MedEdits | Medical School Admissions Consulting

Monday, July 12, 2010

Teach for America

By Jessica Freedman, MD, MedEdits

Every year, "graduates" of the Teach for America program seek out my guidance and I have been impressed by the experiences my clients have had through this program. Teach for America is a nonprofit organization that trains recent college graduates to teach at public schools located in underserved areas. Teach for America has always been a popular choice for premedical students seeking to gain teaching experience  especially for those hoping to pursue careers in underserved areas. However, obtaining a job with Teach for America has become increasingly competitive. In 2009, there was a 32% increase in applications; 46,359 individuals applied for 4,500 positions.

An excellent article in the New York Times discusses the competitiveness of the Teach for America program.