<p>Im looking towards applied math or aerospace engineering when i apply to grad schools next fall. im currently a physics major</p>
<p>what are the best things to do to best prepare myself for either one? dont engineering grad schools want you to do an internship? ive never done one
dont applied math grad schools want you to go an REU? how can you do one if you do an internship? also, I checked the NSF website and most of the REUs in math are for pure, not applied, math</p>
<p>If you are planning on a PhD, then you should get some research experience. I'm sure that a research internship would be more valuable than one from industry for grad school, IMO. Industry internships are best for students that want to join the workforce straight out of a BS.</p>
<p>I think any research is better than no research at all so don't limit yourself to applied math REUs. For example, I am an EE major and I have done research in fusion, plasma and high energy physics. The important thing is to be able to adapt to your project and work independently. My advice is to apply to any area that you find interesting regardless of which department it is in. After all, you are shaping your future research interests.</p>
<p>Also, don't limit yourself to the NSF website. There are a lot of other programs that are similar. For example, NASA USRP, National Labs, Caltech SURF, etc.</p>