Alternates 2012

[Smasha]

Even though I got upgraded that was an amazing note miami_coordinator. Such great advice and really inspirational words!!!! You rock!!!

Ditto!!!! Miami, you're amazing!

[tkmd]

Hey Miami! Thanks for your words! I've between doing a lot of that; Studying lots of Japanese, working hard on learning kanji, and staring at my plan b right in the face.

I still can't help but feel badly about this though mainly because my plan b would impede me from doing jet in the future. The worse thing is that my plan b is not something I want to do and yet it's something that affects me for the rest of my life. I just feel like as time passes i'm running out of choices with regards to what to do with life. This adds to the frustration.

I really appreciate your words though and i'm sorry about this negative post. I don't mean to air out my frustration on anyone or on here. I appreciate the support we get through this forum since for many of us, like myself, don't have much support elsewhere (my family actually celebrates the possibility of me not going).

I'm giving it my all to stay positive and looking at my plan b through a better light!

Best of luck to everyone and congrats to all those shortlisted! Let's keep our fingers crossed for the best!

[socket2me]

Thank you so much for your words MIami. It's really nice to see that the coordinators empathise with the 'struggle of the alternate'.

What I've found now is that after what feels like years of waiting, I decided to tell myself that I'm just not getting JET this year. I am so proud of myself to have gotten onto the alternate list in the first place, I know what the competition was like and the calibre of people who got shortlisted. If i do end up getting 'THE CALL' sometime over the next few weeks/months, I will be delighted, ecstatic and will drop everything for JET, but it would be improper to put my life on hold while someone else decides on whether I should get JET or not. My finals are over so I don't have that distraction anymore, it's time to start on other things. I feel that if we're meant to get it, it'll happen, and if we really do want it, we'll be applying next year again.

[franky999]

Heard a rumor that the total number of JETs joining this year has been reduced compared to previous years, does anyone have nay information regarding this?

There are fewer open positions this year than last, though not anything significantly out of the normal year-to-year variation. I don’t know offhand how much of that is more JETs staying for another year, and how many are JET positions being eliminated (either being replaced by private ALTs or just cut in altogether), though there is certainly a little of both.
In general the programme is trying to encourage participants to stay longer, and personally I get the sense that many people who stayed in Japan (or stayed on the short list) after the earthquake & tsunami have a pretty deep connection with their town/city/school. That would mean more current JETs renewing than usual. Canada in particular did have significantly more applicants than last year, so the competition here was more competitive than usual this year, for what that’s worth.

Do you know the average number of short lists to alternates? Such as is its 1-1 or is there only say 25 alternates for every 100 shortlist?

[Gekishinken]

It's not 1:1 (at least not in the USA). Heres something I was able to find on the Chicago Consulate's JET FAQ:

Q. What percentage of ALT applicants ends up participating in the JET Program?

The ALT applicant success rate varies from year to year. For the 2002 JET Program, 320 out of about 500 applicants were granted interviews at the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago; out of 320 interviewees, 185 were selected as short-list candidates, with 80 on the alternate list. Thus, for this year, 64% of applicants were granted interviews, and 58% were selected as short-list candidates. This adds up to an overall success rate of 37%. (Except for rare cases, all “short-list” candidates are fully accepted into the JET Program. For an explanation of “short-list,” see below.)

http://www.chicago.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JIC/jetfaq.html

Of course those numbers are old but it gives you a general idea. So if the numbers are consistent with that year it's something like a 1:2.3 ratio.

[eFred]

Hi everyone! It's the middle of May, and I thought I'd reach out to all of you. I know that you're probably on tenterhooks waiting for a call or email or SOMETHING that will let you know what you're doing for the year ahead! Truth be told, even though it probably FEELS like a lot of time has gone by, it really hasn't. We haven't even been told about JET placements yet! Meanwhile, though, I know this is rough for all of you, and I want to offer my own insights and suggestions.

There WILL still be JET upgrades throughout the summer and into the fall and winter (there were even a few in early 2012 this year!). But if you do nothing except keep waiting... and waiting... and waiting for something that may not happen, then you'll only end up wasting your time and becoming depressed. Keep reminding yourself that to have made it as an alternate means that you WERE accepted, but there were insufficient spots available to include you into the initial short list. The reviewing and interviewing panels felt that you had the qualities and abilities to make you a good JET, so don't allow yourselves to feel like you weren't good enough. That won't help anything, and it would just be a waste of time and create unnecessary bad energy.

So, here are my recommendations (because I do care about you all and I don't want you stewing in a pile of negativity!):

1. Fold a piece of paper in half and make two lists. The list on the left is the things you would be doing right now if you WERE on the JET short list (or if you had been upgraded at this point). On the right, make a list of things you'd be doing if you had been rejected.

2. My advice is to go back and forth between the two lists and pick certain things. Did you have "study Japanese" on your list on the left? Then make a schedule and a plan for studying Japanese every week. Did you have "look for other jobs" on your list on the right? Then look for other jobs. The goal is to keep moving and to keep being productive. Looking for another job doesn't mean you're giving up on JET. And if you start to carry out some of the goals you had in mind if you WERE accepted, then you'll be prepared in case an upgrade happens.

3. Set goals and targets for yourself. When is the latest you're willing to remain on the alternate list? For JET's purposes, it's best for us to have you on there for as long as possible, but that may not be the best plan for you. Keep in mind that it is true that the longer you remain on the waiting list, the better your chances would be for getting an upgrade, but it may not be healthy for you mentally. Make the decision - are you going to wait until JET tells you that there will no longer be upgrades, or are you going to set a date (or a circumstance) after which you will ask to be removed from the list? Even if you decide that you're going to wait until the last possible moment - which is completely fine - you're giving yourselves a sense of power because you are the one making the choice to be on that list.

4. Start thinking about next year. I'm shocked at how few alternates I see reapply the next year. I think that they forget about the application date and deadline because they know they're already on a waiting list. Let this be one of your contingency plans - don't forget to consider reapplying.

5. If you do decide to reapply next year, be smart amount it. You remember what a crazy mad dash it was to get all of your documentation in on time? Well, now you're more experienced. You know what the application looks like, and you know what sorts of things are asked in the interview. Don't waste that knowledge. If you decide that you will be reapplying next year (and yes, you can stay on the alternate list AND reapply for the next year), then take advantage of your summer and start planning for it now. Whatever you do, do not stay stagnant. If we see you again next year, we want to see what's different about you. How have you grown and changed over the course of the year? Have you started making plans towards accomplishing the goals you put in last year's application? If you use the same reference writers, let them know what is new with you. Be on top of the situation and give them loads of time to get new letters ready. Reference writers like to reuse their old letters (especially when rushed), but that means they could still be referring to you as a student even after you graduated and they may not even change the date of the letter. Give them new fodder to use for their letters. For example, I recommend giving them a copy of your new statement of purpose so they know how passionate you are about this program.

6. Don't allow yourself to get depressed or give in to self-doubt. If you decide now that you are absolutely going to be reapplying for JET next year if you are not upgraded, then you should fully embrace the idea. There's no question of "if" or "but" - it's just a question of how and when.



My final note is not to take this message as a sign that it's all over for this year. It's not! There's still plenty of time left and, again, there will still be upgrades made. I'm only writing to you now because I know that this is around the time when the concept of not getting upgraded is really starting to sink in and there could be some depression and desperation. Don't give in to that emotion, but balance your hope of an upgrade with the reality that it might not happen. Imagine as if you were on a crazy seesaw of emotion; if you move from the furthest end and into the center, you can find your equilibrium much more easily. That comes by taking charge of the situation and deciding for yourselves what you are going to do. That does NOT mean you should turn around and withdraw from the waiting list (I'd get in trouble if MOFA or CLAIR thought I was encouraging alternates to do that!!!) but rather it just means facing what might or might not happen and making some basic contingency plans. The last thing I would want to see is a group of really qualified and capable people who develop bitter feelings towards JET because they spent their entire summer simply waiting for someone else to make a decision that would impact the next year of their lives. Be proactive, be active, take control of the situation, and keep moving forward... even while waiting .

Awesome advice. Came at just the right moment too. Thanks!

[atsuipocket]

Hi everyone! It's the middle of May, and I thought I'd reach out to all of you. I know that you're probably on tenterhooks waiting for a call or email or SOMETHING that will let you know what you're doing for the year ahead! Truth be told, even though it probably FEELS like a lot of time has gone by, it really hasn't. We haven't even been told about JET placements yet! Meanwhile, though, I know this is rough for all of you, and I want to offer my own insights and suggestions.

There WILL still be JET upgrades throughout the summer and into the fall and winter (there were even a few in early 2012 this year!). But if you do nothing except keep waiting... and waiting... and waiting for something that may not happen, then you'll only end up wasting your time and becoming depressed. Keep reminding yourself that to have made it as an alternate means that you WERE accepted, but there were insufficient spots available to include you into the initial short list. The reviewing and interviewing panels felt that you had the qualities and abilities to make you a good JET, so don't allow yourselves to feel like you weren't good enough. That won't help anything, and it would just be a waste of time and create unnecessary bad energy.

So, here are my recommendations (because I do care about you all and I don't want you stewing in a pile of negativity!):

1. Fold a piece of paper in half and make two lists. The list on the left is the things you would be doing right now if you WERE on the JET short list (or if you had been upgraded at this point). On the right, make a list of things you'd be doing if you had been rejected.

2. My advice is to go back and forth between the two lists and pick certain things. Did you have "study Japanese" on your list on the left? Then make a schedule and a plan for studying Japanese every week. Did you have "look for other jobs" on your list on the right? Then look for other jobs. The goal is to keep moving and to keep being productive. Looking for another job doesn't mean you're giving up on JET. And if you start to carry out some of the goals you had in mind if you WERE accepted, then you'll be prepared in case an upgrade happens.

3. Set goals and targets for yourself. When is the latest you're willing to remain on the alternate list? For JET's purposes, it's best for us to have you on there for as long as possible, but that may not be the best plan for you. Keep in mind that it is true that the longer you remain on the waiting list, the better your chances would be for getting an upgrade, but it may not be healthy for you mentally. Make the decision - are you going to wait until JET tells you that there will no longer be upgrades, or are you going to set a date (or a circumstance) after which you will ask to be removed from the list? Even if you decide that you're going to wait until the last possible moment - which is completely fine - you're giving yourselves a sense of power because you are the one making the choice to be on that list.

4. Start thinking about next year. I'm shocked at how few alternates I see reapply the next year. I think that they forget about the application date and deadline because they know they're already on a waiting list. Let this be one of your contingency plans - don't forget to consider reapplying.

5. If you do decide to reapply next year, be smart amount it. You remember what a crazy mad dash it was to get all of your documentation in on time? Well, now you're more experienced. You know what the application looks like, and you know what sorts of things are asked in the interview. Don't waste that knowledge. If you decide that you will be reapplying next year (and yes, you can stay on the alternate list AND reapply for the next year), then take advantage of your summer and start planning for it now. Whatever you do, do not stay stagnant. If we see you again next year, we want to see what's different about you. How have you grown and changed over the course of the year? Have you started making plans towards accomplishing the goals you put in last year's application? If you use the same reference writers, let them know what is new with you. Be on top of the situation and give them loads of time to get new letters ready. Reference writers like to reuse their old letters (especially when rushed), but that means they could still be referring to you as a student even after you graduated and they may not even change the date of the letter. Give them new fodder to use for their letters. For example, I recommend giving them a copy of your new statement of purpose so they know how passionate you are about this program.

6. Don't allow yourself to get depressed or give in to self-doubt. If you decide now that you are absolutely going to be reapplying for JET next year if you are not upgraded, then you should fully embrace the idea. There's no question of "if" or "but" - it's just a question of how and when.



My final note is not to take this message as a sign that it's all over for this year. It's not! There's still plenty of time left and, again, there will still be upgrades made. I'm only writing to you now because I know that this is around the time when the concept of not getting upgraded is really starting to sink in and there could be some depression and desperation. Don't give in to that emotion, but balance your hope of an upgrade with the reality that it might not happen. Imagine as if you were on a crazy seesaw of emotion; if you move from the furthest end and into the center, you can find your equilibrium much more easily. That comes by taking charge of the situation and deciding for yourselves what you are going to do. That does NOT mean you should turn around and withdraw from the waiting list (I'd get in trouble if MOFA or CLAIR thought I was encouraging alternates to do that!!!) but rather it just means facing what might or might not happen and making some basic contingency plans. The last thing I would want to see is a group of really qualified and capable people who develop bitter feelings towards JET because they spent their entire summer simply waiting for someone else to make a decision that would impact the next year of their lives. Be proactive, be active, take control of the situation, and keep moving forward... even while waiting .

Hello, fellow Alternates!

I've been lurking on this board for some time now, but I finally joined this morning because I couldn't not say anything to you, miami_coordinator. You've nailed exactly how I feel on the head-- I cried when I read this, haha. Thank you for taking the time to write to all of us and be so encouraging. It might sound a bit melodramatic, but being Alt-listed for JET has been one of the toughest things I've had to deal with. I've wanted to do nothing but JET since I was in high school (It effected what school I went to, the major I chose, pretty much everything. I'm obsessed! ) and getting so close but not close enough has been... Crushing. Especially when I know quite a few Atlanta short listers and it's so hard not be unreasonably angry at my friends (They didn't do anything wrong!) I'm trying to carry on like you suggested but I'm not gonna lie. It's hard.

[kurenai]

Is there any news from DC yet? I am beginning to worry because I have an offer for another job and I have to get back to them this week, but I don't want to settle if there's still a chance I could get JET. But it's also really hard to justify turning down a job when there's no guarantee that I will get upgraded.

[Gekishinken]

Is there any news from DC yet? I am beginning to worry because I have an offer for another job and I have to get back to them this week, but I don't want to settle if there's still a chance I could get JET. But it's also really hard to justify turning down a job when there's no guarantee that I will get upgraded.

Perhaps try calling the DC Embassy and asking them to give you a general idea of where you are on the alternate list and explain the situation? I know...someone...who was in a similar position.

[kurenai]

I tried but unfortunately they said they couldn't tell me anything. Alas

[erinmarie]

Upgraded from Houston on friday. Woot Woot.

I had already accepted another position, but called them today say I will not be showing up for work in the 2011/2012 school year.

Best/Worst phone call ever. I felt pretty guilty but was also giddy!

[mobiuschic42]

Upgraded from Houston on friday. Woot Woot.

I had already accepted another position, but called them today say I will not be showing up for work in the 2011/2012 school year.

Best/Worst phone call ever. I felt pretty guilty but was also giddy!

Congrats!

[Renz_A]

Hi guys,

Just wanted to sprinkle some hope on this thread for persons who are still waiting to be notified, 3 shortlisters who were selected for my city have withdrawn so 3 alternates will be upgraded soon .... Keep your fingers crossed!!

[CalgaryPC]

Do you know the average number of short lists to alternates? Such as is its 1-1 or is there only say 25 alternates for every 100 shortlist?

It's different for each consulate and each year. Sometimes it's around 1-1, sometimes as high as 1-4, or sometimes 4-1 (i.e. many more alternates than shorts). I could work out an average for you for Canada, but the variation is so high that it really wouldn't be very meaningful.

Usually I tell people that very, very generally about half of the people who apply get an interview, and about half of those get on the short list (that's including promotions). Plus-or-minus 10% or so

[necorose]

So I abandoned this thread a couple weeks ago because it was just wearing on my nerves too much to see all these people getting upgraded and feeling worse and worse about my chances of getting the same. But I can now safely return, because I got upgraded today! It was just a couple hours after going out and buying myself a new pet (my first big step in a no-longer-expecting-to-get-short-listed life), so apparently starting to act like I wasn't going to get upgraded was exactly what I needed to do to get upgraded...