Anyone, or your kids, a college RA?

[MaryAnnDVC]

Just wondering about the application process, how competitive it was at your/your child's school, what they look for, what you/your child had to do as an RA, benefits of being an RA (basically free dorm room??), etc. Anything you can tell me!

 

[Pinnie]

My DS was a Mentor (formerly known as a RA) at MSU for 3 years. He also was involved over the summers in the Academic Orientation Program when incoming freshmen came to campus for a couple of days with parents for orientation and registration. He LOVED it and I loved the fact that I didn't have to pay for room and board. He got a private room, (had to share a bathroom with a suitemate) and could eat for free on campus. During AOP, he got a stipend along with free room and board over the summer. I know he had to apply and had a couple of interviews at MSU for the position but he LOVED it. As long as your student can handle living in the dorms, and is strong enough to deal with the problems that a mentor can have (dealing with roommates that don't get along, having to turn in students that are drinking illegally in their rooms, etc) it's a great program. MSU did provide training for him as well.

pinnie

 

[CarolG]

My son applied for an RA position for this year at UGA. As part of the application and selection process, they all had to go through several training sessions/seminars. A free single room (no roommate) was one of the benefits. The job description from the housing website describes the position this way:

"Known as RAs, Resident Assistants live with the residents on each floor. These student staff members are selected for their skills, interests, and campus activities, which enable them to help other students get the most from their UGA experience. RAs are trained to assist and/or refer students with academic and personal concerns and to help maintain an educational environment in the halls."

The RAs try to maintain some semblance of order and sanity among the people living on their floor. They oversee check-in/check-out for each semester and for holidays when the dorm is closed. They organize occasional social events and try to make sure everyone's included. They attempt to make sure there's nothing going on that's against the rules. DS's floor is co-ed with open visitation, but some dorms limit when residents can have visitors of the opposite sex to certain hours. The RA has to keep an eye out for underage drinking or other substance abuse. The RA tries to help freshmen when they're learning how to survive away from home.

Unfortunately, there were more than twice as many applicants as there were positions, and DS wasn't selected. He did get a job as a desk assistant instead. I worked as an RA my sophomore year back in the Dark Ages at a much smaller 2-year college - the application process wasn't competitive there at all. No training either.

 

[christineann]

My son was an RA his sophomore year at college. The application process was very competitive and lasted several months. He got a group who really pushed the envelope for the under age drinking and some kids nearly got kicked out of school for it, but at the end of the year the kids told him that he was the "coolest" and they knew he was only doing his job. He didn't get free dorm or food, but they did pay him $450/month. An RA has to be in the dorm a lot. He really loved the job but found that two years in a dorm was enough for him.


As an RA, he organized social functions and held meetings, often with guest speakers. He arranged for speakers on several topics, including self defense and drug and alcohol abuse. The RA's were a great group of kids, and they remain close friends. It was a great experience.

 

[wdwgirl03]

I applied to be an RA next year (as a senior). At my school, it's pretty competitive, especially for the girls. We had to fill out an application with an essay explaining why we wanted to be an RA, what characteristics would help us/ones we would want to grow on, etc. Then we had an individual interview and a group process, where hall directors/current RAs got to see how we work with other people.

The benefits are that you get a free dorm room and meal plan of your choice. You also get $1000 stipend.

We're supposed to find out by March 10- I really hope I got it!! *crosses fingers*

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Thanks for the info! We visited 3 colleges this past week, and I honestly was very unimpressed with the RAs we met at two of them (also, unimpressed with those colleges in general); we were VERY impressed with the young man at the 3rd college, where DD really wants to go. Since we would be paying out of state tuition, it would be nice if she could knock down the room/board cost by becoming an RA. Of course, we couldn't go into the whole thing expecting that to happen when figuring our expenses, but if she gets a good understanding of what the process is and what the requirements might be of being an RA, she could better prepare, and it would just be a bonus if she got it.

At one of the colleges we were less than impressed with, two RAs gave us a tour of the dorms. I asked about becoming an RA, and one kid mentioned "it's really an easy job" and the other RA shot him a look and said "it is not" and giggled. My DH was talking about the tremendous responsibilities of RAs when he was in college, and I think my DD would be a great RA. But then again, I'm her mom.

Good luck wdwgirl03! I hope you get it!