<p>I’m going to a freshman in the school of arts and sciences come august and have been looking into becoming a pathfinder/fym. I was part of a similar program at my h.s where we gave tours and helped out with the events for prospective/accepted freshman. While being a pathfinder looks fun/ a great way to become acclimated to the campus, I hear its actually really competitive, is that true? Whats the application process like? And is it better to become one during the fall or spring semester?</p>
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<p>It’s incredibly competitive. I forget the entire process, but for one step you go in to interview with current pathfinders and basically explain why you want to be one/school pride. People in the past have done crazy things, including one guy who DRESSED UP LIKE THE CATHEDRAL OF LEARNING.</p>
<p>How to join: [Pitt</a> Pathfinders](<a href=“http://www.pathfinders.pitt.edu/join.html]Pitt”>Office of Admissions and Financial Aid | University of Pittsburgh)</p>
<p>You fill an application. Then they hold interviews. Then you spend time shadowing current pathfinders and learning what a tour would be like (either upper or lower campus). Then you have to create your own tour (I think it’s supposed to be 20 minutes or so?). At a certain point, you will “give” your tour to 1-2 current pathfinders and they rate you on how well you did. Assuming you pass you then become a full pathfinder and are allowed to sign up to give tours.</p>
<p>I think you can apply in the fall as a freshman, but it’ll be much harder because you yourself barely know Pitt! Best chance is to spend a semester learning about Pitt and the campus and apply in the spring, when you really know what you’re talking about.</p>
<p>One thing to think about when you’re trying to decide on applying Fall vs. Spring is that if chosen, you have to participate for 2 full semesters. So if you apply in the Spring, you have to stay for the summer for the PittStarts.</p>
<p>I heard that if you Pathfind in the summer you get free room and board, but do they still pay you?</p>
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<p>Yes. It’s not a lot, though. Also, you’ll be doing a lot more of the PittStart sessions that aren’t just giving tours (sitting at the tables at dinner talking to kids, facilitating discussion, helping with events). My PittStart had a casino and karaoke night where the PathFinders ran the different card/gambling tables.</p>
<p>If you apply in the spring, is staying for the summer mandatory? Do you have to be there the entire summer or would it be possible to go home for a few weekends? As in how often are the pittstarts and is there enough time in between them to go home if I live out of state? Thanks!</p>