Pomona College Internship Program (PCIP)

If you fulfill the following criteria, you can apply for PCIP:

1. Completed at least one semester*
2. Must be enrolled full-time at Pomona College for respective PCIP Semester cycle.*
3. Good academic standing (not on academic probation)*
4. CPT eligible (applicable to F-1 International Students only); see International Student FAQs below for additional information
5. Secured a PCIP-eligible internship (PCIP-eligible means the internship must be unpaid and that you aren't receiving credit for it via a major/program) Opportunities being considered for PCIP must be one of our "PCIP-eligible" internships on Handshake or an opportunity with an eligible organization.** 
   • Industry Eligibility Clarification Companies or organizations with a focus on the following industries are NOT eligible for PCIP consideration: consulting, finance/accounting, engineering, tech (including bio-tech/fin-tech, etc.), pharmaceuticals, and retail.  Example: Eligible - A finance intern role for a non-profit organization. Not eligible - A finance intern role for a company in the finance industry.
6. Can fulfill 80-hour semester commitment to internship

*These items will be verified by the Registrar's Office.

Undocumented & DACA-mented students are welcome to apply.

The PCIP: Semester application can be accessed via SurveyMonkey Apply and requires the following items:

• Résumé (the one used to apply to your internship opportunity)
• Cover Letter (the one used to apply to your internship opportunity)
• Video Interview 
• Official Offer Letter from Employer (not negotiable; internships must be secured at time of application)

Refer to the How-to Use SurveyMonkey Apply guide for step-by-step instructions.

Students who are awarded PCIP will be required to submit the following funding documents to accept the award:

• W9/W8-BEN form
• Pomona College Direct Deposit Form
• Bank Documentation for Direct Deposit

Please make note of the following:

• All materials must be submitted through SurveyMonkey Apply.
• All applications & associated materials will be reviewed by CDO staff.
• No late applications or materials will be reviewed. 
• Students will be notified of funding decisions within 1 week from the application deadline. 
• Payments take approximately 10 business days to process. 
• Payments tend to be delayed by mistakes in funding paperwork: incorrect SSN, no bank documentation, missing account/routing numbers. When submitting an application, please ensure all forms are correctly and completely filled out.

Dec. 04 - The PCIP Application opens via SurveyMonkey Apply

Jan. 02* - The PCIP Application closes at 5 p.m. (PT)

Jan. 12 - PCIP Decisions will be sent out

Jan. 16 - First day internship hours begin

Jan. 19 - Deadline to accept PCIP offer

May. 01 - Last day to fulfill internship hours (minimum of 80 hours required)

*Our office will be closed during winter break from December 22, 2023 through January 2, 2024. Please ensure to plan accordingly with questions and inquiries. 

Students stipend awards will be determined by modality:

• $1,200 for remote
• $1,500 for hybrid
• $1,800 for in-person 

All PCIP funding is disbursed via direct deposit and contingent on students completing required internship hours & semester assignments. Please note that PCIP funding is not intended to replace wages. Instead, the funding is meant to help alleviate supplemental costs associated with pursuing an unpaid internship during the course of the semester.

Important: Students must commit to working a minimum of 80 internship hours during the semester.

Tax Implications: Based on the size of your stipend and the items you spend the money on, there may be tax implications. The IRS considers the award as income to the recipient. When filing tax returns, it may be required to report the amount of the award. Please consult a tax professional with any questions or assistance. Visit the Financial Aid website to learn more.

Students receiving PCIP funding are expected to represent Pomona College with integrity in all off-campus conduct.  This includes abiding by the regulations and expectations (e.g. dress code, modes of communication, office conduct, etc.) set in place by your employer.

Funding decisions are at the discretion of the Assistant Director of Experiential Learning and the Career Development Office.

Unpaid Internships Only

The CDO uses the definition of internships provided by the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE): 

An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting.

Internships should:

1. Provide "real-world" experience beyond the classroom.
2. Involve reciprocity, i.e., a mutually beneficial experience for both the student and the internship provider.
3. Include a high level of supervision, training, and mentoring.

No Shadowing

Shadowing experiences are ineligible for PCIP funding.

New Internship Experience Each Semester

Students must have secured a new internship experience each semester they apply for funding.

• Students returning to the same employer, in the same position/role will not receiving funding.
• Students returning to the same employer, but in a new position/role or with increasing responsibility will be considered.

80 Hour Minimum

Students receiving PCIP funding are required to complete at least 80 hours at their internship over the course of the semester. Students & supervisors are encouraged to keep a log of hours completed.  

Students should also account for holidays, midterms, finals, and any other planned absences when creating their internship schedule with their supervisor(s).

Failure or refusal to complete the 80 hour minimum will result in termination of funding, loss of transcript notation, and will be considered in any future application for PCIP funding.

Semester Assignments in Sakai

Students receiving PCIP funding must complete all required program assignments (available via Sakai).  Failure or refusal to submit timely, quality, PCIP assignments will result in the termination of funding, loss of transcript notation, and will be considered in any future application for PCIP funding.

Ineligible Opportunities

The following opportunities are ineligible for PCIP: Semester funding:

• Paid opportunities
• Shadowing experiences
• Opportunities that are a requirement of a major/program (i.e. mandatory PPA internships for seniors in the fall semester)
• Opportunities where you'll be receiving Pomona College course credit
• Opportunities where you'll be receiving additional funding support (i.e. CDO Pre-Health Transportation Subsidy)
• Opportunities with any fee component (tuition, room/board, etc.)
• Independent projects with no supervision, program, or structure in place
• Non-credit courses or training programs
• Pomona College or other 7C-based opportunities (opportunities must be external & organized/administered by the employer/company/organization)
• Opportunities run by current undergraduate students
• Opportunities being considered for PCIP must be one of our "PCIP-eligible" internships on Handshake or an opportunity with an organization that is not within the following industries: consulting, finance/accounting, engineering, tech (including bio-tech/fin-tech, etc), pharmaceuticals, and retail. 

Unsure of where or how to start? Make an appointment in Handshake or attend PCIP Virtual drop-ins. *NEW* Check out the interactive map of previous employers that have hired students in past semesters, visit the student opportunities dashboard.

In previous semesters we referred to employers that hired students via PCIP as "PCIP Partners" & internships they posted in Handshake were labeled as "PCIP-Only."  In response to concerns over exclusivity, fairness, & access across the 7C community, we will no longer label internships posted by employers as "PCIP-only."  Instead, such opportunities will be labeled as "PCIP-eligible."  The label will simply serve as a quick way for Pomona students to identify any eligible internships for PCIP: Semester funding.

Students must first secure an opportunity in order to apply to PCIP, as an offer letter is a required part of the application. Your offer letter should:

• Be on official letterhead
• Be signed & dated by a company representative
• Include your name
• Include your start date
• State the duration of the experience
• State that your internship is unpaid
• Clearly indicate whether your experience will be remote or in-person (For in-person internships, we ask that employers offer you the flexibility to work remotely, if needed. This option should be indicated in your offer letter.)

*If you do not have an official offer letter at this time, we will accept an email screenshot/PDF containing the same information above.

Yes, students who have an active F-1 status for at least one academic year at Pomona College may apply to PCIP. This means you are only eligible if you were enrolled under F-1 status during the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023.

CPT stands for Curricular Practical Training and provides temporary work authorization for active F-1 status students. Eligibility requirements:

• You must have been enrolled for at least one academic year on an active F-1 status preceding the term for which CPT is requested. Typically, first-year students are first eligible for an internship during the summer following their first year of attendance at Pomona College.
  • Please note that the class of 2027 is not eligible for CPT until Summer 2024. Reach out to your international student advisor, Kathy Quispe, if you have questions about your eligibility.
• You must have declared a major; the major must be the one shown on your I-20, and the proposed work must relate to that major. Please see the CPT Forms and Procedures webpage for the step-by-step process.

As a reminder, you must receive CPT authorization prior to starting your internship. Failure to get the authorization first may result in your SEVIS record being terminated. 

Yes, students who are on active F-1 status are required to receive work authorization through CPT if working off-campus with a U.S. employer. Please see the CPT Forms and Procedures webpage for the step by step process.

PCIP awards are disbursed to students via direct deposit. Students who are offered a PCIP award are required to submit a Pomona College Direct Deposit Form, Bank Documentation, and a W8 Form.

Please note, F-1 international students must also be able to provide an ITIN or SSN to fill out the W8 Form in order to receive the stipend. Please contact Kathy Quispe for any questions.

Note: F-1 International Students are only eligible for CPT after completing one academic year at the college + declaring a major. F-1 International Students must also be able to provide an ITIN or SSN to fill out the W8 form in order to receive the PCIP stipend.

Please contact Kathy Quispe, Assistant Director of International Student & Scholar Services, at kathy.quispe@pomona.edu for more details about CPT eligibility.

Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are enrolled full-time for Spring 2023 may apply for PCIP Summer 2023. Incoming transfer students are eligible after completing one semester. Additionally, students should be in good academic standing (not on academic probation) and have completed some amount of research/exploration of career interests.

• F-1 international students are welcome to apply, however CPT is required! For more information about CPT eligibility.
• Undocumented & DACA-mented students are also welcome to apply.

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the CDO will consider both remote and in-person opportunities that are secured at the time you apply for PCIP. There will be two separate application processes for international and domestic internship funding.

PCIP Summer Domestic 

Applications may be accessed by SurveyMonkey Apply. The following materials are required for the PCIP application:

• Résumé (the one you used for the summer opportunity you applied for)
• Cover Letter (the one you used for the summer opportunity you applied for)
• Offer Letter/Email
• Video interview

PCIP Summer International

Applications may be accessed by SurveyMonkey Apply. The following materials are required for the PCIP application:

• Budget proposal
• Résumé and Cover Letter (the one you used for the summer opportunity you applied for)
• Offer Letter/Email
• Short essay responses
• Video interview

Applications missing any materials will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed by the Selection Committee. Students are strongly advised to attend drop-in hours or make an appointment with CDO staff to get their materials reviewed prior to submitting an application.

Refer to the How-to Use SurveyMonkey Apply guide for step-by-step instructions.

Students who are awarded PCIP will be required to submit the following funding documents to accept the award:

• W9/W8-BEN form
• Pomona College Direct Deposit Form
• Bank Documentation for Direct Deposit

Please make note of the following:

• All materials must be submitted through SurveyMonkey Apply.
• All applications & associated materials will be reviewed by CDO staff.
• No late applications or materials will be reviewed.
• Students will be notified of funding decisions within 1 week from the application deadline.
• Payments take approximately 10 business days to process.
• Payments tend to be delayed by mistakes in funding paperwork: incorrect SSN, no bank documentation, missing account/routing numbers. When submitting an application, please ensure all forms are correctly and completely filled out.

Students must secure a summer opportunity in order to apply to PCIP, as an offer letter is a required part of the application. Your offer letter should:

• Be on official letterhead
• Be signed & dated by a company representative
• Include your name
• Include your start date
• State the duration of the experience
• Describe any compensation (If you are not being compensated, this must be clearly stated.)
• Clearly indicate whether your experience will be remote or in-person (For in-person internships, we ask that employers offer you the flexibility to work remotely, if needed. This option should be indicated in your offer letter.)

*If you do not have an official offer letter at this time, we will accept an email screenshot/PDF containing the same information above.

PCIP Summer International 2023 Award Timeline

• January 30 - Application Opens in SurveyMonkey Apply
• [applications will be reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis]
• March 24 @ 5:00pm PT - Application Due in SurveyMonkey Apply
• April 7 - Last day for decision notifications
• April 14 @ 5:00pm PT - Deadline to accept award offer in SurveyMonkey Apply

Please note: Students who will be interning abroad will be required to attend a pre-departure meeting in April.

PCIP Summer Domestic 2023 Award Timeline

• March 1 - Application Opens in SurveyMonkey Apply
• April 21 @ 5:00pm PT - Application Due in SurveyMonkey Apply
• May 5 - Award offers out via email
• May 12 @ 5:00pm PT - Deadline to accept award offer in SurveyMonkey Apply

Every completed application received by the specified deadlines is reviewed by the Selection Committee (Career Development Office, Pomona College staff, & Pomona College faculty members). Applications are evaluated on the following criteria:

• Currently enrolled as a student at Pomona College and returning for the fall semester
• Should be in good academic standing (not on probation)
• Professionally formatted cover letter and résumé (or C.V for research experiences)
• Strong articulation of what specific learning experience the applicant is hoping to receive from the summer experience
• Compelling rationale as to why this experience is critical to the applicant’s career development (i.e. does the experience allow the applicant to explore a potential career of interest, or is it relevant to the applicant’s future career goals)
• Explanation of how award will impact the student’s ability to participate in the experience
• Qualifications of the host organization
  • Unpaid or low-paid ($1,500 or less)
  • Ability to provide a minimum of 240 hours of supervised work for a minimum of 6 weeks
  • Does not require tuition, or any other fees
  • Is not owned or run by a member of your immediate family, or a current undergraduate student.

After all applications are reviewed, the Selection Committee will determine which candidates to award. If selected to receive an award, the candidate will be considered a Finalist. Finalists are required to either accept or decline their award offer. Finalists who accept their award will complete required paperwork and funding documentation for award disbursement. Those who wish to decline their award offer will be given separate instructions.

Important! Priority consideration is granted to:

• Students who would not be able to pursue the proposed opportunity without an award
• Rising seniors who have not yet engaged in an experiential learning opportunity that is necessary for a successful launch upon graduation
• Students who have made a shift in career direction, either through a change of major and/or though the identification of a new path for which they lack significant experiential learning

For Summer International 2023, students are required to submit a budget proposal.

For Summer Domestic 2023, stipends are set at $2,500 for remote opportunities and $3,500 for in-person opportunities.

Students are responsible for appropriately allocating funds for projected expenses.

Important: Awards are not intended to replace wages. Instead, it is meant to help alleviate supplemental costs associated with pursuing an unpaid or underpaid experience including, but not limited to, living (housing), transportation (travel to city of employer, daily tolls/commuting costs), and food.

Tax Implications: Based on the size of your stipend and the items you spend the money on, there may be tax implications. The IRS considers the award as income to the recipient. When filing tax returns, it may be required to report the amount of the award. Please consult a tax professional with any questions or assistance. Visit the Financial Aid website to learn more.

An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting.

Internship experiences should consist of the following:

• Provide "real-world" experience beyond the classroom.
• Involve reciprocity, i.e., a mutually beneficial experience for both the student and the internship provider.
• Include a high level of supervision, training, and mentoring.

Job shadowing opportunities are ineligible for PCIP funding.

Eligible Summer Experiences must be:

• Unpaid or low-paid ($1,500 or less)
• Minimum of 240 hours of supervised work 
• Offered during the summer (Monday after last day of spring finals through Friday before the first day of fall classes) for a minimum of 6 weeks. 
• Supervised by a professional in the organization who agrees to the program guidelines
• Connected to the applicant's overall career goals or exploration

Ineligible Summer Experiences include:

• Paid opportunities (More than $1,500)
• Programs with any fee component (tuition, housing and food, study abroad, etc.)
• Internships or projects receiving Pomona College course credit
• Independent projects
• Non-credit course or training program
• Pomona College or other 7C-based opportunities (opportunities must be external & organized/administered by the employer/company/organization)
• Organizations run by members of students' immediate family, or current undergraduate students

Students can access Handshake to search for potential summer internship opportunities. Via Handshake, students also have access to a number of internal and external resources to guide their internship search.

To see where previous students have interned through PCIP, check out the new student opportunity dashboard of past PCIP employers, along with industries and locations.

As a condition of receiving an award, short assignments are required throughout the summer. The culminating project of the summer is a final product that PCIP students present during the Intensive Summer Experience Symposium. The Symposium gives PCIP Summer students an opportunity to share their experiences with the campus community and takes place early in the fall semester.

Assignments include the following:

• learning agreement
• monthly journal entries
• informational interviews
• culminating project
• presentation at annual Intensive Summer Experience Symposium
• thank you letter to donor
• self-evaluation

Award recipients must comply with all set deadlines and requirements. Should a recipient default on their contract they may become ineligible for future Career Development Office funding opportunities.

CPT stands for Curricular Practical Training and provides temporary work authorization for active F-1 status students. Eligibility requirements:

• You must have been enrolled full-time for at least 2 semesters in person on an active F-1 status preceding the term for which CPT is requested. Typically first-year students are first eligible for an internship during the summer following their first year of attendance at Pomona College. 
• You must have declared a major; the major must be the one shown on your I-20; and the proposed work must relate to that major. CPT request forms are available here.
• Your internship must be with a U.S. employer. Foreign employers do not qualify for CPT.

Yes, you will be able to apply for PCIP but you should not begin working until you have your major established so you can request CPT. The CDO will provide the list of PCIP award recipients to the international student advisor (ISA) so the ISSS office will know that you are an awardee. The ISA will follow up with all F-1 students and remind them they need to complete the CPT paperwork before beginning the PCIP opportunity.

No. CPT is only available for students working with U.S. companies and required for students physically working in the U.S. Since PCIP Summer International requires you to be abroad, CPT would not be required.

Students who are on active F-1 status are advised to get CPT if working remotely with a U.S. employer, whether or not you are inside or outside the U.S. Please see the CPT Forms and Procedures webpage for the step by step process.

Students who are on active F-1 status are not eligible to get CPT if working remotely with a foreign employer. If you plan on staying in the U.S., conservative advice would be to not engage in the internship as it cannot be authorized. If you wish to engage in this internship while an F-1 student in the U.S., it is recommended that you speak with an immigration attorney regarding any possible future impacts.

PCIP awards are disbursed to students via direct deposit. Students who are offered a PCIP award are required to submit a Pomona College Direct Deposit Form as well as Bank Documentation.

Students on an active F-1 status can travel normally with their CPT I-20. Please check with your ISA to obtain a travel signature.

If you do not have access to resources in Country A compared to Country B then it would be considered international if the internship was in Country A. If you are still unsure, send an email to PCIP@pomona.edu to get clarification

Failure to request CPT before beginning your internship would result with a violation of your F-1 status, termination of your SEVIS record, and immediate departure from the U.S.