Summer undergraduate research programs: on-campus vs off-campus

[supercentenarian119]

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My school, Grinnell College, is a small liberal arts college which has nice research environment in spite of its small size and is ranked around 15th in the nation. But should I attend off-campus summer research program rather than on-campus ones to touch with cutting-edge research and the research with more depth? Or should I rather attend on-campus program, so that I can stay close with familiar professors in my school? There is a general tendency such that students in LACs tend to be recommended to attend off-campus research programs, but could you give me your opinion?

 

[Catalystik]

My school, Grinnell College, is a small liberal arts college which has nice research environment in spite of its small size and is ranked around 15th in the nation. But should I attend off-campus summer research program rather than on-campus ones to touch with cutting-edge research and the research with more depth? Or should I rather attend on-campus program, so that I can stay close with familiar professors in my school? There is a general tendency such that students in LACs tend to be recommended to attend off-campus research programs, but could you give me your opinion?

Longevity in a single lab is more likely to result in a progressive increase in responsibility that results in a great LOR.

 

[sobadsogood]

I would say in your situation go off-campus and research in a big research center. You are in a small school, thus resources are limited. In a research center, you'll get a much better research experience and get to know big PI. And if the lab is in or affiliated with a hospital, you might even get to know a few doctors and do some shadowing.
The upside for staying on campus, like Catalystik said, would be the benefit of longevity -> more responsibility in lab and more personal LOR from PI.

 

[supercentenarian119]

Longevity in a single lab is more likely to result in a progressive increase in responsibility that results in a great LOR.

I would say in your situation go off-campus and research in a big research center. You are in a small school, thus resources are limited. In a research center, you'll get a much better research experience and get to know big PI. And if the lab is in or affiliated with a hospital, you might even get to know a few doctors and do some shadowing.

Then, I will probably stay in on-campus in the first summer, since I won't be a outstanding candidate for competitive admission of off-campus programs, and try off-campus in the second and third summer. If I will not accepted by any off-campus program in my second or third summer, I will do on-campus research. I need both great LOR and cutting-edge research experience, so this may be the only choice for me.

Thanks for telling me pros of each choice!