Is a summer research program necessary?

Pre-College Topics High School Life
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<p>I heard that you can easily find a mentor nearby and get paid to do research with them. Therefore, I am wondering if a research program is necessary (I got into HSHSP: <a href=“http://www.msu.edu/~hshsp/)%5B/url%5D”>http://www.msu.edu/~hshsp/)</a>. It’s not one of those programs where all you have to do is pay, but it does cost around $3000 room and board in total for 7 weeks, and they have a research project set you for you. My main concern is even if I do go, there seems to be no way I can finish a project in 7 weeks and it’s impossible for me to commute afterwards since I live in NJ and the program is in Michigan. Anyone know the selectivity/prestige of this program can tell me too :slight_smile: Is there any reason why I shouldn’t just find a mentor at Columbia or Princeton or anywhere around me?</p>

<p>Otherwise, I’d go to SSP. Thank you!</p>

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<p>haha i heard you got into gov school too</p>

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<p>it’s better just to find a mentor because then you’re probably more likely to do actual research and be connected to a real project instead of just learning research “techniques”.</p>

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<p>but HSHSP also says that altho it doesn’t not guarantee a “foolproof project to enter competitions,” most ppl who go do very well in intel/siemens/ISEF etc. which means that they actually do get things done…</p>

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<p>easily find a mentor? I can’t find anything…any tips? :D</p>

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<p>lol, yeah, i havne’t tried but it sounds realy hard considering i have the worse luck communicating with people over email</p>