TA vs. TUtoring

[LACMA]

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Hey guys attachFull191821

Just wondering: Which experience will look better on my application given that I want to be a teacher/ go into academic medicine. TAing shows leadership and working with a larger group and Tutoring is more like working with individuals. It sounds like TAing will develop my character/personality more than tutoring will.
Thoughts?

 

[TxC]

It doesn't matter; do the one you like more.

What you do as a pre-med has minimal, if any, impact on whether you will end up in academic medicine.

 

[LACMA]

It doesn't matter; do the one you like more.

What you do as a pre-med has minimal, if any, impact on whether you will end up in academic medicine.

I know but in terms of the bigger picture of my application. Applying for MD/PhD, explaining why I want this degree, what I plan to do with it, having the experiences to back up my assertions, etc.

 

[allantois]

I highly recommend TAing. Anyone can pretty much tutor another person one on one, but TAing will teach you some new skills.

 

[deleted388502]

I will add the caveat that TAing is a huge, huge time commitment. To be a good TA, which you should aspire to be, you have to put in a lot of time for your students and as a pre-med, that is VERY difficult if you're still in harder coursework. From personal experience, I can state that I half-assed it my first semester, and my second semester it was my top priority - as much as my schoolwork, and I was a much better TA. I don't know what your duties are, but if you are teaching lab/recitation it's at least 20 hours a week with grading, meetings, attending lectures. Just something to consider if you have no desire to pursue teaching post-grad. The only reason I did it was to gain teaching experience before I joined TFA, and I would not recommend it if you are just doing it to pad your pre-med resume. You can totally probably still go into academic medicine without TAing on your resume.

 

[NeuResurgens]

TA is a bit more involved that tutoring, so it might give you more to talk about. Both are good experiences though.

 

[Benito25]

Hey guys attachFull191821

Just wondering: Which experience will look better on my application given that I want to be a teacher/ go into academic medicine. TAing shows leadership and working with a larger group and Tutoring is more like working with individuals. It sounds like TAing will develop my character/personality more than tutoring will.
Thoughts?

I am a genetics tutor right now and I have had sessions of 27 people at a time which is larger than the lab that the TA's teach. But maybe this is because how it is set up at my university. Also, avenlea makes a good point: I don't have to do any grading, which is sweeeeet! On the other hand, TAs always have a regular number of people to teach (I have also done many one-on-ones). Regardless, tutoring is less time demanding than TAing so I guess it depends on what kind of commitment you can do.

 

[moemoekyun]

Can you do both? I liked being a TA more than a tutor, but I enjoyed both experiences.

 

[deleted577188]

I'm going to TA next year. I chose this over tutoring because I personally don't think tutors should be paid, nor are they good enough to compensate them for the few hours they do put in tutoring. Tutoring seems way too superficial to me. Also, at my school you only need a B grade and prefessor recommendation to tutor any course you'd like. I got B's in a couple of class and still don't know ****. I know people who get B's without knowing much, become tutors solely for the money, and suck at it.

(I do realize that I'll be paid for TA'ing, but in my case I can't do either for free so I'd rather TA for money that tutor for money)

 

[LACMA]

I do have a lot of free time this coming semester. I think TAing can also in a way help me review and reinforce some info for the MCAT and I really do enjoy teaching. Thanks for all your input! I think I'll do TAing.

 

[deleted577188]

I do have a lot of free time this coming semester. I think TAing can also in a way help me review and reinforce some info for the MCAT and I really do enjoy teaching. Thanks for all your input! I think I'll do TAing.

Good luck!

 

[Benito25]

I'm going to TA next year. I chose this over tutoring because I personally don't think tutors should be paid, nor are they good enough to compensate them for the few hours they do put in tutoring. Tutoring seems way too superficial to me. Also, at my school you only need a B grade and prefessor recommendation to tutor any course you'd like. I got B's in a couple of class and still don't know ****. I know people who get B's without knowing much, become tutors solely for the money, and suck at it.

(I do realize that I'll be paid for TA'ing, but in my case I can't do either for free so I'd rather TA for money that tutor for money)

I do get paid as a tutor and I think I earn it. Also, I was required to have an A on the class and interview with the professor. Apparently, I got the job over other 3 applicants. So, there might be different requirements in different universities for tutors.

I do have a lot of free time this coming semester. I think TAing can also in a way help me review and reinforce some info for the MCAT and I really do enjoy teaching. Thanks for all your input! I think I'll do TAing.

If you have free time go for it! I'm sure that you will be payed better. I wish I did some tutoring before taking the MCAT, teaching is the best way to reinforce knowledge. Good luck with that MCAT!

 

[deleted577188]

I do get paid as a tutor and I think I earn it. Also, I was required to have an A on the class and interview with the professor. Apparently, I got the job over other 3 applicants. So, there might be different requirements in different universities for tutors.

Yeah I'm sure it's different everywhere! I go to a large university where I think much better could be chosen and the requirements should be stricter. That's just my opinion though.

 

[moisne]

Both are hard work. I did both and TA involves dealing with lots of people. Tutoring requires high skills and communication so the student will request you again. Do whichever you like or pays more