<p>I read in the current Princeton Review guide that 'pct of classes taught by TAs = 2' at NU. Also saw in another quidebook that it was zero pct. </p>
<p>Is this true?</p>
<p>PR is terrible and arbitrary. But looks like it might get this one right. I had only two clases taught by TAs and both were summer courses. TAs usually just lead discussion/lab sections, grade problem sets, and/or have office hours to help you. NU also doesn’t use many “adjunct professors” (a.ka.a industry people who may not even have PhDs and aren’t usually on campus) like some other schools (e.g. G’town/GWU/USC).</p>
<p>The VAST majority of the actual lectures are done by the professors. As Sam Lee said, the TAs lead the discussion sections, lead the labs, and grade homework and tests, and TAs as well as professors have office hours.</p>
<p>In general, I’ve been very impressed with the TAs here. I’ve heard stories from other colleges about TAs who barely speak English and aren’t very helpful, but in my experience here, the TAs have all been helpful, quick to respond to e-mails, knowledgeable, etc. But as I said, they don’t really “teach” the course material - the professors do that.</p>
<p>thanks for the info.</p>
<p>I have a freshman at NU who reports very favorably about profs and access, too.</p>
<p>Grad Students will sometimes teach freshman seminars, but that’s VERY rare and they’re usually ABD.</p>
<p>I’ve never heard of anyone in 3 years of having a TA teach most of the class like I’ve heard is the case at some of my friends universities. Not once.</p>
<p>…abd?</p>
<p>all but dissertation.</p>