花季视频

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Graduate Resident Assistant (GRA) Selection Process

GRA Role Summary

The Graduate Resident Assistant (GRA) is an essential member of the 花季视频

Residential Services team whose primary role is to support the social, academic, and
personal transition of graduate residential students and their families to the 花季视频
community. The GRA is a graduate student leader in Residential Services who is an integral
member of the Engelhart Hall, McManus Center, and Garrett Place residential
communities. The principal GRA duties involve three main areas: administrative duties,
event planning/community development, and on-call responsibilities.


GRAs provide facilitated programs and services designed to both respond to student needs
and provide opportunities for education, support, and personal growth. GRAs must be
comfortable interacting with university officials, faculty, staff, families, and above all else,
students.


GRAs report directly to a Resident Director and Assistant Resident Director, and indirectly
to the Residential Experience team. GRAs work collaboratively with all Residential Services
staff. This is a 20-hour-a-week position. The position requires staff to live in a provided
furnished apartment.

 2025-2026 GRA Role Description.pdf

General Information

Important Dates

  • GRA Summer Term Dates: Monday, June 16 – Sunday, August 25, 2025
    • Summer Term Training: Monday, June 16 – Friday, June 20, 2025*

  • GRA Academic Year Dates: Saturday, August 23, 2025 – Wednesday, June 17, 2026

    • Academic Year Training: Saturday, August 23 – Friday, August 25, 2025*

    • GRAs will need to work part of one or more breaks in the academic calendar.
      • Thanksgiving Break: Wednesday, November 26 – Sunday, November
        30, 2025
      • Winter Break: Friday, December 12, 2025 – Monday, January 5, 2026
      • Spring Break: Friday, March 20 – Sunday, March 29, 2026

  • *GRAs are required to be at all training dates for term of appointment.
  • Dates are subject to change with advanced communication

*GRAs are required to assist with all major check-in and check-out processes, including on
evenings and weekends. GRA presence within the residential communities is critical for
emergency response. GRAs should discuss plans to be away from their community for
extended periods with the RD supervisor. GRAs must not make travel arrangements
without consulting with the RD first. This includes university dates around holiday closures
and break periods.

Timeline of Process

Graduate housing assistant selection process timeline

Item 

Date 

Information Sessions 

TBD February & March 2025 

Applications Open for New GRA Candidates via eRezLife 

Monday, February 24, 2025 

Candidate & Returning GRAs Submit for Accommodations to OCR (separate from Housing Portal accommodation application) 

Monday, March 24, 2025 

Application Closes for New GRA Candidates 

Monday, March 31, 2025, at 5:00 pm CDT 

Candidate Interviews 

Monday, April 14 – Friday, April 18, 2025 

Candidates Notified of Status 

Thursday, May 1, 2025 

Candidate Responses Due 

Friday, May 16, 2025, by 5:00 pm CDT 

Minimum Qualifications

  • Be a full-time, degree seeking graduate 花季视频 student, enrolled in courses each quarter. 
  • Have a minimum quarterly and cumulative GPA required to be in good standing as a 花季视频 graduate student (typically 3.0 or above). 
  • Be in good conduct standing. Good standing means you are not on probation. 
  • Preference will be given to individuals who have prior residential life (i.e., undergraduate RA) or similar experience. 
  • Kellogg students planning to participate in exchange during the fall, winter, or spring quarters are not eligible for the academic year GRA position. Students who are planning to be away from the Evanston campus for the fall, winter, or spring quarter for other reasons are also not eligible for the academic year GRA position. 

Compensation

Each GRA will receive an apartment in their assigned community. A one-bedroom
apartment will be provided, but another unit type may be assigned (without additional
compensation) if a one-bedroom unit is not available. The apartment includes utilities,
cable TV access, and wireless internet. A free laundry facility is provided in the building.
$150 per month in compensation is also provided. GRAs are expected to live in their
apartment throughout their term.

GRAs requiring a two-bedroom or larger apartment to accommodate dependents will be
provided with rent credit comparable to a one-bedroom apartment and are responsible for
the difference in rent. Considerations for larger units are made based on the number of
occupants and apartment availability.

GRAs who leave the position may be required to vacate the assigned apartment and
relocate to a different apartment community within 48 hours of when their termination
letter or verbal resignation is received.

Application Instructions

Applications for the 2025-2026 GRA position will be accepted from Monday, February 24 until Monday, March 31, 2025, for both the Summer Term 2025 and Academic Year 2025-2026. 

How do I apply?

Specific information will be added in early Winter Quarter 2025

FAQs

Who do I contact for more information?

You can contact the Graduate Housing Resident Director or email selection@northwestern.edu to reach a member of our Resident Assistant Recruitment, Selection and Training Committee. 

Do I get to choose where I live as a GRA?

We may ask questions related to placement preferences which will be taken into account during our selection processes. When you apply to be a GRA, you are applying for the role, not the building placement. We will take your preferences into account for strengths, space limitations, and staffing needs. 

What is the compensation for GRAs?

  • All GRA candidates are highly encouraged to meet with Financial Aid early in the selection process to review how the compensation package may impact your individual aid package.   
  • Compensation Summary  
    • A one-bedroom furnished apartment in the assigned community (another unit type may be assigned without additional compensation if a one-bedroom unit is not available) 
    • GRAs requiring a two-bedroom or larger apartment to accommodate dependents will be provided with rent credit comparable to a one-bedroom apartment and are responsible for the difference in rent. Considerations for larger units are made based on the number of occupants and apartment availability. 
    • $150 stipend paid monthly during the term of service as a GRA   

Can incoming graduate students apply?

Yes, an incoming graduate student can apply but they must be accepted to 花季视频 and enrolled as a full-time graduate student for the quarter they will start at 花季视频 University. 

Can international graduate students apply?

Yes, international students can apply to be a GRA. Additional paperwork may be required for international students, and dates for when the role starts and ends may be different.  

Can undergraduate students apply?

The GRA positionn is a graduate student leadership role. We do have undergraduate Resident Assistants (RAs) that serve in our undergraduate housing communities. Please see the Residential Services website for more information on the undergraduate RA position.