I saw this type of post on another blog (http://mobleyfamily.info/), and thought it was at least good for myself to have the timeline documented. Then I found it on many other Peace Corps experience blogs, but most of the other are unreadable. It has been a long process. I pulled up my “Peace Corps” tag in gmail, and I have 67 emails regarding the application process starting January 24th, 2010. Also, I think my experience with the process was very smooth. I was nominated directly after my interview, I didn’t have any medical or legal issues, and the Mexico interview and invitation process went very quickly.
For the official description of the Peace Corps application process, click here.
My application timeline:
| Jan. 24, 2010 | Started online application |
| Feb 4, 2010 | Emailed myself essay drafts, close to final versions |
| Feb 6, 2010 | Starting asking for recommendations |
| Mar 23, 2010 | Submitted online application |
| Mar 29, 2010 | First email from recruiter – legal packet mailed to me |
| Mar 30, 2010 | Starting trying to get fingerprinted for the security clearance |
| Apr 8, 2010 | Requested university transcripts |
| Apr 9, 2010 | Mailed back legal kit |
| Apr 12, 2010 | Legal kit received by recruiter |
| Apr 16, 2010 | Final transcript received |
| Apr 20, 2010 | Peace Corps interview |
| Apr 22, 2010 | Sent in Romantic Involvement Questionnaire |
| Apr 23, 2010 | Received initial nomination for Secondary Education – Science in Sub-Saharan Africa, tentative departure date of early Feb 2011 |
| Apr 26, 2010 | Accepted nomination |
| Apr 29, 2010 | First contact with Office of Medical Services to begin medical clearance |
| June 14, 2010 | Gentle reminder from Office of Medical services |
| June 21, 2010 | Sent medical and dental documents |
| July 20, 2010 | Starting working on getting lab results translated from German to English |
| Aug 9, 2010 | Sent translated lab results after getting doctor to sign off on them |
| Aug 30, 2010 | Filed paperwork for email waiver with Medical Services so I could do everything via email while travelling |
| Sep 7, 2010 | Received medical clearance |
| Sep 10, 2010 | First contact with Assessment and Placement Office |
| Oct 6, 2010 | Additional information request from Placement Office – updated resume, education skills addendum, romantic involvement questionnaire (#2) |
| Nov 4, 2010 | Invitation received for interview for Peace Corps Mexico Program |
| Nov 9, 2010 | Peace Corps Mexico telephone interview |
| Dec 2, 2010 | Follow-up from Placement Specialst responsible for Mexico program – sending Invitation! |
| Dec 6, 2010 | Notification from Education desk that program full for my original February 2011 nomination |
| Dec 13, 2010 | Accepted invitation to serve as an Engineering Specialist Peace Corps Volunteer in Mexico |
| Dec 14, 2010 | Visit to US Consulate to apply for no-fee passport |
| Jan 19, 2010 | Sent aspiration statement and resume to Peace Corps Mexico |
| Feb 4, 2010 | Received Country Desk Letter and Letter to Families |
| Feb 9, 2010 | Email from Language Coordinator in Peace Corps Mexico – no need for phone interview since I’ve never studied Spanish! |
| Feb 9, 2010 | Request for information: dietary and other allergies/restrictions |
| Feb 16, 2010 | Staging email received! Called to arrange for flight to DC |
| Feb 17, 2010 | Flight confirmed for March 14 |
Staging is March 14-15 in Washington, DC and headed to Mexico on March 16th.
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