Frequently Asked Questions

Are undergraduate and graduate internships at The Met paid?
Yes, all internships are paid. The Met does not offer any unpaid internships.

If I am accepted for an internship position, will the Museum provide housing?
No. If you are accepted into the internship program, it is your responsibility to arrange your own housing. We provide as much support as we can and offer a list of places to start looking. We also connect incoming interns to other interns so that they can arrange shared accommodation.

Do you offer application and workplace accommodations for students with disabilities?
Yes. We are committed to ensuring that everyone can apply to the program and can participate fully if accepted. Please email collegeprograms@metmuseum.org to inquire about available accommodations.

Which departments currently have internship openings?
Internship opportunities vary every semester based on available projects and supervisors. We match applicants with departments based on their interests and skills. Please be sure to describe the specific interests and skills that might make you a good candidate for the kind of project or department to which you apply.

If I am not accepted for an internship position, may I reapply the following year?
Yes, as long as you are still eligible the following year. You will need to resubmit a complete application, including letters of recommendation and transcripts if required for that internship program.

What happens after I submit my application?
The Education Department staff read through all of the applications to determine whether your interests and skills match an available intern project for the upcoming semester. If we think you are a good candidate for one of the projects, we send your application to the supervisor of the project for consideration. At that point, you may be asked for additional material such as letters of recommendation, a portfolio, or an interview. We will contact you individually if this is necessary. All applicants will be notified about the result of their applications by the date indicated on the internship program page.

Does the Counsel's Office offer legal internships?
Some years the Counsel's Office may offer one legal internship in the summer for students who have just completed their first year of law school. Please contact collegeprograms@metmuseum.org directly to inquire about this internship.

Are there internship opportunities for high school students?
Yes. For more information about internships for high school students, please see Internships for High School Students.

I have already held an internship at The Met. Am I eligible to reapply?
If you have been a high school intern at The Met, you are eligible to apply without any restrictions. If you have been an undergraduate or graduate intern at The Met, you are eligible to apply for any of our internships, provided you have not already completed twelve months or three semesters as an intern. Students who have completed a one-semester internship are still eligible to apply for The Met's long-term internships for recent graduates. All current or former interns who wish to be considered for another internship at the Met must reapply. Please note that we prioritize accepting applicants who have not yet had an internship experience at The Met.

I have already graduated from a degree-granting institution. Am I eligible to apply for an internship?
If you graduated within twelve months of the application deadline, you are eligible for an internship. The only exceptions are in the case of individuals who are preparing to enter conservation programs. Contact us at collegeprograms@metmuseum.org to inquire about opportunities and eligibility for preprogram conservation internships.

I am enrolled in a PhD program. Am I eligible to apply for an internship?
Possibly. If you have been accepted to a PhD program, or you are a current PhD student within the first twelve months of your program, you are eligible to apply. PhD candidates (those who have completed comprehensive exams and are embarking on dissertation research or writing) are NOT eligible for internships, but may be eligible to apply for Fellowships. If you are unsure about your PhD student eligibility, contact us at collegeprograms@metmuseum.org.

Do I need to be an art history major to be eligible for the Museum's internship programs?
No! We welcome applications from students with varied interests and backgrounds. We have a large number of departments with academic relevance to business, computing, finance, political science, writing/editing, and many more.

Does the Museum sponsor visas?
No. The Met cannot sponsor visas for interns. Interns are responsible for ensuring that they have valid legal status under applicable U.S. visa regulations while participating in the Museum's program. If you require a visa, you may be eligible to participate in the Exchange Visitor Program (J-1 visa program) by going through an outside agency that has been authorized by the State Department to sponsor a J-1 trainee visa. These sponsors are responsible for supporting and monitoring foreign nationals during their exchange programs in the United States. We recommend that you consult with the U.S. embassy in your home country to determine which visa will allow you to participate in this internship. Please be aware that obtaining a visa is usually a lengthy process and can cost upwards of US$1,500; it must be completed well in advance of the internship start date. If you are accepted to the program and not granted a visa by the start date of your internship, your internship will be canceled.

Do I need to submit letters of recommendation with my initial application?
Recommendation letters are required for summer internships. For fall- and spring-semester internships, they are not required initially, but may be requested by individual supervisors. We will contact you directly if letters are needed.

How do you review applications for undergraduate and graduate internships?
First, we gather substantial educational projects from supervisors across many Museum departments. We categorize the projects based on their learning outcomes, goals, and department areas. We read the applications and match applicants with projects in their areas of interest. If there is no project available in the department or area you select on your application, we consider your application for all related projects. We select students who above all are enthusiastic and eager to learn. We look for students who demonstrate passion for and commitment to their interests and goals and for whom an internship will be an impactful learning experience.

May I apply to the Undergraduate and Graduate Internship Program more than once?
Yes, you may apply as many times as you like, as long as you are still eligible. We recommend that you update your essay and upload a new résumé and transcript each time.

May I submit my application before the deadline?
Yes. You may apply as soon as application forms are available on this website.

I missed the application deadline. May I submit a late application?
No. We do not accept late applications; there are no exceptions.

May I contact an individual Met staff member about being an intern with her/him/them?
No. Please do not contact staff about internships. All undergraduate and graduate students interested in being an intern at The Met Fifth Avenue or The Met Cloisters must submit an application. All internship inquiries should be directed to Education. Individual Met staff members will direct you to our office if you contact them directly.

May I be an intern for one month during my winter break?
No. All internship periods are fixed, and we do not offer a winter internship.

Will I be notified when my application is received?
Yes. You will receive a confirmation email once your online application has been successfully submitted. If you do NOT receive this confirmation, please contact us.

Will I have to interview?
Finalists will be contacted by individual supervisors or departments for interviews. All interviews will be conducted by phone, Skype, or another similar video conference. You will not be asked to travel to The Met for an interview.

May I inquire about the status of my application?
Please do not write to us to ask about the status of your application. We make every effort to notify all applicants of their results in a timely manner.

Do you require letters of recommendation with my application?
Only for summer internships, not for Fall and Spring Semester internships. For the MuSe Internship Program only, two letters of recommendation are required. At least one of these letters must be from person who knows you in an academic context, like a professor or instructor. Ask the professor or instructor who knows you and your work the best to write the letter for you. Letters must be submitted directly by the recommenders through the online application system.
In the online application, you will provide the recommenders' names and email addresses; they will automatically receive email instructions as to how to upload their recommendation letters. We do not accept recommendation letters by email or post, or in person. Be sure to give your letter writers enough time; we recommend asking them at least one month before the application deadline. We do not accept recommendation letters after the application deadline.

May I submit a work recommendation instead of an academic recommendation for my application to the MuSe Internship Program?
At least one of your recommendations must come from a professor, instructor, or someone who knows you in an academic context. The other letter can be from a work supervisor, or another professional who knows you well, and can speak to your strengths, abilities, interests, etc.

My recommender will not be able to send a letter of recommendation by the application deadline. May I submit the letter of recommendation on his or her behalf?
No. Both letters of recommendation must be submitted directly from the recommenders via the online application system. The online application requires you to provide the recommenders' names and email addresses; they will automatically receive email instructions as to how to upload their recommendation letters. We do not accept recommendation letters via email or post, or in person.

Do letters of recommendation have to be written in English?
Yes. The internship application and supporting letters of recommendation must be written in English.

Do you require official university transcripts?
No. You will be asked to upload an unofficial academic transcript (and English translation, if necessary) from each institution you have attended. Graduate students must include both undergraduate and graduate transcripts. If you have official transcripts, you are, of course, welcome to upload those.

Do graduate student applicants need to submit undergraduate transcripts?
Yes. Graduate applicants must upload both graduate and undergraduate transcripts.

I am interested in being an intern in your Design Department. Do I have to upload a portfolio?
Yes. All students who would like to be considered for either a graphic design or exhibition design internship must submit a portfolio with the application. This is the most important part of the application for these internships. You will be asked to upload this with the online application. There is no size limit for the portfolio.

Can I upload any other supplemental material that might help my application?
Please only submit the material required in the application. We are not able to accept supplemental material, including supplemental recommendations.

May I apply for a ten-week internship as well as a long-term internship (nine-month and twelve-month)?
Yes. On your application, please select all the internships for which you would like to be considered. Please read the eligibility requirements for each internship; long-term internships are only available for those who have graduated from an undergraduate or graduate institution by the start date of the program.

I am currently an undergraduate first-year student. May I apply for the MuSe Internship Program?
No. The MuSe Internship Program is intended for undergraduates who are current sophomores, juniors, or seniors who have graduated from college or university by the beginning of the program, current graduate students, and individuals who graduated within twelve months of the application deadline.

May I take days off during the ten-week summer period of the MuSe Internship Program for vacation or other personal reasons?
No. The program is designed so that each intern participates in all training sessions from the first to the last day of the program as outlined in the program description. By submitting an application, you confirm that you are available for a full-time internship for the full duration of the program.

Please read the Frequently Asked Questions thoroughly before submitting an email inquiry. Thank you.
For all other questions regarding internships for undergraduate and graduate students at The Met, please email collegeprograms@metmuseum.org.