Should I be applying for REU's or internships for acceptance in MIT's MEng program?

<p>I'm currently a freshman in Civil Engineering and I am planning on applying to MIT MEng High Performance Structures program when I am closer to being finished. I am wondering if I will benefit more from REUs or internships when being considered for this program. From what I have gathered the MEng program is more practice oriented than research oriented, so it would make sense to me that internships would be more beneficial. Does anyone know what they are looking for? Any suggestions to improve my chances of being accepted are welcome :)</p>