Hey all, hope it’s going well!

It has occurred to me to post a tidy timeline for prospective JET applicants applying this year, just to get an idea of what they’ll be going through as the process unfolds. Unlike some timelines I’ve seen, I wanted to include quite a few of the major paperwork timelines for those who make it to the shortlist, so that they might be able to get an idea of the timeline for sending off documents,  mainly because I wasn’t given as much direction in that area (aside from “follow the instructions”).

Initial Stages
水　11.07.2012 4:56PM Submitted online application
火　11.13.2012 Sent off paper applications copies
木　11.15.2012 Paper application copies with supplemental materials received at Embassy
火　01.29.2013 4:01PM 1st stage results: Interview Granted
水　02.20.2013 2:00PM Interview at Houston Consulate {Interviews Conducted on 20, 21, 22}
水　04.03.2013 5:32PM 2nd stage results: Shortlisted

Post-shortlist Requirements & Events
木　04.04.2013 Got fingerprints taken at college police station
金　04.05.2013 Sent off FBI & IRS Requests
水　04.08.2013 FBI & IRS Requests arrived at destinations
木　04.09.2013 IRS ran payment
水・金　04.08/10.2013 Got Medical Certificate of Health completed
金　04.10.2013 Reply Form and Paperwork Delivered to Consulate
金　04.19.2013 Health Certificate arrived at Consulate
木　05.09.2013 FBI Record Request payment processed
木　05.16.2013 FBI Background Check arrived at Consulate
月　05.20.2013 Received my form 6166 certificates via mail
火　05.21.2013 5:10PM Received Placement Info: 天草市、熊本県 Amakusa, Kumamoto
金    06.21.2013 Predecessor Contact
土　06.29.2013 General Q&A Session
金　07.26.2013 Pre-Departure Orientation
土　07.27.2013 Leave for Japan
日　07.28.2013 Arrive in Japan
月・火・水　07.29-31.2013 Tokyo Orientation
水　07.31.2013　Arrive in Kumamoto, then Amakusa

As is always the case, comment if you have any questions when this year’s application process rolls around! :) I know I ended up browsing a lot of blogs for unofficial details even though I knew it was just each person’s individual experience. But even without the details what it helped me do was get in a state of mind to compete and fight for a position! And though unofficial it was still incredibly helpful information, so I want to pay that forward.  And as far as posts go, I want to address my app and interview experiences as well, so look out for more information on my own application experience in the near future!