Timeline

I know as an applicant I was scrounging for any info I could find about how long the whole process would take. Unfortunately, my process was longer than average. I applied right after the Peace Corps switched over to a new electronic system. I'm told this created a "bottle-neck" type effect where prospective volunteers would get through the nomination phase quickly, but the medical office could not keep up with their pre-med clearances. I just got kinda stuck and pushed back, not once, but TWICE. I tried emailing so many people to get to the bottom of what held me back, but I never received a straight answer. I think my app was just pinched in that bottle neck and by the time they had actually gotten to me, all the invitations for my second prospective dates were full too. 

Between the date I applied and the date I'm set to leave, its just a little less than 2 years. I could complain about waiting and my horrendous efforts of contacting someone actually helpful all day long, but I'm trying to be at peace with it. 

I'm going and that's all that matters!

September 30^th- submitted application

October 24^th- email from recruiter that not all of my references are in

November 28^th- email asked to fill out health extension form about health experience

December 4^th- emailed about scheduling an interview

December 19^th- interview: mine was relatively short, only 30 minutes

December 28^th- email from recruiter that he is still working to place me in a program

January 4^th- request for medical forms about kidney stones for medical pre-clearance

January 7^th- submitted medical pre-clearance forms

January 8^th- nominated: prospective departure date of August, sector health

January 26^th- received legal packet in the mail

January 27^th- sent out fingerprint clearance cards and background check information

March 6^th - I emailed the health placement office checking in on my application

                   They responded that my application was still in pre-medical clearance

March 15^th - emailed the medical office asking about my application

                     They responded that I should hear something in April

April12th- Received email from health placement desk that my departure date is being pushed back till                                January  February, or March of 2014 because it has passed the deadline for my nomination date and I have yet to  receive pre-medical clearance- I WAS DEVASTATED!

May 11^th – request from MAP for a kidney stone evaluation by a urologist 

June 6^th – After 3 failed appointments with Urologists (it was crazy! Once broke his shoulder, and another broke his back, all the days before these appointments!) and lots off lag between transferring catscans the evaluation was sent in with the condition that I would have to do a 24 hour urine test

            New task added for urine test

June 24^th – Urine test results sent and said to be looked over by doctor

June 25^th – received email that I won’t be receiving premedical clearance before my expected

departure (no duh!); discussed with premedical nurse

June 26^th- PRE-MEDCIALLY CLEARED!

July 1^st- uploaded additional supplement for kidney stone info

July 8^th – LEGALLY CLEARED!

July 12^th – asked to upload an updated resume, fill out a questionnaire, and look over the romantic involvement faq

July 13^th – uploaded revised resume and questionare

July 18^th – received email that my info was received and that I should hear “approximately in the             coming weeks” about a final suitability interview and/or placement

August 7^th – sent an email to the health desk to check in

August 12^th – received an email that my application is moving up in the queue but it may be a few     more weeks before I am contacted
September 9^th – called placement desk only to be sent to an answering machine. I left a message.

                          received email reply that they checked my file, I was in the 8 week mark and should      hear from them next week…

September 18th - sent the placement desk another email to let them know I still haven't heard anything

September 19th - INVITATION: Mozambique, staging May 28th…FINALLY

January 3rd- sent off passport and visa forms
February 7th- Medical appointments, poked, prodded, complete physical and such

Now its just wait wait wait.