Graduate Residential Leadership Opportunities

Graduate students are an essential part of our residential community. Whether you’re a resident or choose to take on a leadership role, we’re here to provide the support and resources you need.

Find Graduate Housing Be a Graduate Resident Advisor
Find Graduate Housing Be a Graduate Resident Advisor

Graduate Residential Life

The Office of Graduate Residential Life supports graduate students and their families who live in MIT housing with all aspects of residential life and work to enhance the overall graduate student experience.

We provide:

  • Leadership training to graduate residence halls executive boards
  • Event planning support
  • Crisis response and support
  • Community resource information
  • Programs for resident graduate students’ children
  • Programs for graduate students to connect with other students
  • Programs related to wellbeing

Reach out by email to connect with our office or learn more about a specific program.

Graduate Resident Advisors

Graduate Resident Advisors (GRAs) are live-in role models, guides, and resources for the students who live in MIT’s Fraternities, Sororities, and Independent Living Groups (FSILG) and residence halls. GRAs work to foster a supportive, safe, and positive living environment built upon shared community standards and mutual respect.

Responsibilities

As both mentors and educators, GRAs encourage personal growth, provide outlets for managing stress, and facilitate positive interpersonal relationships. GRAs are expected to spend about 10 hours per week related to their position. This varies according to student concerns and programming.

GRAs must be available while classes are in session during fall and spring semesters and Independent Activities Period (IAP). Time off can be requested through a supervisor for personal commitments and conferences.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Building relationships with all residents, house team members, and other stakeholders within the MIT community
  • Providing study breaks and community-building opportunities
  • Serving as a first line of support for student in emergencies

Eligibility

All GRAs are required to complete mandatory training.

  • Eligible for GRA positions in Houses and FSILG residences
  • Must have completed one semester at MIT

  • Eligible for GRA positions in Houses and FSILG residences
  • Must have completed one semester at MIT
  • Must be eligible to work on campus (such as a full-time student in F-1 or J-1 student visa status)
  • Currently employed on-campus for 10 hours or less per week at a job/TA/RA role

Fellowships that require performance of services in return for funding are considered employment hours. International students in F-1 or J-1 status are limited to a total on-campus employment, combined of all work at MIT, to a maximum of 20 hours per week during fall and spring semesters. 

If you have additional questions, please reach out to your ISO Advisor.

  • Eligible for GRA positions in FSILG residences
  • Must be enrolled full time in a graduate program

Non-MIT international students are not eligible to apply.

Compensation and Benefits

All GRAs receive their own private accommodation free of charge, as well as an annual stipend. Partners of GRAs are welcome to live in the residence halls and FSILGs. Accommodations vary — some spaces offer a full private apartment, some a private bathroom, and some offer shared bathroom and shared kitchen spaces.

In addition to the compensation, GRAs either receive a 10 meal/week dining plan, 80 swipes per semester, or are subsidized by the FSILG office to participate in the house dining plan.

Application Process

All applicants should complete the online application, which includes a mix of multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and two 250-word essays. Applicants are also required to submit a professional reference.

The interview process then begins with an asynchronous interview — a brief, seven question interview to learn more about you as a candidate. Individual Houses and FSILGs conduct their own interview process and make recommendations to the Undergraduate Residence Life (URL) and FSILG offices in mid-March.

You can learn more about being a GRA and the application process at our virtual info sessions held November through January. If you have any inquiries regarding the position, you can contact beagra@mit.edu.