Community Living Residential Life

Resident Advisor (RA) Information

ANNOUNCEMENT 3/3/2021:

With housing selection underway and more information has been provided about our Fall density (increased to 85%), we are excited to announce that we are accepting more applications for the RA position. The RA application for the 2021-2022 academic year will reopen on March 8, 2021. Applications will be accepted until March 22, 2021. 

Resident Advisor Job Description

The primary role of a Resident Advisor (RA) is developing a community of students in a university living environment. RAs create opportunities for students to learn about themselves and others and are responsible for facilitating the general safety and well-being of the community. The RA position is a challenging and rewarding experience. There are opportunities for RAs to develop skills in many areas including leadership, communication, programming, student support, crisis response, and other transferable skills. The RA as a staff member of the Office of Residential Life, is supervised by a Residential College Director or Residential Community Director (RCD). View the job description at the link below.

Resident Advisor Job Description

Resident Advisor Application

Apply to be an RA using the application link here:        Resident Advisor Application

Resident Advisor Reference Form

As a reference, your feedback is essential to our Resident Advisor selection process. We greatly appreciate your input. All reference forms are due by Monday, March 22, 11:59 p.m.

Please find the Resident Advisor Reference Form for here:

Resident Advisor Reference Form

Important Dates for 2021-2022 Academic Year

Current timeline reflects process for the re-opened RA application.

Application goes LIVE Monday, March 8 at 12:00 a.m.
Application are DUE Monday, March 22 by 11:59 p.m.
References are DUE Monday, March 22 by 11:59 p.m.
Interview week Monday, April 5 – Friday, April 9
Notification DAY Friday, April 16
Contract Signing Night Monday, April 26

Recorded Webinar: View the recorded RA Selection Information Webinar from the Fall to learn more about the application process and what it means to be an RA. Please note, the recording will reflect a previous timeline.

 Recorded Information Webinar

Frequently Asked Questions

Who do I contact for more information?
Please raselection@wustl.edu the selection committee.
Do I get to choose where I’m going to live?
No. When you apply, we ask for your preferences in terms of what type of floor/community you would like most. We make an effort to follow your preferences, however, in deciding placements, we maximize our strengths, consider space limitations and the staffing needs of each residential area. Thus, we cannot guarantee that you will be placed in your top choice.
Will my residential preference choices affect whether I am hired?
Our goal is to hire the most qualified candidates to be RAs. We use the Residential Community preferences as a guide to help us make the best match possible.
Are Open Houses required?
No, open houses are not required. If you don’t know much about each community this is an opportunity for you to learn more.
What is the room and board compensation?
All RAs receive their room and local phone service as part of compensation. In addition, new RAs receive half a Silver Meal plan and returning RAs receive a full Silver Meal plan.
Will I still get financial aid if I am an RA?
Yes; however, please speak to Student Financial Services to learn more about what this would look like for you.
When will I find out if I’ve been selected?
More information coming soon.
Who should I choose as my reference?
The references you choose should be mentors or professionals who know you well and can speak to your skills, strengths and abilities (past high school teacher, coach, professor, former or current supervisor, counselor, research supervisor, clergy, volunteer coordinator, four-year adviser, major adviser, etc.). One of your references needs to be WashU affiliated. The following people cannot serve as references: current RAs or past RAs who are still undergraduate students, RCDs, Graduate Fellows, Associate/Assistant Directors in Residential Life, Jill Stratton, Rob Wild and Kawanna Leggett. If you do choose an undergraduate student as a reference, this person should have acted in a leadership capacity and can speak to your professionalism and work ethic.
Can transfer students apply to be an RA?
Yes; we encourage all transfer students to apply. They must be a current WashU student at the time they apply and must be in their third year of college when they start the role.
Can graduate students apply to be an RA?
The RA position is an undergraduate student leadership role. Applicants in a 3-2 or 4-2 program can only serve as RAs in their 3rd and 4th years as an undergraduate student at the University. Anyone completing a 5th year is encouraged to apply for graduate student positions, some of which are available within our office.

For questions, email raselection@wustl.edu directly. Follow us on Instagram @washureslife the next few weeks to learn more about the RA position and why you should definitely apply to be an RA!