<p>Ok, So I am interested in applying to graduate school (most likely applied math or medical physics) and have a question. I want to ultimately go into medical imaging, and I know that research experience is a very strong component of any graduate school application. Thus,</p>
<p>How do you know what will make for a good research experience?</p>
<p>I have been offered spots for next summer at the Dept of Radiation Physics, Massachusetts General Hospital; Dept of BioImaging Science at Yale Med; Dept of Cellular Oncology at the University of Chicago, and Dept of Radiation Oncology at U.T. MD Anderson Cancer Center.</p>
<p>All are great institutions, but how is one to choose. They all seem dynamic and interesting, and are relevant to my proposed plan of grad study..... any advice?</p>
<p>One thing to do is to make sure each prospective professor is active in research. Do a search for peer-reviewed articles and make sure that they are active in publishing current research. That is a good indicator of a great research advisor. Also, try to read a paper that with each of them as primary authors. This will give you insight on where they are right now and where they plan to go with their research and will tell you a little bit more about their interests and try to match them up with your own. One last thing I'd try to do is find out how many times their publications were referred to in other publications. This can be misleading though, some older professors will obviously have more publications referenced to in newer papers, but can give you a baseline as to how the professor is regarded in the field (i.e. does he/she complete good research that has stood the test of time, produce 'classic' papers, etc.).</p>
<p>These are just a few things I try to keep in mind when I look for graduate advisors, but is also a good way to target a summer research professor.</p>
<p>One last thing would be to look at alumna/us of the professor that completed undergraduate reserach with him/her in the past and what they are doing now. See if their goals are being met and if they are ending up in similar institutions where you would to complete grad school. If this info isn't available on their website, drop the professors a quick line to ask them if you could have contact info on previous undergraduate students in the program to ask them a few questions (they should be happy to oblige, if you don't feel comfortable with this, figure out what graduate students are working with him and email them a few questions). </p>
<p>Good luck and feel free to ask more questions!</p>
<p>ps. Really like the nick...very math-like...my nick is related to my field as well! ;)</p>
<p>While Ophiolite's advice is top notch, it may be a bit more than necessary for a summer research spot and more appropriate for the kind of investigation needed when applying to graduate school. Grad schools are looking for involvement in research and the all important letter of recommendation from a research advisor. All of the places you mentioned will have high level faculty who are tops in their fields so choosing between them will be very difficult if that is your criteria for picking an internship. Instead I would look at two things. First, which spot gives you the best chance of working directly with a faculty member that can give you a letter of recommendation. Second, which spot is connected with a graduate program that you might want to attend in the future. This is important as a letter from a colleague known personally to the admissions committee is invaluable.</p>
<p>Also, which do you think grad schools prefer as far as research -- random research by contacting professors, or structure research programs (NSF REU, NIH SIP, etc)?</p>
<p>In my experience, when doing research as not part of a program, you are treated more as an equal and have a greater opportunity to contribute to professional publications/conferences etc. Programs seem to be limited to publishing etc at the undergrad level (though programs do guarantee funding where independent contact usually doesn't). Any thoughts?</p>
<p>I'd like to bump Jacobian's last question (and by the way, congratulations!).</p>
<p>I also have a question of my own... I'm an incoming college freshman and I've had some research experience since my junior year of high school. My current research advisor (who works at a different school from the one I will matriculate at) has liked my work so far and would like me to continue working with his lab, which is quite active. The topics they have been investigating are very fascinating to me (neuroscience) and I've also enjoyed working there. Would it be advisable to stick with my current research advisor for undergrad research, or find another lab in my own school? I just thought it would be a hassle to "start all over again," if you know what I mean. Thanks.</p>
<p>The feeling that I got during (biology PhD) interviews was that graduate school admissions committees like seeing dedication to a lab, but I think in your case you need to balance that with the ability to have more than one "squarci works in my lab and is the most amazing undergrad I've ever HAD" recommendation letter.</p>
<p>Why not stick with your current lab for a semester or two, then look for a new lab next summer or fall? That way you would show dedication to your research projects (3 years at each lab) as well as have two solid rec letters.</p>