About PAL

The work of peer advisors is integral to the success of their fellow CNR undergraduates. Peer advisors are trained in understanding CNR and university requirements, policies, and procedures, and they help with CNR recruitment and enrichment programs.

Contact a Peer Advisor

pal@berkeley.edu
260 Mulford (Student Resource Center)
The PAL Blog

PAL Office Hours

PALs are on summer vacation and will return in the fall.

Upcoming Events

Frequently Asked Questions

Many students have questions about the same issues. Below we've answered some of those most frequently asked.

Please click on a link to display the information.

Obtaining an Advisor Code

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PAL Alumni

Liz Dow Environmental Sciences major		Julie Ching Molecular Environmental Biology major
"I transferred from L&S into CNR last spring, so I am a relatively new addition to the college. I chose to do this because CNR's small college atmosphere is a place where where I can get attention from advisers and be around like-minded people." Read More		"I love CNR because it is like a family. Whenever I need help or just someone to talk to, I know that there are many people in CNR that can help me. " Read More
Linda Truong Nutritional Science - Physiology & Metabolism major		Rebekah Kim Molecular Toxicology major
"I am also pre-med and have taken all the pre-reqs for med school already. I really love to eat and love to learn everything about food; that's why I'm majoring in NutriSci!" Read More		"My first semester at Berkeley was really difficult because I was new and taking upper division courses. With the help of a PAL, I was able to pull through the fall semester. She encouraged me to talk to professors about the problems I had and to my surprise they were really nice!" Read More
Alex Lau Nutritional Science - Physiology & Metabolism major		Crystal Kwan Nutritional Science - Dietetics major
"I was especially impressed by professors who knew me by name after just several office hours, the abundance of biological research, and the one-on-one faculty advising that far exceeded what was offered by other departments." Read More		"My journey at Berkeley has had its share of obstacles, but having a reliable community to help me out has been crucial to my success here at Berkeley. The College of Natural Resources has been my source of solid advice, opportunity and community." Read More
Jimmy Rothschild Environmental Sciences and Molecular Environmental Biology double major		Adrienne Doi Molecular Environmental Biology major
“I believe strongly in providing a service back to my institution and others, so helping students through the PAL program fits me perfectly. ” Read More		" I recognized PAL as the perfect opportunity to give back to the student community. At the same time, I get to learn more about our wonderful college and I also get to meet new faces every week. " Read More
Jennifer Powers Nutritional Science - Dietetics major		Whitney Lau Nutritional Science - Dietetics major
"I have always had an interest in nutrition, so when I found out that UC Berkeley's Dietetics program was offered by CNR, a small and intimate college; I was even more excited to come to Cal. Since then, CNR has surpassed my expectations and has had such a positive impact on my journey at Cal." Read More		“Helping out on class advising was a wonderful experience during CalSO last summer. Being a CNR peer advisor, I hope I can help my fellow schoolmates.” Read More
Gina Lopez Forestry and Natural Resources major		Kelly Schirman Conservation and Resource Studies/English double major
"If it were not for the College of Natural Resources, I don't think I would have bothered applying to this #1 public institution for higher education." Read More		"I'm majoring in CRS because I want to work to preserve natural resources for future generations, and help protect the ones we still have today. I love taking advantage of all CNR has to offer, including smaller class sizes, more personal relationships with faculty and staff members, and of course, a wide variety of awesome environmental subjects to study." Read More
Tay Feder Environmental Economics and Policy major		Simo Yao Nutritional Science - Dietetics major
"At Berkeley, I've been granted the privilege to be a student under world-class researchers and professors of energy economics, climate change, and information goods that have blown my mind." Read More		"I became a CNR Peer Advisor because I wanted to learn more about the opportunities that our college offers and help students find the right major for themselves." Read More
Jelyn Evangelista Molecular Toxicology major		Youh Ying "Amy" Lin Molecular Environmental Biology major
"I wanted to become a Peer Advisor because I thought it would be a great experience, but more importantly I'll get to help others who are also Mol Tox majors or transfers, like I was, who don't know all the ins and outs of the system." Read More		"I love how MEB provides many choices and flexibility in terms of class selection and my major also helps me with satisfying pre-med requirements." Read More
Tim Seo MEB/CRS double major		Jenn Quan Molecular Environmental Biology major
"I have received unlimited support from the Sponsored Projects for Undergraduate Research Program as well as top-notch graduate students in the lab. These experiences have helped me develop an analytically creative mind geared towards solving complex problems. " Read More		"I have gone through a lot of problems with my family and myself and totally understand that academic success first comes with good mental and physical health." Read More
Stephen Kwan Molecular Environmental Biology major		Wendy Chen Environmental Sciences major
"I want to be able to impart the knowledge that I have gained from experience onto incoming freshmen and/or transfers. By doing so, I hope that I will be able to help people have a more fufilling and enjoyable time at Berkeley!" Read More		"Berkeley is a large and fast-paced school and being apart of CNR gives me the feeling of a small, tightly knit community that I can't find anywhere else. We get a lot of one on one attention with our advisors, and it's clear that they care very much about their students." Read More
Samantha Bell Microbial Biology major		Jena Riggert Forestry major
"I have always been interested in pursuing a career in medicine or public health and someday I hope to become either a pediatric doctor, or a health educator for children." Read More		"This coming summer I will be going to the Forestry Summer Camp, and am really exciting about all the skills that I will learn there. I think that my major is so perfect for me because what it really boils down to is that I just love trees and everything that they contribute to our world." Read More
		Dale Dualan Conservation and Resource Studies major
		"CNR challenged me to break out of my comfort zone, think outside the box, and explore with an open mind. Here I was empowered with tools for the toolbox of life, to continue to find my voice and help others do the same." Read More

Mission Statement

As College of Natural Resources students representing various majors, backgrounds, and interests, we strive to:

• Promote the positive aspects of the college by advising our peers through office hours, CNR seminars and events, and online communication;
• Address student needs by advising on major requirements, college policies, and procedures; and
• Develop students leaders within CNR.

Peer Advisors help fellow students discover the fantastic opportunities the College of Natural Resources offers, while earning credits and acquiring valuable leadership skills.

Position Overview

The peer advisors in the program:

• Must commit to two consecutive semesters in the program.
• Engage in CNR recruitment and retention programs.
• Are trained in understanding CNR and university requirements, policies, and procedures.
• Make referrals to a wide variety of campus services and resources and provide information about transferring into CNR from other institutions and from elsewhere on the Berkeley campus.
• Work at information tables at the residence halls.
• Participate in the CNR Welcome Day Program, Cal Day, and Majors Fair.
• Assist CNR student affairs staff with various outreach programs.
• Manage other college-wide advising projects as assigned.

NOTE: Peer leaders do not have access to student records, transcripts, or student files. Peer leaders cannot sign petitions or process student petitions.

Benefits for Peer Advisors

• Gain strong presentation skills
• Become well-versed in CNR and University policies
• Become a recognized student leader at CNR
• Develop public speaking skills
• Earn 2 units of credit in ESPM 98/198 (Directed Group Study)

Becoming a PAL

If you are declared in a CNR major, have at least Sophomore status (30+ units), and have a 3.0 GPA or better, then you are a perfect candidate!

• You must commit to two consecutive semesters in the program.
• Fill out the P.A.L. Application
• Submit the application to Donna L. Symon in the Office of Instruction and Student Affairs, 260 Mulford Hall by the last day of instruction in the semester during which you are applying. Applications to P.A.L. are accepted throughout the year. If you have been accepted for the Fall 2006 semester, you will be notified by email by the first week of August.

Current Peer Advisors

Irene Liao Genetics and Plant Biology major		Kay Jiaqi Yang Nutritional Science - Dietetics major
"Within Cal is the CNR, a smaller community that is very friendly and personable. I have had the pleasure of getting to know the students in the college, being able talk to someone who shares the same interests in plants as I do or even just to listen to people talk about whatever interests them and hear the passion in their voice." Read More		"I personally love the fact that faculty members and professors in CNR are friendly and accessible. I think this has made my transition as a transfer student easier." Read More
Jenn Jehnsen Environmental Sciences major		Tiet Nguyen Microbial Biology major
"I was so confused my freshmen year because my friends in L&S didn’t have the same requirements that I did for CNR. I think it’s important for CNR students to have other students that they can go to for advice on CNR-specific requirements." Read More		"Berkeley opens so many doors of opportunities for its students, especially if you are an undeclared student who desires to explore the various majors and find one that suits you best." Read More
Selina Chou Nutritional Science - Dietetics major		Kerry Boyle Microbial Biology major
"As a Peer Advising Leader, I hope my positive experience can help out more fellow students and bring them a better college life." Read More		"I hope that sharing my experiences, both positive and negative, with other students will help them to make smart decisions about their academics and extracurricular activities while at UC Berkeley." Read More
Olga Mukha Molecular Environmental Biology major		Jessica Lebeau Molecular Toxicology major
"Being in CNR made my transition from community college to UC Berkeley easier. Whether it was studying at the Student Resource Center and using the computer lab (and free printing!) or attending the CNR Movie Nights, I was able to meet new people and get all my advising questions answered." Read More		"After high school I went to school for Massage Therapy in Emeryville then opened my own practice locally which I have been operating for almost ten years...I hope to use my experience to help other students stay positive and navigate administration." Read More
Ken Juacalla Molecular Toxicology major		Chau Pham Nutritional Sciences - Physiology and Metabolism major
"As a Molecular Toxicology major, I am able to learn the beneficial and the toxic effects of foods, chemicals, drugs, and any exogenous forms that can be critical in our environment and to us." Read More		"I received a great help from PAL in advising me how to change my major; therefore, I want to continue this tradition to help other students by becoming a Peer Advisor." Read More
Julie Zhu Molecular Environmental Biology major		Ruixan (Jenny) Zhang Genetics and Plant Biology major
"I chose my major because I want to go to optometry school after I finish my undergraduate degree here at Berkeley; MEB offers a lot of courses that satisfy the optometry school requirements while still leaving me plenty of room to take other courses that I find of interest me." Read More		"By majoring in Genetics and Plant Biology, I want to study the plants used in traditional medicinal practices and discover the genes that are the source to these medical treatments." Read More
Wellington Onyenwe Molecular Toxicology major		Liz Pelayo Nutritional Science- Physiology and Metabolism major
"Hey CNRers! I have for you the secrets of success in CNR that very few know. Believe me, I have dealt with the long journey and am overjoyed to lift as I continue to climb. I'm very honored to be a part of PAL program and the CNR family." Read More		"Deciding on my major was not a straight path, but after hearing from my friends and experiencing the friendly environment that CNR offers their students, I knew that I wanted to be part of the college." Read More

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