odds of being placed as an alternate?

[gumdropsally]

Hello. I do not know if this question has been put forth before but I was wondering how many people who are currently ALTs were originally alternates? It seems that most ALTs responding give us lowly interviewees encouragement by declaring that they were alternates and now they are in Japan. Does anyone actually get a definite position? I know this issue is a long way off since my interview isn't until Thursday but I was just wondering. Thanks. Take care.

[MattyRedSox]

there are MANY who are not selected as alternates...they are flat out accepted or declined. aternates are in the smallest group. i was an alternate and i still think that for whatever reason (maybe they appreciate the experience more?) alternates usually do really well.

[RadishHorse]

50%

[Birdie]

I was accepted initially and my boyfriend was put on alternate status. Ultimately both of us were placed and were placed within about 1/2 hour of each other (by train.) It was a bumpy ride waiting for our status and placement, but it turned out fine in the end. I think a few in my ken were on alternate status. We even had a short-lister get all the way over here, last for one week and then go home. He was replaced by an alternate in early September!!!

[Keetchaz]

This is something I've been wondering about as well. My interview is over with, so all I have to do is wait, but in the mean time it is difficult to consider other job opportunities (I just had an interview this morning) while I'm waiting to find out. I told the guy I interviewed with today (for the other job) that I wouldn't be able to give him a definitive answer until late March or early April, and I told him why. It still might work out, but what if I'm put on the alternate list? Then I really won't have any idea about Japan until, as birdie said, September.

If I'm placed as an alternate (in NY), will there be any way to find out where on the list I stand?

[Gengen]

It also depends on the place where you interview. Where I help out at they rejected just a couple and the alternates and short listers were about half and half. I think they went through all of thier alternates last year.

[squid]

Would you tell us where you helped out, Gengen?

(I did read somewhere that most alternates are placed, though.)

[alpha_leonis]

I interviewed in Gengen's location (twice). First time through I got an alternate spot, but was never upgraded. I was even sitting at the "top alternate" spot for two entire months before I found out for sure that I wasn't going to go. Second time, it seems I was one of the "just a couple" that got rejected. (So nice to know those proportions, Gengen, that's a real boost to the old ego . . . )

[Gengen]

I'm sorry Alpha. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.

Did you apply this year?

[alpha_leonis]

Nope. Never again, thank you very much.

[harkness]

I was an alternate as well last year, from Toronto. I think it depends how big the city is that you`re applying from with respect to how many alternates there are. For example, I`m guessing Toronto had many short listers and many alternates. Therefore, there is a greater chance of being upgraded because more people will likely drop out. A friend of mine came from a consulate that only sent 20 Jets, so there, you`d have less of a chance of being upgraded, I`d guess.

It`s a waiting game indeed, but I know many people here who were alternates, and I agree - they make good Jets!

[JenrYOKO]

My husband was an alternate out of Chicago and was told he should call in once/week to find out his status. He was at #3 at the end but didn't get called - turned out to be a blessing for us in the end though since I was placed in Yokohama. (Lots of jobs to choose from without risking being hours apart.)

If you are an alternate and are placed low on the alternate list, my advice would be to go with your Plan B and reapply to JET next year.