Which internship do I take?

Graduate School
1

<p>I am a sophomore and am trying to position myself for acceptance into a top 20 molecular biology PhD program. I have a 3.78 GPA, am a chemistry tutor, and am currently in my second semester of internship at an industrial research lab. I have a dilemma though, and I do not know which internship I should take. This week, at my current internship, I was offered a job/extension for next semester, but also, this week, I was offered an internship at a lab, where I would be doing basic research on Alzheimer's Disease. </p>

<p>My end goal is biogerontology research. </p>

<p>Which one do I take?</p>

<p>At my current internship, I work in R&D at an industry leading company where I investigate the effects of UV radiation (and other co-variables such as moisture, frequency, intensity, and temperature) on the aging of polymers, coatings, and paints. Publication is guaranteed in a reputable journal. I have a lot of autonomy here, and design and perform my own experiments with some complicated test apparatus that not many people are exposed to. This internship is paid, btw.</p>

<p>The internship I was offered this week is at a very well known research lab, and relates to the field I plan to go into. I do not know if it is a paid internship (this doesn't really matter), nor do I know if I will be published, but it is possible. </p>

<p>The positives of the first internship are that I have put a lot of time into it, and managed to possibly get hired, and I will be published before I have a BS. I also have a lot of leeway in my schedule, and they will work generously around my often rigorous academic load. The negative is that the research does not directly relate to my intended field of study. </p>

<p>The positive of the second internship are that the research is closely related to what I want to research later in life. The negative is that I do not know if I will be published, and that the internship will last a maximum of 6 months, most likely 4.</p>

<p>What do you all think I should do? What would look best on a grad school application? If I do not take the second internship, I am sure I will have another opportunity to intern in a biology lab in 2013 or 2014.</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice in advance!</p>

<p>Grant</p>

2

<p>If you want to do biological research in grad school, it would be best to start now. Graduate study is very focused, and the more experience you can demonstrate in your targeted subfield, the better off you are. UV polymers and coatings aren’t going to mean anything to the molecular biologists reviewing your graduate application.</p>