Advising Student Advisors

Biology Student Advisors

The Biology Student Advisors (SAs) are junior and senior biological sciences majors who serve as academic peer advisors to new students (freshmen and transfers) interested in the biology major. SAs write to their advisees during the summer before the students' arrival on campus, and meet with them throughout the academic year to share their knowledge about the major, their college, graduation requirements, campus activities, and student support services.

Each student advisor is responsible for holding one office hour per week in the Biology Advising Center, 216 Stimson Hall. Thus, the Student Advisors provide 60 hours of advising per week in addition to the hours held by professional staff advisors in the Center.

In addition to their advising responsibility, Student Advisors serve in various capacities such as: serving on student panels for campus visitation programs, sponsoring the annual Biology Info Fair, volunteering as tutors for science and math courses, serving on various OUB committees, and meeting with prospective students and families individually.

In February of each year, Student Advisor applications are available in the Office of Undergraduate Biology, and also as a download from the Forms page. New SAs are chosen by current student advisors through an extensive application and interview process coordinated by the Office of Undergraduate Biology. It's a challenging and rewarding position that provides upperclass students with an opportunity to hone their leadership, counseling and communication skills.

Questions about the SA program can be directed to bioadvising@cornell.edu.