Summer Internship

[deleted647690]

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I'm not sure what to do.
I have applied to both the NIH SIP and a summer intern program through the UMD School of Medicine. I have talked to mentors from both programs. I just spoke with one guy from the NIH, and it sounds like he will take me for the summer. However, I spoke with 2 people from UMD, and it sounded like they might want to take me. How do I decide what to do/how do I tell one that I won't be able to do research with them? This guy from the NIH made it sound like he wasn't willing to take any other students and only took me because I have past experience; I feel like that wouldn't be right to turn around and tell him I no longer wanted to work in his lab.
With the UMD SOM

• I feel like it would be beneficial to do this program as it could possibly help with my admission to the med school? I feel like they would like to see that experience
• I think I would get the chance to work around med students and physicians, which would be great
• The pay is not as good as the NIH
• One guy said I could be a co author if I worked hard and something came of it

With NIH

• the research the mentor does sounds very interesting, I think I am more interested in his research to be honest, though the UMD SOM research still sounds cool
• The pay is almost double
• Not working with physicians
• The thing that first attracted me was that this guy said I would be a co author on any publications that arose from the work

 

[WedgeDawg]

Both sound like good experiences. I did a summer at the NIH through the SIP and I enjoyed it. They host an SIP poster symposium so that you have practice presenting and they're generally very accommodating of undergraduates. You probably can't go wrong with either one. In terms of turning people down, just tell them thank you for giving me the opportunity to work in your lab, but unfortunately my plans have changed to the point where I will no longer be able to do so or something to that effect. It's not like the livelihood of their lab is hinging upon you joining it. You're an undergrad - they'll understand.

 

[deleted647690]

Both sound like good experiences. I did a summer at the NIH through the SIP and I enjoyed it. They host an SIP poster symposium so that you have practice presenting and they're generally very accommodating of undergraduates. You probably can't go wrong with either one. In terms of turning people down, just tell them thank you for giving me the opportunity to work in your lab, but unfortunately my plans have changed to the point where I will no longer be able to do so or something to that effect. It's not like the livelihood of their lab is hinging upon you joining it. You're an undergrad - they'll understand.

It's just that I didn't want to sound rude about it. The way the NIH guy and I were talking, I made it seem like I was super excited and eager to work in his lab and he'd be my first choice.

 

[WedgeDawg]

It's just that I didn't want to sound rude about it. The way the NIH guy and I were talking, I made it seem like I was super excited and eager to work in his lab and he'd be my first choice.

I promise he'll understand if you decide you don't want to work with him.

 

[deleted647690]

I don't think I will hear back from the UMD SOM until early April. Should I tell this mentor at the NIH that I am pretty sure I will work in his lab but I'm still waiting to hear back from other labs so I may not work in his lab this summer? I feel like after asking this, he will doubt my commitment and interest and reconsider letting me into his lab. I feel like it would be good to tell him though because he can then keep an eye out for other potential students should I decide not to work for him.

 

[deleted647690]

BUMP:
I got a message from the NIH mentor that was sent to some administrator for the SIP, he cc'd me so that I would see it, but it basically confirms that I am accepted his offer. It says that I verbally agreed, which I guess I kind of did, but I didn't mean to because I still want to consider this other program.......

 

[ndafife]

• The pay is almost double
• I would be a co author on any publications that arose from the work

Seems simple

 

[WedgeDawg]

BUMP:
I got a message from the NIH mentor that was sent to some administrator for the SIP, he cc'd me so that I would see it, but it basically confirms that I am accepted his offer. It says that I verbally agreed, which I guess I kind of did, but I didn't mean to because I still want to consider this other program.......

This guy clearly wants you in his lab. That can be a huge plus because it means he's more likely to be willing to work with you, in contrast to someone who is like "eh sure".