In order to be a mentor for the DSLS program, students must be at least a sophomore. ORACLE FILE PHOTO.

The Dean’s Student Leadership Society (DSLS) in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) is accepting applications for its new freshman mentoring program.

The first-of-its-kind program offers an exclusive group of CAS students the opportunity to be mentored by upperclassmen for a smooth transition into college life.

Students can receive an application from an adviser and apply online. Applications are due on Friday, April 12 at 4 p.m. in Room 475 in Cooper Hall.

On April 15, DSLS will email students to let them know their acceptance into the program.

DSLS sorts through the applications to match a mentor with a freshman. Mentors and mentees are paired based on similar hobbies, interests, majors and goals they want to attain after graduation.

To be selected into the organization, students must at least be an incoming sophomore. In order to retain membership, mentors are required to attend the mandatory meetings.

According to DSLS, the freshmen will receive networking opportunities such as meetings with CAS Dean Eric Eisenberg and alumni. The students are also welcome to attend socials and workshops.

DSLS Committee Chair Valeriya Zhuruli said the program will help freshmen navigate through college.

“We wanted freshmen that felt excluded from the community to feel included and to have more knowledge about the campus and CAS,” Zhuruli said.  

Each member accepted into DSLS will become a mentor. There are currently 20 members and by the end of fall recruitment, there will be about 35.

Having a mentor will help take the pressure off students, Zhuruli said.

“We want to increase [incoming freshmen] social and academic confidence by giving time-management skills if they need it and tips on how to study better for tests,” Zhuruli said.

The freshmen are required to stay within the program for at least one semester, submit written reflections and attend one CAS event with their mentor throughout the semester.

Freshmen must also attend one social or workshop provided by CAS. Here, students can network with other mentors and mentees building a community. These workshops are held based on the votes of the students.

The program is a student initiative, according to Zhuruli, so students do not have to worry about paying an application fee.

Zhuruli said DSLS’ goal is to recruit potential members and connect with younger students.

“We want to promote the society across the campus and get students interested,” Zhuruli said. “We’ve all been there and we wish we had someone from the upperclassmen to help us when we were freshmen.”