DUS News - February 25, 2019
If you’re applying to a study abroad program, internship, or other opportunity, you’ll need letters of recommendation as part of your application packet. Recommendation letters should personalize your application by allowing reviewers to get a sense of who you really are, so it’s important for the writer to know you well enough to speak about you in specific ways. Hopefully you’ve been cultivating relationships with instructors and advisers, and have a few people who know you well enough to write a letter that speaks about something special about you.
Some basic etiquette:
- Make an effort to allow potential reference writers to get to know you.
- Ask permission before putting someone’s name down as a reference.
- Allow ample time for the writer to complete the letter—good letters take time to compose.
- Share information about what you’re applying to, and what you hope to achieve through it, so your recommender can tailor their letter.
- Fill out a confidentiality form, releasing your recommender to talk about your academic record.
You are allowed to be in DUS up to the end of your first four semesters. After that, though, you need to be out of DUS and into your major, especially if you’re planning to graduate on time.
If you started at Penn State during summer or fall 2017, this is your last semester of time in DUS, and you will be receiving letters from us about this. You should be working with your adviser to determine your next steps, and use Update Academics to declare your major!
If you have reached a decision about your choice of major and meet the qualifications to enter that major, you can use “Update Academics” in LionPATH to process a change into your major. Students who are completing their sophomore year need to be moving out of DUS.
- February 11–March 3
- Final Exam Conflict Filing Period - February 28 (Thurs)
- ESM Career Fair - March 4–8
- Spring Break (No Classes) - March 12 (Tues)
- Group Advising Session - Standing Out: Choosing Minors & Involvement Opportunities - March 13 (Wed)
- Group Advising Session - Schedule Planning
More events at dus.psu.edu/calendar.
It’s easier to keep up than catch up! Keep your grades up though tutoring at any Penn State campus learning center.
University Park: https://pennstatelearning.psu.edu/
Other Penn State Campuses: https://pennstatelearning.psu.edu/campus-learning-centers-other-penn-state-campuses
Starting after Spring Break, a representative from the Business Career Center will hold drop-in hours in the Grange Building every Wednesday from 12:30–2:30 p.m. Stop by for tips on resumes, cover letters, career events, and resources. They will also be in the HUB on Mondays from 12:30–2:30 p.m. These opportunities will start on March 13 and go through April 24. No Appointment needed. For assistance at other campuses, visit your campus career center.
Interested in developing transferable skills and a personal practice rooted in commitment to creating positive community change? Apply to be involved in the Penn State Leadership Institute. The Leadership Institute is an innovative leadership retreat designed for undergraduate students at University Park to build meaningful connections with their peers.
This six-day leadership development experience fosters a collaborative and engaging environment for students to grow as an individual, a professional, and a community member. The Leadership Institute views leadership as a process, not a position, so students of any level of experience are encouraged to apply.
Applications are being collected through March 18. The program is scheduled for the week May 6–11, 2019.
If you would like more information, visit the Penn State Leadership Institute website. Questions can be directed to leadership@psu.edu
Education abroad is an invaluable experience offering personal growth and intercultural development, cultivating strong global citizenship, leadership, and perspective. If you are interested in studying abroad, Penn State's Office of Global Programs is a great place to start. They offer a set of Steps to Study Abroad, which includes information about Study Abroad 101 Sessions, and a Program Search. If you are serious about study abroad, please note that Application Deadlines are approaching quickly! Make an appointment with your Academic Adviser to learn more today.
DUS will be holding Group Advising Sessions throughout the semester as a way to discuss popular advising topics with groups of students. These sessions are open to all DUS students and will help you to learn more about the topic and to ask questions in a friendly, open environment. For more information on each session, including dates and times, visit https://dus.psu.edu/group-advising. All sessions are held in the Grange Building Lobby, unless otherwise listed on the website.
Topics include:
- Improve Your Study Skills (multiple dates/sessions)
- DUS Students and Study Abroad
- Exploration Workshop (multiple dates/sessions)
- Marketing Your Skills to Get a Job (multiple dates/sessions)
- Major and Career Planning
- Smeal Entrance to Major (multiple dates/sessions)
- Standing Out: Choosing Minors and Involvement Opportunities
- Schedule Planning
- What Gen Eds Do I Need? (multiple dates/sessions)
- Afraid of Choosing the Wrong Major?
Interested in doing undergraduate research but not sure where to start? Students looking to learn more about how to become involved in research as undergraduates are encouraged to attend workshops organized by University Libraries and the University Fellowships Office.
The workshops cover everything undergraduate students need to know, including how to define research and discover opportunities, research ethics and emotional intelligence, designing an effective research poster, and preparing to present at the Undergraduate Exhibition.
Research opportunities are available for undergraduates in all fields of study. While inquiry in the social sciences may look different from the arts, which look different from engineering, the process of discovery and asking questions is similar across the disciplines. Previous experience with research is not required to participate in the workshops.
For a full list of workshops, please see the news article: https://news.psu.edu/story/555960/2019/01/25/academics/workshops-available-help-undergrads-get-research
For a full list of research and fellowship opportunities, visit https://ufo.psu.edu/calendar/list
Health Promotion and Wellness is now offering free Wellness Services for students. The services are designed to help students increase knowledge and learn new skills that contribute to healthy behaviors and academic success. Services are available for:
- Healthy Relationships and Sexual Health
- Nutrition/Healthy Eating
- Physical Activity
- Sleep
- Stress (Relaxation and Time Management)
Each service includes three 1-hour sessions and are held in the Wellness Suite, Room 20 IM Building. Trained peer educators deliver the services. Schedule an appointment by calling 814.863.0461 or by using the myUHS page. For students who are unable to make it to University Park, call in appointments as well as Skype/Zoom appointments are available.
The Student Engagement Network is offering grants to those interested in expanding their undergraduate experience through engagement experiences. Awards are contingent upon the availability of funds and the number of applications received; however, there’s a maximum of allotment of $3,000 per applicant. The SEN Grant Program application process for summer opens February 22 and closes March 15. Learn more at http://www.engage.psu.edu/students/grants/
Students will find out by March 29 whether or not they are selected so that they can still make arrangements.