• Position term: Early August 2027 - Late May 2028
• Residential requirement: If offered a position, residence in the community offered is required. 
• Training: RAs must attend all required training sessions, including, but not limited to a session in April, the majority of August, and a session in January.
• On call/duty responsibilities: Duty rotations are decided upon in each community but RAs should expect to be on duty throughout each semester.
• Outside Commitments: While we encourage student leaders to participate in a variety of activities, maintaining other employment during the academic year is contingent on supervisor approval. 

Please review the RA position description from 26-27 before applying. 

Resident Assistant responsibilities are grouped into four key roles: Educator, University Citizen, Peer Advisor and Support, and Administrator. The RA training, in-service programs and the RA's supervisor will assist the RA in successfully understanding and fulfilling each of the roles. 

Some Resident Assistant responsibilities include: 

Peer Advisor and Support: 

• Be available and accessible to residents
• Resolve conflict and disputes between residents
• Respond appropriately to emergencies

Educator: 

• Facilitate individual and community dialogue
• Develop residential programs and strategies
• Connect residents to events on campus

University Citizen:

• Uphold a commitment to an inclusive community and advocate for residents
• Model a healthy balance between the role of campus leader and scholar
• Engage individuals and groups in challenging conversations

Administrator: 

• Maintain weekly communication with residents
• Attend weekly and one to one meetings, serve on duty, and respond to communication
• Complete applicable tasks including, but not limited to, event forms, bulletin boards, program promotion, and financial documentation when necessary

Applicants must:

• Be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student
• Have a minimum 2.25 QPA for the semester prior to hire
• Be in good academic and disciplinary standing with the university
• Be available for all required employment and training dates
• Agree to reside in the designated RA housing agreement if hired
• Successfully complete the selection process

Previous job experience related to or similar to the RA role is not required. However, applicants should be prepared to discuss how their previous experiences have helped them develop skills in leadership, communication, teamwork, community building, and supporting others. 

• November 9, 2026: Application Opens
• January 19, 2027 at 9 a.m.: Reference Forms are Due
• January 19, 2027 at 10 p.m.: Application Closes
• January 23, 2027: Interviews
• January 24-26, 2027: Make-up Interviews
• February 12, 2027: Selection Status Notifications

The RA Selection process includes the following steps: 

1. Attend an Information Session

Applicants must attend a session to be considered eligible for hire. Please see the RA Information Sessions tab for more information. 

2. Submit the Application

Applicants must complete the online RA application by Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 10 p.m.

Applicants are encouraged to answer every question fully and thoughtfully. Candidates may also consult with the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) for assistance with résumé development or interview preparation. 

Apply for the 2027-2028 Resident Assistant Position

Applicants will receive an email confirming that their application has been received and reminding them of next steps.

3. Request a Reference

Each applicant is responsible for asking an appropriate individual to complete the RA reference form. The person completing the reference should be able to speak to the applicant's leadership abilities, interpersonal skills, reliability, judgment, and potential for success in the RA role. Please follow the steps below: 

1. Identify a reference. Make sure to identify the full name and email address of the person you choose.
2. Send your reference the RA Reference Form. This form is due Tuesday, Jan. 19. 2027 at 9 a.m. Applications will not be considered complete until both the application and reference form have been received. 

Applicants will be notified whether their reference has been received and given clear next steps if it is missing. 

4. Complete an In-Person Interview

Candidates will be invited to participate in an in-person interview on January 23, 2027. Candidates will receive an email requesting their preference for an interview time. 

Interviews will take place in the Community Life Suite. The Community Life Suite is located in Morewood Gardens, above Stack'd Underground. If you are unfamiliar with the Morewood Neighborhood, please use the directions here. 

5. Receive a Selection-Status Notification

All candidates who successfully complete the selection process will receive an email with their selection status on February 12, 2027. 

There are 3 possible outcomes for candidate status. Those are as follows:

• Selected: The candidate will receive an RA job offer which will include the assigned residential community.
• Alternate: The candidate has not been offered a RA position at this time but is placed on the alternate list and will be offered a position should one that best fits the candidate and the community become available. 
• Not Selected: The candidate has not been offered an RA position at this time.

Candidates who receive an offer status of Selected or Alternate will receive information about the response deadline as well as any relevant employee paperwork.

Applicants are required to attend an RA Information Session. If you cannot attend one, please email ra-caselection@andrew.cmu.edu to receive further instructions. 

The available sessions are as follows: 

Please plan to arrive at the start time as attendance will be taken and presenters will go over materials at the beginning of the session, leaving time for questions at the end.

RA applicants are encouraged to use any of the resources below to help them prepare for the process. 

• Career and Professional Development Center
• On-Campus Employment Guide
• Resume and Cover Letter Support
• Cross-Cultural Support and Language
• Language and Communication Support
• Residential Communities
• The Residential Experience at Carnegie Mellon

Candidates who need reasonable accommodations for any part of the RA Selection process are encouraged to contact Residential Education. This includes accommodations related to the application, information sessions, and interview. 

Requesting an accommodation will not negatively affect a candidate's application or selection status. 

Please contact ra-caselection@andrew.cmu.edu as early as possible so that appropriate arrangements can be made. 

Please contact Residential Education at ra-caselection@andrew.cmu.edu with questions about the RA position, eligibility requirements, application materials, or the selection process. We also encourage candidates who live on campus to connect with their RA and/or Housefellow if they have any specific questions about the RA experience. 

We recognize that applying for a student leadership position can feel exciting and overwhelming. Please reach out if you have any questions or are unsure whether your experiences align with the RA role. We want candidates to have the information they need to make an informed decision and participate fully in the selection process. 

Before applying, candidates should review the following position expectations: 

• Position term: Early August 2027 - Late May 2028
• Residential requirement: If offered a position, residence in the community offered is required. 
• Training: CAs must attend all required training sessions, including, but not limited to a session in April, the full month of August, and a session in January 
• On-call/Duty responsibilities: Duty rotations are decided upon by conversations with the CA's Housefellow
• Outside commitments: While we encourage student leaders to participate in a myriad of activities, maintaining other employment during the academic year is contingent on supervisor approval.

Please review the CA position description from 25-26 before applying. 

Community Advisor responsibilities include:

• Helping establish the vision and direction of the residential house community
• Partnering with professional Residential Education staff
• Providing leadership, guidance, and support to Resident Assistants
• Supporting the planning and implementation of community-building initiatives
• Helping create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all residents
• Supporting Residential Education programs, initiatives, and departmental goals
• Responding appropriately to community concerns and student needs
• Participating in required meetings, training sessions, and selection processes
• Completing additional responsibilities outlined in the CA position description
• Fulfilling certain summer duties asynchronously alongside other professional or academic commitments

Applicants must: 

• Be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at Carnegie Mellon University
• Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative QPA
• Have a minimum 2.5 semester QPA
• Be in good academic and disciplinary standing with the university
• Be available for all required employment and training dates
• Meet all additional expectations listed in the CA position description

Previous RA experience is not required. However, applicants should be prepared to discuss how their previous experiences have helped them develop skills in leadership, communication, teamwork, community building, and supporting others. 

• Monday, Oct. 19, 2026: Application opens
• Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, 7 p.m. in the Stever Reading Room: CA information session
• Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, Noon: Application and reference form deadline
• November 16 - December 4: In-person interviews
• December 14 and 15: Finalist presentations
• Monday, Dec. 21: Anticipated Selection-status notifications *subject to change

All application materials, including the required reference form and resume, must be received by the application deadline.

Applicants are encouraged to attend the CA information session, but attendance is not required. 

The session will provide an overview of: 

• The CA role and responsibilities
• Compensations and position benefits
• Training and employment expectations
• The application and selection process
• The interview and presentation stages
• Opportunities to ask questions

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 28
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Stever Reading Room

*If unable to attend, please connect with your Housefellow or email ra-caselection@andrew.cmu.edu

The CA selection process includes the following steps: 

1. Submit the Application

Applicants must complete the online CA application by Monday, Nov. 9 at Noon.

Applicants are encouraged to answer every question fully and thoughtfully. Candidates may also consult with the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) for assistance with résumé development or interview preparation. 

In order to complete your application, please also remember to email your résumé to us at ra-caselection@andrew.cmu.edu.

Apply for the 2027-2028 Community Advisor Position

Applicants will receive an email confirming that their application has been received. 

  2. Request a Reference

Each applicant is responsible for asking an appropriate Carnegie Mellon professional staff member to complete the CA reference form. The person completing the reference should be able to speak to the applicant's leadership abilities, interpersonal skills, reliability, judgment, and potential for success in the CA role. Please follow the guidance below when selecting a reference: 

• Current RAs: Your current Housefellow must  complete the reference form.
• Former RAs: The Housefellow who most recently supervised you must complete the reference form.
• Applicants who have not previously been RAs: A Carnegie Mellon professional staff members who knows you well and can speak to your leadership abilities and potential for success in the CA role must complete the reference form. 

Applicants should send the reference form directly to their selected reference and allow that person enough time to complete it. 

Community Advisor Reference Form

The completed reference form must be submitted by Monday, Nov. 9 at Noon. Applications will not be considered complete until both the application and reference form have been received. 

   3. Complete an In-Person Interview

Selected candidates will be invited to participate in an in-person interview between Monday, Nov. 16 - Friday, Dec. 4. Candidates will receive an email requesting their availability and providing additional information about the interview. 

The interview will give candidates an opportunity to discuss their: 

• Interest in the CA position
• Leadership philosophy and experiences
• Approach to community building
• Ability to support and collaborate with others
• Communication and decision-making skills
• Commitment to creating inclusive residential communities

Candidates will also have an opportunity to ask questions about the position. 

   4. Complete the Finalist Presentation

Candidates who successfully complete the application and interview stages may be invited to deliver a 10-minute, in-person presentation. 

Finalist presentations will take place on Monday, Dec. 14 and Tuesday, Dec. 15. Finalist will receive: 

• The presentation prompt
• Instructions and evaluation criteria
• The presentation location
• Information about the audience
• Details about available technology and materials
• The deadline for submitting any presentation materials
• Information about whether a question-and-answer period will follow

Presentation invitations and instructions will be sent far enough in advance to provide candidates with reasonable preparation time.

   5. Receive a Selection-Status Notification

All candidates who complete the selection process will receive an email with their selection status during the week of December 21. 

The notification will indicate whether the candidate has: 

• Received a CA offer
• The assigned residential community
• Been selected as an alternate
• Not been selected for the position

Candidates who receive an offer will also receive information about the response deadline, placement process, employment paperwork, training, and next steps.

The following campus resources may be helpful as you prepare your application: 

• Career and Professional Development Center
• On-Campus Employment Guide
• Resume and Cover Letter Support
• Cross-Cultural Support and Language
• Language and Communication Support
• Residential Communities
• The Residential Experience at Carnegie Mellon 

Candidates who need reasonable accommodations for any part of the CA selection process are encouraged to contact Residential Education. This includes accommodations related to the application, information session, interview, or finalist presentation. 

Requesting an accommodation will not negatively affect a candidate's application or selection status. 

Please contact ra-caselection@andrew.cmu.edu as early as possible so that appropriate arrangements can be made. 

Please contact Residential Education at ra-caselection@andrew.cmu.edu with questions about the CA position, eligibility requirements, application materials, or selection process. 

We recognize that applying for a student leadership position can feel exciting and intimidating. Please reach out if you have any questions or are unsure whether your experiences align with the CA role. We want candidates to have the information they need to make an informed decision and participate fully in the selection process.