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

DI Safety and Supervision

DI Application Process

International Students

Tuition and Financial Aid
     

General Information

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Internships and the Internship Placement Process

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DI Safety and Supervision

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DI 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 included in the program?
Our residential programs include internship placement or enrollment in one of our career workshops, housing in a first-rate college dorm, a meal plan which includes breakfast and dinner at the dorm cafeteria, evening activities, weekly seminars designed to address your career and college questions, and local transportation. Our day programs include all of the above except housing and meal plan. Some of the day student activities are different than the residential program program as well. Please see our Day Student Program for more information.
Why shouldn't I just get an internship on my own?
DI 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 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 DI Career Accelerator Curriculum 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 DI Career Accelerator Curriculum, 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?
Yes. You may be interested in our Day Student Program.
What are the program dates?
Our Summer 2011 will be announced in early September. Please request more information and we will notify you as soon as our dates are announced.
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. Please use our information request to tell us more about your particular circumstance.
How much does the program cost?
Our 2010 dresidential programs ranged in cost from $5795 to $6295. Our 2011 prices will be announced in early September.
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. After May 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, and San Francisco. Stay tuned for an announcement in September of our new program locations.
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 – should I do the College Program or the High School Program?
You are eligible for the High School Program. You must complete one full year of college to be eligible for the College Program.
Am I eligible for the High School Program?
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.
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.

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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 . We cannot guarantee placement at a specific company, however you can see our internship industries page 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.
No.
In which industries do you offer internships?
We offer internships in almost every 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. 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. Please note that this is different from our internship placement process for students in our College Program.
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. We will work with you during the application process to understand what kind of internship might be a good fit for you. Think of DI 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 their dorm. 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 a few days 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. Our 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 Group Advisor 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. When you submit your application, you will be required to make a payment of $750 by credit card or ACH transfer. This includes a non-refundable $50 application fee and a $700 program deposit. Payment must be made in U.S. funds and International Payments should be made via wire transfer. After your application is received, you will be contacted by one of our directors for a phone interview so that we can learn more about you and your internship interests. After careful consideration, you will be notified of an admission decision within 3-5 business days.
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 $700 deposit is refundable until you are accepted and enrolled into Discovery Internships. Your $50 application fee is non-refundable. Please click here for our full refund policy.
When will I know whether I have been accepted?
Within 72 hours of your interview with a Program Director, you will be notified of our acceptance decision. We can accept you into the program prior to receiving your letters of recommendation, however all our admission decisions are conditional until we have received both required letters of recommendation.
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 Letters of Recommendation?
Your references 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 Letters of Recommendation prior to applying?
No. All you need is the name and email address of your two references. We will contact them on your behalf with instruction for completing a Letter of Recommendation. In some cases, your internship placement can be delayed pending receipt of your Letters of Recommendation, however we are able to make an 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. Furthermore, 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.

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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 several 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.

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Tuition & Financial Aid

How much does the program cost?
Our 2011 prices will be announced in early September. 2010 prices for a residential program ranged from $5795 to $6295.
What expenses does my tuition cover?
Our residential programs include your internship placement, housing, a meal plan, included activities, local transportation, and our DI Career Accelerator Curriculum.
Is financial aid available?
We do not currently offer a defined financial aid program. We do, however, offer a payment plan as well as a limited amount of merit-based financial assistance to deserving students. Visit our scholarship page for more information. We also 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. We do offer a payment plan option to help spread the program tuition payments over several months. For more information on tuition and payment options, click here.
How can I get a discount on my tuition?
You can take advantage of our early application discounts, available through February 15th, or earn tuition credits through our referral program.
When is payment due?
Upon application, a $700 deposit and a $50 application fee are due. If you enroll into the program, the remaining tuition is due within 30 days of your acceptance. We also offer a payment plan if you would prefer to spread your tuition payments over a longer period of time.
What is the refund or cancellation policy?
Information on our refund policy is available here.

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