<p>I am trying to decide what to do this summer, and am currently a sophomore. I am very interested in research, and want to enter a science competition eventually.</p>
<p>This summer. I have thought of two ideas:</p>
<p>1) Apply to University of Chicago Summer Program for High School Students. I need to apply and get into the program, but also pay for it. Do colleges look down on that?</p>
<p>2) Help/work in a nearby research lab where I would NOT be doing my own original research, but helping the doctor with theirs.</p>
<p>Since I'm equally interested in both, which looks better for college?</p>
<p>The program accepts 36 students only.</p>
<p>You’ll have no shortage of coursework by the time you apply to colleges. So a summer of additional courses at University of Chicago is unlikely to impress. However some real world work, with an opportunity to be involved with hands-on research, is special. You’ll be exposed to people that you don’t normally interact with, and perhaps be part of a successful project.</p>
<p>Thanks so much! Based on multiple factors, I think I’ll take the lab research, but any other opinions?</p>
<p>The summer program is a basic science research course, so it’s still research-related.</p>
<p>Definitely take the research. I had the opportunity to do a summer program at a prestigious university as well as working at a lab, and while the latter required over 60 hours of unpaid lab work (independent project and assisting lab members), I decided to choose it anyway. Definitely worth it, as it got me a number of science scholarships to different colleges that I applied to. </p>
<p>The research also shows passion, if that’s something you’re looking to pursue. Good luck!</p>
<p>do the research another summer class won’t really show your interest, plus you have to pay so cubersome.</p>
<p>In addition, the lab director could write a great letter of recommendation for you. You won’t get that from taking a summer class…</p>