<p>[I posted this on the engineering board, but I think this could go here too]</p>
<p>Would joining and completing service in the Peace Corp improve one's chances of getting in to a good engineering grad school -- of course with acceptable grades and GRE scores. Would service in the Peace Corps put your application above other applicants with similar stats -- in any engineering subject, EE, ME, or (as for me) CS? </p>
<p>I've been thinking about joining the Peace Corp before applying for graduate school, and I'm wondering if it would give me an extra edge to acceptance committees? I know it's not something engineering students often do. Law students are more known for joining to improve their chances for post-undergraduate studies. But I've heard Reed Hastings, founder and CEO of Netflix, did the Peace Corps before being accepted into Stanford's graduate CS department. They do have engineering related jobs in the PC, Hastings taught math in Swaziland, and I've found they have IT related jobs where you setup computers for emerging businesses and/or governments.</p>
<p>Anyone have any experience with this, or any insights/wisdom/thoughts would be helpful.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Grades, statement of purpose and research experience are the key ingredients to admission to grad school in a STEM field.
This will do very little to your application one way or the other- unless you are indicating a desire to spend your life as an engineer devoted to something related to third world agenda, etc.</p>
<p>I think it more likely that you work for
[Engineers</a> Without Borders - Home](<a href=“http://www.ewb-usa.org/]Engineers”>http://www.ewb-usa.org/)</p>
<p>to demonstrate some awareness of what you can/did with your engineering expertise.</p>
<p>I agree with @mom2012and14, make sure that what you do in your gap year uses your engineering education. not only will it keep you sharp but it may help you focus in on what kind of graduate program you wish to pursue.</p>
<p>Thanks mom2012and14 and xraymancs. </p>
<p>The real reason I want to join the Peace Corp is just because I’m dreading spending several more year wasting away studying in a library all the time. The Peace Corp gives me the opportunity to add something a little more interest to my life than just non-stop working, even if it can’t help me with a career in engineering. I think helping others and traveling to a foreign country is worth a few years lost in studying and working.</p>
<p>I think I’ll try joining the EWB and maybe I can work something out with them to do something more engineering related in a foreign country, or something in conjunction with the Peace Corp with where ever I end up. Though, even if I can’t, I’ll probably still join up.</p>
<p>Thanks again guys.</p>
<p>I admire your determination! Good luck.</p>
<p>Hey, just read this post because I’m interested in engineering grad school and the peace corps. There are programs with various engineering schools where you would spend a year or so doing grad school work, go to the peace corps for two years, and then come back and present your research for a masters degree.
I’ve been looking into this a lot, but haven’t spoken to anyone who has gone through the process. Check this link out
[Master’s</a> International | Educational Benefits | What Are the Benefits? | Learn About Volunteering | Peace Corps](<a href=“Peace Corps | Going the Distance to Make a Difference”>Peace Corps | Going the Distance to Make a Difference)</p>
<p>hope it helps!</p>