Everyone Seems to have their own version of a timeline for their specific process from application to departure. For mine I have decided to keep it as in depth as possible as I would have liked it as a reference for my general knowledge. Now remember everyone seems to have a unique experience with this so remember the montra of the nominee, "Patience and Flexibility"! Finally I know text is a cruel harsh mistress so to better convey my tone as sarcastic at times.
September 23 2011 - Began my application and references.
- If you think this part was hard, you have one heck of a surprise coming up over the next few months!
October 1 2011 - Submitted application and three references. (see "Essays" for how I reviewed mine)
October 7 2011 - Received letter to check application progress.
- This letter gives you your username and password to log onto the Peace Corps toolkit webpage and follow the progress of your application from here on out. You will receive an e-mail every time something is updated or changed on your packet.
- This was the first of many, if anything the peace corps are good at keeping in contact via snail mail.
October 8 2011 - Received background check packet. This included:
- A Letter from my recruiter with her contact information
- Three reference forms, unless you submitted them online with your initial application
- two fingerprint charts, you can have these filled out at a police station for a nominal fee
- A National Agency Check Form, basic background check info
- A romantic Involvement Worksheet (more on this later)
- And Various legal forms
October 11 2011 - Mailed out completed background check packet.
- They give you a checklist, so make sure you utilize it, if you miss anything (much like every step in the peace corps application process) they will send it back/delay your progress.
October 13 2011 - E-mailed back the Romantic Involvement Worksheet.
- I decided it would be best to discuss this worksheet with my girlfriend and answer it together. This keeps her in the loop, and helps me to make sure we are both on the same page cause lets face it, two years is a loooong time.
October 19 2011 - Received addendum's for Health, Environment, and Agriculture.
- These are the programs I told my recruiter I was interested in. I was told to complete these before I could set up an interview. They were all rather straight forward, each asked about specific education or experience in their specific areas.
- She also requested I send a copy of certifications I had (CPR, First Aid, Eagle Scout, etc.)
October 20 2011 - Sent back completed addendum's and certifications
October 26 2011 - Set up an interview with my recruiter for 11/3/11
- She was very flexible on this and offered a variety of times/locations to meet up
- I was also sent a follow up e-mail confirming the time, place, what to wear, and some questions which I should be prepared to answer
November 3 2011 - Completed interview with my recruiter, it was 2.5 hours!!!
- Now to be fair I had done a crazy amount of research and went crazy in depth on my answers to her questions. Even when she finished I kept the interview going for another hour just asking her questions about everything from her experiences in the corps to specifics on peace corps regulations.
November 3 2011 - RECEIVED MY NOMINATION!!!
- I'm nominated for Environmental Education and Awareness in Sub-Saharan Africa with a possible departure date of June 2012.
- I should note that this is HIGHLY unusual from everything I have read about. You should in no way expect to be nominated the same day, or same week for that matter, as your interview.
November 10 2011 - Peace Corps put my medical packet in the mail
- The toolkit on the Peace Corps webpage completely changed after my nomination and had a completely new checklist. When they mailed out my packet an automatic e-mail was sent to my account and they checked off the box explaining I should expect a packet soon.
November 17 2011 - Received my medical packet. . . Wow, there is A LOT in here
- Because of my initial answers on my medical application they sent me a few extra forms...
- As I am underweight and do not meet a BMI of more than 19 I have to fill out an extra form and get a minimum of two extra lab tests: a Fasting metabolic panel, and a thyroid function test.
- I have had ear surgeries so I have to have a specialist sign off on some questions
- I have also had an oral surgery which needs to be signed of on by a physician
- Finally I have to have my medical and seasonal allergies signed off on
November 20 2011 - Eye Exam . . . check
- Now I have a high Rx, but hey, that's what glasses are for. Don't expect to be able to wear contacts though, Peace Corps recommends against it, and so do I.
- This was easy as I work at an eye doctors office, but for those of you who don't, you only get $12 back from Peace Corps (which will not normally be enough). Try to see if your church or local charity will give you a "one-sight" or "gift of sight" voucher for a free exam.
November 21 2011 - Went in for a physical and most of lab work for a total of $332
- NOTE: I don't have health insurance and was able to find very cheap lab-work could be done through my university's student health center ($15 to $40 per test!!!) You can also use the county health department or some VA hospitals who are willing to work with Peace Corps applicants
- PPD, this is a tuberculin test
- CBC, Complete Blood Count
- Hep B surface antigen/antibody and core antibody, yes that is three separate tests
- Hep C serology
- G6PD, no-one knew what this was. Its a Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase test. For those of you who have not taken Biochemistry, this test your ability to process blood and handle Malaria medication
- Urinalysis, they said dipstick will not work. I had it sent out to a lab to be processed
- Vericella titer, I was not immunized, but had chicken pox as a kid. As I don't know who treated me for it I found it easyer to simply prove that I'm still immune with the titer.
- TFTs, or Thyroid function tests. This one is specific to those who are under/over weight
- Finally, I dropped off my extra/surgery specific paperwork at the appropriate doctors office to be filled out and returned. I didn't need an appointment, as they just have to fill out the paperwork on what they have already done.
- As a side note if you have seen a counselor you may have to have them fill out additional forms.
- I decided to pay myself upfront to help expedite processing of my medical paperwork
November 22 2011 - Received Polio booster shot at health dept ($75)
- I also picked up some paperwork from my oral surgery, he was able to complete it in a day.
November 23 2011 - Had PPD read and Fasting Metabolic Panel taken (35$)
- I also got some lab tests back and found out I'm no longer immune to chicken pox! That means I get to pay another $140 for a booster shot.
- Dropped off my additional paperwork for previous surgery. It should be ready around Dec 1
November 30 2011 - Picked up paperwork from previous surgery.
- My doctor mistakenly marked some sections he shouldn't have so I'll have to correct this with my general physician.
December 1 2011 - Lab and general review with my physician, retook metabolic panel
- Received my 'varivax' (chicken pox) booster $140
- Some results came back odd on my fasting metabolic panel but the glucose (which is what they are looking for while fasting) was normal. So my doctor want me to retake the test while not fasting.
- HIV Rapid Oral Test. This was done for free as a promotion for awareness at my schools health clinic. This is a great option as they always do these for free around town.
- NOTE: I have yet to do my dental and I am running at a total of $582 - $125(peace corps reimbursement) = $457 for medical tests. While this is much better than many people, keep in mind its still not cheap!
December 15 2011 - Retook Vericella titer to prove antibodies 2 weeks after my booster shot
- Also picked up the results of my HIV and CMP bloodwork
- If all goes to plan I will have all my medical results packed up and shipped out by the 19th!
December 16 2011 - Graduated college!
- This does actually have to do with the application process. Now that I have graduated I have to send in a completed transcript to my recruiter with my updated GPA.
- As part of my nomination I will be taking a course at the local community college in French next semester.
December 27 2011 - Submitted my Complete medical packet (minus the dental exam)
- I was planning on having this done by the 19th, but life got in the way. Nonetheless I double and triple checked all the info to make sure nothing was missing and sent it out.
- This obviously means that my Varicella resistance came back positive after a booster shot, and my physician wrote a letter explaining my body-weight, hopefully it does not come back to bite me now.
- I decided to send it through the prepaid envelope via USPS but I paid extra for certified mail to make sure it gets there OK and to track it along the way.
- NOTE: you can wait to send in the dental exam! They don't need it to medically clear you, but you do need it to be turned in before you can be invited.
- I was also able to get my second pair of required glasses today through a doctor I have worked with over the years for free as a graduation/going away gift, so . . . that's awesome!
January 3 2012 - Went in for my dental exam
- I was able to get my exam done for $177 including required x-rays, but some were done at another office for no charge (Panorex). Peace Corps will re-reimburse $60 so my cost is $117.
- He had to keep the paperwork due to the excessive amount he needed to fill out so I will pick it up tomorrow and review it before I send it out.
January 4 2012 - Picked up paperwork from dentist
- As I don't have any cavities, and my wisdom teeth were already removed I didn't have any problems with this step. I'll be shipping out this packet tomorrow via certified mail Yay waiting lines at the post office!
January 5 2012 - Sent out my dental exam and panoramic/x-rays.
- Once again I sent it certified so I can track its progress. It should arrive Monday the 9th, but last time my medical packet was delivered 3 days late. So. . . I'm guessing on the 12th.
- My recruiter asked me for a more detailed and formal transcript. Not necessarily an official one, but it needs my date of graduation, course program, name, school name, etc.
- so essentially an official transcript*
- Problem is my school won't finalize my academic record till about March cause the administration likes to take their sweet time. I'm going to contact the academic counselors and have them type up something official.
- I also needed to send my recruiter a copy of my enrollment of French at the local community college for placement purposes. I will also have to provide a transcript for this class as well once I complete it.
January 8 2012 - Downfall of sending packets certified
- My certified dental packet was not received by an "authorized recipient" and therefore cannot be delivered till one picks it up. USPS will hold the packet for 15 days, but hopefully someone will pick it up from the post office on Monday (the 9th).
- My medical packet was received, but they are only processing the packets of the applicants that are leaving in the next 4 months. As I am set to leave in the next 6 months it could be a while till they even look at my information.
January 10 2012 - Peace Corps receives dental packet
- I didn't find this out until the 17th as they don't list this on my toolkit. I had to e-mail the pre-service nurses to find out.
January 17 2012 - Medical packet distributed to reviewing nurse
- I e-mailed the pre-service nurse to check my progress (2/21/12) and they said the reviewing nurse generally looks at packets 30 to 60 days after receiving it.
- They sent it as two checks, $50 and $75
- This does help a little to repay the bills I accrued while getting my exams
January 20 2012 - Received my dental reimbursement ($60)
March 3 2012 - Received DENTAL CLEARANCE!
March 5 2012 - MEDICALLY CLEARED!!!
March 6 2012 - Received an Email telling me what to expect next
- Basically, it had me update every form I had already completed and said that if anything changed with medical/legal/interest that I should let them know
March 20 2012 - Got
in contact with my placement and spoke with her about where I was at
- We spoke about my program and a few lagging questions I had, Unfortunately she could not answer them all (such as potential specific countries, they can't tell you till invitation)
- She said that she was close to submitting invitations and I should hear from her in 1 to 2 weeks one way or the other about a June/July departure.
- Basically a repeat of previous questionnaire's; romantic involvement, hardship confirmation, medical/legal, family support etc.
- Overall it was just making sure I was still interested and eligible.
- Once received you have 7 days to accept or decline the invitation but they are clear that a 2nd invitation is not likely.
- I accepted the invitation the same day
- Also in there is: Peace Corps passport/visa info, info on your host country and job, books for you and your family, another resume request, financial info, staging info, and "domestic connections" info (masters program info etc), and medical info (I need a yellow fever vaccination)
April 20 2012 - They replied to my acceptance with more info about what was to come next
- I have to get my passport/visa, Benin tailored resume, and aspiration statement out almost immediately!
April 23 2012 - Turned in PC passport and visa info. Got my Yellow Fever Vaccine
- My Yellow Fever Vaccine cost $125.99 and is re-reimbursable by Peace Corps (up to 150)
April 28 2012 - Submitted my Yellow Fever documentation, Benin resume, and aspiration statement
- Viewable under the pages up top
May 5 2012 - Went to RPCV - Colorado sponsored brunch
- They divided us by world regions where I was able to find out a TON from a friendly RPCV who served in Burkina Faso and another from Morocco.
- Departure date changed from the 26th to the 24th. I leave the 23rd cause I'm in the West.
- Filled out a home-stay, bike, and other questionnaires
- Received plane ticket to Philly for staging
- Given info to complete paperwork before staging
- Took brief safety course and online test
- Informed medical of dental filling
- Watched everyone (including myself) go crazy on my training class group facebook page
June 23 2012 - DEPART FOR STAGING AND MY 27 MONTHS OF PEACE CORPS SERVICE!
This brings us through my entire application process and admittance to the Peace Corps. Any further dates and info will be posted as blog entries.
