Options for Undergraduate International Students wanting to pursue an internship, who are MechE students, and MechE students pursuing an International internship which requires credit in order to participate. These options may not apply to students in other majors or to graduate students. Note that in both cases, the internship must be directly related to MechE in order for students to participate.
Curricular Practical Training
- See the ISO Information here
- Department requirements: Students who have completed at least one semester in the department (declared as a major, not just coursework) are eligible.
- Students must have an offer letter before initiating the CPT process.
- At least 3 weeks prior to the start of the internship, students must complete the ISO process for CPT (scroll down to How to Apply)
- In addition to the ISO process, students must complete the 2.990 form for MechE and bring it to 1-110.
- Students must ask an MechE faculty member (usually your advisor) to write a letter for the ISO CPT application. Sample letter
- Students should discuss what materials are appropriate to give the the faculty member in order to give a grade (P/D/F) for the internship experience.
- Students must register for 2.990 for the semester in which you are doing the internship. For summer, this means that you will be charged tuition, without financial aid.
Optional Practical Training
- See the ISO information here
- Students do not need an offer letter to pursue OPT.
- Emma Dunn Santana in the Undergraduate Office can provide a letter, or you can ask your advisor. See the ISO webpage for specifics on the contents of the letter.
- OPT has a 12-month cumulative limit.
- Processing time is 3-4 months.
- Attendance at an OPT Information Session is required by the ISO.
- Students must have completed a full academic year as a student to qualify for OPT (so if you take a semester off for a long internship, you cannot use OPT the following summer).