<p>The gist of the matter is that I want to go on to get a PhD in the biomedical sciences--biochemistry or a related field, hopefully. I have the choice of taking more rigorous chem/organic chem courses (Honors-level) vs. the less rigorous (but still science major level) courses that would probably give me a higher GPA. I'm not sure which one I should take--ideally it would be best to get a 4.0 in the Honors-level chemistry classes but obviously I can't just count on doing that. Would it be best to play it safe and maintain a high GPA, or take the risk and challenge myself with more indepth material?</p>
<p>By the way I'm still in high school (I already know where I'm going for undergrad), so technically I could take the initiative and start studying for the Honors sequence right now to ensure that I can get a high GPA. Should I just do that?</p>
<p>Honestly, I’d go for the higher GPA. I know that people argue that the difficulty of courses matter and it’s probably true to some extent but as long as it’s not basket-weaving or something, I think it’s much more worth it to do well in relevant classes than trying to over-achieve and failing.</p>
<p>Bottom line: Keep that GPA as high as possible.</p>
<p>For PhDs, the most important thing is your letter or rec and your ability to do independent research. At the undergraduate level, its really more “the potential” to do independent research. </p>
<p>If your advance classes give you a better understanding of the material that lets you ask/answer better questions, thats the better class **BY FAR[\b].
If not, just take the path of least resistance and spend your extra time in the lab.</p>
<p>I think that for top programs the answer is “both.” You know they’re serious about evaluating your academic background when they ask for a list of textbooks used in various courses.</p>
<p>hm… that’s a bit of a wash. I think that having an Honors degree is very powerful. And if you can be on the Honors track at the time when applying to graduate school, I’d suggest to at least start out in Honors and see how that goes (you can always drop it if freshman year proves too difficult). Honors automatically distinguishes you as being a top tier student from your school, in an easily identifiable way (the Honors marking on your transcript).</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you dont get the ‘Honors’ program affiliation, simply taking honors courses, or harder courses is a bad risk. Graduate programs may have a hard time judging how difficult your classes were. I think they may take into account the relative difficulty of various majors from well known schools, but they’re not going to know if the ‘advanced biochem elective’ you signed up for had a C+ average. </p>
<p>Honors track is an easy identifier, just like GPA. I think an honors 3.5 is equivalent to a standard 3.8 or so. (I only have experience with applying to PhD… if you have medical school aspirations, I would advise to protect that GPA like the fate of the world depended on it).</p>
<p>Bottom line: being in Honors program, selecting a ‘difficult sounding’ major, taking graduate level courses while in undergrad–> these things will look good on an application and help balance against a ‘slightly’ lower GPA. Don’t expect a 3.0 to look good when applying to programs where the average is a 3.8… but if you can still remain above 3.5, then you’re probably benefiting more from the ‘challenging courseload’ than losing out due to grades. Again, not speaking for premed track, which is much more GPA-centric.</p>