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In my school & department it is not even A, as we don't usually have labs or whatever a TA would actually be teaching. So generally, a TA gives occasional guest lectures to the entire class, but mostly meets with students one on one and grades papers/exams.
Students can also apply for and have the option of doing B, but we call those teaching associates (as opposed to assistants).
I've known a few people who've negotiated an extra year or two or onto a fellowship from a TA. Just be honest and tell them your reservations and why you are considering another school.
I would talk to current students at the program, especially foreign students. I believe my school offers people two or three years only, but has been able to cover everyone at least four years; however, there are large budget cuts at most state schools, so you never know.
I'm not at USC, but I know at my school admitted students (at least first round) find out first...sometimes a month or more before rejection notices go out.
Wow, I'm really surprised any school would tell you that GREs prevented admission (unless they were so low as to be below the cutoff). I'm sorry it didn't work out. Good luck with your other apps!
Congrats! I remember when I applied things started really happening after the first of the year I had one early one too though, and it was such a nice holiday gift!
Thank you BlueRose for sharing those. What do you think about the prereading quantitative formulas? Since they are not considering GRE score this year, what do you think will happen to that? I have to admit, I'm pretty disappointed, as I had a really good GRE for my field, but graduated (almost 15 years ago!) from a second-rate undergrad school w/a fairly mediocre GPA. My worry is that I won't make it past this round.
I'm in the waiting game as well. Applied under STEM Ed., Math. Waiting to do all my refreshing until late March...maybe there will be another glitch/slip-up this year and things will come early