re a college student navigating midterms and student organizations or a working professional seeking new opportunities, we have an application window that fits your schedule! Review our application deadlines and choose when you’re going to apply.

Submit Early. Find Out Fast!

Apply by Sept. 16 to get an interview decision by Sept. 23

Apply by Oct. 25 to get an interview decision by Nov. 1

Juniors who have participated in Breakthrough, Ignite, or are Campus Ambassadors are eligible to apply for early admission to the 2026 Teach For America corps during the February and March deadline windows.

Submit your application by 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 16 2024 Oct. 25 2024

Feb. 3 2025

Mar. 10 2025

2025 Critical Needs Deadline

Learn if you're invited to an interview (after 3 p.m. ET) Sept. 23 Nov. 1 Feb. 10 Mar. 17
Attend your interview Sept. 30 - Oct. 2 Nov. 12 - 15 Feb. 18 - 21 Mar. 24 - 27
Learn your admissions decision + regional/subject placement (after 3 p.m. ET) Oct. 21 Dec. 4 Mar. 11 Apr. 11
Accept or decline your offer Oct. 30 Dec. 13 Mar. 20 Apr. 21
Submit Your Application By

Learn if you’re invited to an interview

Attend your interview Learn your admissions decision plus regional and subject placement (after 3 p.m. ET)

Accept or decline your offer

Sept. 16 2024 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 - Oct. 02 Oct. 21 Oct. 30
Oct. 25 2024 Nov. 01 Nov. 12 - 15 Dec. 04 Dec. 13
Feb. 03 2025 Feb. 10 Feb. 18 - 21 Mar. 11 Mar. 20
Mar. 10 2025

Critical Needs Deadline
Mar. 17 Mar. 24 - Mar. 27 Apr. 11 Apr. 21

Fill Out An Online Application

Working towards the day when all children have an equitable, excellent education is rewarding and challenging. If you have what it takes to help us reach our goal, here’s what you need to do to apply to become a Teach For America corps member.

 

1. Confirm Eligibility

Complete our eligibility quiz to make sure you have the basic requirements covered. 

2. Create an Account

Start an account in our Applicant Center to work on your TFA application at any time and save your work.

3. Fill Out Application & Upload Documents

Our online application requires you to convey basic information, upload required documents, and share your experiences through 300-400 word written reflections. Unlike some other job applications, our application process is designed to gather all your qualifications so we can thoroughly assess you as a candidate before a possible interview. It includes the following:

Application Sections

  • Fill out your personal information
  • Describe your interest in joining TFA
  • Describe your leadership experience
  • Indicate the region you'd like to work in

Necessary Documents

  • Your most updated resume
  • School history

We encourage you to take the time to ensure your application properly showcases your unique personality, strengths, and talent.

4. Submit Interview Time Preferences

Share your interview availability. Our virtual interviews are approximately 90 minutes and are on a weekday. 

If you have any questions or concerns about our online application process, visit our Admissions FAQs page.

Admissions FAQs

Attend an Interview

In your interview, it’s your chance to highlight why you’re interested in fighting for an equitable future for children and how you can help us do the same. Here’s what to expect from our process: 

1. Prepare for Your Interview

Before your interview, have the following things ready:

  • Contact information for your recommenders
  • Submitted references 
  • An uploaded transcript
  • A prepared 5-minute sample teaching lesson
  • A prepared proposal for a case study on racial disparities

*Applicants who have identified their recommenders early can share their contact information as soon as an application is submitted, though it is not required before receiving an interview invitation. Applicants should upload their transcript and the contact information of their recommenders as soon as possible after being invited to interview, as transcripts and recommendations are required to receive an offer to join the corps.

2. Day of Your Interview

On the day of your interview, log in into your Applicant Center account and join a Zoom interview. Here, you will:

  • Receive a brief overview of TFA and our mission
  • Deliver a 5-minute sample lesson. Your interviewer will be your student!
  • Share your case study proposal with your interviewer  
  • Tell us about your experiences and attributes
  • Ask questions at the end if you have any 

If you have any questions or concerns about the interview process, check out our Interview Guide to learn more.

Tips & Tricks

Tips & Tricks

Check out these resources as you put together your application and prepare for an interview. 

Student and teacher sitting in the classroom

Select Your Region

Select Your Region

During your application, you can select the region you want to apply to most, with the option to select one or two alternate regions that interest you. You can also change your regional selections after your interview, if needed. If you get an offer to join Teach For America, it will be from one of the regions you choose. Your regional selections do not impact your chance of acceptance.

Select Your Region

During your application, you can select the region you want to apply to most, with the option to select one or two alternate regions that interest you. You can also change your regional selections after your interview, if needed. If you get an offer to join Teach For America, it will be from one of the regions you choose. Your regional selections do not impact your chance of acceptance.

To find the best schools and community to match your interests and skills, consider: 

  • Cost of living
  • Travel expenses 
  • Certification and Masters requirements
  • Graduation date prerequisites

Use our Explore Map or Compare Regions Tool to learn more about each region.

Confirm Your Acceptance

Yay, you’re accepted! 

You will learn if you are accepted about 2 weeks after you finalize your region and subject selections. You’ll receive your acceptance, placement, and subject notification through email and the applicant center.

Lock in your spot! 

Once you’ve been notified, you’ll have 10 days to decide whether or not the TFA corps is right for you. If admitted, you can officially accept your offer in the Applicant Center. The specific dates for this step can be found in the deadline table above.

Once you have officially accepted the offer to become a Teach For America corps member, you will take further steps with your region to find and secure a teaching job.

Take another path.

There are countless pathways available for you to do social good and help expand opportunities for all. If you’re not offered a spot in the corps, you’ll receive information about several partner organizations, graduate school programs, and opportunities where you can put your talent to use!  If you’d like to re-apply, you can do that the following year, as applicants can only apply once per academic year.

 

Start an Application

Now that you know all about our process, let's start your application!
Apply Now

If you aren't yet ready to apply or have more questions, you can…