For this summer 1 of 10 selected for REU and offer for Fellowship/Scholars Program.Which to Choose?

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

I am not going to go into specific details but I was accepted to and am considering between two opportunities for this summer. They run overlapping so it is impossible to do both.

The first option: 1 of 10 nationally selected for a 10 week REU (Research Experience Undergraduate) program at Ivy League school. Housing is paid for. Stipend provided. Meals are not provided. I have previously conducted research but the REU is in a field that is new to me.

The second option option: 1 of 3 or so selected for Summer Scholars Fellowship 14 week internship at national research lab in Washington DC. The director is looking into housing… 12.50/hour is rate of pay. Meals are not provided. The research directly aligns with my current field of research.

Please help - not sure what to do. Told second option about first option offer and they need a response ASAP or will offer fellowship to another undergrad.

Thanks so much!

2

If money is an issue, the REU sounds like a better deal. At 12.50/hour, much of your paycheck will go to living in DC. Depends on how the director is able to work out housing for you.

Otherwise, I would just think about the two areas of research. Do you want to continue getting more experience in your current field or diversify? Do you want to steer your career towards academia or industry?

REUs are often a strong recruiting tool for universities, so that’s something to consider if you’d be interested in a graduate degree at this Ivy League school. I would guess that the national lab fellowship would open up more doors for career opportunities, but you really can’t go wrong with either.

Edit: Just saw that this was asked four days ago. Probably made your decision already. Oh well.