TA position or more volunteer experience?

[Danimal35]

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Hello! I've been a long-time reader but my application cycle is quickly approaching so I've got a question for which I'm looking for input. I'm finishing my junior year and applying in the '15-'16 cycle, and I'll have some free time in late summer/fall 2015.

I want to use this time to better my application, and from where it stands I see two options. I have the opportunity to be an Anatomy lab TA, or I could spend this time pursuing another setting for PT volunteer experience.

Which of these options would be more valuable in terms of both improving me as a future PT student and as an applicant? Furthermore, would I be able to include activities such as this as 'planned' or something when I apply - if I'm certain I'll be doing them but won't have them done yet? Not quite sure how this works and couldn't find anything definite in previous posts.

Here's how my application is shaping up; so I appreciate any other input as well.

University: Penn State University (University Park)
Major: Kinesiology
Overall GPA: 3.87
Pre-req GPA: ~3.91
GRE: 157 Q, 162 V, 5.5 AW
Extra-Curric: Work w/ professor on course development for Neuroanatomy class, Kinesiology club & college honor society, Movement Promotion seminars for Sedentary Careers, 300+ hours working as a personal trainer on PSU Strength & Fitness Staff
Volunteer: 300+ hrs outpatient, 70 hrs inpatient

Thanks!

 

[Carson Ranger]

3 observation settings makes you stand out in a big way -- even if it's just a couple hours

 

[Danimal35]

I'm looking at getting into an SNF around my home while I'm there for the summer, maybe just for a few weeks time. Thanks for the reply!

 

[SnowyDPT]

Hello! I've been a long-time reader but my application cycle is quickly approaching so I've got a question for which I'm looking for input. I'm finishing my junior year and applying in the '15-'16 cycle, and I'll have some free time in late summer/fall 2015.

I want to use this time to better my application, and from where it stands I see two options. I have the opportunity to be an Anatomy lab TA, or I could spend this time pursuing another setting for PT volunteer experience.

Which of these options would be more valuable in terms of both improving me as a future PT student and as an applicant? Furthermore, would I be able to include activities such as this as 'planned' or something when I apply - if I'm certain I'll be doing them but won't have them done yet? Not quite sure how this works and couldn't find anything definite in previous posts.

Here's how my application is shaping up; so I appreciate any other input as well.

University: Penn State University (University Park)
Major: Kinesiology
Overall GPA: 3.87
Pre-req GPA: ~3.91
GRE: 157 Q, 162 V, 5.5 AW
Extra-Curric: Work w/ professor on course development for Neuroanatomy class, Kinesiology club & college honor society, Movement Promotion seminars for Sedentary Careers, 300+ hours working as a personal trainer on PSU Strength & Fitness Staff
Volunteer: 300+ hrs outpatient, 70 hrs inpatient

Thanks!

Definitely do another setting. That was a big topic in all of my interviews and showed them that I had seen multiple aspects of the profession

 

[DesertPT]

If you really can only do one or the other, another setting or two of observation is likely to be higher yield as far as admissions chances go than anatomy TA is. You could certainly call the schools you are going to apply to and ask what their opinion on the subject is. Your stats are looking pretty good though, I don't think you are going to have any issues getting an acceptance. Your stats are quite similar to mine (I had higher quant and verbal GRE scores, though I had a 5 AW and you have a 5.5, and you have 3 times as many hours as I did) and I went 3 for 4, just to give you a frame of reference. It's also heavily affected by which schools you apply to.

Is the Anatomy TA paid? If so, and if you aren't going to have a better job over the summer, I would take it and do a few hour of observation in another setting on the side. But if you've got work already I wouldn't worry too much about the TA gig.

 

[Danimal35]

I appreciate all your input! I will definitely look into getting experience in another setting, and I'm glad to have another perspective on the TA situation. It is not paid and would actually be a significant increase in time/financial expenditure because I would have a fairly lengthy commute. But I'm having trouble letting the idea go since I've got a fairly short list of schools I'd love to go to so I want my app to be as strong as possible - but I know how arbitrary acceptances can seem regardless of stats. Maybe I'll allocate the TA time to observing in a nearby (but different) setting instead!

 

[Danimal35]

Your stats are quite similar to mine (I had higher quant and verbal GRE scores, though I had a 5 AW and you have a 5.5, and you have 3 times as many hours as I did) and I went 3 for 4, just to give you a frame of reference.

DesertPT, you don't think it would be worthwhile for me to retake the GRE, do you? I know I could raise my quant by a few points at least, but I think I fared well enough to make another try not worth the time and money.

 

[DesertPT]

DesertPT, you don't think it would be worthwhile for me to retake the GRE, do you? I know I could raise my quant by a few points at least, but I think I fared well enough to make another try not worth the time and money.

Probably not worth it. Your overall score is above average at almost all schools and the quant score is probably the least important of the three at a lot of schools anyway. Your 5.5 AW will make you stand out in the GRE ranking. If you maintain your GPA around a 3.9, your GRE score changing will have little to no effect. You've got the numerical stats to be good to be offered an interview at probably every or almost every school you apply to. I was, and the reason I was rejected from the one school I was rejected from was due to one of my interviewers deciding they didn't like me...so your numerical stats won't hold you back, it's pretty much a matter of wading through the BS and random subjectivity that is the application process as successfully as you can at this point. Even if you don't get into your top choice, I'm very confident you'll get into your second or third. 🙂

 

[uncwpt2018]

I also had this same opportunity, but turned it down because I thought I needed more volunteer hours. Honestly, I wish I had done it because I didn't need more hours and it looks great on a resume. I also would have liked to have some anatomy refreshers before school since I start right after graduation. All of your stats look great and if you get another volunteer setting over the summer you'll have an extremely strong application, as long as your LOR and essays are good. If you want to do it and it isn't too much of a financial/time burden and you can maintain your GPA, go for it!

 

[DesertPT]

I also would have liked to have some anatomy refreshers before school since I start right after graduation

This isn't a bad point actually. Either way you'll get through PT school, but a refresher certainly wouldn't hurt.

I probably still wouldn't do the TA gig if it wasn't paid though...

 

[Danimal35]

I also would have liked to have some anatomy refreshers before school since I start right after graduation. All of your stats look great and if you get another volunteer setting over the summer you'll have an extremely strong application, as long as your LOR and essays are good. If you want to do it and it isn't too much of a financial/time burden and you can maintain your GPA, go for it!

Thankfully I'm currently in my 3rd anatomy class so far, so I pretty much have a solid grasp on the realm of anatomy you learn in undergrad, so I'm not too concerned with refreshing at this point. I plan to work hard on the essays, have 2 strong LOR's lined up and 1 extremely good one.

Evaluating the cost/return of being a TA led me to realize an 8 hr/week obligation that takes away from time I could spend at my job and on my classes instead, and adds to my commuting load may not be in my best interest. Especially since the consensus here seems to be that the value of that position isn't very high, I think I'm going to focus on pursuing another setting (or even 2), finishing school, and working.

 

[DesertPT]

Thankfully I'm currently in my 3rd anatomy class so far, so I pretty much have a solid grasp on the realm of anatomy you learn in undergrad, so I'm not too concerned with refreshing at this point. I plan to work hard on the essays, have 2 strong LOR's lined up and 1 extremely good one.

Evaluating the cost/return of being a TA led me to realize an 8 hr/week obligation that takes away from time I could spend at my job and on my classes instead, and adds to my commuting load may not be in my best interest. Especially since the consensus here seems to be that the value of that position isn't very high, I think I'm going to focus on pursuing another setting (or even 2), finishing school, and working.

Definitely take the $$$! The TA might be worth it if the pay was could, but it seems kinda low yield to me if your doing it for free.

 

[riseboi]

As long as your current observation hours meet the minimum required for application, I'll cast a vote to be a TA. Whether you can see it or not, there is a lot of value in previous experience teaching others; even if as just a TA.

 

[SympatheticTrunk]

I was an anatomy TA before I started PT school. I will tell you that it has made my life a heck of a lot easier. I learned anatomy to a new level when I was responsible for teaching it to students, and that has paid off big time in school. I feel it has been a huge advantage for me in my first semester.