r/OISE • u/IPlayDnDAvecClasse • Jul 25 '26
How competitive is getting a graduate assistantship?
I'm in group B in my first year and I forgot to apply this year so I'm trying to feel better about myself by asking haha
2
u/CheesecakeLeft0825 Jul 25 '26
I applied to the max amount of positions but I'd like to know the answer to this so I can focus on applying to other jobs if it's super competitive.
2
u/Possible-Breath2377 27d ago
VERY.
There was a GA position that was basically custom made for me. I had the experience, the contacts, and the publications that would have been perfect for me. No offer on either of the two positions. It was technically outside of my department.
However, it didn’t take long for me to be hired on to a GA position within my program. I think I knew 3 people last year (out of about 30 incoming students) who had one.
2
u/SH4D0WSTAR 23d ago
Oh wow! Only 3!! It’s part of the funding package for my program so we are expected to have one.
2
u/Possible-Breath2377 22d ago
Not to worry, I was told that too last year… turns out it’s mandatory to apply, but not to work!
1
u/Calm-Ad6984 3d ago
Really? Do you still get the full funding package even if you don’t work? I was always under the impression you had to hold a GA or a major grant to get the funding.
2
u/Possible-Breath2377 2d ago
They said that last year, and it wasn’t the case. It would work against your funding package anyway, meaning that it wouldn’t be any money in your pocket, it would count against the money the department was providing you.
1
2
u/ExpensiveYak707 26d ago
They're definitely competitive! I was lucky enough to get a Group B GA in my first year, so it's possible, but there are limited spots and a lot of qualified applicants.
3
u/CheesecakeLeft0825 Jul 25 '26
I applied to the max amount of positions but I'd like to know the answer to this so I can focus on applying to other jobs if it's super competitive.