<p>My older son graduates from college this spring and is considering joining the Peace Corps before graduate school. He (and I) have already explored their web site and are talking to people who did it, so we're getting information through the traditional channels. I thought some folks on this site might have information as well. </p>
<p>I do have one specific question: Is it terribly competitive to be accepted? He's a great kid, has gone to a very decent school and has very decent grades, has done a lot of volunteer work, and has appropriate interests for the Peace Corps. I'm concerned, however, that he's going to have to demonstrate all sorts of superior talents in order to get in. Is that the case, or do they simply take really good people who apply??</p>
<p>Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) here. Don't worry. As I recall (from 80's) we needed a lot of references--8 I believe (2 work, 2 academic and 4 personal?) We had a couple interviews, and a three-day stateside "conference" that was mostly a psychological and social assessment. A few people (less than 10%) didn't pass that portion--for very obvious reasons (alcohol abuse, suspected mental illness, inability to work with others in groups). IMO, PC wants people who are flexible and resourceful, culturally sensitive, and willing to work hard for minimal pay. PC has long been a haven for liberal arts graduates as a break before grad school--I don't think that has changed much, although I hear they are looking for more particular skill sets for some jobs these days. Short answer: not that competitive. PM me if you want more details about my experience.</p>
<p>Where were you posted? What did you do? What kind of training and preparation did you receive? What kind of support did you have? Were there other Americans (or, at least, Westerners) near you? Did you get to travel around the area, or were you pretty much in one location? Did you have the opportunity to travel before and after your "tour"? (Enough, already!!)</p>
<p>A friend decided to join the Peace Corps after grad school and was a PCV around 2000-2002 (I don't remember the actual dates). After she was left stranded in Zimbabwe during her first assignment (around the time Mugabe incited violence there) and then again in Belize during her second (after a catastrophic hurricane wiped out many areas), I did some searching on the web and found this</a> series of articles about the PC. </p>
<p>The stories on that page aren't necessarily the norm, but I think it's important to realize that PCVs in certain countries find themselves in very unsafe conditions.</p>
<p>To "log in" to the website I linked to, use the email <a href="mailto:wongfu@wayoh.com">wongfu@wayoh.com</a> and password 1234 (I got that off bugmenot.com, which gives you logins for sites when you don't want to sign up with your own info).</p>
<p>Dean J--I am quite familiar with that series of articles about the lack of safety in PC (done by my hometown newspaper). Yes, I agree that safety can be a big issue. Although PC was a good experience for me, I would hesitate to recommend it to young single women because of the safety(and some of this comes down to cultural/sexual differences) issues. I think PC is more aware of these issues now, but there is no way of controlling everything that goes on in remote corners of third-world countries. Volunteers have to be "street-smart." I taught in a junior high in Botswana in the mid 80s. I'll PM VH other comments.</p>
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<li><p>first, check this thread out:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=249759%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=249759</a>
Although the Peace Corps subject is not the same as yours, I believe there are a few posters related to PC volunteers, so you may want to PM them.</p></li>
<li><p>second, my sister did 2-2.5 yr tour in the PC in the 80's....Sierra Leone, West Africa just north of Liberia. She absolutely loved it, and in fact came back, got her masters & became a PC trainer for 5 or 6 more years. 3rd world is definitely not for all, though, and her experience, like many volunteers I am sure, was rough at times. I have met many of my sister's PC friends over the years...all very good people of strong character....I am hoping that one or more of my kids will want to volunteer one day.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Two good friends in the PC in the mid-90s - 1 in Kenya, 1 in Malawi. Both had great experiences. Pcers are generally posted together somewhat (as in, you're close enough to another American to occasionally socialize with. Both were guys, if that makes a difference.</p>
<p>I would say that it goes without saying (if that makes any sense) that if you are posted in a developing country for 2 years, there is a chance you take in the political situation changing. Most of these countries are developing still because of political upheaval. However, you can, I believe, state regional preferences.</p>