Is It Hard To Get Into The Peace Corps?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Last year,

the Peace Corps received more than 17,000 applications

for fewer than 4,000 positions. Serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer is a professional opportunity with lifelong benefits, so it is extremely competitive.

Do Peace Corps volunteers make money?

Peace Corps provides a number of benefits that make the Volunteer experience almost free: flights to and from your country of service, full medical and dental coverage, a

monthly living

, housing, technical and language training, and a readjustment allowance when you finish, just to name just a few perks.

Do Peace Corps volunteers get paid?

As a Volunteer, both your readjustment allowance (accrued at the rate of $375 per month and paid at the end of service) and a small percentage of your monthly living allowance constitute earnings for Social Security purposes.

How much do Peace Corps workers get paid?

While Peace Corps employees earn an

average yearly salary of $38,139

, different roles can command different wages. The higher paying positions at Peace Corps include senior consultant, business developer, economic adviser, and information technology specialist.

How long do Peace Corps volunteers serve?

Serve for

two years plus three months of training

for an opportunity to totally immerse yourself into a host country community.

Can you have tattoos in the Peace Corps?

Visible tattoos may draw unwanted attention or pose a challenge to your integration process due to negative associations/stereotypes some people attach to tattoos. Peace Corps/Mexico strongly recommends that

during pre-service training

and the first weeks/months in your site you should be prepared to cover tattoos.

Is there a GPA requirement for Peace Corps?

Your student(s) must be at least 12 years old, and you must complete at least 10 hours of tutoring each month. Many opportunities in this area do not require a foreign language.

All education positions require a minimum GPA of 2.5

.

How much is the monthly stipend for Peace Corps?

As a Volunteer, both your readjustment allowance (accrued at the rate of

$375 per month

and paid at the end of service) and a small percentage of your monthly living allowance constitute earnings for Social Security purposes.

How many Peace Corps Volunteers have died?


Over 300 Peace Corps volunteers

have died in service.

Are the Peace Corps worth it?

Yes, the Peace Corps is

a good choice

when you're finishing school and have nothing but time and freedom, but you shouldn't go just because you're afraid of having nothing else lined up. … In case I haven't convinced you already, being a Peace Corps volunteer isn't an easy job.

What is the age cut off for the Peace Corps?


No, there is no upper age limit to Peace Corps service

. However, Volunteers must be a minimum of 18 years old to serve.

Can you go home during Peace Corps?

The Peace Corps covers the cost of transportation to and from the country of service. Each Volunteer receives two paid vacation days per month of service, and many use this time to travel to nearby countries. … And, of course,

Volunteers can use this time for a visit home

(at their own expense).

What percentage of Peace Corps Volunteers quit?

Summary: In FY 2018, 1,260 of the 10,818 Volunteers who served during the year (11.6 percent) did not complete their full service. Of these 10,818 Volunteers,

6.9 percent

resigned.

Does the Peace Corps pay for your housing?

Peace Corps provides a number of benefits that make the Volunteer experience almost free: flights to and from your country of service, full medical and dental coverage, a

monthly living stipend

, housing, technical and language training, and a readjustment allowance when you finish, just to name just a few perks.

How long does Peace Corps application process take?

Even though there's that seven-month window, on average the application timeline is

less than 90 days

. Placement officers make decisions more on a rolling basis, which means you could receive an invitation before the application deadline even rolls around!

Where do you live in the Peace Corps?

The Peace Corps requires you to live in

Peace Corps-approved housing

, which will vary by country. In most countries, Volunteers are required to live with a host family for pre-service training and, in certain countries, Volunteers live with host families for the duration of their service.

Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.