Peace Corps/applying abroad

[shiite7]

I've read quite a few threads already about Peace Corps, e.g. here, here, here, here, and here, but I'd like to ask a more specific question and maybe see whether there any new RPCV's are out there lurking in the shadows that can comment, 😎

I took my MCAT a few weeks ago, feel pretty good about it (hoping for 33+), and also just received my invitation to serve as Peace Corps volunteer in the mail. I'm going to be a "Secondary School Science/Resource Teacher" in Lesotho and will be there from Nov 2010 to mid-Jan 2013.

My current plan is to apply while in service during the summer of 2012 (my MCAT will then be two years old) for Fall 2013 matriculation. I won't know how regular/reliable my internet access will be until I reach my village in Jan 2011 (after training), but I think I'll at least be able to manage submitting my application with the help of internet cafes/going to the PC headquarters in the capital. Another caveat is that PC does not allow vacations during the last 3 months of service; hence, I would not be able to fly to the US for interviews in Oct, Nov, or Dec. 2012 (I will arrive back in the US by mid-Jan 2013). If I may, I have a few questions:

1) Assuming I am able to submit my application OK, do you think schools would be willing to push back interviews 'til January, when I get back?
2) Will interviewing in Jan/Feb only, put me at a severe disadvantage with regards to rolling admission schools? How quickly does a class get filled up?

Another option is that I could always terminate my service early, e.g. end up leaving in November 2012 instead of Jan 2013...but I'd really prefer to serve the entire 27 months.

Thoughts? Any RPCVs out there?
Thanks for any help!

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[LizzyM]

I can't speak to rolling admissions and I've heard (second hand) of at least one school that doesn't interview beyond the end of December but I also recall interviewing a Peace Corps Volunteer who had only been back in the states a couple of days and aside from the culture shock it was fine.

 

[Richardh]

answering (1): i think as long as you explain to them that you're abroad, the school will understand and make arrangements to reschedule your interview 🙂

(2): i don't think having an interview on jan/feb will put you in a severe disadvantage for rolling admissions. my friends and i had interviews on jan and feb at schools that were admitting students on a rolling basis and we were admitted without any problem. we didn't hear any replies from the schools until late november but when november came we were glad to get interview invites.

the best thing to do is probably call the school admission office and explain them your situation that if you're granted an interview if you can possibly push it back until your return 😀

 

[phltz]

First of all, congrats on your Peace Corps invitation! It's not always going to be easy or fun, but you're going to have an awesome experience.

I'm served in Tanzania, and while I don't know of any volunteers I served with who applied to med school from Tanzania, I don't see why it wouldn't have been possible. You will certainly be able to get internet access at least once in a while. I'm not familiar with the situation in Lesotho specifically, but I bet you'd have a decent chance at having at least weekly internet access if you want it. Try to track down some blogs of PCVs currently serving in Lesotho and ask them some questions. They'll almost certainly be more than happy to give you some advice as to the situation on the ground.

One thing to consider is that PCVs don't normally go through their Close of Service right on the last day they were originally scheduled to serve through. The office can only process a few PCVs a day, so people normally COS over the course of the preceding 30 days. Assuming it doesn't conflict with your duties at your school, you could probably push to get out of there by mid-December if need be (although there may be stiff competition for the early slots - I bet a lot of people will want to be home by Christmas). In some countries, given extenuating circumstances, it's even feasible to finish up to 90 days early and still count as having completed your service. These policies vary a bit from country to country, so again, I'd recommend finding some PCVs currently in Lesotho (likely via their blogs) and asking them what's up.

 

[shiite7]

One thing to consider is that PCVs don't normally go through their Close of Service right on the last day they were originally scheduled to serve through.

Wow, I was totally unaware of that, but it makes sense...otherwise there'll be like 30 teachers trying to leave on the same day (in my case), 🙂

Are you still in Tanzania?

 

[phltz]

Wow, I was totally unaware of that, but it makes sense...otherwise there'll be like 30 teachers trying to leave on the same day (in my case), 🙂

Are you still in Tanzania?

I've been back about a year and a half now. I was actually working as a math/science teacher too. It's a popular gig in sub-Saharan Africa.

 

[shiite7]

Any other PCV/RPCV's out there? Come out, come out, where ever you are!

 

[Playa]

Thats actually pretty cool, but if I were you, I would join the Army. Nothing says I want to be doctor more than a bullet in the @ss.

 

[rhodesman]

Thats actually pretty cool, but if I were you, I would join the Army. Nothing says I want to be doctor more than a bullet in the @ss.

Ummm. WTF? Are you joking me. That was a real POS thing to say. There are men and women out there busting their backs day in and day out fighting to keep this country safe so that people like you and I can have a chance to become doctors in a free democratic country. Some of them will get shot in the line of duty.

On a side note I hope you get something else up your @$$ someday for making a comment like that to the wrong person.

 

[Playa]

Ummm. WTF? Are you joking me. That was a real POS thing to say. There are men and women out there busting their backs day in and day out fighting to keep this country safe so that people like you and I can have a chance to become doctors in a free democratic country. Some of them will get shot in the line of duty.

On a side note I hope you get something else up your @$$ someday for making a comment like that to the wrong person.

Hahahahaha. Wow, take it easy there Uncle Sam. Of course I appreciate the men and women of the Army that put their lives on the line, I meant that was the next level above the Peace Corps. I knew a guy who got into all the top 15 med schools after being a medic in the Army for 8 years (obviously he would). But Peace Corps still sounds pretty cool though.

 

[shiite7]

I didn't take offense. Playa was just tryna be gangsta. I'm so serial.

 

[kansaskid]

I am currently serving in West Africa now as a rural community health volunteer and while I have not yet applied, I am planning on sending in my primary next cycle to matriculate in 2012. This is going to be pretty tricky for several reasons…the first being interviews. It is damn expensive to fly back to the states for interviews and I’ll need to make sure that they’re all coordinated for like a three week span of time that I’ll be back. The other complicated issue is around COS. Yes, there is about a month span of time that PCVs COS, ranging from about a month before their ‘official’ end of service date. For me, the earliest that could be would be mid August of 2012...which is probably cutting it a little close for the start of medical school. What really sucks is that I’ll probably end up technically ETing (early terminating) like two weeks beforehand.

I think that with a LOT of organization and planning, applying from abroad will not be all that much more difficult than applying in the states. It takes a pretty decent internet connection (which clearly I have right now…although it’s spotty and random in the little café I’m sitting in right now!) and a lot of patience and determination, which are pretty good things to have both during Peace Corps service and during the med school application process in general! Feel free to PM with questions or whatever. I’m always down to chat with a fellow PC pre-med. Good luck!

-kid

 

[phltz]

I am currently serving in West Africa now as a rural community health volunteer and while I have not yet applied, I am planning on sending in my primary next cycle to matriculate in 2012. This is going to be pretty tricky for several reasons…the first being interviews. It is damn expensive to fly back to the states for interviews and I’ll need to make sure that they’re all coordinated for like a three week span of time that I’ll be back. The other complicated issue is around COS. Yes, there is about a month span of time that PCVs COS, ranging from about a month before their ‘official’ end of service date. For me, the earliest that could be would be mid August of 2012...which is probably cutting it a little close for the start of medical school. What really sucks is that I’ll probably end up technically ETing (early terminating) like two weeks beforehand.

-kid

You must have just gotten started, huh? I hope it's treating you well!

Peace Corps policy allows a COS up to 90 days early. When I first started serving, our office was pretty lenient in approving an early COS, but they got stricter at some point. Even being more restrictive, a firm grad school start date was the sort of thing they were likely to approve an early COS for. If you're looking at having to leave 40 or 50 days early, I bet you can get them to approve an early COS instead of an ET. Once you've gotten into the whole application process, ask your APCD about it.

Good luck!

 

[shiite7]

You must have just gotten started, huh? I hope it's treating you well!

Peace Corps policy allows a COS up to 90 days early. When I first started serving, our office was pretty lenient in approving an early COS, but they got stricter at some point.

Hmm...sehr interessant! Thanks for the great information, phltz. 👍

 

[kansaskid]

Yeah, from talking to a few people the last couple days it sounds like grad school is like the one thing they'd approve an early COS date for. so, yay!

And yes, I just officially swore in as a volunteer last month! Everything is definitely still in the nouvelle/trippy stage.

 

[kansaskid]

Yeah, from talking to a few people the last couple days it sounds like grad school is like the one thing they'd approve an early COS date for. so, yay!

And yes, I just officially swore in as a volunteer last month! Everything is definitely still in the nouvelle/trippy stage.

 

[shiite7]

I just officially swore in as a volunteer last month! Everything is definitely still in the nouvelle/trippy stage.

Awesome! 😀
Did you have to solemnly swear to uphold the Constitution (so help you God)?
I'm just a lowly invitee...but soon I shall join the ranks of "Volunteer",

 

[Jaime2203]

Hey Shiite7! This is so funny, I was going through threads about applying to medical schools while serving in the Peace Corps and I came across your discussion...

I'm in your trainee group leaving on November 1st.

How crazy is that? I took the MCAT last month and my scores still aren't out... but I'm planning on applying as soon as AMCAS releases the application in June, doing my secondaries in Lesotho as well, then hopefully coming back in time for interviews... like you mentioned, they estimated we'll be back Jan 11 but hopefully we'll be able to COS at least a few weeks early... .

Have you joined the facebook group? Maybe we're already friends! haha. But in any case, I wanted you to know that I'm in the same shoes, so hopefully we'll be able to help each other out when the time comes to attempt our overseas applications. And if it makes you feel any better, I've spoken to a pre-med advisor who gave me the following advice/encouragement:

"I agree with taking the mcat now so long as you are on track to do well. I have interviewed and known individuals who applied for graduate training during their last year of service in the peace corps. The biggest hurdle seems to be having telecommunications contact to complete documents and communicate with schools. If you can navigate that, you should be able to do it.


Things to have ready before you leave? The AMCAS application probably won't be changing significantly in the next few years. I would write some of the extracurricular activity descriptions before you leave for the peace corps. Your personal statement will undoubtedly be affected by that experience so I would wait to write that.


I don't think you are going to jeopardize your chances for med school. There is a special spot on applications for long-term volunteer service (peace corps, americorps, etc.) and this will be clear on your application. People will know and understand the commitment you made to helping others. This will be to your benefit. You just have to capitalize on that and communicate about it effectively in your essays when the time comes.


Be up front and communicate with med schools early in the process as you are offered interviews. Explain that you are overseas and will be back and happy to interview in January. This should work itself out. If schools are interested, they will be fine interviewing you then. In the end, you only need one good place that is as interested in you as you are in them."

Hope this helps. See you on the 1st!!!