Peer advisors are trained junior & senior majors who volunteer their time to complement the staff advising services by sharing their knowledge of and experience with lower division requirements and upper division classes, experience with student groups on campus, preparation for life beyond the B.A., and use of various campus resources.
Meet with a peer advisor:
- In-person (VLSB 3060) or virtually over Zoom. Schedule an appointment at https://bit.ly/IBpeers24-25 or drop by during available times.
- Email or chat at ibpeers@berkeley.edu.
- Instagram @ibpeers
- Facebook @ibpeers
| Spring 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | |
| 9am | Van | Van | |||
| 10am | Kathleen | Kathleen | |||
| 11am | |||||
| 12pm | Closed | ||||
| 1pm | Nithya | ||||
| 2pm | Nithya | ||||
| 3pm | Nithya | ||||
| 4pm | Van | Kathleen | Closed | ||
Kathleen
Preferred Pronouns: She/her
Languages Spoken: Spanish
Majors & Minors: IB-IHB; Spanish-Hispanic Languages
Activities: Kappa Gamma Delta, Pre-Medical Honor Society, Scuba at Berkeley
Research: Waterfield Lab (UCSF): I research the mechanisms of central tolerance and the epigenetic regulation of T cells in relation to autoimmunity and cancer.
Post Graduate Plans: I plan to attend medical school after taking a gap year.
Major Classes Taken: IB 128, IB 131, IB 131L, MCB 150
I chose IB because I like how interdisciplinary and diverse the major is. You can take classes in a wide range of biological topics, compare different systems, and gain a bigger picture understanding of biology. IB perfectly combines my interest of whole organismal biology and conservation biology. Many advances in medicine stem from research on non-human biology so I am excited use holistic thinking of biology in my future career.
Preferred Pronouns: she/her
Majors & Minors: MCB-CDP; IB-IHB; Anthropology
Activities: Kappa Gamma Delta
Research: Juan Liu (IB): I work on understanding the functional anatomy of mammalian auditory systems specifically right now I am working on the middle ear anatomy.
Post Graduate Plans: I am planning on applying to medical school and a future goal of mine is to become a radiologist.
Major Classes Taken: IB 114, IB 131, IB 131L, IB 138, IB 159, IB C160/MCB C144, MCB 102, MCB 104, MCB C114, MCB 136, MCB 170L, PH 162A
Hi there my name is Nithya and I am currently a senior studying IB, MCB, and Anthropology. What I love about both MCB and IB is the diversity each major offers. With IB I can look with a broader perspective at topics such as human biology and understanding how the body is able to function with the support of all its organ systems. MCB is also a great major to learn more about specific cellular processes or say how viruses can infect and spread. Feel free to come by and chat with any of us peer advisors we would love to help!
Preferred Pronouns: she/her
Majors & Minors: IB-EEOB; Anthropology minor
Activities: Community of Undergraduate Biologists
Research: Blackman Lab (Plant and Microbial Biology Department): I'm studying the evolution of ultraviolet floral pigmentation in California monkeyflower populations.
Post Graduate Plans: Graduate school
Major Classes Taken: IB 114, IB 134L, IB C147
Hi! I'm Radha and I'm a third-year majoring in IB with a minor in anthropology. I chose the IB major because the coursework with my interests in ecology and evolutionary biology. In the future, I plan to attend grad school and pursue a career in research, hopefully related to conservation or environmental sciences. In my free time, I love reading, painting, crocheting, and hiking around the Bay Area!
Van
Preferred Pronouns: she/her
Languages Spoken: Vietnamese
Majors & Minors: IB-IHB, GPP Minor
Activities: Berkeley Medical Reserve Corps, Pre-Medical Honors Society, Blood Pressure Project
Research: Joint Genome Institute, Genomes Online Database (GOLD): I curate metadata about genome, metagenome, and transcriptome sequencing projects, then integrate it into the Genomes Online Database (GOLD).
Medina lab (UCSF): I am helping to define molecular determinants of liver disease through analyzing patient-derived cell lines.
Post Graduate Plans: Medical School
Major Classes Taken: IB 114, IB 148
Hello! I'm Van, a junior majoring in IB with a concentration in Integrative Human Biology. I grew up in Los Angeles, and I love to embroider, play tennis, and play video games! I chose the IB major as my passions lie in learning biology through a holistic level rather than a microscopic level, which is what drew me to the major. Additionally, I really enjoy that I can experience many of the different flavors of biology with a lot of flexibility, allowing me to take classes that satisfy my varied interests while still being able to take my main classes. Feel free to come and talk to me if you need help with course planning, getting research, pre-med questions, or any of my interests!
IB Peer Advising Application
How can I become an IB Peer Advisor?
The application to be a peer advisor for the 2024-2025 school year is closed. You can also talk to staff advisor Zac if you have questions about applying to the program.
Information for 2024-2025 Applications
We encourage interested students to review our info session from 2021 on YouTube and review the slides with common questions from past peers (note some of the dates, deadlines, etc. from past materials may no longer be relevant). Mandatory weekly meetings will be Thursdays 10-11am during Fall 2024.
Summer Application Timeline
| Jul 25, 2024 | Applications Due, by 8am |
| Jul 29-Aug 2, 2024 | Interviews via Zoom |
| Aug 5, 2024 | Notifications Sent |
| Aug 7, 2024 | Deadline to Accept, by 12pm |
| Aug 27, 2024 | In-person Training, 8am-1pm |
What we look for in an IB Peer Advisor:
Beyond a passion for the IB major and an interest in helping your fellow students, we look for people who are unique, both academically and as a person. Things that can help make an outstanding peer advisor include, but are not limited to: research experience, participation in the honors program, overcoming personal and/or academic adversity, tutoring, participation in clubs on campus, or the transfer student experience. Ultimately, what we want to see on your application is what makes you stand out as a student AND as a person!
Requirements at time of application:
- Be declared in Integrative Biology at the time of application, or be eligible to declare by the fall semester.
- Have completed at least one semester at Cal.
- Be in good academic standing with the major and the university.
- Able to volunteer at least three shifts (1 hour each) and attend one 1-hour meeting per week.
- Willing to commit to working as a peer advisor for at least two semesters.
* Please note that peer advisor positions are unpaid. IB peer advisors earn academic credit for their work.