REU or continue in current lab?

[tcmazer]

Hey everybody,

 

I'm a junior applying for Ph.D programs for the Fall 2014 season and want to study aging.  This summer, I currently have a set of choices: either I attend an REU at Western Michigan University, or continue to work in the same lab I've worked for since the beginning of freshmen year that already studies aging process in C. elegans.  I'm currently working on my 2nd paper to hopefully publish before I apply.  The other paper has already been published in PLoS Genetics, but I'm not first author.

 

What should I go for?  The paper will most likely be submitted by June, which is when the REU starts.  Should I just stay in the lab and go for depth of experience?  Or do the REU and go for a bit of bredth?

 

 

[juilletmercredi]

Well, it's up to you.  Both experiences will be valuable in getting into graduate school, and which one you choose will probably make little difference in whether or not you get in.  But they have different levels of value.

 

An REU is a great chance to work with someone else over the summer.  You get a different perspective on science from a new scholar, and you can be introduced to a new network of people.  Your advisor's network at the REU becomes, to a certain extent, part of your network - which can be really valuable, because while your advisor at WMU may not know Professor Awesome at your #1 choice PhD program, maybe your advisor at your REU site does.  REUs also usually have a formalized program of education designed for the students - so in addition to doing summer research, you may also take a research seminar that helps you learn about professionalization issues.  Some of them have free GRE classes.  Sometimes you have the opportunity to learn new techniques or procedures that will be useful in your grad lab that you may not learn at your home institution.

 

On the other hand, there are benefits to staying at home.  Chief among them, in this case, would be developing more depth and perhaps getting a paper to a first-authored point.  (Note: I think ANY published papers for an applicant, especially an undergrad, is good.  Nobody expects undergrads to have first-authored papers.)

 

In this case, I think I might choose the REU.  It can be exciting to develop some breadth, you extend your network, and you can always return to WMU in the fall.

[tcmazer]

Hmm, thanks for the advice!  Helps me see more aspects of the decision.