How to get into prestigious teachers' school?

November 8, 2006 5:01 PM

What does it take to get into prestigious graduate teaching programs like Bank Street / Columbia Teachers College?

A friend is a latina teacher with a bachelors' in education (and initial certificate in teaching), 2 years classroom experience, a ~3.1 GPA from a state school, bilingual (Spanish), and has wonderful references.

What are her chances -- and how can she maximize them -- of getting into grdauate-level professional certification programs at the finest teachers' colleges available, like Bank Street or Columbia Teachers College? I can't find statistics or too many other "inside scoop tips" on these schools' admission procedures. Thanks!

posted by shivohum to education (6 comments total)

This won't be very helpful, but I have a friend doing a program at the Columbia Teachers College right now. I don't know what her undergrad career was like (in terms of GPA, she did go to a pretty well-regarded liberal arts college), but the impression she gave me on the application process was that recommendations are extremely important. She is in the Private School Leadership program. Before starting the program she had a few years teaching and coaching at a private school in the DC area, and I know she got very good recommendations from the people there.
If I remember to ask her more about it I will email you at your profile address.
posted by ch1x0r at 5:37 PM on November 8, 2006

Your thesis advisor pretty much needs to know someone at the place you want to go. OK, it isn't quite that dire, but nearly.
posted by caddis at 6:00 PM on November 8, 2006

I'm not sure I can offer any specific strategy for getting into either of these, but I'd encourage her to look at Bank Street over TC. I hated every single moment of my time at TC, despite struggling to find SOMETHING to like - she should definitely visit, sit in on classes and get a real feel for the place before committing to a program there (or anywhere really).

If it helps at all, I had a 3.5 gpa, 4 years teaching experience, and references from the head of the school and a former TC professor.
posted by blaneyphoto at 6:05 PM on November 8, 2006

hrm... sounds like a tough proposition so far.

I've heard Bank Street is about the interview -- and whether or not you come off as fitting in with their philosophy. Any thoughts on that?

Blaneyphoto, could you elaborate on what you so disliked about TC?
posted by shivohum at 7:00 PM on November 8, 2006

My wife is a graduate of TC. She loved it. Her grades were pretty good, not great undergrad. She had 5 years teaching experience before going. She was very specific in terms of what she wanted out of the program and she was very clear about that in the interview. I think the recommendations were very important in the process. SHe had taught in all inner city schools (The South Bronx in NYC and the south side in Chicago.) I think being bilingual is a big plus these days. She also got a lot of help from TC in her post school placement. They were a big help in recommending and finding openings. Her teachers were very open to helping with the class material and advice as it pertained to teaching and specific jobs.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 7:31 PM on November 8, 2006

Blaneyphoto, could you elaborate on what you so disliked about TC?

I'd be happy to, but email may be best, so feel free to get in touch.
posted by blaneyphoto at 8:05 PM on November 8, 2006