Steps to Join a Fall 2023 RAP  

STEP 1: Pay the University Enrollment Deposit

STEP 2: Sign the Residence Hall Occupancy License on SPIRE 

• Housing > Room Selection > Occupancy License
• To participate in RAP Pre-Registration, sign the Occupancy License by May 23 
• Beginning May 25, you must upload your UCARD photo to access and sign the Occupancy License  

STEP 3: Register for a RAP during Pre-Registration or Registration

• RAP Pre-Registration, May 18-24
  •  First-year students can rank their top five RAP choices in the RAP Placement System
  • Changes to preferences can be made until 11:59pm EST on May 24
  • On June 1, you will receive an email notifying you of your RAP placement. After this, you can:
    • Choose to share your contact information with other students in the RAP, drop the RAP, or join another RAP until July 12 or the end of your Advising and Course Registration Appointment
• RAP Registration, June 1-July 12 
  • First-year AND transfer students can register for any remaining RAP spaces on an eligibility and space available basis until July 12 or the end of their Advising & Course Registration Appointment
  • After registering for a RAP, you can:
    • Choose to share your contact information with other students in the RAP, drop the RAP, or join another RAP until July 12 or the end of your Advising and Course Registration Appointment

Click here to view a PDF version of the image above.

Please note: CICS Connect RAPs, Engineering Connect RAPs, Emerging Scholars RAP (requires invitation), BioTAP (requires invitation), and BioPioneers RAP  (requires invitation) have application due dates prior to the beginning of the Preference Submission period. Students who submit applications to join any of these RAPs, Partners in Education (requires invitation), will be notified of their acceptance status before May 18. Review each program page for application details. 

STEP 4: Enroll in the RAP course during your Advising and Course Registration Appointment over the summer

• Confirm that the RAP course does not conflict with any academic major requirements.    
• If there is a conflict, you will need to cancel your RAP registration - either during your Advising & Course Registration Appointment or by July 12, whichever comes first.   

STEP 5: Submit the Housing Preference Application on SPIRE by July 14

For more information about the Housing Preference Application, housing related tasks, and deadlines, visit Living at UMass Amherst.