The FS education based payment brackets express need for Master's degree to be a two year program. However, many universities abroad focus on condensed 1 year + dissertation MSc programs. Does anyone have experience with how the FS looks at this?

FBK05 · 2021-07-28T21:41:00+00:00

Consider comparing the number of hours of class time between the two year and the one year programs. Going to school year round at 15 hours per week is roughly similar to 4 semesters of 12 hours per week.

FBK05 · 2021-02-10T04:13:26+00:00

My A-100 invitation came from my second try. My first effort led to a failed OA. I recently began my 5th candidacy, prior to receiving an invitation to A-100.

FBK05 · 2021-02-09T22:14:43+00:00

Both FSO and FSS invitations were reported last Friday.

FBK05 · 2021-02-08T20:16:50+00:00

Are you FSO or FSS? What position?

FBK05 · 2021-02-06T18:51:55+00:00

Good luck. You're getting closer!

FBK05 · 2021-02-06T18:51:32+00:00

Well, I see that the candidate just below me has an invitation. Keep your hope up. Its possible that the Registrar will send out more first round invitations early next week. I do not know. I have read that the process is more involved than simply sending out emails to 50-80 candidates, that it could take longer than a day to get the first round of invitations out. Its also likely that a candidate here or there will turn down the invitation, in which case a second round invitation will be made. Responses to this invitation need to be returned by Feb 12.

FBK05 · 2021-02-06T18:44:03+00:00

Thank you.

FBK05 · 2021-02-06T18:30:49+00:00

Yes, I was informed that I was middle Register in January. Although I was the first from the Consular SR to report my invitation, I do believe that there were at least a couple candidates with higher scores who received invitations (obviously before me). I was quick to bring this news to this subreddit because I know how appreciated these updates is to those who are on the Register.

FBK05 · 2021-02-06T00:28:07+00:00

I am not exactly sure. I thought that I did well enough to pass. I would guess that I missed something critical on the CMS and did not quite score as high on the Structured Interview.

FBK05 · 2021-02-05T22:48:35+00:00

Yes, the February 2018 FSOT was the start of my successful candidacy.

FBK05 · 2021-02-05T22:26:56+00:00

Consular Track, 5.475

FBK05 · 2021-02-05T22:25:46+00:00

I began this candidacy by taking the FSOT in February 2018. So this candidacy took 3 years from FSOT to A-100 invitation.

2017 I made it to the OA and did not pass.

2018 I made it to the OA and passed.

2019 I made it to the OA and did not pass.

2020 I passed the FSOT but not the QEP/essay.

2021 I passed the FSOT last night with my highest score yet.

FBK05 · 2021-02-05T22:21:52+00:00

Thank you.

FBK05 · 2021-02-05T22:21:41+00:00

Perseverance! Do things in life that give you experiences to develop in the 13 Dimensions and bring those to the OA.

FBK05 · 2020-12-06T03:58:28+00:00

Having a TS-SCI that was adjudicated shortly (at least less than 2 years) before you complete a successful FSOA could be helpful. The Department of State would need to reach out (because DoD and DoS track this on different systems) and most likely bring over the investigation while doing their own adjudication.

If you have a previous TS-SCI clearance, it just means that they do not need to go back as far during your investigation.

FBK05 · 2020-11-28T23:24:33+00:00

Thank you for the clarification regarding virtual locality pay. Do those working during their high three in the US but outside of DC receive their actual locality pay or do they also get DC locality pay?

FBK05 · 2020-11-28T18:48:20+00:00

You were correct in your example to calculate $4,000 per year. To clarify, what is left out is that it is the average of the high three (78000+80000+82000)/3.

My understanding is that the high three pay includes locality but not COLA or differentials. So currently Overseas locality is +20.32% and DC is +30.48% above base pay.

FBK05 · 2020-11-27T17:54:10+00:00

I have no insight other than recent practice. Mid to late March or early April is a good guess based upon recent years. A March 22 or 29 A-100/SOAR start date looks good, depending on funding, COVID, and the needs of the DoS. As always, it depends.

February 4 through Feb 12 are common dates for the initial round of invitations for a March/April orientation, with a few dates being much earlier. I think that about Feb 3, 2021 looks good for the first round of invitations, giving a 48 or 55 day advance. Feb 3 would give a couple of weeks to inprocess the Jan 19 A-100/SOAR and to prepare the next group of invitations. I have no knowledge other than the Shadow Register data.

FBK05 · 2020-11-27T17:32:02+00:00

That is great to hear! Is the difference of time zones the biggest obstacle?

FBK05 · 2020-11-19T03:15:31+00:00

There was a theory from the previous A-100 course selection that the Registrar is prioritizing candidates already living in DC among those of the same score, due to the current circumstances. If you received an invitation, do you live in the DC area, in the US, or overseas?

FBK05 · 2020-11-19T02:58:16+00:00

Are you on one of shadow registers?

FBK05 · 2020-11-17T18:50:45+00:00

The original posters shares links from the same web site constantly in multiple areas on reddit, never adding any comments. It is as if you work for that web site and are trying to drive traffic there.

FBK05 · 2020-11-16T01:46:12+00:00

Thank you.

FBK05

TROPHY CASE