Thinking about the Peace Corps

I have a BA (history) from a top public and a 3.7 gpa. Problem is I've had to work to pay my way through college and most often this was in the form of office jobs/on campus stuff so I don't really have a very strong resume. I've always wanted to do something like the peace core and am wondering if it would provide me with a solid chance of getting into a top 10 mba program. I did very well on the SAT's so I believe I can pull a 700 on the GMAT (I know it's not the same, but if I put the time in I'll be able to do it). Will a 3.7 + 700 + 2 years of peace core + good essays/recs do it (top 10) despite not coming from an ivy or lacking a "real" degree? If peace core was something I enjoyed I might look into doing another 2 years but obviously can't comment on that at this time.

Another question: I notice that for many top mba programs most people have ~5 years of WE. From this board I get the impression that people do 2 years of IB then an mba program. Are you able to do 2 years of something else (like peace core) and go into an mba or is it simply reserved for the "best of the best" when it comes to finance (like ib analysts). Would "lesser" work experience such as peace core or something require time along the lines of the 5 year average I'm seeing?

 

My poor man, you really have no idea what you want to do do you? What would you use an MBA for? Do you want to become an associate in a bank? Or do you just want an MBA cause all the cool kids are doing it?

2 of my exs talked about going to the peace corp all throughout college, they had no idea what they wanted to do in life, and thought the peace corp would be fun. I'd seriously consider my options before doing this.


Remember, you will always be a salesman, no matter how fancy your title is. - My ex girlfriend

 
Best Response

Both the above posts are right. You have to really think about why you're doing it.

Bad Reason: I wanted to help the world and now I'm coming back to do my MBA!

It makes no sense, and shows you don't have any direction.

That being said, I was actually considering it too, but for other reasons. This country was good to my family, and free enterprise allowed my father to start his own construction company, put my brother and I through college, and above all, I learned how to use a bobcat and dumptruck. College has reinforced in me one thing: that capitalism is the only right system out there, morally and economically. I'd like to raise a venture fund that invests in people with great ideas in poor countries where access to capital is near-impossible. Now I could go into Ibanking/VC or whatever and pick up the skills I need to understand a company and how it can use capital, as well as what I can get out of it.

The CORPS has a program that allows a member to spend two years promoting business development abroad. From what I can gather from my research, it's like consulting, but for farmers, solar "outhouses" (where villagers can charge phones or other battery-powered devices), etc. You need a business-related degree, though.

So for me, it makes sense to go work with poor people in places you'd never dream of visiting otherwise. But it's just a consideration. There are any number of ways to do what I'd like to do. So think through. Like an MBA, does your work contribute to the learning process of what you think it will take to do what you want to do.

Annnnnd, that's a rant, folks!

 

don't listen to the above posters. my md went to Cal, did two stints in the peace corps after college and went straight to wharton. mba programs eat that shit up. your placed in a different bucket than the cookie cutter banker/pe types. lets be serious bankers/pe guys are a dime a dozen; not many peace corps kids out there. i say if you want to do it follow your heart and you will ultimatley be rewarded.

 
ke18sb:
lets be serious bankers/pe guys are a dime a dozen; not many peace corps kids out there.

Number of peace corps volunteers: 8000/2yrs = 4000 2nd year exiting corps members Number of 2nd year analysts: 100/bank*10 BB banks (generous) = 1000 2nd year exiting analysts.

 

Listen, not to be rude to you guys, but I'm not doing this to get into an MBA program. I'm doing this because, like one poster said, I've been given tons by well to do Americans (I grew up very poor, needed the help of others)and I feel the need (and want) to give back. I'm just wondering about possible exit options. I realize I'm not going to be in this for the long haul so I'm exploring all options upon finishing up my 27 month stint. This includes MBA, JD, and possible PHD programs.

It's no use in beating around the bush, what I really want to know is whether or not a 3.7 history + top state + 2 years peace core + 700 + good recs/ps gives me a 50%+ chance at getting into a top 10 MBA? I don't want a lecture, just a yes/no. Like I said, no offense intended...I can't explain my reasoning for doing this to a message board, just trust me on it.

 

Have you considered talking it over with the admin counselors at the schools you like? Some will offer textbook answers, but others will give you some clear advice.

It could also help to speak with Peace CORPS alums who are now in business school. You can reach out to them by e-mailing one of the contacts on the website.

And the above calculation is flawed. A greater percentage of those "elite" analyst exiters will be competing against each other (similar background) than Peace Corps alums exiting that year. The exiting numbers include couples, older people, and others with no intention of business school. Most analysts aren't thinking med school or something out of a BB program: they're thinking MBA. So if you accept that as true, you're already far more distinguished than some of the others. My point in the above post though, was there are infinite ways to distinguish yourself, so don't assume that the Corps is the right answer, unless you can honestly justify what it will teach you. Not to anyone here or adcomm or anyone but yourself.

 

One of my good friends in my top 5 MBA program did the Corps for 3 years before b-school. I worked in the government/non-profit sector for 4 years, and will be going to a top tier BB post MBA. Non-bankers/consultants do just fine when applying to MBA programs, and do just fine when recruiting for jobs post MBA.

Bschool is much less about stats than about your personal story. Your GPA and GMAT will likely be at/above the median for ALL MBA programs (HBS, Wharton, NYU, Chicago...). However, while bad stats can ding your app, good stats do not get you in. Aside from academics, perhaps 10%-15% of my bschool class has only 2 years work experience (3-5 is the norm, with a fat tail towards more work experience).

If you choose to do Peace Corps, you need to be able to 1) describe what you gained from it 2) describe how it motivated you to go to b-school (or move to the next job and then to bschool) and 3) articulate your goals and how and MBA helps meet them.

Bschools would much rather have someone who can articulate why they chose the Corps than someone who cannot articulate why the chose GS/McK, as shocking as this is for most people to believe.

 

I thought about it until I met some Corps volunteers when I was backpacking through South Africa. I was staying at nice hostels, going to bars and having fun. They were sleeping on the cold hard ground in a tent in the middle of a fallow field with sick, poor South Africans. I admire those that want to help others, but 2-3 years of sleeping on the dirt in a town of 50 impoverished Africans is too much for me.

So, as others said, do the Corps if that's what you want, but definitely not for the resume bullets.

 

UPDATE

So I did get an assignment in the corps, will be on my way post graduation (I'm really excited). Catman said that no real financial experience won't hurt you if you want IB jobs post MBA...is this true even if you're on a school in the lower end of the top 10 (think 8/9/10 as opposed to 1/2/3)? Also I didn't get into the business end of the peace corps (as I didn't major in something business related) so I'll be doing community development (teaching english, building things etc)...will that hurt me at all? I can see the benefits of doing something business related but am not sure how somebody such as myself would be looked upon.

 

Catman said that doing peace corps won't hurt you getting into b-school, he didnt say anythng about ib.

whether or not you can translate that bschool opportunity into ibanking will depend upon a number of things, how well you network, your bschools quality (if you go to HBS obviously things become easier), etc.

personally, i think youd have a hurdle to overcome because you have no real experience in finance or anything corporate. moreover, you dont have anything to show that youre actually interested in finance (esp since youre college major was in something else too). its not insurmountable by any means, but youd have to convince the interviewers/resume reviewers that this is something you really want, and not just that youre confused and now want more money and are applying to ib. if they think you wont be committed (because the job isnt really doing good, etc) theyll think twice before hiring you. but again, def not insurmountable, esp if you go to bschools like hsw

 

I came from non-profit and got into BB, but I had challenges. First, you have prove your quantitative ability; second, you have to communicate how your past career is relevant to banking; and third, you have to overcome some preconceived notions that you're a hippy/are lazy/an idiot for doing non-profit.

Banks make summer offers with the idea that you will return to banking full time if you get an offer. As a result, one key thing they look for is evidence that you will like banking. Peace Corps volunteers probably have a lower probability of enjoying banking then, say, someone who did accounting before b-school. Thus, they are sort of taking a risk on you when they give you an internship, and thus, you have to be a bit better at convincing them to hire you.

For example, alumni at two banks told me after the process was over that they wanted to extend me an offer, but I was just too high risk. They told me that if I did my internship and decided to do banking full time, they would get me an interview and thought that I would have a very good chance of getting the offer. However, until I had the internship under my belt, it was too hard for them to convince their colleagues to take me in.

If you think you want to do IB, one idea might be to apply to IB when you return in two years. This could be better for you because in two years the market will likely be better. Besides, analysts have better post-banking career ops than associates. You may find it harder to break into the BB, but I'm sure you could land somewhere.

 

I know this thread is old but I was wondering what you ended up doing? I have returned from the Peace Corps and am trying to break into IB. I'm applying to internships at the moment.

 

While I can't speak do going direct into an Analyst program, there are lots of people that do PC -> MBA to IB/MBB. I'd imagine that with proper schools, grades, internships and network in place, you would be able to make the transition to an Analyst program, just might take a bit of work. In the hypothetical that one you did the PC and two you decided you wanted to do the Analyst route and not the MBA route, I'd recommend staying in touch with friends in banks and keeping some sort of dialogue. Then before service were to end, say 6 months out, really start reaching out to banks and to begin the networking process.

 

All I have to say is that your experience with the peace corps will vary greatly depending on what country you get assigned to. I had a friend of a friend go to Fiji and said it was the best time of his life, whereas I had an immediate family member get assigned to Honduras and they do not recommend the peace corps under any circumstances vs what other opportunities you could be doing, especially in non-profit.

 

This is definitely beyond true. Also, something of note the Peace Corps isn't just about work. In regards to straight work and output, I'd totally agree that you time can better be spent elsewhere. Peace Corps is just as much about a cultural exchange/immersion as it is about doing work. So if work is the only goal then stay away. If a holistic experience is the goal then you won't be disappointed.

 

I am currently in the Peace Corps. I did banking for 3.5 years and then switched to PC. Feel free to private message me with any specific questions.

As far as breaking in to MC, I'm sure it depends on your other background like grades and school, although you seem fine in that regard. It would just boil down being able to get in while not being able to do OCR. If I was you, I'd email some of the HR people/hiring managers of said companies and ask them how a returned PCV could participate in the recruiting process.

 

I received offers recently, despite having graduated in 2008. I spent the time living abroad, studying a foreign language, and pursuing an independent research project. I'm a little older than some other people in my analyst class for sure, but I'm also a lot more interesting, stable, mature, and I think that shone through in my interviews. Your PC experience will help you get interviews, tell the story the right way and it will help you get offers. I think firms like the added maturity that come from living on one's own, especially in interesting, challenging, life-expanding experiences such as the Peace Corps. Make sure to make the best of your two years, both for the good of the people you want to serve, and to bolster your personal & professional narrative.

If you want to do PC, absolutely do it. This is the time, and it will only serve to help you in the long run. Good luck!

 

The Peace Corps has a bad history of covering up rapes of women volunteers. There have been some serious things that have come out recently where some girl will get raped by locals in a third world country even after they reported sexual abuse and "not feeling safe" weeks prior to the rape.

If you're a girl that might be something to consider.

 

People get raped in Chicago too, doesn't mean I wouldn't go there. Bad things happen to people all over the place and, surprise, they even happen to white people in 3rd world shitholes.

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 

Yeah, except the incidents of rape were HIGH (forget the number), the organization was warned and did nothing to resolve the issue, and then covered up the fact that the rape happened. From what I read this is not an isolated incident but has occurred several times.

 
2x2Matrix:
Happypants, do you ever think before you click on that little "post" button? Trivializing rape is low even for you.

Yea sorry if I offended you dude but I have known a fair number of people (>12) who are doing or have done the peace corps. and they were nothing if not insanely protected by the organization. I also have buddies that have been sent in to 'pick up' peace corps kids that were in harms way. So while I'm sure people get raped in the peace corps, you can't shy away from something because bad things happened to other people. If that were the case than no one would jump out of airplanes, shoot guns, hang glide, ride bicycles, drive cars, or go swimming. Get over yourself.

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 

1) No, Peace Corps won't hurt your chances at consulting, but it might well change your interests (not a bad thing). 2) Your profile is also fine for getting an analyst position right out of college, depending on your school (if it's Princeton, you're fine). I know people who got elite office MBB offers with similar profiles and grades. 3) Even if you want to do Peace Corps (and realistically you don't know that now), you should go through the consulting recruiting process. You will get much better at interviews, and you will gain a sense as to whether the field interests you. 4) If you want to work in Paris, you should be fluent in French. 2 years in francophone Africa would probably suffice (the accents aren't that different), but a few years of college French would not.

 

Most peace corp people I know just want to party and get high in a 3rd world country while pretending to "do good" while really all they want to do is hook up with the natives (and each other).

That has been my experience, anyway.

Wall Street leaders now understand that they made a mistake, one born of their innocent and trusting nature. They trusted ordinary Americans to behave more responsibly than they themselves ever would, and these ordinary Americans betrayed their trust.
 

I'm only going to answer (2) since that's the only one I'm familiar with. I've been to student events and I've seen people with big 4 audit background at some of the M7 events I went to. Definitely should be true for top 15 also. It will all come down to how you present your story (your career progress and how the move to peace corps fits into who you are as a candidate, why MBA, your ST/LT goals post-MBA).

680 is pretty good w/o any studying. Get it up inline with your target programs average if you can.

 

Returned Peace Corps volunteer here. Your plan sounds like something that will help you get into an MBA program, but is your interest in the Peace Corps anything more than a strategy to get into an MBA program? If so, I'd strongly advise against it.

The Peace Corps is run in a way that tends to self-select people who are flexible, open to new experiences, and open to a complete personal transformation during their time abroad. You're in no way guaranteed an economic development position no matter what your academic/work background is, and even if you are assigned one of those positions, there's less of a guarantee that it'll be what you expect. The Peace Corps volunteer mentality would be more like "I'm open to other positions, but I'll do what I can to incorporate economic development work into my assignment."

There are easier ways to boost your resume than spending two years in the Peace Corps. Except for people who were interested in launching a career in international development, I don't know of anyone who did the Peace Corps simply because they thought it would look good on paper. Going in with that attitude, you're also going to be on a completely different wavelength than other volunteers.

 

I really didn't get into the reason why I'm doing the Peace Corps in my post, but the main reason for me doing it isn't an MBA.I know moving into an FP&A role, staying with the big 4 till manager, or rotating into TAS would be more valuable for an MBA if that were my only focus. I've wanted to something along the Peace Corps lines for awhile. I've deliberated between just traveling for a few years, teaching english abroad, pure volunteering with non-profits in Africa, hell I was applying to the military for a bit. I'm looking for something away from the mundane tedium of work, something outside of the US/West, with a focus on helping people, and hopefully the experience will give me some direction with my own life as well. The fact that it is attractive for an MBA is a huge plus, but it isn't the reason why I am doing it.

A follow up to your other point regarding the Economic Development, is that from personal experience? I figured you function as a jack of all trades from what I've read but I really don't know what to expect other than a few testimonials I've read online. The other points regarding the characteristics of why people who join the Peace Corps, is exactly why I'm applying.

 

For reference, I did PC.

Ehh and Why:

How difficult is it to ascertain a Community Economic Development slot? There aren't any metrics out there for acceptance and my recruiters only know overall stats.

I'd say with your background very high chance that you will get into a business related program.

Ehh and Why:

I realize big 4 audit isn't exactly sexy, I'm hoping the Peace Corps will help me spice things up. With these two in tandem, is there any chance in thinking the M7 could happen? How about top 15?.

Yes, very good chance. Improve your GMAT a bit and you should be good to go for Top 15/10, maybe M7.

Ehh and Why:

Given the above, what do you think the chance are of nailing down an MBB slot?

Assuming you are at a school where MBB takes a lot of kids your odds will be no different than any other student. Lots of Peace Corps MBAs go MBB from top schools.

 

Returned Peace Corps Volunteer here. The time from application to departure really depends.The main thing that can hold up your application is the medical clearance part, which depends on how many medical follow ups you're requested to do. Otherwise, if all goes smoothly, if you apply now, you can probably expect to be given an assignment and country in about six months. I left for my service about one month after I was given my country and assignment. This six months is based on the assumption that you're at a school where the Peace Corps advertises. I've heard it can be 1 year+ if you're not in school or not at a school the Peace Corps recruits from.

In response to your comment about just teaching English, the Peace Corps is what you make of it. You can do whatever projects you feel your community will benefit from, even if it's outside of your assignment. Overall, it's an interesting opportunity to create projects from scratch and manage them.

 

I've considered waiting a full 12 months but the way everything's timed is that if I did that I would get out of the Peace Corps sometime around October (PC service is 27 months) -- meaning after classes start. So I would either have to close my service early by 2-3 months (heard they let you do this for grad school) or have to wait another year to get my MBA/get another job, which I'd rather not do.

@"SouthernAlpha" @"matayo"

 

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