The Cultivating Interest in Research Careers (CIRC) Program will pair UCLA Near-Peer Advisors with community college students from underrepresented groups in medicine and science and/or disadvantaged backgrounds. The goals of the CIRC program are to expose community college students to a summer research experience at UCLA and to engage them in a follow-up year-long program to help them successfully transfer to a 4-year school.

Qualifications to be a Near-Peer Advisor: The Near-Peer Advisors will be UCLA students in science-related majors, ideally, who are planning to apply to graduate programs in science and research. Priority will be given to Near-Peer Advisors from underrepresented minority groups, first-generation college students, students who transferred from community colleges, and/or students receiving Pell Grants or who had a disadvantaged educational background.

Expectations of Near-Peer Advisors: Participating as a Near-Peer Advisor requires a time commitment of approximately 1 hour per week. During this time, Near-Peer Advisors will be expected to regularly check in with their mentees throughout the summer and the year-long program. Near-Peer Advisors will serve as role models by sharing their personal experiences in their educational journeys, providing advice on the academic and personal aspects of college life, and providing support and encouragement as mentees work to transfer to a four-year college/university. All Near-Peer Advisors are expected to participate in a brief orientation in May to learn more specific program details (Date/time TBD). 

Near-Peer Advisors will receive a stipend of $1,000 for their 1-year commitment to the program.