Research Predicament

[plzNOCarribbean]

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I have a ? regarding research since I am new to this; so to those of you have been in research labs for some time could provide me with insight it would be great.

I am graduating next semester, and I was highly encouraged by m TA and physiology prof to do research in the lab. The problem is, I WOULD get 3 hours of Upper Division credit, but i have to be in the lab for 12 each week. I tutor for 8 hrs each week (ochem), and I will be taking 13 hours without the research credit(molecular bio,neuro bio lect/lab, cell bio lab, and cancer biology)....I've taken a 19 & 18 hr semester before, and my GPA for both those was a 4.0 but what worries me is the MCAT that I have to take. I cancelled my original test during the summer because my verbal scores were too low.

I've always wanted to do physiology research bc it interests me, even if it is for one semester. I was offered to do ochem research last year and I declined, because I have no genuine interest. I was declined from a neuro lab bc they only took post docs so this may be my last chance to get at least some meaningful research experience that interests me before I am out of school. I was wondering, should I do the research or focus on the MCAT? will it look like i just did it just to put it as research experience right before the app cycle (i know thats what most of you are thinking) .Honestly though, I really like what the PI is studying, and I am hoping to join a lab in my gap year when I move back home and work. The lab at home works with NF tangles in alzheimers disease, so even 1 semester at my current school now could be beneficial not only as UD credit but relevant experience in getting into future labs if I am not fortunate enough to get accepted to med school. Should I do it? can it be managed ontop of my mcat prep?

Sorry, I know that was long. Really curious as to what you all think and how i should go about this. Thanks again for your help and insight.

 

[PremedGunner]

you have probably done enough tutoring so you can drop that, then budget your time to accommodate everything. youre graduating next semester and you still havent taken the mcat, so just push the mcat into your gap year.

 

[Richardh]

absolutely study hard and focus all your energy for the mcat!!! good luck 👍

 

[hiyaman]

My list of what is important during school years:

1. GPA
2. MCAT
3. EC's
4. Friends and family

Is it sad? Maybe, but that's the way it is. GPA your always working on and you might be pushing yourself if your taking a full load + research+ tutoring+studying for mcat.

MCAT is an important test, you wanna get as high as you can in one try.

EC's-> Unless you really want a taste of research, I would say to just not do it and focus on your mcat. But then again, I'm doing research and I've realized it's not quite my thing.

 

[plzNOCarribbean]

you have probably done enough tutoring so you can drop that, then budget your time to accommodate everything. youre graduating next semester and you still havent taken the mcat, so just push the mcat into your gap year.

Why would I push it to my gap year? Im graduating AND applying to med school next semester. I just wanted to have my degree and apply with my BS instead of doing the whole 3 year thing.

 

[plzNOCarribbean]

My list of what is important during school years:

1. GPA
2. MCAT
3. EC's
4. Friends and family

Is it sad? Maybe, but that's the way it is. GPA your always working on and you might be pushing yourself if your taking a full load + research+ tutoring+studying for mcat.

MCAT is an important test, you wanna get as high as you can in one try.

EC's-> Unless you really want a taste of research, I would say to just not do it and focus on your mcat. But then again, I'm doing research and I've realized it's not quite my thing.

^I know what you mean. The MCAT was a beast of a test even though I ended up cancelling my test date bc of my low practice score. I am confident with the sciences, but still petrified about verbal, which is why i've started reading the economist and taking a speed reading course. Still though, research is the only thing my app is missing, and the prof i'd be doing the research with knows me well bc I am making an A in his class; I donno how beneficial the research will be because I am applying only to Texas schools (except TCOM),