I am trying to decide between 2 opportunities for this summer : NIH SIP (unpaid) or Garcia.
Ignoring the cost consideration (both will end up costing the same) which one is more prestigious ?
I have seen previous discussions where some rank NIH SIP as more prestigious while the others rank Garcia as higher.
My own feelings are mixed about this. For NIH, I think luck plays a huge part since getting in depends on contacting the right PI at the right time. Garcia, on the other hand, has a more orderly process with essays, transcripts, scores, etc.
I would say NIH bc its more of an ACTUAL lab experience working with PIs. While Garcia is more of a “program” thing.
I agree, NIH is probably the better option, even if unpaid.
On CC threads regarding the relative prestige of various programs, I have seen NIH rated higher than SIMR and a step below RSII and SSP. However, having gone through the process, luck seems to be the predominant selection criteria with NIH. Anecdotally, from the multiple interviews with NIH PIs, they just asked cursory questions about the items on the resume and did not attempt to test the knowledge in any specific area. Most of the time was actually spent by the PI explaining their research.
Garcia on the other hand, was a mini college application. Every applicant is evaluated relative to others with luck playing a minor role.
Another consideration is the possibility of submitting the summer work for Siemens or Intel. Garcia seems to have many Siemens and Intel Semi finalists, while I am not sure what the similar statistics is for NIH.
Still conflicted.
@freca19 - Remember that a summer program is what you make of it. From what I know, NIH gives you top-notch training and freedom to work on your own project (which you can later submit to Intel/Siemens). Both programs are competitive and prestigious so those factors definitely shouldn’t affect your decision. Just remember that you have two great options.
@SJNccc - I have come across that comment about “summer program is what you make of it” multiple times on various threads. From college applications point of view, I am wondering how does that get reflected on the application ?. Whatever is achieved during summer will ultimately end up being described as a line in ECs section or part of essay (lets ignore the possibility of Intel/Siemens for a moment). For most part, the student does not really have much control on work they do in either of these two programs. At NIH, it has to be in the field of the PI. Given that you have basically have to spam a bunch of PIs to have any luck is landing an internship, its a matter of chance that your interest matches exactly with the field of the PI that responds back.
Garcia, is similar story, they have a limited set of areas that you get to work in.
I have talked to many seniors with successful college app cycle this year and they all seem to hint that they have, lets say for a lack of better phrase, stretched their summer accomplishments on the app. What they told me is that unless your summer work results in an award (Siemens/Intel/published paper), its really the prestige of the program that matters. The AdCom does not have enough time to validate the merits of your work in the summer program, other than what you write in the college app.
It seems “summer program is what you make of it” really means what you can convincingly write about it in your college app.