Max limit on taking research as credit

[418865]

Before I post my question/concern let me say: I apologize for boring you with yet another age-old topic of discussino on research class and whether it's filler and etc...

I'm a rising junior and I've already taken 9 research credit hours (1 semester as a sophomore) and then both summer sessions this past summer. I'm just about to start my own project (or rather part of a bigger project but still it feels amazing to get my own space and lead this short project on my own 😀) and wondering if I'm overdoing on taking this class too many times? I'll continue doing this research for the next two years (and most likely with a prestigious university grant during the summer)..so as you can tell my dilemma is: whether I should volunteer my time for this year (worrying that adcoms might think I'm taking it as a filler to boost up bcpm gpa) and then take it as credit for two more semesters in senior year?

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[macsta]

Before I post my question/concern let me say: I apologize for boring you with yet another age-old topic of discussino on research class and whether it's filler and etc...

Nope, unique questions are fine.

so as you can tell my dilemma is: whether I should volunteer my time for this year (worrying that adcoms might think I'm taking it as a filler to boost up bcpm gpa) and then take it as credit for two more semesters in senior year?

No, the credits you receive for researching is meant to reward you for the time you spend in the lab. Varsity athletes get credit for the time the practice, playing games, etc. This is just the nerdy version of that. Adcoms will not look down upon you. Most people have a lot of credits from bio research.

 

[418865]

really appreciate your comment...that's what I've seen being said repeatedly before too...but I was thinking whether i'm just overdoing it..since I kind of started early..so when adcoms will see my transcript and application..they'll see that I've accumulated 15-18 credit hours (a semester worth of classes! haha) solely from a class "Chem 4**) so you say that it'll be okay?

I was thinking of turning the research into paid work (federal work study) but then I figured I can sacrifice that small income in return for that sciGPA boost in return of the looooooong hours in the lab.

 

[macsta]

hey'll see that I've accumulated 15-18 credit hours (a semester worth of classes! haha) solely from a class "Chem 4**) so you say that it'll be okay?

15-18 credits over 2.5 years...not is really not a lot of credits. If your sGPA is high your senior year, then you can take that federal work study. Adcoms will still see the time you put into your research in your work/activities section and I'm sure you will get a juicy LOR from your PI.

 

[418865]

15-18 credits over 2.5 years...not is really not a lot of credits. If your sGPA is high your senior year, then you can take that federal work study. Adcoms will still see the time you put into your research in your work/activities section and I'm sure you will get a juicy LOR from your PI.

hmm gotcha..really appreciate your reply!

 

[chemistryguy]

Taking it for credit is porbably easier on your schedule. It might boost you GPA, but it shouldn't compensate for other science classes. I have a feeling there is some variability to the grades PI's give out for research credit (I know my PI gave out good grades to every undergrad doing research but almost never gave out an A).

 

[Narmerguy]

Definitely take it for credit. Some people even do research all four years of college. It's a significant time commitment like any class and though you're "retaking" it, you're never doing the same research in two semesters since your data is always changing.

I also think they're aware that most research credits are going to be A's so if they feel so inclined they can simply look at your other science classes to see if you're still doing well in them.