2020 PHAP (CDC's Public Health Associate Program)

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Got the same email as the above two. Bummed I didn't get the chance. But good luck to everyone who's made it to the next round!!! I think this will be a very exciting period for public health.

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Hi all! I just received two emails regarding PHAP. One saying I am "tentatively eligible for this series/grade combination based on your self-rating of your qualifications." Another saying I "have not been referred to the hiring manager for position." Has anyone else gotten these also? Does this mean I am not moving on to the next round? Thank you!
Got it as well :'(
 
Hey, did anyone else receive an email saying that the notice of referral was sent in error?
 
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Hi all, I also got an email earlier stating my application was not referred. I just received another email stating that this was an error. Maybe this is the case for you all as well?
 
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Hi all, I also got an email earlier stating my application was not referred. I just received another email stating that this was an error. Maybe this is the case for you all as well?

Yup, I got that too. I’m sure the CDC is very backlogged right now... stay healthy, everyone!
 
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I received the "not referred" e-mail, then received the "in error" e-mail, but the status of my application on USA JOBS still says not referred. Anyone else in the same boat?
 
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I’m in the same boat! Does that mean we did get referred or are they still in the process of figuring that out? I’m confused. I’m sure they are backed up at the moment though!

I received the "not referred" e-mail, then received the "in error" e-mail, but the status of my application on USA JOBS still says not referred. Anyone else in the same boat?
 
I’m in the same boat! Does that mean we did get referred or are they still in the process of figuring that out? I’m confused. I’m sure they are backed up at the moment though!
I'm confused as well! I don't want to bother them with calls so I'm just going to wait it out. I'm assuming since I received that "in error" e-mail it means something, and it stated that they will keep us posted on the selection process.
 
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I got the same 3 emails! Before I got the last one regarding the error, I called PHAP and they said there was some error with emails being sent out. They advised me to send them screenshots of the emails I got, and soon after, I got the "in error" email. I guess we'll have to wait and see...
 
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Hi all! I just received two emails regarding PHAP. One saying I am "tentatively eligible for this series/grade combination based on your self-rating of your qualifications." Another saying I "have not been referred to the hiring manager for position." Has anyone else gotten these also? Does this mean I am not moving on to the next round? Thank you!

I also received the same two email updates. Later in the day, OPM issued an updated email to me stating it was sent in error. Hopefully, you received it as well.
 
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I received that as well. I called and was told that first a computer system determines if you’re eligible then a person determines that. Therefore you have not been moved to the next round.
I received that as well. I called and was told that first a computer system determines if you’re eligible then a person determines that. Therefore you have not been moved to the next round.
Hi there, I got the email as well yesterday morning then I got another email in the afternoon saying that the email was sent out in error and I am still in consideration for the position!
 
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I am still hearing from the PHAP program. This board seems to have come to a halt. Does anyone have any updates? Stay vigilant! Stay 2 meters away! Stay healthy!
 
I am still hearing from the PHAP program. This board seems to have come to a halt. Does anyone have any updates? Stay vigilant! Stay 2 meters away! Stay healthy!

You’ve heard back about interviews?


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You’ve heard back about interviews?


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So, I am curious, is this forum specifically for the MS/MPH and above or does it include BS/BA PH as well? Yes, I am waiting for my personal statement info and interview schedule.

Edit: Added MPH
 
Does anyone’s USA Jobs account still say not referred after receiving the error email? Not sure if I should send an email.

Thanks!
 
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Does anyone’s USA Jobs account still say not referred after receiving the error email? Not sure if I should send an email.

Thanks!
I have not heard anything back since they sent out the error e-mails. My application status still says not referred as well.
 
I have not heard anything back since they sent out the error e-mails. My application status still says not referred as well.

Same for me. The site says that host apps open the first of April so maybe then? From the people I know that have done it you’re given 4 days for the person statement so hopeful well get an update tomorrow.


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So are we all on the same page in terms of the "not referred" listing on the website after receiving those emails?
 
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Yes, I’m just not sure if I should send an email to let them know? I’m sure they are backed up right now so I also don’t want to bother with an email if they are working on it :/

So are we all on the same page in terms of the "not referred" listing on the website after receiving those emails?
 
So are we all on the same page in terms of the "not referred" listing on the website after receiving those emails?

I did some research and it appears that it’s just something that happens with USAjobs sometimes. It’s like a government “Indeed” almost. There’s just flaws in the system but sometimes it’s doesn’t fully indicate your status. I’d just keep an eye out for an email

Source: r/usajobs - Not referred...but got interview


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My USAJobs profile also still says Not Referred for PHAP. I emailed HR on March 17 (wow, seems so long ago now) and this was the reply I received:

In response to your inquiry, we are providing the following:

Good afternoon ,

Please be advised of the following:

The first email is a self-assessment which states the you were eligible based on your own self-assessment.
The second notification is where the HR Specialist did not refer you.
The third notification is letting you know that the notification was sent in error.
The fourth notification is what is being displayed when you log into the system. The HR Staffing Specialist is still working to make corrections and will be sending out the notifications advising applicants if they have been referred or not.

Thank you for contacting The Human Resources Office.
 
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Hello. I know I am a little late to this thread. I applied to the 2020 phap program and received the same three emails (one saying I am eligible, the second one that saying I was not referred, and the third one saying the second email was sent in error and that I am still in consideration for the program. ) Did anyone receive any updates about this?
 
Got all 3 emails you all mentioned.
I just got the invitation to write the essay just now - 8:52 pm Chicago time (CT).
Good luck to everyone!
 
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Got all 3 emails you all mentioned.
I just got the invitation to write the essay just now - 8:52 pm Chicago time (CT).
Good luck to everyone!

Congrats , same here !!! Good luck with the remainder of the selection process.


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Got all 3 emails you all mentioned.
I just got the invitation to write the essay just now - 8:52 pm Chicago time (CT).
Good luck to everyone!
Congrats!! I'm still anxiously waiting. Anyone on the west coast heard any good news?
 
I did not receive the invitation for the essay. Congrats to those who moved on to the next round! I hope others are not discouraged and take this opportunity to pursue graduate school and other amazing opportunities.
 
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Hi! I received the invitation yesterday at 6:55pm (PST) but I’m hopeful they’re still being sent out!
Congrats!! I'm still anxiously waiting. Anyone on the west coast heard any good news?
 
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Hey everyone, congrats to those of you who have received an invitation so far to the essay. I had also received the 3 emails a few weeks ago and currently hoping I will receive an invitation to the essay. Good luck to everyone!
 
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I have submitted my personal statement and completed the required forms. The emails went out Tuesday, mine at 1850. The eFMS log in site had some issues, and it opened for me about 3 hours after the stated opening time. Perhaps, if there is a high volume of applicants, there is a delay in notifications? Eyes forward and good luck to all.
 
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Congrats to those who received the invitation for personal statement! I haven't received the invitation yet. USAJOB still saying I'm not being referred doesn't help haha... For those who are still waiting, how are you guys dealing with the anxiety, especially during this unprecedented time with added sense of uncertainty about the future?
 
Congrats to those who received the invitation for personal statement! I haven't received the invitation yet. USAJOB still saying I'm not being referred doesn't help haha... For those who are still waiting, how are you guys dealing with the anxiety, especially during this unprecedented time with added sense of uncertainty about the future?
I'm in the same boat as you so I won't be able to offer much help :( However, I'm just trying to stay preoccupied with school and job applications and not try to overthink about what's ahead. Best wishes to you, stay healthy!
 
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Congrats to those who received the invitation for personal statement! I haven't received the invitation yet. USAJOB still saying I'm not being referred doesn't help haha... For those who are still waiting, how are you guys dealing with the anxiety, especially during this unprecedented time with added sense of uncertainty about the future?
I am also in your same shoes right now! By the way, I had contacted the CDC about that because I was confused why it said I was still not referred despite receiving the error email and the woman had told me not to pay attention to USAjobs! So that is somewhat helpful! I have so much stress surrounding this process, as this fellowship is something that I want with my whole entire being. I’m currently still in my undergrad program (senior year!) so I’m busy with my last set of classes. I’ve been taking a lot of walks and reaching out to my professors and people I am close with to talk about the current situation of the world and the fellowship (or next steps for my future). I’m very hopeful we will hear something very soon and good luck!
 
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Would anyone happen to know if it's okay to use acronyms in our personal statement if we define it once in the beginning?

Thank you!
 
Would anyone happen to know if it's okay to use acronyms in our personal statement if we define it once in the beginning?

Thank you!

I did. Frankly, if the question on the personal statement itself uses one, say PHAP, I treat it like I would a research paper. The first time I spell out Public Health Associate Program and then (PHAP).The same for CDC, DHS and other programs or organizations. I use the format of the official questionnaire as a guide of acceptability.
 
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Has anyone heard anything else about personal statements? As I have said previously, in previous forums people have said they send them out in batches. Or has anyone spoken to HR about it?
 
Has anyone heard anything else about personal statements? As I have said previously, in previous forums people have said they send them out in batches. Or has anyone spoken to HR about it?

Other than the deadline being extended to 09 April, I have heard nothing new. While the deadline for those accepted to move on has been extended, I have no idea if those not yet notified were accepted or not, if those who received these emails about errors were corrected or not, or if there are exceptions. The window for personal statements closes at 'Thursday, April 9 at 11:59pm Eastern time" as per the email I received this morning.

JD
 
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This morning (10 April) I received an email informing those who may have received a previous email about being a non-referral, to disregard that email, that you may actually have been accepted to move on.

Now, I bring this up because theoretically,
  1. If you are one of those who received such an email (non-referred) but are now being referred due to an error, you should be receiving the same email I just received.
  2. The deadline was extended due to this error, so those who have been re-accepted may have some more time to get the personal statement in
  3. This new deadline is now 12 April 2020 11:59 pm (2359) Eastern time
I was already accepted to move on and this is the first email of this sort I had received, so for me, it is a disregard. BUT for anyone still keeping up, check your email, check your spam, check your USAJOBS status.

Heads up!
JD
edited for clarity
 
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Hi all, I just received that same email mentioned above. Please check your emails and spam! It looks like there were those selected to move on that were unaware so they extended the deadline.
 
Hi. I got the email as well even though I already moved to the next round. For anyone who moved to the next round, did your status change in USAjobs?
 
Hi. I got the email as well even though I already moved to the next round. For anyone who moved to the next round, did your status change in USAjobs?

My status still says “not referred” but someone had called HR and they said to not pay attention USAJOBS and just look out for the CDC PHAP emails.
 
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Hi. I got the email as well even though I already moved to the next round. For anyone who moved to the next round, did your status change in USAjobs?

I moved on as well. So at this point, the personal statement is submitted along with the other section. My application process on USAJobs is still green and the Application package Process still just says Referred. I don't know if that will change as you progress. I am going to follow emails from this point on. I do wonder if this process is handled by eFMS now.

While writing this, another duplicate email, stating the error just arrived in my inbox. So check those emails folks!

Keep on Keepin on,
JD

Edit: Corrected grammar
 
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I got the 3 emails thing, the last message being the one that said I’m still being considered but nothing after that. Is anyone else in this position? I’m unsure of where I stand and I should just consider this as a “no”.


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I got the 3 emails thing, the last message being the one that said I’m still being considered but nothing after that. Is anyone else in this position? I’m unsure of where I stand and I should just consider this as a “no”.


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Please check your spam emails, it seems there has been a lot of confusion from this. I also got all those email and the email about the personal statement. I received another email today stating that problem, so they have extended until Sunday.


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Please check your spam emails, it seems there has been a lot of confusion from this. I also got all those email and the email about the personal statement. I received another email today stating that problem, so they have extended until Sunday.


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Thank you! Still nothing :/. I sent HR an email so hopefully they’ll get back to me with some answers.


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I moved on as well. So at this point, the personal statement is submitted along with the other section. My application process on USAJobs is still green and the Application package Process still just says Referred. I don't know if that will change as you progress. I am going to follow emails from this point on. I do wonder if this process is handled by eFMS now.

While writing this, another duplicate email, stating the error just arrived in my inbox. So check those emails folks!

Keep on Keepin on,
JD

Edit: Corrected grammar

The other section meaning the candidate profile? And I received the duplicate as well.
 
The other section meaning the candidate profile? And I received the duplicate as well.

Yes, the candidate profile. I should have been more specific. While all of this referred / not referred stuff was going on, I had no idea what anyone was talking about. Now we ALL seem to be getting updated emails regardless of our acceptance, form completions, etc or not.

JD
 
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Yes, the candidate profile. I should have been more specific. While all of this referred / not referred stuff was going on, I had no idea what anyone was talking about. Now we ALL seem to be getting updated emails regardless of our acceptance, form completions, etc or not.

JD
Ok. Thank you
 
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