Process

[LvNjPoles]

I’m just frustrated and need to vent and there is no one home right now to vent to so you are the lucky ones who get to read this.

Why is PA in my opinion backwards? Send yourself to the academy, sounds reasonable if that gives you the upper hand on another applicant, but it doesn’t because everyone must be Act 120 certified to apply to a dept. It saves the dept money or those it? There are several academies that will accept anyone who has the money no questions asked. Not to long ago a guy gradated from an academy and was applying to several depts and to make a long story short one of the depts gave the person a psychological evaluation and they found out that the person was crazy not the wording they used, but what they meant. The person just spent 5 months in the academy and several grand all for not. This whole Act 120 requirement before appointment is crazy.

That case was extreme and could have been worst, but what if I spent my money on Act 120 instead of college and go through the hiring process and find out that my vision or my weight or something stupid disqualifies me than what. I chose college to have something to fall back onto, but I don’t have the money to do both. I finished college and have a job and every time I see an ad in the paper for a police officer position and it says nothing about Act 120 certification I hop in my car and drive to the station to pick up an application to be turned down because you have to be certified. It frustrates me. I did just that today drove a 1-½ hour to turn right back, well I had some other stuff to do in the area, but you get my point. These depts are so cheap that they can’t put the requirements in the ad. Every time I go I ask the same two questions do you have to be Act 120 certified and is there a residency requirement? The second one I ask because eventually I’ll move closer, but I’ll commute in the beginning or if it’s a bad area I’m not moving there just work there, that is what I do now work in a high crime area, but live far away. The answers are usually yes and no or __ miles from jurisdiction.

The whole recruitment process should be modeled similar to the state police. Apply, written test, oral board, physical fitness, polygraph, background, medical, psychological evaluation, appointment and then the academy in which the applicant can pay for since the depts are cheap. That is the only reason why depts require Act 120 before appointment, I understand they can’t afford to send people to the academy I just say their cheap because I can’t afford it either and they have deeper packets then me. Some academies do require oral test or interviews, physical fitness and psychological evaluation before entry, but not all.

I think I cooled off, until next time.

Thanks in advance for reading this nonsense. :D

[MLPJLP]

PA isn't the only state that requires applicants to already be certified.

[Gil]

Frankly, IMO and only my opinion, getting into LE in states like PA and NJ is very hard. You have a better chance of winning the lottery thean getting a job in these two places. Why is that? Probably because Pa. has so many munincipal Depts., each can set their own hiring guidelines and standards. Plus, it's mostly who you know. Believe me, though..getting a job in LE can be frustrating anywhere, but in PA and NJ, it is even moreso. Good Luck nonetheless.

Gil

[LvNjPoles]

PA isn't the only state that requires applicants to already be certified.
Oh, I know PA isn’t the only state that requires certification before appointment and they have their own problems and benefits with that.

Frankly, IMO and only my opinion, getting into LE in states like PA and NJ is very hard. You have a better chance of winning the lottery thean getting a job in these two places. Why is that? Probably because Pa. has so many munincipal Depts., each can set their own hiring guidelines and standards. Plus, it's mostly who you know. Believe me, though..getting a job in LE can be frustrating anywhere, but in PA and NJ, it is even moreso. Good Luck nonetheless.

Gil

You said it Gil “it’s mostly who you know.” I’m originally from Jersey and could have a career in law enforcement already because I know a lot of people in Jersey, but I don’t like to be given things I like to work for it. Nonetheless I will continue to work hard and when the opportunity presents itself I’m going to grab it and never let go.

Thanks for reading and replying. Its one of those things were I just needed to let it out and typing is the easiest way to do that and having a place like this to post it and get replies from people all around the world from different backgrounds is great.

Thanks again and stay safe.

[MPSoldier84]

Go work for a Federal Department. Delaware Water Gap has the Park Rangers, and so does Philly and Steamtown in Scranton. There are about 8 VA facilities that have Police Officers. And there are 6 DOD Police Departments as well. All of these departments will hire you, and either send you to their academy or put your through ACT 120. And if they don't send you through ACT 120, you can apply for a waiver after working for them for 2 years. Federal can also pay more, and have better benefits than starting as a part timer.

You have the ability to transfer anywhere in the country and to just about most agencies. An 0083 in the DoD Police can transfer laterally to a 0083 position in the TVA Police, or Postal Police.

There is also CBP at Philly International Airport, and Pittsburgh International Airport.

I didn't do the ACT 120. Anybody who pays 5k for 6 months of training your not getting payed for and you can flunk. Than probably wind up your first year working part time at 9 bucks an hour and stuck buying your own equipment. That's just retarded. That's "playing cop", not being a cop. Hell working security at a Stop and Rob is probably more of a wise move.

[e-man]

I musta been lucky when I got hired by Pittsburgh. I was out of state, no college degree AND no military. WOW I musta been good. I parlayed that into a 10 year career and do wish sometimes I was 5 yrs younger and would move out of state with my training and exp. Iam sure some good dept. would scoop me up. It is tough in PA but at least we dont have an age requirement like NY and NJ. Iam too old for them....
Get your 120, or get hired by the city, do 3-4 years and move to Phoenix or Florida

[MLPJLP]

Reading this thread is making me stupid by the minute.

[LvNjPoles]

Thanks MPSoldier84 I will definitely look into those Federal Depts.

Than probably wind up your first year working part time at 9 bucks an hour and stuck buying your own equipment. That's just retarded. That's "playing cop", not being a cop.

I live in a small town and that’s how it is they get paid 10 bucks and get one uniform and the rest is up to them.


e-man: You are good, plain and simple.

[MPSoldier84]

And hand me down Second Chance vests if your lucky.

[PPDSWD]

Departments around the philly area are very hard to get on. You might have 500 to 1000 people test for a department that has 3 openings and maybe they will hire 3 this year.(not the best odds). A department that has 10 cops cant afford the time to send someone to the academy for 6months they need that body now to fill the position. Also the state pays I believe 60% of the officers salary while they are in the academy, so its not costing the departments that much. Its really supply vs. demand, the supply of people wanting to be cops is greater then the number that the smaller departments need, so the ball is in their court. On a side note, come work for Philly PD 6500 officers and we are always hiring. Good training, good pay, the vehicle's could be better and action all the time. The only thing is you have to live in the city, which I really dont mind.

[MPSoldier84]

The object honestly is really to get on anywhere you can FULL TIME. Whether it's full of action, or dead (depending on what you want). Don't shoot for something that's not worth your time. Don't be one of these guys that wants PSP just because they think it's gonna be fun and exciting and has good pay. Get into it because it's just another option. After you get on somewhere full time if you don't like it, you buy yourself some time to pick and choose what you want.

[LvNjPoles]

PPDSWD: I have though about PPD, but the requirement for living in the city one year before application is a downfall. I understand that they want people who live in the area and know the many roads and locations in the city, which I definitely don’t know, but in a years time other opportunities will arise.

MPSoldier84: I agree with you 100%. Getting in the door is the hardest part, once in the ability to move around and get what I want is a little easier.

[e-man]

Reading this thread is making me stupid by the minute.
Uh whats that supposed to mean?

[UFD537]

speaking of philly, (unless i understand it wrong) why cant it be like a normal city and say you have to live in the city upon appointment? Not this deal with living in the city 1 year prior to appointment.

[e-man]

speaking of philly, (unless i understand it wrong) why cant it be like a normal city and say you have to live in the city upon appointment? Not this deal with living in the city 1 year prior to appointment.
Thats the point or one of the points in this thread about PA, and how backwards the hiring process is . I woulda gone to Philly years ago but obviously didnt live there.

[PPDSWD]

The one idea behind the 1 year prior requirement in Philly is to give the jobs back to the citizens. I dont buy the whole idea that philly residents know the city better, when I came out of the academy and was assigned to my district I couldnt be any further from home. I was put in a district that I was never in before in my life, my first day I was given a map and said learn the district. My idea would be that the job be open to anyone and that you have 1 year to become a resident and that city residents get extra points in the hiring process. I personally dont mind living in the city and if they gave me the option to move out I wouldn't. I actually like the idea of policing the city that I live in. Housing is more expensive in the townships, we dont make that much money.

[MPSoldier84]

How many cities in this state do you think actually still sponser you through the Academy? There's only one near me..

[LvNjPoles]

How many cities in this state do you think actually still sponser you through the Academy? There's only one near me..

I can think of four Pds off hand in my area that sends their applicants through the Academy, there may be a couple more but not much more.

[PPDSWD]

Philadelphia PD, SEPTA, Temple University PD, Bensalem Township, Abington Township, Lower Merion Township, Reading City, Delaware River Port Authority PD, Cheltenham Township and Warminster Township. There are a few others in the area, alot of these departments send their recruits through Philly Academy except for Delaware River Port Authority which sends its to Camden County Police Acadmeny. SEPTA seems like it hires often and you dont need to live in the city and they will send you through the academy. All the others have lots of people testing for very few spots, if any.

[irishlad2nv]

Caution with the "DOD" police. One there is no "DOD" Police anymore. It is either Dept of Army, Navy, Air Force Police. Just because you re a 0083 series does not allow you to transfer to another branch or to a VA hospital. You still have to go through the same hiring process as others do.

MP-there is no "postal police" There are Postal Inspectors, which you have to have a 4 degree. The TVA are not 0083 series LE. They are a seperate Federal Commissioned Agency.

Anyone applying for DA, DN Police, etc you still have to have some basic qualifications such as Military Police Background, Local LE exp. etc. Not too may bases hire you without any LE experience.

There are several agencies I know of in PA that will put there applicants/recruits through an Academy. However I do know that many recruits pay their way through ACT 120 and then go to Maryland, VA, Florida to get hired, etc.

[MPSoldier84]

Irish tends to mislead people. There are Postal Police. There around in limited quanity. I believe they are apart of the Postal Inspection Service, but they have police officer positions, not just Special Agent Positions. And yes, you can laterally transfer to another 0083 series police. It's not as easy as doing it inter-agency, but it can be done. Plenty of people from the Department of the Army Police transfered latterally into our department.

And final, again with the semantics. DoD, DA, DAF, DN.. it's all the same thing practically. Also, Tobyhanna Army Depot in the Pocono's will hire you if you just have a degree. You'll likely start in a 0085 guard series, but your offered the oppurtunity to attend their academy.

[irishlad2nv]

Irish tends to mislead people. There are Postal Police. There around in limited quanity. I believe they are apart of the Postal Inspection Service, but they have police officer positions, not just Special Agent Positions. And yes, you can laterally transfer to another 0083 series police. It's not as easy as doing it inter-agency, but it can be done. Plenty of people from the Department of the Army Police transfered latterally into our department. Postal Police are not a 0083 Series.

And final, again with the semantics. DoD, DA, DAF, DN.. it's all the same thing practically. Also, Tobyhanna Army Depot in the Pocono's will hire you if you just have a degree. You'll likely start in a 0085 guard series, but your offered the oppurtunity to attend their academy.
MP you are correct, however will stand by myself. I do not go around on here"misleading" others. However, they are looking at getting rid of these positions and using security guards, since most of their LE is done by the Postal Inspectors.

0083 Series is a Police Officer Series. You do not "laterally transfer" from one agency to another. You apply, just as others do. You can be a 0083 VA Police officer for 10 years and decide to go work for the DA police. You still have to apply. There is no "lateral" process. Get some more time in the system and you will understand all of this. If you are a 0083 GS-5 and want to get a GS8 0083 job, well you still need time either as a 6 or a 7.

As I stated, most agencies will hire you with prior exp. Having a degree and getting hired as a Gate Guard is completely different.

If you still feel I have "mislead" other. Then so be it I think my knowledge/experience has clearly been thought upon on here by other, except you obviously.

[e-man]

Reading this thread is making me stupid by the minute.


I wanna no why these post hasnnt beeen ansered yet? I gess I' am jus a dumm persin

[MPSoldier84]

I wanna no why these post hasnnt beeen ansered yet? I gess I' am jus a dumm persin
I sent him a PM, he didn't answer yet...

[Tikidaddy]

As much as Part Time police work sucks in PA it's a great way to get your feet wet and in the door. I have seen more people drop out of the academy because they quickly realized that this field wasn't for them. PT is a good way to find out if it's really a match for you, saying you want to do it and actually doing it are two different things. PA does suck when it comes to getting hired but, I'm sure that goes for most places. I know a few people who got hired and then got sent to an academy..rare but happens. PT is easier to get atleast in PA over FT. I focus on both but, if I get a PT offer you bet I'm jumping at the chance. Also, try doing ride-alongs even with depts that aren't hiring, this shows your interested and gives you a bit of an edge when the start the process. I'm doing ride alongs with a couple depts near me and building a good rapore w/ them. I'm going through the hiring process with 2 of them now.

Hope this helps a little.

[LvNjPoles]

As much as Part Time police work sucks in PA it's a great way to get your feet wet and in the door. I have seen more people drop out of the academy because they quickly realized that this field wasn't for them. PT is a good way to find out if it's really a match for you, saying you want to do it and actually doing it are two different things. PA does suck when it comes to getting hired but, I'm sure that goes for most places. I know a few people who got hired and then got sent to an academy..rare but happens. PT is easier to get atleast in PA over FT. I focus on both but, if I get a PT offer you bet I'm jumping at the chance. Also, try doing ride-alongs even with depts that aren't hiring, this shows your interested and gives you a bit of an edge when the start the process. I'm doing ride alongs with a couple depts near me and building a good rapore w/ them. I'm going through the hiring process with 2 of them now.

Hope this helps a little.

In my area the same two police depts. are always hiring PT officers because of the high turnover and hire anyone who is Act 120 even if they just barely passed. If I had the money to go to the academy and had the money to still pay my bills when I am in the academy I would send myself and get hired with one of them, but I don’t and going to the PT academy is to long, as you know, but maybe the next best thing next to getting sent on a dept’s. dime.

Ride-a-longs, that would be great if only that still existed, all the depts. in my immediate area have discontinued ride-a-longs for “security reasons”.

I appreciate your input and best of luck to you in your process.

[Tikidaddy]

Hey don't take this the wrong way, I'm not trying to sound like an ***hole but, you said you want to be a cop but PT Academy is too long? You obviously don't want to be a cop bad enough and don't show the passion needed to do so. If you wanted it bad enough you would do everything possible to make it happen. I went to the academy part time and it took me 23 months to finish the 11 month program. I got deployed to LA for 35 days in Sept after Katrina hit and was supposed to graduate in Dec (last year). I came home finished with my class and had to wait 5 months to pick up with the next class when they got to the classes I missed. It was a nightmare and totally sucked but, I want this career and will do what I have to do to get there.

If you truly want it, you'll suck it up and go for it.

Again I don't mean this to sound harsh at all so don't take any offense.

[MPSoldier84]

Tiki, their argument is... IT SHOULDN'T be this way. Most people are going to suck it up and go for it. But you know what, their also most likely to burn out in the long run, give it up, and work for retail. This might be common in many places across the country, but in PA the way the Academy works is, no matter what. You will almost certainly lose.

The majority of the people who come out of it, go Part Time. Because a lot of police departments in this state (Especially my area) never heard of regionalizing. So the ammount of Full Time Police Jobs are slim to none.

Now Lackawanna College charged almost 5K to attend last I checked. And a part time police officer makes, around here, an average of 10-11 dollars an hour. He might get, we'll be generous, and say 24 hours a week with a dept. That's 264 bucks a week (13,728 a year). He'll also need to pay for most of his gear, uniforms, vest, gun, etc. So of course if he has a family he'll either work for another department, get the same hours, and probably pick up more uniforms. If he's lucky he's making 26k a year (2 jobs, 48 hours a week), doing the exact same duties as any other police officer. And he still has to pay for his gear, and his own benefits

Tack in the fact that a lot of places you need to know someone on their council to get in. In our county, there's something like 150 Full Time Police Jobs, and 450 Part Time Jobs. So your on a waiting list for a LOOONG time to get a Full Time job.

With the exception of most the states that surround us. Talk to people from other states, and see what it's like for them.

In my opinion, something needs to be done.

Im not trashing part timers, Im not trashing people who went through the ACT 120. Im sympathizing with them. Their getting screwed by the Commonwealth of PA, and we all need to say something. Whther your work for the State Game Commission, Fish and Boat Commission, State Police, LCE, a Big City Full Time, a small town Full Time, Part Time, Federal Police Officer, DCNR Park Ranger.... You have to agree, there needs to be a better way.

[LvNjPoles]

Tikidaddy no offense taken, but don’t count me out I’m in it for the long haul. No matter what it takes to get it I’ll do it. I am just saying how screwed up things are here in PA. I just barely made it by in college finically and I’m all tapped out. 5k is a lot of many for a recent grad and I’m working to get that money, but it would be amazing if I could get picked up by a dept that would send me through the academy.

Again no offense taken and no offense meant back. Good luck to you, thanks for your service and thanks for the input.

[JJS]

Your best bet to getting a job in PA is to not get a job in PA. I got my degree at IUP and applied to several places, but soon realized that I could go to Maryland get on with a good dept that pays more and I can retire in 20 years with 60%. Not to many places in PA have that kind of retirement. I turned down pittsburgh police and allegheny county police for a dept in maryland. Plus im only about a 3 hr drive from back home.

[dannmann1050]

MP..

I agree with you 100000000000%. Coming from another state in PA you quickly realize what a kick in the nuts this place gives.. I'm not going to re-invet the wheel since you have said everything I have bitched about since the day I got here and saw first hand how things are done. Knowing what I know now, and my love for "the job".. I would have NEVER moved to PA just because things are so F'd up. If anyone had 1/2 a braincell and wanted to be in "public service" go work for the school boards.. That's where the $$$ is... It's not in Police/Fire/EMS in this state...

[Steve in PA]

If your doing it for the money, then being a police officer is not the job for you.

Some states may pay more, but what is the cost of living? Great, you make 75-80k+, but the cheapest house is 200k+........

[LvNjPoles]

If your doing it for the money, then being a police officer is not the job for you.

Some states may pay more, but what is the cost of living? Great, you make 75-80k+, but the cheapest house is 200k+........

Cost of living in PA has gone up dramatically in the past 10 years while police salaries have stayed the same. The cheapest decent house is 200k, you can find a run down house in the city for less and repair it, if you want to live in an area that has a higher murder rate than NYC or you can commute up the mountain, been there done that. Mean while the average police salary is 36 – 38k. Most police officers are doing it for the money not for right now, but for retirement until they screw that up too if they didn’t already.

[MPSoldier84]

Granted working for a Police Dept. is not for the money. But people do need to pay their bills, and survive. A decent salary is rare to come by anymore.

[PAnarcagent]

How many cities in this state do you think actually still sponser you through the Academy? There's only one near me..


Harrisburg still sends recruits through the HACC academy, and over half of the local PD's in Dauphin County do as well. Most of Adams County consists of small departments, and they expect you to be already certified, except for one or two PD's in that county. Cumberland County is mixed, but over half of the PD's here will send you through the academy. You may have to move to find a PD willing to do it, but you can certainly find one.

[PAnarcagent]

PA isn't the only state that requires applicants to already be certified.

PA does not require applicants to be certified prior to getting hired. Where these requirements exist, it is due to the agency's decision, not MPOETC or any other state agency.

[PAnarcagent]

Thanks MPSoldier84 I will definitely look into those Federal Depts.



I live in a small town and that’s how it is they get paid 10 bucks and get one uniform and the rest is up to them.


e-man: You are good, plain and simple.


Part time PD jobs around my way pay 11-15 bucks an hour and yes, you pay for the firearm. The agencies provide uniforms, vests (in most cases) and all web gear.

[MPSoldier84]

Actually If I didn't get hired by the Federal Govt., DCNR was one of the routes I was looking into. It did seem like a good program. The State is hiring a bunch of Parole Agents too. If you have Corrections experience or a Bachelors, you can qualify.

[PAnarcagent]

I see six open positions on the state jobnet site.

Are you talking about those or are they hiring from the public as well?

You can also qualify without a degree if you have prior investigative experience. I didn't think they would count CO experience. A buddy of mine who has been a uniform cop for 8 years was shot down by them b/c he did not have a degree or investigative experience. He was a CO for two or three years prior to becoming a cop.

I was approached by one of their recruiters last year, before I had my degree, and he said that they would waive the degree requirement if you had three years of investigative experience. I thought about it, but opted not to apply, since the pay was pretty much what I make now and there was a good chance that I'd have to relocate.

[MPSoldier84]

That state civil service site said they can make up to 55k a year..

[PAnarcagent]

Well, yes and no. They make more than that when you factor in the automatic promotion to PO II. As a PO I, you start at 37K per year, and can make up to 54K per year in that pay grade (6), but you are only a PO I for six months, and then you are bumped up to a PO II. PO II's are in the next pay grade and start out at 41K and max out at 62K, after 20 years. After that, if you get promoted again, you get into supervisory positions. Most will retire as PO II's. It is not bad money at all, but just not enough to justify a move on my part.

[mykl00]

Hey LvNjPoles
In the Lehigh Valley- Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Whitehall, Richland Township, Bethlehem Township, will all hire without Act 120 and send you to most likely Allentown police academy, which is a great academy to attend. Allentown is testing again in April-ish to get a new list going. Word is 40+ more could be possibly retiring in the dept. by the end of '08. Also I heard Bethlehem is going to be testing soon as well, not sure when but i could find out.

[LvNjPoles]

Thanks mykl00, I’m always keeping an eye on those depts and a few others. I don’t know how often Bethlehem Twp hires, but they did hire this past year. If you could when you find out tell me a little more about Bethlehem City’s next testing. Allentown needs officers badly, but they don’t have the money especially with the big goof they did on the retirement contract. I don’t know about 40 officers maybe half that will retire and that will cost them even more. They have money from the feds to hire about 5 officers this year. Easton surprisingly hasn’t been in the news in a long time. I’ve been following their mishaps for three years, which is only a fraction of the equation. Whitehall Twp has its stereotypical officers and with my little experience with them it’s somewhat true. Richland Twp in Bucks County I know absolutely nothing about.

Thanks again and any help, suggestions or comments are welcomed.

[orlandofed5-0]

Richland does not send to the academy. Amtrak is hiring for the Philly area.

[mykl00]

In my academy class there was a guy who was hired by richland twp. and was being paid while there.

[nightman1701]

I was just hired by a big department in my area. I did however get my ACT 120 back in 04 but was never able to get hired at any department I applied for because they were looking for MPOETC certifed people. Even though I had my ACT 120 that still didn't matter. Most smaller departments don't want to take a chance and send you to take your exam and have you not pass it. My class from what they told us was one of the first classes not to take the certification exam after graduation. They said because it's only good for 2 years from the date of issue if you didn't find a job by then, then you were out of luck.

I tested for the department in my area last year and after a year I was picked up with the first round of hires. They were looking for ACT 120 certified first before before anyone without it. The next group of people hired they have sent to the academy. So there are some departments that will send you to get certified. Their hiring process was about the same has the states. This departments pays for all of our equipment and from what the cheif says they give us level 3A vests, new, and bought us new handguns to use.

I can feel everyones frustration with going through the academy and not getting hired anywhere you apply. I have a family so for me I took a F/T security managers position until I could get my foot in the door somewhere. That's the hardest thing. Once that happens you meet others and have more doors open. That is how alot of my friends started. It makes you made you spend close to 5 grand and not get in anywhere.

[pheonix24]

if you want to see a mayor drop over dead from a heart attack just mention the word regionalization ! LOL this area is horrific when it comes to that dirty little word

[derekpa]

LVNJPOLES,

The best advice I can give you is go out of state. Im from PA and love the place but relocating is for the best. I work in the DC area and made 55 my first year, the retirement is way better, more room for advancement, and the experience you will gain is great for you professionally. Trust me dont waste your time and education waiting for a full time job relocate if you dont like it you cans always move again. Also this whole cost of living situation may have been differant a few years ago but PA is getting expensive the salaries are not increasing and you will retire in twenty-five years at 50% with most local agencies.

[MPSoldier84]

Agreed, go work for PG County or Prince William County outside of D.C. Paid academies, decent salary (even for the cost of living.), and plenty of upward mobility. I sometimes consider the move, myself.

[tua]

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Hey guys I'm new to the forum and have a quick question about my polygraph I took a couple of weeks ago for the PA State Police. The session was very short and we only went through the questions once and the polygrapher said I showed a slight reaction to one question and asked me if I was holding anything back. Being that I was telling the truth I told him that I had revealed everything in my history fully. He then said he'll look at my charts again but said he will not re-test me that day because he didn't think I was being deceptive. I'm just anxious and want to know and any thoughts on how you think I did would be helpful.

[Gil]

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Hey guys I'm new to the forum and have a quick question about my polygraph I took a couple of weeks ago for the PA State Police. The session was very short and we only went through the questions once and the polygrapher said I showed a slight reaction to one question and asked me if I was holding anything back. Being that I was telling the truth I told him that I had revealed everything in my history fully. He then said he'll look at my charts again but said he will not re-test me that day because he didn't think I was being deceptive. I'm just anxious and want to know and any thoughts on how you think I did would be helpful.

Tua,

I was in a similar situation on the poly there, and was accused of "holding out". I ended up not getting on, so I'm probably not the best person to ask. Nonetheless, since I did go through some of the process, I at least wanted to share.

When he meant "that day", does this imply that you will be re-tested? If not, then your results will more than likely be sent to Harrisburg for review. Don't get anxious or sweat it and just let things happen.

[tua]

BY 'that day" I meant that he said he gives people a re-test then and there when there results are questionable. He said he'd look at mine and call me back in to do another test. I figured my results were not as bad as he expected because I never got a call. He didn't accuse me of holding back he just said he could tell I was nervous from start to end. Also, do you remember how long it took for them to get back to you????

[Gil]

BY 'that day" I meant that he said he gives people a re-test then and there when there results are questionable. He said he'd look at mine and call me back in to do another test. I figured my results were not as bad as he expected because I never got a call. He didn't accuse me of holding back he just said he could tell I was nervous from start to end. Also, do you remember how long it took for them to get back to you????

Tua, to the best of my recollection, I believe it was about a month. I got a letter then stating I was out of the process. I took the re-test, and maybe that's what killed me..who knows? It was disappointing since I wanted it so bad, but looking back, I'm not broken up about it since my life is headed in a whole different direction now. Nonetheless, it was a valuable experience since I met some great people who also went through the process and I learned quite a bit.

As for you, just keep the faith and as I mentioned earlier, don't sweat it or lose sleep. Things will happen the way they were meant to. Also, you could hear something a lot sooner, especially since you did not re-test. Good luck with the rest of the steps and I hope you get on board there.

[tua]

Thanks Gil I appreciate your responses and advice good luck to yourself