RA vs. TA

[Sassytune]

I could not find any discussion on this topic in the five pages I checked. Apologies if it has been re-hashed before.

All things being equal between two schools, which is a better option - RA or TA? I know that being a TA will help in lecturing later etc. Is it possible to get that experience elsewhere? How does one swing it? I am in the Sciences, btw. I know being an RA will give more time for my own research but by not choosing TA am I losing something that I cannot potentially rectify?

[DariaIRL]

Have you tried asking the program(s) if it's possible to switch between the two types of funding? While my offer letter said I'd be on RA, I've been able to TA too.

[gsams]

Many places don't allow you to TA in the first semester, so you get assigned to RA'ships. Ask when the availability of TA'ships will be. My program allows for both whenever the student feels it is time to switch off. As good projects come along, professors may ask me to get involved (I will be teaching currently), so I will switch to TA'ships.

[BlueSwedeShoes]

I got two offers with TA and one with RA. I consider the RA position to be a better one, but that's a personal preference for me (I'm a foreigner and would like to take a year or so of american education first before I TA...also, I love research).

Incidentally I ended up accepting the offer with an RA-ship, but it wasn't the deciding factor. And I know I'll TA in at least a semester before I finish, so...

[ScreamingHairyArmadillo]

Many places don't allow you to TA in the first semester, so you get assigned to RA'ships. Ask when the availability of TA'ships will be. My program allows for both whenever the student feels it is time to switch off. As good projects come along, professors may ask me to get involved (I will be teaching currently), so I will switch to TA'ships.

However, it's not uncommon in the sciences to TA the first year; I would've at OSU if I hadn't gotten fellowships.

From my understanding, in the sciences it's best to do both. At most of the schools I applied to it's even a requirement to TA for a term because they want you to get a taste of teaching. But RAs are also good when you need to focus on research. That being said, RAs aren't always for you to work on your project - you might be assigned a project that isn't really your focus.

Is your funding package laid out for the next few years? I know your money often comes from different sources at different times. Sometimes a TA, sometimes an RA, sometimes a fellowship...it just depends.

I'll be getting both and don't really see any problems with having a mix.

[so47]

Many places don't allow you to TA in the first semester, so you get assigned to RA'ships. Ask when the availability of TA'ships will be. My program allows for both whenever the student feels it is time to switch off. As good projects come along, professors may ask me to get involved (I will be teaching currently), so I will switch to TA'ships.

That is not true with the sciences. Most chemistry PhD programs actually require you to teach the first 1-2 years, and I am pretty certain that it typical of other sciences as well. The schools I talked to said that they don't typically give out RA's for the first year because they want to give you time to get acclimated, talk to faculty, and have at least the entire first semester before you join a group.

As far as overall advice for the OP, can you TA your first year, then RA the rest of the time? I personally think that is the best set up. Then you get the teaching experience in the beginning before you are fully invested in a research project, but you still have an RA for 4 solid years which will definitely help you make good progress on your thesis.

[ZeratulsAvenger]

For me (PhD, Eng), at one school I was offered a TA to begin with by the school, but was eventually offered a RA by a professor which would end up paying more. I would still need to do a TA, but I could do it later. Otherwise, I had a TA offer for one to begin with, and a third that would be a RA to begin with. Just varies by school I think, but I like the RA first since it seems to be for more money and it lets you hit the ground running.

[gsams]

I don't know about the sciences. I am poli sci. Many places let you hang out the first year doing some sort of RA ship. Many others let you do intro classes and that is good for you. Others throw you to the wolves teaching far more than you know.