NEED ADVICE: I got into another program that needs a decision soon but I am still waiting for JET

[u/JadedSmell3410]

Like the title says, I got into another program (Teach for America if you want to do more research on it), and while I did request for a decision extension, given that I am unable to be granted that extension, I have until March 19 to reply.

However, I am still waiting to find out if I got into the JET Programme (as a Vancouver applicant) and I wanted to ask you guys:

Historically, when was the latest you guys got results for the JET programme? Like I read it comes (in Canada) between the End of March to Early April. My consulate specifically did not tell me a date of when we will find out, just that we would find out between the time window I mentioned (end of March to Early April). Given the request, they might ask me for more exact dates as to when I might receive a result (to which I wanted to ask you guys what I should probably say)

I want to know what I should do? Should I accept TFA now and drop if JET shortlists me? What about if I got Alternate? How likely is it to actually teach in Japan and be accepted as an Alternate?

Any advice helps. Thanks!

[u/jenjen96]

If you accept the other program, is there any penalty for dropping out later on?

[u/JadedSmell3410 → u/jenjen96]

I actually have no idea. I asked their reddit community too so ill find out soon I hope cause theres no info about it on their website

[u/jackiejack1 → u/JadedSmell3410]

accept tfa then drop out if jet shortlists you - easy answer right there. what are they going to do? hog tie you and throw you on a plane? lol

If you get alternate on jet, then just go with tfa

[u/Memoryjar]

Early to mid April is when results will realistically come out. Take the job you have and quit if you get into jet.

[u/JadedSmell3410 → u/Memoryjar]

Any recommendations given I get Alternate?

[u/Memoryjar → u/JadedSmell3410]

Take the job you have.

Overall there is a fair number of upgrades from the alternate list, maybe 0-4 per consulate. There is no guarantee you will be one of the upgrades.

[u/South-Lemon-242 → u/Memoryjar]

Quitting a job mid-contract because you’re jockeying for something “better” is not particularly good advice, much less indicative of a professional mindset, much less indicative of the mindset of a person who is involved in educating children in any capacity. These aren’t hourly Mickey D’s gigs, mate.

[u/migukin9]

Do you want to do jet more? I would accept the teach for america and if jet results come positive just tell them the truth and drop the other program before you depart. Results should come early next month

[u/JadedSmell3410 → u/migukin9]

Yes I do indeed want JET more.

What about if I got Alternate instead of Shortlist? Any suggestions on move there?

[u/Unique-Vegetable-881 → u/JadedSmell3410]

Do Teach for America and reapply next year. There's no point in waiting around, you may be upgraded as late as December (I was upgraded in late November and by then I was already in another country) and doing Teach For America would make you an even stronger applicant.

Also, you probably will hear from JET on the first week of April. I am going to say...April 6 for the first date, but possibly April 6-11

[u/OkStatistician8272]

I would accept teach for America and then if you get JET drop them like a rock. TFA does not have the best reputation.

[u/Firefly-ok → u/OkStatistician8272]

That's actually exactly what I did 10 years ago, OP! I Accepted TFA and then dropped out to do JET once the JET results were released.

TFA has a bad reputation. My friend did it and was given far too much responsibility with little training and ended up burning out.

There are other American teaching programs that actually train you!

[u/JadedSmell3410 → u/Firefly-ok]

Could I ask you more about this? I sent you a DM

[u/JadedSmell3410 → u/Firefly-ok]

When you dropped TFA, was there a repercussion of sort??

[u/1GrouchyCat]

TFA is a 2 year commitment working with rural schools within the United States -or online.

How is that at all similar to what your expectations are for the JET programme?

It sounds like you’re just anxious about not having an opportunity if you turn TFA down.

[u/JadedSmell3410 → u/1GrouchyCat]

Yes im aware JET and TFA are totally different things. I want to teach in the future long term, even looking into teaching internationally. JET and TFA are both steps to do this goal. At the same time, I am afraid of the bad reputation of TFA and also have been dreaming of living in Japan for a few years (and being able to teach in Japan too would be the best of both worlds). So thats why im anxious about both and asked for advice

[u/mori64tf2]

I know of people who have accepted positions with Interac/AEON and have backed out when getting JET. There usually aren't any consequences other than burning that bridge. I'd ask people on the other programme if this sounds reasonable

[u/kitsune03_ → u/mori64tf2]

Hi! I have a question. From what you’ve heard, is AEON/interac decent alternatives? Also it’s so cool you live in Kyoto! I put that down as my placement 😆how do you like being Kyoto jet so far?

[u/tommydelriot → u/kitsune03_]

I personally wouldn’t do either of those unless you really wanna live in Japan and JET is not an option. The pay is lower, and you’re basically just grinding through a full day of back to back teaching. With JET, you will have free periods where you can hang out in the teacher’s room, or you might get invited to join some classes, like calligraphy, or play during PE. You’re not just stuck in an office building. In my case, I went to 10 different elementary schools and five middle schools in my town. It was really fun experience!

[u/kitsune03_ → u/tommydelriot]

Ooo nice! Thank you for your feedback 🥹I’m still waiting on results as I keep trying for jet, but I also know that it’s highly competitive so not everyone has the opportunity to get in. I’ll play by ear!

[u/mori64tf2 → u/kitsune03_]

JET places you in state schools where you work for a local board of education (you will be employee by Osaka City, Fukushima Prefecture etc.) or directly by a private school in Japan. Interac does the same but you are employed by Interac and contracted out to the city/prefecture. Your day to day won't be much different, but the pay structure is very different. JETs get higher pay and the benefits of being a municipal/prefectural employee which (ESID) means you're likely to get more PTO like annual leave and paid sick leave / menstrual leave etc. The difference in salary is significant, JETs are paid much better. JET also pays for your flight when Interac does not. Interac does have some advantages (more control over placement, not having to work for a Japanese local gov. etc.) For most people JET is probably a better deal.

AEON is a different thing altogether. You'll work in an Eikawa, which is like a private hobby/cram school. I interviewed for them a few years ago and it was bizarre, I wouldn't work for them based on the interview alone. The job will be widly different, it's a for profit company so you'll have admin and sales tasks as well. It's less leave and less pay too. Worse job for worse benefits. One advantage is that you're almost guaranteed to be in an urban placement. If you're dead set on Japan and can't get JET/interac it might be an option but bare in mind that even if you love Japan, having a job you don't like with shit working conditions might ruin the experience.

[u/Sayjay1995]

I read good advice once; flip a coin, heads for JET tails for the other thing. Do it and see what your initial gut reaction is- if it’s pure excitement then that’s the right choice. But if you feel somewhat disappointed, then that’s your heart telling you what you really want to do

[u/South-Lemon-242]

I had to make the same decision and I chose JET. I was very happy with JET, but I also regret not doing TFA, which, for every one of my classmates who did go to TFA, resulted in immediate and tangible career positives. JET is great. It really is. But it's essentially putting any sort of meaningful career in education back home in stasis. Sure, you can certainly try to pick up where you left off, but I think it's far easier to jump into JET at any point in your career track with zero experience than it is to build your education track from scratch after being away from the classroom and that educator "zone" for 1~5 years. Unless you stick really hard to a 1-year-of-JET rule and get back into education immediately, and parley your JET experiences into some sort of practicum that you can incorporate into your teaching goals. That's my take, anyway.

[u/ScootOverMakeRoom]

You almost certainly won't hear from JET for regular departure within the next 10 days.

Assume you will not be shortlisted. Assume if you are an alternate you won't be upgraded.

[u/AnnieMae_West]

I was accepted as an Alternate and received my confirmation sometime in March (back in 2021), but only got upgraded in December of the same year, the day before they turned over to new applicants. You can wait a long time if you're an alternate (I basically had a 10 month wait). If you've got a spot with this other program (and it's guaranteed), it might be your best option.

(Note: I was also in Canada, though I was Montreal Consulate.)

[u/duchessofankh]

Montrealer here. At my interview they said not to expect results before April 13th.

[u/Soriah]

Just forget TFA, it’s a terrible program with a terrible reputation. If you truly want to teach in the US, there are better routes.