For specific questions about the selection process, please reach out to ac@swarthmore.edu.

• All Resident Assistants must be 1) active Swarthmore College students who are registered for and enrolled  in classes, 2) upper-class students, 3) in-residence in College housing 4) in good standing as defined in the  Student Handbook, 5) compliant with all other student employment policies, and 6) able to participate fully  in all training and operational activities in accordance with the dates specified by the Office of Student  Engagement.
• To be considered for employment and to serve in any type of Residential Peer Leader role, which includes the RA position, students must be in and remain in good standing throughout their employment. A student is not in good standing when the student has been found responsible for a student conduct policy violation and as a result is serving a sanction of probation, suspension, or expulsion. In addition, students are not in good standing if they are on academic probation. Please consult with the Student Handbook for more information about policies related to academics and student conduct

Any student interested in the RA position is encouraged to attend one of the five informational sessions, where candidates can learn more about the RA role and ask specific questions about the process. ​​​RA Info Session times and locations are listed below. All times are in EST.

• (In person) Monday, November 16th 5:30-6:30 PM - DCC 163
• (In person) Friday, November 20th 3:45-4:45 PM - DCC 163
• (In person) Wednesday, December 9th 3:30-4:30 PM - DCC 163
• (Virtual) Thursday, December 10th 5:00-6:00 PM (Zoom Link Here)
• (Virtual) Wednesday, January 20th 5:30-6:30 PM (Zoom Link Here) 
• (In person) Friday, January 22nd 2:00-3:00 PM - Singer 034/035

• Compensation for the in-person RA position is 100% of the student housing charge AND 20% of the food charge. RAs receive a $250 bonus after completing three semesters of service, and the $250 bonus is continued for each semester of continuous service. In-person RAs spend, on average, 15-20 hours per week being available to their residents and performing the duties and responsibilities described in the resident assistant job description. Candidates will be notified of this amount, once the college has set the room rate for 2027-2028. RAs receive the entire RA stipend through the student payroll system, disbursed in 4 equal parts, 4 times per semester.
• Please note that the compensation received for work as a Resident Assistant is considered taxable income by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). RAs will need to inquire with Human Resources with any questions regarding how their compensation may be taxed.
• This compensation includes spring training, fall training, orientation week, winter break training, and ongoing in-service opportunities. The stipend will be disbursed 4 times each semester in even quarters.

Candidates will need to complete the following steps to successfully apply for the position:

1. The RA Application utilizes Workday. Please note that if you are abroad for Spring 2027 but will be an enrolled sophomore, junior, or senior in Fall 2027, you are eligible to apply. If you are on a leave of absence, you are eligible to apply, but not through Workday. You can reach out to ac@swarthmore.edu for directions on how to apply.
2. To submit your RA Application, you will need to upload all required documents. The application requires each candidate to upload a recent copy of their resume. Please utilize Career Services for assistance with developing your resume. Candidates can email cpa@swarthmore.edu for resume reviews and interview preparation. You may wish to schedule a mock interview with a career counselor in Handshake.
3. New RA Candidates: Identify one person who can complete an RA Recommendation for you. We strongly encourage that your recommendation come from a previous supervisor, mentor, or coach who can speak to your leadership potential, teamwork skills, and community-building abilities. The RA Recommendation form can be found here. Please share it with your recommender.
4. Candidates selected as RAs will be notified the week of March 2nd. Candidates who are offered the RA position will learn of their general community placement in their offer letter. Individual building and floor placements will be determined over the summer.

• RA Application via Workday due January 27th, 2027. 
• Application components: Resume, Workday Portal Questions, 1 Recommendation, Cover Letter encouraged
• RA Round 1 Interviews will take place February 10-12th in half-hour time slots. If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted with scheduling details.
• RA Round 2 Interviews will take place February 17-18th.
• RA Recommendation Form 

The following are tentative dates and times of required trainings that candidates selected as RAs must attend. If you cannot fully attend these trainings, you cannot serve as an RA, as they are a requirement of the position. These dates and times are based on last year's required trainings. These dates and times will be finalized and communicated in a timely fashion to all candidates who are offered positions. We ask that you do not finalize travel plans until you receive confirmed dates of trainings, specifically Fall RA Training:

Fall RA Training:
Arrival is on Monday, August 16th, 2027 after 9 am. Training and Semester Opening run from Tuesday, August 17th through Sunday, August 29th. RAs will have off periods during this range; however, training/opening responsibilities span over the entirety of this period. The Office of Student Engagement reserves the ability to modify Fall RA Training dates. 

Fall Closing:
RAs should plan to depart from campus on December 19th by noon. Your supervisor must approve any earlier departures, so do not plan your travel until you've spoken with them.

Winter RA Training:
Arrival is on Wednesday, January 12th after 9 am. Training begins Thursday, January 13th and Friday, January 14th. If hired, your supervisor will have to approve any arrivals after this time. The Office of Student Engagement reserves the ability to modify Winter RA Training dates. 

All dates above are tentative. Confirmed training dates will be included in the RA offer letter. 

• ​​​RA Info Sessions
  • (In person) Monday, November 16th 5:30-6:30 PM - DCC 163
  • (In person) Friday, November 20th 3:45-4:45 PM - DCC 163
  • (In person) Wednesday, December 9th 3:30-4:30 PM - DCC 163
  • (Virtual) Thursday, December 10th 5:00-6:00 PM (Zoom Link Here)
  • (Virtual) Wednesday, January 20th 5:30-6:30 PM (Zoom Link Here) 
  • (In person) Friday, January 22nd 2:00-3:00 PM - Singer 034/035
• RA Application Due: Wednesday, January 27th, 11:59pm EST
• Individual Interviews: February 10th through February 12th
• Group Interviews: February 17th & 18th
• Offers will be made the week of March 2nd via email.
• Offer Acceptance Due: 9 am Wednesday, March 17th