Application Questions

Overview of the application questions

There are four questions on the application. The first question helps us with matching. The remainder will help us get to know you, as well as help you prepare for interviews and prompted reflections during the semester.

Please note: The rubric on each question is a guide to help you write your best response. They are not used as a scoring mechanism.

Question #1

Why did you choose each internship site/position you selected? Give specific examples or explanations of how each one you chose would help you reach your goals or how it will be used to explore career options.

Do you see a common theme to why you chose the sites, or do you have very different reasons for each? How will an internship at each site fit into your goals? Tell us a little about each site/position you selected and how having that internship will help you learn and grow.

Excellent

Makes clear connections between selected internship positions and goals or how it will be used to explore options.

Good

Makes some connections between selected internship positions and goals or how it will be used to explore options.

Poor

Unclear how the selected internship positions fit with goals or unclear how the selected positions will help the student explore options.

Question #2

What transferable skills and strengths can you contribute to the internships you listed above? Give at least two examples of transferable skills and experiences gained to date and how those fit with an internship.

Consider skills you’ve gathered during coursework, class projects, prior work or volunteer experiences, or leadership activities. Be sure to highlight skills and experiences that might relate to the sites you chose, or that can help you be a successful team member at that site. Check out the IU Indianapolis’s Profiles of Learning for Undergraduate Success for some guidance on what skills IU Indianapolis wants you to start developing as an undergraduate student.

Excellent

At least two examples of clearly identified transferable skills and experiences gained to date and how those fit with an internship.

Good

At least one specific example and some detail and connections between transferable skills and experiences to date and how those might fit with an internship.

Poor

No specific examples given or unclear or vague connections between transferable skills and experiences to date and how those might fit with an internship.

Question #3

In addition to time spent at your internship, SIP has required activities such as an ePortfolio and other items to support your learning, discover your work style, and explore who you are. What goals would you like to accomplish from participating in these activities and requirements? Give specific examples and explanations of the program’s activities would help you with your bigger plans and next steps or exploration of career options.

By taking part in SIP, you are agreeing to participate in our required activities and reflections. This includes setting goals, discussion board posts to talk to other interns, site visits to talk about what you're learning, an ePortfolio to reflect on your experience, and participation in the final showcase in April.

Excellent

Clearly defined and includes how internship program activities fit into the bigger plans, exploration of options, or examples of next steps.

Good

Somewhat able to define why you want to do the program activities and how this contributes to exploration or future plans.

Poor

Just wants a job or unclear and vague.

Question #4

What are your goals after graduation? How will this internship program fit into your plan to meet these goals?

It’s ok to say you’re still exploring options! Tell us what you want to explore and your long-term goals and how we can help you get there.

Excellent

Strong interest in particular career path and has identified some option(s) to explore in depth. Clear connection between internship, goals, and exploration of career options.

Good

Some interest in career path or still exploring options. Unclear connection between internship, goals, and exploration of careers.

Poor

Does not express interest in a specific career path or interest in exploring career options through the internship. No connection between internship and goals.