From designing floor themes to checking in on residents, residential advisors, more commonly known as RAs, continually serve as a positive presence on campus. But much of the hard work behind the scenes has remained a mystery. So, what does it take to be an RA?

RAs arrive on campus before everyone else. These days include hours of decorating and training. These responsibilities continue throughout the year, as RAs update informational boards throughout the dorm and attend weekly training sessions to facilitate inclusive and safe communities. 

While some may hesitate to give up the end of their summer, senior and second-year RA William Meyer did not feel he missed out. During training, he took the initiative to connect with other RAs, such as making plans to go see the new Spider-Man movie one evening. 

“That was just a great way to be able to have a fun transition back,” Meyer said.

Being juniors and seniors, RAs also already have at least two years at WashU under their belt, allowing them to know how to navigate the school from clubs to classes. Living in every on-campus residential building, RAs are accessible to residents and pass on this knowledge, helping their residents find community at WashU. In fact, junior and first-year RA in Lee Hall Bradley Jacobo decided to be an RA to help first-years build community.

“Being able to witness them build community is really special,” Jacobo said.

To prepare for this role, leadership experience can be helpful and takes many forms. Many RAs have previously been WashU Student Associates (WUSAs) or “mini-RAs,” as Meyer coined them. WUSAs lead first-years through activities during Orientation Week and host drop-in WUSA hours throughout the year. Being a WUSA is by no means a requirement to become an RA. 

While leadership is important, the most important asset applicants bring is themselves. Jacobo, for example, did not have extensive leadership experience, but found that being authentic during his interview ultimately led him to receive an offer. He felt more comfortable after the Residential Community Director (RCD) who was interviewing him over Zoom noticed his posters, which included a restroom sign, in the background of the frame.

“An RCD … made a joke about it like, ‘Oh, I love your posters,’ that immediately kind of just broke the ice and made me want to show my personality through the narrative,” Jacobo said. 

Jacobo and his fellow Lee RAs have already been serving their residents. Using a form to gauge what residents wanted from group activities, they planned an event with Raising Cane’s chicken fingers and clay. Meyer also had a popular ice cream social that brought in about 50 people. Free food seems to be a component in making an event a hit. However, these events require extensive planning, such as adhering to a budget and ironing out logistics — like how many chicken tenders to order in Jacobo’s case.

This is only one of the logistical tasks RAs face. As on-campus students likely noticed while moving in a few weeks ago, each floor has decorated boards with academic and campus life information and printed images on doors that all correspond to an overall theme. These themes range from popular TV franchises to social media trends, with all decorations falling under the responsibility of the RA(s) for the floor. 

While memes printed on doors or streamers draped from ceilings may seem small, this dorm decor is a large undertaking. Jacobo, for example, had five boards on his floor to decorate, but he found support among his fellow RAs in JKLLB, which includes the Beaumont, Dauten, Lee, Rutledge, and Shanedling residence halls.

“I was really lucky enough that a lot of the returning RAs in the JKLLB community were so sweet, and they really helped out,” Jacobo said. 

He was able to bounce ideas off of returning RAs, eventually deciding on a “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” theme, and later had help cutting out decorations. This was not an isolated experience, however. On the night before the deadline, RAs from different buildings went to help others finish their boards.

“Anyone who was done was going to help someone else out. … That was really nice,” Jacobo said.

RAs also engage with residents in smaller scale interactions, from living issues to disputes between roommates. Meyer has met with residents who have come to him no longer wanting to live together. This issue is especially tricky as moving out is not always possible, with housing typically near full capacity at WashU. Taking an unbiased position, Meyer’s goal has been to help roommates find a middle ground together where they can be honest and find a solution.  

“[They] don’t have to be best friends; they just have to be able to live well together,” Meyer said.  

RAs serve more of a role than just resolving conflicts. RAs want to get to know their residents on an individual basis. Whether residents need to rant about stressful classes or have general questions, RAs are ready to help. All RAs host weekly RA hours, which can be a great time to drop in to chat. 

“I’m not here just for the bag. … I really want to get to know everyone and see how [they’re] doing,” Jacobo said.

Becoming an RA is no easy task. This coveted role is highly competitive for its few but substantial benefits: free housing and dining. The application includes an essay component and being interviewed by an RCD. After the applications are reviewed, the selection process begins. 

“It’s like a lottery system, so like the NBA draft or the NFL draft,” Meyer said. 

While both Jacobo and Meyer applied to be RAs in their junior year to have a second chance to apply the following year, many students wait until their senior year to apply so they can study abroad as a junior. Ultimately, everyone’s journey of becoming an RA is different. No matter what their paths look like, though, one thing is undeniable: these students are truly special. 

“If we had more people like RAs in the world, it would be a much better place,” Meyer said.