Pictured: Peer Advisors meet with new students, Orientation 2023
Photo and Caption Credit: UVA Law
Mark Graff '26
Staff Editor
The Peer Advisor program held information sessions on February 6 and 8 to inform potential candidates about the application process.
At the session, Co-Directors Jess Williams ’25 and Cynthia Eapen ’25 spoke about the Peer Advisor application and the responsibilities of the role. According to Jess and Cynthia, successful applicants are those with enthusiasm for UVA Law, previous leadership experience, excitement for the mentorship opportunity, and commitment to diversity. They stressed that these categories are defined broadly, and that they encourage anyone with excitement to mentor students to apply. According to Cynthia, the initial application is “straightforward,” with four to five responses of no more than 300 words.
As most UVA students know, Peer Advisors are responsible for introducing 1L and LL.M. students to life at UVA Law, providing academic support and institutional knowledge, offering advice for the job search process, fostering cohesion with the section, and building friendships with peers. Jess emphasized that being a Peer Advisor is a “rewarding and incredible experience where you learn a lot from the people you teach.”
After giving an overview of the Peer Advisor role and application, a panel of peer advisors answered questions and shared their thoughts on the experience. Madalyn Moore ’23, two-time Peer Advisor, said that “You get to be an unbiased problem solver, and just help people figure things out.” Further, she explained that Peer Advisors hold the important role of “demystifying” challenges like the job search and filtering out faulty advice. Madalyn recalled an example of this, when one of her students heard of a rumor that “if you don’t have a job by February, you aren’t getting one.”
Madalyn suggested that potential applicants “think about formative experiences you had with your Peer Advisors and create a framework for how you would interact with 1Ls, including what changes you would make.” She echoed a sentiment that all the panelists stated—to find the “why” behind your application and present honest feedback on your experience with Peer Advisors.
Another topic the panelists addressed was a recent change in the Peer Advisor program—disassociating with Student Affairs. As a newly independent student organization, the past year had some challenges, such as the lack of overlap between Orientation Facilitators and Peer Advisors. However, Cynthia underscored that students interested in working as an Orientation Facilitator, or other positions with conflicting timelines such as Legal Writing Fellows, should not be dissuaded from applying. This year, the Peer Advisor leaders are coordinating with Dean Davies to create greater cohesion between the different groups. Their goal is to include peer advisors in the orientation process, so that new students are familiar with their peer advisors before the school year starts.
Though the disaffiliation with Student Affairs may be new this year, according to Madalyn, this change is bringing the organization back to its roots. “When the [Peer Advisor] program started in 1992, by Black and LL.M. students, it was unaffiliated with Student Affairs. The goal is now what it was then—to give unbiased and direct advice,” said Madalyn.
1Ls and 2Ls interested in becoming a first-time PA are encouraged to submit an application by Thursday, February 15. After written applications are reviewed, a select number of applicants will receive an invitation to interview on February 21, with interviews being conducted the week of March 11–15. Interviewees will receive a notification of their decision on March 22, and all selected peer advisors will attend spring training on April 5.
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mg2dja@virginia.edu