New Community Assistant

Community Assistant Application Procedures

This information is for new candidates only. Any current staff member should refer to the returning CA information.

Residential Services is now accepting male CA applications for the current academic year. Applications are available October 2, 2013 and are due October 17, 2013. Applicants must be sophomore-senior, current Northwestern students. Any questions, please contact Tiffany Gonzales at tiffany-gonzales@northwestern.edu. To learn more about the CA position, please refer to any of these great resources:

2014-2015 Resident Assistant [RA] applications are available November 13, 2013.

To apply for the Community Assistant (CA) position, follow these steps:

  1. Fill out the CA Application.
  2. If you receive financial aid, contact the undergraduate financial aid office regarding your aid package to learn how becoming a CA may affect your financial aid for next year.
  3. Print the Community Assistant Feedback Form (pdf). Complete the top portion and then ask a current or former CA to the complete the reference portion and return it directly to Residential Services by the deadline. Any current or past CA may complete the form for you. If you cannot reach the person who was your CA when you lived on campus, you may ask a current CA to complete your form. If you do not know any current CAs, you may contact a CA and ask him or her to interview you for the purpose of completing the feedback form.
  4. Print the Community Assistant Reference Form (pdf). Complete the top portion and then ask a reference to complete the rest of the form. This recommendation form may not be completed by any current Northwestern Residential Services staff members, other undergraduate students, or family members. Ask your reference to submit the form to us via e-mail attachment, US mail or fax by the deadline.
  5. Submit your application, references and one-minute video by the deadline.
  6. The 2013 application timeline is:
  • October 2: Applications available online
  • October 17: Applications, references & video submissions due to Residential Services
  • October 21-29: Individual interviews [all qualifying candidates will be contacted via phone] to schedule their interview]
  • October 30: CA Decisions letters distributed
  • Nov 1-3: New CA move into their new building
  • Nov 4-ongoing: New CA training with individual supervisor [schedule variant]

Before you submit your application, please consider the following suggestions:

  • Be active in your community. Attend programs, volunteer with hall government, hang out with other residents and get to know staff members. Being part of the community will help you better understand the needs of residents.
  • Give yourself plenty of time to complete your application and solicit your references.
  • Have others review your essays.
  • Get the input of your friends and those who currently work in Residential Services. Getting help with your application is not cheating. Thoughtful preparation will demonstrate your interest in working for us. We encourage you to visit the Writing Place.
  • If you have any questions, please contact Tiffany Gonzales at tiffany-gonzales@northwestern.edu.