unofficial nccc info

[unofficialncccinfo]

Hey there! When you were conditionally accepted, did your fingerprint/medical packet come on the same day you got the email or did it come a few days later (once you accepted online)?

Hi! I was conditionally accepted on July 10th and accepted the same day. About 4 or 5 days later I received my packet in the mail. Here is a timeline of my application experience if you’re interested. :)

[unofficialncccinfo]

My NCCC Pre-Arrival Checklist

I'm a list maker so of course I had to whip up a checklist for all the things I need to do before leaving in February. I'll be updating it as I make progress.

Updated 11/19/14

Documents

Send welcome packet forms

Make copy of driver's license (front and back)

Get copy of driving record, past 3 years

Find documentation of tetanus shot

Receive flight information

Take measurements and record

Know men's shoe size 

Compile documents into binder

To Buy

Winter boots

GO RUCK Echo backpack

Bathrobe

White, gray & black long-sleeved shirts to wear with uniform

Packing cubes

Shower caddy

Hanging shelf

Head lamp

Neck pillow

Sleeping bag liner

Micro SD cards

Thermals

Fleece leggings

Luggage tag

To Do

Finish reading welcome packet

Download movies/TV shows to tablet

Make playlists on phone

Finalize packing list

Get duffle in the mail

Pack

Confirm flight information

FLY TO IOWA!!!!

Related post: My NCCC packing list

[unofficialncccinfo]

waitingforfebruary said: Thanks for posting this. I haven’t received my welcome packet yet and trying to figure out what I need without it is pretty confusing.

Oh, I know how you feel. I think waiting for the welcome packet is the worst part! At least for me, if you couldn't tell already I'm quite the planner :p

Hopefully your wait will end soon!

[unofficialncccinfo]

My NCCC Packing List

Updated 10/29/14

All members will be issued the following items upon arrival:

NCCC Red backpack to use on spike*

2 pair of Khaki BDU/Cargo pants

2 pair of Khaki BDU/Cargo shorts

1 White polo shirt

3 Grey short-sleeve t-shirts

1 Grey hooded sweatshirt

1 Pair of black BDU/Cargo pants

1 Grey button-up shirt

1 Grey fleece jacket

1 Gator (neck warmer)

1 Cold weather cap

1 sleeping bag*

1 Pair of coveralls*

1 Rain suit*

1 Pair of rain boots (as needed)*

1 Pair of cold weather boots*

1 Reflective Belt*

1 Black adjustable belt

1 Winter coat*

1 Pair of steel-toed work boots

1 Baseball cap

* These items must be returned at the end of your term of service

(Taken from my welcome packet)

I'm trying to keep this in mind when making my packing list. I want to bring as little as possible so hopefully this list will shrink with time.

Luggage: NCCC issued duffle + GO RUCK backpack w/ small bag inside

Clothing

4 t-shirts

2 sweaters

2 blouses/button-ups

3 long-sleeved shirts (black, white, gray) to wear w/ uniform

Socks

Bras

Underwear

2 pairs of jeans

3 workout shorts

2 pajama bottoms

Bathrobe

Gloves + Scarf

Jacket

Bathing suit

Footwear

Bean boots

Running shoes

Chacos

Flip flops

Electronics

Phone

Tablet

Kindle

Headphones

Toiletries

Shampoo*

Body wash/soap*

Deodorant

Toothpaste

Toothbrush

Floss

Mouthwash*

Wet wipes*

Razor

Face wash

Moisturizer

Medication

Makeup

Concealer

Mascara

Brow kit

Other

Towel

Washcloth

Tweezers

Water bottle*

Pillow

* = buy there

I'll be updating this periodically so any suggestions are welcome!

[unofficialncccinfo]

Hey, My name is Austin. I have recently been introduced to AmeriCorps and had a couple of questions. If you have the time, I would appreciate some insight and advice. I am first wondering, what the Corp is like? I understand that it may vary from job to job, but in your experience what is it like? Also, I am very interested in traveling, and want to help preserve the environment. If you have any advice, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you and have a good day.

I actually haven’t started my service yet (I leave in February), so I can’t quite tell you about my experience yet but I can point you to a list I’ve made of some helpful resources.

Regarding your interest in travel and the environment, I’d advise you to check out The Student Conservation Association. There are a lot of great internship and volunteer opportunities for young people!

[unofficialncccinfo]

I Got My Welcome Packet!

This post comes 6 days after the fact, but I've been a bit busy. I'm still reading through everything and getting the forms filled out. It feels more real now, I can't wait for February to roll around!

[unofficialncccinfo]

Midwest Travel Wishlist

I know that I'll be serving in the North Central region for 10 months with AmeriCorps. I don't know much about what the Midwest has to offer so as I research I'm going to list places that I hope to see while serving! Suggestions are welcome...

North Dakota

Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

Lake Metigoshe State Park

South Dakota

Mount Rushmore

Custer State Park

Lewis and Clark Recreation Area

Palisades State Park

Nebraska

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park

Fort Robinson State Park

Ponca State Park

Minnesota

Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park

North Shore State Parks

Blue Mounds State Park

Iowa

Cedar Rapids

Backbone State Park

Marquoketa Caves State Park

Ledges State Park

Wisconsin

Amnicon Falls State Park

Door County State Parks

Interstate State Park

Illinois

Chicago

Cache River State Natural Area

Starved Rock State Park

Wildlife Prairie State Park

Michigan

Ludington State Park

Porcupine Mountains State Park

Wilderness State Park

Indiana

Indianapolis

Brown County State Park

Falls of the Ohio State Park

Indiana Dunes State Park

Turkey Run State Park

Ohio

Cleveland

Hocking Hills State Park

Hueston Woods State Park

Lake Hope State Park

[unofficialncccinfo]

Info About Each AmeriCorps NCCC Campus

About Each Campus

Vinton, IA: one two

Sacramento, CA : one two

Denver, CO: one 

Vicksburg, MS: one

Perry Point, MD: one

When Campuses Accept New Applicants

Fall Cycle: Pacific & Southwest Winter Cycle: North Central, Southern & Atlantic ^ This is based on info I've seen on blogs & reddit, not the official AmeriCorps website.

[unofficialncccinfo]

Helpful Links for AmeriCorps NCCC Applicants

Updated 10/13/14

General Info

NCCC website

NCCC FAQs

NCCC blog

NCCC application checklist

My AmeriCorps (where to start/submit your application)

Info about each NCCC campus

My Americorps Timeline - My experience going through the application process, gives you an idea of waiting times though everyone's is different.

General Info from Alumni

/r/AmeriCorps on reddit

americorpswolf tumblr

Nick (was) in FEMA Corps

A few tips for new Corps Members

Radical Em blog

Motivational Statement example

Directory of FEMA Corps member blogs

Packing Info (my favorite :D)

One - Packing list includes info from Welcome Packet

Two - Packing list from someone in FEMA Corps

Three - Advice on packing

Four & Five - About bags given to members & storing stuff while on spike

Six - Flying to campus & number of bags you should take

Seven - Important documents you need to take

Eight - More packing advice

Nine - What to -actually- pack in our duffle bags (Vinton), talks about what clothes to bring while keeping in mind all the items you get when you arrive on campus.

Ten - General info/advice, very helpful!

Eleven - Packing for disaster relief deployment

Favorites from /r/AmeriCorps

NCCC Application Process

Considering Americorps. Is NCCC for me?

Should you bring electronics?

About the "interview" - in past years it seems that there were more in-depth interviews for corps members but now you just get asked a series of very basic yes-or-no questions. Don't even worry about it!

How difficult is it to live on the stipend? - mentions other AmeriCorps programs as well.

Dating and relationships with NCCC corps members while serving

How flexible are they with taking time off?

Getting a job after NCCC

[unofficialncccinfo]

My AmeriCorps Timeline

Here's a rundown of my application experience, your mileage may vary!

The Timeline:

June 27, 2014: Submitted application for NCCC Winter 2015

June 30, 2014: Status changed to Under Review

July 3, 2014: Status changed to Assessment Complete, email received to schedule an application assessment.

July 8, 2014: Received another email:

At this time your assessment has been completed and we have determined that you are eligible for service in NCCC. We often have more qualified applicants than positions available, so selection into NCCC is random based on the time you apply.  We typically make invitations on a monthly basis beginning in May and continuing through the campus start dates. Since your assessment is now complete, you are in the pool for selection into NCCC.

If you are not selected in those initial rounds of invitations, you will be added to our waitlist for selection as positions become available (and they will indeed become available). If you are waitlisted, do not worry, your chances for selection are still very high! We will continue to offer opportunities to serve up to and a little after our Campus start dates, so flexibility is key!

July 10, 2014: Conditionally accepted to serve at the Vinton, Iowa campus for Winter 2015, yay! Given 10 days to go onto the AmeriCorps website and accept the offer. (Accepted it, of course!)

~July 15, 2014: Received packet in the mail with fingerprint card and medical clearance sheet. Given 10 business days to fill out and return.

July 27, 2014: Received an email from my NCCC Point of Contact (POC). Had some family issues and got an extension to get all the paperwork in. My POC was very helpful and prompt with this.

August 4, 2014: Sent in medical info/fingerprints in pre-paid UPS envelope.

August 11, 2014: Status change from "Accepted" to "Assigned." Cleared medical and background checks and can officially serve! Waiting on the welcome packet to be sent now...

September 18, 2014: I received my Welcome Packet via email along with several forms to fill out. I have 10 days to complete and send back these forms. Officially in the program!

September 26, 2014: Submitted forms.

September 29, 2014: Received a call from my point of contact confirming that she received my forms and asked if I had any questions. She let me know that other staff members may be calling me in the future to introduce themselves and answer any questions I may have.

From what I've read of other people's experiences, my application process seemed be much quicker. Many people wait weeks for contact and new information so don't be discouraged if that is the case with yours! I'll update the timeline as new information comes my way :)