plife
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Hello, everyone.
I am an undergrad physics major - returned to school after many years, in case you had forgotten *_*
It is almost Fall and time to start a new semester. I was all set to take a pretty full load of Chemistry, Computational Physics, Physics, Math, and Philosophy classes starting next week. Then, I received a letter from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute offering me an opportunity to get paid to work in research at my university - 10 hours a week during the semesters and full-time during the summer - for 2 years culminating in a published paper and/or conference presentation. I have been talking to faculty about different projects and different lab environments all over school, including electrochemistry, biophysics, neutron/x-ray diffraction, biology, accelerator technology, laser stuff...all sorts of exciting projects are available!
My problem is that I had set up a schedule of taking lots of units each semester and taking classes in the summer in order to graduate in a timely manner. Taking this research opportunity will definitely delay that - or my worst fear - cause a serious ding to my current 4.0 GPA (either of which would make me quite sad, but probably not kill me).
Anyway, now I am very conflicted. The projects are so exciting, and the opportunity is really unique since I am only in my first year of physics classes. I have a lot of years' working in labs in the semi-conductor industry, but a basic research lab would be a whole new exciting adventure that I really want to pursue.
What would your advice be? Focus on my studies - or - grab the brass ring and go for the research job?? Also, since I am a Physics major should I just stick with physics research, or can I branch out without hurting my physics portfolio?
I just cannot decide - I actually change my mind about 10 times a day and I have to make a decision by mid-September.
Thanks again for your kind and thoughtful responses. I really do appreciate reading your thoughts.
Plife
I am an undergrad physics major - returned to school after many years, in case you had forgotten *_*
It is almost Fall and time to start a new semester. I was all set to take a pretty full load of Chemistry, Computational Physics, Physics, Math, and Philosophy classes starting next week. Then, I received a letter from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute offering me an opportunity to get paid to work in research at my university - 10 hours a week during the semesters and full-time during the summer - for 2 years culminating in a published paper and/or conference presentation. I have been talking to faculty about different projects and different lab environments all over school, including electrochemistry, biophysics, neutron/x-ray diffraction, biology, accelerator technology, laser stuff...all sorts of exciting projects are available!
My problem is that I had set up a schedule of taking lots of units each semester and taking classes in the summer in order to graduate in a timely manner. Taking this research opportunity will definitely delay that - or my worst fear - cause a serious ding to my current 4.0 GPA (either of which would make me quite sad, but probably not kill me).
Anyway, now I am very conflicted. The projects are so exciting, and the opportunity is really unique since I am only in my first year of physics classes. I have a lot of years' working in labs in the semi-conductor industry, but a basic research lab would be a whole new exciting adventure that I really want to pursue.
What would your advice be? Focus on my studies - or - grab the brass ring and go for the research job?? Also, since I am a Physics major should I just stick with physics research, or can I branch out without hurting my physics portfolio?
I just cannot decide - I actually change my mind about 10 times a day and I have to make a decision by mid-September.
Thanks again for your kind and thoughtful responses. I really do appreciate reading your thoughts.
Plife