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 who is interested in the RA position is suggested to attend one of the five informational sessions, in which candidates can learn more about the RA position and ask specific questions regarding the process. ​​​RA Info Sessions time and locations are listed below.

• (In person) Friday, December 12th (1:00pm) - DCC 163
• (In person) Friday, January 23rd (1:00pm) - Sci Center 128
• (In person) Wednesday, January 28th (6:00pm) - Singer 34/35
• (Virtual) Monday, February 2nd (10:00am) (Zoom Link Here)
• (In person) Thursday, February 5th (5:30pm) Kohlberg 115)

• Compensation for the in-person RA position is (100% of student housing charge AND 20% of 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 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 2026-2027. RAs receive the entire RA stipend through the student payroll system which is dispursed in 4 equal parts 4 times a 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 taxes.
• This compensation includes spring training, fall training, orientation week, winter break training and on-going 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 JobX. Please note that if you are abroad for Spring 2026 but will be an enrolled sophomore, junior, or senior in Fall 2026, you are eligible to apply. If you are on a leave of absence you are eligible to apply, but not through JobX. You can reach out to ac@swarthmore.edu in order to be connected with directions on how to apply.
2. To be able to submit your RA Application, you will need to upload all required documents in the application. The application requires each candidate to upload a recent copy of their resume. Please utilize the 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 that can complete an RA Recommendation for you. We strongly encourage your recommendation be 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 who are selected to be 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 floor placements will be determined over the summer.

• RA Application via JobX Student Employment Portal (search for Resident Assistant job position)
• RA interviews will be scheduled the week of February 15th through February 22nd in half hour time slots. If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted with details on scheduling.
• JobX Instructions
• RA Recommendation Form (due before an offer can be made)

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 off of last year's required trainings. These dates and times will be finalized at a later time and will be 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 17th, 2026 after 9 am. Training and Semester Opening runs from Tuesday, August 18th through Sunday, August 30th. 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 20th by 9:00am. Your supervisor would have to approve any earlier departures, so do not plan your travel until you've spoken with your supervisor.

Winter RA Training:
Arrival is on Wednesday January 13th after 9 am. Training begins Thursday January 14th and Friday January 15th. 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 dates of training will be included in the RA offer letter. 

• ​​​RA Info Sessions
  • (In person) Friday, December 12th (1:00pm) - DCC 163
  • (In person) Friday, January 23rd (1:00pm) - Sci Center 128
  • (In person) Wednesday, January 28th (6:00pm) - Singer 34/35
  • (Virtual) Monday, February 2nd (10:00am) (Zoom Link Here)
  • (In person) Thursday, February 5th (5:30pm) Kohlberg 115)
• RA Application Due: Friday, February 6th, 11:59pm EST
• Candidate names submitted to Office of Student Conduct for review:  February 13th
• Individual Interviews: Week of February 15th through February 22nd
• Offers will be made the week of March 2nd via email.
• Offer Acceptance Due: 9am Wednesday March 18th