Research at No-name University vs. unpaid research at major university

[OrangeCaramel]

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I pretty much have two options for the summer after my freshman year of college. I can either perform unpaid research at a small, not well-known university close to my home (where I wouldn't have to pay for rent, etc.), or I could stay for the summer at my own university (a major research university in the northeast) and do unpaid research there. The problem is that if I stay at my university (quite far from my home), I won't be getting a stipend because most of the deadlines for research grants have passed. My parents have offered to pay for rent if I stay at college for the summer, but I feel very guilty about not being able to pay my own.

tl;dr I'm going to save money by doing research at my hometown university, but staying at my own college will help me secure a research position for later semesters.

Which one should I pursue?

 

[strugglebus]

I would probably stay at your own university if you think you could continue your research after the summer and get a publication/presentation out (and this would probably help you to build a good relationship with your supervisor, which would also get you a good letter of recommendation).

Also, if you're aiming to attend a research-heavy school, I would stay at your own college, since you say staying will help you get more research opportunities.

Otherwise, if both opportunities are summer-only, it sounds like you would prefer to stay at home. Just my two cents! Good luck 🙂.

 

[AquiVoy13]

Yeah,
If you think you'll be able to stay and work in the lab after the summer is over, then I think it would be worth it. The summer is a great time to join a lab and get trained because you can be there all day long. Just make sure to work hard so they invite you to stay once the following semester begins!

 

[gobigorgohome22]

Pick the lab that will lead to a publication.

 

[nemo123]

Like everyone has said, pick the lab that will give you the most independence.

 

[aspirantmed]

Like everyone has said, pick the lab that will give you the most independence.

This. You don't necessarily want to walk in on the first day and ask if you're going to be able to get published, but you can ask questions like:

• Have other undergraduates worked in this lab before, and if so, what have they been able to accomplish?
• Who will you be working with on a day-to-day basis? Will you be assisting a graduate student and/or research technician? Will you have an independent project but answer to the PI and/or a student/tech.?
• What projects or tasks does the research supervisor foresee for you?

All of these are good ways to get a sense of what you're headed for in that lab and how high you'll be able to rise.

 

[OrangeCaramel]

Thanks for all the replies, everybody! Follow up question: how much independence should I expect as a freshman intern? I feel like I don't have enough skills to carry out my own project, but I still want to help out in a lab/get experience, especially because there are so many topics I find fascinating. I'm okay with researching a variety of things.

(Of course, I won't be telling my profs that I am okay with anything, but specifically THEIR research)

 

[BurberryDoc]