STF is currently offered in Boston (MA), Newark (NJ), Brooklyn (NY), and Troy (NY). Candidates can indicate their choice of location on the application and, if selected, will be notified of specific STF placement sites in the spring. The application provides you an opportunity to rank your preference in regions and the STF Team will do their best to source candidates to their first or second preference. Please note that positions in your preferred location may not always be available.

Yes. Fellows receive an overall Fellowship stipend of $3,500 (for Elementary or Middle School Fellows) or $6,000 (for High School Fellows), and an additional travel stipend of $150-$400 (depending on placement region). The amount of the overall stipend and the travel stipend will vary by the region and grade level in which a Fellow is placed. Please note that all stipends are subject to applicable taxes and fees.

Yes. We provide shared, dormitory-style housing. For Fellows who opt out of housing and find their own accommodation for the summer, we will provide an additional $800 housing stipend (subject to applicable taxes and fees).

Fellows may be placed in any classroom from K-12. You will be able to indicate your grade level interest on the application. As with region, please note that a position in your preferred grade level interest may not always be available.

Due to the fact that in-person interviews are required, candidates who are studying abroad cannot always be considered. If you will be studying abroad in the winter, submit your application by the first deadline and plan to meet during your spring semester. If you will be studying abroad in the Spring of 2019, you will not be eligible to apply because in-person interviews begin in January. If you can travel back to the states for the interview, feel free to submit an application. If you are interested in STF, eligible to apply, and are in this situation, please email stf@uncommonschools.org for more information and next steps prior to submitting an application.

You can expect to hear from a member of our team within 3 weeks of submitting an application. Please allow 4 weeks to hear from us if you plan to submit an application during the winter holiday season (December 15th-January 2nd).

Selection rates vary by site. To maximize your chance of being selected, we encourage you to apply early and be thorough and thoughtful in your application. Take time to review and proofread your resume and short essay answers before submission. Decisions are made on a rolling basis and while our review criteria are consistent throughout the process, as the selection season progresses, there are fewer positions available each week.

When completing the application, candidates will have an option to select their primary and secondary geographic preference. You will also have a question where you can inform us of your level of geographic flexibility. The selection options include “I prefer to be considered for my top choice only,” “I prefer my top two choices, but I’m open to other sites,” “I am equally open to my top two options,” and “I am totally flexible.” Because the STF Team uses solely this question to source candidates to specific regions, please be as candid as possible when answering. For example, if a candidate were to choose Brooklyn as choice one and Newark as choice two, but mentioned that they are totally flexible there is a likelihood that said candidate may be placed elsewhere.

No. A major in education or prior teaching experience is not required for admittance into the program; however, the strongest candidates exhibit a demonstrated passion for working with students and an interest in pursuing teaching as a profession long-term.

Yes. If you are a December 2019 graduate, you are eligible to apply to STF for the Summer 2019 cycle. If you are graduating in December 2020, you are not eligible for STF 2019, but we encourage you apply for our 2020 cohort.

If you are in a five-year program, please apply to STF for the summer between your fourth and fifth year. For example, if you will complete your degree program in Spring 2020, you should apply for Summer 2019.

STF is only open to college undergraduates who are rising seniors. For admittance in the Summer 2019 cycle, you must be graduating in December 2019 or Spring 2020. Uncommon has a range of other positions that would be suitable for recent graduates and graduate students. Please visit our Job Board to view current openings.