To all Psychology Majors
and Neuroscience and Behavior Majors

Apply to be a Peer Advisor

What is the Peer Advising Program?

The first Peer Advising Pilot Program was test run during the academic year 2001-2002 in six different majors: Psychology, Economics, Political Science, History, English, and EALAC. Five students were chosen to be Psychology Peer Advisors. By all accounts, these Peer Advisors, and the Peer Advising Program, worked extremely well. (See Spectator, April 25, 2002.)

In 2002-2003, we were able to expand the program to include 11 Peer Advisors--five each for the Psychology Major and the Neuroscience and Behavior Major, and one for the Psychology Concentration. These eleven students formed a very effective interface between students and faculty in the Department of Psychology. They contributed in many ways to the effectiveness of our group events for current or prospective majors, and they met and corresponded with students individually to help them with program planning. This is the ninth year of our Peer Advising Network. Here are all nine years of Peer Advisors: 2001-2, 2002-3, 2003-4, 2004-5, 2005-6, 2006-7, 2007-8, 2008-9, 2009-10.

As you can see, our Peer Advising crews have been renewed annually as some peer advisors graduate and new ones are selected. We are still accepting applications for the 2009-10 Peer Advising crew. Applications may be submitted at any time, using the form at the bottom of this page.

What Does it take to be a Peer Advisor?

A Peer Advisor needs to be able to commit time and energy to the creation and implementation of a Peer Advising Network. The charge for Peer Advisors is to provide a resource of accurate information for students while also devising new and more effective ways to facilitate contact between majors and faculty advisors. To that end, selected candidates will play an important role in advising of new majors in the Spring, and will participate in various activities for Psychology and Neuroscience and Behavior Majors during both semesters.

Applicants should be well informed of their department's requirements and policies, comfortable working with both faculty and students, and willing to oversee new programs and events to better inform majors of opportunities within their department. Attendance at departmental Open Houses and Majors Forums is highly desirable.

If interested, please complete the application below
 

Name (Last, First): UNI:

Local Phone Expect to graduate in (Month yyyy)

I am a *in

1. Why do you want to contribute to the Peer Advising Program by serving as a Peer Advisor?

2. What qualities do you possess that would make you an effective Peer Advisor? Please briefly discuss three.

3. Identify two strengths and two weaknesses of the Dept. of Psychology and explain how you, as a Peer Advisor, would work to improve them.

4. Do you have any experiences beyond the classroom that enhance your understanding and perspective of your major?

5. How and when did you decide upon your major?

6. List some of the most influential classes you have taken in your major.

7. What extra-curricular activities are you involved in?

8. How are some ways you could make yourself available to the advisees?

This application form is based on the original model provided by the CCSC in 2001, with new questions added by the CCSC in 2005. The Undergraduate Curriculum Committee of the Dept. of Psychology will select new peer advisors to replace graduating seniors.



























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