The next school year may seem far away, but if Northwestern students hope to be Peer Advisers, they should start giving some thought to Fall Quarter 2011.
Applications for next year’s mentors, who assist freshmen and transfer students during Wildcat Welcome Week, are due Feb. 4. Potential applicants must make a decision about their interest in time for mandatory information sessions, on either Tuesday or Thursday.
Weinberg sophomore Katie Radtke, Staff Training and Dynamics chair on the Wildcat Welcome Board of Directors, said the board can accept 204 Peer Advisers this year, though they typically receive 400 to 500 applications.
Radtke said this year the board has a goal of 550 applicants.
Any undergraduate student can apply to be a PA by following the application guidelines on the Student Affairs website. Each student is required to submit four essay question responses and a short video clip about why he or she wants to be a PA
Mike Mallazzo, a Medill freshman, said he enjoyed being part of Wildcat Welcome events this year and wants “an excuse to do it again.”
“The PAs I had were a lot of fun and it made it easy for me to transition to college,” Mallazzo said. “I like to think I’m funny and I’m usually pretty outgoing. I also like being in charge of things.”
Before submitting the application, interested students must attend one of the information sessions, which will be held Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. There, students will learn about the application process and the time commitments of being a PA.
Returning PAs must attend one of two half-hour sessions Monday.
Chosen applicants will be given an interview time by Feb. 10. All interview sessions will take place between Feb. 15 and 24 and will consist of a one-on-one interview, a team creativity exercise and a critical thinking exercise, said Elizabeth Daly, director of orientation and parent programs.
According to Radtke, PAs have numerous responsibilities including regularly contacting their group of new students throughout the summer before they arrive, assisting new students and parents with the move-in process, facilitating discussion after “Essential NU” information sessions, answering all new students’ questions and serving as mentors for their specific academic schools throughout the advising and registration processes.
Daly said all submissions are reviewed thoroughly and there are no “screening factors” that would prevent someone from being considered. Still, judicial files are taken into account, and students are encouraged to reveal any offenses.
“We’re looking for the students who love and care about Northwestern and can really bring something to the incoming students,” Daly said. “We recognize that NU has a well-rounded group of students and we want to show that. We’re not trying to show one mold of student.”
Selected students will be notified by March 9, at which point they must sign up for five different training sessions in the spring. During this training, the new PAs work on team building.
PAs return to campus for Fall Quarter Sept. 9 to prepare for Wildcat Welcome Week, which will be held from Sept. 12-19, Daly said.
Natalie Osterweil, a member of the Wildcat Welcome Board of Directors and a former Peer Adviser, said the experience was worth the time commitment.
“Wildcat Welcome is like a family,” the McCormick senior said. “It brings together people from every part of campus and unites them under a desire to give new students a great experience.”
Daly said she and the Wildcat Welcome committee encourage students to be creative and show personality on their applications. The required YouTube video is one way to do this.
“We want your video to show who you are, instead of white paper and black text,” said Brian Chang, Bienen junior and liaison for the Board of Directors.
