How To Apply
Who Do We Look For?
Teach For America is a selective program. In our applicants, we look for experiences and mindsets that indicate the ability to make an impact with students today and create lasting change in the future.
We look for evidence that you:
- Believe in the potential of all kids
- Set ambitious goals and follow through to extraordinary results
- Take initiative and grow fast
- Value working across lines of difference
- Thrive on feedback, challenge, and meaningful work
- Want to serve and lead alongside communities
What Else is Required?
We welcome applicants from all majors, backgrounds, and career goals. At a minimum, you must meet these requirements:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university by your first day of training (typically in June)
- Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (required by the districts and schools we partner with)
- U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, or EAD holder (due to partner school hiring requirements)
What is the Hiring Timeline?
From August through March, we offer multiple application windows for the following school year. Applications are currently open for the 2026 corps.
If accepted, full-time training begins in May or June 2026, and you'll start teaching in your placement school in August or September 2026 (dates vary slightly by region).
Review our deadlines and decide when you’ll apply.
| Submit your application by 11:59 p.m. ET on | Sept. 15 2025 | Oct. 20 2025 |
Feb. 2 2026 |
Mar. 09 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learn if you're invited to an interview | Sept. 22 | Oct. 27 | Feb. 09 | Mar. 16 |
| Attend your interview | Sept. 29 - Oct. 1 | Nov. 03 - 06 | Feb. 17 - 20 | Mar. 23 - 26 |
| Learn your admissions decision + regional/subject placement | Oct. 21 | Dec. 2 | Mar. 10 | Apr. 14 |
| Accept or decline your offer | Oct. 30 | Dec. 11 | Mar. 19 | 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. 15 2025 | Sept. 22 | Sept. 29 - Oct. 01 | Oct. 21 | Oct. 30 |
| Oct. 20 2025 | Oct. 27 | Nov. 03 - 06 | Dec. 02 | Dec. 11 |
| Feb. 02 2026 | Feb. 09 | Feb. 17 - 20 | Mar. 10 | Mar. 19 |
| Mar. 09 2026 Critical Needs Deadline |
Mar. 16 | Mar. 23 - Mar. 26 | Apr. 14 | Apr. 21 |
Early apply: College juniors who've participated in Teach For America Ignite, Breakthrough Collaborative, or served as TFA campus ambassadors are eligible to apply early for the 2027 corps during the February and March deadline windows.
What is Involved in the Application Process?
The first step in our application process is an online application. Here's what you can expect:
- Confirm your eligibility: Use our quick, 1-minute quiz
- Create your login: First name, last name, and email will give you access to the Applicant Center, where you'll track your progress
- Answer required questions: Basic school and work history, plus two short-answer prompts:
- Why TFA (share your motivation for applying)
- A leadership experience you've had
- Choose locations: Select up to three regions of interest (you can update again after interviews)
- Upload documents: Your most recent resume and college transcript
You'll find out if you were invited to an interview about a week after the application deadline. If invited, you'll:
- Schedule your interview time via available options in the Applicant Center
- Submit contact information for two recommenders (if you haven't yet) and your transcripts
- Prepare
- 5-minute sample teaching lesson
- Response to a short case study we'll provide in advance
- Learn who you will interview with (a TFA staff member, alum, or partner community leader who will introduce themselves via email)
- Attend your 90-minute virtual interview, which includes:
- Learning about TFA's mission
- Delivering your sample lesson (your interviewer will be your "student")
- Presenting your case study approach
- Answering experience-based questions
- Asking your own questions
In your application, you'll select up to three regions or mark yourself as "unsure" or "flexible to greatest need."
- You can change your selections after your interview, but not again.
- Consider:
- Logistics: cost of living, salary, relocation
- Vibe: close to home, somewhere new, near friends
- Impact: specific communities or leadership opportunities
- Community: larger corps vs. smaller; alumni connections
Use our Explore map to review your options for locations.
Start an Application
Admissions Decision
On the decision date for your deadline, you'll see your decision in the Applicant Center and via email.
If accepted, you'll receive your region, subject, and grade level assignment at this time.
If not accepted, we'll connect you with partner programs where you can also make an impact on educational opportunities. You're also welcome to re-apply next year.
Read all the details of what you will find in your offer >
Reviewing and Confirming Your Offer
If you get an offer, you'll have 10 days to confirm. During that time, you can:
- Schedule a 1:1 meeting with TFA staff
- Join a virtual group call with others placed in the same region
- Connect with current corps members and alumni
When you confirm your offer, know that our whole team is celebrating your decision and the impact you're going to make.
Before Training Begins
Depending on when you apply and your region's in-person training start date (in May or June), you may have 1-7 months before full-time training starts. During that time, we'll:
- Guide you through onboarding tasks
- Share preparation resources
- Help you connect with other incoming corps members
Still Deciding?
If you aren't yet ready to apply or have more questions, you can...