DUS News - February 28, 2022
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 to 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 that your recommender can tailor their letter.
- Fill out a confidentiality form, allowing your recommender to talk about your academic record.
Instructors have been asked to use Starfish to provide you with feedback about your progress in their courses. If you receive positive feedback in the form of a “kudo,” keep up the good work! If you receive a warning in the form of a “flag,” please take action! In that case, your instructor has noticed that you are not doing something they expect for success in their course and has taken the time to draw your attention to this concern. Making a change right now will give you the chance to recover your grade before the end of the semester. If you’re not sure what you need to do differently in order to be successful, talk to your instructor, TA, or academic adviser as soon as possible. Not sure how to take the first step? See our article about office hours below.
- March 1 (Tues)
- Study Smarter Session
- DUS Group Advising Session - Interested in Smeal? - March 6–12
- Spring Break - March 13 (Sun)
- Daylight Savings Begins (Turn clocks forward one hour)
Do you need legal assistance? Penn State's Student Legal Services offers referrals, consultations, or representation. Want an appointment? You can complete an intake form online or call (814) 867-4388 for more information. Services are free and confidential. Student Legal Services is only a short walk from campus, their video can help you locate their office.
Do you want to develop leadership skills while helping other exploratory students find their niche in college? Do you want to give back to the DUS community while gaining professional communication skills? You may want to learn more about the DUS Leadership Council. To be invited to apply for the Leadership Council, you must be nominated by your academic adviser no later than March 1, 2022. Make an appointment with your adviser before this date to learn more about the opportunity and to ask to be formally nominated.
Eligibility requirements and more information can be found on the DUS Leadership Council website.
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 will be held via Zoom.
Upcoming Spring 2022 Sessions
March 1, 8:00 p.m.: Interested in Smeal?
Please register in advance for the March 1 session.
March 29, 8:00 p.m.: Explore and Find the Right Major for You
Join the Student's Restorative Justice Initiative as they present Restorative Circles. Restorative practices create space for dialogue that builds community and affirms the humanity of all involved. Sessions are held in 236 Chambers from 6:00–7:30 p.m. on the following dates:
March 17 - Perfectionism
March 31 - Forgiveness
April 14 - Sexual Assault
April 28 - Religion/Spirituality
Learn more and register online.
Looking for a summer or fall internship and interested in sustainability? City Semester Pittsburgh applications are open for summer and fall 2022!
Enroll in this unique and immersive experience to earn credits while:
- Interning with a community partner in a field of your interest
- Learning alongside peers during the EARTH 412 Urban Sustainability course, including guest speakers, field trips, and engaging discussions on current issues
- Making valuable connections with Pittsburgh leaders and potential employers
Learn more and apply now on the Penn State Center Pittsburgh’s City Semester website. Application deadline for summer enrollment is March 18.