What’s the time commitment?
In general, you're expected to spend at least 15 hours per week on your floor or in your building, but that’s merely a guideline.  Your floor or building is your home, and you and your fellow RAs are responsible for developing the community environment in that home.  Sometimes that means spending a lot of time on the floor or in the building with your residents or planning and presenting programs, and sometimes that means doing the studying you have to do so that you can do those other things the next week.  Being an RA is definitely a serious time commitment, but it is one that is based on your individual situation.  There is no way to determine exactly how much time it will take to be an effective RA. 

In addition to floor or building time and the time for August and January training, we have RA Training and a staff meeting every Monday night, from 7:00pm-11:00pm.  That means most of your Monday night is occupied.  RAs on the South 40 also have duty in the RA Duty Office (in the Residential Life Center), and each RA generally has 5-7 shifts of 3.5 hours each per semester.  RAs on the North Side carry a pager for a week at a time, generally 2-3 times a semester. 

So will I have to give up other co-curricular activities to be an RA?
It depends on you.  If you are selected, we believe that you have the ability to stay involved in your current activities and handle the responsibilities of being an RA as well.  We know that the things you do are an important part of who you are, and we wouldn’t expect you to sacrifice that.  But, we do expect that being an RA will be one of your top priorities.  We know that in your co-curricular activities, you gain and develop the people skills that will help make you a great RA.  We believe that the skills you gain and develop as an RA will help you in other aspects of your life as well -- like your campus and community activities.

When do I have to be back to school in August?
August Training generally begins approximately two weeks before the first day of freshman move-in and Orientation.  RAs are required to stay in the halls through the end of each semester, when the hall close.  Next year, that means RAs will be in the halls through December 21, 2007 and will return Thursday, January 10, 2008 and will stay through graduation, which is May 18, 2008.  All RAs are expected to participate in all August training sessions.  Specific dates will be provided when available.

Will my choices on the Residential College Preference Sheet affect whether I am hired?
Our goal is to hire the most qualified candidates to be RAs.  We use the Residential College Preference Sheet as a guide for individual interviews and, hopefully, to make the best match possible.  Ultimately, the more flexible you are, the more chances you have to be placed (e.g. if you rank one residential college a “1” and all others a “4,” you diminish your chances of being placed if your one preferred college does not have any vacancies). 

Do I get to choose where I’m going to live?
Not necessarily.  When you apply, we’ll ask for your preferences in terms of what type of floor/hall situation you would like most. We will make every effort to accommodate your top three preferences.  However, in granting interviews and deciding placements, we must maximize our strengths, consider space limitations, and staffing needs of each residential college. Thus, we cannot guarantee that you will be interviewed by your first choice of residential college.  If you are selected, we’ll try to match you according to your preference and where we think you’ll work best.  We can’t guarantee that you’ll get your co-RA or building preference if you are selected.

What’s the room and board compensation?
All RAs receive their room, local phone service, and half of their Ethernet charge as part of the compensation package.  In addition, first-year RAs receive half of a Square Meal Deal plan, and second-year RAs receive a full Square Meal Deal plan.

Will I still get financial aid if I am an RA?
That depends.  Since everyone’s financial aid situation is different, the best way to be sure is to consult with the Office of Student Financial Services for specific answers.  Their number is 935-5900.

What are the benefits of being an RA?
For most RAs, being an RA is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding and enriching aspects of their college experience.  As an RA you get an opportunity to serve others, to develop your skills, to gain valuable university contacts, to experience over 200 hours of professional training, to work with some of the most talented students at WU, to learn about yourself and others, and to be a part of a supportive group of friends who are all working together to make your floor/ building a great place to live.  As one RA said, “You go from feeling like you’re just at the university to being a part of the university.”

What’s the selection process like?
To determine whom to select as RAs, we use a number of criteria -- the written application, recommendations from references, the L.E.A.D. sessions which comprise a 4 week educational leadership experience, and individual interviews.  We use all of these means to get a complete and accurate picture of each candidate so that we can make an educated, thorough decision in the selection process.

When will I find out if I’ve been selected?
All candidates will be notified of the results of the RA selection process no later than February 28, 2007 so that you will be able to make the necessary housing arrangements.

What if I want to be an RA in the University Apartments?
Preference is given to candidates with previous Residential Advisor experience; however we will certainly consider applicants without this if their qualifications are exceptional in other areas. 

What does the Village RA Selection process entail?
The Village RA serves in a capacity similar to that of a Resident Advisor, but with the responsibility of working with the North Side Association and/or the Village Interest Groups.  In 2007-2008, we’ll be hiring RA staff members who are undergraduates through the Residential Life staff selection process (up to 5-6 positions to come from returning RAs wishing to transfer and new applicants).  *We plan to hold back 1-2 positions on the Village staff for Washington University graduates attending graduate school at WU.  The process for the graduate positions will not begin until February.