Decision Time: CERN or Georgia Tech's Nanotech Program?

[americanforest]

My research advisor is telling me to go to CERN this summer, however I applied and was accepted to the Georgia Tech Nanotech program. I heard the Georgia Tech Nanotech program is one of the best, is that true. What do you guys think I should do? CERN or GT?

 

[arunma]

Well CERN sounds better to me from an academic perspective, but I'm biased, since I'll be doing high energy physics this summer myself (MINOS here). I don't know much about Georgia Tech's Nanotech program, heck, I don't even know what nanotechnology is. But I can tell you that Atlanta is a pretty cool town (if that sways your decision at all). It's got the great weather of the South, and a lot of stuff to do for fun, but without the suckiness of the stereotypical South.

 

[americanforest]

I'm not sure what I'm going to concentrate on the future so I'm just looking at it from purely practical standpoint, especially how future employers will look at this. I think Georgia is one of the better research programs in the nation in Nanotech so I think that would be good to intern there if I go into Nanotech. If I got into Particle Physics would going to CERN look just as good on my resume for particle physics?

If all else fails I could do one this summer, and the other at some other time. Any advise?

 

[Mororvia]

If it was me and I wasn't totally sure which direction I wanted to do, I would choose CERN. If you're from the US, I think international experience would be looked upon favorably. Not that GT wouldn't be, but not all that many have the opportunity to travel outside of the country.

If this is your first research experience (doubt it since you said you have a research advisor), you can learn a lot about what it means to do research regardless of what you study.

So, quick recap: If it was me, I'd pick CERN if I wasn't sure what I wanted to do (and cost was not a factor). I'd pick GT if I was pretty sure that is what I wanted to do in the future.

Good luck

 

[americanforest]

I think one of the main things is that I think that GT is an actual research job (internship), whereas CERN would be more of a trip with maybe a bit of research thrown in. I'm going to go with GT. Also, it will be much easier to get into their nanotech graduate program if I do the intership, which is a really good door to keep open for me. Hopefully though, I will be able to go to CERN at some point in the future.

It's my first semester as a Physics major so I'm a bit ahead of the game on the research front. I decided I'd dive right into it, as I think it's just as important as grades. I'm doing Monte Carlo simulations for my advisor with a view to publishing a paper at some point in the near future (hopefully within a year or two). I'm getting paid the same I was paid as a bagger at my local grocery store, but this is so much more fun :)

 

[americanforest]

I have to make my decision within the hour. Any more last minute advise? I think I won't be doing much at CERN as I just started doing research and don't know enough to really be of much use. At GT, however, I would be of more use. Also, the CERN job was offered to me and the GT job I had to apply for and get through a pretty selective accpetance process. I figure if it's that much harder to get in GT, it's probably more worth going. Also, GT would give me an easier road through graduate school and future jobs possibly at GT.