Peace Corps

Life is Calling. How far will you go?

If you are interested in the Peace Corps, make sure to talk to a Peace Corps recruiter early. The best way to do this is by visiting Connect with a Peace Corps Recruiter. A recruiter can talk to you about your sector and region of interest, experience, and how to tailor your resume for the opportunity that is best for you! You may also find information on Peace Corps benefits and graduate school assistance helpful.

View all open Peace Corps opportunities.

Peace Corps Prep Program

Access more information about the program, as well as the application form.

To serve as a Peace Corps volunteer, you must be an American citizen and at least 18 years old. There is no upper age limit. Many assignments, but not all, require a bachelor's degree. Candidates must have demonstrated skills that are requested by host countries. Ask a Peace Corps representative well in advance about ways that you might enhance your qualifications.

So you want to be a Peace Corps Volunteer?

Application Process

The Peace Corps application process is lengthy. Plan ahead and submit your application roughly a year before your availability date. These are the general steps in the application process:

1. Apply: Submit an application to the Dallas Regional Office (preferably online at www.peacecorps.gov)
2. Interview: A recruiter will interview you by phone or in person. Together you will explore issues such as adaptability, cultural awareness, motivation, and commitment. The recruiter will assess your skills and look for overseas programs that match. You will be nominated to a specific program in a general region of the world with a tentative departure date if the recruiter determines that you are qualified and that Peace Corps is right for you.
3. Legal Clearance: The Peace Corps requires a complete background check from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. You may be cleared, deferred, or disqualified.
4. Medical/Dental Clearance: A medical officer will review your health status forms and you will be required to submit to complete physical and dental exams. At this point you may be cleared, deferred, limited to certain regions, or disqualified.
5. Invitation to Serve: Your Peace Corps placement officer in Washington, D.C., will make the final match between the a specific country's request for volunteers and your personal skills and qualifications.
6. Pre-service Training: If you accept the invitation, you will receive information about your host country and reporting instructions with the date and location of your pre-departure orientation.

Preparing

It's never too early to prepare for Peace Corps service.  Following are some tips on what to do as a college student:

• Attend a Peace Corps Event: Go to a general information meeting. there you will learn the basics about the Peace Corps mission and its programs overseas. See the calendar of events or go to the Peace Corps website for a complete listing of recruiting events.
• Study a foreign language: The ability to learn a new language is an important ingredient in a successful Peace Corps experience. Many volunteer assignments require at least one-year of college level French or Spanish. Visit KU's School of Languages for more information.
• Volunteer in your community: Getting involved in the KU or Lawrence community will help you gain the organizational and leadership skills that you'll need as a Peace Corps volunteer. If you are not sure how to get started, visit the Center for Community Outreach.
• Read about the Peace Corps: While no two volunteers have the same experience, reading volunteer stories can give you insight into the volunteer experience. Check out the book list on the Peace Corps website. Or, for a more updated list of books, contact your campus representative.
• Talk to returned Peace Corps volunteers: Returned Peace Corps volunteers (RPCV's) can be found at a Peace Corps event or by contacting the local RPCV group.