Check out the common questions below for more information about the position and its requirements. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Residence Life if you have any additional questions. We’re here to help!
FAQs Prior to Applying
All full-time students in good academic and disciplinary standing are welcome to apply.
We welcome applications from students with diverse interests and backgrounds, whether you’re involved in Varsity or club Athletics, Greek Life, student government, or pursuing various academic interests. We encourage individuals who value communication, respect, initiative, teamwork, and service to apply. Our aim is to assemble an RA staff that is diverse in perspectives and interests found in the broader Ursinus student community.
1. Attend an interest mixer.
Learn more about the position from current RAs and professional staff. Attendance at a mixer is a prerequisite for submitting an application.
Wednesday, November 15 at 12:00pm - Faculty/Staff Dining Room inside Upper Wismer
Thursday, November 30 at 7:00 pm - Commons 105
Tuesday, December 5 at 7:00pm - Bear’s Den in Wismer Hall
Thursday, January 25 at 7:00 pm - Bears’ Den in Wismer Hall
2. Create a resume for submission with your application.
4. Prepare to participate in individual and group interview process.
Want to learn more about how to prepare for the above? Join us for our Prep Rally on Friday January 19 to get tips on resume, individual interview, group interview, and application from Residence Life professional staff!
Yes. Please indicate your intent to study abroad on the application. If you are applying to Study Abroad in the Fall, please note that due to the tight timeline, we are not able to offer positions to candidates who apply to study abroad during the fall semester. These candidates will be eligible for available positions in the Spring.
You will receive an email outlining the hiring decision and providing details on your room and area assignment if you are offered a position. During individual interviews, we gather information on candidate preferences. Ultimately, our team takes into account both preferences and the specific needs of each area when making placement decisions.
We will share more about the number of available positions during mixers. In general, we do not have position openings for all candidates. We strongly encourage candidates to prepare for group and individual interviews and to utilize campus resources like Career and Post-Graduate Development Office and the Center for Writing and Speaking. We also prioritize applications based on class year.
If we are not able to offer you an immediate placement, we will keep your materials on file for one academic year. We may contact you as early as this March, over the summer, or as late as winter break if a position that matches your strengths becomes available.
FAQs on the Resident Advisor Position
There is no exact way to quantify the time commitment of the RA position. However, certain times involve a consistent commitment for all Resident Advisors. RAs arrive on campus ten days early each August and up to five early each January for leadership training. Throughout the academic year, RAs meet on Friday afternoons from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM for a 1-credit RA course. RAs also contribute to the Crisis Response Team, being on duty in their areas approximately four nights each month. Less measurable is the time each RA dedicates to planning and executing hall programs, serving as a resource to residents, and contributing to the campus residential community.
Yes! RAs may go home and be off campus on the weekends. While it is important that RAs have a consistent presence in the halls and houses, they are not required to stay every single weekend.
While RAs are allowed to have another job, it may be advantageous to initially focus on acclimating to the RA position. It’s essential to consider that academics and performance in the RA role should not be compromised by additional time commitments. Communication with your direct supervisor about any external job can provide valuable guidance in balancing responsibilities and optimizing your overall experience as an RA.
Compensation for new RAs for the academic year is $5,000 and a single room in your assigned area. Payments are applied as a Financial Aid Award ($2,500 taken off a student’s bill in both the Fall and Spring semester) or made in bi-weekly installments from the Business Office during the academic year.
