Internship Q, Research Q and a class Q.

<p>Sorry for this post but here is another question i have.</p>

<p>1b: When I apply to grad school, as if the if you count the last possible day the app can be turned in in january...I would have 3 semesters in a lab on campus under my belt (fall semester, spring semester, and then the fall before app are due) and a summer position at a second institution where I want to attend for grad school with a mentor there. I was deciding if I should study at my one home lab and continue my research during the summer or jump and do an internship. I picked an internship because I wanted a) more experience in a different lab to make my application look fuller and b) i wanted to get a leg up a a connection at UVA since I want to go there for grad school...it's one of my top schools. I have a friend who was under the GPA mean and GRE mean for Duke, did an internship there, impressed the PI and got into their program over some pretty awesome and qualified friends of mine. Will only have semesters look bad? Should i have not taken that summer research chance and instead just worked at my school for the summer? My Stats aren't anything amazing...**African American Male, 3.46-3.55 gpa (depending on this semester), psych major, bio minor, biopsych certificate...93rd percentile for verbal, 88th for math. 4.5 on analytical section for GRE. </p>

<p>1b: I intend to work in my home lab during the off semester since i'm applying during the fall and i graduate in the fall. Can i mention that? I'll be working about 30-40 hours a week in that lab during the spring but it wont be on my resume. My lab mentor said she'd mention it in her LOR also...is that enough or should i not mention it at all? I thought it would show dedication to research + show i'll have 4 full 'semesters' of lab research in the same lab when i 'get in'</p>

<p>2: I dont have physics under my belt and since I'm graduating in the off semester, the fall, I'm taking it during the summer. Can I mention this in my application even though I won't have the grade until after acceptance? I just want them to know I'm taking the class and will have the knowledge before the program starts...or should I not mention it at all? I'm really just taking it for the experience and so i'll have it under my belt since some programs i'm applying to 'suggest' physics.</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>