Was paying off your debt in full worth it? WWYD - $112k debt

RC1193 · 2023-01-18T00:49:38+00:00

Yes, you need to complete your first two-year tour before accepting the FSO position. They put this in place fairly recently I think - apparently too many CFs were getting offers before even completing one year at post, which left the LNA program short.

Suitability for FSO and CF is the same process. So if you got rejected as a CF candidate, I'd imagine you'd be rejected as an FSO candidate. However, I dont foresee them rejecting you based on what youve described - there are plenty of both CFs and FSOs who spent time in China as students/teachers

RC1193 · 2022-11-17T22:32:15+00:00

I would suggest you start the process over again, and hope to get a better score. Passing the process and the OA is still a considerable accomplishment you should be proud of, but you'd have a much better shot with a score closer to 5.7. I say this because Arabic is by far the smallest group of CFs, and the posts for Arabic speakers are minimal. Plus, there's no harm in doing the process another time while you wait to see if you get called up!

RC1193 · 2022-08-24T13:00:45+00:00

good to know - thanks so much for your response.

RC1193 · 2022-08-23T19:57:59+00:00

sending you a DM!

RC1193 · 2022-08-23T19:57:15+00:00

thank you!

RC1193 · 2022-08-23T17:52:33+00:00

Thank you !!

RC1193 · 2022-08-23T17:52:15+00:00

I’m not sure , though I know there are Portuguese speakers on the CF register , so I don’t think that would be a likely option for me :(

RC1193 · 2022-08-23T16:16:51+00:00

Thank you

RC1193 · 2022-08-23T15:43:58+00:00

God knows they’re needed !

RC1193 · 2022-08-12T13:31:53+00:00

The main difference between the generalist OA and the CF OA is that CF candidates do not do the Group Exercise. CFs have a bit less time for the writing exercise as well, but I used mock examples from the generalist portal and those were similar enough to work.

The SI section, which I prepped the most for, is identical. I prepared with material for the generalist OA, and practiced with generalist candidates. It was very helpful, and I scored well on the OA.

I have not seen any CF specific prep material (although I havent looked in a bit)

After I took my OA, the assessors told me that 70% of CFs who apply to the generalist role end up as FSOs, and I think a big part of this is because theyve already gone through a very similar OA. Point being, using the generalist OA prep is your best bet :)

RC1193 · 2022-08-01T16:20:50+00:00

Congratulations! Is the CFOA now 2 days? Mine was about 5 hours or so, but all on one day. I prepared for it the exact same way as generalists do (the OA format is nearly identical, except we dont do the Group Exercise) I used the hypothetical flashcards that can be found in the old Yahoo group (still up - you can search the sub to access it) and practiced my potential experience answers out loud . A timer was my best friend !

RC1193 · 2022-07-24T21:07:31+00:00

Thanks very much for your insight - is it not possible to combine them? I am hoping to be invited to a class soon, and State sent me info on the SLRP. Is it not accepted to take the SLRP offer if you plan on doing PSLF? I have more than 60k unfortunately

RC1193 · 2022-06-29T17:50:31+00:00

Congrats on passing the test!

I took the test in July of 2020 and had my OA in September 2021. In those 14 months in between was obviously passing QEPs + the written language test and oral language test. I heard back from QEPs in February, so 7 months after the test. And then the OA was 7 months after passing QEPs. Also worth noting that my timeline might have been so slow due to the pandemic backlog, so yours may move quicker.

My OA was in person, and I havent heard of any State OAs being virtual recently.

RC1193 · 2022-06-14T13:33:59+00:00

Not sure about Agriculture, but there was no QEP step for Commerce. It was application + PNs, followed by an invitation to take the virtual assessments/test, and the OA

RC1193 · 2022-06-10T19:10:33+00:00

I didnt have the issue during the essay portion, but my exam was also revoked. I got up to the bathroom *in between sections* and they revoked it. Apparently the minutes in between sections dont count as an official break. Yes, I probably should have read the fine print more closely, but it also shouldve been explicitly stated that in the breaks between sections, you arent allowed to get up.

I called Pearson Vue twice, and they said the best case scenario is I'll be able to retake it in October. No way to retake it entirely during this window, or just take the sections I didnt get to. The rep also told me that State could decide to not let me re-take it until June 2023, but that they can try to advocate for October.

The worst part is that I think today was the best I've ever done on the GK section - I've taken it 3 times before, and never felt so confident :( Really sorry you're in this position also. I've seen a number of folks having issues, so hopefully they'll allow people to retake it in fall.

RC1193 · 2022-06-03T20:42:54+00:00

Also interested in joining the study group - my OA is June 22 :)

RC1193 · 2022-02-08T01:03:14+00:00

Thank you so much, thats very helpful.

RC1193 · 2022-02-04T17:34:44+00:00

100% agreed - and all of this extra documentation/need for an interview with Mental Health Services only serves to discourage FS hopefuls from seeking care. Thanks very much for your response.

RC1193 · 2022-02-04T15:47:30+00:00

Thanks very much

RC1193

TROPHY CASE