I thought a timeline would be helpful for anyone thinking about or is in the process of applying to the Peace Corps. It is a lengthy one, but don't give up!
Peace Corps Timeline:
Started application: 11/20/14
Submitted application: 1/20/14
Interview: 3/5/14
Nomination: 3/7/14
Pre-legal clearance: 3/26/14
Recruiter requested assignments to be completed: 6/4/14
Submitted assignments: 6/12/14
All requested materials received confirmation and response suggesting a two month timeframe until invitation decision is made: 6/16/14
Phone interview scheduled: 7/14/14
Phone interview: 7/18/14
Requested additional shadowing and volunteer experience report by 8/16/14: 7/18/14
Submitted additional experience: 7/31/14
Inquired about Ebola outbreak and its consequences on my March 2015 Departure: 7/31/14
Received invitation to serve in Peace Corps Senegal in the Community Health Program: 8/19/14
Accepted invitation to serve: 8/19/14
Medical taks assigned: 8/20/14
Passport/visa pictures taken: 8/26/14
Passport appointment: 8/26/14
All Medical Portal tasks posted: 9/4/14
Mailed passport and visa: 9/5/14
Finished all activities in New Volunteer Portal: 9/5/14
Assigned LearningSpace account and enrolled into two courses: Safety and Core Expectations: 9/5/14
Dr. Appointment #1: Dentist
Dr. Appointment #2: Physical
Dr. Appointment #3: Blood Work
Dr. Appointment #4: Dermatologist
Dr. Appointment #5: Gynecologist (Note: future female volunteers, WAIT for your pap smear until four months before your departure date. Because I did not have this information, I had two pap smears within eight months!)
Dr. Appointment #6: Yellow Fever Vaccination, Polio Vaccination, Chicken Pox Vaccination (I could not locate any clinical evidence that I had the chicken pox as a child and are thus immune, so I had to have extra blood work done to prove immunity)
Dr. Appointment #7: Optometrist
Dr. Appointment #8: Chiropractor
Dr. Appointment #9: Follow-up Appointment
Dr. Appointment #10: Follow-up Appointment
All required forms, reports, and documentation requires for Medical Clearance Submitted/Received: 11/3/14
Medical Office requested additional tests/documentation: 11/4/14
Submitted additional medical requests: 11/23/14
Final Medical Clearance: 12/1/14
Legally Cleared: (Sometime before 12/12/15, I did not hear anything on this regard so I inquired about my standing)
Obtained flight info from SATO: 1/28/15
Domestic travel from Ohio to DC booked through SATO: 1/28/15
Staging in Washington, DC: 2/27/15
Departure to Dakar, Senegal, West Africa: 2/28/15
Depart/Arrive in Thies, Senegal, Peace Corps Training Headquarters: 3/1/15
Pre-Service Training: 8 weeks of training
Official Peace Corps Volunteer Swear-In Ceremony: 5/8/15
