Comments on: ISO rejection / appeal experiences http://www.thirdgoal.com/waiting/2008/02/03/iso-rejection-appeal-experiences/ Peace Corps Stories and Photos Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:53:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Good Doctor http://www.thirdgoal.com/waiting/2008/02/03/iso-rejection-appeal-experiences/#comment-13298 Good Doctor Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:00:37 +0000 http://www.thirdgoal.com/waiting/2008/02/03/iso-rejection-appeal-experiences/#comment-13298 <p>I found this link from a patient of mine rejected for panic attacks and being on psychotropics. I am a psychiatrist. I think it is ridiculous why she was rejected. Unfortunately some people feel it's wrong to lie but in many if not most cases you shoot yourself in the foot by admitting any psychiatric treatment. The only exceptions are applying for a security clearance or to be a physician or attorney. With security clearances, they have ways of finding out these things. On the other two, if you're ever discovered they can yank your license. Privacy laws forbid me from sharing info without a signed release. Same thing happens when applying for medical insurance. If you put on the form you have been treated for psych problems, they can deny it except under certain circumstances. The Medical Information Bureau keeps records of all those applications people send in. For a small fee you can send a query to see what they have on you. I understand about screening people for depression but some people really shouldn't be denied.</p> I found this link from a patient of mine rejected for panic attacks and being on psychotropics. I am a psychiatrist. I think it is ridiculous why she was rejected. Unfortunately some people feel it’s wrong to lie but in many if not most cases you shoot yourself in the foot by admitting any psychiatric treatment. The only exceptions are applying for a security clearance or to be a physician or attorney. With security clearances, they have ways of finding out these things. On the other two, if you’re ever discovered they can yank your license. Privacy laws forbid me from sharing info without a signed release.
Same thing happens when applying for medical insurance. If you put on the form you have been treated for psych problems, they can deny it except under certain circumstances. The Medical Information Bureau keeps records of all those applications people send in. For a small fee you can send a query to see what they have on you.
I understand about screening people for depression but some people really shouldn’t be denied.

]]> By: Eli http://www.thirdgoal.com/waiting/2008/02/03/iso-rejection-appeal-experiences/#comment-13243 Eli Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:18:21 +0000 http://www.thirdgoal.com/waiting/2008/02/03/iso-rejection-appeal-experiences/#comment-13243 <p>I have a DUI and an MIP about 4 and 5 years ago respectively. I have been cleared legaly. I am just waiting for my medical clearance. I have taken Zoloft for about 6 months 4 years ago. Wish me luck.</p> I have a DUI and an MIP about 4 and 5 years ago respectively. I have been cleared legaly. I am just waiting for my medical clearance. I have taken Zoloft for about 6 months 4 years ago. Wish me luck.

]]> By: sal http://www.thirdgoal.com/waiting/2008/02/03/iso-rejection-appeal-experiences/#comment-12647 sal Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:11:54 +0000 http://www.thirdgoal.com/waiting/2008/02/03/iso-rejection-appeal-experiences/#comment-12647 <p>Hey everyone.. This is a question about the legal clearance of the application process- Im at the end of my application process now and have been cleared medically and for everything else on the checklist except legal clearance because I have a DUI on my record from over 3 years ago. Does anybody know if they deny people for this? Nobody from Peace corps will email me back with an answer as to why the legal clearance is taking so long and Im hoping it does not hold me back. I had to write a few essays and do questionares and an interview with a pc social worker already concerning this but that was 3 months ago when I did the alcohol interview.. Anyone who has experienced this would be helpful! Thanks -</p> Hey everyone.. This is a question about the legal clearance of the application process- Im at the end of my application process now and have been cleared medically and for everything else on the checklist except legal clearance because I have a DUI on my record from over 3 years ago. Does anybody know if they deny people for this? Nobody from Peace corps will email me back with an answer as to why the legal clearance is taking so long and Im hoping it does not hold me back. I had to write a few essays and do questionares and an interview with a pc social worker already concerning this but that was 3 months ago when I did the alcohol interview.. Anyone who has experienced this would be helpful! Thanks -

]]> By: New Volunteer http://www.thirdgoal.com/waiting/2008/02/03/iso-rejection-appeal-experiences/#comment-12247 New Volunteer Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:49:50 +0000 http://www.thirdgoal.com/waiting/2008/02/03/iso-rejection-appeal-experiences/#comment-12247 <p>To all who are reading this:</p> <p>I have asthma and also take medication for bipolar. I was initially denied medical clearence to the Peace Corps (this winter). I appealed the decision, was medically cleared, and am leaving July 14th for Africa (somewhere that they speak Portuguese...will know more when I get my packet!). DO NOT GIVE UP!!! Make sure your doctors write excellent letters for you and that you detail your medical history in the appeal. The more info you give, the less chance they have to deny you. You may not get to go to your first choice in countries, but you may still get to go!</p> To all who are reading this:

I have asthma and also take medication for bipolar. I was initially denied medical clearence to the Peace Corps (this winter). I appealed the decision, was medically cleared, and am leaving July 14th for Africa (somewhere that they speak Portuguese…will know more when I get my packet!). DO NOT GIVE UP!!! Make sure your doctors write excellent letters for you and that you detail your medical history in the appeal. The more info you give, the less chance they have to deny you. You may not get to go to your first choice in countries, but you may still get to go!

]]> By: Frustrated http://www.thirdgoal.com/waiting/2008/02/03/iso-rejection-appeal-experiences/#comment-12100 Frustrated Sun, 06 Apr 2008 06:23:24 +0000 http://www.thirdgoal.com/waiting/2008/02/03/iso-rejection-appeal-experiences/#comment-12100 <p>I'm sending my medical forms in on Monday. On their health survey I decided to be honest, admiting that I used an inhaler when I was playing soccer competetively and that I had used psychotropic drugs in my lifetime. Was this ever a mistake. The inhaler was for very mild excersize induced asthma that was not really a problem, more of an annoyance. And in my twenty-two years of life I have taken psychotropic drugs a grand total of four months. Two of those months were due to a mis-diagnosis ten years ago. Furthermore, when I sent my form into the doctor who perscribed the psychotropic, a man I haven't seen for four years, he wrote under family history "uncle committed suicide". This is true, but boy does it look bad on paper.</p> <p>It is good to see all of your comments. At least it shows that there are plenty of applicants who have used psychotropic drugs, which I think we all must know. It is not uncommon. I would even venture to guess that those of us who have thought and dealt with our mental health might be better equiped to deal with stressful times. Too bad Peace Corps doesn't see things this way, yeah?</p> <p>To the writer of the blog: I am sorry. It sounds like you are more than qualified. And having watched the youtube videos, most taken by just-out-of-college volunteers, you would be an asset to the Peace Corps. I wish you the best.</p> I’m sending my medical forms in on Monday. On their health survey I decided to be honest, admiting that I used an inhaler when I was playing soccer competetively and that I had used psychotropic drugs in my lifetime. Was this ever a mistake.
The inhaler was for very mild excersize induced asthma that was not really a problem, more of an annoyance. And in my twenty-two years of life I have taken psychotropic drugs a grand total of four months. Two of those months were due to a mis-diagnosis ten years ago. Furthermore, when I sent my form into the doctor who perscribed the psychotropic, a man I haven’t seen for four years, he wrote under family history “uncle committed suicide”. This is true, but boy does it look bad on paper.

It is good to see all of your comments. At least it shows that there are plenty of applicants who have used psychotropic drugs, which I think we all must know. It is not uncommon. I would even venture to guess that those of us who have thought and dealt with our mental health might be better equiped to deal with stressful times. Too bad Peace Corps doesn’t see things this way, yeah?

To the writer of the blog: I am sorry. It sounds like you are more than qualified. And having watched the youtube videos, most taken by just-out-of-college volunteers, you would be an asset to the Peace Corps. I wish you the best.

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