admissions – Institute for Recruitment of Teachers

Associate Director & Manager of Programs Update, April 2025

Embracing Change and Supporting IRT Scholars: A Commitment to Growth and Well-Being

As the educational landscape continues to evolve, it’s essential to remember that IRT is steadfast in its commitment to your well-being, your capacity for learning, and your desire to make a difference. We understand that the challenges facing today’s scholars are unique, and we remain here to support you.

The admissions committee is hard at work reviewing over 100 applications for our new cohort, set to begin in June. Our advising team is equally dedicated to assisting our current cohort as they navigate the next steps in their academic journeys. Many are eagerly awaiting responses from colleges and universities regarding their acceptance decisions and funding packages. Additionally, we’re providing critical support to scholars who have been affected by institutions reducing cohort sizes or rescinding acceptance offers due to financial constraints. This situation highlights the unpredictability of today’s academic environment, but we remain committed to guiding our scholars in making informed choices.

IRT Application is Open for Incoming Cohort

The IRT application for consideration for the 2025 Cohort is open! Details on eligibility, requirements, and other pertinent information can be found on the IRT website. The application will close on March 1, 2025.

Please email irt@andover.edu with any questions.

Webinar SerieS: Demystifying IRT’s Admissions Process

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to view four webinars available on IRT’s YouTube page. These webinars detail our admissions process.

Conducted by IRT staff, they provide insight into how we evaluate candidates and what constitutes a strong applicant. The first webinar overviews the general IRT admissions process and introduces the various components of IRT’s application. The subsequent webinars take a closer look at the three major application components: essays, recommendations, and academic background.

IRT Cohort Finalizes Graduate School Plans

IRT Scholars have worked closely with their advisors reviewing admissions offers and fielding invitations for interview and campus visits in order to make the most informed matriculation decisions they can. Decisions have been made! We congratulate all of our current scholars for their work and energy throughout these past months. Congratulations and best wishes in your next step on your professional journey!

Being a part of the IRT program has been transformative not only for how prepared I am to pursue doctoral studies, but also fundamentally how I see myself.
Sophie D’Souza, IRT ’22

Welcome 2021 Cohort!

In a year of constant uncertainty, the IRT is happy to report that we’ve admitted a (more than full) cohort for 2021! Interestingly, there has been a noticeable uptick of nearly 10% for applicants interested in PhD Education/Higher Education and PhD African American Studies/African Diaspora Studies. We are honored to support a total of 150 scholars through their graduate school journey and contribute to making a meaningful impact in this world.