How to Apply

Application Process

Interested in applying? Keep reading for more information about how the process works and what is required in order to join our program. Please note that we accept applications, offer interviews, and notify candidates of their acceptance on a rolling basis, so it’s important that you apply early!

There are eight steps:

1. Read this website!

2. Check your eligibility status.

Applicants to the program must meet a number of Eligibility Requirements in order to be considered. Make sure that you're eligible!

3. Apply Now!

Applying is easy via our online application which opens November 17, 2010; links to our application can be found throughout our website – just click “Apply Now!” To apply to the Baltimore City Teaching Residency, candidates need to complete and submit an online application that includes a resume and a response to each of the following application questions:

• Nearly all Residents are placed in 'high-need' schools that are located in low-income communities. Why do you want to teach in a high-need school, and what experiences have prepared you for the challenges of teaching in a high-need school? 

•  The most important responsibility of a teacher is to ensure high academic achievement for all students. Explain how a skill or ability that you possess will help you ensure high academic achievement for all students and provide an example of how you have effectively demonstrated this skill or ability in the past.

• Briefly describe a time when you achieved a goal in the face of challenges or while balancing multiple responsibilities.  What steps did you take to ensure you would meet your goal and how will that experience contribute to your ability to be successful with your students?

Your response to these application questions provides us with information not captured elsewhere in the application. We use this to evaluate your writing and critical thinking skills, and more importantly, to gain a sense of your commitment to teaching students in Baltimore City.

4. Register for the Praxis I.

The Praxis I exam is a general skills test administered by Educational Testing Services (ETS), and is composed of reading, writing, and math sections. Passing scores on this test (or exempting test*) are a requirement for participation in the Baltimore City Teaching Residency; however, they are not specifically a part of our initial application process. Consequently, only accepted candidates will be required to submit these scores before training begins. However, we encourage you to register for this test as soon as possible.

*The Maryland State Department of Education will accept official documentation of the following test scores in lieu of the Praxis I:

• SAT taken after 2005, combined math and critical reading scores of 1100;
• SAT taken between 4/95 and 2005, math and verbal composite score of 1100;
• SAT taken prior to 4/95, math and verbal composite score of 1000;
• ACT composite score of 24;
• GRE math and verbal composite score of 1000. 

Residents must also provide our office with passing scores on the Praxis II Content Knowledge test. Click here for more information on Praxis II testing requirements.

5. Investigate how to request your transcripts.

If selected for an interview, candidates will be required to bring at least one transcript, official or unofficial, from every college and university attended as part of their interview materials. Please do not have official transcripts sent to the BCTR office; if selected for an interview with our program, you will receive instructions on when and how we'll accept them.

Credit coursework, including transfer, AP or supplemental coursework must be verified by transcripts from the institution where credits were earned.

Please note that upon entrance to the Baltimore City Teaching Residency, a total of two (2) official transcripts, from each college and university attended, will be required for continuation with the program.

Because it often takes colleges and universities several weeks to process requests for official transcripts, we recommend that you request transcripts at the time of your application submission to be sent to your home address. Again, please do not have official transcripts sent to the BCTR office.

Upon acceptance to the Baltimore City Teaching Residency, all transcripts from the institution(s) where a degree was granted must reflect “degree awarded” or “degree conferred” to be considered official. We suggest contacting the office of the registrar for details on the timing of this process.

Photocopies are acceptable at the interview stage, as are unofficial records printed from your college or university’s website.

Please do not send or fax transcripts before your interview date.*
*Unfortunately, we are unable to return materials that have been submitted, even if an applicant is not admitted to the program.

6. Check application status online.

After submission of an online application, candidates are able to view their status in the application process online two ways:

a. Return to the Baltimore City Teaching Residency website, hit “APPLY NOW ” and log into your account. Once you're logged in, your home page should reveal your most current status with the program.

b. Go to My BCTR and log into your account. Once you're logged in, your home page should reveal your most current status with the program.

During the application and interview process, updates and documents are specific to each stage in the candidacy cycle will be posted at this site. We highly recommend checking it frequently.

7. Attend an interview event. (Invited applicants only.)

Applicants whose materials demonstrate their strong potential to be a new teacher will be invited to participate in an interview event.

Applicants will be notified of their interview status by email approximately two weeks after submitting an application.

The interview event will include a teaching sample, a dialogue with other candidates, a writing exercise, and a personal interview. Applicants who are invited to interview will be provided with additional information at the time of invitation.

Interviews are group events, so candidates will be allowed to choose from pre-determined dates and times. Unfortunately, individual requests for other times cannot be accommodated.

8. Wait for a decision.

Decisions to accept an applicant into the Baltimore City Teaching Residency are based on the strengths of the submitted application materials and interview event.

We understand that being denied admission may be disappointing, and it is natural to want to know the reasons behind the district’s decision. However, because of the large number of applications we typically receive, we cannot accommodate requests for personalized feedback on individual applications.