RA Job?

[MaxillofacialMN]

I was wondering if anyone here was/is an undergraduate RA and if you think it helped you at all in the application process, ie an interviewer asked you about it, etc. Do you think it boosted your resume at all?


Thanks!

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[prk15]

are you talking about a resident advisor/assistant or a research assistant?

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

are you talking about a resident advisor/assistant or a research assistant?

Whoops - Resident Assistant.
I would hope research assistant would help!

 

[21BlackJack]

Yes, I was an RA my senior year in college.

It looks good on the app, something really good and a universal extra curric that encompasses a lot, and you get paid or get money off your housing so it is an excellent thing to do, given you have the time to do it.

 

[azntennischic]

I was an ra my senior year and loved it! I think it helps in your application as it shows leadership skills, communication, people person, etc.I mean it def doesn't hurt. I also feel it's a job that you must want to do because if you're just doing it for the application, it might not be worth it for the amount of time and effort you put into it.

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

Thanks everyone! I didn't know if it was something applicable to a resume or just something people glossed over.

Thanks!

 

[somethinpositiv]

I was an Resident Assistant for 3 years in undergrad. It was a huge talking point for interviews as well as a major part of my AADSAS Personal Statement. It's a job that really helps you be responsible for people and mentor them, and develops your leadership skills. And it doesn't hurt that it pays your room & board, worth over $9,000 per year at my undergrad.

 

[Magic Hoof]

I was an undergrad RA for 3.5 years. I wouldn't say that anyone focused on it during interviews, but it definitely provides lots of situations that would be applicable to interview questions - both for dental school and for job interviews. For example: Name a time you had to deal with a difficult situation among colleagues? Then you could talk about how you had to tell your resident that their cluster-mates didn't like him drip-drying naked in the common bathroom... I think overall it's a good experience, but it's not going to make or break your application.

 

[doc toothache]

The weather can also be a good "talking point".

 

[kaDa]

Don't be an RA with the mindset that it will help with interviews or boost your resume. Be an RA b/c you've weighed your options and you want to do it. Although, I guess everything outside of class is a resume booster 😛. I did a few activities because I wanted more "filler" and it sucked...stick to what you like doing. Best of luck~~

EDIT: Oh yea, I was an RA too. I would totally do it again 😀. Then again, my school was pretty relaxed 😉, so it depends what the atmosphere is like for your program.

 

[somethinpositiv]

Don't be an RA with the mindset that it will help with interviews or boost your resume. Be an RA b/c you've weighed your options and you want to do it. Although, I guess everything outside of class is a resume booster 😛. I did a few activities because I wanted more "filler" and it sucked...stick to what you like doing. Best of luck~~

EDIT: Oh yea, I was an RA too. I would totally do it again 😀. Then again, my school was pretty relaxed 😉, so it depends what the atmosphere is like for your program.

I'll be honest, the main reason I because an RA was because I couldn't afford the room & board and needed the job... The fact that it develops your interpersonal and leadership skills, as well as helps on the resume, is just a bonus.