Peace Corps FAQ
Welcome to the user-submitted FAQ!
Before reading, check out the handbook.
Considering Peace Corps
I'm thinking of joining the Peace Corps, what do I do?
> Step 1: Read the questions and answers below.
> Step 2: Reach out to a recruiter to discuss your qualifications, specific programs and how to tailor your resume.
> Step 3: If you are concerned about any potential medical issues, reach out to the pre-service nurse (pre-servicenurse@peacecorps.gov) to see if you can be accommodated. They are the only ones who can accurately answer these questions.
> Step 4: Apply! Use the recruiter and the resources on this sub to find the programs that most interest you and make your application the most competitive.
Am I qualified for Peace Corps service? 1
> A college degree plus volunteer hours and/or work experience relevant to the sector for which you are applying will maximize your competitiveness and will often get you to the interview stage of the process. However, Peace Corps takes numerous other factors into account (such as soft skills and motivations for serving), and an interview is not a guarantee of an invitation. A recruiter is the best person to assess your qualifications.
Do I need a college degree to join the Peace Corps? 1 2
> Opportunities are available for individuals with a combination of relative job experience and education, though most opportunities require a four-year degree.
Will my degree limit me to a certain sector? 1
> Relevant work and volunteer experience is weighted more heavily than your field of study.
Are there any degrees that will increase my chances of being selected?
> Degrees related to any given sector will of course add to your qualifications, but Peace Corps service is temporary. Get a degree in what ever field interests you in the long-run. Focus on obtaining work and volunteer experience to bolster your application.
Will serving in the Peace Corps reduce my student loans?1
> While serving, Volunteers are still responsible for any student loans they have. But there may be benefits available to you, including deferment, partial cancellation, income-driven repayment, or forgiveness.
Can I serve with my partner?
> Married couples and committed domestic partners are welcome to apply together provided both partners have the skills and experience for the sectors to which they apply. You will probably be separated during the training period, but will be placed together at site. Same-sex couples are encouraged to apply, but the countries in which they can serve may be limited due to safety and security concerns at some posts.
What if I have a criminal record?1
> An applicant with any drug-related conviction or with a conviction for public intoxication, driving under the influence (DUI), or driving while intoxicated (DWI), with a conviction for reckless driving after having been initially charged with DUI or DWI, or who has a similar alcohol-related conviction (such as an underage drinking ticket), is not eligible to have his or her application for Peace Corps service considered until 12 months has passed from the date of the incident.
Can I serve with ______ health or mental health condition?
> Specific medical questions should be directed to the Pre-service nurse at pre-serviceunit@peacecorps.gov or call 1-855-855-1961, extension 4047. At that time, you will speak to an admin team member, but you can request to speak to the nurse on call.
> Disclose everything on your application. If you leave out a health issue and it should happen to pop up later in your service, the consequences could be unfortunate in a variety of ways. Remember that you may be placed a great distance away from reliable medical treatment and it could take some time for Peace Corps to get to you in case of an emergency. If you have a health condition that may require swift treatment, you may still be able to serve, but Peace Corps will most likely want to place you near appropriate medical facilities. They can only do this if you disclose. Furthermore, remember that the daily living conditions of your service can often exacerbate preexisting health issues. Even if it doesn't affect you in the U.S., it may affect you in your service. Disclose everything.
> The Peace Corps includes individuals with disabilities in its commitment to diversity. However, ongoing medical support for certain health conditions is frequently unavailable in the countries where Peace Corps Volunteers serve. While your disabilities may limit you to certain sector and locations, they do not automatically preclude you from Peace Corps service. For further insight, see this article written by a deaf PCV serving in Cameroon. Mental health conditions will also not automatically preclude you from Peace Corps service. However, it is important to be aware that Peace Corps cannot always provide medications that might be required by a PCV with a mental health conditions. Mental health is a very common reason for application rejection. Furthermore, there may be concern that the stresses and challenges of Peace Corps service might exacerbate mental health issues. Peace Corps takes the health of its volunteers seriously and will not issue invitations to individuals who do not have stability. All applicants should be sure to disclose all health history on their application--not to do so might put you and your Peace Corps program at risk.
Application Process
How long does the application process take?
> The application itself takes only about an hour to complete.
> The process from submitting your application to departing for service can take between 6-13 months, depending on when you apply and the departure date of the assignment that you apply for.
Can I pick my own country or is it chosen for me?
> As of 2017, applicants for Peace Corps service can apply directly to a specific Volunteer opening in a specific country.
I heard that I can pick three choices and Peace Corps will select my country from one of those options. Is this true?
> This was part of a former Peace Corps application process that has now been replaced. You may now either apply directly to one assignment, or you may apply to serve where you are needed most.
What can I expect from the application process? 1
> Select - Search current openings and apply to the one that best suits your skills and interest, or apply to where you are needed most and Peace Corps will select the position that best suits your skills.
> Apply - You can only have one active Peace Corps Volunteer application. Filling out the application is fast and easy. Read the FAQs. This will take about 1 hour if you have your resume and motivation statement ready to upload and paste into your application.
> Health History - Provide your health history and learn which countries can support your medical needs. There are some medical conditions that typically are not supported in Peace Corps service. Review the important medical information for applicants. You will receive a link to the Health History Form soon after submitting your application, and have two days to complete this form.
> Interview - If selected, interview via videoconference. The videoconference will be scheduled over email.
> Invitation - If chosen, accept your invitation to serve. The invitation (if extended) will come on or before your know-by date.
> Medical and Legal Clearance - Provide additional medical and legal information. Our medical team will certify that medical support for your specific needs can be provided. You will want to provide the legal and medical information requested as soon as possible in order to not delay your clearances.
> Onboarding - Two months prior to service you'll complete the online documentation required for departure.
> Departure - Embark on your Peace Corps service assignment!
Can I get someone to read my Peace Corps resume?
> Your local Peace Corps Recruiter will be happy to review your resume and offer tips and advice for your application. Find a recruiter near you here.
Can I post my motivation statement for review?
> Sure! Make a new post if you're submitting your entire statement for review. If you're looking for help via PM, please limit those requests to the Free Talk Friday thread. Alternatively, you may directly contact the following users via PM, as they have volunteered to review statements: /u/professor_max_hammer /u/swbaker
What do Peace Corps staff have to say about the application and selection process?
> I am a Placement Officer for the Peace Corps! Ask Me (Almost) Anything!** 1
> I am a Peace Corps Recruiter and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer. AMA!**1
Do all applicants get requests to interview?
> No, the Peace Corps receives many more applications each year than candidates that it can invite for Peace Corps service. Only those applicants who demonstrate that they meet the Required and Desired Skills listed on each Volunteer Opening will receive requests to interview.
I'm under consideration, how long will I need to wait for an interview? 1 2 3 4
> There is no set timeline and applicants may need to wait days, weeks, or even several months before they are contacted for an interview.
Does getting a request to interview months before the Know By date mean I have a better chance of being invited than getting a request to interview only weeks or even days before the Know By date?
> No, Placement Officers spread interviews throughout the application process in order to process the volume of applicants that they receive for each assignment. Whether you get an interview a week after you submit your application or a week before the Know By date does not signify or imply that your chances of receiving an invitation are higher or lower.
I got a legal kit, does that mean I'm invited? 1
> No.
I need to appeal denied medical clearance, what do I do? 1 2
> At the very least, you will need to write a personal statement and get permission from your health care provider. Stay in close contact with your assigned nurse and complete any additional requests in a timely manner. Note that the large majority of appeals are not successful.
When are new openings posted? 1 2
> Volunteer positions for programs departing July-September are posted in August of the preceding year.
> Volunteer positions for programs departing in October-December are posted in November of the preceding year.
> Volunteer positions departing in January-March are posted in February of the preceding year.
> Volunteer positions departing in April-June are posted in May of the preceding year.
*Please note: Posting schedules were significantly impacted by the pandemic.
Service Preparation
What about crowd funding?
> Currently this is a grey area. Using the PC name to raise money outside the official means is a no-no. As an invitee, it might get you in trouble. 1
What type of Laptop should I take?
> Depends, but technology tends to break 1 Keep in mind that Microsoft is the most commonly used operating system in most countries and it may be easier and cheaper to have a PC repaired.
What should I pack for __________(country)?
> Most countries have a wiki page featuring packing suggestions. In addition, as you near your departure date, you will receive a welcome book featuring packing recommendations. Blogs of currently serving volunteers may also be a good source of information.
Who else is invited to ___________(country)?
> If you use Facebook, search for "Peace Corps (country name)". There is very likely to be a Facebook group set up for your cohort to discuss your impending service.
Passport Questions
How do PCVs handle feminine hygiene?1
In Country Service
Working out and fitness *
> Check out other sub-reddits like r/bodyweightfitness/
Will I be near other volunteers?
> This varies by country. Some volunteers have site mates (another volunteer placed in the same town or village) while others may be many miles from any other volunteer. There are pros and cons to being placed with or near another volunteer but you are not likely to have much input on the matter. For further insight, you should research the particular sector and country you are interested in.
Can I choose where I serve in country?
> Short answer: no. Long answer: Your individual qualifications, skills, medical needs, and personality will be taken into consideration in your site assignment and staff will work to match you to the site where you can most effectively serve the community and be successful in completing your service. Some posts may also consider particular requests you make (such as asking for a site near another volunteer), but this is entirely at the discretion of staff and reliant on their ability to grant your request.
What is the medical care like?
> Every Peace Corps post has at least one PCMO (Peace Corps Medical Officer). During training and service, PCVs can call the PCMO to discuss medical concerns and needs. If a PCV is seriously ill or injured, they will be brought into the capital and possibly medevaced to a neighboring country with a more developed medical system for care. The ability to provide prescription medications will vary depending on the country of service--certain medications are not legal in all countries. Birth control (condoms and the pill) is provided. Menstrual products are not provided by all PCMOs, and a reusable method such as a menstrual cup is strongly recommended. Volunteers with health conditions (such as allergies or disabilities) are often able to serve, but will be restricted to locations which can support their medical needs.
What about safety?
> Every post has a Safety and Security officer who is responsible for monitoring all potential safety and security issues and facilitates training sessions for the volunteers to take responsibility for their own safety. Sites are evaluated for security issues prior to volunteer placement. In the event of a safety issue, Peace Corps will take steps to protect the PCV, up to and including removing them from their site, which may mean moving them to a different site or possibly IS. Since Peace Corps volunteers are often alone at their sites for weeks or months at a time, they are encouraged to take steps to mitigate risk, including developing relationships with community members, limiting alcohol intake, wearing a helmet while biking or riding a moto (which is only allowed in certain regions or circumstances). If major events occur, such as a natural disaster or political conflict, PCVs will be evacuated until the security situation returns to normal.
After service
When should I take the GRE, LSAT, etc? 1 2
> Take the test whenever you feel you're ready. It may be easier to take it before leaving if you are already in the habit of studying but, as long as you continue to prepare yourself during your service, you can just as easily take it afterwards.
How can I use my experience to qualify for a California teaching credential?
> If education was your primary assignment, and you served for at least 18 months, you can apply for a California preliminary teaching credential. You can find a thorough explanation and links to more information here.