<p>I'm a junior at a liberal arts college. I have always wanted to go to med school, but I have been considering joining the Peace Corps after graduation. I am double majoring in biochem and French and have a perfect GPA thus far. Everyone keeps telling me that it makes no sense to join the Peace Corps before med school as I would be more useful if I waited until I had an MD and then did programs like Doctors Without Borders. But I really, really feel like I need a break from the academics. I am so worn out (thankfully I will be done with all my major courses this spring). I want to do something productive and I haven't found anything to do during a gap year that I think I would enjoy. I do not have the money to study abroad or to move three to four hours away to a bigger city in order to get a year long internship. </p>
<p>I feel discontent with my life right now and I think it would be a good opporunity to get away and do something meaningful. However, I have heard that the Peace Corps only admits about a third of applicants. I read that the average age was 28, but I would only be 21 when I applied and 22-24 during my time of service. </p>
<p>Here are somethings about myself:
I have a lot of volunteer hours at youth centers and places like the YMCA.
I also have other various volunteer hours from a range of different things.
This is my fourth semester as a college tutor and I plan to continue tutoring next year.
I have a perfect GPA so far.
I will graduate with honors in French (honors in biochem is not offered.)
I am proficient in Italian and lived in Italy as a kid - probably won't matter since it's not a language needed in the PC.
I also have shadowing experience in the hospital.
I have applied for several local short internships this summer, so hopefully I will get one.
I participate in several extracurricular activities on campus.</p>
<p>I just not sure I'm what they want. I have no interest in forestry or agriculture, but am not sure I qualify to do eduation or health. As you can see, I am mostly an academic. I really want to do this and have thought about it extensively, but I am not sure how competitive I would be. Any advice from previous volunteers or anyone that knows PC volunteers would be great.</p>
<p>Yes, you can join the Peace Corps out of college. I think you have a good plan in terms of taking a break in between your undergraduate work and potential medical school applications. You don’t need to rush into it - the need for doctors isn’t going away anytime soon.</p>
<p>I applied to the PC right after the military, but withdrew shortly after becuase I decided to take a job offer and go to school first.</p>
<p>As long as you’re medically sound (mental and physical), then it sounds like you should no troubles applying - especially being fluent in French. Just know however, that PC commitments are 2 years after you have completed some training, which could take a few months or longer depending on what job you’ll be doing and where you’ll be going. Only under extremely special circumstances do they allow for less than two years in country, from what I hear. The PC goes through a great deal to lock in their applicants and set up to have them trained and sent away so they like to see their members stay long enough to make it worth it to them.</p>
<p>They actually have some really good info on their website if you’ve not checked it out yet. Is there a planned PC event coming to your campus soon? Usually on campuses right after the holidays, PC send returned volunteers to do informational events for prospective graduates in case they are considering applying. Maybe you can check you school’s career center. Otherwise, you should be able to contact PC through their website if you have any other questions - but yeah, if you’re willing to commit 2 years, then PC sounds like an option.</p>
<p>From what I’ve read about Peace Corps (I’m a high school senior getting way ahead of myself and planning on joining after graduating college), the reason the Peace Corps only admits 1 in 3 is because really about 1 in 3 actually finish the application. The application is long and tedious, apparently, taking up to a year (it’s good to start applying as a senior in college), and a lot of people lose the motivation to finish it. As long as you’ve got a college degree (or you’re about to graduate with one), you’re mentally and physically sound, and you finish the application process, practically the only reason Peace Corps will turn you away is if you don’t have enough volunteer experience, and that doesn’t appear to be a problem for you. The French really helps, and even the Italian as well - they like to see that you have made an effort learning a foreign language, since you’ll have to learn one while serving. However, one mistake I hear about again and again with people applying to Peace Corps is trying to have some decision over the country you are sent to or the sector you work in. Your college major and your French experience can influence those things, but not always. You could end up teaching English as a second language in Bulgaria. It simply depends on what Peace Corps needs at the time. You just have to go with whatever they offer you, or you risk making the application process a lot longer and a lot more difficult. And finally, you do have to keep in mind that it’s 27 months of your life. Generally three months of training, and then two years serving in what will likely be a tiny village in the middle of nowhere. It’s difficult, but rewarding.</p>
<p>It sounds as if you are an excellent candidate for the Peace Corps. My daughter is currently serving in Africa–she left right after graduating from college. I know of a number of volunteers who applied to Medical School during their service, and started once they returned to the U.S.A. Many of the Peace Corps Volunteers are in their early 20’s–and then there is a group that are in their 60’s and are retired. Most of the work is done in education or health services, and they have had no more education in those fields than you seem to have. It is wonderful training for a compassionate person who wants to go into the medical field. During their service, there are opportunities in their countries for the volunteers to take MCAT, GMAT, GRE, LSAT and other tests necessary into get into various post-degree programs, and I know of volunteers who have come home for a visit to go on interviews for Medical School. It is a life-changing experience and is not for everyone–but for those that really want to make a positive difference in the world, it is a great opportunity.</p>