Become a Counselor
For eligibility requirements and further details, see the SOAR Application!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if I have to miss one of the orientation sessions as a SOAR Counselor?
A: SOAR Counselors are not allowed to miss orientation sessions for any reason.
Q: Will it take over my entire summer?
A: There is a huge commitment level to the SOAR program. There will be breaks between orientation sessions; however, the SOAR Counselor job reigns from January through August.
Q: Can freshman apply for the SOAR counselor position?
A: Freshman are allowed to apply. By the time a freshman takes UNA295 during Spring semester, the individual will have completed a full semester at UNA.
Q: What if I don’t know that much about programs and important stuff at UNA?
A: It’s OK. You take the UNA 295 Spring semester to learn information about the university.
Q: Can I take classes in the summer?
A: Possibly! You must get all summer classes approved through the Director of Student Engagement. Due to the time constraint of the position, the responsibilities conflict with attendance in classes.
Q: What does my GPA have to be?
A: You must have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
Q: What if I’m transferring to a different school in the fall?
A: You must be a returning UNA student for the fall semester.
Q: What if I need summer housing?
A: Yes, the Office of Student Engagement has a partnership with the Department of Housing to provide free housing for SOAR Counselors if needed in the summer residence hall.
Q: What kind of compensation will I receive?
A: $1200 ($200 in May, $400 in June, $400 in July, and $200 at the end of August). You’ll also get $200 in Lion Loot for meals (start of summer classes & ends when summer classes end).
Q: Will I be able to have another job as well as hold a SOAR counselor position?
A: If you have a flexible job, it is easy to have another job on top of SOAR counselor. Since all dates are given to you, it’s easy to go ahead and aware your employer of the days you will need off. Many of the SOAR counselors in previous years have had other jobs in the summer.
Q: Do I need to submit a resume with my application?
A: Yes! It is very helpful if you submit some type of resume with your application.
