FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Here you will find answers to our most frequently asked questions. If you can't find what you're looking for, please contact us and we will be happy to answer your question.

   What kind of information are you looking for?         

   General Information

   Internships and Related Information

Safety and Supervision

Application Process

International Students

Tuition and Financial Aid
     

General Information

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Internships and the Internship Placement Process

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Safety and Supervision

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Application Process

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Information for International Students

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Tuition and Financial Aid

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General Information

What is Discovery Internships?
Discovery Internships, formerly Career Explorations, is a 4-week summer internship program for high school students in cities worldwide. Discovery Internships is powered by the expertise and experience of two leading summer program providers, Musiker Summer Discovery and Dream Careers. Summer Discovery has directed award-winning programs for high school students for over 40 years. Dream Careers is the leading provider of college internship programs worldwide, and has placed more than 10,000 interns over the past decade. You can learn more about the history of the Discovery Internships program and our parent organizations on the About Us pages of this website.
What is included in the program?
Our residential programs include internship placement, housing in a first-rate college residence hall, a meal plan which includes breakfast and dinner at the dorm cafeteria, evening activities, NYU college credit, weekly seminars and NYU coursework designed to address your career and college questions, and local transportation. 
Why shouldn't I just get an internship on my own?
Discovery Internships  is more than just an internship placement service, however the internship is of course a very important aspect of our program. Some students may be able to find a great internship on their own, but in our experience it can be difficult or almost impossible for high school students to find any professional internship, especially one with the potential to do real work, unless they go through our program. We have partnerships with hundreds of employers that we've carefully screened to meet our standards. For example, our internships must include a structured work environment and a mentor to help you learn and grow on the job . We also provide you with a pre-internship orientation and our Career Accelerator Series, designed by New York University (NYU) specifically for Discovery Internships, to help you maximize your internship experience. Our program is all-inclusive, so housing, meals, and activities are also provided.
I have an internship lined up but I need housing. Can I still do the program?
Yes. On occasion, interns and their families want to find their own internship, but desire the housing, meals, activities, and supervision our program provides. We are happy to accommodate such requests. You will also be able to take advantage of our  Career Accelerator Series, NYU college credit, activities, the social aspect of the program, and more. There is no discount on the tuition.
Can I live at a relative’s house and reduce the cost of tuition?
Possibly. You may be interested in our Day Student Program. We do not open up our enrollment to Day Students until February. Please request more information and we will notify you as soon as enrollment is open.
What are the program dates?
Click here to view a list of our 2011 program dates.
Can I come a week late to the program? Are the dates flexible?
We stagger our program dates to give you as much flexibility as possible. If you are interested in a program, but have a conflict with the dates, check out another program location. On occasion, we are able to accommodate special requests for late arrival, early departure, extended programs, or alternative dates, however this is rare. Please use our information request to tell us more about your particular circumstance and we will do our best to accommodate.
How much does the program cost?
Our 2011 residential programs range in cost from $5999 to $7599. Click here for a complete list of program dates and tuitions.
When should I apply?
Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Internships are competitive and spots are limited.  We recommend applying by February 1st for the best chance of being placed in your top career field preference, and even sooner if you have a specific request or would like to be consdered for some of our most prestigious internship placements. After April 1st, prospective interns should call our office before submitting an application to find out remaining availability.
Can I speak with someone who has done the program?
Absolutely. Contact us and we will happily provide you with a reference.
What locations do you have programs?
Boston, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles and London.
What should I bring to Discovery Internships? How much spending money should I bring?
We will send you a detailed packing list after you are accepted into the program.
I just graduated high school – am I eligible for DIscovery Internships?
You are eligible. You must complete one full year of college to be eligible for one of our college programs.
Do you offer college internship programs?
Our parent organization, Dream Careers, is the world leader in college internship programs. You must complete one full year of college to be eligible for a college programs.
Am I eligible for Discovery Internships?
Our programs are limited to students finishing grades 10-12. We will occssionally accept students of exceptional maturity who are completing 9th Grade provided they will be at least 15 years of age prior to the start of the program. Please view complete eligibility requirements here.
Will I be accepted into the program?
When making our acceptance decisions we look for students who can demonstrate sufficient maturity and motivation to enter a professional work environment. Students do not necessarily need to have outstanding grades or previous work experience to gain acceptance. Most students have not done a previous professional internship. Certain internship opportunities, however, do require familiarity with relevant technology or other advanced skills, but in general this is rare. However, students who have a portfolio, advanced computer skills, prior professional experience, or other unique or extraordinary skills may have additional opportunities available to them that might otherwise not be.
I'm confused about the NYU college credit and/or coursework. Can you explain?
Students receive one unit of college credit from NYU for completing their internship and associated coursework. Please see our curriculum page for more details on the coursework, contact hours, example lessons, and more information on the program's learning objectives and our Career Accelerator Series, which is delivered collaboratively by NYU and Discovery Internships. Students in each program will be broken into classes of 20-25 students and assigned a NYU faculty advisor. For students in our NYC program, classes will be held in-person with an NYU faculty member and Discovery Internships staff. For students in our other programs, a distance learning platform will be used. NYU is one of the pioneers of online learning. Online classes will take full advantage of cutting edge technology to make classroom time engaging, interactive, and personalized. (You can download a full course description and explanation of NYU's online learning platform here for more information on this topic.)Students will also interact with their faculty advisor on a individual basis to develop a professional resume.
Will my future college take NYU college credit?
NYU is a very prestigious university and many universities will accept credit from NYU, generally speaking. However, every academic institution has its own policies about accepting transfer credit, which may further vary within a university depending on department, college, and/or the student's major. Discovery Internships cannot advise students on the individual policies of each univiersity and the best practice for transferring credit. We suggest you check with the registrar's office at your school.

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Internships and Internship Placement Process

How does the Internship Placement Process work?
Please reference our internship placement process page for a detailed explanation.
Where will I intern?
Interns work in companies of all sizes. Some are brand names you may recognize, but many are not. The most important aspect of your internship is the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and learn more about an industry or profession. In our experience, smaller or lesser known companies often make the best internships, especially for high school students. We cannot guarantee placement at a specific company, however you can see our internship industries and internship guarantee pages for examples of some of the companies we have worked with in the past.
When will I find out where I will be interning? Why can't I found out now?
Interns are typically notified of their internship placement within 8 weeks of admittance into the program. However, there are some factors that may result in a different notification timetable, including time of year, your industry preferences, and others that are beyond our control.
If I don't like my internship placement, can I request a different company?
No. We guarantee placement in one of your top industry choices, but we cannot place you at a specific company. If accepted into Discovery Internships, you will receive a customized internship placement plan that will outline our placement objectives based on your specific skills, interests, and goals in conjunction with other factors such as the date your application was received and the requirements of our partner firms. Your final internship placement will reflect the specifications outlined in your placement plan and is non-negotiable. We've been making internship placements for high school students far longer than anybody else. Your final internship placement will be the best one available for you. We guarantee it.
No.
In which industries do you offer internships?
We offer internships in almost every professional industry. Unless you are interested in something totally obscure - like beekeeping - we probably can make a match for you. If you don't see an industry listed, request more information and tell us what you're interested in. The chances are good that we have an internship in your chosen industry even if it's not explicitly listed.

Certain industries are more competitive than others, for instance, sports management, finance, or journalism, and may require early application, previous work experience, or both. We guarantee placement in one of your top three industry choices, but apply early for the best opportunities.

Do interns ever receive job offers at the conclusion of their internship?
Several of our interns have been asked to continue on as a paid, part-time employee or to return the next summer in a paid capacity. However, this is not typical.
What if I don’t get the internship I want?
We try our best to match every one of our students with an internship in their first choice industry. While we can guarantee you a placement in one your selected industries, we typically cannot guarantee placement in your first choice industry. We have more flexibility with early applicants, so if you have a very specific career interest, we encourage you to apply as early as possible. Please note that we do not guarantee placement with a specific company or companies. If accepted into Discovery Internships, you will receive a customized internship placement plan that will outline our placement objectives. We will match you with the most appropriate firm for your specific skills, interests, and goals in conjunction with other factors such as the date your application was received and the requirements of our partner firms. Your final internship placement will reflect the specifications outlined in your placement plan and is non-negotiable. We've been making internship placements for high school students far longer than anybody else. Your final internship placement will be the best one available for you. We guarantee it.
What if I don't know what I want to do?
You are not alone. Discovery Internships is a great opportunity to gain perspective on the range of professional opportunities you will have available  later in life. You will have a personal Internship Coordinator (IC) that will help you determine the best internship opportunities for your interests, skills, and goals. We will work with you during the application process to understand what kind of internship might be a good fit for you. Think of Discovery Internships as a way to test-drive a career before you buy. In the end, you may learn that the industry you explored is not the right one for you, and that information is every bit as valuable as an internship that confirms your career interests.
Will I have to interview for my internship? Will I interview for my internship in person?
Discovery Internships conducts an admissions interview with every applicant. Most of our internship providers don't require interviews for  high school students. However, some employers occasionally request a phone interview before confirming an intern.
What hours will I work?
This can vary from industry to industry, but in general we try to place you in an internship with regular 9 to 5 business hours, with some variation. It is rare for interns to work more than 40 hours per week and under no circumstances will we place you at an internship where you are required to work more than 40 hours per week. However, some of our interns enjoy their internships so much that they stay at the office after the work day has concluded or work a few extra hours on a project from the residence hall. Some of our internships are only 30 hours per week. This is the minimum number of hours that we can guarantee you will have as an intern.
How will I get to work?
In each city, our housing is centrally located to minimize the amount of time interns must spend traveling to their internship. All interns are given a monthly public transit pass. We spend time during orientation learning the city and the public transportation system so that every intern feels comfortable getting to and from their internship and moving around the city in general.
What is the dress code for my internship?
The dress code varies by industry and company. We will let you know the dress code for your company when we notify you of your internship placement.
What if I don’t like my internship? Can I switch to a different internship?
No. In the unlikely event that you are not happy at your internship, we will work with you and your internship supervisor to understand what can be done differently to make the experience a more positive one for you. In our experience, an internship can be incredibly valuable even if, once at your internship, you discover that a particular career path is NOT for you. Learning basic skills like professionalism, workplace etiquette, and how to interact with colleagues will help prepare you for the future, no matter what career path you choose.

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Safety & Supervision

Is there supervision in the residence halls?
Yes. Our staff lives on location and is on call 24 hours per day.
Are the residence halls safe?
All of our dorms have 24-hour professional security and entrance is only permitted with an access card. All of our dorms are located in very safe neighborhoods.
Do I have to sign-in and out of the residence hall?
Yes. Unless you are traveling to or from your internship, you are required to sign out or notify your Residential Counselor  that you are leaving the residence hall. We have a very clear sign-in/sign-out policy as part of our safety procedures.
Is there a curfew?
Yes. Discovery Internships strictly enforces a curfew for all interns. This is for your own safety. Curfew is later on weekend than on weekdays to ensure that interns are well-rested for their internship workday.
Do I need health insurance?
Yes. Proof of health insurance is required for participation.
I have special medical needs – Can I still do Discovery Internships?
We have worked with many students with special medical requirements. Please contact our administrative team to make the appropriate arrangements.

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Application Process

How do I apply to Discovery Internships?
Admissions to Discovery Internships is made on a rolling basis and our acceptance is based on merit. Prospective interns are encouraged to submit their application materials early, as internships are selective and space is limited. Each year, more students apply than we are able to accept. Click here to go to our online application form. You will be able to save your application and complete it in multiple stages if you would like. There is a non-refundable application fee of $95. You will be contacted by one of our Internship Coordinators (IC) who will review your application and contact you for a phone interview. An admissions decision will be made based on your ability to demonstrate the requisite maturity and motivation needed to conduct a professional internship at one of our host organizations. Admissions decisions are typically made within 3 - 5 business days. If you are accepted into Discovery Internships, you will be asked to provide an enrollment deposit of $1500 to secure your place in the program. The tuition balance is due on April 1st. Payment must be made in U.S. funds and International Payments should be made via wire transfer.
Will I be accepted into the program?
When making our acceptance decisions we look for students who can demonstrate sufficient maturity and motivation to enter a professional work environment. Students do not necessarily need to have outstanding grades or previous work experience to gain acceptance. Most students have not done a previous professional internship. Certain internship opportunities, however, do require familiarity with relevant technology or other advanced skills, but in general this is rare. However, students who have a portfolio, advanced computer skills, prior professional experience, or other unique or extraordinary skills may have additional opportunities available to them that might otherwise not be.
Do I get my deposit back if I drop out of the program?
Your $95 application fee is non-refundable. Please click here for our full refund policy.
When will I know whether I have been accepted?
Within 3 - 5 business days of your interview with an Internship Coordinator, you will typically be notified of our acceptance decision. We can accept you into the program prior to receiving your letter of recommendation, however all our admission decisions are conditional until we have received your required letter of recommendation and academic transcripts.
When will I know where I will be interning?
Interns are typically notified of their internship placement within 8 weeks of admittance into the program. However, there are some factors that may result in a different notification timetable, including time of year, your industry preferences, and others that are beyond our control.
Why do I need to get a Letter of Recommendation?
Your reference will help us evaluate your potential to enter a professional work environment and also provide us with insight during the internship matching process.
Do I need my Letter of Recommendation prior to applying?
No. All you need is the name and email address of your reference. We will contact them on your behalf with instructions for completing a Letter of Recommendation. In some cases, your internship placement can be delayed pending receipt of your Letter of Recommendation, however we are able to make a conditional admission decision prior to receipt.
Why can’t you tell what my internship will be before I apply?
We use your application to determine admission based on your demonstrated potential to work in a professional environment and also to understand your interests and strengths so we can make an appropriate internship match. At no point in the application or internship matching process can we guarantee you a specific internship. Our list of available internships is always changing and the employers we work with may have very specific requirements for an intern that they will host. We will only notify you about your internship placement once it has been confirmed by an internship provider. If accepted into Discovery Internships, you will receive a customized internship placement plan that will outline our placement objectives. We will match you with the most appropriate firm for your specific skills, interests, and goals in conjunction with other factors such as the date your application was received and the requirements of our partner firms. Your final internship placement will reflect the specifications outlined in your placement plan and is non-negotiable. We place hundreds of high school students into professional internships every summer. We are unquestionably the most experienced organization in the world when it comes to high school internships and we can state with certaintly that your final internship placement will be the best one available for you.

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International Students

I live internationally, can I travel to the US to do you program?
Absolutely. We encourage students from around the world to join us. In the past we've had students from Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, England, Spain, Italy, China, South Korea, Eqypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Venezuela, and many other countries.
Do I need a J-1 Visa to participate in your program?
In general, no. Since you will be participating in a one-month educational program and not be receiving any wages as part of your internship, a standard tourist visa should be sufficient. Interns are typically classified as volunteers. However, it is advisable to check with the US State Department on the official visa policies for your country.
How do I make payment as an international student?
Our regular payment schedule applies. You should pay the $95 application fee by credit card. On rare occasions, our online application system may decline international credit cards. In this event, please contact admissions@discoveryinternships.com for assistance. If accepted, you will be asked to submit a $1500 enrollment deposit and a $200 International Registration and Health Insurance Fee to secure your place in the program. This should be paid by wire transfer. Bank information and enrollment instructions will be emailed to you upon acceptance into the program. You will receive an invoice for the balance of the program tuition payable by wire transfer by April 1st.
What is the $200 International Registration/Medical Insurance fee?
This fee includes health/medical coverage for the duration of the program, international courier fees, and personal meet and assist at all airport arrivals/departures in the US. This is applicable for progams in the USA only.

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Tuition & Financial Aid

How much does the program cost?
Our 2011 prices range from $5999 to $7599.
What expenses does my tuition cover?
Our residential programs include your internship placement, NYU college credit and our Career Accelerator Series, housing, a meal plan, included activities, and local transportation.
Is financial aid available?
We do not currently offer a defined financial aid program. Regrettably, we do not have the necessary personnel to properly assess student financial need and administer scholarship funds. However, we work with a number of non-profits, such as the Jack Kent Cook Foundation and Summer Search, to fulfill our philanthropic objectives. We suggest that you check with local community organizations or search the internet for scholarship opportunities as many institutions do offer financial support for students to pursue programs such as Discovery Internships. FastWeb is a great place to start your search. Check our scholarship page for more information. 
How can I get a discount on my tuition?
You can take advantage of our early application discounts, available through December 20th.
When is payment due?
A $95 non-refundable application fee is due upon submission of your application. If you are accepted, you will be required to submit a $1500 enrollment deposit to secure your place in the program. The remaining tuition is due on or before April 1st. If accepted into Disovery Internships after April 1st, a $2000 deposit is required to enroll and the tuition balance is due upon receipt of final invoice.
What is the refund or cancellation policy?
Information on our refund policy is available here.

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