Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle
在シアトル日本国総領事館

• Part I: Application

Applications will become available at the JET Program USA webpage in the first week of October. The 2010 application season deadline is close of business (5:30 pm EST), November 24, 2009.

After submitting the application online, applicants are required to print out, sign, and submit 3 copies of the application.

Applicants must include the following in a single package:

• Original, Signed Application: Must be submitted online AND printed, signed, and submitted (1 original, 2 copies)
• Letters of Reference: 2 confidential letters of reference with accompanying reference forms in signed, sealed envelopes (at least 1 original of each, preferred with 2 copies; do not open to make copies)
• Transcripts: Official transcripts from all attended universities (1 original, 2 copies)
• Proof of Graduation: Can be either an official transcript noting degree and date conferred or a copy of a BA or a BS diploma noting degree and date conferred (3 copies) -OR-
• Proof of Graduation Date AND Current Enrollment Status: A signed letter on official letterhead from the registrar of the university where the applicant is enrolled stating: 1) that the applicant is a currently enrolled student, 2) that the applicant is expected to graduate within the required timeframe (July 1 of the departing year), and 3) the date (month and year) that the degree is expected to be conferred; a letter from either a dean or an advisor will also be accepted provided it contains the same required information, is on university letterhead, and has an official signature (1 original, 2 copies)
  Note: For those in graduate programs, proof of enrollment or proof of date of graduation are not necessary for eligibility (as long as an applicant provides proof of a Bachelor's degree), although the applicant will not receive credit for any claimed postgraduate education without proof of enrollment, proof of graduation, and relevant transcripts
• Proof of Study Abroad: Only if applicable. Can be either a transcript from the study abroad university or a transcript from the university where the applicant is enrolled provided it states: 1) where the study abroad occurred (city and/or country), 2) all courses taken, dates attended, and grades earned, 3) the name of the study abroad university; a letter on official letterhead with an official signature from your university or the study abroad program listing all of these required elements can also be accepted
  Note: While an application will not be considered incomplete if there is insufficient proof of study abroad, the applicant will not get credit for any claimed study abroad experience (1 original, 2 copies)
• Proof of Teacher's Certification and/or TEFL/TESL Certificate: Only if applicable. Proof must be in the form of documentation (from the institution granting the certification) of certification or of enrollment in a program that will lead to certification; document must also include the date of completion (3 copies)
  Note: While an application will not be considered incomplete if there is insufficient proof of teacher's and/or TEFL/TESL certification, the applicant will not get credit for any claimed teacher's and/or TEFL/TESL Certification
• Statement of Purpose: A 2-page (8½" X 11" or A4) typewritten essay in 12 point font that is double-spaced with one-inch margins and includes the applicant's name and page number (1 of 2, 2 of 2) on each page; statements of purpose should include the following: Motivation for Participation, Relevant Experience, Goals (3 copies)
  Note: Anything beyond 2 pages will not be read
• Medical Form: A self-assessed medical form listing any prior or current physical or mental conditions/illnesses; depending upon your condition, also submit a physician's form (1 original, 2 copies)
  
• Physician's Form: Only if applicable. Filled out and signed by a medical doctor (1 original, 2 copies)
  Note: Please refer to the form and application to determine whether or not you will need to submit this document.
  
• Criminal Record: Only if applicable. If you have answered "yes" to the question on the application regarding whether you have ever been arrested, charged and/or convicted of any crime other than a minor traffic offense (such as for speeding or a parking ticket), you must explain the circumstances and provide a copy of their criminal records (provided by the court or law enforcement agency); record must detail the date, location, nature and resulting action/penalty of the crime (3 copies)
  Note: Those submitting criminal records are allowed to turn these in after the application deadline, but they must be in the JET Program office in Washington, DC no later than January 31 of the departure year (application must still be submitted by the deadline)
• Proof of US Citizenship: A copy of a birth certificate, a copy of a valid US passport (expired passports are not accepted), or a copy of naturalization papers ONLY (3 copies)

Send application packet (including transcripts and letters of reference) to:

All applications must arrive by the deadline; this is NOT a "postmarked by" date. Given the large number of applications received every year, the JET Program office is not able to verify arrival, and therefore applicants may wish to purchase some form of delivery confirmation. It is in an applicant's interests to keep all mailing receipts in case of a delivery service's error. Once the applications have been processed, all applicants will receive notification about the next steps.

• Part II: Interview

By January or February, a file will become available on the USA JET Program website, which will have the ID numbers of those applicants chosen to go on to the interview stage. These ID numbers appear on the upper right-hand corner of the applications after they have been electronically submitted. All applicants should receive confirmation cards with their ID numbers as well once their applications have been processed.

The consulate selected by the applicant will then contact him or her to schedule the interview. Interviews take place in early to mid February. The timeline for interviews is very tight, and therefore it might not be possible to reschedule. All interviews must take place in the February time slot and must take place within the United States at the chosen consulate. Interview sites cannot be changed after submitting an application.

Please arrive early and be dressed in appropriate business attire for the interview. Interviews take approximately 20 minutes in length. During this time, you may be asked about:

Your motivations and goals related to applying for the JET Program What aspects of your culture you might like to teach about in Japan Why you are a good candidate for the JET Program General facts about Japan

Questions are intended to help interviewers judge applicants' abilities, interests, personalities, and how well they will represent the United States and American culture abroad. Interviews can vary broadly from consulate to consulate and from interviewer to interviewer. Therefore, one applicant's experiences are not indicative of how JET interviews are generally conducted. We strongly recommend applicants prepare for interviews independently and focus on showcasing creativity, maturity, and personality.

JET interviews are confidential, as are the questions posed therein. JET related blogs and internet communities are regularly monitored, and releasing confidential information in a public sphere may result in disqualification.

• Part III: Notification

JETs will receive notification in April. There are three possible outcomes:

• Short List Candidates: These are the initial top picks for the JET Program. Assuming all paperwork is submitted on time and that there are no problems, short list candidates will participate on the JET Program.
• Alternate Candidates: These are applicants who meet the qualifications and standards of the program, but who, for number limitations or for other reasons, were not able to be included on the short list. Upgrades may be made from the alternate list from April through December, and therefore it is highly recommended that alternates submit the same necessary documents as those on the short list.
• Unsuccessful Applicants: These are applicants who, for number limitations or other reasons, were not able to be chosen for the JET Program. Decisions on unsuccessful applicants are final. On account of the program's extreme popularity, not all qualified applicants are able to be chosen, but we encourage unsuccessful applicants to review their applications, review their interview answers, and apply again the following year. JET Program coordinators are not authorized to give feedback on interviews or applications.

Prior to departing for Japan, those candidates on the short list are required to submit the following documents:

• FBI Identification Record: In unopened, original envelope; anyone living for more than 1 year continuously in the preceding 5 years in another country must also submit a criminal background check from that country (or countries)
• A Certificate of Health: Signed by a licensed, practicing physician
• Proof of US Residency: IRS 6166, applied for with IRS form 8122 (only for ALTs)
• Photographs and Visa Application: For both JET candidates and family members who are going to Japan on dependent visas
• Proof of Graduation: If graduating after application deadline; must be received before July 1 of departure year
• Alteration Form: For any changes in name, contact information, location preferences, etc...

As upgrades can occur with only a few weeks to prepare to depart for Japan, alternates are strongly advised to apply for and submit the same documents on the same timeline as short-list candidates.

Short list or alternate list candidates may be disqualified if they do not submit necessary followup paperwork on time. Therefore, it is extremely important that all candidates notify their JET Program coordinators of any name, address, email, or telephone number changes. Also, short list or alternate list candidates should notify their JET Program coordinators of any vacations or trips and the best way to keep in contact with them in case there is any time sensitive material they need to prepare.

For more information about the JET Program and applying through the Seattle consulate, please contact JET@se.mofa.go.jp or call (206) 682-9107 ext. 136. For online applications and links to other Japanese consulates in the United States, please visit the JET Program USA webpage.

All information provided here is intended for JET Program applicants in the United States. As every country has its own eligibility qualifications and application procedures, the information provided here may not be applicable to non-American JET Program applicants.

© Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle | 601 Union Street Seattle, WA (206) 682-9107