To give some context, I am from Michigan and just finished working in a lab at Michigan State University for about a year and half now.
I was accepted into the High Schools Honors Science Program (HSHSP) at Michigan State University.
I was also placed on the waitlist of the Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University. Unfortunately, I was not pulled off the waitlist; however, a professor there has offered me an independent research opportunity and the research is quite fascinating and promising and in a different field than my previous lab. The program directors said that I can still partake in all of the Simons program activities and I have access to Simons housing and food options.
I am having trouble deciding between joining a program at a university that I am already familiar with (and I would probably conduct research in the field I did my previous research in because of how I structured my application) or pursuing the independent option in a new place and conducting research in a field that is more interesting to me.
Could I still mention on my college applications that I was accepted to HSHSP if I choose to do the independent option at Simons?
How seriously do colleges take program prestige? I know that both programs are great and I would have a great time at either, but I also want to make sure I make the best decision for enhancing my college applications.
Please let me know if I need to elaborate on anything. Thank you for any input you may have!