summer research, commute+pay parking to work w/ big name, or on campus with unknown?

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>I recently sent out an email to a stem cell research institute in my area that sponsors several professors doing research, and got two replies. Please note first, that I'm living and working on campus over the summer. One reply was from a young assistant professor (PhD) whose lab is on campus, who is just starting out, isn't too well-established, and it didn't go to super top-ranked schools.</p>

<p>The other reply was from a well established older professor with quite a career history, both an MD and a PhD, went to top schools, but whose lab is located in the state university system's main medical school campus, which is in another city that is about 45 minutes to an hour from my campus. Additionally, that would require me getting the use of a parent's car for the summer, which would involve additional money for gas, a parking permit for my school's campus ($200!), and parking in the city where the lab is located.</p>

<p>I guess I'm just having trouble weighing the advantages and disadvantages of both, and would really appreciate some outside opinions on which lab I should work for during the summer. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Personally, I would recommend the new guy for a variety of reasons:

  • It would be more convenient for you. You don’t want to be driving 45 minutes twice a day over the summer. It’s costly, time-consuming, and accident prone (car breaks down? accident? etc.) No extra fees, no borrowing cars, no headaches.
  • The newer guy is sponsored by the same people sponsoring the other guy.
  • You’ll get more attention from the newer guy (fewer students, fewer projects, etc.) which is especially important for an undergraduate, especially a less experienced undergraduate (freshman/sophomore). This could mean more interesting work, perhaps more published work, more experience, etc.
  • The new guy has a career in front of him. The other guy has a career behind him. You could be a big part of the one guy’s career, but you’ll be an afternote to the other’s.</p>