Should I present this poster and forgo MCAT study time?

[Gladiolus23]

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[WedgeDawg]

In the grand scheme of things, 6 hours is really a drop in the bucket...

 

[Gladiolus23]

In the grand scheme of things, 6 hours is really a drop in the bucket...

Yes, but does this even seem worth it? I mean, it is more like an informational poster that I would create as a project for a class…I don't want to spend my time for nothing in the end. What value will this opportunity add to my application, if any?

 

[WedgeDawg]

Yes, but does this even seem worth it? I mean, it is more like an informational poster that I would create as a project for a class…I don't want to spend my time for nothing in the end. What value will this opportunity add to my application, if any?

In don't really think this is a question we can answer for you. There is of course utility in presenting the poster beyond just a resume boost, but if you think those 6 hours are better spent doing something else, then do that instead. Neither will make or break anything. You are stressing over individual molecules of water in an ocean.

 

[Holmwood]

Just do it. Good resume booster, especially for supporting that teaching-oriented side of you for your application.

6 hours isn't going to make or break your performance on the MCAT. It ain't college finals.

 

[LizzyM]

Teaching is highly valued by adcoms, particularly as more schools look to students in small group learning situations.Not only should it go on your applicatoin and resume but you should ask the instructor for a LOR based on your performance in this course.

 

[Gladiolus23]

Teaching is highly valued by adcoms, particularly as more schools look to students in small group learning situations.Not only should it go on your applicatoin and resume but you should ask the instructor for a LOR based on your performance in this course.

I have already taught as a Physics TA last semester. This conference is just to present the "learning strategies" poster I created last semester….it doesn't involve any more teaching (I am not a learning assistant this semester). So are you saying to still go in order to put on my resume that I have served as a TA for one semester and also presented my poster at this conference? I will put my TAing on AMCAS. But will the presenting the poster part be looked at and considered with any value?

 

[LizzyM]

I have already taught as a Physics TA last semester. This conference is just to present the "learning strategies" poster I created last semester….it doesn't involve any more teaching (I am not a learning assistant this semester). So are you saying to still go in order to put on my resume that I have served as a TA for one semester and also presented my poster at this conference? I will put my TAing on AMCAS. But will the presenting the poster part be looked at and considered with any value?

You could list the poster separately, thus highlighting the teaching activity (in essence, the poster is aimed at teaching the teachers (other TAs) and further emphasizes your teaching skills) or you could add it to the TA item on your application just showing that you were, in a sense, honored for your skills as a teacher. There are thousands of MD applicants with TA experience. There are very few who are asked to present a poster about how to be a good TA. This is your opportunity to go beyond cookie-cutter.

 

[Gladiolus23]

You could list the poster separately, thus highlighting the teaching activity (in essence, the poster is aimed at teaching the teachers (other TAs) and further emphasizes your teaching skills) or you could add it to the TA item on your application just showing that you were, in a sense, honored for your skills as a teacher. There are thousands of MD applicants with TA experience. There are very few who are asked to present a poster about how to be a good TA. This is your opportunity to go beyond cookie-cutter.

Okay, thank you. I decided to go to the event…I didn't see it as valuable at first, but now I can think about a lot of ways to learn from this experience. Will the fact that I only did TAing for 1 semester hinder me, whereas others have been doing it for a year or more? Also, I am not planning on getting an LOR from the professor I TA'ed for…I do not believe it will be a strong letter :/ How will this affect me?

 

[LizzyM]

No big deal if you don't have a LOR from this professor. I just thought that if you were being asked to present on your effective teaching methods that the professor might be inclined to write a letter lauding your teaching.

 

[mimelim]

Presentimg this should be a no brainer.

 

[Gladiolus23]

No big deal if you don't have a LOR from this professor. I just thought that if you were being asked to present on your effective teaching methods that the professor might be inclined to write a letter lauding your teaching.

The professor actually didn't ask me…he never really interacted with me when I was a TA except for email communication. The director in charge of the TA program asked me, but I don't know him well enough to get an LOR (never took a class…this is really a first-time interaction). I also am not the only TA selected…other people from different subjects were also asked to present. Nevertheless, I will go and present 🙂