Well, here I sit.
I made it nine-tenths of the way through this arduous process, and now that I can see the finish line - taste it really - I decided to start the whole damn thing all over again.
When I was added to the register on January 5th, I was 83 out of 83 in line for a call to A-100. Since then, I've dropped down to 95, then bounced back up to 85, and now settled - like leftover coffee grounds in your morning cup o' joe - at 88. And just like those errant coffee grounds, it's not very pleasant.
When I last communicated with the Department of State early in the month, I not only inquired as to my current status on the Register, but also requested of the young lady on the other end of my Ethernet cord what she supposed were my chances of getting a call with my measly little 5.3.
Upon my initial placement on the Register in January, the thinking was that I'd get a call for the June class, maybe even May if I was incredibly lucky. Then, with my placement and my hopes yo-yoing, I thought possibly August or maybe September. The nice young lady in Washington suggested to me that no, the Register wasn't likely to clear this summer, and that if calls did make it all the way down into the sub-basement where my score currently resides (well, that's what I thought she said, anyway), then I might get a call for September, or maybe even the first class of the new fiscal year (October). Again, damn.
So while this particular stage of the process involves almost nothing a guy can do to improve his odds short of quickly learning a new language to earn a portion of a point, or joining the military in order to secure veterans points (not highly recommended), I resigned myself to taking the only action I felt I could: Starting a second candidacy.
As I interpreted the Tarot cards early this week, I gathered that registering to start a second candidacy is about the only sure way to guarantee my initial score will get me a call.
But we all know how accurate groundhogs can be.
Have you tried taking a language test? Even .17 for a world language would move you up a bit.
ReplyDeleteI have very rudimentary skills in both Russian and German - only enough to do the most important things like say hello, order a cold beer and find a bathroom. Not enough to pass a phone test, so my plan is to see what happens with the second candidacy (should know in a few weeks), and if I fail to get an invite to an OA in July, I'll take up a serious course this summer (since I teach, I don't have much time right now, but will in summer months). At least that's the plan today.
ReplyDeletehi, just found your blog. I'm a Con candidate waiting on clearances. Sorry about your situation. It really sucks. Are you waiting on your 2nd QEP now? PD again?
ReplyDeleteYeah, starting over kinda stinks, but what can you do?? My QEPs were due yesterday; I submitted them on Sunday. Yes, I'm in PD again, which I know is a bit of a calculated risk (other tracks are less crowded, and theoretically "easier"), but it's the only one that fits me. Good luck in the clearance process. It can be a hassle, although if you're old and boring like me, it's pretty painless...
ReplyDeleteDave - It appears you know me--well enough to know what I'm doing--but I'm not sure which Dave you are that I know, personally or via the Internet....Could you please clear that up for me?
ReplyDeleteKevin V.
I don't really have any idea how I might know you, or how you might know me, at least not based only on your post here. How do I know what you're doing, exactly? I'm in the process of trying to join the Foreign Service, live in the Twin Cities, teach high school, live a pretty vanilla life. Can you give me more info?
ReplyDeleteDave
Sure, a colleague of mine said today that he received an email from the blog "Next Year in Jerusalem" written by a guy who was trying to get into the FS that mentioned he would be in A-100 with me and that I was a good guy.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the compliment! But I'm just not sure how we know one another, or how you would know I was in A-100.
Kevin V.
Friend of Gram Parker, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteMight he have received an email from Life After Jerusalem instead of mine?
ReplyDeleteI don't think I know anyone named Gram Parker, but I'm old and I forget sometimes...
Have you been accepted to A-100, though?
I am in A-100 right now, thankfully. (Hang in there, good luck to you).
ReplyDeleteNo doubt my colleague mistook me for someone else.
Kevin
Same to you.
ReplyDelete(I have two friends from the Twin Cities in A-100 with you - Karin and Sonia from St. Paul. Do you know them?)
Hi Dave,
ReplyDeleteHave you heard back recently about your spot on the register? I'm about to be on the same PD list with same score.
No I haven't checked my status on the register lately, because I was basically stuck in one of the bottom 5 or 10 spots. I basically gave up checking my rank and started a second candidacy, and am (anxiously) waiting to hear about my second round of Personal Narratives, and hoping for an invite to another OA in July. Everything I read indicates that the Registers, which cleared last summer, will likely not clear again this summer, leading to my decision to start another candidacy. Do you have veterans or language bonus points possible? That's the only other way to improve your odds...
ReplyDeleteWell, I'll be on the PD list behind you in approx. 1 more month so hope you get a seat sometime soon ; ) Update your blog with any scoop you hear!
ReplyDelete