Peace Corps broke a new record for the number of applications received for two-year volunteer opportunities in the 2015 fiscal year. The agency received nearly 23,000 applications, marking a 32 percent increase over the number of applications received in 2014 — and the highest application number since 1975.
It’s a big number following a year of big changes, including implementation of the agency’s application and recruitment reforms launched in July 2014, which allow applicants to choose their country of service and apply to specific programs through a shorter application.
But for volunteers, escalating application numbers translates to increased competition; and for the agency, it means more pressure to meet higher-than-ever placement demands with the same flatlined budget.
About the author
Kelli Rogers@kellierin
Kelli Rogers has worked as an Associate Editor and Southeast Asia Correspondent for Devex, with a particular focus on gender. Prior to that, she reported on social and environmental issues from Nairobi, Kenya. Kelli holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri, and has reported from more than 20 countries.
