<p>…supposedly it is next to impossible. Is that correct?</p>
<p>I’ve got work experience to secretary work and handyman/lawn care, but I don’t think that is what the Peace Corps is looking for, plus no college. Oh, maybe they take AP credit, lol.</p>
<p>So just looking for some confirmation, I have a 1% chance of getting into the Peace Corps out of H.S. w/o a college degree, and limited work experience. But I’m pretty smart, Eagle Scout, other pretty good ECs (nothing too spectacular). I was hoping I might be able to go as a teachers aid, but the govt could spend the money on someone older and with experience to do that instead of me I guess. </p>
<p>I’m afraid I’ll be a little too old and set on a career by the time I’m out of college, but I’ll still consider it. </p>
<p>I think that you might be too young as of right now. But, you are an Eagle Scout for goodness sakes. If you truly want to do this with all your heart, then maybe you could do the AA route and try really hard to master Spanish or perhaps Haitian style Creole (not too many folks outside of Haiti or Miami or something speak that). You might also want to see what you can do within your own community when it comes to those competitive non degree requirements. </p>
<p>Do not give up hope. You might be one of the 10% with no degree that they want for all you should know. Or, you might just have to earn an AA, prepare, and then try and join. </p>
<p>Sargent Shriver (father of Maria Shriver) did the Peace Corps. In my imagination, I have a feeling that he would be tickled pink at an Eagle Scout out of High School wanting to sign up.</p>
<p>Go to college first. PC generally doesn’t look at young applicants without degrees. The “no degree” exception is more for older, experienced workers with particular skills–and even then, PC prefers at least an associates degree.</p>
<p>Without a degree, you’d still need 3-5 years of work experience–by then you could have a degree! You’ll only be about 22 when you get out of college, and PC is a two-year commitment. Even if you do 4 years of college and 2 years of PC, you’ll still be young–only around 24-- when you get out! Although there are many older/retired PC volunteers, typical volunteers are a recent college grad in his/her early/mid 20’s.</p>
<p>Unless things have changed a lot since I was in PC 20+ years ago, PC requires a level of maturity and independence (and skills) that few people would have coming out of high school. PC can be very tough (about 1/4 of volunteers don’t finish their two years). </p>
<p>If you really want to do volunteer work NOW, you might be able to find other volunteer service opportunities for someone right out of high school through a church or charitable organization.</p>
<p>You might look at City Year–it’s a volunteer organization made up of young people (just out of high school with no degree is OK) who live and work in cities across the US and work in a variety of community service programs focused on young people. There’s also a program in S. Africa. I know several young people who were involved in it and it was a rewarding experience for them. It’s a 10 month commitment.</p>
<p>I’m still going to apply to PC, but I know it is a big longshot and I won’t bank on it. </p>
<p>And thank you very much Bromfield, I’ve never heard of City Year. It looks very intriguing and I’m definitely going to look into it. </p>
<p>One thing that caught my eye was that it appears that they do not pay for housing or provide housing(As far as I read, I could very well be wrong). This might be an issue, but I live within 20 minutes of one of the cities on the list, but I would kind of like to get a little bit farther away from home and not live with my parents. </p>
<p>You might also want to look into Americorps…sort of a PC in the states. Good program and something that does take students right out of high school.</p>
<p>Apply to PC and see what happens. Perhaps they will look at your application and see something that will uniquely qualify you for something. The worst thing that can happen is you won’t get accepted.</p>
<p>Look at Nccc a division of Americorps (commitment is a year) or you coulD do what my daughter did , which was work and lve at home to save money, then go to the other side of the world to volunteer.</p>
<p>I’ve never really looked into Americorps. Heard of it, but never knew it was domestic.
Looks like a really cool program and I’m definitely going to look into it. </p>