Research vs volunteering for summer

[yoyoyoyoyolee]

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Hey everyone...a junior here.

I plan to apply after a gap year. I have been involved in a research lab for three years(no pub. 1 Poster), but never spent a summer doing research. However, I have spent the summer working with the homeless because that is my passion...

I was planning to do another volunteering at a homeless place that is in another state again, but I was also offered a research internship at harvard. My original plan was to do a semester of research on homelessness and healthcare the following fall at school after volunteering again. However, having never done research *during summer* I am wondering if doing research at harvard would be beneficial for me.

TLDR: I have done 3 years of research at school. Never spent summer doing it. I have done 600 hours of volunteering. Would it be better to do research at Harvard during summer instead of volunteering again?

 

[Trollest]

It's kind of hard to turn down HARVARD. Dude, take the research opportunity! You can always volunteer after the summer.

 

[HomeSkool]

I am wondering if doing research at harvard would be beneficial for me.

It sure ain't gonna hurt you.

Would it be better to do research at Harvard during summer instead of volunteering again?

I'd go with the one-time-only research offer. If you can also fit in volunteering over the summer, do so. If not, pick it up in the fall.

The volunteering opportunities will be there later. The research opportunity won't.

 

[ChymeofPassion]

Porque no los dos?

 

[yoyoyoyoyolee]

Porque no los dos?

Because the volunteering is a full-time position although it is volunteering. I would be a teacher at the homeless shelter, and I am not allowed to do that part time. !!

 

[Doctor-S]

TLDR: I have done 3 years of research at school. Never spent summer doing it. I have done 600 hours of volunteering. Would it be better to do research at Harvard during summer instead of volunteering again?

Summer research internship (it's only for the summer).

You can also spend some extra time (e.g., weekend) volunteering with a non-profit in the area (e.g., Harvard Square Homeless).

 

[boogiecousins94]

If you're interested and at Harvard you can easily volunteer with the special Olympics summer games for MA as they're at the Harvard athletic complex. You could get 15-20hrs in 2 days it's a weekend in June

 

[Robin-jay]

I love me some research!

 

[nymd22]

I highly recommend doing both. Take the research opportunity and then do some volunteering on the evenings/weekends. There are *TONS* of opportunities to work with the homeless in Boston/Cambridge.

 

[numbersloth]

Hey everyone...a junior here.

I plan to apply after a gap year. I have been involved in a research lab for three years(no pub. 1 Poster), but never spent a summer doing research. However, I have spent the summer working with the homeless because that is my passion...

I was planning to do another volunteering at a homeless place that is in another state again, but I was also offered a research internship at harvard. My original plan was to do a semester of research on homelessness and healthcare the following fall at school after volunteering again. However, having never done research *during summer* I am wondering if doing research at harvard would be beneficial for me.

TLDR: I have done 3 years of research at school. Never spent summer doing it. I have done 600 hours of volunteering. Would it be better to do research at Harvard during summer instead of volunteering again?

I've done summer work at the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter. PM me if you need contact details or have any questions.

 

[aldol16]

Where you do research is less important than what you learn and get out of it. Do whatever it is you feel happiest doing. Neither is going to hurt you and neither is going to substantially help you more than the other.

 

[Dwight Snoot]

Do what you think you would enjoy doing more. Both are great opportunities that will be great for your app