Being in a research program VS. consistency in same lab?

[cfx]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I'm in an undergraduate summer research program, and funding isn't available this summer at the institution I did the research at last summer. Now, I have to decide if it is more important to still be part of the program (would have to find a new lab), or to go back and continue research in the same lab (as a volunteer), and have that consistency.

The lab I was in last summer was a very good experience, so it would be nice to put in more time/work there, but I'm concerned it might be better (yes, yes, for the resume) to be part of the research program. Any thoughts?

Also, the stipend is very nice, but I've saved enough that it's not absolutely necessary, so I'm going mainly off experience gained, etc.

 

[go lakers]

if the consistency can lead to you producing something, stick with it.

 

[tiedyeddog]

Depends what you're looking for.

If you enjoy what you are doing and think it might result in some authorship or a poster presentation then I would just stick around. However, if you need the money or just want a different experience, go to the new lab. Unless you are applying MD/PhD I'd say it really does not matter as long as you work hard and enjoy yourself! Good luck.

 

[cfx]

It's not likely to produce any papers or anything, I'm given my own project, and it's pretty slow moving, so significant results might not be likely. The only poster presentation I would likely get out of it is a poster conference only for members of the program (although open to all), that basically anyone in the program is encouraged to participate in. Would this count for anything, or would it have to be a "real" conference?

 

[Ponger]

Stuff like that is real nice for applying to PhD programs but it doesn't really show a medical school much. For medical school, it's more important that you can talk about what research you did and show that it was a meaningful experience, not just a resume builder. Being able to talk about your work via preparing a poster for a summer program is definitely a result, but do medical schools directly care if you prepared a poster or just knew your stuff in general? Unlikely.

Now if you prepared a poster and presented it at a national conference, that's a different story and one likely to draw attention.