Imaginary Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 What are the pros and cons of accepting and declining a teaching assistantship in the first semester (as a new PhD student)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ComeBackZinc Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 You mean accepting a program but declining a teaching assistantship? Unless you're doing so because you have a fellowship, that sounds like a very bad idea to me. Even if you're independently wealthy enough to pay tuition. Being a TA is often an essential part of being part of a PhD program and is very important for professionalization, especially in a context where more and more PhDs are taking jobs at teaching colleges, community colleges, and high school or alternative education. ssynny and Dr. Old Bill 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imaginary Posted July 11, 2014 Author Share Posted July 11, 2014 Thanks; though that's a great point, I am aware of the need to gain teaching experience at the college level. Actually, though I have a fellowship, there are so many costs associated with my move that I have decided to accept the offer. It is only that I wondered how other people handle the stresses of being in a new place, starting a new program, etc. plus teaching. For me, declining the assistantship for one term could have been one possible way of handling it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
komodoredragon Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 I'm starting a phd program this fall myself, so I don't have firsthand experience... however, friends have told me that if you can afford it financially, it is a very good idea not to TA your first semester. Just too much going on with moves and the stresses of a new program. Obviously plenty of people TA from the get-go and survive, so I think it depends on your situation. But I doubt it will be held against you that you didn't TA one semester, especially if the program itself offers this as an alternative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ComeBackZinc Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Have you confirmed that you can just decline an assistantship for one semester and still keep the line? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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