Advice needed for summer program selection

[Anonymous]

My HS junior recently got into a lab research in HYPSM (cold calling, no connection) working remotely. The project seems cool and topnotch and he would be contributing meaningfully and most likely will have his name on the paper slated for CHI 2027 (I am told that it is a prestigious conference). He is also awaiting results from SSP summer program - astrophysics. 5 weeks residential. He much prefers the work that he is doing in the lab. But is torn if offered SSP (he is shortlisted for the lottery) for the prestige. Some mention that after RSI, SSP is the next most competitive research program. He also has other ongoing research at non Top 20 university in the area of interest.

Appreciate your thoughts- SSP is $11K for 5 weeks (not a deal breaker but a consideration). The other research opportunities are free and not limited to summer, he is already working on them and plans to continue through his senior year and college. He works directly with postdocs and also presents occasionally to the lab professor in charge.

He wants to apply for HYPSM and other top tech schools for CS. Asian, Male if that matters. I will be showing these responses to him, so appreciate your feedback!

[Anonymous]

He should take the virtual research that he prefers! Sounds like it will be meaningful and can continue, is at least as impressive as SSP if not more so, and you can save the money for his expenses at college.

[Anonymous]

as a lab PI, i would be totally open to DS asking me for advice about getting accepted to prestigious summer program vs continuing work with my lab over the summer and beyond. they're not necessarily mutually exclusive or if they are, PI should be able to give honest advice after discussing your son's interests, college/career aspirations. good mentors help mentees choose the best opportunities. at the same time, if your son prefers the lab and has to choose, would do what he enjoys over prestige.

[Anonymous]

Great choices!

[Anonymous]

My daughter did both remote research and a selective summer program (where we only paid room / board- she got a merit scholarship for the tuition of the program ). She vastly preferred the in-person experience for the opportunity to be away (it was great preparation for going to college) and the deeper relationships she built w peers and mentors. Did end up here a letter of rec from PI. At a HYPSM now for college

[Anonymous]

I wish I knew what planet this family is on that they have access to opportunities like this. This sounds both amazing and mysterious. Like I can’t understand almost any acronym above that isn’t spelled out, and most of the terms make no sense regardless.

[Anonymous]

Pay to play looks bad on an app so go with the remote opp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish I knew what planet this family is on that they have access to opportunities like this. This sounds both amazing and mysterious. Like I can’t understand almost any acronym above that isn’t spelled out, and most of the terms make no sense regardless.

non-STEM?

[Anonymous]

I would go with the program if he gets in. A structured program is going to be a better experience in person vs a remote lab experience where he has no idea if he will get to contribute meaningfully or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My HS junior recently got into a lab research in HYPSM (cold calling, no connection) working remotely. The project seems cool and topnotch and he would be contributing meaningfully and most likely will have his name on the paper slated for CHI 2027 (I am told that it is a prestigious conference). He is also awaiting results from SSP summer program - astrophysics. 5 weeks residential. He much prefers the work that he is doing in the lab. But is torn if offered SSP (he is shortlisted for the lottery) for the prestige. Some mention that after RSI, SSP is the next most competitive research program. He also has other ongoing research at non Top 20 university in the area of interest.

Purely from college admissions angle, choose the one having a high degree of certainty. SSP is highly recognized. Harvard paper is not a sure thing.

Also, AOs don't know if he got his Harvard paper through parents' connection or cold emailing. Whereas SSP has an official selection/screening process, e.g., an additional layer of validation.