How Important are Internships?

[ADL]

Hi, I have a question. If every other part of my application is good (I have a good GPA (3.5), high GRE scores good recommendations etc...) how important are internships when applying to a masters program? I am looking to go into Middle Eastern Studies and looking at schools like Columbia University, Chicago University etc... if that helps. My only experience with the Middle East is that I lived there for a year, speak hebrew and went on an archeological excavation there for a summer. I also studied a little about it in my anthropology minor and history major. Thanks!!!!!

[ADL]

Come on guys don't leave me hanging

[dj02bothell]

I know I wont be a help very much because I'm only a freshmen, but from my research it's important to have internships, but it's not paramount. Having any kind of relevant experience would help. In your case, you actually went there and did something hands-on, which will boost your application up. If I were you, I would try and score a few internships, positions, jobs, or possibly get something published. I hope I helped somewhat.

[orst11]

Typically, this depends on the field, and I think this why many of us have a hard time answering this question. With that said, internships do serve as tools as giving you experience in a given field, and also provide knowledge of a particular subject that may serve you well when applying to graduate school. They also can help because after a given experience you can be more focused on a given subject which helps you identify your research goals. I think when speaking of area studies programs, you will probably always have someone who has more experience in the region whether it be with language, academics, or work, but since area studies programs typically are interdisciplinary you also have a lot of people that may be making a shift in academic focus, so I think overall any experience in a particular region you happen to want to focus on does help.

Edited September 24, 2011 by orst11