I applied to the Peace Corps during the COVID-19 pandemic. What are my next steps?

If you applied to the Peace Corps during the COVID-19 pandemic, you are probably anxiously waiting to hear back about your next steps. Please be assured that your application is not just sitting in a filing cabinet, collecting dust. In anticipation of returning Volunteers to the field, placement officers are working diligently, assessing and reviewing all applications that have been submitted.

As we move forward, the application process will include the following steps:

Initial Review: If you’ve already applied to the Peace Corps, or anticipate applying, your application is received by a placement officer who will review your resume, motivation statement, references, and your overall competitiveness for Peace Corps. In the event that a placement officer needs additional information, you will be contacted directly by email.
Under Consideration: Once the initial review of your application is complete, if you are qualified for the Peace Corps, your application will be placed under consideration for a specific country and program. Please note that departure dates and program information are subject to change due to the global pandemic.
Interview: The interview component is a key part of the assessment process. If you are selected for an interview, your placement officer will email you to schedule a date and time.

The Peace Corps remains eager to send Volunteers back into the field. To be able to do so, Peace Corps is working closely with our overseas posts and host country partners to ensure the health and safety of Volunteers, staff, and host communities. The decision to reopen a country will require a thorough review by a panel of subject-matter experts at Peace Corps Headquarters, along with approval from the Peace Corps’ Director, and Congress.

Peace Corps is aware that the ambiguity surrounding your application can be stressful. We appreciate your patience and willingness to remain flexible while applying to the Peace Corps during COVID-19. We are all anticipating the moment we can safely welcome Volunteers back to service.

For updates and announcements on the Peace Corps return to global operations, please refer to our COVID-19 webpage.

Ready to start your Peace Corps journey? Connect with a recruiter today.