<p>Hi. I posted a thread before about how I was going to do research this summer instead of volunteering. However, I thought about it and I don't think I want to do it anymore.</p>
<p>I did research last summer and I liked it a lot and won a bunch of awards. The research I would be doing this summer is in a similar topic as last summer, but not a continuation, so I would not be gaining much new experience really and I'm not very interested in the topic.</p>
<p>My other option that I'm strongly considering (assuming I get the job) is volunteering at a children's museum while taking a college course at a nearby college (its an IVY ftw). I would either stay with some family or board at the school.</p>
<p>I feel like I'd enjoy the 2nd option so much more, but would it look bad that I'm quitting research? I may possibly want to do more research in college or even become a professor/researcher later in life, but this is my last REAL summer (I'm a junior). Will colleges frown upon me quitting research?</p>
<p>bump
I just don’t know what to do! What if I’m passing up being an Intel finalist here? (Unlikely but possible).
BTW if it makes a difference I was a Siemens Semifinalist this year and I got a few state honorable mention things. Also, if I were to work in the children’s museum, it’s a very science-oriented museum so I would be teaching science to little kids.</p>
<p>Most colleges don’t care what your ECs are. They overwhelmingly make decisions based on your stats.</p>
<p>The few colleges that do factor ECs into admission care more about what you accomplish with your ECs than what exactly those ECs are or how long you’ve been doing them. They want you to follow your passions, not do something to try to impress colleges. They expect students to grow and change their interests, not to stick with something forever just because they think colleges want to see longterm commitment.</p>
<p>The colleges also know that it’s normal for interests to change. In fact, most college students change majors at least twice.</p>
<p>@itry I didn’t mean to brag. I was just wondering if quitting now would mean all of that work was for nothing, or if colleges would consider it enough that I was a Siemens semifinalist. I’m so conflicted. I enjoy research, but I’d like to try something different. Would colleges understand? Like maybe it would make a difference to someone if I said “I did research and got nothing out of it” vs. “I did research and won a major award.” I thought this was pretty relevant seeing as I asked “Will colleges frown upon me quitting research?” as in will this affect my ADMISSION to college. </p>
<p>@Northstarmom thanks for the advice, you’ve been really helpful on all of these threads.</p>
<p>rainbowrose, I think you are putting entirely too much emphasis on what will likely be a single line in your college application under the “Activities” section: Summer 2010: volunteer at children’s science museum (or research internship at ____). </p>
<p>I can almost guarantee you that no college admissions officer is going to look so carefully at your application that they say, “OMG, she stopped doing research. We’ll have to reject her!!!” :D</p>
<p>You have two great options, and whichever one you choose, you can’t go wrong. Please don’t plan your life around what you think a college admissions office wants to see. Just pick the option that you think you would enjoy the most and go have a great summer!</p>
<p>@worried_mom I really think I’d enjoy the second option just as much, if not more. Also, not having to deal with the hassle of entering competitions will make my senior year so much easier!</p>
<p>I guess you guys are right… I guess I’m more worried about the fact that I’d win Intel or something if I were to do research. But if I wasn’t enjoying it, I guess my chances of writing a good paper approach 0% XD</p>
<p>I’m really starting to think I’ve made the right decision (assuming I can get the job but the website made it sound like there is a lot open). I know I’m going to like taking a college class and I found the fan-page on Facebook for the museum I want to work at and it looks like so much fun! In the pictures, the adults got to act silly while teaching little kids. Sounds much more fun than being stuck in a lab for 7 weeks. I can also get a head start with some credits WIN-WIN</p>
<p>Now to break it to everyone who expects me to do research this summer (aka my mentor and school research director)…</p>
WIN-WIN</p>