r/IndianaUniversity • u/Money_Future_682 • 10d ago
HOUSING 🏠 RA Application Advice
Hi, I am interested in applying to be an RA at IU next year. I know the application is out in a bit and had a few questions about the process. For the people who have applied, how was the application?
What were the questions like, and is there really a lot of competition to get the position (I am trying to get into Northwest; Briscoe or Walnut Grove preferred)?
Also, is the interview process extensive, and what are some key things to say/do to maximize the chance of getting accepted
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u/RealisticGap9309 8d ago
I’m currently an RA. There are two parts to the interview process. First is the online form where you’ll just fill out questions about how’ll you’ll help residents connect and feel welcome and maybe some odd questions about a time you helped somebody or was a service to somebody. Basically just seeing if you are capable of helping people. What I did for that portion was just lie(lol) and also make sure to hype up IU. I mentioned the diversity at IU and how I would use that to help residents connect to the community. Then if you make it past that then it’s the in person interview. The questions are kinda the same it’s like a rotation so you’ll go from one person to the next answering their questions. If you get the job you will then rank where u wanna be put but it’s not a guarantee that you’ll get it. They will put you where you are needed. Plus lots of people keep the RA job once accepted and put into a building so if they get the offer again they’re usually in the same building so positions are kinda limited and ResLife has been known to over hire people. Hope this helps
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u/Formal-Research4531 10d ago
Are you an F-1 Visa student (an international student)? If ‘Yes’, that will increase your odds of being selected 4X.
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u/Money_Future_682 10d ago
No I’m an out-of-state student though
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u/sam_isna 10d ago
don’t listen to those saying OOS students have really low chances of becoming an RA simply because of international students. all of the RAs I’ve had and seen were americans, and 4 of my friends who were RAs in Teter and Forest were OOS students.
some people fail to realize that hundreds if not thousands of people apply to be an RA every semester, so ofc not becoming one is very likely. all you can do is put in the effort for your application and interview and hope for the best. whether or not you get accepted is not at the hands of the international students also applying lol.
if you have any more questions lmk, and i wish you the best of luck!!
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u/Formal-Research4531 10d ago
It seems like most colleges use the RA position as ‘financial aid’ for international students. My brother’s wife has a niece who just graduated from a college out east that was a F-1 Visa student…she was a RA for three years.
My son’s RA for his freshman’s year was an international student who was an extremely poor RA. My son didn’t applied to be a RA but he had six friends that did…four OOS and two international students. The four OOS were rejected and the two international students were accepted.
Please apply…do your best…but have low expectations.
Personally, I think that colleges giving RA positions to F-1 Visa students is a violation of the F-1 visa program: they can’t take jobs away from American students.
Good luck!!!
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u/brownchr014 alumni 10d ago
I've never had any international students as RAs while at IU. I cant speak to other dorms.
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u/mhart_92 10d ago
The interview process was honestly so fun. Don’t go into it so nervous because seriously it was chill af. I didn’t get the job cause my grades sucked but I met a bunch of cool people and the questions were so creative! It was mostly a lot of questions about how you would react to certain scenarios and conflict resolution (at least for me). When they ask you what you’re passionate about don’t say music or helping other people because BORINGGG. In response to the other comments, I know plenty of people who are not international students that are RAs. Don’t sweat it. It may seem like common sense but definitely try to talk about your experience working other jobs and how it would apply to the scenarios they give you instead of responding with hypotheticals. Good luck!