My Peace Corps Timeline

April 2010- started and finished application, however waited to submit it as I was unsure of actually pursuing this path

Nov 21, 2010- Submitted online application

Dec 7, 2010- Completed my fingerprints.

Dec 12, 2010- Had to submit a new “friend” reference, since the friend I listed did not qualify (really?)

Dec 2, 2010- Interview at University of South Florida recruitment office with PC Recruiter, resulted in pretty much being offered a position on the spot.  My recruiter said she thought I would be perfect for the Applied Agriculture Science and Crop Extension assignment.

Jan 19, 2011-Was notified that my recruiter would like to nominate me for an agricultural or secondary education program.  I was sent skill addendum sheets to complete and email back to her.

Jan 19, 2011- Nominated officially for the 110- Applied Ag. Science and Crop Extension in Sub-Saharan Africa with estimated departure date of August 2011.

Feb 2011- Received medical package. It sat on my floor for about 2 or 3 weeks, to be honest. This was the point to which I felt like I would actually have to either continue to commit or rethink my options.

Feb 23, 2011- Received email asking for the update of how my medical and dental work was going from my recruiter.  Started working on it and committed from this date.

Mar 16, 2011- Received email from Agriculture/ Environment Desk stating I must obtain medical clearance as soon as possible to continue to be considered for my program in which I was nominated for, which would be late August 2010. They stated that I must respond to the email stating I am still interested in the Peace Corps and that I am actively pursuing my medical clearance.  At that point I was merely waiting for the results of my lab work, in order to send over my huge medical package.

Mar 28, 2011- Realized I was anemic from the lab work, contacted the Peace Corps medical office before sending over all of my paperwork and they stated I must have further lab work done. 

Apr 16, 2011- Mailed my medical packet

Apr 29, 2011- Received Dental Clearance

May 10, 2011- Received email from Peace Corps medical office stating they need follow up lab work at least 60 days from when I started taking my iron supplements.  

May 31, 2011- Had final blood work completed and waited for results to come back

Jun 08, 2011- Blood work was faxed and I received Medical Clearance, all in the same day

Jun 08, 2011- Immediately emailed the Agriculture/Environment Desk and asked them if I should send them my updated resume, or anything else.  I received a reply within an hour with the following:

“We anticipate that your file will be reviewed within the next 1-6 weeks.”

and

“Therefore, as stated above, we strongly encourage you to continue to gain additional volunteer experience in the assignment area of your nomination. When you gain additional experience, please update your resume, taking special care to include the following information:

·       Name of organization

·       Your responsibilities and achievements

·       Number of months/years worked (e. g., “April 2007 – March 2008”)

·       Number of hours per week worked (approximations are acceptable)

·       Name and contact information of your supervisor

Please note that resumes should contain exact references to the months and years of involvement in each relevant volunteer and professional position. There is no need to send us this information now, but please be prepared to fax or email this document immediately upon request, as this will greatly expedite the process of moving your application forward for final placement.”

With this vague response, I immediately started working on updating my resume to include as much as I could to help my chances of getting a position sometime in 2011.  I was reading more and more online about applicants that were getting the red flag to halt their Peace Corps process until “most likely” a departure date of 2012.  I made sure that I kept in contact with my friend, the placement officer.

Jun 09, 2011- I received an email from my Placement Officer asking for the following:

1.       Updated Résumé.  Please email me a copy of your updated résumé that includes the details of all new professional and/or volunteer experiences you have gained since your assessment interview. For all relevant experience, please state:

• The name of the organization you worked with
• Your activities, duties, and accomplishments
• Dates you worked there, including year and month (e.g., “May 2003 – April 2004”)
• Number of hours worked per week

2.       Final Transcript.  We need a final copy of your transcript that shows your degree was completed in full. An unofficial copy is fine, but it must have:

1)      Your name (I know it sounds strange, but some electronic versions do not have your name on the document.)

2)      Name of college or university

3)      Date of completion or degree conferred (Note: This info must be there to be considered final.)

3. Romantic Involvement Update. You mentioned to your recruiter that you are currently in a relationship, and filled out a romantic involvement questionnaire accordingly. Peace Corps is an incredibly fascinating, exciting and life-changing time. It’s also a very trying time and often overseas romantic involvements are a compelling reason for people to want to leave service. I would like to get some additional information before I pass your file to your Placement Officer. Is your relationship still ongoing? Is it more or less serious than at the time of your interview?

Because it can be difficult as a Peace Corps Volunteer and being away for 27 months, it is important for us to be sure that you are prepared for these challenges. Please use the attached form to discuss the impact of Peace Corps service on the two of you and your relationship. Please return the completed and signed form to me (note: typing your name on the bottom of the form will suffice as a “signature”) via fax or email after you have had a chance to discuss it thoroughly. If you are no longer in a romantic relationship, you do not need to return the form, but please do let us know your updated status so that we can move forward with your application.

4. Contact Information. Please make sure that your contact information is up to date, including your phone number(s) and mailing address. You can update your contact information through your online toolkit at www.peacecorps.gov. If you no longer have your username and/or password, your recruiter should be able to provide this information.

Jun 13, 2011- Submitted all of the information above.

Jun 15, 2011- Received call from Placement Officer for final Interview and Invitation! I was advised that my invitation was being sent that day. This came as a complete surprise and shock.  I do not know of anyone who has received their final interview phone call only having been medically cleared for less than a week. I think it was due to, in part, emailing my placement advisor every other day asking him different questions.  This kept me on his mind, and not forgotten!

Jun 22, 2011- Invitation received, and acceptance sent for Urban Agriculture Extension Agent in Senegal leaving August 30, 2011.  Received email from Agriculture/Environment Desk confirming my congratulations and acceptance.  Now I have more things to submit and complete:

Here is what I have to do:

1.  Email your aspiration statement and updated resume to your Country Desk Unit (senegal@peacecorps.gov) within the next 10 days. This is your formal introduction to the host country staff, so please provide as much detailed information about yourself as possible. This should include all scholastic, work, and volunteer experience that qualifies you for your Peace Corps assignment, and can also include other information such as your interests and hobbies. Please follow the formats specified within the “Resume and Personal Papers” section of your invitation packet.

2.  Apply for your no-fee passport and visa (if required by your country of service) immediately. You must apply for this passport even if you have a personal passport. There are two different applications you can use (DS-11 or DS-82). Use the guidelines below to determine which application you should fill out. Please refer to your invitation kit both inside and on the front of the folder labeled “Passport and Visa” for more detailed instructions. If you have further questions regarding your passport or visa application, please contact SATO travel at 202.692.1170. Also note that failure to apply for your passport/visa in a timely manner may result in your removal from the training class.

·       Use the DS-82 form if you have a current personal passport in good condition that is signed and was issued to you in your current name after the age of 16. We will hold onto your personal passport and give it back to you at your pre-service staging event, meaning you will have two valid passports during your Peace Corps service.

·       Use the DS-11 form if you do not have a personal passport, a current passport, or are planning on traveling with your personal passport prior to your departure for the Peace Corps. This form should only be signed once you are in front of the certifying official, and there is a $25.00 witnessing fee required. You will need to bring a certified birth certificate or an expired passport as proof of citizenship.

·       If you are currently overseas and will not return home in the next 1-2 days, you must apply for your Peace Corps passport by taking your personal passport, PC Block Letter, DS-11 form and two passport photos to the nearest American embassy or consulate. The embassy or consulate will make a photocopy of your personal passport and certify that the original has been examined by them. This photocopy will serve as your proof of birth for your application. The embassy or consulate will then authorize the DS-11 form and will either forward the passport documents to Special Issuance Agency (SIA) or they will return them to you to submit to SATO Travel yourself. Please follow the guidance of the embassy or consulate. If your passport documents are sent to SIA, you still must send any visa materials to SATO directly. In this case, include a note stating where your passport application was sent.

·       This country assignment may require vaccination for yellow fever (within the past 7 years). If this applies to you, the Office of Medical Services will contact you regarding this requirement.

3.  Review the following to make sure you have turned in and disclosed all information for final clearances and qualification:

·       Dental

- If you have not yet been dentally qualified, please turn in any requested forms as soon as possible.

- Dental clearance is valid for one year from the date you were dentally qualified. If you are scheduled to leave more than one year after your dental clearance date, a hold will be placed on your account, and you will need to submit new dental exams.

- If you have questions, contact the Office of Medical Services by emailing pre-serviceunit@peacecorps.gov. 

·       Medical

- Please submit all outstanding paperwork to the Office of Medical Services (OMS) by fax at 202.692.1561.

- If there are any updates or changes to your health status, new or adjusted medications, or any other new health issue(s), you must contact OMS immediately at 800-424-8580, option 2, extension 4049.

·       Legal/ Financial

- If your legal or financial status has changed since you originally submitted your Peace Corps application (i.e., arrest, charge, citation, conviction, new financial obligation, etc.) please call 202.692.1845 immediately.

-  If you have any legal documents that need to be submitted before departure (i.e., marriage certificate, name change, etc.), please fax them to 202.692.1898.

·       Non-disclosures

- Your acceptance into the Peace Corps is based on all known disclosures of your legal and medical histories. If you have failed to disclose pertinent or new information regarding your legal or medical history, please contact your Placement Specialist or OMS at this time.

- If your National Agency Check (NAC)/Background Investigation and/or medical status reveal any non-disclosed information, you will be removed from Peace Corps training or Volunteer service.

·       Changes to Contact Information

- It is very important to keep your contact information updated, as you will be receiving information from the Staging Unit prior to your departure.

- To change your address, log into My Online Toolkit and follow the prompts.

- To change your email address or telephone number, please respond to this email and we will update our system.

4.  You should receive staging reporting instructions, luggage guidelines, and information about safety and security by email approximately one month before your departure. You will coordinate with SATO Travel at this time to arrange your transportation to the staging event. Contact your Country Desk Unit if you do not receive this information.

5.  Thoroughly read the Volunteer Handbook well before the staging event as it contains more in-depth information about the pre-departure process and addresses other questions and concerns about being a Peace Corps Volunteer.

-          So far I have completed numbers 1 through 5, excluding number 4 since it is applicable only a month ahead of my departure date.  I am anxiously awaiting my new passport and country specific information that I will be receiving later on.

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