College of Natural Science

Preprofessional Peer Advisors (PPA)

Description of the College of Natural SciencePreprofessional Peer Advisors

Preprofessional peer advisors are an integral part of the College’s preprofessional advising program. They provide the perspective of upperclass preprofessional students in assisting other students with a variety of advising needs. The peer advisors work closely with the advising staff in the College’s Undergraduate Academic and Student Affairs Office. Their responsibilities include the following:

  • Presentations and advising assistance at MSU’s summer Academic Orientation Program
  • Conduct advising appointments during weekly office hours
  • Providing basic preprofessional preparation information
  • Providing information on university policies and procedures
  • Developing and maintaining preprofessional advising materials
  • Assisting with technological outreach and advising through Facebook, Twitter, blogs, email, and phone
  • Co-authoring a preprofessional newsletter

Benefits of being a Preprofessional Peer Advisor

Preprofessional peer advisors have an opportunity to develop valuable leadership, service, and communication skills, as well as build networks with MSU faculty and staff. These are valuable assets that can be used in future career pursuits and other endeavors.

Work Hours and Pay

Preprofessional peer advisors are paid $9.25/hour and are expected to be available to work 10-20 hours/week at AOP in June and July 2018, and at least 7 hours per week during the Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 semesters.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must:

  • Have a declared major in the College of Natural Science
  • College of Natural Science major must be the primary major if applicant is pursuing an additional major or double degree
  • Students in the Lyman Briggs College are not eligible
  • Be Junior or Senior status beginning Summer 2018
  • Be pursuing a preprofessional track (pre medical, pre dental, pre pharmacy, pre physical therapy, pre physician assistant, pre occupational therapy, pre optometry, pre podiatry, etc.)
  • Have a 3.25 or higher cum gpa
  • Have a positive personality, excellent communication skills, work well as a part of a team, and enjoy working with and helping others

To apply, please complete this application form and return it by email to Mo Gerhardt ()with the subject line as “PPA Application” by no later than February 5, 2018by 4:00 PM. Students chosen for an interview will be contacted byFebruary 9th.

Preprofessional Peer Advisor Application Form

Name:

Phone:

MSU Address:

MSU Email:

Major:

Twitter Handle: @

Facebook Name:

Preprofessional designation (choose one from the drop down menu):

If other, please specify:

Class StandingBeginning Summer 2018: Junior Senior

Are you a transfer student? Yes No

If yes, how many semesters have you been at MSU?

MSU cumulative GPA:

Please answer the following questions (use as much space as you need):

  1. Why do you want to become a Preprofessional Peer Advisor? Specifically address how it would fit into your desired college experiences and future plans.
  1. Describe any special skills, training, abilities, and personality characteristics that you have which would be an asset as a peer advisor or to become a successful, preprofessional student.
  1. What co-curricular activities have you participated in at college? (i.e. student organizations, leadership experiences, community service, research experiences, etc.)
  1. Elaborate on any leadership roles you have had or your experience with working as a part of a team.
  1. How many times have you met with a Human Biology and/or Preprofessional advisor? What knowledge or skills did you gain from these meetings?

I give permission for the Preprofessional Peer Advisor supervisors to review my student academic records to verify information contained in this application. YES NO

Undergraduate Academic and Student Affairs
Michigan State University • College of Natural Science • Natural Science Bldg • 288 Farm Lane, Room 108 • East Lansing, MI 48824
517.355.8419 • ns.msu.edu