Peace Corps Timeline

There were few things that helped me through this arduous application process - one of them was the "Timeline" section on other PCV's blogs. When I hadn't heard from the Peace Corps office which, if you are going through it now, you know how painful it is to be in limbo and have probably developed Restless Applicant Syndrome (RSA). I promise it goes away,though only temporarily, when the rush of excitement comes when you get a notification that your toolkit has been updated or see an e-mail directly from PC. However, the 6-8 week vague time frame starts over.

I have included my timeline below - remember that every applicant's expirience is different and subject to change - especially your nomination. 2/3 of my placement is different than my nomination!

July 21st 2011
Decided to re-apply for Peace Corps Service ( I pulled my application after initial interview because I knew I was not ready) - Completed the first half of the application and received a "Thank you for you interest in becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer" email.

July 23rd 2011
Notified references about potential request for a reference

July 25th 2011
 Submitted my completed application

July 29th 2011
 Received a letter and kit with fingerprint charts and the National Agency Check Form as well as the "assignment area" sheets and addenda to detail my skills

August 10th, 2011
First non-letter/email contact from recruiter to thank me for my interest and set up an interview and confirm receipt of reference kit

August 18th, 2011
E-mail reminder about interview

August 19th, 2011
INTERVIEW - lasted about two hours - my recruiter asked me for some follow up items so i did not leave the interview with a nomination.

August 21, 2011
 sent in all follow up items that were requested by the recruiter

August 22nd 2011
 Received confirmation that the follow up items were received

September 15th 2011
5:00 AM toolkit update - officially received a nomination - no information on where/when

September 22nd 2011
received the medical Packet...

                                   LET THE CHAOS BEGIN..........

October 13th 2011
in pain and swollen from dental and medical workups/shots - 2 more appointments to go!!!

Mid-October - received a phone call from my recruiter saying that her computer had crashed and she had lost all my information, including my interview answers - wanted to set up a time where we could "re-do" the interview on the phone. AHHHH

A couple of days later : "re-do" interview in the car in the parking lot of my work while it is absolutely pouring out KEEP IN MIND I was now working at a new job so had to provide a whole new piece of information.

November 8th 2011
Completed medical packet!! sent it in 20 minutes after signing the last paper

November 18th 2011
Receive my nomination in the mail - Health Extension, September 2012, Central/South America

December 19th 2011
5:00 AM Toolkit Update - Dentally Cleared!!!!!

January 10th 2012
5:00AM Toolkit Update - "office of Medical Services has sent you an important notice regarding your medical status"
     
January 13th 2012
 Received a letter from the Office of Medical Services stating that my application will be deferred for one year due medical purposes. They are giving me 60 days to appeal this.

          SO DISAPPOINTED AND QUESTIONING GOING THROUGH WITH THE PROCESS.

February 6th 2012
Faxed a 3 page appeal statement to the Office of Medical Services

February 29th 2012
Received a voicemail AND e-mail from my screening nurse - she sounded enthusiastic. Called her right back!  GRANTED MEDICAL CLEARANCE!!!

March 1st 2012
5:00AM Toolkit Status Update - Medical Clearance CHECK!

March 26th 2012
Have not had contact with anyone from PC so decided to send a follow up e-mail to inquire if there was anything missing from my application

March 27th 2012
 Response from "Health Desk" - I thought It meant I was still in the medical process but it was the Health Skills Desk. They said that I am still being considered for programs leaving after July 1st!
                                    JULY?!?! I was not ready for THAT! BUT HOORAY!

April 12th 2012
E-mail with request for updated resume

April 13th 2012
Submitted update resume

May 3rd 2012
Received an e-mail from Health Skills Desk requesting an updated resume and to fill out a second (first one was during interview) Romantic Involvement Questionnaire.
        It took about 4 hours but we got through it and I submitted these two items that evening

May 4th 2012
 Attended a Peace Corps Invitee send-off event with my family (I was not yet an invitee - but close!)


May 16th 2012
E-mailed the Health Desk to inquire about a potential time frame - I explained the situation at my job and that it is imperative I give as much notice as possible.

THAT AFTERNOON - received an e-mail stating that it would be about 1-2 weeks to hear from a Placement Officer

May 17th 2012
That famous "202" area code popped up on my phone! It was my placement officer asking when we could schedule an interview - I asked when the soonest he could do was and he said " tomorrow at 10 AM" OKAY!

May 18th 2012
 Had my interview and within 15 minutes he had qualified me for service in central south america leaving on August 21st 2012. I KNEW it was the Dominican Republic from Peace Corps WIKI !!!

Received my Invitation Kit on May 22nd

Accepted Invitation to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer on May 22nd 2012



HELPFUL TIPS ... ( I HOPE!)

- Appeal any medical decision that is made - it is worth the frustration - write your personal statement as an argument why the Peace Corps would regret not moving you through, in a more eloquent manner of course.

- If you are in a serious relationship - They will pry and it will suck - but you will will know more about your relationship that any other couple who hasn't filled out all these crazy questionnaires and it will make your relationship that much stronger

- You will feel disenchanted, disappointed, angry, frustrated, confused, and in serious LIMBO when you have not heard from Peace Corps in over 1-2 months but wait it out because the you will get JOLTED with a burst of energy, excitement, happiness and euphoria when you finally do! even if it is just a toolkit update!

- Don't hesitate to e-mail to inquire about the status of your application just don't expect anything to move differently.

- While your waiting for whatever your next step is, get working on updating your resume and any other pertinent information. This way you will h ave EVERYTHING ready to submit within the day it is requested

- Connect with RPCV's - this helped me sooo much!! Listening to stories, asking questions, talking about the little things not found on any website EVEN PCWIKI!


                                                        HAPPY WAITING!!!








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