<p>Hi, I got offer from working in the chemical engineering lab with faculty after interview(I'll be participating in post-doc's research). It's top 5 chem engineering school, and I am currently physics and chemistry major sophomore from different college near this school. But, the problem is I will not be paid at all, maybe I can get one or two credits for internship or independent study. Since my school doesn't have engineering department, I was going to overcome non-engineering major disadvantage. It takes an hour to go back and forth from my school, and I will be dedicated about 8 to 10 hours. Is it really worth it for me to go to top grad school? </p>
<p>or is it just better to look for research on campus(either chem or physics_but paid)?</p>
<p>PS. I want to go to engineering grad school with non engineering degree.</p>
<p>I don’t know how it is in engineering, but in physics, if there’s a chance to do some really good quality research with a professor who has a good track-record for publishing, money is a non-issue. So it depends, does this person have a good track record, will he treat you respectfully, does the fact that you’re not getting paid means that he doesn’t care about you, and can you learn much from doing it? And probably most importantly, despite the answers to those questions, are you still willing to do it? The worst thing you can do is flake out, because that burns bridges and just irritates people who might be willing to help you out for no return to themselves.</p>
<p>If it’s a top 5 school in the field that you’re applying to, I would do it, regardless of not getting paid or the fact that it’s an hour away. Who cares about getting paid when you get to work with experts in your field of interest??</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply. It’s chemical engineering, and it is U of Minnesota(which is ranked #3 in ChemE grad schools). Grad student is really nice and tries to help me a lot. I don’t know this professor has a good track record, but, she publishes about 5-6 publication(I don’t know how those journals are good, but, mostly they are wellknown journals). I asked this question because my mentor asked it’s kinda too early to have internship and focus more on studying. also because I don’t get paid. I’m above average student(not smartest one though). Thank you.</p>