Choosing Summer REU: UT Austin vs UC Davis

[morenogabr]

I have been accepted to two summer research programs: I can do plasma work at the University of Texas at Austin or particle physics work at University of California Davis.

I guess it would be silly to ask for advice regarding which program I should choose because I realize that they are both great schools and I alone must make the decision. But I have to make a decision fairly quickly and I guess I am not sure how to go about doing so. Anyone have advice on what important factors I should consider?

I've heard attending a summer REU at any given school increases your favorability of getting into their graduate program? How true is this? How important is the actual subject of research? I have been told that doing UG research is not a likely indicator of career path and is more about learning the research process.

 

[cristo]

Which subject do you think is more interesting? Personally (though this is from someone not living in the US), I'd much rather spend a summer in California than Texas!

 

[Goldbeetle]

What's a REU?

 

[morenogabr]

Which subject do you think is more interesting? Personally (though this is from someone not living in the US), I'd much rather spend a summer in California than Texas!

I think particle would be more interesting, but probably much harder. Though I could be wrong, magnetohydrodynamics in plasma is no walk in the park. I guess I feel I am more familiar with plasma but think particle would be more of an adventure.

I don't know much about Davis CA, but Austin is a blast. Especially during the summer!

 

[morenogabr]

What's a REU?

Research experience for undergraduates

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_Experiences_for_Undergraduates

 

[Goldbeetle]

Sorry, that's true. Thanks. LB

 

[Norman]

REUs are often hit or miss. The biggest question, if you are equally interested in the either field and are only looking to do *some* sort of research, is do you know anything about either of the professors you will be working for? Do you even know who you will be working for?

When I did my REU, I knew the professor I was going to be doing the REU under, so I knew he was a good research advisor (I had collaborated with him on research previously).

 

[morenogabr]

REUs are often hit or miss. The biggest question, if you are equally interested in the either field and are only looking to do *some* sort of research, is do you know anything about either of the professors you will be working for? Do you even know who you will be working for?

When I did my REU, I knew the professor I was going to be doing the REU under, so I knew he was a good research advisor (I had collaborated with him on research previously).

At this point I know who I will work under at UT, I don't know him in any personal sense, but I do know a professor that is familiar with him and might be able to give me his opinion on how good of an advisor this person might be. I don't know who I will work with at UC, but will soon. Hadn't thought very hard about the advisor aspect yet, thanks for the tip.