Congratulations on your acceptance into UM!

 

   

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THE 2008 MENTEE APPLICATION DEADLINE HAS PASSED and we are no longer accepting applications.

If you have already applied to the program and are awaiting a response, we are in the process of matching mentees in groups, and will send you the status of your application over the next few weeks as we attempt to make the best matches possible.

Thank you for your patience with our selection process!

 

NEW! CHAT WITH OUR STAFF!

Click on the icon below to chat in real time with our staff! Please use this feature to ask questions related to the Mentorship program. You will be asked to provide your email address in order to gain permission to use this feature. Online hours are 10am-3pm, Monday-Friday, EST. Offline messages will be returned by the next business day.

 

 

APPLICATION FAQs

My recruitment postcard appeared after my application deadline. Can I still apply?

YES! Because of the large number of the incoming class, postcards are sent out monthly to groups of matriculated UM students, and each group of several hundred students are given a different application date in order for us to manage the large influx of applicants. You don't have to wait until you receive the postcard to apply, and can do so through July 18th.

It's been a while since I applied. How will I know if I'm accepted or who my peer mentor is?

If you have applied in April or May, we are in the process of matching mentees with mentors, and will notify our first group of accepted students via email in the next few weeks (the matching process began in June after our first round of reviews), and if accepted, we also send you your group information before the end of the summer. If we are unable to match you with a group, you will be informed of this as well; many students are referred to the other existing support programs at UM.

Can I be guaranteed a faculty mentor in my discipline? We are unable to guarantee each accepted applicant a faculty member in his or her discipline. The program offers a faculty OR a staff mentor, and both faculty and staff are incredibly knowledgeable of the university, whether or not they share your specific academic field or interests. The purpose of a faculty or staff mentor is to respond to your questions about campus life as you transition into UM, be a reference and listening ear for you your first semester and offer advice. Otherwise, your academic advising unit can offer you more specific information about your department, requirements for your major, where to receive tutoring, internships, etc.

 

BEFORE YOU APPLY...

We strongly encourage first year students to read the information below and fill out all information truthfully and thoroughly when applying. We intend to make the best mentor matches possible for first year students! For this reason, enrollment in the program is not automatic, and selection is based on demonstrated interest in the program, the availability of mentors and applicants' expressed desire for mentorship.

 

                                  What is Mentorship?

We define Mentorship as a tool to introduce new students to University life and a way to broaden access to all that UM has to offer first year students!

Program benefits for first year students:

• Immediate connection with a UM student and trained mentor who can offer a full picture of campus life and answer your questions
• Informal one-on-one and group guidance
• Interactions with faculty and staff who can provide insight about UM
• Friendly advice in a supportive environment
• Fun activities, programs and events that touch on broad aspects of campus life that are of little or no cost to participants
• Meeting other first-year students who share your same academic and extra-curricular interests
• Make UM smaller by learning about campus and community resources and activities during your first semester

 

How Mentorship works:

• Freshmen apply to Mentorship online and, if accepted, are matched over the summer with one peer mentor (a current UM student) and one faculty OR staff (non-teaching University professional) mentor.

• The Mentorship program cycle occurs from September to December.

• Peer Mentors contact Mentees (first year students who have been accepted into the Mentorship program) over the summer.

• Mentees are invited to the Mentorship Kickoff event in September, where they will meet their Peer mentor and Faculty or Staff mentor.

• Mentors follow up with mentees after Kickoff to arrange meetings throughout the semster

• Mentees choose when and how frequently they would like to meet during each month. Mentors are required to meet regularly (minimum 1-2 times a month) with mentees and provide our staff with feedback on a monthly basis.

• Mentorship groups communicate with each other in person or through phone, email or facebook during.

• Mentees have the opportunity to shape their own mentoring experiences through dialogue with their mentors and attending and participating in the many planned events by our staff.

Whether you choose to attend the planned with your Mentorship group, go on coffee dates with your Faculty or Staff Mentor or participate in program-wide events, the University Mentorship Program is designed to meet YOUR needs and interests.

Read our MENTEE FAQ to help you decide if Mentorship is right for you!

 

                                      Program Structure

The mission of the University Mentorship Program is to provide an opportunity for new students to connect with Mentors who are knowledgeable about the University of Michigan in order to ease the transition from high school to college.

As a Mentee, you are matched with a group of Mentees (4 to 6 total) who are also first year students, and who share similar academic, pre-professional and/or extracurricular interests. Your group is connected with a pair of mentors: one Peer Mentor (UM sophomore, junior or senior) and one Faculty or Staff Mentor. Both Mentors serve as a point-of-contact and immediate resource to you and your group, there to answer your questions, connect you with campus resources, and help you explore UM.

The University Mentorship Program is one of the many Michigan Learning Communities available to students on campus. These programs help to make our large University easier to navigate.

                                               Our Goal

Together Peer and Faculty/Staff Mentors will help you find your niche at the University of Michigan.

Questions about Mentorship? Contact us, we are always happy to talk with prospective students and their parents! Our staff can be reached at 734-764-6413, or via email at UMMentor@umich.edu.