How competitive is the Peace Corps?

After finding out there are specific education and skill requirements successful applicants must meet, and that the process mirrors most competitive selection processes – meaning there is an application to complete, a strong résumé required, interviews offered only to highly competitive candidates and a background check, all for a limited number of available positions – the next question is often, “Why so many hoops to jump through just to help people?”

The answer, in short, is that a Peace Corps Volunteer’s role is not “just to help people.”

A Volunteer's primary role is to help equip people with the skill sets that they need to help themselves. Though the goal is simple, language barriers, cultural difference, limited resources and the not-so-small task of integrating into a community that many Volunteers did not know existed until they visited the Peace Corps website complicates everything... and all this while being far away from home.

Given the challenges, the Peace Corps seeks candidates with a proven track record of excellence. Therefore, the Peace Corps does care what you majored in, your grade point average, your hands-on experience, your legal history, whether you dress professionally for the video interview, and whether you submit an application free of grammatical errors. Additionally, keep in mind that Peace Corps is not a travel agency, and you do not get selected simply because you “really want it” or “because now is the perfect time” in your life. If you really want to become a Volunteer, help your chances by gaining the required skills, doing research before applying, submitting a quality application, and staying professional throughout the process.

The Peace Corps is a leader in international development and we are looking for the very best to represent our brand. The Peace Corps is actively working to recruit a stronger, more highly skilled applicant pool to meet the diverse needs of the countries we serve.

Just as our lives are affected by technology, environmental change, our social environment, and the health of our nation, so are the lives of the people we serve. And just as we require individuals with specialized skill sets to meet the unique needs of our nation, the same holds true for the countries that we serve.

Serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer is a professional opportunity with lifelong benefits, so it is competitive. If you think you have what it takes to compete, apply here.