Working as an Undergrad Bio TA?

[osu2006]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Has any one done this and how has it looked on an application? I might have an opportunity to do this and (other than the financial gain) what will it look like?

Thanks!

 

[HollyJ]

Meh. I was an orgo TA and a bio tutor, and nobody seemed to care a whole lot. I'm sure that it's a good thing to do, but I don't think that it will make or break your application.

 

[Sweet Tea]

I was a Bio Lab TA, and it was fun. I didn't get paid, but I did get a pass/fail credit (woo hoo!). mostly i did it b/c it looked like fun. I had to go to the TA coordinator and get an application, then I spent 2 semester as a TA aide (basically learning how to be a TA) and then I got to TA after that. Good times. Some of my former students are M1s now.

 

[felipe5]

I definately think that being a Bio TA is a great experience, whether or not you get paid for it. Not only does it look good on your app, but it allows you to really learn the material well (they say that teaching is the best way to learn). It definately helped me out on the MCAT, and its safe to say that it only helped my application

 

[lessismoe]

I TA-ed the Genetics lab at UCD and got paid for it, and it was the easiest $1300/mo. ever!! It's actually interesting to experience the classroom from the perspective of the instructor too-- you really get to understand the stigma against "whiny" students, and you also get to understand the frustration that teachers go through when students don't make an effort. I say do it. Plus, if you are skilled with words, you can spin it quite well in your essays.

 

[kmturn]

Why don't you ask yourself whether you would enjoy TAing and what you might learn from it? This might be SLIGHTLY more important than how it will look on your application. I wonder what you'll use as motivation for doing things when you've got nothing left to apply for...😕

 

[fun8stuff]

I am a Gen Chem TA right now and it is awesome! As posted above, it is a very easy $5000/ semester, but it is also a great experience. I have really improved my communication and people skills. You really learn the struggles of working with and helping people. Just think about it, helping people "beat" a subject is a lot like helping people "beat" an illness. Before I TAd I was kind of shy to talk to strangers and help them out, but I can definately say that I am a more well rounded person because of the TA'ing I have done. Also as mentioned above it is a great help for the MCAT. I just took my first pre-studying diagnostic and I did not miss one question on the gen chem sections of the physical sciences! You really learn something well after doing over and over for 4 semesters (6 if you count high school).

 

[moops]

ejaculation

 

[DrWuStar]

i once saw a list of characteristics or experiences shared by most successful med school applicants. teaching experience was on there. i agree that TAing a bio class probably won't have a huge impact on your ap, but i think it will have some positive effect. especially if you enjoy it and can discuss how you enjoy explaining more complex science concepts in straighfoward ways and helping people understand them. cause good doctors are good at explaining science and disease to their patients without intimidating or confusing them. i was an undergrad TA for a few different bio and chem classes and really enjoyed it. also was paid well and enjoyed that too.

 

[TTSD]

Oh man, if my school had undergrad bio TA's I'd sign up in a jiffy (but all the TAs are grad students)!! Think about all those HOT freshmen!! Mmmmmm

 

[crazy250]

Why do you care if it'll look good? You need to look at other benefits other than impressing the adcoms. I've done some TAing and tutoring, but it's nothing anyone else cannot do. It's nothing special. You do it because you enjoy it, not because it'll look good. If jumping off a cliff with no protection looked good, would you do it? There are a million other things you could do to make you stand out more.

 

[jlee9531]

i was a ugsi for bio at berkeley....

i had some great fun and met some good kids....
even had my share of criers...(sad days...)

but its tough since you have to be on your game...but its good to know that you dont have to know everything and they respect that...

excellent teaching experience, people skills etc..., plus it hones your knowledge in the area....

evaluations were kinda scary....since i was never on the recieving end of them before....now i know what the teachers feel hehe.

 

[osu2006]

Thanks for all of the responses. I'm hoping to get it b/c it will be fun - but I think it will be advantageous when applying to med school.

Also, the money's not that bad - one class and it's $750/month.

 

[Rendar5]

I was a GChem Lab TA for 18 postbaccs (I know, scary. I was lucky and got all the good ones for that semester). It's nice because as a Lab TA I actually got to teach.

I don't think too many interviewers cared about that. But it was definitely a worthwhile experience (except for the grading. Curse the grading!!!!)

 

[Rendar5]

oh wait, I got a fantastic LoR from it!!!!!
My TA boss actually read to me what she wrote (a few months later when I ran into her and was discussing one of my students)

 

[SaltySqueegee]

Originally posted by moops
ejaculation

no

 

[SaltySqueegee]

I worked as a TA in a physiology lab for a year, during which time I got to teach a few labs and lectures... quite an experience... worked out well for some post-secondary experience.

 

[scooter31]

Anatomy TA, UCD. Tre cool. I havent applied yet, but the last couple of Res Asst positions that I've applied to, it has turned a couple of heads. If you can do it, I say go for it. Its a great way to learn (and learn it for good!). And hey, it goes a long way as far as your social scene- I got the occasional drink offer or introduction to the hot roommate/sorority sister when I was out and about... nothing to lose I say.

 

[Amy B]

It's fun. I was an Organic Chem Lab TA. The only crappy part of the job was having to help grade 102 Organic lecture exams that were 10 pages each.😱

I was the only undergrad, non-chem major TA. I felt honored that they asked me to do it. And of course the pay was helpful.

I will forever remember the first day I taught.....
September 11, 2001.

I really wanted to go home and hide from the world with my husband and kids, but I stuck it out and opened class with a moment of silence. I was really hard though.

Anyway, I would say if you have the time, then by all means do it. That is of course if you have a firm grasp on the material you will be teaching.

 

[Rendar5]

That was the day of my first Physical Chemistry Lab. They actually cancelled all of our classes that day (probably because we were a Manhattan school).

 

[superdevil]

TAing is pretty cool, and it is GREAT for a "learning experience."

i did one quarter's worth (for credit, no $$) and i can say one thing for sure....TA SCIENCE MAJORS!!!! i taught a non-science major micro lab and, let me tell you, teaching a room full of social work/theater/frisbee economics majors how to use a microscope is WAY harder than it sounds....