Becoming a Resident Assistant

One of the first people you’ll meet in college is your resident assistant, or R.A. Typically assigned to a single floor or dorm, R.A.s are there to build a residential community and counsel other students on both academic and social matters. R.A.s organize floor events, meet with residents one-on-one, and enforce the rules and policies of the residential life department – all while balancing these duties with classwork and clubs. Being an R.A. is a major responsibility that not everyone is equipped to handle, but it comes with a few major benefits – most notably free housing. Although different colleges offer different rewards to R.A.s, most of them will waive your housing fees, saving you as much as $10,000; some colleges offer a stipend as well. If you’re hoping to become an R.A. solely for the financial benefits, though, you’re going to be hit with a nasty surprise when you finally get the job. 

Before you apply to become an R.A., consider the other activities you might be forced to give up to make room for your new responsibilities. Since you’re responsible for so many students, you might have difficulty finding the time to pursue leadership roles in other clubs and organizations, and you may have to cancel plans with friends whenever one of your residents needs immediate assistance. Many R.A.s are unable to handle this kind of pressure and shun their responsibilities altogether; ask around and you’ll probably find several students whose R.A.s are never around to help. 

If you’re willing to sacrifice the time to make a difference in your campus community and support your fellow students, working as an R.A. can provide valuable leadership experience – not to mention an impressive bullet point on your resume. The application process for R.A.s can begin as early as November of the preceding year, so if you think you have what it takes to shoulder this kind of responsibility, ask your R.A. for more information soon after you arrive on campus.