What are the steps in choosing a PULSE placement?

PULSE placements are NOT assigned. You must choose and be chosen by a PULSE placement. The placement selection process occurs throughout the month of September. You are expected to actively participate in each of the following steps.

Step 1: Read the PULSE Print

PULSE Council members will visit your first PULSE class and distribute PULSE Prints. The PULSE Print is your first source of information about the over 50 available placements. You should read the short descriptions of all placements and make a preliminary selection of those agencies that interest you.

Step 2: Read the complete placement descriptions on the PULSE website

Once you have read the short descriptions in the PULSE Print, learn more about the placements that interest you. The descriptions on our website contain more complete information on tasks, scheduling details, contacts and locations.

Step 3:  Submit your Town Meeting Registration Form

You must fill out the online Town Meeting Registration Form available on the PULSE Home Page in September. You will choose four placements to visit at the Town Meeting. Consult the PULSE Calendar for due date.

Step 4:  Sign up for Advisement.

An advisement session is a 15-minute meeting where two PULSE Council members meet with you individually to discuss various placement options based on your interests and schedule. They can also answer any lingering questions about the process ahead.  Advisement is a mandatory part of the placement selection process.  Come to the PULSE office in McElroy 117 to sign up for an advisement time that is convenient for you. Be sure to note the location when you sign up. 

Step 5: Attend the Town Meeting  **MANDATORY!**

At the Town Meeting, you will gain first-hand knowledge about selected placements.  Placement supervisors come to BC to discuss their agencies, answer your questions, and describe their expectations.  The evening begins with an initial assembly outlining the placement process.  Next, you will attend four informational sessions, one for each of the four placements you selected on your Town Meeting Registration Form.  Here you have the opportunity to ask questions about the placement to help you determine if you would like to serve there.

Step 6: Go to your advisement session

Come the advisement session you signed up for at the specified location.

Step 7: Tour preferred placements

Going on a tour gives you a better understanding of the placement and will help you decide whether or not you would like to serve there.  At least two or three tours are offered at each placement, and sign-up sheets for each tour will be posted outside the PULSE office (McElroy 117).  You should go on at least three tours.  However, we encourage you to go on as many as you would like.

PULSE council members organize group tours.  Some placements also choose to conduct short interviews during this time, which take place either at the placement or on campus.  Depending on the placement, interview sign-up sheets may be posted outside the PULSE Office. 

Tips for Pursuing Preferred Placements:

· Be sure to pursue at least 3 – 4 placements.

· Call the Council Member and/or PULSE Office if you are going to miss a tour or interview.

· When touring a placement, please dress appropriately.

· Be aware of the next step after tours for each placement - Do you need to... submit an application? Attend an interview? Confirm you are still interested in the placement? Specifically, ask when decisions will be made and how you will be informed of acceptance/non-acceptance.

**If you are having difficulties finding a placement, the PULSE office will have a list of placements still seeking people. Come to the office to speak to someone Monday through Friday 10 am – 4 pm in McElroy 117.

Step 8: Accept placement position

When you receive an offer for from a placement:

• If the placement is not your first choice and you are still waiting to hear back from other placements, you can choose to wait to make your decision. However, be aware that if the supervisor has placed a deadline on your decision you may lose that spot.

• If you decide that you will take the placement let the supervisor know that you have decided to accept and email pulse@bc.edu with the name of the placement that you have accepted.

• When you accept your placement, you must inform any other supervisors that offered you a spot that you will not be accepting the offer(s).

• *Please Note: Once you have accepted a placement you are committing to that placement for the entire year. You cannot switch placements once you have informed the supervisor that you have accepted the offer.

Step 9:  Begin placement work!