Value of being a TA?

[mitch8017]

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How worthwhile is being a TA, especially as it relates to med school admissions? I already have 19 credits for the next semester but have the opportunity to TA at 8am MWF (start at 9:00am otherwise) and I am wondering if it is worth my time or if it doesn't carry much weight with adcoms?

 

[Catalystik]

How worthwhile is being a TA, especially as it relates to med school admissions? I already have 19 credits for the next semester but have the opportunity to TA at 8am MWF (start at 9:00am otherwise) and I am wondering if it is worth my time or if it doesn't carry much weight with adcoms?

It would depend on your role. If you are teaching a class or leading study sessions, the experience adds benefit to your application, as it's a demonstration that you have the capability to impart information in a way that can be understood (which is important when communicating with patients).

If, OTOH, you are solely grading papers and otherwise acting as an aide to a faculty member, it would be less worthwhile as an EC (but could still result in a solid LOR). JMO.

 

[mitch8017]

It would depend on your role. If you are teaching a class or leading study sessions, the experience adds benefit to your application, as it's a demonstration that you have the capability to impart information in a way that can be understood (which is important when communicating with patients).

If, OTOH, you are solely grading papers and otherwise acting as an aide to a faculty member, it would be less worthwhile as an EC (but could still result in a solid LOR). JMO.

That leads to another question. I have never actually taken a course with this professor so I question whether or not I could actually use them as a science LOR?

 

[Catalystik]

That leads to another question. I have never actually taken a course with this professor so I question whether or not I could actually use them as a science LOR?

It wouldn't count as a "science faculty who has taught you" LOR, but could still be used for an employment LOR, which, granted, is not a standard requirement.

 

[sanfran256]

I say do it. I was a TA for 1.5 years in college and taught a 1 hour review session for the lecture course every week, and then as a lab TA i was the primary instructor.

I think it was one of the most meaningful experiences I had in college. It is FUN and you develop great communication skills! You'll find it is one thing to understand concepts, but to explain concepts in a way that makes sense to students is much more difficult.
Also, if you are shy like me it is great way to develop public speaking skills (I had to teach review sessions to 200 students )

 

[JustAPhD]

I say do it. I was a TA for 1.5 years in college and taught a 1 hour review session for the lecture course every week, and then as a lab TA i was the primary instructor.

I think it was one of the most meaningful experiences I had in college. It is FUN and you develop great communication skills! You'll find it is one thing to understand concepts, but to explain concepts in a way that makes sense to students is much more difficult.
Also, if you are shy like me it is great way to develop public speaking skills (I had to teach review sessions to 200 students )

Agreed, I've always thought that you don't truly know something until you can teach it accurately and succinctly to a student.

OP, if you have the time and it won't distract you from your studies I say go for it (providing you're not just grading papers). TA'ing is something you either hate or love, but it's a great experience regardless.

 

[Catalystik]

I am wondering if it is worth my time . . .

OP, if you have the time and it won't distract you from your studies I say go for it

mitch8017, considering you're already taking a 19 credit load, if you have to study up on the TA course material in addition, you might be shooting yourself in the foot considering keeping your GPA high should be your primary focus. ECs can always come later.

 

[JustAPhD]

mitch8017, considering you're already taking a 19 credit load, if you have to study up on the TA course material in addition, you might be shooting yourself in the foot considering keeping your GPA high should be your primary focus. ECs can always come later.

Agreed. Protect your GPA first and foremost.

 

[Goro]

My Adcom never considers it to be a factor. Do it because you want to do it, or if it pays some bills. Teaching experience is always good.

How worthwhile is being a TA, especially as it relates to med school admissions? I already have 19 credits for the next semester but have the opportunity to TA at 8am MWF (start at 9:00am otherwise) and I am wondering if it is worth my time or if it doesn't carry much weight with adcoms?

 

[frosted2]

I gained so much from being a TA! I became so much more comfortable speaking in front of audiences, better at explaining difficult concepts, etc. I wouldn't trade my experience as a TA for anything!

 

[mitch8017]

My Adcom never considers it to be a factor. Do it because you want to do it, or if it pays some bills. Teaching experience is always good.

So you are saying adcoms don't care much about the TA thing? I am not overly concerned with the credit load because it is an overview organic chemistry class for nursing students. I always did well in orgo and its a 100 level course vs the 300 level one I took so I don't anticipate issue with the material.

 

[mitch8017]

I gained so much from being a TA! I became so much more comfortable speaking in front of audiences, better at explaining difficult concepts, etc. I wouldn't trade my experience as a TA for anything!

Love the profile picture btw haha

 

[Goro]

I don't take it into account. I've never once heard my colleagues say "he was a TA, he did this, he did that...." when listing off positives for a candidate.

So you are saying adcoms don't care much about the TA thing? I am not overly concerned with the credit load because it is an overview organic chemistry class for nursing students. I always did well in orgo and its a 100 level course vs the 300 level one I took so I don't anticipate issue with the material.

 

[LizzyM]

Schools that put a lot of emphasis on small group learning are going to value teaching experience including TA and tutor because you are going to be doing this sort of thing with your classmates. If you feel that you can handle it along with your course load, all the better!

 

[Toutie]

So you are saying adcoms don't care much about the TA thing? I am not overly concerned with the credit load because it is an overview organic chemistry class for nursing students. I always did well in orgo and its a 100 level course vs the 300 level one I took so I don't anticipate issue with the material.

He's saying adcoms at his school aren't impressed by it. Mileage may vary at other schools. Just like the missions abroad...some adcoms are impressed by it, some are not.

Point is...if it's something you would enjoy doing and would get something out of, then do it. DON'T do it only to make your application look better.

 

[bananafish94]

I can't comment on how it looks to admissions, but as a former TA of two classes I can say it was a wonderful experience that I highly recommend. It greatly improves your communication, public speaking, and listening skills (which I consider to be admirable qualities in a physician). It also paid my rent and put food on the table. I still keep in touch with a lot of my students today. It's a time commitment but well worth it in my opinion.

 

[desiredmembername123]

He's saying adcoms at his school aren't impressed by it. Mileage may vary at other schools. Just like the missions abroad...some adcoms are impressed by it, some are not.

Point is...if it's something you would enjoy doing and would get something out of, then do it. DON'T do it only to make your application look better.

I'm finding it hard to imagine schools not valuing being a TA. It is a lot of work being a TA, I have to teach to students, run study sessions and review sessions. Even occasionally teach class. I get paid so it is basically a job.

I am not saying being a TA means your jesus, but come on it should at least be on par with any other EC.

 

[BB Cream]

Will you be getting paid 😉? I would say go for it! I have been a TA/peer tutor for general chemistry courses for almost a year and I really appreciate the experience. As a shyer person, being a tutor made me more comfortable having "small talk" with students and gave me the opportunity to really understand the concepts I was teaching and connect with the faculty running the classes. As an upperclassmen you would be a great role model for the students you are helping. As long as you aren't saddled with too many extra responsibilities, considering you're taking 19 credits, I would give it a try. Something I've learned is that it's OK to say no to student requests if you have a lot going on with your own courses. But if you only have to commit to 3 hours a week, you should be fine.

 

[pstrick]

Being a TA landed me an excellent student job in a research lab.
Ended up with a great LOR from the PI.

You don't know how something's going to help you unless you go for it.

 

[alpha-GTP]

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