Quick question on course load, Research vs Biochem class

[Shingo123]

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Hey guys, I have completed a large portion of my prereqs at a community college with a good GPA, 3.9. I am planning to apply next year.

However I have taken some light course loads, my largest being 15 credits.

Now that I am transferring to a 4 year university it is very important for me to show that I can handle a large course load and get good grades.

So far I am registered for 4 classes(13 credits): Honors Human Physio, Molecular Bio, Physics and a Film class.

Now I am trying to decide what would be best to do for an additional 3 credits.

Research: This would count for 3 credits

Or

Biochem: This class will be available next semester as well, so there is no hurry.


With the research I feel that I would add another dimension to my resume, but with the Biochem I feel confident that I could manage a 4.0 with a rather impressive course load.

Which one would be the best course of action?

 

[levesque2177]

personally i would do the research simply because at my university, doing more than two science courses a semester is too much stress to handle. but it seems like each course at your school is less than 4 credit units? so maybe theyre shorter (i.e. not as in depth and intensive) so four science classes might work out for you. the thing for you is because you have such a high gpa, any slight mistake you make is going to lower it and even though going lower than a 3.9 is still a pretty good gpa, any slip is painful. long story short, ive made the same mistake of being overambitious one semester and took on three sciences plus two nonsciences (20 units). i thought it would be a good chance to show dental schools that i could take on a heavy course load and still do well. but i ended up dropping one science (got a W) because i was getting next to no sleep pretty much every night trying to keep up with all my classes and still doing poorly. and also i ended up not doing too well in the remaining two science courses because my mind was so dispersed and unfocused among the five classes. again, your situation might be different depending on the intensity of your classes. the safe way would be the four classes + research. but if youre willing to risk a couple points of your gpa and see if you can handle it, youre gpa is high enough that giving it a try wont be too big a risk.

 

[Shingo123]

Wow, thanks for the in depth reply.

You may be right. The thing about my courses is that they don't have a lab section with them except for the Physiology.

I think I could get a 4.0 without losing my mind, I just don't know if doing that would be better than the research.

🙂

 

[DrReo]

Research will be time intensive. 3 credits typically is about 9-12 hours of research per week, since they treat it as a lab. Depending on the professor, they might be more lenient with lab time if you have a heavy weak of exams.

 

[levesque2177]

Wow, thanks for the in depth reply.

You may be right. The thing about my courses is that they don't have a lab section with them except for the Physiology.

I think I could get a 4.0 without losing my mind, I just don't know if doing that would be better than the research.

🙂

is the physics course the prereq general physics? bc you need lab for that for it to count for dental school admissions just FYI.

 

[DrReo]

is the physics course the prereq general physics? bc you need lab for that for it to count for dental school admissions just FYI.

Physiology, not physics.

 

[Shingo123]

is the physics course the prereq general physics? bc you need lab for that for it to count for dental school admissions just FYI.

Actually, the school that I am applying to only needs 6 credits of physics.

Thanks for the tip though.🙂

I think I may look into taking the physics lab, but as of right now I am only applying to 1 school 😱

 

[marilynsmiles]

Actually, the school that I am applying to only needs 6 credits of physics.

Thanks for the tip though.🙂

I think I may look into taking the physics lab, but as of right now I am only applying to 1 school 😱

I'd go for the research. Having some research experience is great for the AADSAS.

 

[Shingo123]

I'd go for the research. Having some research experience is great for the AADSAS.

That what I am thinking. I will be able to take the Biochem next semester anyway.

Just as long as the ADCOMS realize that research is a very time consuming thing, and I don't see why they wouldn't.

 

[DrReo]

That what I am thinking. I will be able to take the Biochem next semester anyway.

Just as long as the ADCOMS realize that research is a very time consuming thing, and I don't see why they wouldn't.

Because research is what you put into it. Also, try doing research over a period of time. You may get lucky and be able to present at a your institution or a local conference.