Overview  

The Rural Peer Ambassador (RPA) Program in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions provides a paid opportunity for WashU students to assist with sharing the WashU story and experience with prospective rural students, their guests, and rural high school and Community Based Organization (CBO) counselors. The Rural Peer Ambassador program provides a mixture of key responsibilities in relation to working with counselors, prospective students, and families, and allows exposure to the various functions of admissions at a highly selective institution. Specifically, RPAs will help with the implementation of the WashU Rural Scholars Academy (WRSA), a weeklong, pre-college program hosted in July 2025. They will also assist with the implementation of the STARS Counselor Tour with Vanderbilt & WashU in March 2025.  

RPAs will meet and train together in February 2025 and again in July 2025. This position is supervised by the Associate Director for Rural Recruitment in Undergraduate Admissions.   

Key responsibilities 

  • Attendance at and assistance in the implementation of the WashU Rural Scholars Academy and the STARS Counselor Tour with Vanderbilt & WashU. Roles may include serving as an onsite resource and contact during either program, engaging with program participants, serving in a rotational on-call capacity in the evenings of the WashU Rural Scholars Academy, and facilitating conversation and connection.    
  • Spring RPA Training: Attendance and participation in training to prepare for the WashU Rural Scholars Academy.
    • Dates:
      • Tuesday, February 4, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
      • Thursday, February 13, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
      • A 1:1 supervisor meeting during the week of February 17  
      • Wednesday, February 26, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
  • STARS Counselor Tour with Vanderbilt & WashU: Sunday, March 2 – Tuesday, March 4, 2025. The STARS Counselor Tour with Vanderbilt & WashU is a fly in program designed to assist rural counselors in guiding their students’ college search process. Counselors from rural communities across the U.S. will be joining Undergraduate Admissions for this program. Note: RPAs will only be assisting with the WashU portion of this program and will not be traveling to Nashville.  
  • Return to campus for summer RPA Training: Anticipated Thursday, July 10, 2025. Arrival between 9:00 a.m. and Noon. RPAs will have the morning of July 10 to unpack and transition their room before training begins at 1:00 p.m. on July 10.    
  • Summer RPA training: Attendance and participation in training to prepare for the WashU Rural Scholars Academy.
    • Dates: Thursday, July 10 – Saturday, July 12, 2025. Training will end by 6:00 p.m. all three days.   
  • WashU Rural Scholars Academy: Sunday, July 13 – Saturday, July 19, 2025. The WashU Rural Scholars Academy is a weeklong pre-college program aimed to connect high school students from rural communities to WashU and St. Louis, while introducing them to the college admissions process.   
  • Sharing Rural Recruitment Feedback
    • All RPAs will be asked to participate in a rural recruitment focus group with a member of the WashU Undergraduate Admissions Rural Recruitment team during one of the summer training dates listed above.   
    • In addition, RPAs will be asked to provide feedback on rural recruitment efforts, including name ideas for programs and events, rural student outreach efforts, and more. This commitment will total 1 – 3 hours per month (March through July) outside of the programmatic and training duties listed above.    
  • As Mandatory Reporters, RPAs are required to share information with their supervisor and/or the Title IX Coordinator if a WRSA participant discloses or they otherwise become aware of concerns of sexual harassment, sexual or relationship violence, or stalking.   
  • RPAs must reside in assigned, on-campus Residential Life housing for the duration of summer training and the WashU Rural Scholars Academy (July 10–19, 2025) to serve as a contact and resource for program participants. This housing and meals will be provided by Undergraduate Admissions free of cost to all RPAs. 

Desired skills/characteristics

  • Be returning, full-time undergraduate students in the Class of 2026, 2027 or 2028 for the fall 2025 semester, studying on the Danforth campus.    
  • Must be in good academic and conduct standing for the Fall 2024 and Spring and Summer 2025 semesters.  
  • In our selection process, we look for candidates exemplifying a commitment to collaboration, reliability, providing good customer service, positively representing WashU, and supporting student success.  
  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher and a semester GPA of 2.75 or higher during semesters employed (spring 2025 and summer 2025). Applicants who have under a 2.75 cumulative GPA may still apply, however Undergraduate Admissions will consult with your 4-year academic adviser.  
  • You may not serve as an RPA if you are in a position, internship, or role that conflicts with the dates above.   
  • RPAs must be available in-person during all dates and times described above; conflicts or anticipated conflicts must be addressed by the Associate Director for Rural Recruitment before selection.  

Hours

The Rural Peer Ambassador position is a part-time position with the purpose of acting as a representative of the rural student experience here at WashU. During both the WashU Rural Scholars Academy and STARS Counselor Tour, late nights and early mornings will occur. Meals and on-campus housing will be provided free of cost to all ambassadors for the duration of summer training, the STARS Counselor Tour (meals only), and the WashU Rural Scholars Academy.  

Compensation 

Rural Peer Ambassadors will be compensated at a rate of $12.30 per hour and meals and on-campus housing will be provided free of cost to all RPAs July 10–19, 2025. This position is eligible for work study.   

Application process

The application deadline has passed.

Interviews and Reference Checks 

Selected candidates will be invited to interview with members of the rural recruitment team the week of December 2, 2024. 

Final candidates will be asked to provide contact information for one reference.

By applying, students give the Admissions Office permission to access university conduct and academic records. 

Questions?

Please reach out to Dacoda Scarlett at dscarlett@wustl.edu.