Summer Program Decision (prestige vs location)

[Redwood]

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[1TB4RKSB4CK]

I'd take ivy.

 

[Redwood]

can anyone else provide some more insight?

 

[lalalaaaaaa]

can anyone else provide some more insight?

What are the programs all about. Differences in experiences or cost....need more info.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

If they both involve comparable research, I'd go with the location you'd enjoy more. As long as you HAVE undergrad research, where you did it is not terribly important.

 

[Redwood]

The programs do have different research. The one at the ivy league is about cell biology and the other is neuroscience and imaging. I'd enjoy the neuroscience/imaging one more, but the only reason I'd consider the ivy leage is if it somehow gives me a good advantage for med school apps.

The costs/experiences are comparable though. the only differences are the type of research.

 

[lalalaaaaaa]

The programs do have different research. The one at the ivy league is about cell biology and the other is neuroscience and imaging. I'd enjoy the neuroscience/imaging one more, but the only reason I'd consider the ivy leage is if it somehow gives me a good advantage for med school apps.

The costs/experiences are comparable though. the only differences are the type of research.

I would do the one that you are more interested in, especially because the location is better.

 

[saveourpens]

To be honest, you're talking about the prestige of a summer program. What matters most is how involved you'll be in the project and if you can get a pub (doubtful) in the short time span. I'd go with LA.

 

[SeminoleVesicle]

Take the location and the one you'd enjoy. The difference between the two is negligible. The only possible connection you might gain is if you specifically want to go to that Ivy league medical school.

 

[Underarchiever]

Hey everyone,

I've been accepted into two summer programs, one at an ivy league and another at a great location in LA. I really want to be in LA this summer but I don't know if I'm passing something big up by declining the ivy league program.

Does the prestige of these summer programs matter that much? Both programs that I got into were pretty selective and the only way I would want to go to the ivy league program is if the prestige/name of the program helps a lot for medical school admissions and would have a great difference on my app.

I have to decide by Wednesday and I'm torn right now.

I'd appreciate anyone's insight. Thank you.

Where in LA? UCLA has similar reputation as Princeton, U Penn, Yale, Columbia or Cornell in terms of biological research, and is more prestigeous than Brown and Dartmouth, but is less prestigeous than Harvard.

 

[ppfizenm]

To be honest, you're talking about the prestige of a summer program. What matters most is how involved you'll be in the project and if you can get a pub (doubtful) in the short time span. I'd go with LA.

exactly what I thought when reading this. It's like debating the prestige of working at Applebees over McDonalds. No one really cares and it isn't going to matter at all in the future.

The only thing you should be focused on is getting the experience and building a good relationship with the PI so you can get a LOR out of it need be.

 

[phnerd1105]

Don't do things just for the sake of med school applications. Seriously. Do what you would enjoy more. You will be more passionate about the subject, and will get more out of it. Go with LA.

 

[raltima07]

exactly what I thought when reading this. It's like debating the prestige of working at Applebees over McDonalds. No one really cares and it isn't going to matter at all in the future.

The only thing you should be focused on is getting the experience and building a good relationship with the PI so you can get a LOR out of it need be.

 

[SeminoleVesicle]

I've worked at both these places

 

[raltima07]

I've worked at both these places

But which was more prestigious?

 

[SeminoleVesicle]

But which was more prestigious?

Hahaha, I think it's a push. However, these jobs singlehandedly got me accepted 😉

 

[TheMightySmiter]

But which was more prestigious?

And which would you rather put on a med school app?

 

[varsityblue]

Quality of your research and your potential LOR matter a lot more, in my view. Choose based on location and the university's amenities.

 

[SeminoleVesicle]

And which would you rather put on a med school app?

LOL I did put one of them on my med school app.