<p>I’m a student at Cornell and am applying to comparable/slightly more prestigious institutions for this fall. In anticipation that I might not get admitted, I also applied to be a Resident Advisor in freshman housing next year, and I was recently accepted. I do not know how competitive the process was, other than that it was fierce – a couple hundred applicants for a handful of spots. Basically I’m wondering if I should include this accomplishment in my application, because I feel it reflects positively on me, or will colleges view this as a reason for why I might possibly stay at Cornell even if they admit me? (In my eyes, unless I get zero aid I will still transfer, despite the free room at Cornell). </p>
<p>It’s not particularly an accomplishment, but you could still mention it.
At most schools, individuals that pass the RA class are ranked by their scores, and are then randomly selected for the position in that order.</p>
<p>Because you haven’t actually even been an RA yet, you can’t put it down as an activity per se. You could mention it in an essay if it connected to you being a mentor to freshmen or something along the lines, or on your resume under qualifications.
Other than that, I don’t think college will assume that you will stay at Cornell. Like I said, just say you’re RA trained.</p>
<p>^Exactly. The schools you’re applying to won’t take it as a bad sign. If they really like an applicant and feel the student can contribute a great deal to their school, they will accept that student.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! I’ll probably mention it in the last “anything else?” section on the Common App. And at C, Zester, obtaining an RA position is by no means random, but it’s good to know that at other schools it is!</p>