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Peace Corps applications surge amid recent reforms Peace Corps applications surge amid recent reforms
(about 7 hours later)
Applications to the Peace Corps have surged to a two decade high after a series of recent reforms to the recruitment process at the country’s signature volunteer organization, officials said Tuesday. Applications to the Peace Corps have surged to a two-decade high after a series of recent reforms to the recruitment process at the country’s signature volunteer organization, officials said Tuesday.
More than 17,000 people submitted applications to the Peace Corps this year, up 70 percent compared to applications in 2013. The 17,336 new applicants in the 2014 fiscal year make up the largest field of candidates since 1992, when 17,438 applied.More than 17,000 people submitted applications to the Peace Corps this year, up 70 percent compared to applications in 2013. The 17,336 new applicants in the 2014 fiscal year make up the largest field of candidates since 1992, when 17,438 applied.
“This milestone reminds us that Americans today want to serve others and make a difference, and we are making great strides to reduce barriers to service and modernize the Peace Corps,” director Carrie Hessler-Radelet said in a statement.“This milestone reminds us that Americans today want to serve others and make a difference, and we are making great strides to reduce barriers to service and modernize the Peace Corps,” director Carrie Hessler-Radelet said in a statement.
The Peace Corps, established in 1961, is in the midst of a reformation under Hessler-Radelet, who took the helm of the organization in June and has focused on reducing the amount of red tape applicants must face in an effort to attract more applicants.The Peace Corps, established in 1961, is in the midst of a reformation under Hessler-Radelet, who took the helm of the organization in June and has focused on reducing the amount of red tape applicants must face in an effort to attract more applicants.
In a half-century since its inception, the Peace Corps has sent more than 215,000 Americans overseas — to far-flung locales such as Madasgascar and Macedonia — to perform good works on behalf of the U.S. government. But interest in the agency has dwindled in recent years to record lows, with 10,118 applicants in 2013, a decline of 44 percent since applications last peaked in 1979 with 18,159. In the half-century since its inception, the Peace Corps has sent more than 215,000 Americans overseas — to far-flung locales such as Madasgascar and Macedonia — to perform good works on behalf of the U.S. government. But interest in the agency has dwindled in recent years to record lows, with 10,118 applicants in 2013, a decline of 44 percent since applications last peaked in 1979 with 18,159.
In July, Hessler-Radelet announced a top-down revision of the recruitment process, describing it as “the most extensive reform effort our agency has ever undertaken.”In July, Hessler-Radelet announced a top-down revision of the recruitment process, describing it as “the most extensive reform effort our agency has ever undertaken.”
Beginning this year, candidates could choose the country where they want to serve and their program specialty, such as education or health.Beginning this year, candidates could choose the country where they want to serve and their program specialty, such as education or health.
The new application also was streamlined, allowing candidates to complete their packet within an hour, far less than the eight hours or more that was previously necessary. Overall, the year-long application process was shortened to six months.The new application also was streamlined, allowing candidates to complete their packet within an hour, far less than the eight hours or more that was previously necessary. Overall, the year-long application process was shortened to six months.
“We want to make it simpler, faster and more personal than ever before,” Hessler-Radelet said in July. “We don’t want to make our application a barrier to entry.”“We want to make it simpler, faster and more personal than ever before,” Hessler-Radelet said in July. “We don’t want to make our application a barrier to entry.”
The process was seen as so mired in bureaucracy that last year less than a quarter of all candidates completed their applications; more than 30,000 applicants dropped out before finishing.The process was seen as so mired in bureaucracy that last year less than a quarter of all candidates completed their applications; more than 30,000 applicants dropped out before finishing.
Under the new guidelines, 95 percent of candidates finish the application, Peace Corps officials said Tuesday.Under the new guidelines, 95 percent of candidates finish the application, Peace Corps officials said Tuesday.
The changes proved quickly popular, with applications surging 400 percent in July 2014 compared to the year before. Officials said that a majority of applicants take advantage of the new process, with 54 percent of all candidates now choosing where they want to serve. The changes proved quickly popular, with applications surging 400 percent in July 2014 compared to the year before. Officials said that many applicants take advantage of the new process, with about 46 percent of all candidates now choosing where they want to serve.
The Peace Corps has sent 215,000 people abroadThe Peace Corps has sent 215,000 people abroad
The Peace Corps, established on March 1, 1961, sends U.S. citizens abroad to perform service projects, which volunteers have performed in 139 countries. Today, there are 65 host countries and the agency has a $379 million budget. Click above to see a snapshot of today's Peace Corps. Read more about the Peace Corps.The Peace Corps, established on March 1, 1961, sends U.S. citizens abroad to perform service projects, which volunteers have performed in 139 countries. Today, there are 65 host countries and the agency has a $379 million budget. Click above to see a snapshot of today's Peace Corps. Read more about the Peace Corps.
The new recruitment process was part of a larger modernization effort at the Peace Corps. In 2013, the organization allowed same-sex couples to serve together abroad for the first time. The Peace Corps also instituted new programs to prevent sexual assault after accounts of violence surfaced in news reports.The new recruitment process was part of a larger modernization effort at the Peace Corps. In 2013, the organization allowed same-sex couples to serve together abroad for the first time. The Peace Corps also instituted new programs to prevent sexual assault after accounts of violence surfaced in news reports.
The Peace Corps, with a $379 million annual budget, sends volunteers to more than 65 countries to perform two-year projects including building bathrooms in Senegal and teaching nutrition to villagers in Togo.The Peace Corps, with a $379 million annual budget, sends volunteers to more than 65 countries to perform two-year projects including building bathrooms in Senegal and teaching nutrition to villagers in Togo.
“There is great demand for Peace Corps volunteers around the world, and our reforms have better positioned us to offer assignments where volunteers have the most interest in serving and are able to make the greatest contribution,” Hessler-Radelet said.“There is great demand for Peace Corps volunteers around the world, and our reforms have better positioned us to offer assignments where volunteers have the most interest in serving and are able to make the greatest contribution,” Hessler-Radelet said.
Correction: An earlier version of this story had an incorrect figure for the percentage of Peace Corps candidates choosing where they want to serve.