Application Process
Are You Eligible?
Before you start your application, check your eligibility status:
You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university by the first day of your summer training. The start date for summer training varies by region, but is typically in June.
Some regions specify an earlier date by which you need to have your degree. There are some exceptions to this policy if you have documents proving you have fulfilled your graduation requirements but don’t yet have your degree.
We welcome people of all ages and experiences to apply, so whether you’ll earn your degree this year or if you received it a few decades ago, you’re eligible.
Your cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) must be at least 2.50 on a 4.00 scale, as measured by the institution awarding your degree.
This requirement is mandated by the districts and states we partner with. If you are admitted to TFA before graduation and your final GPA is below 2.50, you will lose your position. You must also pass any courses in progress on your transcript at the time of your interview.
Additional undergraduate courses completed after your official graduation date cannot be averaged in. However, if you attended graduate school and graduated with a 3.50 or above, you may qualify for our GPA waiver.
Due to the hiring restrictions of many of our partner schools, TFA can only admit candidates who are:
- U.S. citizens
- National or lawful permanent residents
- Authorized to legally work in the United States through a category that does not require employer sponsorship (i.e., Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) from one of the following categories: A02, A03, A05, A10, A11, A12, A16, A19, A20, C08, C09, C10, C14, C18, C19, C21, C25, C31, C33).
You are not eligible to apply if you are in the United States with a student visa, exchange visa, work visa, or tourist visa. If you’re invited to join the corps, you’ll need to provide legal documentation that verifies your identity and citizenship status. If you don’t meet this requirement, you may be eligible to join one of our partner programs through Teach For All.
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.
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 October, February, and March deadline windows.
| Submit your application by 11:59 p.m. ET on | Sept. 16 2024 | Oct. 25 2024 |
Feb. 3 2025 |
Mar. 10 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.
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.
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.