JET Program Timeline

As mentioned, the JET Program is the best of the best when it comes to teaching abroad in Japan. Because it is a government-backed employment program, it offers the best in salary, housing, insurance and other benefits for potential JETS. However, the benefits that make the JET Program so special also make it a highly competitive program to get into.  According to the JET Program website, “Typically, 4,000-5,000 applications are received each year from U.S. applicants. Of these, 1,000-1,100 will be selected for participation on the JET Program.” ( https://jetprogramusa.org/about/)  Even in the best of circumstances, only 25% of applicants will make it to the mythical “Shortlist” – which means nearly guaranteed placement into the JET Program.

In addition to highly competitive statistics, the JET Program also have a very long and detailed application process. This process begins in the Fall and applicants who are accepted will enter the program in the late summer of the following year.  The application consists of an a detailed general application form, a two page essay, two letters of recommendation (LOR), and a few other documents.  In a future post, I will go into detail about the essay, LORs, etc and will probably provide my own essay as an example of what JET might be looking for. For now, here is a timeline of my progress so far in the JET Program application process (*keep in mind that this timeline is based on my experience of the West Coast/San Francisco consulate and it may be different for other cities/countries):

2017-2018 JET Program Application Process Timeline

Late September 2017:  Application Opens (Totally wasn’t expecting it to open until October so I was very surprised!)

November 9th 2017:  Online Application Due 

November 18th 2017:  Mailed Hard Copy of Application is Due to Washington D.C and LORs must be submitted online (This day was nerve wracking for me because my second LOR writer did not submit his letter until a mere 5 hours before the deadline -_-‘ )

January 9th 2018:  Received Notification of an Interview! (At first I was very excited, but then I realized I need to begin preparing for it immediately :o)

– On January 12th I was able to select a time slot for my interview. All of the interviews for the SF group were to take place on Jan 31 – Feb 2 and between  9:30am – 5pm

February 2nd 2018:  My Long Awaited Interview takes place in San Francisco at 1:45pm(Purely by chance, I had also scheduled my AEON Group interview for the very next day, Feb 3rd)

March 26th 2018: SF Consulate Interview Results are Out! –> Alternate JET Candidate  Although I am a bit disappointed, I am very optimistic I will be upgraded in the near future!!

April 13th 2018: Reply Form for Acceptance of Alternate/Shortlist Status and Photocopy of Passport Due to Consulate

April 18th 2018: Upgraded to Shortlist! 

June 8th 2018: FBI Check Due to Consulate

July 5th 2018: Proof of Graduation Due to Consulate