Choice between projects for MEng research?

[collegebum1989]

Hey guys,

I have the option between 2 research projects in the same lab at Cornell, and I wanted to know which one would be best for PhD applications next December (2012)?

1. Building a novel microscope

-Developed project, most-likely resulting in publication by Summer 2012

-Publication in a less-known Journal

-Experience with technical aspects valuable for industry

2. Developing Novel surgical technique for measuring blood flow in microvessels

-More difficult, more uncertainty

-Less likely to publish by next December

-Larger, deeper project which has the potential to create a new technique (if it works)

-Contact with Dean of Cornell Medical School

As you can see, the first has a larger likely hood to publish, whereas the second is more of a risk with a larger potential reward. In both projects, I would be able to get the same recommendation letter from the PI, but I wanted to know which one would be most beneficial for PhD applications in the future?

Thanks

[ktel]

Which project interests you more? What would you like to pursue for your PhD? Choose the project that is more related to any future research.

Personally I would go with number 2, but that's because I'm working on a similar project right now and it's been amazing. I got to watch two open heart surgeries last week, which was SO COOL. I'm probably not going to get any publication out of it, although my advisor has said he will acknowledge my efforts if any of the data I acquired is published.

[fuzzylogician]

I don't know what your field is like but my recommendation for someone in my field would be to go with the project you find more interesting. The experience will count much more than the publication. Personally project #2 sounds more appealing to me, it sounds like you'll learn more about a project from its inception as opposed to joining a well-established project. But really as long as you learn and contribute and can discuss your participation insightfully in your SOP, both choices can only boost your application.

[Collegebum]

Thanks for the help guys.

These two projects are in the same research lab, so the actual work is similar. I am in a biomedical engineering program, so both projects focus on optical techniques to manipulate and measure biological systems.

I am interested in instrumentation, and diagnostic imaging techniques and feel both projects will provide me with great experience and knowledge of the field. So I am equally interested by both projects.

What the professor did mention was that the first project was mostly building something where all the methodology was determined, whereas the second required me to develop my own ideas. She also mentioned that thriving in the uncertainty of a project is essential when pursuing a PhD, so it would be great preparation for graduate school.