When I was thinking about applying to the Peace Corps I was curious how long the process would take and what it would entail. So, here's my account from the submission of my application to my departure:
8/29/10: I submit my application. After several months of procrastination and uncertainty I decided to commit.
9/21/10: My recruiter contacts me about references, background info, fingerprints, skills, and possible assignments. I send in the electronic forms but quickly realize PC has the wrong address for me. Everything gets straightened out and I send in the paper forms/cards in mid-October. It turns out the fingerprint cards are not filled out properly so I miss my opportunity for an interview in Kalamazoo in late October. Oops.
11/12/10: There is another back-and-forth with fingerprint cards. I do not know what could be wrong but agree to send in another set in early December.
12/2/10: Although my fingerprints still are not on-file I am able to conduct a phone interview with my recruiter. It goes fairly well. Phone interviews are always a little awkward.
12/20/10-early January of 2011: I reaffirm my commitment to serve in the Peace Corps. I finally get the fingerprint cards done correctly.
1/24/11: I am nominated for Secondary Education - Science in Sub-Saharan Africa! The next step is medical and dental examinations.
3/25/11: I have had dental and medical examinations and sent in documentation for both.
4/8/11: I receive dental clearance!
7/8/11: There is a problem with my medical file. Some of the tests were unnecessary. Others were missing. I am going to have to get these in quickly if I want to make it for my potential departure date in Fall 2011. A couple weeks later I get all my medical info sent in and my application status shows my medical review is underway.
8/1/11: Since my medical file is still being evaluated I have missed the window for the Fall 2011 departure. The soonest date I would leave is January to March of 2012.
9/27/11: I receive medical clearance!
10/20/11: After sending in an updated resume I talk to the placement office about my competitiveness and potential departure date. It looks like April to June of 2012 before any program I fit into will leave.
12/9/11: I receive my invitation to serve in Liberia from June of 2012 to August of 2014! I read the info and accept the invitation about a week later. Although it's taken a little longer than expected, I'm excited to know where and when I'll be serving. I send in visa and passport application, along with aspiration statement, a week or so after accepting my invitation.
1/18/12: Since it's coming up on a year since my documented dental exam, I am told it's going to run out before I leave. I talk to the dental office and get the documents I need to show I've been examined again.
3/22/12: Everything went along fine until I was placed on medical hold for not submitting my yellow fever documentation. Whoops. I send it in and go back to waiting for departure in June.
5/8/12: Receive staging info: I'm really going to Liberia in early June!
