<p>I see this TA issue pop up here a lot and it usually takes the same form: Someone asks about TAs at Big U, defender of Big U asserts that “all classes are taught by profs,” critic points out that reading old lecture notes in front of 300 students is not “teaching,” defenders of Big U finally ask “what do you have against TAs?” and even claim that they may be better than profs after all.</p>
<p>In theory this board exists for the benefit of students - I think that we could all agree that being best-informed is best for any prospective student. Johnny and Jill do need to be fully aware that at many research U’s, many of their courses will be in very large lecture halls. They may have little if any contact time with actual professors, and it is unlikely that professors will ever get to know them or even recognize their names. Graduate students, often with little or no experience, will lead their discussion sections and grade their work. </p>
<p>Big Research U must not think that the above is ideal, because it is never emphasized in their promotional material or stressed during campus tours.</p>