Bio-2.8 GPA BS or 3.0+ GPA BA?

Graduate School
1

<p>Hey all, I posted this in Science Majors and got nothing, so I figured I'd try here. It is going to be long!!
I am a Bio major at Indiana University, graduating in August/May 2014. I'm interested in pursuing a career in conservation/ecology/botany/widlife bio, and going to grad school in a few years. I started as a Bio BS, but Ochem 2 and Phys have taken their toll on me and I'm trying to decide whether to switch to a BA or not. Since I started as a BS, I have taken MANY upper level bio lects/labs- about 4 of each, all of which are relevant to my field of interests. I also am doing an Animal Behavior minor and have worked in 3 labs- 1 was a paid lab assistant job where I did perform molecular procedures, 1 is an unpaid research assistant volunteer/internship position, and 1 is a paid internship position. One of my questions is, of these, would any count as "research" experience?
Also, most of the grad students in my lab have advised me that a BS is not necessary. And most of the internships/ grad programs I've looked at never specified a BS is necessary- just all the classes they recommend. (All of which I have taken or are taking in the spring)
My gpa is about a 2.84, and my major gpa is a little lower. I'm thinking about switching to the BA to boost my gpa to higher than a 3, since I feel like that is more important right now than continuing with Ochem lab and phys 2. If i did continue with the BS, my gpa would surely decrease, and so would my quality of life haha. Basically, my question is this: in today's competitive market, would it be better to end up with a BS in Bio and a sub 3.0 gpa, or a BA with most of the BS required classes and a 3.0+ gpa? I'm really leaning towards the BA just to graduate on time and have a better quality of life! haha. I REALLY REALLY appreciate any responses and input!!</p>

<p>tl;dr: Bio BS with a 2.9 GPA or a Bio BA with lots of extra upper level bio classes and a 3.0+ gpa? I have lab + researchish experience!
Again, I really appreciate any and all help!! Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Lab assistant and research assistant positions would definitely count as research experience.</p>

<p>I would also strongly encourage you to seek field-based internships if you plan to pursue a career with any of the federal public lands agencies that hire biologists/ecologists - Forest Service, NPS, BLM, etc. Anymore, if you don’t make connections through internships, you’re going to be one name on a “cert list” of a few hundred applicants - these jobs are highly competitive. I earned an MS in recreation management at IU, and graduated with a job offer for the USFS - because I’d made connections in the agency through a prior internship.</p>

3

<p>I honestly don’t think a BA or BS matters. Some colleges only offer a BA in biology regardless of how many upper level classes you take, so no one will necessarily know that you have BA on your resume because you had a choice. As long as you are taking the prerequisites you need to go to the grad school you want, they don’t really care what letters are on your diploma. And employers won’t care either.</p>

<p>It’s always better to have a higher GPA, also.</p>

4

<p>Thank you both!</p>