Application Guidelines

2012 Timeline

Sep 21: Application opens

Nov 2: Application closes**
**DEADLINE EXTENDED
    TO NOVEMBER 16

Nov 30: Second round applicants are invited for interviews and bilingual fluency testing, and are asked to show proof of income, housing status (if homeless), and eligibility to work in the U.S.

Dec 17: Second round applicants are notified of final decision

Jan 7: Medical Interpreter Certificate course begins

Selection Process & Criteria

We do our best to make sure that the selection process is as fair as possible. The four essay questions on the application are reviewed by a "blind" judging panel, without the ability to see any information about the applicants whose essays they rate. This helps us to avoid any unconscious biases based on name, age, languages spoken, etc.

Our selection process is based on 1) economic need and on 2) factors that we believe will lead to success in our program and in the medical interpreting profession.  The essays are rated based on the following criteria:
  • English language skills
  • Motivation
  • Self-reflection
The strongest applicants are invited for interviews and bilingual fluency testing.  At this stage we also request proof of income, housing status (if homeless), and eligibility to work in the United States before the final selection is made.

Helpful Tips

  • Please be sure to review basic eligibility criteria before applying.
  • The application process is highly competitive. Last year we received 164 applications, and accepted only 21 women into the program. With this in mind, we suggest that you invest your best effort into the application, proof-read, make sure that you answer all the questions completely and thoughtfully, and don't wait until the last minute.
  • In order to be able to offer the course for a particular language, we need at least 3 speakers of that language to be enrolled in the course. We recommend that you encourage other speakers of your language in your networks to apply - especially if you speak a language other than Spanish, Haitian Creole, or Arabic. This will increase the chances of us being able to offer the course for your language.
  • Please apply only once! Duplicate applications confuse and frustrate us.
 
Second round applicant during a bilingual fluency test
A second round applicant during a bilingual fluency test

Questions?

Please email Maria Vertkin, Executive Director:

maria@found-in-translation.org