A taxing application process caused Peace Corps numbers to dwindle over the last 20 years. The international service organization made a significant overhaul of the system and saw its numbers skyrocket.
The Peace Corps received 17,336 applications from Americans for the 2014 fiscal year, the most in 22 years and a 70 percent increase over last year. The two-year service program last saw record numbers in 1992 with 17,438 applications and 1979 with 18,159. President John F. Kennedy created the program in 1961.
"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.
The service organization instituted changes to the application process in July 2014 and immediately saw a 400 percent jump in applications from July 2013. This July also saw the highest number of applications received in month in more than 15 years, according to the Peace Corps.
"More than 50 years after its founding, the Peace Corps is revitalizing its recruitment and outreach to field a volunteer force that represents the best and brightest the country has to offer," Hessler-Radelet said in July.
"A modernized, flexible application and placement system will help Peace Corps recruit Americans who are not just interested in imagining a better world, but rolling up their sleeves and doing something about it."
The old process was so time-consuming, many applicants never finished. Only 23 percent of people who started an application ended up submitting it. Approximately 95 percent started and submitted application this year.
The new, shorter application can be completed within an hour compared to the eight hours it took for the previous packet. The year-long application process was also shortened to six months.
Applicants can now choose the program and country they want to apply to that best fits "their personal and professional goals," according the Peace Corps. The organization also better clarified its "Apply By" and "Know By" deadlines.
"There is a 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," Hassler-Radelet said.
More than 215,000 Americans have served in 139 countries for the Peace Corps since its inception. The organization has seen a growing number of older Americans and minorities signing up for two-year service positions. Minorities account for 24 percent of the Corps and volunteers over age 50 account for 8 percent. More than 7,200 Americans are currently serving in 65 countries, the majority (46 percent) in African nations.
