WUSA Application Information Page

We encourage you to talk to support systems or family members regarding your decision to apply. We know that there are many factors that go into applying to a position, and encourage you to make the decision with your campus or personal support systems. If you have any questions about the role, please reach out to your current WUSA.

We provide the position description and important dates ahead of time so you can fully plan and envision the scope and commitment required for the WUSA position. Please review the below documents to ensure that you have no conflicts. If there is an anticipated conflict, please reach out to Renaldo Luna Gacad, Associate Director.

WUSA Position Description and Important Dates

• All applicants:
  • Exemplify these core attributes:
    • Approachable, dependable, dedicated, knowledgeable, respect, empathy, conflict-resolution management, adept communicator, a positive role model
  • Exhibit leadership potential and take initiative
  • Exhibit strong commitment to the WUSA program
  • Exhibit a strong commitment to the University and STFP’s values
  • Exhibit a strong commitment to becoming informed and knowledgeable about the University’s academic policies, procedures, deadlines, and various advising systems
  • Exhibit strong interpersonal and group presentation skills
  • Possess a genuine concern for others
  • Have an open mind and a positive attitude
  • Demonstrate the ability to work with a diverse group of people, including students, parents, faculty, and staff
  • Be in good standing at the university with regards to discipline history
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher by the end of the spring semester
  • First-year applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or higher at the end of their fall semester
• WUSA applicants:
  • All current Washington University undergraduate students are eligible to apply for this position.

Student Transitions & Family Programs will also be hosting two Instagram lives hosted @WashUTransitions. Two members of the Student Transitions & Family Programs Student Executive Board will be available to answer any questions you have on Instagram live. Additional opportunities to ask questions will be posted as stories and posts.

Other opportunities to learn more about the WUSA role will be posted here including tabling, information sessions, and through WUSA representatives on campus.

A Resume and Cover Letter Prompt is provided. This prompt outlines how your resume and cover letter should be formatted and what information should be included. Please follow the prompt carefully. 

A few tips: 

• Use the position description to guide your writing 
• Proofread your submissions 
• Have someone you trust review your resume and cover letter 
• Utilize the following services from the Career Center for additional support

  • Resume & Cover Letter Handout

  • Designing Your First and Second Years

• Utilize services from the Writing Center for additional support

Recommendation forms should be submitted by your reference by Thursday, February 16, 2023.

Recommendations should be completed by a WashU faculty or staff member, current or former supervisor, high school instructor or staff member, or your current RA or WUSA. Other WashU student leaders who are not your current RA or WUSA and family members are not appropriate references for the WUSA position. If your current WUSA sits on the Student Executive Board for Student Transitions, they may not serve as a reference.

The person completing your recommendation should be someone who can speak to your interpersonal skills and work style.

Please send your reference an email with the following information in advance so they have time to complete it:

• A link to the Recommendation Form
• Your student ID number 
• Your WashU email address

When you submit your online application form, you will be asked to submit the name, position title, email address, and phone number of your reference; make sure you have this available when completing your application. 

It’s also helpful to send your reference a copy of your resume and a brief summary of why you are applying for the position and what you hope to gain from the experience (update the link on the button.

The application cannot be saved and must be completed in one sitting to avoid losing your information or the form timing out.

We recommend waiting to submit your application until after you have watched the Instagram Live FAQ as important information will be shared during this session that will assist you in submitting a strong application.

After you submit your application, you will receive an email confirming your application has been received and reminding you to send the recommendation form link to your reference. If you do not receive a confirmation email, your application was not received. If you experience technical difficulties, please contact Student Transitions & Family Programs

Make sure to leave plenty of time to submit your application–they are time stamped; we are not able to accept late applications.

Please note, we are not able to extend individual interviews to all candidates. It is important to put thought and effort into your written application.

NOTE: It has come to our attention that Apple Computer and Mac users may have difficulty uploading PDFs or attachments. If you are having difficulty attaching your cover letter or resume, please submit your application and then email transitions@wustl.edu with your PDFs and we will manually attach them.

STFP will conduct academic standing checks which includes reviewing both semester and cumulative GPA. Applicants must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and semester GPA of 3.0 or higher during semesters employed. We may additionally call four-year advisers regarding status. This includes reviewing educational records including courses, unofficial transcripts, and grades, and GPA.

Additionally, the Student Transitions & Family Programs refers to Conduct and Community Standards regarding student conduct standing. For more information regarding what this check entails, please refer to the Good Conduct Standing Addendum.

Lastly, due to WUSA’s status as mandatory reporters as a result of their role, Student Transitions & Family Programs refers to the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office for instances of individuals who may not be able to serve as as mandatory reporters.

WUSA applicants will be notified via email no later than Friday, February 17, 2023 if they are moving to Individual Interviews. Applicants will be notified either way. Please check spam or junk mail if you have not received a notification, or email Student Transitions & Family Programs.

Individuals who are not invited to Round 2: Individual Interview may email our office to receive feedback.

WUSA applicants who move forward will be invited to sign-up for an individual interview with a student leader on the STFP Executive Board and a university staff member.

Sign-ups will be sent via email and applicants are required to sign up for a slot no later than Monday, February 19 at 8:00AM  to accept the offer for an individual interview.

Interviews will take place between Tuesday, February 21, 2023 and Tuesday, February 28, 2023.

Interviews are 20 minute behavior-based interviews where applicants will be asked to share examples of experiences or instances applicable to the questions. Applicants will also be asked to share personal reflection and understanding of the role and department. 

We ask applicants to arrive to their interviews in business casual dress. We recognize that dress codes are form of societal oppression and acknowledge that students must learn to navigate these expectations to be successful in future workplaces.

We use this as an opportunity for applicants to practice business casual dress during interviews for the future. We do not take applicant dress in consideration in the process.

We understand that not everyone may own business casual attire. We recommend you try borrowing clothes from a friend or checking the Trading Post located under Gregg Hall. 

For examples of business casual attire, please see below:

• Business casual attire includes clothing such as a dress shirt, khakis, a skirt, dress, dress pants, and closed-toed shoes.
• Business casual does not include jeans, leggings, sneakers, shorts, and/or sandals.

We encourage applicants to refer to the Career Center for opportunities to practice interviewing skills.

One resource the Career Center provides is Big Interview, an online portal that assists with various interview skills and techniques.

A second resource includes tips around successful interviews skills which includes information about business casual dress.

Additionally, the Career Center offers opportunities to schedule mock interviews through the Career Advisers.

Since the interview will be conducted virtually, it may be helpful to refer to the Career Center’s Tips for Online Interviews.

We encourage applicants to refer to the Career Center for opportunities to practice interviewing skills.

One resource the Career Center provides is Big Interview, an online portal that assists with various interview skills and techniques.

A second resource includes tips around successful interviews skills which includes information about business casual dress.

Additionally, the Career Center offers opportunities to schedule mock interviews through the Career Advisers.

Request for Accommodations

If you are in need of any accommodations during the application and/or interview process, please reach out to Maggie Hermann, STFP Administrative Coordinator and Accommodations Manager. She will work with you to determine the best path forward.

Accommodations may include, but are not limited to:

• Reading/writing tasks
• Computer based tasks
• Physical tasks including walking or lifting
• Religious accommodations and observances
• Other

Tell us about yourself. We will begin by asking you to share a little about yourself. This should be your 30-60 second elevator pitch –year in school, what you’re studying (if you know), and campus or community involvement. This is an opportunity for us to really get to know you as an individual. We hope you can share meaningful aspects or insights into your life. Please note that the FYC is looking for a diverse pool of applicants, so we want you to present your authentic and genuine self.

What is your understanding of the WUSA role? Before answering this question, you need to fully understand the WUSA position. You should review the position description and reflect on the role’s responsibilities. You will also want to reflect on why you are applying for the role. When answering this question, be as honest as you can. Avoid cliché answers of “I want to help people.” Let the interviewers know more specifically why you want this position. This is an opportunity to explain not only why you want to be a WUSA but also what you can bring to the table. Did you have a positive experience with your WUSA that inspired you to apply? Please share anything and everything that can give us a keen insight into your motivations for applying to the position. 

Tell us about a situation you have been involved in where there were individuals who had different opinions than you.

• In this answer, the interviewers are trying to determine how you handle conflicts. As a student leader, you will be working many hours with people who will have different personalities and perspectives from your own and the interviewers want an honest assessment of how you handle these situations.
• Even if the example you give does not have a perfect ending or may show you were at fault, you can use this example to show what you have learned since then and the changes you will make in the future.
• Think about class projects or teams that you have been a part of, roommate conflicts, problems at work, or conflicts that have arisen with customers you have worked with in the past.
• One of your roles as a WUSA may be to manage conflict. We are looking for individuals who are adept at conflict management and resolution. We want to see how you respond to conflict and how you navigate tricky issues that you or your future cohort students may experience.

Describe a time when you needed to seek out academic help for one of your classes. What advice would you give to a student struggling academically? An important role of a WUSA is to direct their students to proper academic resources. Think about places or people you’ve gone for help or would go to if need be. The interviewers want to hear about your understanding of WashU’s resources and how students should access them, as well as the support you would provide for your students struggling with the academic transition. The adjustment from high school to college can be very tricky for many students. We want to hear about your experiences navigating your academic career at WashU since WUSAs play an important role in helping first-year students to access academic resources to find success on campus.

What questions do you have for us? Have 1-2 questions prepared for us. This is an opportunity for you to learn more about the role and what you will be doing throughout the year. Is there something unclear about the position that you want some clarity on?

• If offered an individual interview, sign up for a time that works well for you and affords you time to travel and get settled for the interview. We are not able to interview candidates who arrive late.
• Confirm the date, time, and location of your interview. If you opt to do a virtual interview, please check the Zoom Link of your interview which is provided upon signing up.
• Read through the position description. If there is something you would like further clarification on, you can ask at the end of the interview.
• Be thoughtful about how long each of your responses will be. We will ask you 10 questions, the interview is 20 minutes, and we want to include time for you to ask us questions at the end.
• Treat the interview as if it were a job or internship interview.
• Be prepared 10 minutes prior to your scheduled virtual interview time. 
• If doing a Zoom interview, log into the Zoom session 2 minutes before the interview begins to ensure your technology is working. If doing a phone interview, have your phone on and ready to receive the phone call.

Applicants will be notified via email no later than Friday, March 17, 2023 at 5:00PM if they have been selected as a WUSA or a WUSA alternate.

Applicants will be notified either way. Please check spam or junk mail if you have not received a notification, or email transitions@wustl.edu.

Individuals who are not selected to be a WUSA or are selected to serve as an alternate may consider emailing transitions@wustl.edu to set up a feedback session.