<p>I am a junior in high school. This past year I did a research internship in the physical sciences at a prestigious research university. I have already been invited back for next year. I loved working in this laboratory more than I've ever loved anything in my life, but I'm torn. There is another research internship at a different Ivy going on during the same time period next year and the admissions process is uber-competitive - 10/990 accepted. Is it absolutely foolish to apply for admission into this position?
Pros of going back to X University:
1. I love the work and the math I get to do there.
2. I learned more in 10 weeks than I did all school year.
3. The Professor and the grad students like me and know that I am enthusiastic about engineering/responsible.
4. I already know the ropes and can dive right in to work again upon resuming the position.
5. I have a problem I thought of independently that I can test and collect data(!)
6. The Professor is an alum of the university that is my top choice.</p>
<p>Pros of trying out Y University:
1. ...Admittedly, I'm curious to see whether or not I'll be accepted now that I have lab experience at a different Ivy...I tried last year and got rejected.
2. I'd have affiliations with not just one, but two great schools.
3. I might discover another field of science that I'm passionate about.</p>
<p>I am leaning towards going back to X University...I loved it so much, yet I still want to apply just to see if I could get accepted into Y University's program...but then am I obligated to go if they only accept 10 people!? I also feel like loyalty goes a long way and I feel very strongly attached to the lab at X Uni. Can anyone who has been in a similar situation let me know what their experience was/what they would do in such a situation?</p>