Become a Resident Assistant (RA)

Become a Resident Assistant

We’re so excited that you’re interested in applying to be a Resident Assistant (RA). Being an RA is excellent leadership opportunity that will allow you to positively impact your peers’ experience living on campus. Tufts employs about 140 RAs each academic year and they are invaluable members of the Residential Life & Learning Staff. 

RA responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Providing a welcoming environment and opportunities for meaningful interactions for residents through programming and intentional interactions.
  • Role model constructive and positive behavior through personal, emotional, and social behavior, as well as academic pursuits. 
  • Participate in regular one-on-one meetings and provide regular updates regarding situations in the community with supervisor.
  • Participate in rotating duty coverage during scheduled evenings, weekends, breaks, and holidays, including timely check-in for duty shifts.

 To be eligible to be an RA, students must:

  1. Have completed at least one semester at Tufts University.
  2. Be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate (12-16 SHUs) in the School of Arts & Sciences or the School of Engineering
  3. Have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher.
  4. Be in good standing with Tufts University.

If you have any questions about the Resident Assistant application process, please contact studentservices@tufts.edu

Resident Assistant (RA) Hiring Timeline

EventDate
Application Opens for New ApplicantsNovember 15th, 2023
Application Opens for Returning RAsNovember 22nd, 2023
Information SessionsNovember 27th, 2023 (12-1:30PM @ Campus Center), December 1st, 2023 (3-4PM @ Campus Center), December 6th, 2023 (12-1:30PM @ JCC 120)
Application ClosesFriday, January 19th, 2024 @ 11:59PM
Interviews HeldBeginning on January 29th, 2024 and concluding on February 9th, 2024
Application Status UpdateFriday, February 23rd, 2024
Offer Response DueFriday, March 1st, 2024

New Resident Assistant Applicants

Please fill out the application linked below to apply to be a Resident Assistant (RA) for the 2024-2025 academic year. Your answers will be one part of the evaluation process that will determine your future employment with Residential Life & Learning. 

Applications are due on Friday, January 19th, 2024, at 11:59PM. Late applications may not be considered.

After applications are reviewed, eligible candidates will be invited to a 30-minute individual interview with 2-3 Residential Life staff between January 29-February 9. Individual interviews will be on Zoom. Position offers are set to go out in late February!

2024-2025 New Resident Assistant (RA) Application

Informational Resident Assistant (RA) Sessions

Staff from Residential Life & Learning will be conducting information sessions about the Resident Assistant (RA) position. Stop by any one of the sessions below to learn more about the position!

  • Monday, November 27th, 2023 from 12PM-1:30PM: Campus Center
  • Friday, December 1st, 2023, from 3PM-4PM: Campus Center
  • Wednesday, December 6th, from 12PM-1:30PM: JCC 120

Returning Resident Assistant Applicants

If you have previously held a Resident Assistant (RA) position at Tufts University, please use the Returning Resident Assistant (RA) application linked below. Your answers will be one part of the evaluation process that will determine your future employment with Residential Life & Learning. 

Applications are due on Friday, January 19th, 2024, at 11:59PM. Late applications may not be considered.

After applications are reviewed, eligible candidates will be invited to a 30-minute individual interview with 2-3 Residential Life staff between January 29-February 9. Individual interviews will be on Zoom. Position offers are set to go out in late February!

2024-2025 Returning Resident Assistant (RA) Application

Frequently Asked Questions

    • Grade Point Average: Resident Assistants (RAs) must hold a cumulative 2.50 grade point average (GPA) at Tufts University throughout the time of application and appointment. An RA's semester grade point average must also be above a 2.50 throughout their appointment.
    • University Standing: Resident Assistants (RAs) must be in good standing at Tufts University prior to and throughout the period of employment. Student conduct and academic standing checks will be conducted prior to the distribution of offers and again prior to the start date for the RA position. If an RA is not in good standing during the employment period, they can expect to be removed from the role. 
    • Class Standing: Resident Assistants (RAs) must be full-time, matriculating sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate students in the School of Arts & Sciences (including the School of the Museum of Fine Arts) or the School of Engineering during the academic year. Transfer students in their first semester at Tufts University are are not eligible to hold the RA position.
  • Questions about the Application Process

    • Returning RA Application: If you have previously held a Resident Assistant (RA) position with Residential Life & Learning at Tufts University, please use the Returning RA application, even if you are not currently employed as an RA.
    • Technical Questions about the Application: If you experience technical difficulty with the application, please contact Perry Doherty at Perry.Doherty@Tufts.edu
    • Accessibility Questions about the Application: If you need accessibility assistance completing the application, please contact the StAAR Center via email at StAARCenter@tufts.edu. 

    Questions about the Interview Process

    • Do I have to dress up for the interview? Our advice is that you look presentable, i.e. no sweatpants or clothes with holes in them. There is no need or requirement for business professional attire such as ties, blazers, etc.
    • How do I sign up for an interview? Interview details will be sent to all applicants for students to sign up for an interview time that works for their schedule. 
    • How can I prepare for my interview? We encourage all applicants to review information provided in their application to prepare for their interview. Prior to your interview, it can be helpful to open Zoom to install any available updates, as well as to test your camera, speakers/headphones, and microphone. You should also ensure that you are in a quiet environment with a reliable internet connection.
    • What can I expect during my interview? Individual interviews will be held via Zoom on the date/time that you select during the sign up process.  During your interview time slot, you will meet with 2-3 current staff members from Residential Life & Learning who will ask questions related to your work/school experience, as well as questions that pertain to the role.
    • Can I choose where I live as a Resident Assistant (RA)? Residential Life & Learning assigns Resident Assistants (RAs) to specific communities on campus based on a variety of factors, including (but not limited to): department needs, your specific skill set or experience, our ability to meet housing accommodations, etc. If you have specific housing accommodations approved by the StAAR Center, those accommodations will be taken into account when determining RA placement.   
    • Can another RA and I swap offers/assignments? No, you’ve been assigned to and offered your specific residence hall based on a variety of factors such as department needs and your specific skill set and experience. If you do not want to live in the residence hall you’ve been assigned to, we recommend you decline your offer and become an alternate. In the event another space elsewhere on campus becomes available, we will fill it with a candidate from the alternate list. If you become an alternate, there is no guarantee that you will receive another offer.  
    • I’ve been assigned to a suite/apartment style space. Can I pull in friends to live with me? Yes, RAs assigned to suites or apartments will receive a direct email on March 1 with specific information about how many spaces are available in their suite/apartment, what types of spaces (singles, doubles, etc.) and who is eligible to be pulled into that particular space. Please contact Perry Doherty, Assistant Director of Residential Operations, at perry.doherty@tufts.edu with questions. 
    • I’ve been assigned to a suite/apartment but I don’t want to pull in other students or I’m not going to pull in friends to fill every space. Who will live in the vacant space(s) in my suite/apartment? Any vacant spaces in your suite/apartment will be filled with students on the housing wait list or during general housing selection in April 2024.  

    Alternate Status 

    • Why was I placed on the alternate list? Every year Residential Life receives many RA applications from qualified candidates who would be very successful in the role. Unfortunately, we do not have enough RA positions to offer a position to all qualified candidates. Therefore, we place qualified candidates who we’re not able to immediately offer a position to on the alternate list. We will contact alternates if RA positions become available.  
    • As an alternate, when can I expect to hear about an offer? It is hard to predict if and when we will make offers to alternates. We will make an offer to an alternate when a position is vacant. If you have questions about your alternate status, please email Zach Tepper, Associate Director of Residential Education, at zachary.tepper@tufts.edu