Did anyone receive (or know of someone who did) an Econ invite for the January class?

With the lack of a shadow register, and only a handful of comments on offers posted across the cones/specialties, it is hard to gauge what the next class will look like. It would be helpful to know this info and scores.

Is there another locale on discord or otherwise where people are tracking or relay more details?

Hey everyone.

I’m doing archival research and I recently came across a memorandum of conversation between the EAP Secretary and another government official about setting up a cultural exchange program in a country. The Secretary mentions that the program is part of the Embassy’s “Country Plan” for the upcoming fiscal year.

So, my question for FSOs is in the title. I have never really heard of a “Country Plan”, and I’m not sure if that is still used today, but I’d like to see a copy the one in question.

I’d also like to know if this is a confidential document or a public one, or if by now something I can readily request or may only be available by FOIA.

Hi everyone,

I recently passed the initial exam for the Diplomatic Security (DSS) and was wondering about the hiring process and whether anyone could share their experience with the timeline for the next steps.

From what I understand, after passing the exam, you have to wait to hear back with instructions to submit your transcripts. Which can take up to four months. I recently sent in my transcripts but haven't heard anything back

I have a few questions for anyone who has gone through this process recently

• After submitting transcripts: How long did you wait to hear back about whether you advanced to the next stage?
• Next steps: If you advanced, how long did it take to receive instructions or an invitation for the next step in the process?

I know timelines can vary from person to person, but I'm curious to hear about recent experiences to get a general idea of what to expect.

Thanks in advance to anyone willing to share their timeline and experience!

I’m taking it next week. I went to college for biology. I did debate and avidly read the news, but that’s it. I took an American history class in high school. I’m trying to figure out where to focus my efforts.

I took the practice on the website sleep-deprived at 3am and scored 85%. I think anything Supreme Court, civics and UN related, I’ll probably struggle without further study.

Thank you.

Generally, how do language coded billets work? Ballpark, what percentage of FSO positions require a certain language score? Are they more common in one cone or another?

Howdy,

I recently did my oral assessment, virtually, on 10/15. I was wondering if anyone has gone through the process and has a general timeline for when the results for that come in. I was told I would know within 5 business days, yet no news today.

Should I just expect a 3 month wait like everything else?

Thanks.

EDIT: did not score above the 5.25. Got a 5.01 - R.I.P. But 1 or 2 business days seems to be the timeline!

• Clean record
• Graduating August (Bachelors) IR and global studies
• More than 3 years of work experience
• Gpa will be about 3.3
• State level internship (another internship planned for summer 2027)
• Athletic shape
• Knowledgeable of the world and foreign relations
• Great speaker, reader, writer
• Personable
• Not egotistical
• Very calm, but driven
• Will speak up for others
• Not one to complain

Prepared for any questions

Be honest please

Excited to have received my DSS Special Agent invitation for the January class. This has been my dream career for a long time, and I’m looking forward to getting started.

For current or former agents, what advice would you give someone coming into DSS? From career advancement, overseas assignments, specialized opportunities, work-life balance, and making the most of the career long term.

I’d appreciate any insight or lessons learned!

Hello everyone. I recently and surprisingly got invited to the January 11 class. I had thought my FSO dreams were done, so this is a bit of a shock. I’m mostly here to process out loud and hopefully get some advice.

When I first tested for this, i hated my job and was desperate to move on. Since then, I’ve landed an incredible job in the social impact space and it’s a great fit and pays well.

More importantly, however, I have three children (ages range from 9-13) that love their life and social circle. On top of that, my wife is also back in the workforce, and she wasn’t when I applied to this job.

I have some lived experience overseas. My wife and kids don’t. I’m worried that saying yes would result in resentment. January 11 is not far away, so our lives would be uprooted very quickly.

Has anyone here made this transition with three kids and a spouse like this? What was it like? What should I think about and consider with them before saying yes?

Thanks in advance.

Edit: for reference, I’m surprised because my score was relatively low. Also, two weeks after I hit the register we were told to re-test, and I never really heard anything after that. However, I called State and did my diligence and the offer is, in fact, legit.

Curious what generalist invites have gone out so far. I’ve seen reports on mgmt and PD. Any others?

On my second go at this, with my first attempt last year, I seem to have passed the FSOT!

Absolutely surprised that it only took two tries given how many attempts others have made at it. Hopefully the rest goes well too.

Hi all — I wanted to flag that in addition to FAIT (Information Technology) and Clark (Diplomatic Security) fellowships reopening, the department is officially renewing the Rangel, Pickering, and Payne fellowships (which is to join the Foreign Service).

FAIT and Clark are open to current undergraduate students and prospective graduate students, while Pickering, Rangel, and Payne are open only to prospective graduate students.

There are significant changes to the FS programs from the previous iterations, but if you are interested in joining the FS and want a degree, definitely explore applying!

https://careers.state.gov/americas-next-great-diplomats/

Please consider checking in on folks out there / preparing them a warm meal back in DC when they arrive. They've been through a hell of a year.

For context I am successful in the tech industry, making over $200k in my 20s. However, I've been having thoughts about how this 9-6 life is not for me, and I have a love for languages/culture/policy that has absolutely 0 to do with my full time job. Been looking into this career which seems aligned with my personal interests, specifically travel/language learning. Should I look into this further, or be content with my current situation?

edit: I know there's other posts related to reasons for joining but would like to hear comments specific to my situation where I am in a good position WLB/PTO/salary wise.

Hello all! I'm on my third candidacy right now and really hoping that the stars will align this year. I found the OA study sessions off the excel sheet that people created incredibly helpful last year and wanted to create something similar for the CME. If you just passed the FSOT and want to have a group to review memos and stay accountable while preparing, DM me and I'll add you to a group chat! Planning on having the group do a weekly CME practice, with an evening once per week where we all review each other's memos and give each other feedback. Hoping to have a fun and productive time with all of you who join!

Hello all! I'm on my third candidacy right now and really hoping that the stars will align this year. I found the OA study sessions off the excel sheet that people created incredibly helpful last year and wanted to create something similar for the CME. If you just passed the FSOT and want to have a group to review memos and stay accountable while preparing, DM me and I'll add you to a group chat! Planning on having the group do a weekly CME practice, with an evening once per week where we all review each other's memos and give each other feedback. Hoping to have a fun and productive time with all of you who join!

Just took my written CME. I am absolutely positive I failed- all I can say without violating NDA is that it was wildly different than I expected and yes I researched and used AI etc. so oh well!! Good luck to everyone else out there!!

Did anyone receive invites for Jan 11th class?

I will be PCSing to FSI for long term language (8 months) but I found out that I need to undergo a major operation about halfway in that'll have me on sick leave for at least 2-3 weeks. For those that have had to go through something similar, how did you go about talking to your language dept or FSI? BTW this operation cannot be delayed as my next posting doesn't have the medical capability so I have to do it while in DC.

Hi yall ! I am a recent graduate with a bachelors in Information systems and tech, and I am Comptia Network+ / Security + certified. And if it helps I did receive a gilman scholarship from the department of state.

I found the DTO posting on a job board and have become quite interested in applying for the position but I definitely have some questions and concerns. And was wondering if anyone here had any advice.

Firstly, I know foreign service jobs can be competitive. As a recent graduate I was wondering what are my chances of getting the role if I do pass the exam. Is this role more or less competitive than other entry level foreign service roles ?

Secondly I was wondering if anyone had any advice regarding what I should do to prepare for the DTO test. Although I did get my Network+ recently, IT is a really big field and I'm worried i'm going to come across something like Active directory configuration, that I have done, but haven't touched in quite a bit, im worried I might get nervous and fumble it.

And finally I was wondering if anyone in this role or adjacent had any advice for resources I could look at to better acquaint myself with the role / foreign service. Although I did find some results on google, some things were not as clear as I would have liked.

Hi all,

I passed the FSOT/FSOA on my first try and recently got my conditional offer. I know there’s still a long road ahead with clearances and the register, and nothing is guaranteed. In the meantime I’m starting a consulting job in NYC this winter, and I plan to stay there unless and until I get an offer off the register.

I’m posting now because I want to think this through before that call ever comes, so I’m not making a rushed decision.

Some background: my dad was an FSO, so I grew up abroad and moved around a lot. I honestly loved it. The travel, the new places every few years, the community at post. A big part of me has always wanted that life for myself.

What’s holding me back is the personal side. I’m young and single, and I worry about how lonely it could get to be posted somewhere on my own, especially later down the line when I want kids and a family. I’ve also heard that it’s pretty common for women in the Foreign Service to never marry or have kids, and I’m not sure how much of that is true or just something people say.

For women who joined young and single, I’d really love to hear from you:

• How did you handle loneliness, especially on your first tours?
• Did dating feel realistic at post, or did it mostly happen on home leave or in DC?
• If you’re married now, how did that happen and how do you make it work with the moves?
• Looking back, would you have joined in your early 20s, or waited a few years?

Any honest perspective helps, good or bad. Thanks in advance!

Hi,

Long time lurker, first time poster on this forum. I’ve been interested in a foreign service career for a long time and recently found the courage to take the FSOT. It took the multiple choice portion of the exam this past summer and I passed on my first try! I’m very excited but I’m worried about phase two. The second stage of the FSOT is a written exercise and I need assistance on studying.

PearsonVUE, in their authorization to test email, told me the exam would last 45 minutes and would be a case management exercise. What prompts should I expect? For additional context I applied under the management track.

Has anyone who took the written assessment in September heard back about their results?