Apply to Work with Us

The Writing and Speaking Center will have openings for new peer consultants to begin in fall 2013. Complete applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 8, 2013. Please see instructions below.

In addition to demonstrating strong writing and speaking skills, the successful applicant will be personable, reliable, and able to help others learn. If you are interested in applying, please bear in mind:

• Current first-year students, sophomores, and juniors are eligible to apply.
• The position is competitive; we accept only about 15% of applicants each year.
• Students from all majors are welcome to apply.
• You are eligible even if you plan to study abroad next year.
• You must be able to work at least two regular evening shifts each school week.
• The application deadline is strict; late applications will not be accepted.

Application Instructions / Required Materials

The following materials should be submitted in hardcopy by the March 8 deadline. Please print all documents single-sided and do not staple any pages together. Packets must include:

• A completed application cover sheet listing the names of three faculty references. A cover sheet is available here or in 208 Lathrop.


• A résumé. Career Services can provide excellent assistance, including instruction, models, and other resources for creating a professional résumé.


• A statement of interest. This is the most important document in your application. It should be an essay of no more than 2 pages (single-spaced and single-sided) explaining why you want to become a peer consultant and describing the special strengths you would bring to the position. We look for statements that give us a sense of your personality, your motivation, your experience -- and, of course, your writing. Current writing and speaking consultants as well as the director will read your essay.


• An official or unofficial academic transcript from the Colgate registrar's office. (Only the director will read your transcript.)

Deliver the above documents in a sealed manila envelope on or before 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 8, 2013 to:


A college writing sample is also required, but this should be sent as a Word attachment or Google doc via e-mail to Professor Lutman by the March 8 deadline. The writing sample should be a paper you submitted for a class here at Colgate, and in your e-mail you should quote the original prompt or briefly describe the assignment. The paper should demonstrate your analytic or argumentative writing skills; please do not submit fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction. Submit the essay as you originally submitted it for a grade (do not edit it). If you wish to comment on changes you would make to your paper now, you are encouraged to do so in your accompanying e-mail.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you are studying abroad or have any questions, contact Professor Lutman at (315) 228-7376 or jlutman@colgate.edu.