Carnegie Mellon University

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The Major Buddy Program

Choosing a major can feel like a big deal, even overwhelming! Our goal for the Major Buddy Program is to match undergraduate students who are considering a primary or additional major in the Department of English, as well as students who have recently declared such a major, with current sophomore, junior, and senior primary and additional majors. We want prospective and newly declared majors to feel like they have someone they can connect with and to help them feel welcome.

So, how does it work?

I'm a prospective or newly declared student and want to have a Major Buddy.

I'm a declared upperclass-level student and want to be a Major Buddy.

Have a Major Buddy

What's Involved?

We envision involvement as being relaxed, flexible, and spontaneous. There are no specific time requirements, meaning that you don't need to meet a certain number of hours of participation. The Major Buddy to whom you are assigned agrees to serve as your official "buddy" throughout one semester. After that, it's up to the two of you to decide if you'd like to continue a friendship/acquaintanceship.

  • Relaxed. Sometimes grabbing a coffee and just chatting can help answer all of kinds of questions.
  • Flexible. Maybe you're really busy and just want to know that you have a Major Buddy who's available via quick text messages or emails.
  • Spontaneous. Before you declared your primary or additonal major with us, or as you consider doing so, did/do you wish you had someone who could invite you to department events or to meet other majors so that you could get a sense of what it's like to be one?

What's Not Involved?

Having a Major Buddy does not involve using them as a resource to help you handle or address serious issues, such as:

  • immigration regulations, visas, or work permits
  • bill payment or financial aid
  • academic counseling, class attendance, or tutoring
  • physical or mental health care
  • class registration

We encourage you to contact your academic advisor if you have questions or concerns about any of these or other serious issues.

How Do I Get a Major Buddy?

If you're interested in being matched with a Major Buddy, simply fill out our quick questionnaire, and our academic advisor will be in touch with you.

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Be a Major Buddy

What's Involved?

We envision involvement as being relaxed, flexible, and spontaneous. There are no specific time requirements, meaning that you don't need to meet a certain number of hours of participation. We simply ask that you be willing to participate for a minimum of one full semester.

  • Relaxed. Sometimes grabbing a coffee and just chatting can help answer all of kinds of questions. We'll even supply you with coffee gift cards to use with your "buddy!"
  • Flexible. Maybe you're really busy and are only available to be a resource via text message or email.
  • Spontaneous. Heading to a department event? Ask your Buddy to join you. Grabbing dinner with friends from class? Invite your Buddy.

What's Not Involved?

As a Major Buddy, you are not responsible for assisting with:

  • immigration regulations, visas, or work permites
  • bill payment or financial aid
  • academic counseling, class attenance, or tutoring
  • physical or mental health care
  • class registration

We encourage you to direct your Major Buddy to their academic advisor regarding these or other serious issues.

How Do I Become a Major Buddy?

If you're a sophomore, junior, or senior primary or additional major in the Department of English, simply fill out our quick quesitonnaire, and our academic advisor will be in touch with you.

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