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Is the Foreign Service Academy really selective and hard (ivy league hard) to get in?

Planning to be a diplomat but I would like to know if I will have to have a really amazing resume or is the academy only take testing scores. Something I would like to know before I am dead set on being a diplomat. #government #diplomat #foreign-service

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Michelle’s Answer

Hi! I'm a U.S. Foreign Service Officer and am happy to answer any of your questions. In order to become a Foreign Service generalist, you have to pass the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT). There are no other requirements. Check out the State Department's website (www.state.gov) where you can learn about the different career paths within the State Department -- there are generalists, specialists, consular fellows, etc. If you would like to become a Foreign Service Officer (generalist) , you might as well try your hand at the test. It's a rigorous, multi-step process, but the Department is looking for officers from different backgrounds and experiences.

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Gregory’s Answer

I am currently serving as a Foreign Service Officer and I agree with David that the test is challenging but don't let that discourage you for a few reasons.

One is that there is no resume portion of the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT). So don't worry about if your school has the right pedigree. It does.

Two is that the test is free and no one cares how often you take it. Most of my colleagues have failed the test at least once before they passed it. Some have failed several times. No one keeps track of how many times you fail it, so just tell people you only failed once on the day you raise your hand to take the oath.

Three is that the Foreign Service is looking for people who know how to think, make decision, and can figure things out quickly. The job is incredibly diverse and you are constantly thrown into new situations in new environments. You have to deal with new people from different cultures and you have to get things done. That's what the FSOT is really testing.

So my advice is, take the test, even if you are not sure about being a Foreign Service Officer (its not like you have to decide right away, the entire process will take at least several months and more likely up to two years). You will learn about the Foreign Service in the process and probably learn a bit about yourself too.

Good luck!
Greg
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Katie’s Answer

Patrick is correct. Your great credentials will help, but they won't automatically get you a job in the Foreign Service. You have to take the Foreign Service Officers Test. You can look that up online and see variations of it that will give you a good idea of what you should study. The FSOT hires folks to be generalists in the FS. The State Department also hires folks who are specialists in a variety of positions too. Let's say you want to study IT and are thinking that the FS is the job for you. There is a specialty for that. You should check out the State Department's website on careers: https://careers.state.gov/. It is very informative about the different options for entering the FS. While I never served as FS I did serve as Civil Service with the DOS and I can tell you it does get hard on your family moving so much and yourself. There is a lot to consider when thinking about the FS. Many colleges have Diplomats in Residence. If you are already in college look too see if you have a DIR in your area. That way you can ask them directly about their experience and get some more information about the FSOT from them.

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David’s Answer

Thanks for your question, Lindsay. As a former U.S. diplomat, I can tell you that yes -- the Foreign Service Officer exam is difficult, and the pass rate is quite low. But it is difficult in a fairly unique way: The State Department is not really looking for an expert in any particular area when it screens for potential diplomats. Instead, it is looking for people who are curious and self-motivated to learn about almost anything.


Let me give you two examples from my test experience: On the written exam, I had questions on a lot of predictable topics (foreign policy, government, economics, history, and English comprehension), but I also had questions touching upon early 19th century Russian literature, late 19th century urban architecture, business management theory, and three questions on modern dance (!). Seriously.


The point I would like to get across here is that I didn't need to be an expert in any of these areas. Rather, U.S. Foreign Service Officers need to be generalists; that is to say, people that are open, curious, and confident, and willing to carry those character traits to anywhere in the world, at any time, to do just about anything. The State Department will teach you specific necessary skills and languages, support you in your missions, and even tell you exactly what to say to foreign officials. What it can't do is make you a broadly interested -- and thus, broadly interesting -- person. The Department has to FIND those people. That's what the test is looking for. The scenario I encourage you to consider would be: Could our government teach you a foreign language, tell you six specific things to say and three to listen for, brief you on social customs, and then drop you off at a black-tie reception for 500 people you've never met before...and come pick you up three hours later confident that almost everyone of those people would say, "Hey, that Lindsay -- she was great! I'm really looking forward to talking with her again!" Could you achieve the same outcome after eating roasted goat in the Hindu Kush with fifty Taliban supporters? If so, we need you to become a diplomat. It is ALL about communication. And communicating with people more than once.


Why would people talk with you? Because you're interesting. You know about foreign policy...but you also know a little bit about Russian literature, architecture, fly-fishing, poker, antique cars, insect biology -- heck, even modern dance. And because you're so obviously interested in THEM, and in what they find interesting. That's it.


Sorry for the long answer. If you are still reading, I will close with the best advice I ever heard about taking the test: Pick a good "national" newspaper and read EVERY word of EVERY article in EVERY section EVERY day for one year. Worst case scenario: You'll learn about things you never thought of before. Best case: The FSO test will be merely an interesting little challenge on the way to a pretty terrific career.


Good luck!


Dave Fetter

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Ken’s Answer

From what I've seen it is very selective, but you don't need an ivy league degree to get in. The main thing will be passing a difficult test- the Foreign Service Officer Test. Also keep in mind that you can always attend a prestigious graduate school and get a master's degree in international relations, regardless of where you go for undergrad.

Ken recommends the following next steps:

Language skills are incredible important if you want to be an FSO-- I'd recommend getting started immediately learning one of the languages that give you bonus points (Arabic, Mandarin, Hindi, Korean..) https://careers.state.gov/faq-items/language-bonus-points/
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Charvey Chhang’s Answer


Hi Lindsay!

The US FSOT is a formidable and rigorous testing; daunting, but NOT impossible. **Time management regarding studying is absolute key.***

Below was/is my experience(s.) Feel free to message me further if you'd like!

First, understand all of the moving parts when registration(s): career modalities etc...
THEN carefully schedule your test-day. IDEALLY, with as much time in between yourself and test-day, as humanly possible.



Understand The Dept. of States isn’t hurting for recruits, YET they're not terribly attracted w/newly inexperienced** undergrad incumbents either ... YIKES, and my apologies, but it was time to rip the bandaid off!


Lindsay, like any/all competitive schools/jobs/institutions -- they're in the market for outliers.** Differentiate yourself in exercising critical thinking, strategic, pragmatic, and yes even social skills: master (better yet, seek to master a highly sought after language) AND its closest
cousin language. For Ex. Spanish: French ... French: Dutch ...> German etc

Test scores will only show so much; PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE get in as much experience under your belt!

Remember an internships is NOT your option! When pursuing a diplomatic career/role, get creative and make this experience one of your making own; embrace and expand out of your comfort zones.



Your modus operandi? Be an indispensable asset/leader to your team/mission/vision/goals:
A. Get in touch with a resident Diplomat who's currently stationed stateside, AND build a mentor/mentee relationship
B. Contact your local Honorary/Consul General, should you want to truly immerse yourself --
C. NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING beats an "experienced candidate", from directly within a US recognized [foreign] government entities.
D. Find your natural "blind spots," take your time for general self-awareness/assessment; asking for help -- I promise would earn one greater respect, than a reputation associated with an avoidable mishap



Most importantly, make sure you’re in it for YOUR right reasons! Your time spent and the experiences/comradeships earned is truly amazing. This is a life changing experience, no matter how you roll the dice.

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ROGER’s Answer

Being a diplomat results of years of experiences. Be motivated and focused on your goals and everything would be okay. Do a lot of research while being at school, do internships to help you understand international relationships and how to choose your final department.
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Ruth’s Answer

Yes

Savings

Ruth recommends the following next steps:

Savings
Masters
Job
Volunteering
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Patrick’s Answer

Hi, I was a Career Diplomat in Belgium for 13 years. I passed the diplomatic exam, which is arguably one of the hardest government exams you can take in Belgium. The system is probably a little different in the US, but not all that much. You don't have to be Ivy League, but your interests and knowledge base should be quite broad: international politics, economics (in particular related to trade), history, international affairs.  I studied Philosophy (masters) and then did a postgraduate degree in international and EU affairs. I didn't have to attend any fancy universities. For the Belgian Foreign Service you need to master French, English and Dutch. I'm sure the US Foreign Service also values knowledge of a second language.   Do ask yourself why you want to become a Diplomat though and make sure your expectations can be met in reality.  It's not an easy life, especially not when you're not single anymore.  Also, as you proceed in the career, you may find that it's not hard work that is rewarded, but political connections and influence. Think about your values and about how you will feel in such an environment. I truly enjoyed this career, but made the switch to the private sector 4 years ago and I have never looked back with regret.

Patrick recommends the following next steps:

Ask the State Department about preparing for the Foreign Service. Try to get in touch with a US diplomat who can tell you how things work.
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Josh’s Answer

Becoming part of the Foreign Service Corp is largely based on your profile as an internationally minded person with experience living/studying/working in foreign locations. Also, foreign language is really advantageous. You'll go through a battery of tests to identify your capacity for the service. Once in the program you'll choose a track to base your career on (Political, Trade, Visa). Most of all, be well rounded and well read. The rest takes care of itself.
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