What's the RA Application Process Like?

I never thought, going into my freshman year of college, that I would end up applying to be an RA. I really didn’t know what the position meant until I moved in here and had a floor meeting with mine, Keyur. I remember Declan applying in Binghamton, but I thought he was trying to be like a security guard. I definitely didn’t want to be a security guard. I’d get my ass kicked. Through talking to so many people about becoming an RA, I realized that it is actually something I would love to do. Of course, there are some really nice benefits to being in that position, but those aren't the biggest reasons I have started the application process. I think getting to meet so many people through the job sounds amazing. There are so many creative and weird (in a good way) people here that I wouldn’t get the opportunity to meet if I weren’t an RA. I’m a homebody here and I don’t meet a ton of people outside my major. Being an RA opens the door to meeting a wide variety of majors and people from around the globe. I’m a big talker and being able to get to know your residents and hearing about their life sounds great to me. There are four major steps to becoming an RA here at FIT. I’m not sure how it works at other colleges, so I’ll just explain how it works here. Round #1 : Written Application. There were a series of questions we had to answer and submit our resumes. I think there were five questions and then a bunch of personal information to fill out. Like my ID number, name, major, and other stuff like that. After everyone who wants to apply submits their application, which was due on February fifth, the committee grades the applications on a scale of sixteen. They had a certain number of people who could move on, which ended up being about half the people who applied. I got through that round! Feels good to be in the top fifty percent. Round #2 : The Group Process. This stage was interesting to say the least. This is the stage I am currently in and waiting for a response. There were four sections. Two sections last Tuesday and two sections last Thursday. We ended up having a snow day on Tuesday, so all of those applicants have to go in tomorrow. I went on Thursday. Everyone who made it through the first round was split up into these four sections. In each section, there were another four groups you could be put in. Each group had eight people in it. This part wasn’t quite as I was expecting. I thought it was going to be a group meet and greet with judges determining how well you dealt with other people. It was more of a teamwork-building exercise. We had twenty minutes to recreate the Barbie land Supreme Court. We needed to pick five judges and explain how they would work together, their individual qualities, and what support system they had in case of burnout. Our group picked some interesting judges. Our Supreme Court consisted of Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, AOC, Ryan Gosling, and Ferb (from Phineas and Ferb). We created a small poster board with all their attributes and then presented them to the judges. I actually wound up being the group member to present our final product. After this step, the judges asked us each a few questions and we went on our way. I thought I did a good job, but I can never be sure of myself. I don’t find out until after the sessions tomorrow. That snow day really ended up making this a stressful week. Thank god Violet is down here visiting me! Round #3 : The Individual Interview. There are a few things that go along with this round, but I combined them all into one. After you get through Round #2 , you get invited to a social event with the rest of the people who got through. There are also current and former RAs there, along with the committee that hires you. I believe this event is just to get to know each other and to learn from the other RAs on how to proceed in the individual interview. I’ll write about this again after it is over, if I get through. The individual interview is exactly what you would expect it to be. A sit-down interview with RAs and the committee. Round #3 actually seems the least stressful for me. I love interviews. Round #4 : Orientation. If you make it through the first three rounds, you are an RA for the next school year. Round #4 is just a staff meeting and you start learning how to be a good RA. Obviously, this part is the easiest because you are already done. I’m excited to finish out this process, whether I go all the way or it is already over without me knowing. It has been fun. I’ll write another post about it when I’m through or completely done. Anyway, I need to go hang out with Violet now! Happy Monday!