Sorry For the Hiatus

Other than getting my JET stuff together and whatnot, there wasn't much to be said. That being said, I got my app done and mailed in. Now I just need to wait for my SASE.

JET Program 2013 Application is OUT

That is all.

Time Goes On and Paperwork Accumulates

So, I am quite enjoying getting all my things checked off on my beautiful white board ^_^ I got to pick up my reference letters on Friday, print out my SoP on Sunday, and now I need to reschedule my doctors appointment since it got cancelled this morning. But, that means I am making progress. Sadly, the main app is still not out, but that doesn't mean there aren't things to do. SoPs can still be edited, references can be collected (if you haven't done this already), and everything else.

I don't really have much of an update today, other than to say that it is a good thing to be accumulating all that paperwork. You want a folder that is bulging with all the things that will be filling your JET app packets. So, I'm going to give a list of the things I have in my folder at this point in my app timeline.

-one copy of my application from last year with notes on it
-one copy of my SoP from last year, just to reference how badly it sucked
-college ruled paper with things to note in my app (my honors, certs, placement request ideas)
-college ruled paper with my high ed institution info and my teaching background (classroom teaching, other teaching tutoring, and teacher training and ed courses; basically the format on the app last year)
-college ruled paper with international/intercultural experience and employment history
-college ruled paper with my Japan-related studies, languages, and honors/awards/scholarships
college ruled paper with my extracurricular experiences and leadership positions
-first reference letter, envelope signed and sealed
-second reference letter, envelopes signed and sealed (my prof put all three letters in their own envelopes)
-three copies of my SoP
-marriage license (I need this with my birth cert to show my name change)
-SASE
-SSU transcript original, no copies yet
-MCLA transcript original, no copies yet
-UMaine IEI TESOL certification original, no copies yet
-SSU diploma, no copies yet
-Physician's Form, incomplete and to be taken with me to my doctors appointment

This means that I only need my birth certificate, my Physician's Form completed, the main app stuff, and my copies made. It is nice to be all organized and have everything prepared. On website, I think there is a page that you can print off that is a wonderful checklist, I highly recommend it. Last year, I attached this to my folder, so that I had everything checked off and collated as it needed to be. Currently, I am using my big white board for this, but the paper was awesome and very helpful ^_^

I hope everyone is having good luck with all their application stuff!

Required Docs Now Available!!!!

So, the required docs have been updated as of a few minutes ago. I thought I would post the link and remind people that this means you can get everything done now, other than the parts that are in the main application to be done online!

JET Required Docs 2013 Now Available

Check List Almost Complete

So, once I get a copier and a printer to use, I think that I have everything ready and set, other than the forms JET still needs to provide. Once the forms are available, I have to try and schedule a doctors appointment for my Physician's Form, but other than that, it is just filling out forms on my own ^_^ I'm quite excited. I am especially happy to be done with my SoP. I think that I am finished with it, though I might go back and read through it one or two more times to check for spelling or grammar errors, just in case.

I hope everyone's app preparations are going okay and people aren't having any trouble :)

What to do....

The application is finally drawing near. Supposedly, US required docs will be updated sometime this week (I'm hoping Friday as a bday present to me <3). Lots of people have started doing things ages ago (like me) and some are just starting now.. So I think that maybe I'll talk about things that can be done right now, despite the lack of proper forms and the main app not being out yet.

First? I recommend starting the SoP. You want to have plenty of time to read examples (if you are unsure what to write). I am not a huge fan of focusing on the work of other people to create your own, for specific works like this, but when you aren't already sure, it is the best way. I admit, I was against it before, but a few people gave me crap about my douche-y attitude, so I sucked it up, read some papers and I think I am much better off. So, read examples. Then, you can start your drafting, bullet points, full writing, whatever works for you. The most important part of all this may be finding people you trust to read your SoP and rip it apart. If your family and friends can't be honest and tell you it's crap (if it's crap), then they aren't the right readers. Find someone that doesn't care about your feelings and let them at it.

Second? Order transcripts. Very straightforward.

Third? Find out if you have all your paperwork. Do you have a passport? Do you know where it is? If no passport, do you have a birth certificate? Do you have an official copy to make copies from? Also, if you have had your name changed, do you have proof of your legal name change with your birth cert?

Fourth? Proof of graduation, impending or already completed. Seriously, paperwork.

Fifth? Start thinking about your references, maybe ask them now and start grooming them, so that you can hop to it when the required docs are updated. If not this, at least think about who you want to ask.

Sixth? Figure out if you need to see a doctor prior to sending your app. I have severe food allergies and need an Epi-pen, thus I need to see a doctor to get my prescription renewed and get a Physician's Form stating that my health won't prevent me from doing my job as an ALT, if I get in.

Seventh? Maybe find something else to do with your time, rather than obsessing over JET. I've been much better off since I stopped obsessing and last year's obsessing was brutal...

Anyways... Those are some of my suggestions, if anyone is new to the process or just not sure what to do right now... A lot of this stuff is repeated from old posts, but it still stands true now. Good luck everyone ^_^

September Progresses...

As September moves on, the new required docs still aren't available, but c'est la vie. I am trying to get myself together and slowly accumulate my paperwork. It's a bit frustrating to feel trapped at the point I am currently at.... Supposedly the paperwork will be out sometime this month, when it does I'll update that it's out, in case  anyone isn't stalking the page ^^;

Anyway... I finished my kosode... If you search for Endewearde's Fort Knox Demo, you can probably find pics or I posted on with an explanation on the fb group... I'm also teaching a small class on momiji-gari in two weeks, so hopefully that will go well ^^; And other than that... I guess I can update my check list

App-N/A
Medical Forms-X
SoP-in progress
LoR-requested from three people, just need the form
Proof of Graduation-just need copies
Proof of Citizenship-just need copies
Proof of TESOL-just need copies
SASE-Check
Transcripts-just need copies

Basically, I have everything together that I need, except what isn't available and I need copies of everything (including the kitchen sink)