Education at Cooper-Hewitt

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Find out more:

• Types of internships
• Eligibility
• Application procedure
• Areas of interest
• Smithsonian Resources
• High School Internships
• Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can transcripts and letters of recommendation be sent separately from application?

A. The materials can be sent separately, but applicants are encouraged to send all materials (Smithsonian Internship Application forms, cover letter, resume, essay, two letters of recommendation, official transcript) in one package by the application deadline. If it is necessary for an applicant to send materials separately, it should be explained in the cover letter, as well as the appropriate section within the Smithsonian Internship Application form. Any materials sent separately from the main application should have the applicant’s name on the outside of the envelope.

Q. To whom should I address my internship application?

A. We ask that all application materials be addressed to the ‘Internship Coordinator.’ Although many applicants are accustomed to writing their cover letters and having recommendations addressed to a particular person, Cooper-Hewitt prefers to have applicants address all forms and application materials to the ‘Internship Coordinator.’

Q. Can international students participate in the Internship Program?

A. Yes, international students are eligible to apply for internships at Cooper-Hewitt, as long as they meet all of the eligibility requirements. Cooper-Hewitt will assist interns in acquiring necessary visas.

Q. Are interviews conducted as part of the application process?

A. Phone interviews are arranged by potential departmental supervisors with selected candidates.

Q. In order to apply for an internship, do I have to be currently enrolled as a student?

A. The internship program accepts both undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in degree-granting institutions, applicants who have graduated from a degree-granting institution within 6 months of the internship start date, and applicants that have been accepted into a degree-granting graduate program within 6 months of the internship start date.

Q. How do I know what department to apply to?

A.

• For inquiries involving the different curatorial departments, please refer to this page of the website, which contains several links to department descriptions.
• Communications internships involve assistance with media relations and press strategy, varying from print to broadcast.
• External Affairs includes activities such as research gathering, donor communication, and grant proposal writing.
• The Registrar keeps track of all museum objects, maintains records of ownership and borrowing, and assists in assembling the museum catalog.
• IT stands for Informational Technology and interns in this department work primarily with software and PC-based programs.
• The Education Department is involved with the National Design Awards, and programs for the local community and school groups.

Q. Do I have to write an essay for the Smithsonian application in addition to the essay described on your website?

A. No, the 1-2 page essay described in the Smithsonian Internship Application is the same as the essay describing career goals and specific areas of interest in the Cooper-Hewitt application. Your application should also include a cover letter.

Q. What should my cover letter include?

A. The cover letter serves to give the person viewing your application a frame of reference for what you would like to do at the Cooper-Hewitt. The cover letter should be concise and state the 3 departments you would be interested in working for.

Q. Can I apply as a first-year student?

A. Yes, first-year students are welcome to apply for the program, but they will be competing with upper level undergraduate and graduate students, depending on the internship program and period. The internships are competitive and sometimes favor those with a background in the field in which the intern will be working.

Q. Should I submit additional materials with my application, such as writing samples?

A. No, the requirements listed for the application are the only materials the reviewers will take into account when evaluating applicants.

Q. May I submit my application by e-mail or fax?

A. No, please mail your application materials together in one package to:

Internship Coordinator
Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum
2 East 91st Street New York, NY 10128

Q. Is the application deadline the date by which the application must be received or the date by which the application must be postmarked?

A. The application deadline refers to the date by which the application must be postmarked. If the application deadline is a federal holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.

Q. If I am accepted, will the museum provide housing?

A. No, the Cooper-Hewitt does not provide intern housing, but should you be accepted into the internship program, the Internship Coordinator can provide a list of housing options and resources.

Q. Do I need to be an art/art history/architecture or design major to be eligible for an internship?

A. No, the Cooper-Hewitt welcomes applicants from diverse academic backgrounds and varied interests.

Q. If I am not accepted, may I reapply the following year?

A. Yes, applicants are encouraged to reapply.

Q. If I decide to reapply, can I reactivate my previous application?

A. No, the applicants must submit all the application materials together with up-to-date information.

Q. Can my recommendations and transcripts be sent after the application deadline?

A. No, we will not accept any materials postmarked after the deadline.

Q. Do graduate applicants need to submit undergraduate transcripts?

A. Yes, we require both the undergraduate and graduate transcripts for graduate applicants.