1) You cannot apply to Peace Corps until programs for your desired departure date are posted on the website. They are posted 11-13 months in advance. (The April-May-June 2016 programs were just posted at the beginning of May 2015) So if you are hoping to depart after you graduate in May 2017, prepare your application in order to be able to submit it when the April-June 2017 programs go online in May 2016. If you apply now, PC will simply ask you to reapply in a year. Instead, why not talk to a Recruiter to answer these questions for you?

2) There are basically three types of Community Economic Development programs- those with a Spanish requirement; those with a French requirement; or those without a language requirement, which are almost all in Eastern Europe. If you do wish to serve as a CED Volunteer, you should start learning French or Spanish now, unless you only want to be considered for those Eastern Europe CED programs. As you will see on the Openings- they are looking for either 4 years of Spanish or French in HS, or 2 semesters in college for a basic level of proficiency, or 4 semesters of college French/Spanish for a more advanced level. Important: PC will not Invite you to a program on the promise you will learn the language in the meantime. They have way too many applicants now who already meet the language requirements already. And, it's like applying to any other job- you need to have the base level skills in order to qualify!

3) The Soft Skills Questionnaire is part of the four forms that make up your initial application. Everyone fills out the application, then the medical form, then selects preferences, then submits the Soft Skills Questionnaire. It is only after the 4th step that they choose whether to interview you or not. But again- if you applied today, they would just tell you to talk to a Recruiter and reapply.