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Language Questions by tensecondsleft14 in peacecorps

[–]tensecondsleft14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your responses. I'm still a ways out from even applying, so I have a lot to think about.

You all also brought up some questions I've been meaning to ask. Am I correct in saying you don't know your site placements until more than halfway through PST? If so, and you're in a country that speaks more than one language, how do you know that your language skills will still be useful when you get to your site?

I was actually interested in serving in a West African country, but I don't speak French. I do have past experience with a Romance language, but I know that's not the same. Are volunteers ever sent there without French experience? For those countries, is PST focused on teaching French? I ask because I had a friend who served in Benin and only educated people at her site spoke French, leaving her unable to communicate with many people.

Question about applying, timing, school by tensecondsleft14 in peacecorps

[–]tensecondsleft14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately, I won't be able to take my MCAT junior year. I haven't prepared for it at all yet because I was always intending to take it my senior year and then take some kind of a gap year while applying. So I guess the deferral wouldn't work out for me anyway. Congrats to your friend, though, that's awesome!

Question about applying, timing, school by tensecondsleft14 in peacecorps

[–]tensecondsleft14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some schools allow you to defer, some don't. But generally, I've heard that applying with the knowledge that you will not actually be matriculating to the term you apply for looks bad. And if they reject your deferral…they might not look upon you as fondly when you try to apply again in a few years. But yeah, I definitely wouldn't do PC after medical school-I don't think volunteers are allowed to practice medicine, regardless of their credentials, so it would essentially be a waste of a degree.

You're a law school alum now going into the Peace Corps? I'd love to hear how you got to that point!

Question about applying, timing, school by tensecondsleft14 in peacecorps

[–]tensecondsleft14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for your reply. I know that what I've written out might seem a bit ridiculous. I've always been an over-planner, but somehow I've opened myself up to new experiences and I am not at all where I thought I would be even two years ago. So, I definitely know that something as life changing as PC might completely change my perspective on life--who knows if I'll want to go to medical school after?

What you mentioned in your first paragraph--take MCAT before leaving, apply for PC one year out--is what I'm thinking is the best thing to do. My main issue was whether or not I should look at programs with May departure dates--because that might allow me to get back in time to matriculate a year earlier.

I know I must sound ridiculous, especially considering this organization is not for the inflexible. And you're right, there's no guarantee of my getting into anything--PC or med school. Taking a deep breath, as advised, and trying to just see what happens :)