Join the Mentor Collective
When you go to a new place, it’s always nice to have someone with you who’s been there before. Someone who knows how to pronounce “Anspach Hall,” how to prepare for exams, where to find the best pizza, how to use your time wisely, when to sign up for classes, and why the movable shelves in the library won’t trap you in the middle. As an incoming first-year or transfer student at CMU, you can sign up to have a current CMU student as your college mentor and guide.
What is a mentor?
A mentor is usually an older or more experienced person who provides information, helps guide you through processes, and gives you encouragement and tips. Basically, they’re there to share what they’ve learned so you don’t have to say, “I wish I’d known that before I did this.”
How do I find a college mentor?
We’ve got that covered for you. In May of last year, we introduced the CMU Mentor Collective Program, a peer mentoring program that pairs incoming students with experienced CMU students. By the start of the school year that fall, we had 1,312 students and 628 mentors signed up to participate.
Benefits of having a mentor in college
This large initial response shows how many new students recognized the benefits of having a mentor to help them get settled in and become an active member of our CMU community. But that’s only the beginning.
When you sign up for a mentor, you’ll tell us a bit about yourself: your interests, background, what you’re studying, and what you’d like to do after graduation. Your mentor fills out a similar form about themselves. Then, you’ll be matched to a mentor with similar interests and goals.
This peer-to-peer style of mentoring lets you get firsthand knowledge about:
- What to expect in your first year.
- How to balance classes, responsibilities and a social life.
- How to talk to professors.
- What student organizations to join.
- How to make sure you’re taking advantage of all the opportunities in your area of interest.
And all the information comes from fellow CMU students who have been there and done that and are ready to listen, inspire and help you discover what life is like at CMU.
What to expect from your college mentor
Your mentor will get in touch with you through email and texts. Each mentor has several mentees (with interests like yours) and will send out regular texts to everyone in their group. Feel free to comment and ask questions as you get to know others in your group.
You’re also encouraged to send your own questions, concerns and comments directly to your mentor. They will get back to you with individual advice and suggestions.
Your mentor is an enthusiastic member of the CMU community and wants to see you succeed. They are some of our best leaders on campus and want you to have a smooth first year full of challenges and successes, fun and growth, and experience all you can do at CMU.
How to sign up to have a college mentor
It’s quick and easy. Complete the form and submit it. You’ll be contacted as soon as you are matched with a current CMU student mentor.
Then it’s on to your next steps knowing that you’ll have a fellow CMU Chippewa ready to guide you through your transition to campus life.
Blog: Admissions Director's Blog Class of 2026 posted
| Last Modified:
| Author: by Jennifer DeHaemers, Vice President, Student Recruitment and Retention
| Categories: Admissions