How difficult is it to join the Peace Corps?

How difficult is it to join the Peace Corps?

• Just wondering what my chances are if I applied. I do have a college degree, and graduated in 3 years with a BS in Business Administration almost a year ago. I'm also a very healthy, active guy and competed in track and field and rugby during college. I'm currently working 2 jobs putting in a lot of hours, but can't say I'm particularly happy and looking for something a little more satisfying and adventurous. Currently done some preliminary research in volunteer work, and am interested in peace corps, just don't know how difficult it is to join. Do you think I would stand a chance just on that basic info, I've given? Thanks

• Answer:

  If you are persistent, it is incredibly easy to get in. You meet the key factors: college degree, relatively healthy and a track record of community service. People quote the accurate stats that say three our of four people who apply don't serve, but they forget to mention why: the yearlong application process is a PITA. In the amount of time that passes from when you fill out the application to when you receive your invite, many people make other choices. They find good jobs, meet significant others or just move on. Really, IF you are persistent and wish to serve, so long as you meet the medical and legal clearances, you will serve. It is more competitive now, yes (and to see what PC recommends, which is basically a college degree, community service and possibly two years in French, Spanish or Portuguese - but not really - go to the PC web site and put "'competitive candidate' in the search box), but basically people aren't told "no" flat out. Sometimes they're told "get some more community service" or "brush up on your Spanish" but if you are motivated to serve -- provided you pass those clearances -- you will receive an invitation. It might be two years after you first apply, but if you stick with it, you'll serve. I would caution you that it's not "'satisfying and adventurous" for all, though. Many times, it's unfulfilling (mostly because it's hard to get people in site to follow through) and downright boring. One of my colleagues, who left after a year of service out of frustration, had read over 100 books by the time she left. She couldn't convince people she wasn't there to hand out money and couldn't motivate them to help themselves. There's a good book called So You Want to Join Peace Corps - What to Know Before You Go. Get your hands on it and read it a couple of times. It's incredibly accurate. Also talk to a lot of RPCVs -- ask around in your area. When you sit and talk with people, you get more straight answers about what it's like. Although a ton of RPCVs have written books on the subject, the market demands the feel-good stories so the info is somewhat filtered. There's objective stuff out there; you just have to hunt for it. You can also read a lot of blogs by PCVs. www.peacecorpsjournals.com is a good index. Keep in mine, though, that they're often filtered. In some countries, the PC bosses must approve of the posts before they're out there. Good luck