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RA Qualifications

• ​Must have completed at least two full-time (12 credit hours) academic semesters at the collegiate level by the employment start date; AB and IB credits cannot be substituted for full-time collegiate study.
• Must be a regularly enrolled, full-time student at CU Boulder; transfer applicants must provide proof of registration and transcripts from previous academic institutions.
• Must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA both on the date of position offer and at the conclusion of fall 2024 semester. Note: the minimum GPA for honors halls is 3.0. Must be in good conduct standing with the university. New hires will be considered ineligible if they are on academic or conduct probation at either their time of position offer or their employment start date. Once a candidate has been offered an RA position, the expectation is that they do not violate the Student Code of Conduct.
• Must successfully complete a criminal background check or show evidence that one has been completed within the last year.
• Must continue to demonstrate academic progress by completing at least 12 credit hours per semester, excluding summers.
• Transfer students can apply for the RA position if they have been accepted into the institution and have CU credentials (i.e. student ID number, colorado.edu email address)

Applying and Timeline

2025-2026ÌýResident Advisor Application

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Note: Training in August 2025Ìýduring first couple weeks—to be determined.

ApplicationÌýÌý

Applications open Sept. 15!

Flexibility is a quality that we find common in our most successful student staff members. You will be asked if you are willing to work in any residence hall across campus.Ìý

A portion of the online application will include question prompts. While the prompts will have a character limit, we encourage thoughtful responses as we will evaluate these to identify our top candidates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please browse these common questions if you are considering becoming an RA:

Q: I had a conduct violation during my first semester. Will that impact my eligibility for an RA position?
A: We understand that sometimes students can have a difficult time transitioning to college and that you may have made a decision during your first weeks at school that isn’t representative of your overall experience here. We will be reviewing all candidates’ conduct history and discussing each case individually and inform the candidate of the status prior to interviews being scheduled. In addition, applicants cannot be on University Conduct Probation or Academic Dishonesty Probation during the selection process, at time of hire, or at start of employment.

Q: If I’m applying to be an RA, should I still make other plans for housing?
A: If you sign up for housing in the residence halls or Bear Creek and are then selected for an RA position, Housing and Dining is able to transfer over your contract. We are unable to do the same for off-campus housing and would recommend that you wait until after the hiring process is complete to sign an off-campus lease.

Q: How many hours do RAs work each week?
A: We estimate that RAs will work 20 hours per week on average. However, the actual number of hours worked per week depends on many factors, including your on-call schedule, interactions with residents, meetings, trainings and other position-related responsibilities. Summer and winter training periods typically last 1-2 weeks each. You can expect to be in training 20 hours per training week.

Q: If I’m selected as an RA, can I choose my hall placement?
A: No. Departmental staffing needs, hall-specific programs, and team dynamics will be the most significant factors in building placement. We have found that RAs who demonstrate the highest levels of adaptability tend to fare best in the RA position. We are looking for individuals who are ready to step into the RA position at any hall. Should you be placed in a hall and choose to decline the offer, you will not be able to reapply until the following academic year.

Q: I’m planning on studying abroad in the spring. Can I still be an RA for the fall semester?
A: Unfortunately, the amount of training required for the RA position means that we are only able to hire RAs who can commit to a full year contract. Please let your current RA know if you are interested in looking into other leadership opportunities in your hall that would allow for more flexibility.

Q: I’m an international student. Am I eligible to be an RA?
A: International students are eligible for the RA position, as long as you have either a social security number or a valid F-1 visa. Please notify us at the time of hire if you are an international student, as your paperwork process may vary slightly.