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What is the difference between an RA and a TA in graduate school?
#gradschool #graduate-school #research-assistant #teaching-assistant
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Robert’s Answer
A RA or referred to as GRA is a graduate research assistantship that basis your funding with a concentration of research. GRA are expected to produce research and are not expected to teach. TA or a GTA is a graduate teaching assistantship that emphasizes helping to teach a class or classes, sometimes labs. GTA’s funds can also be used to support you doing research by allowing you to attend school there, but it is more different to do research, take class, and help teach a class. Also, GRA’s usually pay more than GTA’s. GTA’s pay the minimum required stipend. GTA’s also tend to require outside of the classroom preparation.
Nashra Siddiqui
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Nashra’s Answer
Hey Olivia,
It's a great question and I am hoping you wish to be either of RA and TA at your grad school :) So, here you go with my answer and I hope I will be able to answer you as I am also pursuing my master's from Queen's University.
RA: It stands for Research Assistant. In simple words, an RA assists professors to carry out research. As RA, you are required to work on some professor’s project (typically 20 hours a week) work as in the experiment, analyze, cross-check observations, make observations, write program codes, also help by co-authoring papers, etc. RAs get paid from a prof’s project, so that amount is stretchable according to the prof’s whim. Usually, it is more and has better perks than a TA’s.
TA: It stands for Teaching Assistant. aIn simple words, a TA assists professors to teach a course. As TA, your work description will be like taking quizzes, checking answer sheets, invigilating tests, helping undergrads in their studies, etc. TAs are not paid by any professor; they are funded by the institute, it is fixed and non-negotiable.
In order to become a TA or RA, you should have scored very good grades in the similar courses for which you are going to be a TA or RA. Both of these positions are very impressive for building your resume and getting recognition at school. Besides, it will give you a lot of relief from the tuition fees as well. So, if you are planning to be the one go ahead and grab the opportunity and yes one more thing, you can be a TA or RA of any subject you want to be, it's just that you should have met the qualifying grades.
I hope I am able to answer your question satisfactorily. Good Luck!
Connect with your professors or Program manager for applying to TA and RA
Check your school's website to find out application deadlines
It's a great question and I am hoping you wish to be either of RA and TA at your grad school :) So, here you go with my answer and I hope I will be able to answer you as I am also pursuing my master's from Queen's University.
RA: It stands for Research Assistant. In simple words, an RA assists professors to carry out research. As RA, you are required to work on some professor’s project (typically 20 hours a week) work as in the experiment, analyze, cross-check observations, make observations, write program codes, also help by co-authoring papers, etc. RAs get paid from a prof’s project, so that amount is stretchable according to the prof’s whim. Usually, it is more and has better perks than a TA’s.
TA: It stands for Teaching Assistant. aIn simple words, a TA assists professors to teach a course. As TA, your work description will be like taking quizzes, checking answer sheets, invigilating tests, helping undergrads in their studies, etc. TAs are not paid by any professor; they are funded by the institute, it is fixed and non-negotiable.
In order to become a TA or RA, you should have scored very good grades in the similar courses for which you are going to be a TA or RA. Both of these positions are very impressive for building your resume and getting recognition at school. Besides, it will give you a lot of relief from the tuition fees as well. So, if you are planning to be the one go ahead and grab the opportunity and yes one more thing, you can be a TA or RA of any subject you want to be, it's just that you should have met the qualifying grades.
I hope I am able to answer your question satisfactorily. Good Luck!
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Carolyn’s Answer
Depending upon the system (and department) at a university, a TA teaches, and an RA does research. TAs (or Graduate Teaching Assistants) may be given their own classes to teach plus weekly sessions with mentors to help guide TAs through the curriculum and toward the course goals. In some departments, the TAs assist in teaching, including the running of discussion groups or providing Q&A sessions for small groups of students on behalf of professors who give lectures to large classes.
RAs may do research in a number of ways. One common slot is to work for one specific professor and rely on his/her guidance to research topics in archives, online, or in labs. Other RA assignments exist in offices on campus where activities other then direct teaching occurs. For instance, there may be opportunities in computer centers or multi-media centers or human services offices or teaching/learning centers.
Remuneration varies. In some schools, being a TA or RA reduces tuition fees.
Some great benefits of these appointments are the camaraderie that is possible, the contact with mentors, and other relationships that develop. These assignments can be a great source for recommendation letters or a way to learn more about next academic or professional steps.
RAs may do research in a number of ways. One common slot is to work for one specific professor and rely on his/her guidance to research topics in archives, online, or in labs. Other RA assignments exist in offices on campus where activities other then direct teaching occurs. For instance, there may be opportunities in computer centers or multi-media centers or human services offices or teaching/learning centers.
Remuneration varies. In some schools, being a TA or RA reduces tuition fees.
Some great benefits of these appointments are the camaraderie that is possible, the contact with mentors, and other relationships that develop. These assignments can be a great source for recommendation letters or a way to learn more about next academic or professional steps.