It’s a sickle cell research summer internship offered by a highly rated local hospital. It’s quite selective, and seems intensive. I hope to go into some field of engineering in a prestigious college (still not decided on the specifics), but I’m still very intrigued and interested in this program. I’m simply worried that an AdCom might think I’m not focused on a specific field that I plan to study in college. Although the internship does not directly involve engineering, I truly believe that the learning/intensive work/research aspect will benefit me in ways that I will utilize in my future. It also doesn’t hurt that I could potentially make upwards of $3000 and get published state/nationwide.
What are your thoughts/opinions?
Should I apply for this internship or engineering summer camps (these will most likely be out of state and definitely more expensive)?
Also, if anyone knows of other general opportunities that would be beneficial, please share.
I think the internship would be more beneficial than engineering summer camps, regardless of what you want to do in college. You would learn much more (presumably more hands on and real world experiences, rather the academic and artificial setting of a summer camp), get paid (compared to paying for a summer camp, which only demonstrates that your family is well-off enough to afford it), and have a competitive internship on your resume (compared to putting that you paid to go to an engineering summer camp over the summer).
That being said, don’t count your chickens before they hatch. This isn’t something you need to worry about until you actually get the internship. Apply to both (and anything else your interested in) and figure it out when you see where you’re accepted.
I’ve noticed that high schoool students tend to put a lot of emphasis on gearing their application towards what they think they want to do in college and that’s really not necessary at this point. Do things you find interesting and that you will learn from. A competitive, paid internship where you would learn a tremendous amount would be great for you regardless of what you think you want to do in college.
Yes, I ran into this same problem. I am currently interested in these Research Internship on diseases but my intend major is Engineering. I had doubts about whether this internship was for me or not, but one for sure is that it will benefit me in some ways and that it will expose to new things, and prepare me. When I check the website, they said that any STEM majors should applied because it is a benefit and a start.
It’s good to learn things that are not in your major. Do you really just want to learn pure Engineering formulas and skills? There could be a relationship between your intended internship and major, and you will have this advantage over others once you get into college.
Just know that every internship is worth the time and commitment.