This application will be used to determine who will be interviewed. If your application advances, the instructor or UPBM office will set up a time to interview you.

Responsibilities
Depending on the course, TAs will be responsible for leading recitations/labs/workshops, attending lectures, running review sessions, grading, and meeting individually with students to provide help. Please check with the instructor for specific responsibilities.

Application Tips
Any student is eligible to be a TA.

To apply, you do not need to have prior experience TAing, but it is helpful if you have some prior experience helping others in a formal or informal educational setting (e.g., high school or undergraduate tutoring or working in study groups with fellow students).

Also consider what specific characteristics or other skills (e.g., public speaking experience, organization skills) you might bring to this position that could be relevant. A clear rationale for wanting to be a TA strengthens your application. When writing your rationale, think about the course in terms of what you thought was successful and what might be done more effectively.

Scheduling
Please note that being a TA is a sizable time commitment. Students often prefer to correspond with their undergraduate TAs instead of their instructors, so be sure that this responsibility fits into your schedule. Time management is key to a successful experience.

Please be aware that extremely limited availability may result in your offer being rescinded if your schedule is incompatible with the TA assignments we need to cover. 

FAQ:

Q: Can I apply/work for more than one TA position?

A: Yes! Just be sure to submit one application per position you are applying to--this helps us sort them to send to the right instructor.

Q: I've submitted my application--when can I expect to hear back?

A: Once the application window closes, we will send all applications to the appropriate faculty member(s). Depending on how many applicants there are, response time may vary. Large enrollment courses, such as BIOL 110L and 198, require some additional time. Please be patient when reaching out to the appropriate instructor for updates. We hope to have decisions made by the start of finals week!

Q: My schedule for next semester is still being decided. How should I fill out my availability for the application?

A: We understand that student schedules may change as we approach the start of the semester. Please fill out times that you think you will be available for, and be sure to communicate availability changes to both the instructor and Emily Collins (ecolli19@ur.rochester.edu) as you become aware of them. Be realistic with your availability in your application. While we will try to work around your schedule as much as possible, please remember that certain times (such as TA meetings with instructors, etc) must be committed to if you accept the position.

 

Reminder: If you are applying to TA for more than one instructor/course, please fill out an additional application. We apologize for the inconvenience, but this helps us sort the apps for each instructor!

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Below, please indicate your availability for the course you are applying for (this will populate when you've selected your course). For most courses, there are more than one section scheduled at each time, so we appreciate as much availability as you are able to offer!

Some courses have only one recitation/lab time (e.g. BIOL 214, 219L & 257L), or only a lecture meeting time (e.g. BIOL 226)--for these courses, please check the meeting time in UR Student/Workday to be sure you will be available during that time, and indicate any additional comments in the box below.

Many instructors will also have a weekly TA meeting time that you will be asked to attend. Please ask the instructor about this time during your interview.

Please remember that very limited availability may affect your application.