Summer research vs. internship?

[Kickback]

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I have been applying to both REU's and internships at companies. I was wondering if a summer research experience, especially at someplace like Johns Hopkins/Mayo/Harvard-HST is worth passing up the extra money of an internship(like $4000 more). Is there foot-in-the-door value, for any of you who have done an REU? I will be conducting research starting this fall full-time with a professor, and I don't know how big of a deal one summer of (mostly) self-directed research is.

Thanks!

 

[URHere]

In my experience, it was my extended research experiences (and not the little summer ones) that helped me with MD/PhD applications. I had two summers of Hopkins research when I applied - my role in both cases was closer to a tech's role than an independent researcher's and, as a result, I spent less than 5% of my interview time discussing those experiences. However, REUs are generally more tailored to students and independent work than independently acquired summer lab positions, and many students find them to be valuable experiences. They are also generally well respected among schools.

As for your decision, if you will have two years or more of other research experience before you apply, I would suggest doing what seems more valuable to you. If you will be trying to slide by with less than two years of research experience, on the other hand, I would suggest the research, hands down.