SAW Counselor Application
SAW Counselor
Counselors for the Summer Academic Workshop (SAW) serve as important ambassadors and role-models to incoming first-year students. Counselors will help students develop lasting relationships, learn how to navigate Northwestern University; and empower students with important tools for their personal success.
Residency in a campus residence hall is required. Please note that Labor Day Holiday is included in this work commitment.
Commitments
Dates of Role: 08/10/25 - 09/05/25
- Housing provided during 08/10/2025 – 09/02/2025
- For the remaining days of SAW 09/03/2025- 09/05/2025 SAW Student leaders will need to have their own housing. SES will assist with moving a limited number of belongings from SAW residence hall to a student’s academic year housing on Big Switch, Tuesday, September 2. More info will be shared leading up to training.
- Meals provided during 08/10/2025 – 09/05/2025
- If you are living on campus SES will cover your meals through the start of the returning student meal plan
- Labor Day, 09/01/25, is considered a workday in this position
Responsibilities
- Community Building
- Reside within the residence halls from Sunday, August 10, 2025- Tuesday, September 2, 2025. This includes evening hours and weekends.
- Develop and lead community building activities for SAW cohort throughout SAW
- Facilitate a warm, welcoming, fun and amiable environment amongst SAW Participants
- Mentorship
- Develop respectful relationships through intentional interactions with students. Offer encouragement, support, and general guidance on the Northwestern experience.
- Serve as a mentor to 5-6 SAW participants and meet with them 1:1 and as a group weekly during SAW
- SAW Program
- Support SAW Programming including but limited to: Welcome, Move In**, Kick Off, SES Workshops, Excursions and Closing
- Attend SES Workshops during SAW
- Other
- Attend weekly SAW Student Leader Team meetings throughout SAW
- Attend weekly meetings and individual check-ins with respective Senior SAW Counselor
**during move in and throughout SAW there is preparation and set up that requires physical labor (i.e. moving luggage in and out of cars, moving boxes into dorm rooms, setting up tables/chairs and other equipment etc.) if this a barrier please let the SAW team know
Important Dates
- SAW Student Leader Team Welcome: Week of Monday, May 26-Thursday, May 29
- SAW Counselor role: Sunday, August 10 – Friday, September 5
- SAW Counselor Training: Sunday, August 10- Thursday, August 14
- SAW 2024: Saturday, August 16 – Friday, September 5
Qualifications
- Must identify as a rising second year student or above
- Must have 3.0 GPA at the time of application
- Must be a full-time undergraduate student in good academic and non-academic standing
- Available live in a campus residence hall from Sunday, August 10 through September 2, 2025.
- Available to be on campus from Sunday, August 10 through Friday, September 5, 2025, without additional commitments (i.e in a class, internship, or other job)
- Strong interest in the support and development of low-income and/or first-generation college students
Compensation
SAW Counselors will be paid hourly at a $16 rate. Hours worked will vary but an estimate of hours worked is listed below:
- Training- 25-35 hrs overall*
- SAW Program: 95-120 hrs overall*
* During this time accumulated hours will be paid in installments from the start of training 2-3 weeks into the academic year. More specifics on pay dates will be shared during orientation.
Apply
Application: 2025 SES Mentor Application
Open: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Close: Sunday, April 13, 2025
Please note that the SES Mentor Application includes the SAW Counselor and Compass Mentor positions. SES oversees the Summer Academic Workshop (SAW), a summer bridge program that shares similar goals to the Compass program-supporting FGLI students through their first-year transition to NU. You will be able to select whether you are applying for one or both positions.
Applying involves 3 steps:
- Complete the SES Mentor Application
- Participate in a Group Interview Process
- Applicants selected to continue in our interview process will be scheduled for an individual interview
SES Mentor Application
The SES Mentor application collects basic information and has an essay portion. Once the application is submitted you will receive a confirmation email. Please read this email carefully as it provides instructions for a group interview. Below are the essay questions.
Essay Questions
- Tell us why you want to be a Compass Mentor and/or a SAW Counselor. (150 words)
- Please share your definition of peer mentorship? Why is it beneficial for a first-year student to receive mentorship during their first year at Northwestern? (200 words)
- Write to a new student about an experience that challenged you during your first year at Northwestern. Please include what you learned and what you would want this new student to take away from your experience. (300 words)
Group Interview
The Group Interviews are scheduled for:
- Wednesday, April 16th | 11:30 am-12:45 pm
- Monday, April 21st | 3:45-5:00 pm
- Tuesday, April 22nd | 3:45-5:00 pm
You can select the session you are unavailable for when you complete the SES Mentor Application. During the group interview you will complete 2 group activities. One will focus on group dynamics and the other on creativity. Please note: The group interviews are in person. If you are unable to attend your scheduled group interview there is no guarantee that you can be rescheduled for another.
Individual Interviews
Applicants selected to continue in our interview process will be scheduled for an individual interview between May 6th – May 14th . Final selections will be communicated via email the week of May 19.
Questions
For questions and/or concerns, please email SES Assistant Director, MJ Nataren, maria.nataren@northwestern.edu