Overview  

The Summer Bear Ambassador Program in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions provides a paid part-time experience for WashU undergraduate students to assist with daily admissions programming during the summer months of June, July, and August. The Summer Bear Ambassador position provides a mixture of key responsibilities working with prospective students and families and allows exposure to the various functions of admissions at a highly selective institution.

Key responsibilities

  • Giving in-person student-led campus tours
  • Conducting virtual tours of campus and managing the Q&A function of the Zoom
  • Staffing the lobby of Sumers Welcome Center and handling the check-in process for daily visiting guests 
  • Facilitating virtual and in-person prospective student Bear Chats and coordinating breakout rooms via Zoom 
  • Engaging with prospective students electronically via email, Zoom, phone, ZeeMee, etc. 
  • Providing support for panels, information sessions, webinars, etc. 
  • Assisting with special in-person events, such as special visit days and group visits
  • Managing the mock residential hall space 
  • Other tasks as assigned 

Required skills/characteristics

  • Summer Bear Ambassadors must be full-time undergraduate students in the Classes of 2027, 2028, or 2029 and be able to make the necessary time commitment
  • Good academic standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and good conduct standing with the university.
    • By applying, students give the Admissions Office permission to access records with the Registrar and the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.
  • Enthusiasm about the university and what it offers students

Desired skills/characteristics

  • Comfort in giving up to 90-minute campus tours in the summer heat and humidity
  • Comfortable with public speaking in both small and large groups
  • Commitment to providing the highest level of customer service to every visitor
  • Self-starter who takes initiative and is willing to jump-in and assist however is needed
  • We are committed to building a diverse team, and welcome applicants from students from underrepresented communities.

Hours

  • The ambassadorship is a part-time position with a flexible amount of hours per week. Hours worked will depend on availability and staffing needs. The average amount of hours worked by Summer Bear Ambassadors is between 4-10 hours per week. This position can be worked alongside other jobs and commitments (e.g. research, fellowships, etc.)
  • Start Date: Monday, June 1, 2026; End Date: Friday, August 14, 2026
  • All Summer Bear Ambassadors are required to attend mandatory training that will occur June 1-5, 2026, and are highly encouraged to align availability for our special visit days. Our special visit days will mainly occur on Mondays and Fridays throughout the month of July.
  • The Undergraduate Admissions Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. with occasional programs on early mornings, evenings, and on Saturdays and Sundays. Summer Bear Ambassadors should expect to work the majority of their shifts between Monday – Friday with the occasional Saturday or Sunday as needed. Non-paid vacation time is available.
  • This is a temporary position, but with the option to turn this into an Academic Year Bear Ambassador position based on performance and staffing needs.

Compensation

Ambassadors will be compensated at a rate of $15 per hour.

Application process

  • Apply via Handshake and attach a resume.
  • Respond to ONE of the prompts by either submitting a 90-second video or an essay response. The prompts are 1) “Why do you want to be a Bear Ambassador?” or 2) “Why did you choose WashU?”
    • Instructions for the 90-second video:
      • Upload the video here.
      • You can find instructions for how to create a 90-second video here.
      • You can create a 90-second video by using your phone camera, iMovie, or another similar platform.
    • Instructions for the essay response:
      • Upload your essay response in either a .pdf, .docx, or .doc here.
      • Please respond in NO MORE than 300 words.
  • In the video or essay, please be sure to state your full name, class year, scholar program (if applicable), and academic division. You will need to log into Box using your WashU Key to upload your video. Please also name the video or essay your first and last name, e.g. “Jennie Jean-Jacques” before uploading it to the folder.
  • If you have trouble with this, please email your video or essay response to BearAmbassadors@email.wustl.edu
  • All interested applicants MUST attend a mandatory information session to learn how to navigate the interview process. The interview will consist of two parts: 1) A Mini Tour and 2) Formal Q&A.
  • Attendance at one of the Summer Bear Ambassador information sessions is required to be eligible for the position. See below for the dates/times/locations they will be held:
    • Tuesday, March 3rd from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in-person at the Sumers Welcome Center, Bluedorn Presentation Room
    • Tuesday, April 7 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. Register here to receive the Zoom link.
  • To be considered for this position, all application materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
    • Note: We have a rolling application process. Applications are reviewed as they are submitted, candidates are invited to interview as the team reviews materials, and decisions will be released within a few weeks of submission. Candidates will be offered employment on a first-come, first-served basis. Applying early generally improves your chances before the positions are filled.

Questions?

Please reach out to Jennie Jean-Jacques and Jessica Napier at BearAmbassadors@email.washu.edu