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:
- Have completed at least one semester at Tufts University.
- Be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate (12-16 SHUs) in the School of Arts & Sciences or the School of Engineering
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher.
- Be in good standing with Tufts University.
If you have any questions about the Resident Assistant application process, please contact Zach Tepper, Associate Director for Residential Education.
Resident Assistant (RA) Hiring Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Opens for New Applicants | September 6, 2024 |
| Applications for Returner Applicants | Date TBD |
| Application Due | December 6, 2024 |
| Application Review | December 9, 2024 - December 13, 2024 |
| Interviews | January 6, 2025 - January 10, 2025 |
| Offers for Hire | February 7, 2025 |
New Resident Assistant Applicants
Please fill out the application linked below to apply to be a Resident Assistant (RA) for the 2025-2026 academic year. Your answers will be one part of the evaluation process that will determine your future employment with Residential Life & Learning.
The 2025-2026 Resident Assistant application is open from 12:00PM ET on Friday, September 6, 2024 through 12:00PM ET on Friday, December 6, 2024.
The application consists of four (4) written response questions, each of which have a minimum character count of 1,750 characters per response. Applicants are encouraged to write responses in a separate document and paste their responses into the application.
Application questions:
- Residential Life & Learning strives to create inclusive spaces for residents. What actions might you take during the first few weeks of each semester to facilitate a sense of inclusion in your living environment for residents?
- Resident Assistants are expected to support residents within their residential community. What steps might you take to support residents whose experiences and identities differ from your own?
- Resident Assistants help residents develop conflict resolution skills. What do you think are the top three priorities to achieve when managing a conflict? How will you help residents learn to achieve those priorities when in disagreement?
- Resident Assistants uphold and enforce the Student Code of Conduct and other Tufts University policies related to the upkeep and maintenance of a respectful community. How might you approach enforcing a policy with which you disagree?
Applicants must be logged into their Tufts University account to access the application. Only one application may be submitted per person. Upon submitting your application, you may select an option to receive an email confirmation that your application has been submitted. This confirmation includes a link to edit your responses. Responses may be edited until 12:00PM on Friday, December 6, 2024.
Applications will be reviewed between December 9, 2024 through December 13, 2024. Successful applicants will be invited to interviews on the basis of:
- Satisfying minimum GPA requirements,
- Maintaining a disciplinary record of good standing, and
- The quality of the written application.
Successful applicants will be invited to interviews on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. Interviews will take place between January 6, 2025 and January 10, 2025.
Final decisions will be shared on Friday, February 7, 2025.
If you encounter any difficulties submitting this application, please contact Zach Tepper, Associate Director for Residential Education (zachary.tepper@tufts.edu).
Frequently Asked Questions
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- 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.
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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.
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- 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 Zach Tepper, Associate Director of Residential Education, at zachary.tepper@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 2025.
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.