Become a New Leader

Admissions Process

New Leaders for New Schools conducts a four-step admissions process. Upon determining your eligibility for our program, information is gathered to determine whether or not an applicant meets our selection criteria from the application and through interviews. Please review the Selection Criteria and City Requirements pages for more specific information.

General questions?
Please feel free to contact the Recruitment and Admissions Team at info@nlns.org^*.

City-specific questions?
Please contact our local program sites.

*Please note: since email is our primary means of communication with applicants, be sure your account will accept email from admissions@nlns.org and noreply_appsupport@nlns.org. The easiest way to do this is to add these email addresses to your Contacts list. Also, you may want to check your Spam folder for any "nlns.org" emails should you not receive any emails from us.

STEP 1: Eligibility Verification
Eligibility verification must be completed by all applicants at least 48 hours before either the priority or final deadline. Candidates will receive a user license to complete the application via email once they have completed the eligibility verification stage.

In order to determine your eligibility for our program and to begin the first step of our admissions process (the eligibility pre-screening form), please click on the link below:

Eligibility Pre-Screening Form

Eligibility Verification and Program Site Requirements
This step ensures that candidates are eligible to apply to New Leaders. Our eligibility requirements for all of our program sites can be found by clicking here. Please check this page to ensure you’re eligible prior to beginning the application process.

We strongly encourage candidates to complete the eligibility verification as soon as possible and well ahead of their chosen application deadline to ensure enough time to complete the application short answer and essay questions. Please note that all candidates will have access to a sample application with the actual short answers and essays available by clicking here. We encourage you to review the sample application as part of your application preparation.

Below is a detailed communication and notification schedule for eligibility verification.

Eligibility Verification Date

Notification if invited to complete full application

September 16 - October 10, 2008

Notification within 72 business hours

October 10 - October 25, 2008

Notification within 48 business hours

October 26 - 27, 2008

Cannot guarantee submission will be processed in time to apply for October 27, 2008 deadline, best effort will be made

October 28, 2008 - February 1, 2009

Notification within one business week

February 1 - February 15, 2009

Notification within 48 business hours

February 16 - February 17, 2009

Cannot guarantee submission will be processed in time to apply for February 17, 2009 deadline, best effort will be made

Online Application
Candidates must complete the online application by one of our application deadlines:

** Priority Deadline

October 27, 2008

Final Deadline

February 17, 2009

The online application can only be accessed once you have received an email from admissions@nlns.org with your user license. Once you receive access to the application and begin your work, you will be able to make revisions to any section up until you submit the entire application. Once you submit your completed application, you will not be able to make any further revisions. We encourage you to download a copy of our Application Tips before starting your application.

Unless you hear from us otherwise, your application is complete. Within 72 business hours of the February 17th application deadline, you will be notified VIA EMAIL if we have any follow-up on the eligibility or completeness of your application. Within three weeks of the relevant application deadline, you will be notified via email as to whether you will be invited to a first round interview. If you have not heard from us within 3 business weeks, please contact us via email at admissions@nlns.org.

** We strongly encourage candidates to apply to the priority deadline as these candidates will know of the final admission decision in February, whereas candidates applying to the final deadline will not be notified until May. Past applicants have shared that earlier notification helped them to inform their current employer, better prepare to be away for five weeks to participate in Summer Foundations and better plan for the next year.

STEP 2: First Round Interview
The first round interview will last for approximately 2 hours. It serves as an opportunity for applicants to share their experiences and discuss their interest in becoming an urban public school principal.

If invited to a first round interview, we encourage you to order copies of your official transcripts and contact references for letters of recommendation as these documents are required at Finalist Selection Day but can take several weeks to arrive/be written.

Within three weeks of completing a first round interview, you will be notified via email about whether you will be invited to a Finalist Selection Day.

STEP 3: Finalist Selection Day
Finalist Selection Day is a full day of interviews modeled after a “day in the life of a principal.” During this day, you will participate in a variety of activities that may include a written assignment, interviews, case studies, and role plays. Applicants who advance to the Finalist Selection Day must bring:

Official transcripts in sealed, signed envelopes (no student copies) from all institutions of higher education attended
Teaching/administrative certificate(s), if any
A list of three references*
At least one formal letter of reference from a direct supervisor (current or former)*, and
A brief essay outlining your preferences for a mentor principal and residency school placement*.

STEP 4: Reference Checks and Final Decision Notification
Following Finalist Selection Day, New Leaders for New Schools may reach out to references before making a final decision. Applicants will be notified via U.S. postal service of the final admission decision within three weeks of completing their Finalist Selection Day interviews. Final decisions will not be made without the materials (transcripts, certificates, letter of reference and essay) required for Finalist Selection Day.

NEXT | Selection Criteria

Need Help with
your Application?

Email apphelp@nlns.org
or call 866-649-0701.