Application Timeline

Hey Everyone!

So the application process is just as stressful as everyone makes it out to be, but reading all the great blogs out there really helped me get through it. So I figured I'd pay it forward to all the potential PCVs out there. The process recently changed, so this is the newer timeline. Hope it helps elevate some stress!

September 15, 2013-- Submit Application

The application is really something you can get done in a weekend if you're completely motivated and devote the entire two days to it. Much easier to just barricade yourself somewhere and get it done. The essays stressed me out the most because I just had too much to say in the allotted 250 words. Have your smartest friends read them. People who know you and can tell you if you've shown PCV staff who you are.

 If you want to read them, I can email them out privately.

November 6, 2013-- Interviewed

Mine was at a coffee shop in Boston and I had given myself 2 extra hours to get there and it didn't matter lol. Boston problems. Homeless men kept offering to walk me to North Station, my lipstick smudged. I parked almost a mile away. The worst.

But it was very laid back once I got there. I'd met the recruiter before so that was nice. Overall,  dress professionally ( Jackie Kennedy style :) ) and go in with the attitude that you are exactly what they are looking for and you'll be fine. Be excited to share your stories. ( I absolutely loved talking about my college volunteer days and I got all giddy and overexcited.) Read all the questions on the Peace Corps Wiki, prepare answers, but understand that they will ask you some derivative of that. Ask your own questions. You are an idealist without illusion. If you've come this far, it's because you see the world the way it can be but you understand that there will be pitfalls and disappointments along the way. Let them see that.

Oh and if you don't like an answer you gave the interviewer, you can ask to start over. Highlight, delete, and begin again.

November 13, 2013-- Nominated

Take a peek at the interactive map and ask your recruiter for more information on the job postings listed there. Take initiative! Don't be afraid to say you're passionate about a certain region, just be able to say why. "I have no problem going anywhere at all, but I'd really enjoy blah blah blah because blah blah blah." If they can do it, they will. Happy people don't ET. They are investing a lot of money in you and they want to be sure you're not going to toss it all away on them.

If there is a region you really don't want to go to, you might want to reevaluate why you're joining at all. Preferences are fine, but flexibility is much much more important because nothing is going to go the way you planned.

January 30, 2014 -- Invited 

Get ready for a whole mess of emails. I would have rather have a paper copy of everything, but whatever. It's hard to keep things organized once you print it all out. I suggest get one of those accordion folder things. Paper clips. White out.

February 1, 2014 -- Receive Medical Packet

It's a doozy. After I was nominated I looked at timelines and tried to estimate when they'd send me all the paperwork so I could get ahead of the game and make appointments. By some act of gypsy magic it worked.

The rest of the process depends completely on how fast you get the rest of your paperwork in. I've already gotten my 30 day warning from the MAP office. I'm probably the only kiddo in the world counting down the days until my shots. WOOOOO.

March 17, 2014-- Submit Medical Packet

March 25, 2014-- Receive Final Medical Clearance

From what I've heard from other PCVs this is not a typical timeline and somehow, even with the government shutdown, I got through everything really fast. I've heard people taking up to 2 years to get through. Best of luck future PCTs! 

No comments:

Post a Comment