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EPP Applications in Connecticut

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1.5 hours

EPP Applications in Connecticut

This guide describes the best practices for university and program applications: transcripts, personal essays, references and more.

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If you have any questions about this process, reach out to a TEACH Connecticut application coach or educator preparation program staff for support. We’re here for you.

Overview

To apply to your educator preparation program (EPP), you will need to submit one or more application(s). (Surprised? No, we didn’t think so.) Your application is a one-stop-shop for admissions officers to review your fit for their program.

Common sections include personal information, academic history, a personal statement and references (letters of recommendation).

University vs. Program Application

Some educator preparation programs are housed by universities, others have university partners, and some stand alone as independent programs. What does this have to do with your application? You may have to complete two applications—for the university and its program—or just one.

Applications at a Glance

The application you’ll submit depends on the type of program. Undergraduate EPPs have slightly different application requirements than programs leading to a master’s degree or noncredit post-baccalaureate programs (certification-only). While individual program requirements will vary, the following are typical application requirements based on the type of program.

  • Undergraduate EPPs

    1. Apply to the University as a freshman or transfer student.
    2. Apply to the EPP as a sophomore or junior (typically after you’ve completed 30-45 hours). Typical application requirements:
      • Transcripts.
      • Test scores: Praxis I Core Academic Skills Test, SAT, ACT or GRE.
      • Personal statement/essay(s).
      • Letters of recommendation.
    3. Interview with program staff.

  • Master’s degree programs (or other credit-granting post-baccalaureate programs)

    1. Apply to the EPP through the university’s graduate school application process. Typical application requirements:
      • Bachelor’s degree and transcripts showing a major or significant coursework in your teaching area.
      • Test scores: 
        • Praxis I Core Academic Skills Test, SAT, ACT or GRE.
        • Subject area assessment scores, like the Praxis II (you may only need to be registered; check with your program)
      • Resumé or Curriculum Vitae (a CV is similar to a resume, but more detailed and focused on academic work).
      • Personal statement/essay(s).
      • Letters of recommendations.
    2. Interview with program staff.

  • Noncredit post-baccalaureate programs (certification-only).

    1. Apply directly to the EPP. Typical application requirements:
      • Bachelor’s degree and transcripts showing you’ve taken all state-required courses—that usually means a major in your teaching area or a closely related field.
      • Test scores:
        • Praxis I Core Academic Skills Test, SAT, ACT or GRE.
        • Subject area assessment scores, like the Praxis II.
      • Resumé or Curriculum Vitae (a CV is similar to a resume, but more detailed and focused on academic work).
      • Personal statement/essay(s).
      • Letters of recommendations.
    2. Interview with program staff.

More than 10 Connecticut educator preparation programs offer step-by-step checklists for their program application processes. You can start one or more checklist and sign up for My Application Coach to get email or text reminders and helpful tips along the way.

Preparing to Submit Application Materials

Most university and program applications include the following parts:

  • Personal information.
  • Academic history & transcripts.
  • Test results.
  • Supplemental materials.

Your EPP will provide guidance on how you should fill out each section. You might upload documents in an application portal, email them or mail original documents.

We know you’re diligent, responsible and capable. 😍 But rockstar qualities aside, double-check which documents your program requires and their method of delivery. Make sure that you are not missing any information. Failing to fill out certain fields could jeopardize your acceptance to the program.

Personal Information

Whether you’re using a university’s application system or a different process, most EPPs require similar materials. For instance, all EPPs will ask you to enter your background information. This section commonly includes your name, address, email, phone number and social security number.

Even though you will submit copies of your transcripts, you might get general questions about your GPA and academic or professional history in this section too. Gather all of your documents before you begin an application.

Academic History & Transcripts

For most EPP applications, your transcripts will provide proof of your academic history. When requested, include your transcript as part of your application.

You may be able to upload unofficial transcripts for the initial application, but you will need to formally request your official transcripts before (or shortly after) you are admitted. Contact the Transcript Office (or equivalent) of the school(s) you attended, and follow their procedures to request your transcripts. Budget at least three to five days for processing. Some schools will send transcripts via mail; others may have electronic copies.

In your request, be sure to specify:

  • Your name and/or student ID number.
  • How many copies of your transcript you need.
  • Your signature.

If you are applying to an undergraduate program at the same school you currently attend, you may not need to send physical copies of your transcripts—your school may already have access. When in doubt, check with the program.

Test Results

All candidates for educator certification must take a core academic skills test and most must pass state-required subject area assessment(s). When you must take these tests and submit scores will depend on your educator preparation program. The Applications at a Glance section above outlines typical requirements. 

  • The core academic skills test. In general, all applicants will submit scores from a core academic skills test, such as the SAT, ACT, GRE or the Praxis I, when you first apply.
  • The subject area assessment. If you’re applying to an undergraduate program, you probably won’t have to take the Praxis II subject area assessment before you apply to your EPP. If you’ve already earned your bachelor’s degree, you should register for the test before applying and may need to submit your scores when you apply.

Check out our Testing Guide for more details on the Praxis tests and other required assessments, such as edTPA portfolio-based assessment all teacher candidates must submit as a part of your student teaching experience.

Finally, some subject areas and programs have additional testing requirements in writing or language. This is where an application checklist can help keep you on track. 

Keep copies of all of your application materials and have extra score reports on hand, if possible. Now is a great time to flex your organizational muscles. You know you’ll need them as a teacher!

Supplemental Materials

All EPPs require additional application materials, thought timing and submission processes vary. The most common supplemental materials for Connecticut EPPs include:

  • Departmental paper application.
  • Resumé or CV.
  • Letters of recommendation or contact information for references.
  • Essay responses or a personal statement.
  • Background check/fingerprinting.

Drafting Essay Responses

Your essay response—aka personal essay, statement of purpose, statement of intent, or some combination thereof—is your unique opportunity to tell admissions staff exactly why you are the perfect fit for their educator preparation program.

Before writing your essay, make sure you’re clear on why you want to be a professional educator. Get up, grab your phone, and call a friend or family member. Explain to them why you’re applying to an educator preparation program, and get their feedback on your explanation.

Better at brainstorming alone? Make a bulleted list of all the reasons you want to be a professional educator. More of an artist? Draw your feelings about the subject. No joke.

The goal here is to hone your thoughts and feelings about teaching. Once you’re clear on “why,” writing an essay becomes a straightforward task that you can spend time perfecting (rather than stressing over).

Need some inspiration? Read about the great work Connecticut educators are doing in their schools, or spend time exploring Connecticut’s 200+ school districts. Have questions about the process (or anything else)? Talk to a teacher by phone, text or email.

  1. Goals

    In your essay, you want to:

    • Address specific requirements for your program. Some programs give specific writing prompts for the essay response. If this is the case, make sure you cover everything in the prompt. Beware of the fantastic essay that doesn’t answer the question!
    • Consider your audience. Write for your readers. Admissions staff members are unique for each program. Ask yourself: What does this program pride itself on? This is your chance to directly connect with their mission statement and prove you know your stuff.
    • Mention relevant background. Describe why you want to be a teacher, tying in your academic record and any experience you have working with children, such as camp counselor or daycare experience.
    • Include personal experience. Select one or two examples from your life that underscore how your background and personal experience make you a good fit for this program.

    Some applications break essay responses into individual parts or questions. When this is the case, remember to choose specific examples that directly relate to the topic at hand.

    Visit your educator preparation program’s website and social media profiles. You can get a good sense for what the program values (and what you might speak to in your essay) by doing a little recon.
     

  2. Structure

    Your personal essay is an opportunity to be creative—to a point. It’s vital to make an impression by demonstrating your relevant skills, experience and vision.

    Pay close attention to the word count or page limit for your personal response. (It’s never been a better time to make friends with an editor.)

    Suggested Outline

    Here’s our recommended outline for your personal essay. Just remember: You’re the expert on you! Take what works; revise what doesn’t.

    • Introduce yourself. (1 paragraph)
      • Hook. Grab the admissions officer’s attention with a strong statement that speaks to your interest in this specific program.
      • Connect. In one or two sentences, give an overview of what your essay response seeks to achieve as a whole. In other words, write a thesis that connects the next two sections up front.
    • Get personal. (2-3 paragraphs)
      • Background. Briefly summarize the parts of your educational background that relate directly to your ambitions for becoming a professional educator. What made you want to teach the grade level(s) and subject area(s) you’ve chosen? (Hint: If there’s anything on your resume or transcript you’re not proud of, consider addressing it here to use it to your advantage.)
      • Anecdote. Tell your story. What made you want to become a teacher? What inspires you about the profession? How have events in your past—including any pre-teaching experience—inspired you to pursue this career?
    • Seal the deal. (1-2 paragraphs)
      • Validate. We could easily call this step “Connect again.” Revisit your thesis and make sure you’ve proved what you set out to. In other words: What about your background and personal anecdote(s) make you a good fit for this particular educator preparation program?
      • Conclude. Reaffirm your passion for teaching the grade level(s) and subject area(s) you’ve chosen.
         

  3. Phrases to Avoid

    When writing your essay, stay away from these sayings and clichés:

    • "I want to make a difference.”
      • Doesn’t everyone want to make a difference? Get more nitty-gritty than this catch-phrase. Consider how teachers uniquely provide a vital social service, and what about the profession resonates with your own mission.
    • “While this isn’t my first choice program…”
      • While honesty is usually the best policy, you don’t need to reveal to admissions staff that their program might not be your #1 choice. Instead, focus on the parts of the educator preparation program that are most compelling to you.
    • “I’ve always wanted to work in education.”
      • Prove it! Use your personal anecdote to show that you’re the right person to lead a classroom.
    • “I love working with children.”
      • While we’re sure that’s true, focus instead on the specific rewards (and challenges) of working with students of a certain age.

Sourcing Letters of Reference

When it’s time to submit references, aka letters of recommendation, choose your recommenders wisely. Your references have the power to give your application a major boost. (You know how the best compliment is the one you overhear? This is like that, but staged, eloquent, and directly tied to your academic and professional ambitions.)

You will typically need two to three references from people can who can attest to your skill sets, strengths and fit for a career in education. Common types of recommenders include employers, supervisors, teachers and professors.

Some EPPs have specific guidance about who you should choose to provide a reference. As always, follow any guidelines your program offers.

  1. Materials

    To make it easy on your recommender, provide them with as much of the following as you can:

    • An explanation of what you’re applying for and why you’d like them to recommend you. Consider including your personal essay(s), if you’ve completed that task.
    • The deadline for their letter. (Bake in one week’s wiggle room.)
    • A copy of your official or unofficial transcript.
    • Your resumé/CV.
    • Instructions about how to submit your letters of recommendation. Some programs require recommenders to use a web submission form or program-specific email address, others want letters the old-school way—in the mail.

    If your recommender is a past instructor, include the grade you received in their course and a couple of samples of work you completed for them. This will remind them of your performance and fit.
     

  2. Follow up

    Make sure to get confirmation from your recommender once your letter is submitted.

    Once you’ve received confirmation of submission, give your recommender a big thank you in the form of an email, phone call or card. Recommenders have day jobs, and providing a reference is a favor they are doing for you (that’s how great you must be!). Not only is a thank you polite, but it will encourage your recommender to support you in the future.

    If you are accepted to your educator preparation program, let your recommender know! It takes a village.

  3. Timing

    Give your recommenders plenty of time to reflect on your accomplishments and to write their letters. Some programs recommend asking at least 30 days in advance.

    Don’t assume that someone will have the time or be willing to recommend you for an educator preparation program. Make your request far enough in advance to allow for any necessary course-corrections.

Preparing for Your Interview

You’ve filled out the forms, written the essays and submitted your documents. Just like a job application, you still need to ace the interview! Many EPPs require admissions interviews, so it’s a great idea to prepare.

You should follow all the usual advice to dress for success and be sure to smile and make eye contact. (Need an interviewing 101 refresher? Check out these resources from The Muse.) For educator preparation programs, consider a few additional pieces of advice for a great interview:

  1. Practice talking about yourself

    You will have the opportunity to articulate why you want to be a teacher—and why you’ll make a great one—in your admissions essay. Now is your chance to practice telling the story to your interviewers. Ask a friend or family member to listen to your answer, then aim to tell the story in about two minutes, give or take.

    You’ll also want to practice telling what you will bring to the program. What will make you a great colleague to your fellow classmates? What unique perspectives or teamwork skills do you bring?

  2. Get to know yourself on paper

    Your interviewers may want to know more about your academic background or have questions about specific courses, changes in major or grades on your transcripts. Review your transcripts with a critical eye. What questions might your interviewers have? Practice answering them. As with your admissions essay, this is your chance to use potential negatives to your advantage, showing how you have grown from challenges.

  3. Prepare to give specific examples that show how you work.

    Interviewers often want to know how your life experiences demonstrate the qualities they’re looking for. They may want to know how you creatively tackle challenges, collaborate on projects or handle stress. You’ll want to do more than tell them you’re creative and a great collaborator. This is your chance to illustrate your qualities with short anecdotes. Think of examples from your school work, jobs you’ve had or other experiences. Come ready with a few great stories that exhibit how you work.

    To set yourself apart, follow your interview by sending short thank you emails or a handwritten card to your interviewers. Let them know you value their time and are excited to get started in the program!

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