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Selection Criteria - One Page Printable (pdf)

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Become a New Leader

Admissions Process

New Leaders for New Schools conducts a five-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. City-specific questions? Please contact our local program sites.

Please Note: Application deadlines for our Summer 2010 Cohort are October 15, 2009 and February 17, 2010 and March 1st, 2010 (Greater New Orleans ONLY).

For potential applicants to ALL CITIES EXCEPT GREATER NEW ORLEANS: you have missed our Final Application Deadline, which occurred at midnight on February 17, 2010. Please check back on our website over the Summer for information about how to apply to our First Deadline next Fall!

STEP 1: Eligibility Verification
Eligibility verification must be completed by all applicants at least 48 hours before the deadline to which they are applying. Candidates will receive a user license via email to access and complete the online application, 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:

*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.

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

STEP 2: Online Application
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 final portion, Part 8. 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.

ONLY if we have any follow-up questions on your eligibility or the completeness of your application, will you be notified VIA EMAIL within 48 business hours of the relevant application deadline in order to address these issues. UNLESS YOU HEAR FROM US OTHERWISE, YOUR APPLICATION IS COMPLETE. 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 feel free to contact us via email at admissions@nlns.org. However, please do not reach out to us for decision information prior to this time. While we recognize that you will be eager to know, please respect that we are committed to reviewing all applications with quality and equity, and this process takes time.

STEP 3: 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 4: 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*.

*You will receive these supplemental material forms after your First Round Interview

STEP 5: 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.

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