Peer Advisors can help you with...

  • Scheduling and course recommendations
  • General info about the major
  • Course planning in preparation for declaration
  • Research opportunities
  • Information about pre-med or graduate school requirements

Meet with a peer advisor:

 

 

Peer Advisor Hours - Spring 2023

  Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
9:00-10:00am          
10:00-11:00am Leah   Carolina   Bella
11:00am-12:00pm Leah Bella   Bella  
12:00-1:00pm CLOSED
1:00-2:00pm Karena Karena   Carolina  
2:00-3:00pm       Leah  
3:00-4:00pm Carolina   Karena   CLOSED
4:00-5:00pm          

Peer Advisor Bios:
Karena
Karena
Preferred Pronouns: she/her
Major(s)/Emphasis/Minor: Integrative Biology-Emphasis 2
Activities:Kappa Gamma Delta, Pre-health Sorority, Basic Needs Center, Berkeley Hillel
Research:  D'espesito Lab: Using inhibitory TMS to improve decision-making by reducing competition between learning systems
Post Graduate Plans: Medical School
Major Courses Taken: IB 131/L, IB 140, IB 159, MCB 102, PH 142
 

Hi! My name is Karena and I'm a third year majoring in IB. I'm from Los Angeles. My interests include biology, playing tennis, art, and music. I chose IB because it gave me the chance to explore many fields of biology, and for all of the great class options! Please feel free to come talk to me about being pre-med, research, choosing classes, and anything in between! Excited to meet you!


Leah
Leah
Preferred Pronouns: she/her
Languages Spoken: English, Mandarin Chinese
Major(s)/Emphasis/Minor: Integrative Biology-Emphasis 1, Geology
Research:  Finnegan and Tseng Labs, IB: Researching the biomechanics of marine gastropod shell ornamentation, and its function as an anti-predator defense.
Swanson-Hysell Lab, EPS: Studying the expression of Pleistocene glacial-interglacial cycles in sedimentary rocks along the coast near San Francisco.
Post Graduate Plans: Graduate School
Major Courses Taken: IB 104LF, IB 113L, IB 159, IB 160, IB 181L, IB 184L, IB H196A/B
 

Hi, my name is Leah and I'm a fourth year double majoring in IB and Geology! My main academic interest is in paleontology, and I chose IB because of all the opportunities it offers in that field. I really enjoy how IB gives me the freedom to focus on the areas of biology that interest me the most. Outside of academics, some of my hobbies include reading, knitting, and hiking. I'm always happy to chat about research, double majoring, field work, departmental honors, preparing for grad school, or anything else!


Carolina
Carolina
Preferred Pronouns: she/her
Major(s)/Emphasis/Minor: Integrative Biology-Emphasis 2, MCB-Cell & Developmental Biology
Activities: Residential Life
Research:   Applying to URAP
Post Graduate Plans: Medical School
Major Courses Taken: MCB 102, MCB 104, MCB 136, IB 104LF, IB 118, IB 131/L, IB 138, IB C143B, IB 160
 

Hi everyone! My name is Carolina (she/her), and I am a 4th year double majoring in MCB (Cell and Developmental emphasis) and IB (Integrative Human Biology emphasis). I hope to go to medical school and earn my MD, but this was not my original reason for choosing MCB and IB as my majors. I have always had a love for biological science, as I grew up near the ocean and was always fascinated by different aspects of the world and life around me. During high school and my undergrad years, I have conducted research in the field of marine biology to investigate the ways in which ecology and cell biology are integrated with one another. Studying MCB and IB have allowed me to view biological systems in new and unique ways that further fuel my curiosity and passion.

In my free time, I like to read, watch movies, and hang out with friends. I am also a Resident Assistant in the dorms, so when I am not studying, I am often throwing events for residents! Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions about MCB or IB, classes, campus resources, etc, or if you would just like to chat!


Bella
Bella
Preferred Pronouns: she/her
Languages Spoken: Chinese (Mandarin)
Major(s)/Emphasis/Minor: Integrative Biology-Emphasis 1, MCB-Immunology and Pathogenesis 1
Research: Museum of Vertebrate Zoology: This fall will join MVZ's research in the Evolutionary Genetics Lab using molecular techniques to examine the contact zone between two subspecies of White-breasted Nuthatches in northern California.
Post Graduate Plans: Graduate School
Major Courses Taken: IB 104LF, IB 114, IB 134L, MCB C100A, MCB 140, MCB 150, UCNRS California Ecology and Conservation
 

Hi everyone! My name is Bella, and I am a third-year student majoring IB and MCB. I am originally from Suzhou, China. Since childhood, I enjoyed learning science and especially biology, and Berkeley makes me love biology even more. My experience as a specimen maker and curator in Museum of Vertebrate Zoology (applied through URAP) really got me into birds and nature history. Meanwhile courses like Bio 1a allowed me to explore the beautiful world of molecular biology. I find the application of molecular biology on a larger scale in nature really intriguing, thus I want to take more courses in both IB and MCB to find the interaction of different fields in the breadth of biology.
In my free time, I like to explore foods and boba places around the campus, take a walk at the Berkeley Marina, UC Botanical Garden and other natural places for bird watching, and watch comedy shows at dorm.


IB Peer Advising Application

How can I become an IB Peer Advisor?

The application to be a peer advisor for the 2022-2023 school year is closed. You can also talk to staff advisors Zac or Octavio for more information about joining the program in the future.

Information for 2022-2023 Applications

The application for 2022-2023 is closed. We encourage interested students to schedule an appointment with one of our current peers to learn more about peer advising. You can also 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 2022.

Summer Application Timeline

Aug 2, 2022 Applications Due, by 8am
Aug 3-9, 2022 Interviews
Aug 10, 2022 Notifications Sent
Aug 12, 2022 Deadline to Accept, by 12pm
Aug 23, 2022 All Day Training


Spring Application Timeline

April 24, 2022 Applications Due, by 11:59pm
May 2-13, 2022 Interviews
May 20, 2022 Notifications Sent
May 27, 2022 Deadline to Accept, by 4pm
August 23, 2022 All Day Training

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:

  1. Be declared in Integrative Biology at the time of application, or be eligible to declare by the following fall semester.
  2. Have completed at least one semester at Cal.
  3. Able to work at least three shifts (1 hour each) and attend one 1-hour meeting per week.
  4. 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.