Best class to TA

[Yorick]

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Would you consider organic chemistry I/II to be the most impressive, "holy grail" undergrad class to TA just because it's already considered very difficult but then to actually be a TA for the course?

 

[Doctor Strange]

As far as adcoms are concerned, it probably doesn't matter. TA whatever you're comfortable with, because there's nothing worse than a crappy TA.

 

[DrEnderW]

I did Biology I/II, Cell Biology, and Intro Neuroscience.

Not only did it help me learn the material in more detail, but it was a great review of high yield MCAT material. Not to mention, these are concepts that will be applicable in med school. I couldn't imagine having to keep all those organic chem mechanisms in my mind in any sort of detail after the class.

Like Dr Strange said, I don't think adcoms will care which subject it is.

 

[mcloaf]

Would you consider organic chemistry I/II to be the most impressive, "holy grail" undergrad class to TA just because it's already considered very difficult but then to actually be a TA for the course?

Lol. Nobody is going to care about the perceived difficulty of the course you TA. Don't be a TA because you think anybody is going to be impressed, there are plenty of other, better reasons.

 

[miss chievous]

Lol. Nobody is going to care about the perceived difficulty of the course you TA. Don't be a TA because you think anybody is going to be impressed, there are plenty of other, better reasons.

Agreed. I was a TA for Anatomy and Physiology II and loved it. The students really look up to you. Do a subject you feel you know pretty well.

 

[retrieverbark]

What do you guys think about TA-ing a non-science class such as economics? Do you think ad-coms would look down upon that?

 

[Doctor Strange]

What do you guys think about TA-ing a non-science class such as economics? Do you think ad-coms would look down upon that?

No

 

[bandgeek0295]

Whether you TA in a prerequisite science or even something like 18th century literature, it's all the same. The *only* thing that TA'ing a prerequisite class has over others, is that you have the potential to get a nice bit of review for the MCAT. Whatever class you TA in, if you do it for the right reasons, you'll find it quite rewarding.

 

[BABSstudent]

Whether you TA in a prerequisite science or even something like 18th century literature, it's all the same. The *only* thing that TA'ing a prerequisite class has over others, is that you have the potential to get a nice bit of review for the MCAT. Whatever class you TA in, if you do it for the right reasons, you'll find it quite rewarding.

Totally agree with this.

Pick something that you love and you will be a good TA. In human anatomy, I share tons of extra information about the human body to the students. Every semester I get feedback from the students saying that I was their favorite TA they ever had because I was excited about the material and I was able to get them to be excited about it too.

A crappy TA is horrible. Just try not to be "that TA."

 

[Conflagration]

I'm in the running to TA Trig next semester! *shot*

But, yeah, I was under the presumption that it was more about the experience and the added responsibility over the actual course. It gives a good (paid) way to show how committed you are to something. It also gives a good place to get a LoR. ^^

 

[aloepathic]

Would you consider organic chemistry I/II to be the most impressive, "holy grail" undergrad class to TA just because it's already considered very difficult but then to actually be a TA for the course?

I don't think I've ever noticed anything beyond 'oh, he TA'd a premed science class,' nor have I ever heard the specific difficulty of the course an applicant TA'd mentioned in adcom meetings. Do what you want to and find interesting

 

[lal4life]

Like a lot of others have said, it probably doesn't matter what class you TA, as far as getting into school. They probably do see TA and don't think twice about it.

Even though that's probably the case, I had the chance to TA anatomy for about 2 years and spent more than half of my interview at the school I'm currently at talking about it with my interviewer. Also, when it came to studying for anatomy this year, I had to spend little to no time in lab outside of the assigned dissection time.

In the end, it would be most beneficial to TA for a class that can give you a good foundation for medical school. Also, make sure it's something that you enjoy. Don't make yourself too miserable just so you can get an acceptance.