What does RA stand for? On a college campus, RA stands for resident assistant (some schools say resident advisor), a student who lives in a residence hall and looks after the people on their floor. If someone says "talk to your RA," they mean that student leader down the hall.
RA has other common meanings too. In a doctor's office it often means rheumatoid arthritis. On a research team it is a research assistant. In police and fire radio talk in some cities, RA can mean rescue ambulance, and in federal law enforcement it can refer to a resident agent or a small field office. Nearby words usually settle which one fits.
Quick facts
Main meaning
Resident assistant (also resident advisor)Type
InitialismHow to say it
R A, letter by letterOther meanings
Research assistant, rheumatoid arthritis, rescue ambulance, resident agent, right ascensionSeen in
Dorms, campus job posts, medical charts, police radio, astronomyPlural
RAs
What does RA stand for in college?
In housing, the RA is a resident assistant. The letters split simply:
- R, resident: the RA lives in the building, usually on the same floor as the students they serve.
- A, assistant (or advisor): they help, guide and connect residents with campus resources.
RAs are usually upper class students who apply, interview and train for the job. In return they often receive free or reduced cost housing, a meal plan or a stipend. Their duties include welcoming new students, planning floor events, helping roommates settle disputes, enforcing hall rules, taking turns being "on duty" at night and pointing students to counseling, health or academic help.
Move in day sign: "Welcome to Floor 3. Your RA is Jordan, Room 312. Knock anytime." This tells new residents who to go to with a lockout, a noisy neighbor or a question about campus.
What does RA stand for in police use?
There is no single police meaning. In some city fire and police radio traffic, especially in Southern California, RA means rescue ambulance, so "send an RA" is a call for a medical unit. In federal agencies, a resident agent is an agent assigned to a small satellite office, called a resident agency, and the agent who leads it may be called the resident agent in charge. Local codes vary by department, so on a scanner or in a report, the best clue is the surrounding words.
Other RA meanings by field
| Field | RA stands for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| College research | Research assistant | "She works as an RA in the biology lab." |
| Medicine | Rheumatoid arthritis | "His RA flares in cold weather." |
| Astronomy | Right ascension | "Enter the star's RA and declination." |
| Graduate school | Research assistantship | "The RA covers tuition and a stipend." |
| Myth and history | Ra, the ancient Egyptian sun god (a name, not initials) | "Ra was shown with a sun disk." |
On a college campus, both resident assistant and research assistant are common, so "my RA" from a first year student usually means the dorm, while "my RA" from a graduate student often means a lab job. Compare TA, a teaching assistant.
How to write and say RA
Say each letter: "ar ay." Keep both letters uppercase and leave out periods. The letter R is pronounced "ar," so it pairs with an: "an RA," not "a RA." The plural is RAs: small s, no apostrophe. Examples:
- "I applied to be an RA next year."
- "The RAs hold a floor meeting every Sunday."
- "Call the RA on duty if you are locked out."
- "The patient has a history of RA."
For the rules behind "a" and "an" with letters, see how to abbreviate.
RA and other campus letters
College life comes with a lot of short forms. RAs often work with an RD, a residence director who supervises a building and its staff. You may also see GPA on grade reports and FAFSA on aid forms. The school acronyms section collects many more.
Questions people ask
What does an RA do in a college dorm?
An RA builds community on a floor, helps residents with problems, enforces hall rules and responds to issues when on duty. They also connect students with campus services like counseling and tutoring.
Is it resident assistant or resident advisor?
Both are used, and they mean the same role. Each school picks its own title, so check your housing office's wording.
Do RAs get paid?
Most receive some compensation, often free or reduced housing, a meal plan, a stipend or a mix. The details differ from school to school.
What does RA mean in medical terms?
In medicine, RA usually means rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition that causes joint pain and swelling. Only a patient's own doctor can say how it affects them.
Do you write a RA or an RA?
Use "an RA." Out loud the R sounds like "ar," and an goes before a vowel sound.