FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ON APPLYING TO BE, AND SERVING AS, A RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE ADVISER

Who can apply to serve as a residential college adviser (RCA)?
All current sophomores and juniors who plan to be in residence throughout the 2011-2012 academic year are invited to apply.

What qualities are the colleges looking for in advisers?
A successful adviser will possess: concern for and willingness to assist others; understanding of the experience of students from underrepresented social groups and commitment to supporting the needs of those students; understanding of his or her own values, strengths and limitations; ability to model responsible behavior and to encourage others to act responsibly; ability and willingness to help establish and maintain a safe environment and to address violations of University policy if and when such violations are observed; ability to work well with others; and a capacity for perceptive listening.

How are RCAs and ARCAs financially compensated?
The benefits package you receive as an RCA includes the following: 1) dormitory space within a residential college free of charge; 2) a university board contract for a 190-block meal plan for RCAs; 3) meals during break weeks at no charge; and 4) a waiver of the residential college fee.  Alternate advisers receive a dormitory space free of charge, a board contract for a 125-block meal plan, and break meals free of charge.

What additional benefits come from being an adviser?
Doing good work: One of the benefits of being an adviser is the feeling of giving something back to Princeton. The university community depends upon intellectually passionate, socially aware, perceptive students returning to take this role in the residential colleges.
Distinguishing yourself: Another benefit of advising is what it demonstrates to potential employers about you—that you can work with, mentor, and lead a peer group. By serving as an RCA charged with building community among students of different backgrounds and disparate interests, you distinguish yourself as an experienced and effective leader.
Having influence: As a residential college adviser, you’ll find that your actions as well as your critical reflections significantly shape the character and quality of life on campus.
Having fun:  While advising can be both challenging and exhausting, it can also be fun. It provides an intellectually vibrant and interdisciplinary community within which to pursue your JP or senior thesis (as well as free meals during those break weeks spent writing furiously). It allows you to continue to grow, to do things you’ve never done before, and to share with younger students your experience and understanding of Princeton.

I want to apply to be an RCA, but I’m also interested in joining an eating club. Can I do both?
Yes. All of the eating clubs do offer “club combo” meal plans, which enable an adviser to eat at his or her eating club while also serving as an adviser.  Advisers are encouraged to contact any clubs in which they are interested to inquire about the club combo plan.

How do I apply?
The application is available online at www.princeton.edu/odus/adviserapp.html. Two letters of recommendation are also required, and they need to be mailed or otherwise delivered to the attention of Dean Crittenden at 311 West College by the application deadline. You can download the recommendation form from the application website. Colleges will be hosting informational sessions before the deadline in order to field your questions about the nature of the advising job and the application process.

When are applications due?
Tuesday, November 30th, 2010, at 4:30 p.m. At this time, you must have completed and submitted your on-line application. You must also have two letters of recommendation on file with the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students by this date. (Current advisers re-applying to serve in 2011-12 need not submit letters of recommendation.)

What happens after that?
The college to which your application is assigned will notify you in mid December as to whether you will be offered an interview, and if so, will schedule it with you. All colleges will be interviewing candidates during reading period in January. 

University-wide and college-specific spring training for RCAs selected to serve in 2011-12 occurs during the first week of reading period in May. The specific date and times for training are announced in February (when advisers sign their contracts). We expect advisers to plan their academic commitments in advance for that week so that they can attend both their college’s and the university’s mandatory training sessions. Fall training, which is also mandatory, will take place between Sept 2nd and Sept 9th, 2011.

Further questions?  E-mail (ccritt@princeton.edu) or call (258-3052) Dean Cole Crittenden in 311 West College.