You Deserve a Pat On The Back, Sir.
Dear Prospective JETs--
I just sent in my application yesterday, and I waited forever for a letter from my doctor after incessantly calling the hospital in which he works over a month's time.
Putting this thing together was a task in itself-- to get letters from their doctor, to run around getting their transcripts and proof of study abroad, and meticulously checking employment history for old phone numbers of managers and bosses long ago, digging up your birth certificate, and calling your registrar repeatedly to remind them that yes, you will be graduating next semester, and all the odds and ends in between.
Then you get all the materials you've compiled and place them on the floor. You soon realize you've forgotten something, freak out, and then get your cool back after you realized you didn't actually forget anything-- you were sitting on it the whole time.
You make sure to put all the papers in order: Application, medical forms and letters, statement of purpose, official transcripts, proof of enrollment, proof of citizenship, and so on. Then you check 20 times more just to make sure because you have no idea whether or not the people on the other end could conceivably stamp a huge REJECT in bright, unfriendly red letters if you put just one paper out of order.
For those of you thinking of doing an application, I know it seems like I'm making this seem like a huge, blown-out-of-proportion ordeal, but getting all of this information, keeping it organized, and actually feeling good about it once it's finally done takes considerable work, thoughtfulness, and patience. If you're not willing to put that into it, I would seriously reconsider applying.
For those of you still doing an application, I know it's been probably been arduous getting all the materials together, but you still have some time. I hope you can finish soon.
I just wanted to say that everyone who has completed a JET application -- either in the past, now, or in the future -- and has sent it off faraway from themselves where it belongs, congratulations. You deserve a pat on the back. So, give yourselves one, right now.
~ Jethro.
P.S. I am actually not trying to be sexist by using "sir" in the subject-- I just borrowed a little bit of Marcie-speak from Peanuts. :P
I just sent in my application yesterday, and I waited forever for a letter from my doctor after incessantly calling the hospital in which he works over a month's time.
Putting this thing together was a task in itself-- to get letters from their doctor, to run around getting their transcripts and proof of study abroad, and meticulously checking employment history for old phone numbers of managers and bosses long ago, digging up your birth certificate, and calling your registrar repeatedly to remind them that yes, you will be graduating next semester, and all the odds and ends in between.
Then you get all the materials you've compiled and place them on the floor. You soon realize you've forgotten something, freak out, and then get your cool back after you realized you didn't actually forget anything-- you were sitting on it the whole time.
You make sure to put all the papers in order: Application, medical forms and letters, statement of purpose, official transcripts, proof of enrollment, proof of citizenship, and so on. Then you check 20 times more just to make sure because you have no idea whether or not the people on the other end could conceivably stamp a huge REJECT in bright, unfriendly red letters if you put just one paper out of order.
For those of you thinking of doing an application, I know it seems like I'm making this seem like a huge, blown-out-of-proportion ordeal, but getting all of this information, keeping it organized, and actually feeling good about it once it's finally done takes considerable work, thoughtfulness, and patience. If you're not willing to put that into it, I would seriously reconsider applying.
For those of you still doing an application, I know it's been probably been arduous getting all the materials together, but you still have some time. I hope you can finish soon.
I just wanted to say that everyone who has completed a JET application -- either in the past, now, or in the future -- and has sent it off faraway from themselves where it belongs, congratulations. You deserve a pat on the back. So, give yourselves one, right now.
~ Jethro.
P.S. I am actually not trying to be sexist by using "sir" in the subject-- I just borrowed a little bit of Marcie-speak from Peanuts. :P