The First Step

September 28th - I submit my application

I missed the first deadline to apply in 2012, but by a stroke of luck/fate, the deadline was extended due to the implementation of a new system for applying. I completed the entire application in about 5 hours. In order to do so, I needed to scan my college transcripts, high school diploma, and other certifications to upload into the "portal". I also needed the financial statements from my university, old tax forms, and my employment history. Additionally, I found a list of all my university coursework helpful, but not necessary. 

The bulk of the time I spent on the application was spent answering questions regarding my experience in the areas that the Peace Corps operates overseas. I was as detailed as possible, thinking of every  shred of relevant experience I had in the following categories: Agriculture, Appropriate Technologies, Environment, Business and Information and Communication Technology, Education, Health, and Youth Work Community Development. 

October 10th - Peace Corps contacts me over some clarifying points

I received an email requesting additional information regarding why I had substituted a college professor for a volunteer supervisor reference, questions about the state in which I was residing, as well as clarification about a family member who works in intelligence for the US government.

For the substitution, I simply explained that after high school (the last time I had volunteer experience), I had been engaged in going to school and working to be able to travel, which left little time to be able to do volunteer activities. I also explained my reason for choosing the professor I chose as a substitute for a volunteer supervisor. I chose a professor who teaches courses in appropriate technologies to emphasize my technical skills. I mentioned that since he was a published author, that I also felt that he would be able to convey an accurate image of the kind of person I am. 

I always use my permanent address in Alabama for all official correspondence, so initially, my application was sent to the Southeast office. But since I was finishing my university studies in Iowa at the time I applied, PC said I had to use my Iowa address, and go through the Midwest office. 

As it happens, only fathers/mothers/children count as "family members" engaged in intelligence activities, so that was no barrier to my application. 

I also took the opportunity to correct my birth date, because the system Peace Corps set up is not 100% Mac-compatible, and when I entered my birth date, it was reformatted without me noticing. This was corrected without any issue, but I did end up having to correct it again on a few other (online) documents with PC. 

October 24th - Peace Corps contacts my references

It was almost a month after I send in my application that Peace Corps sent out requests for references. For my professional references, I tapped one of my college professors, as well as the director for the ESL work study job I had while in school. For my personal reference, I asked a close friend with a diplomatic background. 

I briefly discussed with each of them the aspects that I was wanting to emphasize. I chose the ESL director because I wanted to emphasize my effectiveness in working with and transferring knowledge to people from different backgrounds. I chose a professor whose classes revolved around appropriate technologies to emphasize my technical skills. And the personal reference was to emphasize how I would be able to present a positive image of the United States to people overseas.