Asked to be a TA by bio 2 professor

[Kef318]

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I am having such a hard time fitting everything in!

Research, volunteering, shadowing, GPA/DAT, and now this.

Where does being a TA rank?

 

[diene]

I am having such a hard time fitting everything in!

Research, volunteering, shadowing, GPA/DAT, and now this.

Where does being a TA rank?

Will you be getting credits for it? Extra bio credits are always good (most likely you will get an A for TAing). Being a TA definitely shows leadership qualities. Are you really serious about your research or is it one of those fluffy things to boost your application? If fluffy research, then I would do TAing over that. But if you are doing something meaningful and about to be published or something, it would make sense to keep researching.
You would have to give an idea of how many volunteer/shadowing hours you have in order to suggest which one would be the best to drop.

Also, don't overwhelm yourself by doing ALL of the above. I made the mistake of doing too much during one semester and it reflected badly on my grades, so in the end, grades >>> everything else.

 

[Kef318]

Thanks for the reply.

I have not done any research yet (it's on my "to do" list). I have about 50 hours of volunteering complete and about 30 in shadowing. I know I need a lot of more of each of those. That's my plan for the summer.

I know grades/DAT are a top priority. The TA position would be for a professor that I had last semester.

Just wondering how others fit in everything!

 

[diene]

Thanks for the reply.

I have not done any research yet (it's on my "to do" list). I have about 50 hours of volunteering complete and about 30 in shadowing. I know I need a lot of more of each of those. That's my plan for the summer.

I know grades/DAT are a top priority. The TA position would be for a professor that I had last semester.

Just wondering how others fit in everything!

What year are you and how many classes will you be taking the semester you plan to TA?
If you are a sophomore, then there is plenty of time to fit in shadowing/volunteer work

Also, TAing can land you a solid letter of rec from the professor 🙂

 

[DancingBull]

TA'ing can get you a solid LOR. Also, it can be something to talk about in the interview when they ask you about your leadership experiences.

 

[Kef318]

I am finishing up by sophomore year. I'd would be a TA first semester of my junior year.

I feel like the clocking is ticking!

 

[diene]

I am finishing up by sophomore year. I'd would be a TA first semester of my junior year.

I feel like the clocking is ticking!

You are fine! Definitely TA and possibly research if you really want. If that doesn't work, delay research until second semester of junior year (assuming you will be TAing in the first semester). Try to do most of your shadowing over the summer!

 

[segura11]

There is more than enough time. I have been a TA for 3 years, and I was able to fit in all other aspects of my application as well as get married and have a kid. If you plan it out and use time wisely, it is very easy to allocate time and resources to the right place. And as stated above, I bet my best LOR came from professor whom I have TA'd for.