Internship = research for nuclear engineering grad school?

[Flat]

Hello all, How does an internship compare to research experience for grad school?

I ask this because I am trying to finalize my private loan plan. If I do an internship for next summer, I will probably end up having to figure in the summer's rent and utilities into my loan for the place I am at now, due to I won't probably be able to pay 2 rents at once. On the other hand, if I stay and work on research, I probably won't have to figure in that rent. I think it would be interesting to do an internship, however I'm not sure of what significance it plays in grad school admittance.



Also slightly related question: How much do you guys usually spend a month of food and toiletries? I am trying to get a rough estimate of how much I will need to work over the school year to support myself. It looks like the majority of my summer earnings will be going into buying furniture for the new appartment.

 

[Flat]

Also slightly related question: How much do you guys usually spend a month of food and toiletries? I am trying to get a rough estimate of how much I will need to work over the school year to support myself. It looks like the majority of my summer earnings will be going into buying furniture for the new appartment.

More related to this part:
Today I received a job offer for working tuesday and thursdays 12:30pm -9:00pm (8 hours in total, including the 1/2hr lunch). The only downside is on tuesdays and thursdays I am in class from 7:30am-12:18pm (with an hour brake mixed in there somewhere). This job pays very decent as well.

Even with my high estimates, the 16 hours/week would be more than enough. I am a bit concerned though because a) I have never worked that many hours during the school year and b) because I am not too sure what to think about having a 7:30am-9:00pm day.

On MWF I am out of classby 4:30 and I wouldn't be working weekends, so I *think* that should be enough study time. Perhaps having a test on Weds or Friday could get a bit sticky.

Anyone have any thoughts/concerns/advise?

 

[Mene]

I can provide some insight into this question. Internships and research experiences both have their own benefits and can be valuable for graduate school admission. However, they serve different purposes and it ultimately depends on your personal goals and interests.

Internships typically involve working with a company or organization in a specific field, while research experiences are typically conducted in a laboratory or academic setting. Both can provide hands-on experience and allow you to apply your knowledge in a practical setting. However, internships may offer more exposure to real-world applications and industry practices, while research experiences may offer more in-depth exploration of a specific topic or area of study.

In terms of their significance for graduate school admission, both internships and research experiences can be viewed positively by admissions committees. They demonstrate your commitment to your field of study and your ability to apply your knowledge in a practical setting. However, it is important to note that these experiences should be related to your field of study and should align with your research interests and career goals.

In terms of budgeting for living expenses, it is difficult to provide an estimate as it varies greatly depending on location, lifestyle, and personal preferences. It may be helpful to consult with current graduate students in your program or research the cost of living in the area you will be living in. Additionally, many universities have resources for budgeting and financial planning for graduate students.