Apply to be an Allard Law Peer Tutor for 2023-2024
Applications due Sunday, August 20, 2023 at 11:59pm.
What Is the Peer Tutor Program?
The Allard School of Law’s Peer Tutor program is an enhanced academic support program. The program matches first-year law students with upper-year law student volunteers who provide guidance on study skills and learning strategies. In addition to one-on-one guidance, the peer tutors work closely with the Assistant Dean, Students to organize and present the first year series of academic success lectures on study skills, preparation and use of cans, and exam writing.
The Allard School of Law's Peer Tutor Program was honoured to be recognized by the Vice President, Students, with the Helen McCrae Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to the student experience and learning environment at UBC.
Eligibility for the Peer Tutor Program
Students interested in being a peer tutor should be in second or third year of the JD program, have completed their first year of Law studies at Allard Law, and be present at Allard Law for the 2023-2024 academic year. Students participating in a term 2 one-term clinic or one-term exchange may still apply, but should note their clinic/exchange participation in their cover letter.
Additionally, prospective tutors should have:
- Excellent communication skills and a friendly and positive attitude;
- A high level of academic achievement, particularly in first year courses, combined with excellent study skill habits;
- A desire to assist first-year students and to contribute to the law school community through peer tutoring and mentoring; and
- The ability to clearly and concisely explain concepts to their peers.
Previous experience with mentoring, tutoring, or coaching (volunteer or paid) is an asset.
Time Commitment
Peer tutors are appointed on a voluntary basis for the fall and winter terms of the 2023-2024 academic year.
Peer Tutors are expected to:
- Provide a maximum of 4 hours of program involvement per week
- Previous tutors note that the program time commitment is not onerous and is easily balanced with other commitments. They also note that the actual tutoring commitment is usually ~2 hours a week.
- Maintain tutoring relationships with 5-8 student tutees throughout the year
- Volunteer at 1-2 Academic Success Lectures per year as a presenter
- Attend semi-regular organization meetings with the other tutors; and
- Provide assistance with creating and updating the Academic Success handouts
Peer Tutor Application Process
Apply online through ACE by 11:59pm on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Please provide the following in your application:
- a resume;
- a cover letter;
- Separate page indicating your name, contact info, the name of your 1st year small group, and a list of your first-year professors.
Cover letters should be addressed to the Assistant Dean, Students. Applicants should highlight any previous tutoring or mentoring experience in their cover letter. While this experience is not mandatory, it is helpful. The Assistant Dean has access to applicants’ academic records and will review them as part of the consideration process. You therefore do not send transcripts with your application.
The Peer Tutor recruitment process consists of 3 stages:
- Review of candidate application materials by Assistant Dean of Students (August).
- Group interview whereby candidates will be expected to give an oral presentation and participate in a group interview (early-mid September).
- Once selected, tutors are required to attend 6-7 hours of mandatory training (mid-late September; will not be scheduled during OCIs)
Not all candidates will proceed to stage 2 or 3.
If you have any questions about the program, please contact the Assistant Dean, Students.