The UB STARS is recruiting.
The Student Admissions Recruitment Specialists program is a group of approximately 50 undergraduate students dedicated to attracting and guiding prospective students and their families through the admissions process.
"Basically, it's about going out there and giving a student perspective about what it's like to be a UB student," said Rajavi Parikh, coordinator of UB STARS. "[The volunteers are] the face of UB."
The program, in partnership with the Office of Admissions, aims to help the university connect on a deeper level with high school students. UB STARS is vital to the university's recruitment processes. The difference between speaking with a university-employed admissions counselor and an actual student can make an enormous difference in how a prospective student views UB, according to Parikh.
Volunteers in the program are expected to give tours of North and South Campus, assist in the operation of open houses, and be available to answer questions online about their college experiences. The insight that STARS provides on being a student at the school is most vital to the process, according to Parikh.
"We want people who want to share their experiences and have a story to tell," Parikh said. "Prospective students don't always have somebody they can go and talk to."
STARS seeks to provide an honest account of the workings of university life beyond the stresses of the application process.
Ryan Hochrad joined UB STARS in hopes of becoming a tour guide. Now, as a senior in the School of Management, Hochrad is a student assistant in the program office. He emphasized that being able to highlight some of UB's underemphasized qualities is his favorite part of the job.
"It's just really cool to show them all that UB has to offer," Hochrad said. "It's a good opportunity to help promote UB."
Aside from helping soothe the nerves of overwhelmed high school students, members of UB STARS are also able to help themselves, according to Parikh.
"[The program] gives you a lot of marketing skills," Parikh said. "You go out there and talk to people about something that you know you're really passionate about."
Volunteers have ample opportunity to network with many of their leaders in the university community, including those in the Honors College and Admissions Office. Monthly meetings expose the STARS to directors of organizations including the Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (CURCA) and the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP).
Similarly, UB STARS is an environment in which friendships flourish, said Katrina Kneale, a senior marketing major.
"You can just come hang out in the office and you can meet a lot of people and make a lot of friends," Kneale said. "When you see them off campus, you actually do interact with each other."
Applications to become a UB STAR for the 2011-12 academic year can be found in the Office of Admissions at 12 Capen Hall, or online. All applications must be submitted to Parikh in the Office of Admissions by March 4.
E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
