Hi All,
I was wondering what looks better on a college application: an internship or one of those summer programs which colleges offer, such as JHU’s Engineering Innovation program.
Also, do overseas internships look good on college applications?
Depends on the internship/program. If it’s a pretty lax internship for like 3 hours a week for something, it’s probably not going to blow their minds. If it’s a full-time internship at a place relevant to your interests, that’s compelling. Likewise, a rich kid camp parents shuck their offspring off to under the guise of “drama” or whatever isn’t too impressive, but a full-time intensive program like the one you’re suggesting or like the art ones that I’ve done and that are popular is generally considered pretty impressive. It depends.
Anything into which you put significant time and effort will be a plus. Anything that is competitive will be a greater plus, as will be anything that is funded or which pays a stipend. If the summer active relates to a broader academic or extra-curricular interest it will be a further plus. Beyond that, it’s pretty much open, and depends on how much you put into the activity. A high-priced non-selective summer program that requires little more than showing up won’t count for very much, nor will an unpaid internship for only a few hours per week.
Anything constructive you do is fine.
Most of these university-sponsored summer programs are a waste since they don’t speak to your abilities. It’s pretty much a matter of whether or not you can afford to go. Not all internships are created equal, but that’s probably the better bet. International or not, doesn’t make a difference.