Woods Hole or Europe?

<p>My daughter has just completed her freshman year and plans to declare as a Biology major next year. She is already looking ahead to her last couple years and preparation for grad school (she is the planning type) and is considering two "Study Abroad" options. The first is to spend a semester in the fall of her junior year either at Trinity (Ireland) or St. Andrews (Scotland) studying biology and the history & culture of those respective countries. The second option is to spend fall of her senior year at the Marine Biology Lab at Woods Hole with the Semester in Environmental Science program studying aquatic ecosystems (Note: NOT the Semester at Sea program). </p>

<p>As much as she would love to spend a semester overseas, she has been abroad before and is more concerned about positioning herself to apply to a top graduate program in biology (she would eventually like to teach at the university level). A graduate student who mentored her during an externship and a couple friends who are graduating seniors (and bio majors) have suggested that Woods Hole would be more beneficial for her academic aspirations. Are there any bio majors or posters who have been down this path before who would be willing to offer their opinions on these options?</p>

<p>It’s hard to minize the excellent reputation of the MBL. Experience there could open many doors down the road elsewhere. MBL or WHOI alumni hold faculty positions at many universities. Of course, there are other marine labs where valuable experience can be gained, so if she went abroad again, there would be options other than Woods Hole to apply to.</p>

<p>I would also go with Woods Hole.</p>