As a collaboration in the development of new teachers, Bridges to the Future includes partner schools in the selection of candidates to the program. Thus, there are two parts to the application process.

Part one: After you have submitted all of the documentation for your application and indicated on the application that you are interested in consideration for STEP Bridges to the Future, the application is reviewed by a committee within the School of Education. This review team considers factors such as: subject matter knowledge and GPA; experience with adolescents; evidence of leadership skills; reflectivity about reasons for pursuing education; awareness of issues of social justice and equity in education. Once accepted by this committee, the application is sent on to the STEP Bridges to the Future Program Coordinator.

Part two: For part two of the application process students will be invited to interview with teachers at the schools where they might be placed. The goal of this step in the application process is to include teachers in the selection and to make the best match between schools/teachers and Bridges candidates. This matching aspect takes into consideration the impression and desires of the teachers as well as the impressions and desires of the student applicants.

Generally within a week of the completion of interviews applicants will be notified of their acceptance to the program. Our hope is to let students know with whom they will be working in a timely manner as well, so that contacts and conversations about classroom practice can begin over the summer.