Application and Recruitment
Interested in joining the First-Year Leader Program?
Our First-Year Leaders (FYLs) volunteer their time to co-teach the UT Dallas Freshman Seminars, so they receive priority registration appointments each semester they’re involved with our program.
They’re also eligible to receive peer educator certifications and service awards!
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to apply and co-teach a Freshman Seminar, you must:
- Be a sophomore or junior enrolled full-time at UT Dallas at the time of application. All such students are eligible, whether you enrolled at UT Dallas right out of high school or transferred here from another 2- or 4-year institution.
- Have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
- Attend an info session, submit an application, and interview for the position.
- Complete our spring semester zero-credit training course (UNIV 4074: Student Leadership).
“Being a FYL has probably been one of my best experiences at UTD, and, if I could, I’d wish I wasn’t graduating next semester so I could do it again in the fall. Thank you!”
Binti A.
“Being in the FYL Program has been so rewarding and encouraging. This is an experience I’ll continue to cherish.”
Yusra W.
“Being a FYL was one of the highlights of my time in college. It helped me realize that public speaking isn’t too bad and that I want to somehow incorporate teaching into my future career.”
Kasey N.
Timeline
We recruit new FYLs every fall semester. Here’s what our overall timeline looks like:
August
We’ll send out emails to all students at UT Dallas who have at least a 3.0 GPA and invite them to attend one of our First-Year Leader Program info sessions.
September
At our info sessions, current First-Year Leaders will share why they decided to join the program and talk about their experiences teaching Freshman Seminars. All attendees will be given a link to our online application form and invited to apply.
October
After an initial review of applications, we’ll invite a select group of students to interview with the Director of the First-Year Leader Program and two to three current FYLs.
November
After we wrap up interviews, we’ll offer positions to our finalists and help them register for UNIV 4074, our zero-credit spring training course.
January-May
Those invited to join the First-Year Leader Program will participate in UNIV 4074, learning how to develop lesson plans, speak effectively in front of groups, lead classroom discussions, and mentor first-year students.
August-December
FYLs will enroll in our zero-credit fall training course (UNIV 4076: Advanced Student Leadership) and co-teach their Freshman Seminars.