Deciding Between Two REU Programs - Tips & Prestige Advice

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the decision-making process for selecting between multiple Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs). Participants share their experiences and perspectives on the importance of prestige, the risks of waiting for a preferred program, and the criteria for making a choice among accepted offers.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Personal experience sharing

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about whether to choose one of the two accepted REUs or wait for a response from a top choice, questioning the importance of prestige.
  • Another participant argues against taking a chance without a guaranteed backup plan, suggesting that any accepted REU is better than risking a summer without one.
  • A different viewpoint emphasizes that "prestige" is subjective and should not heavily influence the decision-making process.
  • Some participants recommend making a decision based on the certainty of accepted offers rather than waiting for potentially better options.
  • One participant shares their experience of choosing an REU based on positive communication with a professor, highlighting the importance of personal engagement in the decision process.
  • Another participant mentions that they have received additional offers and reflects on the criteria they should use to make their final decision.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that having a guaranteed option is preferable to waiting for uncertain outcomes. However, there are differing opinions on the significance of prestige and the risks associated with waiting for a preferred program.

Contextual Notes

Participants' decisions are influenced by personal circumstances, such as GPA and the reputation of their home institutions, which may affect their perspectives on the value of different REUs.

tierradelfueg
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Hey guys, I've been following the forum for some time,

I am a sophomore, and I applied to about 12 REU programs this semester, since I have a 2.9 GPA and was not even expecting to get into any since they are so competitive.
Turns out I got into two! and I have to make a decision by monday.

On one hand I feel lucky that I have the ability to even choose, but at the same I still wish/hope that I get into my top choice REU program, but I do not think I will hear from them on monday. I already emailed asking for the status of my application, and they said they were still not finished.

I am conflicted if to choose one of these REUs or take a chance and hope that my first choice or the other 8 accept me.

what should I do? And does prestige matter when it comes to REUs

thanks for your time
 
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Personally I think taking a chance is stupid unless you have some kind of guaranteed back up plan that is at least as good as one of the two REUs you have been accepted to. A less prestigious REU is infinitely more valuable than a summer doing nothing.
 
Well, it sounds like you'll have to make a decision then. You have to weigh the guaranteed options that you have against the probability that you'll get into a more desirable program each mulitiplied by the desirability of the respective program.

The one hint I have is that from my experience "prestige" is highly subjective and you should avoid making decisions based on it.
 
My recommendation is to not take the chance. REUs in general are all really selective and "prestigious." I don't think you need to worry about how different REUs compare to one another in prestige.
 
hey thanks for the responses

the prestige question was mostly curiosity.

The only reason I wanted to take a chance was mostly because my first choice is a little different since its CS/engineering research with an emphasis on engineering ethics. But I guess that If I do not hear from them, I should not risk it and I should make my decision on monday.
 
I'd wait until the last minute to reply. If your top choices haven't made a decision by then, I'd probably go with what you got. Otherwise you may very well end up missing out on something good.
 
Thanks, yeah. I actually got into another one today!which I have to reply by next friday. But still. The reason i applied to so many is because i did not think I had a chance, and now I am not even sure under what criteria to choose.
 
I was sort of in the same boat, but my situation was slightly different. I have a pretty good GPA and letters of rec., but I am from a very, very small school that I can guarantee nobody has ever heard of. I applied to 9 and, to my surprise, got into 4 (one had the funding yanked by the NSF).

My final decision was based on a series of emails that I had with the professor. I asked him some pretty specific questions about the program and he did a fantastic job of answering them -- basically he made me feel important. Ha! Some of the other programs treated my questions like a chore. Not cool.

I also decided that I didn't want to gamble. I didn't want to give up this REU for a chance at my top choice. That later proved to be smart, since I didn't get into the other program. And, actually, the more research I did, I'm sort of glad I didn't get into my "top" choice. I don't know if it would have suited my interests as well.
 
yeah that's very well true. Well at this point i would not be gambling anymore since I have a third choice which to answer to by friday. but i think I already know what I am going to do. What type of questions did you ask in order to decide, union68?
 

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