Being a Teaching Assistant.. Again

[TTigers70]

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I had an interesting conversation the other day and could use a good time to procrastinate at the moment...

Long story short, I am double majoring in one science and one non-science field. After taking a class in the non-science program, I was asked to be a TA to hold recitation and help with lecture (grade papers, answer questions, hold office hours, etc.). I gladly accepted, had an awesome semester, ended up on ratemyprofessor.com with solid things said about me (although I'm not sure how I feel about being called "easy" by one person.. context clues were absent, its like junior high again haha). After completing my "TAship" -- for lack of an official name for it as far as my vocabulary is concerned -- my professor asked if I would be interested in TAing a similar class again. I again gladly accepted because I loved the experience. This time, I was a sort of chief TA and actually was a large part of implementing changes to the syllabus and designing exams. I had an even better experience and was once again asked to return next semester. However, my professor cautioned me that graduate schools may not like to see more than 1 year of TA credits. The position is not paid, rather I have to treat it as a class and receive and grade and credits for my participation. Beyond my classroom duties, I also have to do some work that culminates in a final paper, etc. Anyway, my professor admitted to not knowing how medical schools would look upon a long string of TAing and receiving credit for it.

I really enjoy it and will almost certainly accept the position, but wanted to see if anyone could weigh in with some input first. It isn't as if I am coasting on the side, I'm taking 18 credits on top of the 3 from TAing. I also like it even more because it isn't a science position. Any science TAs I have had has had very limited roles in the class whereas I am actually influential in my program.

I know there is a lot of talk about how non-science majors can be as hard or harder than science programs. Going through both, I really disagree haha it isn't that the non-science is easy just the science is a lot harder. Anyway, this kind of leaves me wanting more on the non-science side. TAing as been that extra something. My only other real thought is to do an honors thesis in the non-science program.

With the honors thesis possibility in the mix, what are some thoughts on the best course of action?

Thanks (and apologize for any typos, have done too much proofreading the last few days trying to get some papers in)

 

[wlee43]

I don't understand why med schools would look down on more than one yr on TA exp. If you enjoy doing it and think you can handle all the other things, just do it

 

[Gaboon]

I had 2 years worth of TAing for which I received credit. It's a wonderful way to demonstrate scholastic leadership and establish meaningful relationships with faculty recommenders.

While I included it on my app, no one ever asked about it. I don't see any negatives. Did the person who suggested there may be negatives associated with TAing give reasons?

 

[TTigers70]

I had 2 years worth of TAing for which I received credit. It's a wonderful way to demonstrate scholastic leadership and establish meaningful relationships with faculty recommenders.

While I included it on my app, no one ever asked about it. I don't see any negatives. Did the person who suggested there may be negatives associated with TAing give reasons?

The professor only warned that some graduate schools do not like to see excessive internship / TA credits and instead prefer to see more classes. This may be true for the specific Masters degree that can be earned after finishing the BA. For example, if I was TAing an econ class, the professor would have been making the recommendations as if I was pursuing an MBA. The statement was made just to give me a heads up because they were not sure if the same thing would apply to science grad programs.

Any comments on doing an honors thesis? I really enjoy TAing, my only reservation with doing it again is that I would be missing out on other, new experiences (such as defending an honors thesis).

 

[Avoidthetiger]

I've never heard of TAing for credit. Everyone at my school gets paid to TA or a tuition waiver or something... so I am confused about why you would want to do it.. I'm mean, the year of experience must have been great and it should help write some great essays... but if you think doing another semester of TAing will prevent you from participating in research, drop the TA credit and get some research credit instead.

just my 2cents.

but schools won't look down on you for some much TAing [i'm on my second year TAing now]. It's great leadership experience and shows that you are able to communicate what you learn to other students/peers -- which is important to do as a physician. So keep it up if you really enjoy.

 

[trustee]

i dont think it hurts your chances. a few months ago, I made post about my chances for medical school. i mentioned that i TA-ed for gen chem for a year and was going to TA for Intro Bio I this semester. Catalystik, one of the ad coms giving advice on sdn, didn't say anything bad about it. In fact, she complimented on my teaching experience.

 

[gettheleadout]

i dont think it hurts your chances. a few months ago, I made post about my chances for medical school. i mentioned that i TA-ed for gen chem for a year and was going to TA for Intro Bio I this semester. Catalystik, one of the ad coms giving advice on sdn, didn't say anything bad about it. In fact, she complimented on my teaching experience.

Catalystik's not a guy?

Edit: Okay her profile info totally did not have a gender listed a while ago...sorry Cat 😳

 

[Kaustikos]

I've never heard of TAing for credit. Everyone at my school gets paid to TA or a tuition waiver or something... so I am confused about why you would want to do it.. I'm mean, the year of experience must have been great and it should help write some great essays... but if you think doing another semester of TAing will prevent you from participating in research, drop the TA credit and get some research credit instead.

just my 2cents.

but schools won't look down on you for some much TAing [i'm on my second year TAing now]. It's great leadership experience and shows that you are able to communicate what you learn to other students/peers -- which is important to do as a physician. So keep it up if you really enjoy.

OP never stated they weren't taking research credits/science credits. Imo, I find extreme fault in the professors statement and I wouldn't listen to him/her/whatever. Continue teaching.

 

[mdeast]

That's silly. A large element of a medical career is teaching. Teaching others, teaching yourself, etc. No on will look down upon it. To be honest, it'll be a positive, as a TAship is a real position with responsibilities, obligations to a professors, students, etc.

You certainly should be trying to do other things (clinical experiences, research, etc.)...but I TA'ed for 2 years in college and still managed to publish a paper, volunteer in an ER, study abroad, etc. You'll have time.

 

[Avoidthetiger]

OP never stated they weren't taking research credits/science credits. Imo, I find extreme fault in the professors statement and I wouldn't listen to him/her/whatever. Continue teaching.

OP said:

Any comments on doing an honors thesis? I really enjoy TAing, my only reservation with doing it again is that I would be missing out on other, new experiences (such as defending an honors thesis).

If the OP feels like the TAing is taking too much of his/her time [since s/he is already taking 18 credit hours a semester], then I do think it would be wise to drop it and try other things out -- such as research. TAing is awesome, but it does take up alot of time... and personally, I don't know if I would do it for free.

Re: the honor's thesis, I never did one but my undergrad assistant is doing one. You probably should plan on spending a year in a research lab minimum to get a good thesis, but I do think one is worth it if you are interested in research-orientated medical schools. It's also nice to add as an EC and can also make for a great med school secondary essay. So can TAing though.