FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, March 29, 2002

Web-Based Tools Assist Peace Corps Applicants

Online Status Check Capability Debuts

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 29, 2002—Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez announced today a new online system that allows applicants to log in and view their progress toward becoming Peace Corps volunteers. The Web-based system communicates clearly with applicants about the review levels Peace Corps has completed, which forms have been sent and received, as well as any further information that may be required before an applicant can be offered a volunteer placement. Also included are a download center for related forms and an online tool for applicants to use in updating their e-mail and mailing addresses.

“The improvement was to debut this summer, but we have expedited the functional aspects to better support the numbers of interested applicants and to respond in a modern way to a new generation of future Peace Corps volunteers,” stated Vasquez.

Nearly sixty percent of applications to the Peace Corps are submitted online, and the agency has received 2,300 applications since the President’s State of the Union address on January 29, 2002. That rate is an increase of nearly 25 percent over this same time period in 2001.

Under the new system, as an application moves through review by various divisions within Peace Corps, that movement will trigger automated e-mails to the applicant announcing a change in status. By logging into the Web-based system, the applicant will see that forms have been received, an interview needs to be scheduled, additional health or legal information is needed, an invitation to serve has been issued, and similar milestones. The applicant then will be able to respond quickly and continue progress toward becoming a Peace Corps volunteer.

More than 10,000 people are currently in the process of completing the application, review, interview and placement process. These individuals will receive notification by letter over the next few days with instructions, a user name and password, which will then allow them to log into the status check capability.

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