<p>I'm just wondering if it's better to do a summer research program (like Clark Scholars in TTU, UCBerkeley's SHARP, or UCLA's HSSRP) or to talk to a professor on your own and do research outside of a program. Does it make a difference? In research programs, is there more of a likelihood that you'd get to do cutting-edge/bleeding-edge work?</p>
<p>Well it really depends… If the topics of the programs don’t interest you then… Doing independent research would be your best choice. But HSSRP&Clarks are free… So apply to them first and see if you get in</p>
<p>As prototyped says, it depends. Both programs are great, but I’m doing internship/independent research, because I’m too young to apply for any research programs.</p>
<p>I recommend that our students do both. Working with a faculty member on campus can lead to a longer and more fruitful research project and going to an REU can give the student a taste of what other universities are like.</p>