<p>I have been chosen for 2 excellent summer programs - both of them quite prestigious and free :)</p>
<p>One of them is my state's governor school - where I will be a latin major, and also a biology/chemistry minor</p>
<p>The second is researching with a published professor in vascular diseases at a university. Room, board and food is provided here too.</p>
<p>the second one looks more appealing to me, since its research is kinda cool. But like the university is 2000 miles away, and some of my very close friends will be going to the governor's school.</p>
<p>so what do i pick? advice is much appreciated</p>
<p>I'd rather say to go w/ the second choice.......just looks better, I guess u can still make new friends while doing the research thing too! New Place--is also appealing.......so, go w/ the second one :D</p>
<p>The first option is more appropriate. Summer is a time of recreation as well as enrichment. Wouldn't you rather be in a social setting? Unless you will be able to publish alongside the professor, contribute significantly, and garner accolades for the work, why do you want to do this? Have you established an impressive array of research so that the opportunity complements your background?</p>
<p>Well, I kinda skimmed the OP, u left out one imp point---what do u actually wanna do? Studying and get an edge for college? (not saying that the Governor's prog doesn't give u an edge! but see, another hundreds of applicants do the Governor's thing, but not a lot get opportunity to do the research thing!) or spend a more social time (again, not saying that Gov prog is completely a social place) ?</p>
<p>I disagree with Private_Joker's response. Some students enjoy a social setting for the summer, and some would rather have the opportunity to research in a lab with older peers -- professors and graduate students. Not everyone does research for the purpose of garnering accolades or producing publishable works, although I'm sure most people would agree that these are nice perks. What about a genuine interest in research, in working on problems to which there are no absolute textbook answers, in doing original or perhaps semi - original work? What about pursuing a specific subfield that a classroom setting might only devote several minutes to, if at all? BTW, all researchers had to start somewhere, so it's a little silly to say that someone without extensive research experience should not research this summer. If everyone followed your advice, nobody at all would be doing research ... </p>
<p>What I'm saying is that you seem to think that research is not recreation. But to some kids, research can actually be recreational and fun as well as enriching, regardless of whether an "appropriate" number of peers are of similar age or background.</p>
<p>To the OP, I guess the question is what kind of atmosphere you would be more comfortable in, a working professional one or more of a camp setting?</p>
<p>well both are kinda fun. the research program also has trips on the weekends and ofcourse ill have some other high school kids being mentored under other professors too - about 20 others to be exact.</p>
<p>^ this also gives me a chance to get some collegiate research instead of high school projects under my belt</p>
<p>governors scholar is just kinda cool. one of those lifetime opportunities, which I will probably never get to do again. because there are seminars, dances, concerts, and stuff. most of my friends who went last summer enjoyed this one as well</p>
<p>what state are you in? If GS is a lifetime opportunity and IF you can do research this next year or some other time, then the choice is obvious.</p>
<p>Do whichever one you think you will enjoy more.</p>
<p>I personally would choose the research. That experience will continue to bear fruit for you--you can continue the research...you'll have built a useful relationship with a mentor...you can start a project with your research that you can submit to contests, etc.</p>
<p>Governor's School is a one-time thing. You can always put on your college apps that you got into Governor's School and chose to conduct research instead, but you can't do the opposite (go to Gov's School and get recognition for research you didn't do).</p>
<p>yea if i go for the research - thats what i plan on doing</p>
<p>i got another thing - like - im probably going to get a research internship during the school year - so then what is the point of going so far and researching there?</p>
<p>Seems like, u r really 'confused' w/ ur decision. When there r once in a life time opportunities (that of GS), I'd have gone w/ the GS, since u can probably do the Research thing all thru rest of ur life! U might not have an early start to research thing though, which I believe wouldn't hurt ur decision to a college. So, it's now upto U to decide what u should do! (duh? afterall, u will take ur OWN decision right?!)</p>
<p>Tell u what, sit in silence (it works for me, if not just infront of the notebook/pc whtever u r using) and think for a moment---what exactly you wanna spend your summer for? "Friends+unique experience" or "Looking better for college application+serious, intellectual time". :D</p>
<p>damn! Don't u have any problem when giving multiple choice tests, like when u've to guess intelligently? (i know, it has nothing to do, but just wondering!)</p>
<p>nah! don't fret that much! None of them look better or worse than each other in my eye! But at times, the research thing looks a bit better though! Anyway, just let me know whatever the decision u take ok? I wish I found myself in such a problem! I just got accepted to the only one I applied, like GS thing, state funded, but not THAT prestigious, but still a month long :D</p>