Nothing more to be done!

I received my score breakdown from State a week or so ago, and I was surprised at just how close to the passing level I was. Here are the numbers:

Job Knowledge: 56.47
Biographical: 41.13 (an abysmal score!)
English Expression: 61.16

Total Score: 158.76

Essay: 10 (yay!)

I was really hoping to do better on the test since I don't have much working for me when it comes to the QEP. The bio section was awful; I have my theories as to why I didn't do so well, and it has nothing to do with being inconsistent. These scores and my PNQ's must now get me to the oral assessment, and as badly as I want it, I'm unfortunately expecting a rejection. I am going up against people with all sorts of impressive backgrounds (lawyers, Ph.Ds, Peace Corps volunteers, etc.), and I don't even have a bachelor's degree. I'm unemployed, had barely any corporate experience, and none in management. I am desperately hoping that they see something in my essays that make them want to take a chance on me, but I'm not expecting it.

We're supposed to hear back in mid- to late-June, but I'm hoping it will be sooner (it was only three weeks instead of the 8-10 they originally said for the WE results). Time will tell, and until then I'm going to be a nervous wreck.

Step Two

I finished writing my PNQs for the QEP portion of the evaluation. The only thing I'm waiting on now is hearing back from two of my potential verifiers. I need their phone numbers, but haven't talked to them in years. Oh, the wonders of Facebook! I sent emails, and now I'm just waiting...waiting...waiting... It's due on March 24, so I'm hoping they get back to me soon. I feel confident in my essays, and I'm hoping that they give me a chance. My resume is probably one of the most underwhelming in their applicant pool, so these five short essays count for a lot. Fingers crossed, gang.

I'm also waiting on my score breakdown for the FSWE, which should be coming soon. People who faxed their request the day they received their pass/fail results got their score reports today. When I get mine, I'll be sure to update.

Whee!

The results came a day early. I opened my email this morning to 70+ emails from the Yahoo board, half of them saying things like, "Results are in!" or "I passed!" Needless to say I went right to the FSOT letter retrieval site on ACT's website and logged in. I clicked the link to download my results letter.

"Dear FSO Hopeful,

"Congratulations! ..."

I didn't need to read anymore right then. I screamed, upset my dogs, and then called my mom. Step 1 in my quest of becoming a U.S. Diplomat has been successfully completed. Next up, the QEP!

The butterflies are pterodactyls

On the Yahoo FSWE board (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fswe), two people have said that they checked with ACT to see when the February cohort would be notified of their scores, or at least their pass/fail status, and were informed that the results would be available this Wednesday (3/4). I am anxiously waiting to find out whether or not this is true. I've been a ball of nerves for days now, which is ridiculous. I want to know, but I'm terrified of the results.

Just under three days until I (potentially) find out. Fingers crossed.