diff --git a/backend/api/academics/hiring.py b/backend/api/academics/hiring.py
index 6f60a24d5..76802958f 100644
--- a/backend/api/academics/hiring.py
+++ b/backend/api/academics/hiring.py
@@ -163,6 +163,18 @@ def update_status(
     return hiring_service.update_status(subject, course_site_id, hiring_status)
 
 
+@api.get("/{course_site_id}/enrollment", tags=["Hiring"])
+def get_course_site_total_enrollment(
+    course_site_id: int,
+    subject: User = Depends(registered_user),
+    hiring_service: HiringService = Depends(),
+) -> int:
+    """
+    Returns the total enrollment across all sections in a course site.
+    """
+    return hiring_service.get_course_site_total_enrollment(subject, course_site_id)
+
+
 @api.get("/summary/{term_id}", tags=["Hiring"])
 def get_hiring_summary_overview(
     term_id: str,
diff --git a/backend/entities/academics/hiring/application_review_entity.py b/backend/entities/academics/hiring/application_review_entity.py
index 30dd3326c..35af525eb 100644
--- a/backend/entities/academics/hiring/application_review_entity.py
+++ b/backend/entities/academics/hiring/application_review_entity.py
@@ -58,6 +58,11 @@ class ApplicationReviewEntity(EntityBase):
     preference: Mapped[int] = mapped_column(Integer)
     # Notes
     notes: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(String)
+    # Level
+    level_id: Mapped[int | None] = mapped_column(
+        ForeignKey("academics__hiring__level.id"), nullable=True
+    )
+    level: Mapped["HiringLevelEntity"] = relationship(back_populates="hiring_reviews")
 
     @classmethod
     def from_model(cls, model: ApplicationReview) -> Self:
@@ -76,6 +81,7 @@ def from_model(cls, model: ApplicationReview) -> Self:
             status=model.status,
             preference=model.preference,
             notes=model.notes,
+            level_id=(model.level.id if model.level else None),
         )
 
     def to_overview_model(self) -> ApplicationReviewOverview:
@@ -133,6 +139,7 @@ def to_overview_model(self) -> ApplicationReviewOverview:
             applicant_id=self.application.user_id,
             applicant_course_ranking=applicant_preference_for_course
             + 1,  # Increment since starting index is 0.
+            level=(self.level.to_model() if self.level else None),
         )
 
     def to_csv_row(self) -> ApplicationReviewCsvRow:
@@ -177,4 +184,5 @@ def to_csv_row(self) -> ApplicationReviewCsvRow:
             status=self.status,
             preference=self.preference,
             notes=self.notes,
+            level=(self.level.title if self.level else None),
         )
diff --git a/backend/entities/academics/hiring/hiring_level_entity.py b/backend/entities/academics/hiring/hiring_level_entity.py
index fc0d708b0..29e08c0ba 100644
--- a/backend/entities/academics/hiring/hiring_level_entity.py
+++ b/backend/entities/academics/hiring/hiring_level_entity.py
@@ -45,6 +45,12 @@ class HiringLevelEntity(EntityBase):
         back_populates="hiring_level"
     )
 
+    # Application reviews with this level
+    # NOTE: This defines a one-to-many relationship between the application reviews and level tables.
+    hiring_reviews: Mapped[list["ApplicationReviewEntity"]] = relationship(
+        back_populates="level"
+    )
+
     @classmethod
     def from_model(cls, model: HiringLevel) -> Self:
         return cls(
diff --git a/backend/models/academics/hiring/application_review.py b/backend/models/academics/hiring/application_review.py
index 4fd704f8a..066b98f65 100644
--- a/backend/models/academics/hiring/application_review.py
+++ b/backend/models/academics/hiring/application_review.py
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 from pydantic import BaseModel
 from enum import Enum
 
+from .hiring_level import HiringLevel
+
 from ...application import Comp227, ApplicationUnderReview
 from ...public_user import PublicUser
 
@@ -28,6 +30,7 @@ class ApplicationReview(BaseModel):
     status: ApplicationReviewStatus = ApplicationReviewStatus.NOT_PROCESSED
     preference: int
     notes: str
+    level: HiringLevel | None = None
 
 
 class ApplicationReviewOverview(ApplicationReview):
@@ -39,6 +42,7 @@ class ApplicationReviewOverview(ApplicationReview):
     preference: int
     notes: str
     applicant_course_ranking: int
+    level: HiringLevel | None = None
 
 
 class HiringStatus(BaseModel):
@@ -76,3 +80,4 @@ class ApplicationReviewCsvRow(BaseModel):
     status: ApplicationReviewStatus = ApplicationReviewStatus.NOT_PROCESSED
     preference: int
     notes: str
+    level: str | None
diff --git a/backend/services/academics/hiring.py b/backend/services/academics/hiring.py
index 15726edda..cd5ce16d7 100644
--- a/backend/services/academics/hiring.py
+++ b/backend/services/academics/hiring.py
@@ -109,7 +109,32 @@ def update_status(
                 subject, "hiring.get_status", f"course_site/{course_site_id}"
             )
 
-        # Step 2: Update the values for all reviews.
+        # Step 2: Assign default levels to preferred applications that don't have one.
+        preferred_reviews_without_level = [
+            review for review in hiring_status.preferred if review.level is None
+        ]
+        if preferred_reviews_without_level:
+            applications = {
+                app.id: app
+                for app in self._session.scalars(
+                    select(ApplicationEntity).where(
+                        ApplicationEntity.id.in_(
+                            [
+                                review.application_id
+                                for review in preferred_reviews_without_level
+                            ]
+                        )
+                    )
+                ).all()
+            }
+            for review in preferred_reviews_without_level:
+                application = applications.get(review.application_id)
+                if application:
+                    default_level = self._get_default_level_for_application(application)
+                    if default_level:
+                        review.level = default_level
+
+        # Step 3: Update the values for all reviews.
 
         # Retrieve all reviews, indexed by ID for efficient searching.
         hiring_status_reviews_by_id: dict[int, ApplicationReviewOverview] = {}
@@ -126,10 +151,17 @@ def update_status(
         updates: list[dict] = []
         for persisted in site_entity.application_reviews:
             request = hiring_status_reviews_by_id[persisted.id]
+            requested_level_id = request.level.id if request.level else None
             if (
-                persisted.status != request.status
-                or persisted.preference != request.preference
-                or persisted.notes != request.notes
+                persisted.status,
+                persisted.preference,
+                persisted.notes,
+                persisted.level_id,
+            ) != (
+                request.status,
+                request.preference,
+                request.notes,
+                requested_level_id,
             ):
                 updates.append(
                     {
@@ -137,6 +169,7 @@ def update_status(
                         "status": request.status,
                         "preference": request.preference,
                         "notes": request.notes,
+                        "level_id": requested_level_id,
                     }
                 )
 
@@ -148,6 +181,49 @@ def update_status(
         # Reload the data and return the hiring status.
         return self.get_status(subject, course_site_id)
 
+    def _get_default_level_for_application(
+        self, application: ApplicationEntity
+    ) -> HiringLevel | None:
+        """
+        Gets the default level for an application based on its type.
+        Finds the level that matches the classification, has load of 1.0, and is active.
+
+        Args:
+            application: The application entity to get default level for
+
+        Returns:
+            The default level model, or None if not found
+        """
+        # Determine classification based on application type
+        classification: HiringLevelClassification | None = None
+
+        if application.type == "new_uta":
+            classification = HiringLevelClassification.UG
+        elif application.type == "gta":
+            if application.program_pursued:
+                # Check if it's a PhD program
+                if application.program_pursued in ("PhD", "PhD (ABD)"):
+                    classification = HiringLevelClassification.PHD
+                # Check if it's MS or BS/MS
+                elif application.program_pursued in ("MS", "BS/MS"):
+                    classification = HiringLevelClassification.MS
+
+        if not classification:
+            return None
+
+        # Find the level that matches classification, has load 1.0, and is active
+        level_query = (
+            select(HiringLevelEntity)
+            .where(HiringLevelEntity.classification == classification)
+            .where(HiringLevelEntity.load == 1.0)
+            .where(HiringLevelEntity.is_active == True)
+        )
+        level_entity = self._session.scalar(level_query)
+
+        if level_entity:
+            return level_entity.to_model()
+        return None
+
     def create_missing_course_sites_for_term(self, subject: User, term_id: str) -> bool:
         """
         Creates missing course sites for a given term.
@@ -485,6 +561,7 @@ def _to_review_models(
                 status=review.status,
                 preference=review.preference,
                 notes=review.notes,
+                level=(review.level.to_model() if review.level else None),
                 applicant_course_ranking=applicant_preferences.get(
                     review.application_id, 999
                 ),
@@ -665,7 +742,8 @@ def get_hiring_admin_course_overview(
             .options(
                 joinedload(ApplicationReviewEntity.application).joinedload(
                     ApplicationEntity.user
-                )
+                ),
+                joinedload(ApplicationReviewEntity.level),
             )
         )
         preferred_review_entities = self._session.scalars(preferred_review_query).all()
@@ -681,6 +759,7 @@ def to_overview(review: ApplicationReviewEntity) -> ApplicationReviewOverview:
                 application=review.application.to_review_overview_model(),
                 applicant_id=review.application.user_id,
                 applicant_course_ranking=0,
+                level=(review.level.to_model() if review.level else None),
             )
 
         reviews = [
@@ -979,6 +1058,26 @@ def get_hiring_assignments_for_course_site(
             params=pagination_params,
         )
 
+    def get_course_site_total_enrollment(
+        self, subject: User, course_site_id: int
+    ) -> int:
+        """
+        Returns the sum of enrolled students across all sections in a course site.
+        """
+        site_entity = self._load_course_site(course_site_id)
+        if not self._is_instructor(subject, site_entity):
+            self._permission.enforce(
+                subject, "hiring.get_status", f"course_site/{course_site_id}"
+            )
+
+        sections_query = select(SectionEntity).where(
+            SectionEntity.course_site_id == course_site_id
+        )
+        total_enrollment = 0
+        for section in self._session.scalars(sections_query).all():
+            total_enrollment += section.enrolled
+        return total_enrollment
+
     def get_assignment_summary_for_instructors_csv(
         self, subject: User, course_site_id: int
     ) -> list[HiringAssignmentSummaryCsvRow]:
diff --git a/backend/test/services/academics/hiring/hiring_test.py b/backend/test/services/academics/hiring/hiring_test.py
index ff8f45e4a..60e27be23 100644
--- a/backend/test/services/academics/hiring/hiring_test.py
+++ b/backend/test/services/academics/hiring/hiring_test.py
@@ -19,6 +19,12 @@
 from .....services.academics import HiringService
 from .....services.application import ApplicationService
 from .....services.academics.course_site import CourseSiteService
+from .....entities.academics.section_entity import SectionEntity
+from .....entities.academics.hiring.application_review_entity import (
+    ApplicationReviewEntity,
+)
+from sqlalchemy import select
+from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
 
 # Injected Service Fixtures
 from .fixtures import hiring_svc
@@ -98,6 +104,7 @@ def test_update_status(hiring_svc: HiringService):
     status.not_preferred[0].status = ApplicationReviewStatus.PREFERRED
     status.not_preferred[0].preference = 1
     status.preferred[0].notes = "Updated notes!"
+    status.preferred[0].level = hiring_data.uta_level
     status.not_processed[0].preference = 1
     status.not_processed[1].preference = 0
 
@@ -109,6 +116,7 @@ def test_update_status(hiring_svc: HiringService):
     assert len(new_status.preferred) == 2
     assert new_status.preferred[0].application_id == hiring_data.application_two.id
     assert new_status.preferred[0].notes == "Updated notes!"
+    assert new_status.preferred[0].level.id == hiring_data.uta_level.id
     assert new_status.preferred[1].application_id == hiring_data.application_one.id
     assert new_status.not_processed[0].application_id == hiring_data.application_four.id
     assert (
@@ -303,3 +311,29 @@ def test_get_phd_applicants(hiring_svc: HiringService):
     assert len(applicants) > 0
     for applicant in applicants:
         assert applicant.program_pursued in {"PhD", "PhD (ABD)"}
+
+
+def test_get_course_site_total_enrollment(hiring_svc: HiringService, session: Session):
+    """Verify total enrollment sums section enrollments for a course site."""
+    from ...office_hours import office_hours_data
+
+    course_site_id = office_hours_data.comp_110_site.id
+    total = hiring_svc.get_course_site_total_enrollment(
+        user_data.instructor, course_site_id
+    )
+    sections = session.scalars(
+        select(SectionEntity).where(SectionEntity.course_site_id == course_site_id)
+    ).all()
+    expected = sum(s.enrolled for s in sections)
+    assert total == expected
+
+
+def test_get_course_site_total_enrollment_checks_permission(hiring_svc: HiringService):
+    """Ambassador should not be able to read instructor-only enrollment."""
+    from ...office_hours import office_hours_data
+
+    with pytest.raises(UserPermissionException):
+        hiring_svc.get_course_site_total_enrollment(
+            user_data.ambassador, office_hours_data.comp_110_site.id
+        )
+        pytest.fail()
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/application-dialog/application-dialog.dialog.html b/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/application-dialog/application-dialog.dialog.html
index b1c16a23e..5800171ac 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/application-dialog/application-dialog.dialog.html
+++ b/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/application-dialog/application-dialog.dialog.html
@@ -99,10 +99,14 @@ <h2 mat-dialog-title>
   <mat-divider />
 
   @if(data.viewOnly) {
-  <div class="row">
-    <p mat-card-subtitle>Instructor's Notes</p>
+    <div class="row">
+      <p mat-card-subtitle>Instructor's Notes</p>
+    </div>
     <p markdown>{{ data.review.notes }}</p>
+  <div class="row">
+    <p mat-card-subtitle>Preferred Hiring Level</p>
   </div>
+  <p>{{ data.review.level ? data.review.level.title : 'None' }}</p>
   } @else {
   <div class="row">
     <p mat-card-subtitle>Your Notes</p>
@@ -115,5 +119,18 @@ <h2 mat-dialog-title>
       [formControl]="notes"
       name="notes"></textarea>
   </mat-form-field>
+
+  <div class="row">
+    <p mat-card-subtitle>Preferred Hiring Level</p>
+  </div>
+
+  <mat-form-field appearance="outline">
+    <mat-label>Select Preferred Level</mat-label>
+    <mat-select [formControl]="preferredLevel" [compareWith]="compareLevels">
+      @for(level of hiringService.activeHiringlevels(); track level.id) {
+      <mat-option [value]="level">{{ level.title }}</mat-option>
+      }
+    </mat-select>
+  </mat-form-field>
   }
 </mat-dialog-content>
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/application-dialog/application-dialog.dialog.ts b/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/application-dialog/application-dialog.dialog.ts
index e96d52754..2dd7875ee 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/application-dialog/application-dialog.dialog.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/application-dialog/application-dialog.dialog.ts
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import { MAT_DIALOG_DATA, MatDialogRef } from '@angular/material/dialog';
 import {
   ApplicationReviewOverview,
   ApplicationReviewStatus,
+  HiringLevel,
   HiringStatus
 } from '../../hiring.models';
 import { FormControl } from '@angular/forms';
@@ -33,6 +34,8 @@ export interface ApplicationDialogData {
 export class ApplicationDialog implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
   notes = new FormControl('');
   notesSubcription!: Subscription;
+  preferredLevel = new FormControl<HiringLevel | undefined>(undefined);
+  preferredLevelSubscription!: Subscription;
 
   constructor(
     protected hiringService: HiringService,
@@ -40,6 +43,7 @@ export class ApplicationDialog implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
     @Inject(MAT_DIALOG_DATA) public data: ApplicationDialogData
   ) {
     this.notes.setValue(data.review.notes);
+    this.preferredLevel.setValue(data.review.level);
   }
 
   /** Save the notes data as the user types, with a debounce of 200ms. */
@@ -50,14 +54,24 @@ export class ApplicationDialog implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
         .subscribe((_) => {
           this.saveData();
         });
+      this.preferredLevel.setValue(this.data.review.level);
+      this.preferredLevelSubscription = this.preferredLevel.valueChanges
+        .subscribe((_) => {
+          this.saveData();
+        });
     }
   }
 
   /** Unsubsribe from the notes subscription when the page is closed. */
   ngOnDestroy(): void {
-    this.notesSubcription.unsubscribe();
+    this.notesSubcription?.unsubscribe();
+    this.preferredLevelSubscription?.unsubscribe();
   }
 
+  /** Compare hiring levels by their ID. */
+  compareLevels = (a?: HiringLevel | null, b?: HiringLevel | null) =>
+    (a?.id ?? null) === (b?.id ?? null);
+
   youtubeVideoId(): string | undefined {
     let splitUrl = this.data.review.application.intro_video_url?.split('?v=');
     return splitUrl?.length ?? 0 > 0 ? splitUrl![1] : undefined;
@@ -68,14 +82,20 @@ export class ApplicationDialog implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
     if (this.data.review.status == ApplicationReviewStatus.NOT_PREFERRED) {
       this.data.status!.not_preferred[this.data.review.preference].notes =
         this.notes.value ?? '';
+      this.data.status!.not_preferred[this.data.review.preference].level =
+        this.preferredLevel.value ?? null;
     }
     if (this.data.review.status == ApplicationReviewStatus.NOT_PROCESSED) {
       this.data.status!.not_processed[this.data.review.preference].notes =
         this.notes.value ?? '';
+      this.data.status!.not_processed[this.data.review.preference].level =
+        this.preferredLevel.value ?? null;
     }
     if (this.data.review.status == ApplicationReviewStatus.PREFERRED) {
       this.data.status!.preferred[this.data.review.preference].notes =
         this.notes.value ?? '';
+      this.data.status!.preferred[this.data.review.preference].level =
+        this.preferredLevel.value ?? null;
     }
 
     // Persist the data
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/edit-assignment-dialog/edit-assignment.dialog.css b/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/edit-assignment-dialog/edit-assignment.dialog.css
index 1773a8244..22e8ce819 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/edit-assignment-dialog/edit-assignment.dialog.css
+++ b/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/edit-assignment-dialog/edit-assignment.dialog.css
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ mat-form-field {
     width: 100%;
     margin-top: 10px;
 }
+
 ::ng-deep .user-chips {
     margin-bottom: 4px !important;
 }
@@ -13,4 +14,12 @@ mat-form-field {
     width: 100%;
     justify-content: space-between;
     margin-bottom: 16px;
+}
+
+.option {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    justify-content: space-between;
+    width: 100%;
+    gap: 8px;
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/edit-assignment-dialog/edit-assignment.dialog.html b/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/edit-assignment-dialog/edit-assignment.dialog.html
index 414f27c62..90b281bdb 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/edit-assignment-dialog/edit-assignment.dialog.html
+++ b/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/edit-assignment-dialog/edit-assignment.dialog.html
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ <h2 mat-dialog-title>Edit Assignment</h2>
       <button
         mat-button
         class="primary-button"
+        type="button"
         (click)="openApplicationDialog()">
         View Application
       </button>
@@ -15,8 +16,23 @@ <h2 mat-dialog-title>Edit Assignment</h2>
     <mat-form-field appearance="outline">
       <mat-label>Select Level</mat-label>
       <mat-select formControlName="level">
+        <mat-select-trigger>
+          {{ editAssignmentForm.get('level')?.value?.title }}
+        </mat-select-trigger>
         @for(level of hiringService.activeHiringlevels(); track level.id) {
-        <mat-option [value]="level">{{ level.title }}</mat-option>
+        <mat-option [value]="level">
+          <span class="option">
+            <span>{{ level.title }}</span>
+            @if(isInstructorPreferred(level)) {
+            <mat-icon
+              class="font-primary"
+              matTooltip="Instructor's preferred level"
+              matTooltipPosition="right"
+              >school</mat-icon
+            >
+            }
+          </span>
+        </mat-option>
         }
       </mat-select>
     </mat-form-field>
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/edit-assignment-dialog/edit-assignment.dialog.ts b/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/edit-assignment-dialog/edit-assignment.dialog.ts
index 290178b6d..3ad25ae9a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/edit-assignment-dialog/edit-assignment.dialog.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/edit-assignment-dialog/edit-assignment.dialog.ts
@@ -124,6 +124,12 @@ export class EditAssignmentDialog {
     );
   }
 
+  isInstructorPreferred(level: HiringLevel): boolean {
+    const app = this.getApplication();
+    const preferredId = app?.level?.id ?? null;
+    return preferredId != null && level.id === preferredId;
+  }
+
   openApplicationDialog(): void {
     this.dialog.open(ApplicationDialog, {
       height: '600px',
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/quick-create-assignment-dialog/quick-create-assignment.dialog.css b/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/quick-create-assignment-dialog/quick-create-assignment.dialog.css
index 5279d2420..0b5abd014 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/quick-create-assignment-dialog/quick-create-assignment.dialog.css
+++ b/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/quick-create-assignment-dialog/quick-create-assignment.dialog.css
@@ -16,12 +16,20 @@ mat-form-field {
     margin-bottom: 16px;
 }
 
-table.priorities > tbody > tr > td.studentPriority, 
-table.priorities > tbody > tr > td.instructorPriority {
+.option {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    justify-content: space-between;
+    width: 100%;
+    gap: 8px;
+}
+
+table.priorities>tbody>tr>td.studentPriority,
+table.priorities>tbody>tr>td.instructorPriority {
     text-align: center;
 }
 
-table > tbody>  tr.selected {
+table>tbody>tr.selected {
     color: green;
     font-weight: bold;
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/quick-create-assignment-dialog/quick-create-assignment.dialog.html b/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/quick-create-assignment-dialog/quick-create-assignment.dialog.html
index cff54c8c9..9b68e8e7d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/quick-create-assignment-dialog/quick-create-assignment.dialog.html
+++ b/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/quick-create-assignment-dialog/quick-create-assignment.dialog.html
@@ -18,8 +18,23 @@ <h2 mat-dialog-title>Quick Create Assignment</h2>
     <mat-form-field appearance="outline">
       <mat-label>Select Level</mat-label>
       <mat-select formControlName="level">
+        <mat-select-trigger>
+          {{ createAssignmentForm.get('level')?.value?.title }}
+        </mat-select-trigger>
         @for(level of hiringService.activeHiringlevels(); track level.id) {
-        <mat-option [value]="level">{{ level.title }}</mat-option>
+        <mat-option [value]="level">
+          <span class="option">
+            <span>{{ level.title }}</span>
+            @if(isInstructorPreferred(level)) {
+            <mat-icon
+              class="font-primary"
+              matTooltip="Instructor's preferred level"
+              matTooltipPosition="right"
+              >school</mat-icon
+            >
+            }
+          </span>
+        </mat-option>
         }
       </mat-select>
     </mat-form-field>
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/quick-create-assignment-dialog/quick-create-assignment.dialog.ts b/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/quick-create-assignment-dialog/quick-create-assignment.dialog.ts
index c7aec00ba..ef7f47404 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/quick-create-assignment-dialog/quick-create-assignment.dialog.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/app/hiring/dialogs/quick-create-assignment-dialog/quick-create-assignment.dialog.ts
@@ -76,27 +76,39 @@ export class QuickCreateAssignmentDialog {
     let review = data.courseAdmin.reviews.find(
       (r) => r.applicant_id == data.user.id
     )!;
-    let program = review.application.program_pursued!;
-    let defaultLevelSearch: string | null;
-    switch (program) {
-      case 'PhD':
-        defaultLevelSearch = '1.0 PhD TA';
-        break;
-      case 'PhD (ABD)':
-        defaultLevelSearch = '1.0 PhD (ABD) TA';
-        break;
-      case 'BS/MS':
-      case 'MS':
-        defaultLevelSearch = '1.0 MS TA';
-        break;
-      default:
-        defaultLevelSearch = '10h UTA';
-        break;
+    
+    let level: HiringLevel | undefined;
+    
+    // Try to use the instructor's preferred level
+    if (review.level?.id) {
+      level = this.hiringService.getHiringLevel(review.level.id);
     }
+    
+    // Fall back to title-based search if no preferred level is set or found
+    if (!level) {
+      let program = review.application.program_pursued!;
+      let defaultLevelSearch: string | null;
+      switch (program) {
+        case 'PhD':
+          defaultLevelSearch = '1.0 PhD TA';
+          break;
+        case 'PhD (ABD)':
+          defaultLevelSearch = '1.0 PhD (ABD) TA';
+          break;
+        case 'BS/MS':
+        case 'MS':
+          defaultLevelSearch = '1.0 MS TA';
+          break;
+        default:
+          defaultLevelSearch = '10h UTA';
+          break;
+      }
 
-    const level = this.hiringService
-      .hiringLevels()
-      .find((level) => level.title == defaultLevelSearch);
+      level = this.hiringService
+        .hiringLevels()
+        .find((level) => level.title == defaultLevelSearch);
+    }
+    
     if (level) {
       this.createAssignmentForm.get('level')?.setValue(level);
     }
@@ -169,6 +181,13 @@ export class QuickCreateAssignmentDialog {
     );
   }
 
+  /** Returns true if the given level matches the instructor's preferred level for this applicant. */
+  isInstructorPreferred(level: HiringLevel): boolean {
+    const app = this.getApplication();
+    const preferredId = app?.level?.id ?? null;
+    return preferredId != null && level.id === preferredId;
+  }
+
   openApplicationDialog(): void {
     this.dialog.open(ApplicationDialog, {
       height: '600px',
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring-admin/hiring-admin.component.css b/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring-admin/hiring-admin.component.css
index c6ceb3311..ce150de9e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring-admin/hiring-admin.component.css
+++ b/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring-admin/hiring-admin.component.css
@@ -29,11 +29,11 @@ mat-card-header {
 tr.example-detail-row {
     height: 0;
 }
-  
+
 .example-element-row td {
     border-bottom-width: 0;
 }
-  
+
 .example-element-detail {
     overflow: hidden;
     display: flex;
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ course-hiring-card {
 .row {
     display: flex;
     flex-direction: row;
+    align-items: center;
 }
 
 .totals-row {
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring-preferences/hiring-preferences.component.css b/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring-preferences/hiring-preferences.component.css
index a8ed44757..9b3dd33dd 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring-preferences/hiring-preferences.component.css
+++ b/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring-preferences/hiring-preferences.component.css
@@ -112,3 +112,10 @@ application-card {
   flex-direction: row;
   gap: 12px;
 }
+
+.coverage-row {
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  margin-left: 8px;
+  gap: 4px;
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring-preferences/hiring-preferences.component.html b/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring-preferences/hiring-preferences.component.html
index 323a76b97..4f6b398e8 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring-preferences/hiring-preferences.component.html
+++ b/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring-preferences/hiring-preferences.component.html
@@ -81,6 +81,28 @@
     <mat-card-header>
       <div class="row">
         <mat-card-title>Preferred</mat-card-title>
+        <div class="coverage-row">
+          <span>
+            <span
+              matTooltip="Estimated coverage based on number of enrolled students and preferred applicants' selected hiring levels"
+              matTooltipPosition="above"
+              [class]="
+                'text-badge ' +
+                (coverage <= -0.5 || coverage >= 0.5
+                  ? 'tertiary-background'
+                  : 'primary-background')
+              "
+              >{{ coverage.toFixed(2) }}</span
+            >
+          </span>
+          @if(coverage <= -0.5) {
+          <mat-icon class="font-tertiary">keyboard_double_arrow_down</mat-icon>
+          } @else if(coverage >= 0.5) {
+          <mat-icon class="font-tertiary">keyboard_double_arrow_up</mat-icon>
+          } @else {
+          <mat-icon class="font-primary">done_all</mat-icon>
+          }
+        </div>
         <div
           [class]="
             'icon ' +
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring-preferences/hiring-preferences.component.ts b/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring-preferences/hiring-preferences.component.ts
index 073d8aea9..231770762 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring-preferences/hiring-preferences.component.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring-preferences/hiring-preferences.component.ts
@@ -16,9 +16,12 @@ import { Component, WritableSignal, signal } from '@angular/core';
 import {
   ApplicationReviewOverview,
   ApplicationReviewStatus,
-  HiringStatus
+  HiringStatus,
+  HiringLevelClassification
 } from '../hiring.models';
 import { HiringService } from '../hiring.service';
+import { MyCoursesService } from '../../my-courses/my-courses.service';
+import { AcademicsService } from '../../academics/academics.service';
 import { ActivatedRoute } from '@angular/router';
 import { MatDialog } from '@angular/material/dialog';
 import { MatSnackBar } from '@angular/material/snack-bar';
@@ -48,15 +51,26 @@ export class HiringPreferencesComponent {
 
   isDropProcessing: boolean = false;
 
+  coverage: number = 0;
+  totalEnrollment: number = 0;
+
   /** Constructor */
   constructor(
     private route: ActivatedRoute,
     protected hiringService: HiringService,
+    protected myCoursesService: MyCoursesService,
+    protected academicsService: AcademicsService,
     protected dialog: MatDialog,
     private snackBar: MatSnackBar
   ) {
     // Load route data
     this.courseSiteId = this.route.parent!.snapshot.params['courseSiteId'];
+    // Load the total enrollment for this course site.
+    this.hiringService
+    .getCourseSiteEnrollment(this.courseSiteId)
+    .subscribe((total) => {
+      this.totalEnrollment = total ?? 0;
+    });
     // Load the initial hiring status.
     this.hiringService
       .getStatus(this.courseSiteId)
@@ -64,6 +78,7 @@ export class HiringPreferencesComponent {
         this.notPreferred = hiringStatus.not_preferred;
         this.notProcessed = hiringStatus.not_processed;
         this.preferred = hiringStatus.preferred;
+        this.recomputeEstimatedCoverage();
       });
   }
 
@@ -116,6 +131,7 @@ export class HiringPreferencesComponent {
           this.notPreferred = hiringStatus.not_preferred;
           this.notProcessed = hiringStatus.not_processed;
           this.preferred = hiringStatus.preferred;
+          this.recomputeEstimatedCoverage();
           this.isDropProcessing = false;
         },
         error: (error) => {
@@ -125,6 +141,29 @@ export class HiringPreferencesComponent {
       });
   }
 
+  /** Estimate coverage from preferred applicants using selected levels. */
+  private recomputeEstimatedCoverage() {
+    let assignedLoad = 0;
+    for (const review of this.preferred) {
+      const level = review.level;
+      if (!level) {
+        continue;
+      }
+      if (
+        level.classification === HiringLevelClassification.MS ||
+        level.classification === HiringLevelClassification.PHD
+      ) {
+        assignedLoad += level.load;
+      } else if (level.classification === HiringLevelClassification.UG) {
+        assignedLoad += level.load * 0.25;
+      } else {
+        // IOR
+        assignedLoad += 0;
+      }
+    }
+    this.coverage = this.totalEnrollment / 60.0 - assignedLoad;
+  }
+
   private saveErrorSnackBar(error: Error) {
     let message = 'Error Saving Preferences: ';
     if (error instanceof HttpErrorResponse) {
@@ -167,6 +206,7 @@ export class HiringPreferencesComponent {
           this.notPreferred = hiringStatus.not_preferred;
           this.notProcessed = hiringStatus.not_processed;
           this.preferred = hiringStatus.preferred;
+          this.recomputeEstimatedCoverage();
         });
     });
   }
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring.models.ts b/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring.models.ts
index 5ba3bd823..ac5ac4883 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring.models.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring.models.ts
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ export interface ApplicationReviewOverview {
   preference: number;
   notes: string;
   applicant_course_ranking: number;
+  level: HiringLevel | null;
 }
 
 export interface HiringStatus {
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring.service.ts b/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring.service.ts
index baac830b8..7569b4dbb 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring.service.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/app/hiring/hiring.service.ts
@@ -177,4 +177,8 @@ export class HiringService {
       `/api/hiring/conflict_check/${applicationId}`
     );
   }
+  
+  getCourseSiteEnrollment(courseSiteId: number): Observable<number> {
+    return this.http.get<number>(`/api/hiring/${courseSiteId}/enrollment`);
+  }
 }