<p>I know that the information is all up on the website, but I was wondering if anyone had a more personal take on it/could speak to what it's like as a student.</p>
<p>I'm looking at some housing that involves RBA, primarily Maseeh, but my choice isn't based on their RBA system. I think I'd like seminar, but I dunno if I want to devote two extra hours a week to something when I want to do a lot of extracurriculars.</p>
<p>So, anyone able to advise me on the advising system?</p>
<p>I am so glad you asked that question! 
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<p>I’m an RAA, one of the resident associate advisors for a RBA dorm, Next House. </p>
<p>Essentially, all freshmen will be paired up with a freshman staff advisor as well as a student associate advisor. If you’re in the RBA program, that student aa will be your raa. The unique thing about your RAA is that they are not just responsible for making sure you’re good academically, but also in terms of adjustments to MIT lifestyle, your social well being, and your health status. They live in the same dorm as you so it’s really easy to get in contact with them. Additionally, we get around 50 dollars a semester to throw our own study breaks for you guys in addition to whatever money the advisor has. </p>
<p>Besides the RAAs, the RBA program as a whole also does monthly programming events to help freshmen. Depending on the month, the type of program will be different to cater to the relevance of that month. For example, we tend to have “adjust to life at MIT” in September, but in November/December, the theme is more like “finals!” or “Things to do during IAP”</p>
<p>With any type of advising (RBA or regular) you do, you can choose either traditional (you meet with the advisor on your own time or the group gets together for dinners and whatnot) or seminar. I’m a RAA for a traditional RBA advising group but I did a seminar as a freshman myself so I’m familiar with both. The amount of work in the really depends on what type of seminar you do. The one I did had us read papers and do presentations which was more work that I liked but I know some where you just meet and bake or cook. It’s pretty fun. I think choosing whether to do a seminar or not is a personal choice. </p>
<p>Good luck choosing! Let me know whether you have more questions!</p>