RA Application Process

Thank you for your interest in joining our student staff! Resident Assistants are the premier leadership and employment opportunity on-campus that allows you to work where you live, utilize flexible hours, take advantage of Cornell’s behind-the-scenes opportunities, and meet more people than ever. Complete all the items 1-4 in order to be eligible for employment.

1. Review the Resident Assistant job description and the list of pertinent dates.
2. Attend one mandatory Information Session (see below)
3. Complete your application by midnight on Wednesday, November 15th, 2023. The application consists of:
   
   1. RA Application Form*
   2. GPA check and Cornell College conduct authorization form
4. Schedule your two (2) interviews (Individual & Group)*
   1. Sign up for your individual interview.
      1. For New RA Applicants*
      2. For Returning RA Applicants*
   2. Sign up for your Group Interview*.

1. Review your cover letter and resume with the staff at the Berry Career Institute.
2. Discuss any financial impact the job may have with the staff in Financial Aid.

Mandatory information session options

All individuals interested in the RA position must attend one of the following information sessions to ensure you understand the nature of the job and to answer any questions you may have. Attendance is taken. All sessions are in Durham classroom. Sessions are offered at the following times:

• Monday, September 25th, 2023, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023, 4:00-5:00 p.m.

• Wednesday, October 11th, 2023, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

• Thursday, October 26th, 2023, 4:00-5:00 p.m.

• Friday, November 3rd, 2023, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

If you are unable to attend one of these sessions, please email Jessi Bee for alternatives.

Scheduled individual interviews

An interview time must be selected prior to the application deadline to ensure professional staff can manage their schedules accordingly. For new applicants, individual interview times are scheduled Monday, November 27th - Friday, December 1st, 2023 between 10:00am and 3:30pm. For returning applicants, interviews are scheduled Monday, December 4th - Thursday, December 7th, 2023 during the same times.  This is a professional interview so please prepare and dress accordingly.

Mandatory group process options

All applicants for the RA position must attend one in-person group process. To have balanced groups, we may ask some candidates to switch preferred dates. This is a casual group activity so please dress comfortably. Processes are offered at the following times:
Group 1: Monday, January 22nd, 2024 from 3:30-5:00 p.m.  in Hall-Perrine (TC)
Group 2: Thursday, January 25th, 2024 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in Hall Perrine (TC)

Applicant notifications of decision

All eligible applicants will be notified whether hired, wait listed, or removed from the applicant pool on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 by 5 p.m.

Applicant acceptance of offer

Applicants who receive an offer must notify the office of their acceptance by Friday, February 16th, 2024 by 4:30 p.m.

Optional resume and cover letter help

We encourage you to visit the Berry Career Institute for help in creating your resume or help in writing your cover letter. We also encourage you to visit the Writing Studio for help in refining your cover letter. Your cover letter should address why you are interested, what you can bring to the position.

Optional interview skills help

We encourage you to visit the Berry Career Institute for help in preparing for your individual interview.

Optional review of financial assistance

The resident assistant position can impact a student's financial assistance. The impact, if any, of this position depends on several factors.

Students interested in the RA position are encouraged to contact the Financial Assistance staff to discuss their specific situation. It is important to note that the Financial Assistance staff can only offer projections about likely impact, if any, on the student's financial assistance but cannot provide definitive information until the student has reapplied for financial aid. As such, students interested in the RA position are encouraged to reapply for financial aid as soon as possible. Need to know how the process to reapply for financial aid works? 

Please note: Students receiving full funding from other sources are not eligible to receive the room credit but can receive the RA credit. If a student receives gift assistance that results in an overpayment of direct charges for any academic year, Cornell reserves the right to reduce the amount of any Cornell gift aid by the amount of the overpayment.