Is it worth it to not graduate early so that I can raise my gpa?

[didyouknow96]

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Hi! So I am looking to apply to clinical and developmental psychology programs at some point. I currently have a 3.73 GPA. It would be higher but three people close to me passed away during my first two years, and my friend developed cancer last year. It was a rough time. Last semester I had 3.95 and am hoping to continue to do this well. Given how competitive clinical psych programs are, it seems worth it to stay an extra semester so that I can raise my GPA. (I have enough credits to graduate in December, making my undergrad career 3.5 years).


However, a lab at my university is hiring a full time lab manager to begin on January 22nd. This lab's research is extremely relevant to my interests and ultimate career goals (development of psychopathology in young children). I would still be working on my thesis during this time, but I don't think that would be an issue. If I do very well for the next two semesters, I could have a 3.8 GPA upon graduation. Is it worth it? Being able to start as a lab manager in January would be great though, I would probably get a poster or publication in by September and be able to apply to grad school in 2019. Thoughts?

 

[WisNeuro]

The .07 raise is really nothing that will move the needle in an admissions context. I wouldn't worry about that and make your decisions about what you do based more on other ways to boost your application, including research involvement and getting good GRE scores.

 

[Justanothergrad]

No one cares about that small of a change in your GPA. You're fine there. Being part of a lab with a potential for well-fitted exposure is valuable, however, and worth consideration if you are unsure about your competitiveness across other application markers (e.g., GRE, research, LOR).

 

[Sanman]

Agreed, gpa is more a pass or fail criteria. Your grades are currently good enough to show that you can handle the work in a grad program. Other factors will be weighed more carefully after that. Get the research experience and save the money.