Research Internship vs Industry internship

[Flux2]

Hi I'm currently a junior majoring in biophysics/biology.

I was wondering whether I should do research internship or industry internship during next summer if I'm planning to go to grad school.

And if I do research during the summer,, shall I just continue on the research I'm doing currently in the regular semesters(Fall,spring) or shall I apply to do research at a different school.

I have done research last summer at my school and i'm still doing it for the regular semesters.

Thanks!

[Orims]

I'd recommend trying to do research at a different school from the one you are currently at. Many REU summer programs tend to facilitate meeting with professors, getting a fee waiver from the host institution and giving (sometimes) giving you a little "leg up" when applying to their program. Additionally, getting a potential extra letter of recommendation from someone OUTSIDE of your school might be seen as something highly positive from the admissions committee (or so I've been told). Granted, many REUs are extremely competitive (admissions less than 5% for many), but if you get in and do good it gives you an extreme "leg up". If you are a minority and have good grades (it sounds like you have good research experience) you should definitely apply to some of the top 10 school REUs that are out there.

Best of luck!

[St Andrews Lynx]

Going into industry for at least one internship is something I'd strongly recommend. The environment is a lot more "professional" and it will teach you a lot in terms of working safely, being organised/self-disciplined (you can't slouch in to the workplace at 11am everyday) and generally give you another perspective on what "research" means. Plus, it's useful later down the line if you decide not to stay in academia.

[Faraday]

Going into industry for at least one internship is something I'd strongly recommend. The environment is a lot more "professional" and it will teach you a lot in terms of working safely, being organised/self-disciplined (you can't slouch in to the workplace at 11am everyday) and generally give you another perspective on what "research" means. Plus, it's useful later down the line if you decide not to stay in academia.

 

I would recommend the same thing with a government internship (in biology check out the NIH SIP). You will be working in a similarily professional and organized environment but doing research that might be more similar to that which you would expect in graduate school.

[Flux2]

Thanks guys for your answers!

Just one more thing

How competitive is it to get in REU programs or along that line?

[Orims]

From first hand experience I know that REU programs at the top 20, or even the top 10, are extremely competitive when looking at % admissions (some are even lower than grad school admissions!). For example, UCSF AMGEN only accepted less than 5% of applicants this past cycle. 

Best of luck!