The PAL advisor manual contains a detailed description of the PAL selection process. Schools handle the process in different ways, but in general, the process includes: 1) Promotion and Recruitment 2) Application and Recommendations 3) Interviews and 4) Selection. We asked Kerri Slaughter, Teacher and PAL Advisor at Imperial Middle School, La Habra City School District to describe her selection process. She shared:

"At Imperial Middle School, we have refined our recruitment process to ensure that we get a diverse and highly-qualified group of peer leaders. In late April, the current PALs visit the 7th grade classrooms to educate students about PAL’s role on campus and to encourage them to apply for PAL for the upcoming school year. Morning announcements, posters, and flyers are also made/posted in order to generate interest. In addition, teachers are asked to nominate students. All interested students are required to complete an application packet which contains a series of questions, a teacher recommendation form, and a request for an additional letter of recommendation from an adult. Once applications have been submitted (we usually receive about 100), applicants are scheduled for an interview during lunch. Interviewers include a group of about three to four PALs and a staff member, usually a teacher. Interviewees are asked several questions and are judged on their enthusiasm, listening skills, and willingness to speak up. PAL applicants are scored based on their interview, teacher recommendation form (which contains a score component), application, and other criteria (like grades and attendance). Primarily applicants with the higher scores are selected, although we do select a certain percentage of students (approximately 10-15%) whom we consider a “risk factor,” but have shown potential leadership skills, or because we feel the PAL program will benefit them. Generally, about 25-30 students are chosen."