Senior Thesis Credits

Started by matlas
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matlas

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10+ Year Member
I'm a rising junior and am picking my classes for next year, and would like some input. My lab work is at the point where it would benefit from dedicating a solid span of time to it, and since I am working in the lab over the summer, I am planning to continue during the Fall semester as a "senior thesis".

At my university, the biology major requires a "senior thesis" that is 2.5 classes-worth of credits, and can be taken whenever (although most premeds do it their senior spring). As a result, most people only take a couple of additional classes on top of it.

I know that the mantra around here is courseload doesn't matter as much as GPA, but I think that if I only have two classes my Junior Fall, medical schools might ask questions. The other classes I'm planning on taking are a biology elective and a humanities class. Do you think I should add a third class (I was thinking of taking an upper level math class)?

Of course, taking another class increases the chance for lowering my GPA, and will detract from my research and ECs. On the other hand, I'm not sure taking only two classes will look good (even if it is technically 4.5 classes worth of credit).
 
As long as you're not part time (and if so just explain why/what else you are doing) it seems fine to me. People know research credits are usually representative of a lot of work.
 
No, I'll still be a full time student (I'll have 4.5 classes worth of credits).

Did anyone else run into a similar situation?

Or, in your opinion, is this one of those cases where putting my GPA at a risk (admittedly, I don't think 3 classes will be that big of a risk, but regardless) is worth it?
 
matlas said:
No, I'll still be a full time student (I'll have 4.5 classes worth of credits).

Did anyone else run into a similar situation?

Or, in your opinion, is this one of those cases where putting my GPA at a risk (admittedly, I don't think 3 classes will be that big of a risk, but regardless) is worth it?
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Looking back on my transcript there were a couple semesters where I only too a couple classes in addition to research credit. The worst was probably a semester in my senior year where I took two "real" courses, a thesis credit, and a PE course (GER fulfillment I had been putting off). The thesis credits and research credits at my university did involve a class though; we'd have to meet biweekly to present our research, get critiqued, and there were a couple assignments due throughout each semester (had to write up a proposal, do the presentation, respond to all criticism in writing, and present a poster at an undergrad conference), so it wasn't just pure credit.

So I'm in the same boat as you for the most part, although it's too late for me to do anything about it. I guess I'll find out how much it matters this cycle.
 
The "thesis" class you're describing sounds exactly like the class I'm planning on taking. Except, I will be taking it in my junior year (you took yours as a senior?).

At my university, most pre-meds take it as a senior, so it does not factor into medical school decisions as much as taking it as a junior. Do you think taking two classes plus research as junior might raise questions, and should I add a third class?
 
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