Beyond the Academics

Contrary to popular hype, you need more than the right courses to get into the B.Ed. program.

We advisors are just as guilty for harping on academic requirements, so this post is an effort to shift the attention to the “softer” aspects of the B.Ed. application. In other words, we’re going to focus on the personal essay, experience summary, and references.

First off, the personal essay: it’s no secret that the prevailing essay topic has remained the same from year to year. And I can guarantee that this year, you will be asked to reflect on your experiences with children and youth and their potential to prepare you for the teaching profession. Don’t underestimate the impact of a cogent, thoughtful, and readable composition. It personalizes your application and also demonstrates your ability to write effectively and correctly. Use examples or illustrations to make a point. Academic-style essays are not de rigeur; but try to avoid a casual tone. And please — please proofread and edit your essay before submitting it.

If your personal essay is like a cover letter, think of the experience summary as your resume. Here’s where you give us the bare-boned details of the related experiences you’ve had interacting with kids and teens. You’re not beholden to report every single related experience . Think of the most suitable ones; be choosy. And yes, please be accurate when reporting the number of hours per activity (I know high school babysitting was a long time ago — if so, perhaps under-report your hours to be on the safe side.)

And lastly, references (CLICK HERE to find a reference report template): it may seem early, but I would suggest that you start thinking about possible referees. Make sure that you’ve taken a look at the reference report before approaching individuals. Do they know you well enough to comment on your skills and abilities? Are they prepared to assess you based on your experiences with children and youth? When it comes time to request a reference, your referees will appreciate early notice. Starting the process in advance means that if the reference you were counting on isn’t available, you’ve still time to pursue plan B.

What are you doing right now to prepare for your application? Feel free to share your to-do list, ideas, and plans in the comments.