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View the UW's response to COVID-19. Our services and staff are available remotely and by phone. Advising & Orientation sessions will remain in a remote platform through 2021. For more information, review our Remote Advising & Orientation Updates page. (updated 1/12/2021) 

First Year Programs

FIG Leader

As a FIG leader, you’ll gain valuable experience for the future while helping students succeed in their transition to college.

If you are interested in the Engineering Peer Educator position please visit the EPE website. 

Applications were closed on Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 11:59 PM PST for the NEW FIG Leader role and will reopen in 2022. 

FIG Leaders develop a ten-week curriculum in the spring quarter consisting of modules, lesson plans, and active learning classroom activities that will assist first year students in their transition to university. In the autumn quarter, FIG Leaders facilitate a section of GEN ST 199, by serving as a teacher and a mentor to the students in the FIG. FIG Leaders collaborate with each other to develop lesson plans that help fulfill the purpose of GEN ST 199 and support new students as they develop confidence in navigating the UW and Seattle.

In order to get a full look at the FIG Leader qualifications, responsibilities, dates & commitments, and compensation read the 2021 FIG Leader Policies & Expectations document.

Essay questions are listed below and be sure to answer all parts of the questions. 
We encourage you to compose your responses outside of the application first and then copy & paste them into the application text boxes. Your responses are limited to 1500 characters or approximately 250 words per question, so please double-check that your responses fit after you paste them into the application. 

  1. Why do you want to be a FIG Leader? What do you hope to learn and gain from your experience as a FIG Leader and why?
  2. What is something that you have learned during your transition to the University of Washington? How would you convey or teach that lesson to incoming first-year students? Please explain why you believe this is a necessary lesson for all incoming students.
  3. Tell us about a classroom learning experience (positive or negative). How would you apply that experience to teaching a FIG and why? 
  4. Please include an activities list that describes relevant job experience, volunteer work, clubs and organizations you are involved with, hobbies, and any other activities you enjoy both on and off-campus. This list does not have to be limited to only organized or academic activities. For example, if you enjoy attending Husky sporting events, we’d like to know. The activities list is another way for us to get to know you. Please limit your response to a few paragraphs and/or bullet points.
  5. From your activities listed, select one activity and elaborate on what it meant to you and how it has shaped your Husky experience.

Acknowledgment

Please note that by submitting your application, you are giving FYP staff permission to access to your academic records to verify that you are in good academic standing. FYP will also verify that you are in good disciplinary standing with the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct. Please note that a low GPA or disciplinary record does not automatically disqualify applicants from the position.

The New FIG Leader Application process has closed for the 2021 FIG Leader cohort. 

Applications for the Returning FIG Leader role are due Monday, January 4, 2021 at 5:00 PM PST.

Essay questions are listed below and be sure to answer all parts of the questions. 
We encourage you to compose your responses outside of the application first and then copy & paste them into the application text boxes. Your responses are limited to 1500 characters or approximately 250 words per question, so please double-check that your responses fit after you paste them into the application. 

  1. Why do you want to return to the FIG Leader position? What skills do you hope to develop or improve upon as a FIG leader and why?
  2. How will you change your approach to teaching? Please provide an example of why you are considering this change. 
  3. What do you consider to be your biggest success as a FIG Leader? How would you mentor new FIG Leaders to experience similar successes? 
  4. List three (3) things you learned in the spring training class and how you utilized each as a FIG Leader in the fall. 

Acknowledgment

Please note that by submitting your application, you are giving FYP staff permission to access to your academic records to verify that you are in good academic standing. FYP will also verify that you are in good disciplinary standing with the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct. Please note that a low GPA or disciplinary record does not automatically disqualify applicants from the position.

The Returning FIG Leader Application process has closed for the 2021 FIG Leader cohort. 

Previous FIG Leaders

Meet previous FIG Leaders who have helped shape the FIG program!

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out some commonly asked questions about the First-year Interest Group Leader job and selection process.

Student Testimonials

“I have done it the past 2 years, and it was one of my most cherished experiences at UW.  This program let me be creative and manage a group of new students all by myself (for the most part).  I really strengthened my public speaking skills, which I will be able to effectively apply to my upcoming job after college.  I also learned a lot about interpersonal communication, how to motivate others, motivate myself, and be a role model.”

"In all honesty, being a Transfer FIG leader was one of the coolest academic experiences that I've ever had. I think that it's just as important for the student teachers as it is for the students who are in the Gen Studies 199 classes. I want to do it again next year!”