CSUMentor Online Admission Application Submittals Soar

The California State University and Xap Corporation, the leader in Internet-based student services, today announced that the CSUMentor system received 232,934 online applications during the 2-month fall enrollment period of October 1 through November 30, 2002. This number is a 47.5% increase in the applications submitted for same period a year ago, and is over 45 times the entire first year of CSUMentor operation.

“Students are sending a loud and clear message that they prefer the convenience and flexibility of learning about CSU and applying to its campuses online,” said Allison Jones, the CSU’s assistant vice chancellor for student academic support. “During this period of heavy enrollment demand, CSU is continuing to ensure that CSUMentor meets prospective students’ college planning and application needs successfully.”

Xap Corporation, the Los Angeles-based company that designed CSUMentor and operates its servers, reported smooth operation of its networks and systems throughout the peak time for the fall application deadline. On November 30, the busiest day of the enrollment period, CSUMentor received 25,359 applications. More than 2,000 applications were submitted during a single hour.

“I continue to be amazed at the large number of online applications submitted to CSU, as this represents only 23 campuses of the over 2,400 colleges and universities participating in Mentor systems across the country said,” Allen Firstenberg, President and CEO of Xap. “The success of CSUMentor is a direct reflection of the partnership between Xap and the California State University system, a partnership that permitted Xap to take CSU’s vision to make the education process easier and friendlier for students and their parents, nationwide.

Mentor Systems, which are exclusively developed by Xap Corporation, are Internet-based, student-centered web sites that provide students and their parents a simpler, friendlier and free way to plan for college admission, search and select colleges, learn about scholarships and financial aid, plan a career, and apply to college. Xap currently has 25 live Mentor systems, plus contracts for new Mentor Systems covering approximately 80 percent of college enrollment throughout the United States, a number that continues to grow.

About Xap

Headquartered in the Los Angeles area, Xap Corporation focuses on the creation of comprehensive Internet-based information management systems relating to secondary and post-secondary education. Founded in 1996, Xap is the leading developer of online student services systems for associations and statewide groups of colleges and universities across the United States. Xap’s national website, www.xap.com and many Mentor web sites provide the necessary tools for students to select and prepare for college, apply online, learn about financial aid opportunities and explore career options.

About CSU Mentor

CSUMentor, which is a free service, also offers multimedia campus tours, student-campus matching assistance, free e-mail accounts, academic planners that allow students to track their progress in meeting admission requirements, and assistance in completing financial aid forms. Students pay only the application fee charged by the CSU campus when they submit an application for admission. For more information, see http://www.csumentor.edu

About the California State University

The California State University is the largest system of senior higher education in the country, with 23 campuses, nearly 407,000 students and 44,000 faculty and staff. Since the system was created in 1961, it has awarded about 2 million degrees. The CSU is renowned for the quality of its teaching and for the job-ready graduates it produces. Its mission is to provide high-quality, affordable education to meet the ever-changing needs of the people of California. With its commitment to excellence, diversity and innovation, the CSU is the university system that is working for California. See http://www.calstate.edu/.

CONTACT:

Allen Firstenberg, Xap Corporation (310) 842-9800 allen@xap.com

Colleen Bentley-Adler, California State University (562) 951-4801 cbentley-adler@calstate.edu