2 answers
Kayla
Student
Moss Bluff, LA
1
Question
Updated
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What would be the best course of action, when applying to graduate programs, if I wanted to serve with the Peace Corps after undergrad, then go to graduate school?
I enjoy volunteering and service-work; i want to serve with the Peace Corps after undergrad, but i'm concerned about jumping into graduate school after such a gap.
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2 answers
Jing Wang
Business Support
49
Answers
Dalian, Liaoning, China
Updated
Jing’s Answer
Hi Kayla,
Thank you for your question.
General speaking, serve with the Peace Corps first and then go to graduate school will be no big problem, because Peace Corps volunteer experience is highly valued by Graduate schools, so a gap year for international service is totally acceptable and even helpful for admission, applicants with social practice and mature experience brings more competitiveness.
For your plan, you can apply for graduate program first, get an admission offer, then ask the university to defer your enrollment, this is one way you can join Peace Corps first and attend graduate study one year later. For sure, you can apply after finishing your volunteer service, cover it in your life planning and growth in personal statement. As mentioned above this experience will greatly improve your competitiveness in future application and career development.
You can consult specialized organization with your plan, or talk to your friends or seniors who have visibility on it, then you will get more information for sure.
Best wishes and good luck
Thank you for your question.
General speaking, serve with the Peace Corps first and then go to graduate school will be no big problem, because Peace Corps volunteer experience is highly valued by Graduate schools, so a gap year for international service is totally acceptable and even helpful for admission, applicants with social practice and mature experience brings more competitiveness.
For your plan, you can apply for graduate program first, get an admission offer, then ask the university to defer your enrollment, this is one way you can join Peace Corps first and attend graduate study one year later. For sure, you can apply after finishing your volunteer service, cover it in your life planning and growth in personal statement. As mentioned above this experience will greatly improve your competitiveness in future application and career development.
You can consult specialized organization with your plan, or talk to your friends or seniors who have visibility on it, then you will get more information for sure.
Best wishes and good luck
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach, Mentor
1221
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Kayla,
I don't think volunteering with the Peace Corps before you start graduate school is going to be a problem. Graduating from your undergraduate program is a natural break in your trajectory. Some people go on to grad school immediately. Some people get a job before they go to grad school. Some take a gap year. Assuming that you will volunteer in a sector and/or region that is related to your field of studies, volunteering with the Peace Corps could actually be seen as a major plus and significant job experience. It's considered a good thing to have some real life experience.
What I would recommend is that you do some research and identify graduate programs you would be interested in. You can either apply to the program and ask to defer if you get admitted or apply after your time in the peace corps.
I hope this helps! All the best!
KP
I don't think volunteering with the Peace Corps before you start graduate school is going to be a problem. Graduating from your undergraduate program is a natural break in your trajectory. Some people go on to grad school immediately. Some people get a job before they go to grad school. Some take a gap year. Assuming that you will volunteer in a sector and/or region that is related to your field of studies, volunteering with the Peace Corps could actually be seen as a major plus and significant job experience. It's considered a good thing to have some real life experience.
What I would recommend is that you do some research and identify graduate programs you would be interested in. You can either apply to the program and ask to defer if you get admitted or apply after your time in the peace corps.
I hope this helps! All the best!
KP