Undergraduate thesis credit is too expensive. Can I turn my thesis into 1-2 research papers & publish instead? I’m a highly competitive (currently undergrad) student with the end goal of getting a position in academia. I’m about to graduate undergrad this summer; afterwards, I will do a Fulbright research grant, and try to apply for the top graduate schools.
Now due to the difficulties of the semester, I couldn’t finish my thesis in Spring 2021 but instead moved it to Summer 2021. Normally my scholarship (fully paid, public university) would cover tuition fees. However, this scholarship has just ended for me and will not cover the summer fees. And I’ve realized that the summer tuition for this one thesis credit — in which I’m getting minimal guidance from my busy advisor and am taking no classes — is $1,750.
I do have enough money saved to cover this, but it’s really a stretch. I’m kind of pissed really, paying this much money for literally a thesis credit is insane!! However I see my education as an investment. I really wanna be super competitive, and if doing a thesis is part of that, I’ll go hungry to make it happen.
But at the same time, I’m really doubting whether a thesis will be so much better than  turning my topic into 1-2 research papers. Plus I’m about to do a year long Fulbright research project, which I think will overshadow my senior thesis anyway?
Can you guys help me sort this out? Any advice is helpful!!! I’m so angry my public university is so exploitative and not sure if I should buy into that.
If you can publish your thesis in a journal, you should aim to do so regardless, and in addition to a thesis (if you choose to write one). Papers in a good journal are more highly regarded than a thesis.
Writing an undergrad thesis might increase your chances of grad school admission. If you have papers accepted into good journals, I doubt an undergrad thesis adds much to your application. However, most undergrad theses are not good enough for a journal publication (although yours might be).
Your thesis advisor is probably willing to help you continue your thesis research and/or turn it into journal papers even if you are not enrolled as a student.