I finally got an email from placement today for an updated resume. They want a really nice, professional resume with information on my volunteer and work experience. The email also pushes the fact that they will contact me afterwards, and that I may have to wait a while.
I'm just glad things are moving along! I'm going to work on my resume now!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Medical Clearance!
I received my letter today for medical clearance. I felt really excited last week when I thought it would probably be true, but now I still feel anxious. I'm finding it hard to believe that I won't have to call around and make more appointments. But I don't have to! I'm done! Now I'm waiting again, this time for a Placement Officer to contact me. If one doesn't by the end of the week, I'm going to email them. I DO NOT want my staging date to move to September or something.
I realized a few days ago that the most pure happiness I'll experience through this whole process is probably during the application. I was so freaking amazed and thrilled when I was nominated, and last week when I was pretty sure I had medical clearance, I kept reminding myself of it when I was having a hard time at work. When I get my invitation, I'm going to seriously take a couple of days off work just to run around spitting happy.
And I realize that when I actually go to staging, training, and then service, my emotions will probably be more like apprehensive excitement, anxious interest, etc., but never pure excited happiness. So, I've decided to enjoy my application process to its fullest. :)
I realized a few days ago that the most pure happiness I'll experience through this whole process is probably during the application. I was so freaking amazed and thrilled when I was nominated, and last week when I was pretty sure I had medical clearance, I kept reminding myself of it when I was having a hard time at work. When I get my invitation, I'm going to seriously take a couple of days off work just to run around spitting happy.
And I realize that when I actually go to staging, training, and then service, my emotions will probably be more like apprehensive excitement, anxious interest, etc., but never pure excited happiness. So, I've decided to enjoy my application process to its fullest. :)
Friday, February 10, 2012
No News is Good News
The nurse reviewing my case told me yesterday that if I didn't hear anything from her today, then I was medically cleared.
I've heard nothing!!!
I still feel more cautiously optimistic than relieved; it won't be real until MyToolKit updates.
I have some ideas about why I wasn't asked to have extra blood work done for my high BMI. It was unlikely that my nurse missed it because my doctor wrote on my physical form, "BMI of 31, encouraged to lose some weight."
BUT, many people who went through this process said that in addition to the tests they had to go to nutritionists and receive healthy lifestyle counseling...perhaps my doctor's note convinced the nurse that I'd already received the necessary intervention?
Also, high blood pressure is a major issue with being overweight, and my blood pressure was actually under normal. Maybe that's somehow a positive thing?
Anyway, I don't know what it was and I'm not asking because I don't want to point it out if they just missed it. And it's always possible that next week I'll received additional paperwork for it.
Cautiously Optimistic.
I've heard nothing!!!
I still feel more cautiously optimistic than relieved; it won't be real until MyToolKit updates.
I have some ideas about why I wasn't asked to have extra blood work done for my high BMI. It was unlikely that my nurse missed it because my doctor wrote on my physical form, "BMI of 31, encouraged to lose some weight."
BUT, many people who went through this process said that in addition to the tests they had to go to nutritionists and receive healthy lifestyle counseling...perhaps my doctor's note convinced the nurse that I'd already received the necessary intervention?
Also, high blood pressure is a major issue with being overweight, and my blood pressure was actually under normal. Maybe that's somehow a positive thing?
Anyway, I don't know what it was and I'm not asking because I don't want to point it out if they just missed it. And it's always possible that next week I'll received additional paperwork for it.
Cautiously Optimistic.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Addition Medical Forms and My Current Status
I was Dentally Cleared on February 1, 2012! This was the easy part.
I had a few concerns about my medical history; although it's short, I do have low blood pressure and a high BMI. From what I'd heard, the BMI could merit additional blood work, which takes FOREVER at the reduced-price clinic. I'd waited probably 6 weeks for my blood work to come back last time!
So I felt like I was just waiting for this paper work so I could finally make more appointments and go through all the waiting again, but the paperwork I received from the Medical Office was much easier than I'd expected.
I got two requests in the mail on February 3: an allergy questionaire, and one page of my medical forms asking for clarification on a doctor's note.
So I filled out the questionnaire and made an appointment with my doctor for the following week.
I went in to see her, she made a quick note on my form stating that everything was fine (she DID NOT charge me for the session, because she's an amazing person), and I scanned everything into my email and sent it off to my nurse!
That was today, this afternoon. I was still feeling (still am feeling) apprehensive about having to do additional blood work for my BMI, so I asked in my email whether or not she thought I would need to submit any more information.
At this point, I believe it's safe to assume that she'd viewed my information pretty thoroughly. She kindly responded that she'd be reviewing my documents again in the morning, and that if I didn't hear from her by noon, then I was medically cleared!
I was so thrilled to hear this! I feel like it could still go wrong before noon, but I'm hoping that she'd looked over my information, blood work, seen that I don't have high blood pressure or other obesity related illnesses, and just let it slide....? I don't know. I'll update again tomorrow!
I had a few concerns about my medical history; although it's short, I do have low blood pressure and a high BMI. From what I'd heard, the BMI could merit additional blood work, which takes FOREVER at the reduced-price clinic. I'd waited probably 6 weeks for my blood work to come back last time!
So I felt like I was just waiting for this paper work so I could finally make more appointments and go through all the waiting again, but the paperwork I received from the Medical Office was much easier than I'd expected.
I got two requests in the mail on February 3: an allergy questionaire, and one page of my medical forms asking for clarification on a doctor's note.
So I filled out the questionnaire and made an appointment with my doctor for the following week.
I went in to see her, she made a quick note on my form stating that everything was fine (she DID NOT charge me for the session, because she's an amazing person), and I scanned everything into my email and sent it off to my nurse!
That was today, this afternoon. I was still feeling (still am feeling) apprehensive about having to do additional blood work for my BMI, so I asked in my email whether or not she thought I would need to submit any more information.
At this point, I believe it's safe to assume that she'd viewed my information pretty thoroughly. She kindly responded that she'd be reviewing my documents again in the morning, and that if I didn't hear from her by noon, then I was medically cleared!
I was so thrilled to hear this! I feel like it could still go wrong before noon, but I'm hoping that she'd looked over my information, blood work, seen that I don't have high blood pressure or other obesity related illnesses, and just let it slide....? I don't know. I'll update again tomorrow!
Medical Exam -- September 2011 to January 2012
The physical side of the medical paperwork proved a bigger challenge; I had no insurance, made around $150 a week, and didn't know anything about doctors.
The medical packet included information on VA hospitals. Veteran's Association Hospitals and Clinic would do the entire exam and bloodwork for no charge. THAT was what I wanted.
Chasing this dream of spending no money on my medical exam took an embarrassingly long time. I was nominated in July, and I finally gave up the dream in September.
I have heard several applicants who were successful with VA hospitals. I think being in a rural area made my search more difficult. I called every VA hospital within 100 miles, but none of them had space available to accept me. A couple even tried to make me feel bad for trying to take an appointment from a veteran or veteran's family.
I finally gave up and found a reduced price clinic 20 minutes from my house. This worked out great, because my income was so low that I only had to pay $20 per visit.
I had my physical exam and pap smear in the first visit, then had all the blood work done a week later.
The only problem I ran into was that I needed a polio booster. Apparently, public clinics don't keep this in stock for people over 18, so they referred me to travel clinics and health departments in the area.
I tried the travel clinic first because it was closest to my work. I called to make an appointment, and they informed me that in order to have the shot -- which was around $45, reasonable -- I would have to have a full physical by one of their physicians for around $185. I tried to politely decline, but I think I was laughing in disbelief when I heard that.
I tried the Cass County Health Department next. They made an appointment for me, had me wait 20 minutes for a nurse, and then informed me that they had none in stock for private patients over 18.
I tried the St. Joseph County Health Department -- a larger, more urban county -- and was finally able to get the shot.
Payment-wise, I've heard of people spending upwards of $1500 on all of their medical and dental work. I ended up spending around $85. I feel like I made out pretty well!
Between waiting for appointments, waiting for bloodwork to come back, and tracking down a polio vaccine, I wasn't able to submit my medical information until the beginning of January. MyToolKit updated as received on January 25th (a full 3 WEEKS after I mailed it out btw, that was nerve-wrecking).
The medical packet included information on VA hospitals. Veteran's Association Hospitals and Clinic would do the entire exam and bloodwork for no charge. THAT was what I wanted.
Chasing this dream of spending no money on my medical exam took an embarrassingly long time. I was nominated in July, and I finally gave up the dream in September.
I have heard several applicants who were successful with VA hospitals. I think being in a rural area made my search more difficult. I called every VA hospital within 100 miles, but none of them had space available to accept me. A couple even tried to make me feel bad for trying to take an appointment from a veteran or veteran's family.
I finally gave up and found a reduced price clinic 20 minutes from my house. This worked out great, because my income was so low that I only had to pay $20 per visit.
I had my physical exam and pap smear in the first visit, then had all the blood work done a week later.
The only problem I ran into was that I needed a polio booster. Apparently, public clinics don't keep this in stock for people over 18, so they referred me to travel clinics and health departments in the area.
I tried the travel clinic first because it was closest to my work. I called to make an appointment, and they informed me that in order to have the shot -- which was around $45, reasonable -- I would have to have a full physical by one of their physicians for around $185. I tried to politely decline, but I think I was laughing in disbelief when I heard that.
I tried the Cass County Health Department next. They made an appointment for me, had me wait 20 minutes for a nurse, and then informed me that they had none in stock for private patients over 18.
I tried the St. Joseph County Health Department -- a larger, more urban county -- and was finally able to get the shot.
Payment-wise, I've heard of people spending upwards of $1500 on all of their medical and dental work. I ended up spending around $85. I feel like I made out pretty well!
Between waiting for appointments, waiting for bloodwork to come back, and tracking down a polio vaccine, I wasn't able to submit my medical information until the beginning of January. MyToolKit updated as received on January 25th (a full 3 WEEKS after I mailed it out btw, that was nerve-wrecking).
Dental Exams -- July to August 2011
I received my medical documents a few days after my nomination, and I was pretty overwhelmed by the amount of time and money that would have to go into it. Included in the package was advice on how to reduce costs, so I started researching like crazy.
Dental was easy; the package included a website that listed doctors all over the country who would complete the Dental Exam for FREE. I looked up a couple in my area: the first was unavailable, the second made me an appointment. I went in, got my stuff done, and left! The nurse was super nice, the doctor quick and efficient.
I'd just gotten dental work the year before, including the removal of my wisdom teeth, so the dentist told me right away that everything was a-ok. I made sure he filled in everything, and they printed off my x-rays and sent me on my way!
Dental was easy; the package included a website that listed doctors all over the country who would complete the Dental Exam for FREE. I looked up a couple in my area: the first was unavailable, the second made me an appointment. I went in, got my stuff done, and left! The nurse was super nice, the doctor quick and efficient.
I'd just gotten dental work the year before, including the removal of my wisdom teeth, so the dentist told me right away that everything was a-ok. I made sure he filled in everything, and they printed off my x-rays and sent me on my way!
Nomination -- July 2011
On July 7, 2011, I received an email from my recruiter nominating me for an English Teaching Position in Asia leaving in June 2012. I was so excited! I told everyone in my family, texted everyone in my phone, and announced it on facebook!
Then I became concerned. My recruiter sent me a second email -- including attached skills addendum -- explaining that my nominated program included teaching English in a university setting.
At this point I'd done all the research on possible programs, and I knew that university teaching required a Master's degree. Which I did not and would not possess.
So I emailed my recruiter, and we eventually made contact over the phone and she explained to me that the program was a high school teaching position with university teaching on the side, so I would not have to have a Master's to be competitive. She also said that, because I had experience tutoring ESL for adults, a degree in English, and I'd been to Asia, that I was in fact the MOST qualified person she'd nominated so far!
After hearing that, I felt great again! I just had to wait for my medical packets!
Then I became concerned. My recruiter sent me a second email -- including attached skills addendum -- explaining that my nominated program included teaching English in a university setting.
At this point I'd done all the research on possible programs, and I knew that university teaching required a Master's degree. Which I did not and would not possess.
So I emailed my recruiter, and we eventually made contact over the phone and she explained to me that the program was a high school teaching position with university teaching on the side, so I would not have to have a Master's to be competitive. She also said that, because I had experience tutoring ESL for adults, a degree in English, and I'd been to Asia, that I was in fact the MOST qualified person she'd nominated so far!
After hearing that, I felt great again! I just had to wait for my medical packets!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
The Interview -- May 2011
On May 4th, I received an e-mail from my recruiter in Chicago telling me the time and date of my interview -- May 24th, 2011 at 10:30am at their Chicago office.
I was terrified.
I hate interviews, they're nerve-wrecking and I always leave them feeling like I've answered every question wrong. The fact that it would take place in Chicago worried me too, since it would be about a 2-hour drive and I'd be lucky to find parking anywhere near the office.
So, as usual when I'm stressing, I did loads of research.
I started by attending an online informational session. It was recommended by my recruiter in the e-mail, but it turned out to be fairly unhelpful as it wasn't specific to the interviewing process.
I then perused the Peace Corps wiki for interview questions and topics. By the time I left for Chicago, I had literally gone over all the possible questions and answers dozens of times. I did not want to be caught without a response.
Finally, I said 'fuck it' to driving and convinced a friend to take the train with me and spend the day with me in Chicago. I booked tickets that would give us about an hour to find the office before my interview, and five hours to shop and sight-see. (My interview time was changed on May 11th to 3pm, so we ended up wandering first.)
The friend I went with was very enthusiastic -- she'd never been on a train before -- and she helped me go over my questions again and again on the way.
When we got to the Peace Corps office, I was all nerves hidden behind numb determination. I was as prepared as I'd ever be.
I signed in, and ten minutes later my recruiter led me to her office.
I'd heard -- and have since heard -- many horror stories about recruiters being discouraging with applicants, perhaps in an attempt to weed out less serious candidates. But my recruiter was wonderful.
She politely explained the process: she would be asking questions and typing my answers on her computer while I replied. It was a little weird with occasional silences while she finished typing, but she was polite with her responses and genuinely interested in what I had to say.
She asked if I had any questions, and I rattled off a couple I had come up with on the train. She shared her experiences in South America and asked questions back. It was very informal and nice.
When I left the interview, I actually felt GOOD about how it had gone!
It's amazing how everyone's experiences in each leg of the journey can be so different! I was and am very thankful to have my recruiter working with me!
The next day, my recruiter e-mailed me to request a Statement of Financial Obligation ( to be sure that my student loans would be defered and my dad would pay my credit card bills) and a reference from a Volunteer supervisor (which I could now get, because I'd been volunteering at the Salvation Army as a receptionist twice a week for three months!)
Overall, it was actually an easy and reassuring process. I felt like my recruiter was on my side, working with me to achieve one goal. And I feel very fortunate for her!
I was terrified.
I hate interviews, they're nerve-wrecking and I always leave them feeling like I've answered every question wrong. The fact that it would take place in Chicago worried me too, since it would be about a 2-hour drive and I'd be lucky to find parking anywhere near the office.
So, as usual when I'm stressing, I did loads of research.
I started by attending an online informational session. It was recommended by my recruiter in the e-mail, but it turned out to be fairly unhelpful as it wasn't specific to the interviewing process.
I then perused the Peace Corps wiki for interview questions and topics. By the time I left for Chicago, I had literally gone over all the possible questions and answers dozens of times. I did not want to be caught without a response.
Finally, I said 'fuck it' to driving and convinced a friend to take the train with me and spend the day with me in Chicago. I booked tickets that would give us about an hour to find the office before my interview, and five hours to shop and sight-see. (My interview time was changed on May 11th to 3pm, so we ended up wandering first.)
The friend I went with was very enthusiastic -- she'd never been on a train before -- and she helped me go over my questions again and again on the way.
When we got to the Peace Corps office, I was all nerves hidden behind numb determination. I was as prepared as I'd ever be.
I signed in, and ten minutes later my recruiter led me to her office.
I'd heard -- and have since heard -- many horror stories about recruiters being discouraging with applicants, perhaps in an attempt to weed out less serious candidates. But my recruiter was wonderful.
She politely explained the process: she would be asking questions and typing my answers on her computer while I replied. It was a little weird with occasional silences while she finished typing, but she was polite with her responses and genuinely interested in what I had to say.
She asked if I had any questions, and I rattled off a couple I had come up with on the train. She shared her experiences in South America and asked questions back. It was very informal and nice.
When I left the interview, I actually felt GOOD about how it had gone!
It's amazing how everyone's experiences in each leg of the journey can be so different! I was and am very thankful to have my recruiter working with me!
The next day, my recruiter e-mailed me to request a Statement of Financial Obligation ( to be sure that my student loans would be defered and my dad would pay my credit card bills) and a reference from a Volunteer supervisor (which I could now get, because I'd been volunteering at the Salvation Army as a receptionist twice a week for three months!)
Overall, it was actually an easy and reassuring process. I felt like my recruiter was on my side, working with me to achieve one goal. And I feel very fortunate for her!
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