<p>Is it hard to get a TA position for a class you didn't take at UCSD because you got a 5 on the AP test? For those who are TAs did you write a really formal essay on why you wanted to be a TA or did you keep it brief?</p>
<p>As I understand it, lower division classes get hundreds of applications. I’ve also been told by a professor directly that your overall GPA makes a big difference. Some professors will outright snatch students with the highest GPAs, especially so if they have taken upper division classes and gotten A’s in them. Some will literally stalk your transcript and check your grades, and whether or not you took the class with them. Some will take only graduate students, while some will take as many unpaid 195 students as possible. It really depends. </p>
<p>Don’t know about the AP thing. I think getting a 5 on the AP test is not as highly looked upon as getting A’s in all three BILD 1-3 classes…reason is, the lower division bild classes are quite hard and the AP test really doesn’t do justice to them, in my opinion. BILD1-3 was much harder than all but one of my UD bio classes so far.</p>
<p>Don’t remember what I wrote for the first time I applied. I remember that for this cycle, since I know I’ll be picked, I literally wrote something like “I love to TA” as my “essay”…but I don’t recommend this since I know which professor will select me and he could really care less what I put down.</p>
<p>it’s way easier to TA for chemistry (ie, there aren’t hundreds of applications). the workload’s also easier on you.</p>
<p>how is the workload easier for chem…i heard TA-ing for bio is easier</p>
<p>very well then, how do you think that TAing for bio is easier? </p>
<p>Getting the answer
- chemistry: there is one. and there’s usually only one way to get to it.
- bio: draw lots of diagrams and pathways and memorize a lot of useless fluff</p>
<p>Math
- chemistry: operates on algebra 1. everything balances, everyone’s happy
- bio: easier in the calculation sense, but not in the intuitive sense</p>
<p>Spoiled students
- chem: solve the problems for them, they’re happy
- bio: often too lazy to make their own outlines, so they love TAs who do this for them</p>
<p>Getting paid
- chem: for credit first quarter, guaranteed paid 2nd quarter and on. if you do multiple sections you get more (i took on a graduate student workload – three sections – in my senior year)
- bio: typically only the really really good TAs get hired back for pay. but if you say you’ll TA for credit, they’ll welcome you with open arms</p>
<p>Grading
- chem: there’s a numerical answer, structure, or given synthetic pathway
- bio: horrid essays to follow and dig through for something coherent, many students don’t have a clue what the answer is so instead they opt for “oh gosh let me spew EVERYTHING i have in my brain right now”</p>
<p>ok your turn now, i’m curious :)</p>
<p>astrina, are undergrads allowed to ta for upper div chem courses like p chem and o chem?</p>
<p>You could have easily left it at:</p>
<p>Time it takes to grade:
Chemistry Equations <<<<< Bio Essays / Diagrams</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>astrina, have you ta’ed for the bio dept?</p>
<p>memorize pathways and diagrams? i think that’s only metabolic biochem you’re talking about :P</p>
<p>i don’t do much…my prof makes mc tests so there’s no grading involved. but that can’t be said for all bio professors. some chem classes have quizzes in discussion or homework due in discussion (i.e. johnson, in particular) so i’d find it rather annoying to make quizzes and grade them. :\ i hate regrade requests.</p>
<p>and well, your goal is to be a really good TA so i don’t see how that’s a problem in getting rehired, although it may be harder if you got good (but not excellent) ratings. i don’t know why you would strive for anything less. not enough paid positions? if the prof loves you, he/she will keep hiring you back…they have ways. :)</p>
<p>-a content bio TA. and bio (formerly chem) major.</p>
<p>nope, never TAed for bio. just hate bio classes and premeds, that’s all. :)</p>
<p>i still think chem requires significantly less preparation and hand-holding, so you’re actually spending more of your time on teaching. my take on any biology class is that you’ll eventually get the material as long as you study long enough (ie, memorize your way through), so it’s not really fulfilling as a TA to spend your time coddling students.</p>
<p>and it’s true that different professors have different requirements for their TAs, but i’ll bet that no bio professor could beat what i did for crowell’s chem 6b class – hold section once a week (1h), helproom once a week (2h), nothing else. all exams were MC and in-class, no grading required. after the first time, i stopped preparing and just went into section and winged it all. w00t laziness!</p>
<p>glad you found what you liked, though. school is infinitely more satisfying when you’re doing something you deem worthwhile.</p>