What are assistantships and how to apply for RA and TA in US Universities?


This article will help you provide all relevant information regarding the types of assistantship offered in the US Universities. The most common assistantships are the Teaching Assistantships (TA), Research Assistantships (RA) and Graduate Assistantships (GA). The following article will provide all the details about these assistantships and how to apply for them.

What are assistantships in US Universities and what is the difference between assistantships and scholarships?
Assistantships are basically on campus employment for students who are providing some service to the University functioning. Scholarships on the other hand are fee waivers offered to students without any student service. Scholarships are usually awarded to students during their application process itself. Assistantships may be awarded during applications or after 1 or 2 semesters. Scholarships available for international students are very less at US Universities compared to the scholarships given to the US citizens. For more about scholarships for international students at US Universities, visit the following article: What scholarships are available for Indian studentsfor higher education in US Universities?

What is an RA (Research Assistant) at US Universities?
RA is short for Research Assistant to a Professor. Every University in US has experienced Professors working for some or the other project. The grants are provided by the University funds which are in turn sponsored by the government of USA or other private agencies. Each Professor requires assistants who can help out in the research work and generally these assistants are students preferably graduate students. The duties of the research assistants in US Universities generally includes performing experiments, simulations, setting up labs, setting up experiments, writing research papers and writing programming codes. Most professors in US look for a dedicated and eager student who wishes to work long hours and give the desired results to the Professor.

How to apply for an RA at US Universities?
You can apply for research assistantship during your application itself. Some RA positions are available after your 1st semester of education and you can then apply for an RA position at your respected field of education. The general guidelines to be followed for obtaining an RA are as follows:
  1. Study the profiles of the professors at the University very carefully and shortlist the professors who are working in the fields that interest you.
  2. Study about the professor and the research area that he/she is currently working on in depth.
  3. Schedule an appointment with the professor to discuss about possible opportunity to work on the particular research area.
  4. Explain in detail your experience and all relevant work you have performed in this area.
  5. The professor will make a decision regarding your employment as a research assistantship and the compensation provided.


What is a TA (Teaching Assistant) at US Universities?
TA is short for Teaching Assistant to a Professor. Every University in US has a number of experienced Professors working for some or the other project. Each Professor requires assistants who can help out in the teaching course work duties of the professors and generally these assistants are students preferably graduate students. The duties of the teaching assistants in US Universities generally includes assisting students, checking assignments, helping professor with daily activities and other similar responsibilities . Most professors in US look for a dedicated and eager student who wishes to work long hours and give the desired results to the Professor.

How to apply for a TA at US Universities?
You can apply for teaching assistantship during your application itself. Some TA positions are available after your 1st semester of education and you can then apply for a TA position at your respected field of education. The general guidelines to be followed for obtaining a TA are as follows:
  1. Study the profiles of the professors at the University very carefully and shortlist the professors who are currently working in your department.
  2. Study about the professor and the research area that he/she is currently working on in detail.
  3. Schedule an appointment with the professor to discuss about possible opportunity to work as a teaching assistant.
  4. Explain in detail your teaching experience, if any, and all relevant work you have performed in teaching.
  5. The professor will make a decision regarding your employment as a teaching assistantship and the compensation provided.
What is an GA (Graduate Assistant) at US Universities and how to apply for this assistant-ship
GA or Graduate Assistant is same as Research Assistant or RA, but only for graduate students. The duties of a GA are same as that of an RA. The process of applying for a GA at US Universities is also same as that to apply for an RA. Refer the above details for an RA assistant-ship.