Research: with a professor or at a summer program?

Lindagaf
Thu, 16 Feb 2023 13:11:46 +0000

Colleegmom’s post is spot on. OP would do well to heed the advice.

Admissions officers want to see authenticity and genuine interest more than who you did your research with. Right now, kids are PAYING to do summer research programs. Probably one of the most boring ways to spend a summer, but colleges are aware of pay to play activities. I’m not saying you are paying to play, btw. I just don’t think they are super impressed by research.

Research done as a college student matters much more, if it’s needed for a particular career path.

In college, my D did research with a professor she sought out because she was interested in what he was doing. This prof was not at her college, but at a university in a different state. She also contacted other profs, but this one was the one who “bit.” Her first real job was researching in a real lab. Now she is in an extremely competitive grad program. They were more interested in the summer research she did with the professor than the paid research she did at the prestigious institution where her lab was located.

Someone else’s outcome might be entirely different. But that’s down the line for you. I think you’re better getting highly involved in something that interests you. If that’s research, great. But don’t worry if it’s one Professor or a summer program.