<p>Hi, I’m a current junior and I have an opportunity to do some research at a local company that usually only takes graduate students to do research. although I won’t be the one doing groundbreaking research, i can still participate in various ways.</p>
<p>i can still experience the researching atmosphere, and maybe even do something of my own and get my name published in the paper. </p>
<p>nonetheless, the decision is</p>
<p>is it better to do research at this company or go to a summer program such as RSI or MITES?</p>
<p>in terms of the college application that is.</p>
<p>i know i know. don’t think about what the college thinks. but honestly either way im guessing i would enjoy the experiene and definitely learned a lot. so it comes down to what benefits me more?</p>
<p>that is the reason i must ask the help of the CCers out there :P</p>
<p>leave lots of comments please and thank you</p>
<p>RSI, obviously. </p>
<p>You shouldn’t worry about which to go to quite so early in the process. Try applying to the aforementioned programs and the research opportunities, see which ones you get into, then decide which to attend, since statistics are against you for competitive programs like RSI and MITES.</p>
<p>and why is it such an easy decision for you
may i ask you to elaborate on your reasoning?</p>
<p>I think he’s saying that adcoms will know the difficulty of the RSI/MITES admissions process and program off the top of their head. They know getting selected and doing well is an enormous honor. Whereas with your research opportunity, they don’t know that typically grad students are selected–it could look just like anyone else who lists “research” on an app (which, it seems, a fair number of people do without knowing what it is: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/798005-what-exactly-meant-research.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/798005-what-exactly-meant-research.html</a>).</p>
<p>Of course, either camp or research will look impressive and help to further illustrate your clear interest in science. A rec from someone in the company could be very persuasive in the admissions process, especially if they explain what clearly outstanding qualities made you viable for the opportunity years before you should have been.</p>
<p>Personally, though, I would still go with a camp. It’s an opportunity tailored for bright kids your age, and you would (I imagine, not being a science person myself and not knowing much about these programs) have the opportunity not only to watch research but to actively participate in it. Being around your peers is probably a more exciting way to spend the summer as well–you’ll be able to meet kindred spirits your same age, which, as someone whose spend three consecutive summers at writing camp, is not to be undervalued. If you’re in a situation with less-than-motivated peers at home, the friendships you make at camp could motivate you and sustain you through the admissions process next year, as they will know what you’re going through.</p>
<p>However, (obviously) you have to first be accepted to these camps before you can make this decision. Unless the research opportunity has a ticking clock, I’d apply to RSI and MITES and see if they choose you; otherwise, whether or not you can choose then over your other opportunity is a moot point. Report back to us when decisions are made!</p>