2012 JET Application Questions?

[nicole.ai]

Hello. I just logged in to the same account I had on the online application site from when I applied last year, and when I clicked on the "2012 JET Application" link, it automatically submitted the application with all my info from last year. This is generally not a problem, since I hadn't planned to change much, but I did need to change my answer to the questions about whether I applied to JET before, since I applied last year. What should I do to remedy this situation? I'm rather worried about this. I hope it won't be a problem.

Thanks,

Chris Z

I think that even if you have a login from last year, you're still supposed to create a new account...

[poncho131]

Hello. I just logged in to the same account I had on the online application site from when I applied last year, and when I clicked on the "2012 JET Application" link, it automatically submitted the application with all my info from last year. This is generally not a problem, since I hadn't planned to change much, but I did need to change my answer to the questions about whether I applied to JET before, since I applied last year. What should I do to remedy this situation? I'm rather worried about this. I hope it won't be a problem.

Thanks,

Chris Z

I think that even if you have a login from last year, you're still supposed to create a new account...

Ahhh...yes you are right. I see now. thanks

[Teari]

Here's a question: under Japan Related Studies (formal study of history, culture, etc.) would my Asian American Film and Video class count (being the film major that I was)? Or would something that had a stronger focus on Japanese-Americans versus Japanese not be something one would list? o_O I would say in that class we largely focused on Japanese the most of Asian countries, but I'm not certain this would be okay to list.

Also, where would it be appropriate to lit things like attending tea ceremonies and Obon festivals and other cultural things? I saw several places it might be appropriate to put those but it's definitely not clear if that would be alright :O

[IdrilG]

Hello,

I was sorting through my paperwork & I found a discrepancy/inconsistency on the (Australian) information sheets about references.
On the JET Information sheet it states:

2 referees in Japanese or English

&

If you have not graduated yet, one of the references must be someone related to the university and must contain a reference to your expected date of graduation.

However, on the Instructions sheet it makes no mention of needing the expected date of graduation, and states the references must be in English 0.o
My references are in English but my professor never mentioned my expected graduation date. Should I just ignore the 1st instruction, or perhaps put a sticky note on the reference to explain? I just don't want to have to badger my lecturer to write me another one.

[OttawaPC]

This 26 page thread is quite daunting to tackle so please excuse me if the following questions have already been answered.

I am an aspiring 2012 JET applicant applying from Canada and I have finished the vast majority of my application but several questions remain in regards to the application forms (despite scouring the official site, unofficial blogs/forums, and numerous FAQs).

1. The application requests that a Self-Assessment Medical Report be completed but the form cannot be found.
There are clear instructions on the site to fill out the SAMR by pen only, implying that it is a form to be filled out by HAND (http://www.jetprogramme.ca/index.php/aspiring-jets/check-list). However, this form cannot be downloaded from the 'Download & Print' section of the online application. Under section 16 of the online application is a '16. Self-Assessment Medical Report' form that the applicant can fill out digitally. My assumption is that the online SAMR section 16 is a new aspect of the online application and the conflicting information remaining on the main site is an artifact from a previous iteration of the application instructions. If possible, could someone clarify this discrepancy? Why is there a requirement to fill out an online form in pen only?

2. Unclear of where to indicate response on the Statement of Physician form.
My application will require a Statement of Physician form which can be downloaded. The instructions are as follows:

To the Physican: The patient presenting this form is applying to the JET Programme and must provide a physician’s statement concerning his/her medical health as indicated on his/her Self Assessment Medical Form. Based on your current examination/evaluation and knowledge of the patient’s medical history, please describe his/her medical condition and state whether or not you think the applicant is physically and mentally fit to work in Japan as a participant on the JET Programme.

However, no explicit instructions are given as to where EXACTLY on the form is the physician's response to be written. Would it be safe to assume that the blank area in the middle of the form is where the response is to be written (see http://i.imgur.com/YQCPA.png)?

3. My university has a percentile GPA as opposed to a 4 point system. Do I need to convert and if so what would be the conversion formula?
My university utilizes a percentile GPA (0-100%) as opposed to the 4 point system employed elsewhere. Is it sufficient to indicate my GPA on the application in its percentile form or do I need to convert it to a 4-point system instead? Is there a formula for the conversion?

Those are all my questions for now. As you can probably tell, they are very detailed and are not sufficiently answered by any FAQ or forum post I have come across yet. I apologize for my strict inquiry as I have read the JET program has such a sheer volume of applications that it will eliminate applications for even the smallest of errors or non-compliance.

Please let me know if I have posted this in the wrong forum/thread and whether or not another thread has already covered these questions.

Thanks in advanced.

I’ll answer your question here and in the Canadian JET applicants thread as I noticed you posted it in both places. As for the most part questions in this forum tend to be about the American JET Programme application, I tend to only actively check the Canadian Thread (it will also save you reading through 26 pages of information that might not apply to Canadian applicants).

1. The Self-Assessment Medical Report is completed online, but at the bottom of this form it is asked that you sign and date the form. It is the signature and date that needs to be completed in blue or black ink.
2. For the most part physicians should be checking the box no and filling in their contact information. If they need to write further information they can write in the large space above that you indicated or beside the yes or no checkboxes.
3. We will accept your GPA in whatever format you wish to provide it in. As you have a percentile GPA, please give us your GPA in that format.

[bcyiu]

@OttawaPC

Thank you for your clear response to my inquiries.

Your time and effort is much appreciated!

bcyiu

[RockerBug17]

Under Academic Specialization, with regards to (14a.) Teaching Certification, what date are they asking for? The expiration of my teaching license, or maybe the date it was issued? I graduated from college several weeks before I got my license. What date (or expected date) of completion are they asking for?

[merkypie]

Also, where would it be appropriate to lit things like attending tea ceremonies and Obon festivals and other cultural things? I saw several places it might be appropriate to put those but it's definitely not clear if that would be alright :O

I put down Obon and other festivals I've went to as Intercultural experience. It was a cultural festival and I did interact and work with people of different cultures so it counted.

[SteelHane]

Thank you Miami for answering my previous question. I have a few more now that the application is up.

In question #27 (International / Intercultural experience), there is a Country and City section as well as a Purpose section. The Purpose section states that I am to "indicate where your experience took place." Does this mean that I am supposed to restate the city, or do they want just the institution name in order to further narrow down my experience? If my experience took place in several cities, how am I supposed to fill in the country and city section?

In question #28 (Employment History), it says "Employer/Location". Does this mean that I am supposed to give the organization's location here as well as in the "Address" section? If I worked at a place multiple times, may I list it separately or only once?

[hunterofpeace]

I'm currently working with a private Japanese tutor. She is a native speaker and was my professor in undergrad. She is a isn't affiliated with a tutoring agency. Not sure how to list this under informal study because we don't use grades and there is no name to put for institution or course name.

[miami_coordinator]

Now that the application is live, I have a number of questions.

First a question related to transcripts:
I transfered universities. The transcript from my graduating university doesn't take the credits I earned from the previous institution into count for my cumulative GPA. Otherwise, the credits were counted towards graduation. Like the instructions ask, I'm including transcripts from both universities. My cumulative GPA is considerably higher if you add the credits from the my first university. (I mean, those credits are from the years I took all my generals, so all my easy classes are stuck in an uncounted grade-point pool.) Should I add a sticky note with my application about this?

About the application form:
I know applicants are advised to put "N/A" in all fields that do not apply to the individual candidate. What about sections with buttons or other fields where you aren't able to put "N/A?" For example: "How many people will accompany you?" you aren't able to fill in N/A. Likewise, for the following question (Will your children accompany you? Yes or No) should you select 'No' if the question doesn't apply to you, or should you not select anything?

22. Placement Request for Specific Location
I'm requesting placement in an area where I've lived previously, and where I have a number of friends and family friends to act as a support system. Is this a sufficient reason to write something in the field given for strong reasons?

26. Teaching Background
1. I volunteer as an English tutor at a college. A number of times I've taught individual English and Education classes at the request of the professor. In these instances, I have some times acted as the sole educator for that class period, and other times I have assisted the professor or acted as a co-instructor. How should I list this experience?

2. There isn't enough space in the "Name of Institution and Position Held" box to list both the name of the institution and my official title. What should I do?

3. I've officially received education training from this college, but it wasn't in a class, so there's no grade. Should I fill in N/A or P (for Pass) in these situations?

28. Employment History
I am the editor of official and public documents for a small company. My hours are irregular, since I only work for them when they need my services. When I have work, I can set my own hours, but I basically work constantly until the job is done. There can be several weeks between jobs. How should I list this work? As Temporary/Seasonal?

30. Japan Related Studies
I've done a lot of self study, with text books and audio lessons. Is there a way to list these?

33. Honors/Awards/Scholarships
Do things like Dean's List apply to this?

Self-Assessment Medical Form
The instructions say to "detail" any conditions listed. What is all required? Right now, I'm giving the name of the condition, date of diagnosis, and the general status of the condition (no symptoms since 200X). But I'm not explaining what the condition is. That information is on my Physician's Form. Is this acceptable?

Thanks for fielding so many questions.

Let me know if I miss anything.

1. No, just submit all of the transcripts. Your cumulative GPA will be the one from the university where you are graduating from.
2. You can leave those questions blank. I don't think we're being as strict about insisting that you put "N/A" for all of the spots like we were last year. If the application permits you to move on without filling anything in, then it's fine to leave it blank. Otherwise, put "N/A" or click "no."
3. Yes, you can put that as a reason for why you want to live there. Just so you know, though, that does not necessarily mean that your requests will be met. In general, compelling reasons are typically family or health related, but you can still explain why you want to be placed in that particular area. Who knows - you may end up getting put there
4. I'd recommend writing it down as tutor or teaching assistant. In some ways, it resembles the ALT position, so it's really good experience to mention in the application.
5. I recommend putting as much as you can and then adding an asterisk (*) at the end. On a separate piece of paper, write the asterisk and follow it with the full name of the institution and title. When sorting the application, put the extra piece of paper behind that relevant part of the application. Make sure the format is the same as that on the application itself (and be sure you include copies of that extra sheet for all 3 sets of the application). I recommend adding a sticky note to the page of the application explaining that the name and title did not fit, and so they are included on the following piece of paper.
6. Write N/A for that situation.
7. I'm not really sure how to register that particular type of job. I would suggest putting an average number of hours you work weekly even if it's not absolutely exact. You could add a sticky note specifying a bit more about your exact duties and hours.
8. Yes, you can list your self-study under "informal Japanese study." Again, you may need to create a rough estimate of number of study hours.
9. Yes, Dean's List applies.
10. You should mention what the condition is, and if you can include a brief description after it, that would be very useful for us (even when explained in the Physician's Form, it may not be easy to read or easy to understand).

Hope that helps!

[miami_coordinator]

It was a public drinking ticket, I was of age at the time. I was written a ticket with a fine but I wasn't arrested or charged. Thoughts?

Hrm. My advice would be to get the FBI background check just to be sure. I've had applicants in that situation and it ended up not being a deterrent to their participation, so I don't imagine it would be problematic for you. If you want to verify, though, ask one of the DC coordinators.

[miami_coordinator]

Here's a question: under Japan Related Studies (formal study of history, culture, etc.) would my Asian American Film and Video class count (being the film major that I was)? Or would something that had a stronger focus on Japanese-Americans versus Japanese not be something one would list? o_O I would say in that class we largely focused on Japanese the most of Asian countries, but I'm not certain this would be okay to list.

Also, where would it be appropriate to lit things like attending tea ceremonies and Obon festivals and other cultural things? I saw several places it might be appropriate to put those but it's definitely not clear if that would be alright :O

Yes, you could include that class under "Japan-related studies"

For cultural things like attending festivals and tea parties, you could either list them under "Informal Study of Japanese Language, History, Culture, etc..." or under "International/Intercultural Experience." If you run out of room, list them on a separate page (following the same format and layout) and include copies with all 3 of your sets.

[miami_coordinator]

I have helped some of my Japanese friends with papers and such that were to be written in English and helping them with conversation English through e-mail (converse in Japanese/English and correcting their English). It was nothing official but would that count as tutoring? How should I go about filling out "hours" and "Institution" if I include this.

Yes, I would consider that to be tutoring. Do a rough average just to give an estimation of how and when you helped as a tutor (something like 1 hour/week lets us know it was not very often, for example). If you want to be more precise, add a sticky note explaining the arrangement.

[miami_coordinator]

28. Employment History
I am the editor of official and public documents for a small company. My hours are irregular, since I only work for them when they need my services. When I have work, I can set my own hours, but I basically work constantly until the job is done. There can be several weeks between jobs. How should I list this work? As Temporary/Seasonal?

You can't list it as temp/seasonal because that infers a contracted position (ie: you're contracted to work X amount of months or until the project is done). My last employer was like this -- I didn't have a schedule, I simply came in whenever I needed to get the project done, the difference was that I was a part-timer and not a temp. What I did was simply put down the average amount of hours I worked each week.

I'm sure you keep record of your hours for payroll purposes, so average them out

I also have a question in regards to informal study:

I'm very interested in Bakumatsu Japan and have done a lot of research on it, online and through books. How would I put this down on my application or does this not qualify as a form of informal study?

Also, if I read books on a particular subject, do I list books or do I just put down read books on this subject on these dates?

Yes, I would agree with putting down an average number of hours.

You could list your independent studies as "Informal Japanese Language, History, Culture, etc..." and, again, try to average some hours and such. It's up to the reviewers to determine whether or not to count it, but in my opinion it's better to include it than not.

You don't need to list the specific books. Just list the self-study, topic, dates and hours, etc... It doesn't have to be an exact list.