Application Handbook Section 5

Reasons Applications Are Rejected

Errors in application

Several applications have been rejected with comments such as, "This student must not be very serious. He didn’t even bother to turn in a decent application!"; "Although her academic record is a strong one, the number of grammatical errors in this application tells me that this student is not prepared to be an English teacher, in any sense of the term."; "Science is about understanding order in the universe. This application tells me that this student has no concept of any kind of order." As these comments indicate, sloppy applications could cost you a desired placement.

If a school returns your application because of errors, you will have to (1) pick up your application from the placement coordinator, (2) schedule an appointment with the IU writing tutorial service, (3) re-submit your application to the office of student teaching, showing proof that you met with a tutor at the writing service. We will then have to start the placement process again. YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE SENT TO YOUR SECOND OR THIRD LOCATION CHOICES UNTIL THE PROPER CORRECTIONS ARE MADE.

Low GPA

Some school districts have GPA requirements. If your GPA does not meet these standards, your application will certainly be rejected.

Over-crowded schools and school districts

Several school districts are extremely popular placement sites. All Indiana colleges and universities try to secure reservations in these districts. While we may be the largest department of student teaching in the state, we are not the only department seeking placements. Competition for placements in popular districts is routinely severe. One year, a popular school system reported receiving over 200 requests for student teaching placements.Our office had over 45 requests for this system, but we were only able to place eight students there.

If you do select a popular district, it is extremely important that your application be included in the first set of mailings.If your application is late or needs revision, your application will not be sent out in this very important first round. Many districts cease accepting student teaching applications by late January. 

Limited acceptance

Some school districts accept student teachers only every other year, and others take very few student teachers or none at all.

Personnel changes

Sometimes schools have to reject student applications or cancel placements because of conflicts or changes in their school personnel. Applications could be rejected or placements canceled because of teacher maternity leaves, illnesses or deaths, teacher relocations, or unexpected reductions in staff.

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