January 27, 2005: Headlines: Application Process: Blogs: Blog: Peace Corps Folks
Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Library: Peace Corps: Blogs: Blogs: January 27, 2005: Headlines: Application Process: Blogs: Blog: Peace Corps Folks
By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-48-182.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.48.182) on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 9:33 pm: Edit Post

Peace Corps Folks

Peace Corps Folks

Peace Corps Folks

This is a resource, forum, and community for women interested in, applying to, serving in, and/or returning from the Peace Corps



[Excerpt]

I thought I had two more years before I graduated; however, things are working out so that I can graduate next spring.

So I have to make a choice on whether I go to the peace corps before or after graduate school. I'd rather do it before, but many people said I should go ahead and get graduate school over with...

I have to make this decision pretty soon considering the long application process...any insight would be extremely helpful.

(Post a new comment)

[info]sunsetscreamer
2005-01-26 14:55 (link)
do peace corps before because it could help pay for grad school.

(Reply to this)

[info]peace_corps_grl
2005-01-26 15:17 (link)
PC before - after you are done with grad school you will have offers of jobs, possibly fellowships, etc... you don't want to take a break from that. Depending on what you wnat to do in grad school, you mkight be able to do both...

(Reply to this)

[info]wends
2005-01-26 16:22 (link)
My vote is apply now, before grad school. After grad school you may get this amazing opportunity that would be ridiculous to turn down, and then what? After undergrad is the best time to go in my opinion.

(Reply to this)

[info]harm1020
2005-01-26 16:22 (link)
Depending on what you want to go to grad school for, you can do them both at the same time. You should check that out. Otherwise I would do the pc first. You've probably been going to school w/o a break since Kindergarden...Take a break :-)

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]griffjon
2005-01-26 18:05 (link)
yeah, look into the Masters International program, it could be ideal. The Fellowships aren't that great unless you want to do education or environment, you can check the current ones out at the PeaceCorps.gov site. The 6000 you get at the end of PC (really only ~5 after taxes) goes quick, and doesn't help much towards grad school.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]edensgrief
2005-01-26 16:45 (link)
i say peace corps before. it's absolutely possible that what you want to do in life will change completely after your two years of service. You may find a new direction-- say, environmental work or working with NGO's. I say do it later; the PC has a list of grad schools who offer free or reduced tuition in certain programs.

(Reply to this)

[info]runninggunblues
2005-01-26 18:21 (link)
you don't actually have to make your mind up right now. the peace corps application is not binding, you can drop out of the process at any time, and that does not hinder any future prospects you may have with them. i applied to grad schools and pc at the same time, and discovered i was much more excited about the pc and that would probably be a better choice for me right now. and, if you're worried a/b wasting money on grad school applications, a lot of schools will let you defer for up to three years if you are accepted.

(Reply to this)
before!
[info]marihada
2005-01-26 23:24 (link)
Absolutely before - just in the process of going through my PC app process and checking out different schools in the Fellows/USA program I've narrowed down my grad school interests - imagine when I get back! Plus, the list keeps getting longer - in 3 years there may be many more schools with many more programs who will give you a break on tuition.
Good luck!

(Reply to this)

[info]denazureus
2005-01-26 23:59 (link)
I am currently applying to both grad school and the PC. I checked with grad school about deferring for 2 years and they said that was fine because my time in the PC will just augment my experience that I'll apply to grad school and afterwards (I'm going into teaching). I've been hoping the reajustment allowance will go towards the cost of grad school, but I'll probably end up just spending it on travel after I serve. Lol!

Anyway, I'm going to need to get financial aid to pay for grad school, and then have to pay that off afterwards, so I think it's better to do the PC first.

Well, that's my 2 cents. Good Luck!




When this story was posted in January 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:

January 22, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Date: January 22 2005 No: 391 January 22, 2005: This Week's Top Stories
Spread Freedom — but not at gunpoint 22 Jan
Dodd has ring side seat at Inauguration 21 Jan
Peace Corps works in Georgia 21 Jan
Trey Aven monitored Ukraine elections 21 Jan
RPCV group makes quiet indie-pop 21 Jan
Anthony Shriver considers race for Florida Governor 20 Jan
Thomas Tighe says internet brought funds to DRI 20 Jan
Stacy Jupiter researches Australia ecosystems 20 Jan
Libby Garvey is education activist 20 Jan
David McIntyre captures medals on land and in water 19 Jan
Carol Bellamy new president of World Learning 18 Jan
Reed Hastings crossed "Latino Caucus'' 18 Jan
RPCVs sponsor Freeze for Food to aid Colombia farmers 18 Jan
RPCVs urge Bush to aid Democracy in Ukraine 17 Jan
Tom Petri proposes changes in student loan program 17 Jan
Golden Globe Win for Jamie Foxx in RPCV's "Ray" 17 Jan
Stephen Smith is new consul-general in Australia 17 Jan
Ask Not Date: January 18 2005 No: 388 Ask Not
As our country prepares for the inauguration of a President, we remember one of the greatest speeches of the 20th century and how his words inspired us. "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."
Coleman: Peace Corps mission and expansion Date: January 8 2005 No: 373 Coleman: Peace Corps mission and expansion
Senator Norm Coleman, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee that oversees the Peace Corps, says in an op-ed, A chance to show the world America at its best: "Even as that worthy agency mobilizes a "Crisis Corps" of former Peace Corps volunteers to assist with tsunami relief, I believe an opportunity exists to rededicate ourselves to the mission of the Peace Corps and its expansion to touch more and more lives."
RPCVs active in new session of Congress Date: January 8 2005 No: 374 RPCVs active in new session of Congress
In the new session of Congress that begins this week, RPCV Congressman Tom Petri has a proposal to bolster Social Security, Sam Farr supported the objection to the Electoral College count, James Walsh has asked for a waiver to continue heading a powerful Appropriations subcommittee, Chris Shays will no longer be vice chairman of the Budget Committee, and Mike Honda spoke on the floor honoring late Congressman Robert Matsui.
RPCVs and Peace Corps provide aid Date: January 4 2005 No: 366 Latest: RPCVs and Peace Corps provide aid
Peace Corps made an appeal last week to all Thailand RPCV's to consider serving again through the Crisis Corps and more than 30 RPCVs have responded so far. RPCVs: Read what an RPCV-led NGO is doing about the crisis an how one RPCV is headed for Sri Lanka to help a nation he grew to love. Question: Is Crisis Corps going to send RPCVs to India, Indonesia and nine other countries that need help?
The World's Broken Promise to our Children Date: December 24 2004 No: 345 The World's Broken Promise to our Children
Former Director Carol Bellamy, now head of Unicef, says that the appalling conditions endured today by half the world's children speak to a broken promise. Too many governments are doing worse than neglecting children -- they are making deliberate, informed choices that hurt children. Read her op-ed and Unicef's report on the State of the World's Children 2005.
Changing of the Guard Date: December 15 2004 No: 330 Changing of the Guard
With Lloyd Pierson's departure, Marie Wheat has been named acting Chief of Staff and Chief of Operations responsible for the day-to-day management of the Peace Corps. Although Wheat is not an RPCV and has limited overseas experience, in her two years at the agency she has come to be respected as someone with good political skills who listens and delegates authority and we wish her the best in her new position.
Our debt to Bill Moyers Our debt to Bill Moyers
Former Peace Corps Deputy Director Bill Moyers leaves PBS next week to begin writing his memoir of Lyndon Baines Johnson. Read what Moyers says about journalism under fire, the value of a free press, and the yearning for democracy. "We have got to nurture the spirit of independent journalism in this country," he warns, "or we'll not save capitalism from its own excesses, and we'll not save democracy from its own inertia."
RPCV safe after Terrorist Attack RPCV safe after Terrorist Attack
RPCV Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, the U.S. consul general in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia survived Monday's attack on the consulate without injury. Five consular employees and four others were killed. Abercrombie-Winstanley, the first woman to hold the position, has been an outspoken advocate of rights for Arab women and has met with Saudi reformers despite efforts by Saudi leaders to block the discussions.
Is Gaddi Leaving? Is Gaddi Leaving?
Rumors are swirling that Peace Corps Director Vasquez may be leaving the administration. We think Director Vasquez has been doing a good job and if he decides to stay to the end of the administration, he could possibly have the same sort of impact as a Loret Ruppe Miller. If Vasquez has decided to leave, then Bob Taft, Peter McPherson, Chris Shays, or Jody Olsen would be good candidates to run the agency. Latest: For the record, Peace Corps has no comment on the rumors.
The Birth of the Peace Corps The Birth of the Peace Corps
UMBC's Shriver Center and the Maryland Returned Volunteers hosted Scott Stossel, biographer of Sargent Shriver, who spoke on the Birth of the Peace Corps. This is the second annual Peace Corps History series - last year's speaker was Peace Corps Director Jack Vaughn.

Read the stories and leave your comments.





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Story Source: Blog

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Application Process; Blogs

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By Your full name (cpe0080c6fd5deb-cm001225003be8.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com - 24.42.87.53) on Wednesday, February 02, 2005 - 11:20 pm: Edit Post

Peace Corps has nothing to offer other than the experience of working overseas. I'd wait. I think that the State Department is changing in a way not liked by most countries. Blogs were popular and I'd recommend some information. If you cannot get information before becomming a Federal Employee, I'd skip the service until you have political connections.

By Anonymous (fl-esr1-72-49-150-221.fuse.net - 72.49.150.221) on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 10:04 pm: Edit Post

Hello,

I'm hoping to enter into the Peace Corp. I thought I was at the end of the application process but because I had a DUI about 6years ago I have to be interviewed by a drug/alcohol counselor. Does anyone know what I should expect?

Thanks.

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