Resources

Upcoming Applicant Forum

Interested in applying to become a 2025 Wake Forest Fellow after you graduate?

To help students finalize the decision to apply and prepare application materials, all interested seniors are invited to the Fellows Applicant Forum on November 13, 2024 from 7-8 pm in ZSR Classroom 476. Additionally, Additionally, the Fellows will host a panel session with pizza on January 16, 2025 from 4-5 pm in ZSR Auditorium.

The application will close just one week after the January forum, so you won’t want to miss this final opportunity to connect with the Fellows, gather more information, ask questions, and determine whether the Wake Forest Fellows Program is right for you.

This forum traditionally gives a more detailed understanding of the projects and day-to-day experiences of each of the current Fellows, as well as the Fellows’ relationships with supervisors and mentors. Program coordinators and HR representatives will also be available to answer your questions.

Application & Interview Tips

3 Things to Know

• Send your application materials to a specific person or group. Sending your cover letter to a specific person or group tells the reader that you did your homework. Spend a few extra minutes to figure out who is on the hiring committee, and avoid “To whom it may concern.”
• Be professional in all communications. You will never be removed from consideration if you are a bit too formal in your communications. But you could be removed if you are perceived as taking things too casually. If you are going to make a mistake, but just a little bit too formal.
• Be prepared to make a decision. If you are fortunate enough to be offered a Wake Forest Fellowship, be prepared to make your decision once the offer has been made.

3 Things to Do

• Respond to emails from HR and offices within 24 hours. It is likely that the office is interested in interviewing multiple candidates. The easier you make it on them. The more positive a view they will have of you.
• Respond to voicemails within the day. In some cases, a phone call is being made because there is a time-sensitive issue. Once you have applied, if you recognize that a Wake Forest office is calling you, be ready to take the call and present yourself professionally. If you can’t take the call, respond tot he voicemail as soon as possible.
• Prepare for interviews. This one is really important! Each office knows what they need from their next Fellow. And the questions they ask you are being asked for a reason – the office is looking for a particular skill or skill set. Your goal is to prove that you have the skill or skill set. Saying that you think something is important, or that you “should” do something does not prove your point. Telling a story that demonstrates how you used that skill in the past does.

3 Things to Prepare

• Stories that demonstrate your value to the office. Schedule a mock interview with the OPCD to learn more about the STAR approach to answering interview questions, to practice your interviewing skills, and to prepare for the “real” interview. (You wouldn’t take a test without studying, right? Don’t go into an interview without practicing!)
• A targeted cover letter. A targeted cover letter will highlight your value to the Fellows program and, to the extend possible, the office(s) in which you are interested. The truth is that everybody who applies is impressive. The way you stand out is by making the reader of your letter believe you have what they need.
• Strong answers to the following questions: 
  • Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
  • Why are you interested in being a Wake Forest Fellow?
  • Why should we hire you?
  • How will this Fellowship influence your long-term goals?

This information was provided by the OPCD.