What is academic mentoring?

Experience and research has shown that students who participate in mentoring programs increase their chances of succeeding in their college career and beyond. Cornerstone: The Center for Advanced Learning offers a variety of mentoring options to WU students who are interested in succeeding in their studies, mastering concepts, gaining problem-solving skills, learning to work in groups, sharpening critical and analytical skills and more. These services are announced via email, website, and plasma screen and printed announcements at Cornerstone. Interested students can take advantage of the following opportunities:

• Study Groups

  Students can organize a small study group and work with a department-approved academic mentor on specific course material.

• Peer-Led Team Learning

  This program pairs trained upperclassmen with small groups of students who work on group exercises directly connected to course work. Initially created in conjunction with the Chemistry department to address the needs of freshman taking the introductory chemistry and lab classes, PLTL is now offered to Physics and Calculus students as well. Interested students should contact the relevant department.

• Help Desks

  Held at Cornerstone during regularly scheduled evening hours, help desks are staffed by trained mentors who provide individual assistance for students in Writing and Calculus.
  → Go to Hours

• Residential Peer Mentors (RPMs)

  These trained and supervised mentors live in the residential colleges and are available to assist residents in writing and with the subject matter in traditionally large courses, such as Calculus, Chemistry and Physics.
  → Go to Hours

• Skills Development Workshops

  Students interested in improving skills in time management, note-taking, writing, reading, etc., may participate in these workshops. Groups may also request a session tailored to their needs.

• Mentoring Workshops

  These course-specific sessions are arranged around exams on an as-needed basis for anyone enrolled in the designated course. They are designed to enhance understanding of course material and include discussion, problem-solving and concept clarifications.

• Test Prep Sessions

  Cornerstone schedules MCAT prep sessions, and is presently in the process of adding GRE, LSAT and other tests. For scheduling, visit the Cornerstone website.

Become an Academic Mentor:

Cornerstone mentors are successful students who want to reach out to others and help them succeed. Many have been mentored themselves and experienced the benefits of the program in their own studies. Mentors are paid and trained, but when discussing their work, they often mention that the greatest benefit to them is in the experience of teaching and working with their peers. The Cornerstone mentors represent over 50 academic majors from the University. Mentors have a minimum grade of A- in the course they mentor (some departments have additional requirements); present two letters of recommendation, including one from the professor who taught them in the course they wish to mentor; a minimum cumulative and semester grade point average of 3.0.

Students interested in applying to be mentors should go to this link and print out an application, or stop by Cornerstone to pick up a form. Once completed the application, tax forms, I-9 form, and proof of identification (see side 2 of the I-9 form) should be submitted at the front desk at Cornerstone. Letters of recommendation (e-mail is acceptable) should be sent to Cornerstone, or you can ask the Academic Programs Coordinator to request them.

When professor recommendations and all the other forms have been received, the Academic Programs Coordinator will e-mail you to schedule an interview. After the interview, you will be notified of the result by e-mail or telephone.

Students accepted as Mentors must attend mandatory training sessions (see link below for calendar) to learn how to become an effective mentor and how to make use of the many resources offered by Cornerstone: The Center for Advanced Learning and must attend subject-matter update and/or refresher training.

Academic Mentor Applications, Mentor Vouchers, and Timesheets and related employment forms are available online.