I'd guess 25 percent of our undergraduate researchers make significant contributions here and many of them go on to graduate school. Others who do well in research discover that it isn't a career for them, and move on to other things. I've been asked if it's worth the time and energy it takes to support an undergraduate intern. There are several answers. First, being a mentor does require a significant investment.
Most candidates arrive at the door with a lot of energy and little training.
But with time their contributions benefit both us and them. Besides, it's our job to teach. Second, there's the emotional reward of seeing a both a research project and a young mind blossom. Third, there can be programmatic rewards. I suspect it might encourage faculty members and researchers at outside laboratories to know it sometimes is possible to put a dollar figure on undergraduate assistance.