Summer Research Position: Unpaid Caltech vs. Paid Private Company

[oneirologist]

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Hi everyone!

I'm a first-year undergraduate student hoping to go to medical school, and I was wondering if it would be more beneficial to take a summer research position at Caltech or at a private company.

Thanks a lot everyone - I really appreciate it! 🙂

 

[Lamel]

I'm going to simplify this a lot, but based off what all that you have said, my instinct was to go for the paid position. Seems like a great experience and you get money.

The type of research doesn't really matter; BUT if you're more interested in the Caltech research, do that. Whichever research project you feel you will enjoy more should be the one you choose, all the rest are just little details. If you are actually enjoying the research, you will do well, and hopefully that will lead to a great recommendation.

As for how much name matters, I am not really sure on that matter, but neither of your options seem like slouches in terms of prestige.

 

[BamaSlamma]

Deciding between "I spent the summer after my freshman year doing research at CalTech" vs "I spent the summer after my freshman year doing research under a Nobel Laureate" sounds like a nice problem to have.

It all seems like a wash. If you really need the money, take the paid position. Otherwise, take the research opportunity you think you will enjoy being a part of the most. Your performance and ability to articulate what you did, and how it affected you when someone asks you about it is likely to be of far greater impact than the things you seem to be most worried about in choosing between the two.

 

[oneirologist]

Thanks guys!

Any other opinions? Does anyone know how much name counts for + if it's advisable or not to list high school research at Caltech? I guess a pro would be to show dedication and starting early, whereas a con is... it was from high school. Anyone?

 

[ZJX90]

Hmm I don't think name really counts all that much. What is more important is how much involvement you have in the research project and the level of work that you do, ie did you make significant contributions to the progression of research or did you just wash dishes? Also, I think the general consensus is to avoid putting things from hs, unless if you continue it in your undergrad career or if it resulted in some sort of journal publication or something (though that would be very rare). But you have the rest of your undergrad career to do research and show your dedication, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Overall I'd say take the paid position if you need the money. If not, then go with whichever option you would have more in-depth involvement in and/or the one you think you would enjoy the most, as others have said.

 

[MedPR]

Paid.

/thread

 

[CsHead]

Paid.

/thread

ftmfw

I didn't even read beyond the title.

 

[yehhhboiii]

No one will be impressed by the name of where you worked in the summer. You generally don't include stuff from high school because it makes people wonder why you didn't do anything more worthwhile in college. Get a rec from a professor that knows you well. One from a summer internship probably won't count for much. What's important is the experience and what it teaches you. You don't want to be stuck saying "yeah i washed dishes at a CALTECH lab." (Just an example)

 

[Dreamer29]

Go with whichever project you'd enjoy more. Also briefly consider which you're more likely to get published in.

 

[plumhill]

Type of research doesn't matter, and where you do your research doesn't matter. So fo for where you'd get better experience, a better letter of recommendation, and somewhere where your work would be more impactful. Make sure you won't just be cleaning dishes or anything.

One other thing to consider: since the Nobel lab is paying you, they're (probably) going to have you be more involved, so they can get more for their money 😛 which is a good thing for you!

 

[I like meowmix]

I would easily take the paid position. A recommendation from a nobel prize winner? wowowow

 

[La Presse]

Is this really a question? Paid, without an ounce of doubt.

 

[oneirologist]

.

 

[La Presse]

Well, I wouldn't be getting a letter from the nobel laureate but instead someone in a management position in the company.

Why the hell not? If you do well, you can simply ask....

 

[oneirologist]

.

 

[oneirologist]

Leaning towards taking the paid position -thanks guys!

 

[GoBriightly]

if this is the private company i'm thinking of, absolutely do it. I did an internship there this past summer and it was absolutely phenomenal 🙂

 

[Praefectus]

Take the money. It's a no-brainer.

 

[Narmerguy]

I'd go for the paid position. 👍