We have just finished our recruitment cycle this semester and have welcomed our brand new class of Guides for the Spring of 2024! If you’re interested in joining the Fall 2024 class of Guides, we encourage you to explore the information on this page and check back for more updates.
In the Fall, follow these steps to join the University Guide Service! Please reach out to our Recruitment Co-Chairs Hewan Kasie (tnt9ad@virgina.edu) or Jack Giese (jg9gy@virginia.edu) with any questions you may have.
Step 1: Learn About the University Guide Service
The University Guide Service accepts new members at the beginning of each semester. These probationary members, known as “probies," spend a semester being trained by their UGS Probationary Chair (fellow student and current Guide) and learning from older guides to prepare to give tours. Students trying out for Guides must be in their first, second, or third year, and should be able to commit to attending weekly Probie Class – a crash course in UVA history led by your Probie Chair – for three hours each Thursday night during their Probie Semester.
Learn more about what it is like to be a Guide. (insert link to “Being a Guide” page)
We also ask that you attend an information session to learn more about Guides and speak to current Guides. Attending information and Q&A sessions will help you learn about the try-out process, get tips from current guides, and learn more about what is expected of UGS members. Information sessions are mandatory and a great way to get your questions answered and better understand what makes UGS so great! We also will host sessions on diversity within UGS to address questions and concerns of any BIPOC, first generation, or low income students interested in trying out. Please check back closer to the Spring semester for the dates of the information sessions.
You can also follow us on Instagram to keep up to date throughout the recruitment process! You can also get a closer look at the regular happenings of UGS and be able to see students spotlights and takeovers to hear from current Guides themselves throughout recruitment.
Step 2: Prepare to Try Out
For Fall 2024, you will give a 15 minute historical “trial tour” of the Lawn area to two current Guides (who will act as your "tourists"). The trial tour is meant to see how well you can craft an organized and meaningful tour, as well as to assess your public speaking abilities.
You will be able to sign up for a time slot for your trial tour at one of our info sessions (which is why it is important to attend a session)! Other sign-up opportunities may be offered, and will be announced via Instagram.
To begin writing, we encourage you to refer to this historical fact sheet we have put together for you. Once you have written your tour, we recommend practicing giving your tour before you do so officially.
Step 3: Give Your Trial Tour
Before your trial tour, you will receive an email with the Lawn room number of where your “tourists” will meet you for your trial tour. Please plan to arrive a few minutes early to help the process run smoothly.
We completely understand that giving a trial tour can be very nerve wracking, but we highly encourage you to just go ahead and do it! Your “tourists” are your biggest supporters and would love to see you do an incredible job.
Once you arrive, there will be a current Guide there to answer any last minute questions you may have and help you with what you may need then. Feel free to leave your belongings in this room and they will be happy to watch over your items. Your “tourists” will meet you at the room and they will provide some starting information. You can then walk with them to the starting location that you have selected for your tour before your time for the tour starts.
Step 4: Interview
At the end of your trial tour, your “tourists” will tell you when the list of students selected to receive an interview will be posted. The interview will be the week following trial tours conducted by a panel of current guides, and will assess your diplomacy and ability to improvise in response to tough tour questions. It’s also a chance for you to share with us what sets you apart and would make you an excellent member of UGS. More information on the interview stage of the process is provided after trial tours have concluded. After the interview process, we will welcome new probationary members for the amazing semester ahead!
Non-Discrimination Clause: The University Guide Service does not restrict its membership, programs, or activities on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family and genetic information.
Two roomie guides who always practice with each other! Practicing your trial tour with a friend is a great way to prepare to try out!
Dwyer probies Davis and Evie on the way to their first tour!