General FAQ

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    What is Discovery Internships?

    Discovery Internships is a summer internship program for high school students with locations in Boston, Los Angeles, New York City, and London. The Musiker Family has directed award-winning, educational summer programs for high school students for 46 years. We are still a family-owned and operated organization featuring the most experienced and talented leadership in the pre-college field.

    Every summer, more high school students choose a Discovery program than any other program of its kind. This summer, explore your future with Discovery Internships and you will...

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    Am I eligible for Discovery Internships?

    Our programs are limited to students age 15-18. We look for students with exceptional maturity and motivation relative to their peers. Students must be at least 15 years of age prior to the start of the program. Please view complete eligibility requirements here. Note: We are unable to accept students younger than 16 into our NYC or London programs due to the age requirements of our housing providers.

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    Is financial aid or a scholarship available?

    We do not currently offer a defined financial aid program. Regrettably, we do not have the necessary personnel to properly assess student financial need and administer scholarship funds. However, we work with a number of non-profits, such as the Jack Kent Cook Foundation and Summer Search, to fulfill our philanthropic objectives. Please see our Scholarships page for more information. We suggest that you check with local community organizations or search the internet for scholarship opportunities as many institutions do offer financial support for students to pursue programs such as Discovery Internships. FastWeb is a great place to start your search.

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    What is the refund or cancellation policy?

    Information on our refund policy is available here.

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    I have special medical needs – Can I still do Discovery Internships?

    We have worked with many students with special medical requirements. Please contact our administrative team to make the appropriate arrangements.
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    Who are the Discovery Internships Staff?

    The Musiker Family has directed award winning educational summer programs for high school students for 46 years. Bob Musiker, Jimmy Musiker, and our staff have vast experience working with and mentoring high school students. Our administrative staff typically includes:

    Director, Associate Director, Internship Coordinator, Programs and Activities Director, Health and Wellness Coordinator, Head Resident Counselor, Athletic Coordinator

    Most of our administrators are either full-time Discovery Internships employees or teachers, guidance counselors or school administrators. Our Resident Counselors are typically teachers, educators, or graduate students that are at least 21 years old (25 years old for International Programs). Resident Counselors are great people to hang out with, talk to, learn from, provide internship advice, and get you involved in activities. The Resident Counselors live on your floor.

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    What is a typical weekday like?

    With the tremendous diversity of resources, events, and activities available on each program, it is difficult to describe "A Typical Weekday" at Discovery Internships...but we'll try.

    • 7:30 - 8:30am:  All-You-Can eat breakfast
    • 8:30am - 5:30pm:  Internship (times will vary, depending up on the internship placement)
    • 5:30 - 7:00pm:  All-You-Can eat dinner.
    • 7:00 - 8:00pm:  Early evening activity, "recreation" time, or NYU class (depending on the day)
    • 8:00 - 11:00pm:  Prime Time Activity. A choice of 5 evening activities both on and off campus.
    • 11:00pm:  Late Night Snacks, Hang Time and Dorm Check-In

    Please note: times are approximate and vary depending on the day of the week and location.

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    Can I still have fun while participating in an internship?

    Yes!  In addition to learning about and participating in an internship in an industry of your choice, Discovery Internships also offers daily evening activities and weekend excursions for you.   Additionally, you will have the opportunity to meet and live with students from all over the world.

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    What will I do on the weekends?

    Los Angeles: Every weekend there's a ton of optional and scheduled activities, trips and events. There are trips to Disneyland, Universal Studios, Hurricane Harbor,concerts, baseball games, the Mercedes LA Open Tennis Championship (6 week only)San Diego,Santa Barbara and much more. There is an optional trips to Las Vegas. You will be informed of the options during the week by reading the Daily and the activities board. An opportunity to create your individual schedule is offered, however, some activities are "all group" where the entire group is together.

    Boston: Every weekend there are tons of optional and scheduled activities, trips and events. There are trips to Six Flags New England Amusement Park, Basketball Hall of Fame, Boston Red Sox games at the Legendary Fenway Park, Boston Amphibious Duck Tours, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, major league sporting events, movies, music festivals, shopping malls and other local outings. Weekend trips include Cape Cod, Hampton Beach in New Hampshire and Newport, Rhode Island. You will be informed of the options during the week through the Summer Discovery staff and the activities board. An opportunity to create your individual schedule is offered, however, some activities are "all group" where the entire group is together.

    New York City: Every weekend there's a ton of optional and scheduled activities, trips and events. There are trips to Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, Empre State Building or Rockefeller Center, Broadway or Off-Broadway shows, Mets or Yankees baseball game, Bronx Zoo, MoMA, Guggenheim and more!  You will be informed of the options during the week through the Summer Discovery staff and the activities board. An opportunity to create your individual schedule is offered, however, some activities are "all group" where the entire group is together.

    London: Every weekend there's a ton of optional and scheduled activities, trips and events.  There are trips to Tower of London, Hyde Park, Big Ben and Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and more!  You will be informed of the options during the week through the Summer Discovery staff and the activities board. An opportunity to create your individual schedule is offered, however, some activities are "all group" where the entire group is together.

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    Where will I live on campus?

    Los Angeles: You will live with all other Discovery interns in the brand new Hedrick Summit Residence Hall located on the UCLA campus. Hedrick is located near the beginning of the famed Bruin Walk and adjacent to the UCLA Sycamore Tennis Center. Rooms are singles and doubles in newly designed suites, with semi-private bathrooms and air conditioning. Each room features beds, ample closet space, desks and chairs, a phone, Internet access and wall-to-wall carpeting (refrigerator rentals are avilable). Televisions, VCR, DVD, ping-pong, pool tables are in the games room; a multi-station computer center with laser printers in our computer lab; laundry rooms on each floor and lounges for students to hang out.

    Boston: You will live with all other Discovery interns in the fully air-conditioned Little Building in double rooms off a corridor, as well as single and double rooms within four-six person suites that share a living area and bathroom. The rooms feature study desks, and ample drawer and closet space. In-house facilities include laundry rooms, television/DVD lounges and Discovery Internships offices.

    New York City: Our home in New York City is the new NYU university Hall, one of the most poular dorms on campus.  It is located between the Washington Square Campus in Greenwich Village and Union Square.  University Hall offers two bedroom apartment-style suites with bath, kitchen and dining area in each unit.  Each air-conditioned suite houses two double rooms completely furnished with desks, closet space, dressers, and high-speed internet.  In-house facilities include a laundry room, TV/DVD lounge, study lounges, music rehearsal rooms and a Discovery Internships o9ffice.  With floor to ceiling windows in the hallways, University Hall provides excellent panoramic views of the famous New York City skyline.

    London: We stay in the heart of London's newest trendy neighborhood at Nido Spitalfields, the most modern student residence in Europe.  Students are housed in two-bedroom studio suites, each with a private bathroom, fully-equipped kitchen, and high-speed internet.  On the first floor, you will come home to a large lounge space, where you can hang out with your friends.  There are flat-screen TVs, movies, sporting events, and many more activities.  Laundry facilities are also available in the building.  Outside, you will find two large courtyards with access from the ground floor so that you can make the most of your summer evenings.

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    How are roommates selected? Can I room with a friend?

    You can pick your own or we will assign you 1 or 2 roommates. Most students attend alone.  Meeting people and making friends at Discovery Internships is easy. You will submit a Personal Profile form. This form helps us learn about your likes and dislikes, personality traits, interests and sleeping habits. We use this information to match you with roommate(s) with similar interests, and age. Mutual roommate requests are honored, if possible. You can make a roommate requests in your Personal Profile in your MyDiscovery account.

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    What safety procedures are in place on campus?

    Your safety, security and health are our primary concerns. Specific safety and emergency protocols vary by campus and program location.

    Los Angeles: Hedrick Hall at UCLA has electronically controlled key card access. All visitors must check-in at the front desk and at the Discovery Internships office. The Hedrick Hall front desk and the Discovery office are open 24 hours a day. Discovery Resident Counselors live in the dorm and on the floors with the students. On campus, students are permitted to walk in small groups in the designated home area communities.

    Boston: The Little Building at Emerson College has electronically controlled key card access. Campus Security and Discovery staff are on duty 24 hours a day. Discovery Resident Counselors live in the Little Building Residence Hall and on the floors with the students. All visitors must check-in at the Discovery office. In keeping with a collegiate atmosphere, students are permitted to walk in small groups in the designated home area community.

    New York City: Entry to our residence hall at NYU is restricted to residents and authorized guests only. Discovery Internship Resident Counselors live in the same secure residence hall as the students.  For additional safety, there are daily/nightly sign-ins and room checks.  , students are permitted to walk on campus and in our “home area” around Union Square and Greenwich Village, but are required to be in small groups.

    London: Entry to our residence hall, Nido Spitalfields, is restricted to residents and authorized guests only. Discovery Internships resident counselors live in the same secure residence hall as the students.  For additional safety, there are daily/nightly sign-ins and room checks.  In keeping with a collegiate atmosphere, students are permitted to walk on campus and in our “home area” in London's vibrant Spitalfields neighborhood, but are required to be in small groups.

     

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    Are the athletic facilities open to Discovery Internships?

    Los Angeles: You can use the John Wooden Recreation Center, Bruin Brawn, L.A. Olympic Tennis Center, Sunset Canyon Pool, Hedrick Basketball Courts, Drake Track Stadium, and the UCLA Aquatic Center at Marina Del Ray facilities located on and off campus. There is no extra fee to play and practice at these facilities. The Discovery Athletic Director will also coordinate intramurals, tournaments, and sporting events throughout the summer.

    Boston: Emerson offers recreational and fitness opportunities. All Discovery Internships students may enjoy a membership to the on-campus Fitness Center, which offers state-of-the-art training equipment. In the event that the Fitness Center, Brown and Plofker Gyms, and Rotch Field are not available, alternative gym membership will be offered to all students.

    New York City: All Discovery Internships students will have access to the University's athletic facility known as the Palladium.  You will have access to the Cardio room, auxiliary gym, Spinning and Weight rooms.

    London:  Students will enjoy access to the Nido Spitalifields Fitness Center 

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    Can you tell me more about the NYU class and college credit component?

    For students in our NYC and London programs, classes will be held in-person with an NYU faculty member and Discovery Internships staff (NYU has a satellite campus in London). For students in our other programs, a distance learning platform will be used. NYU is one of the pioneers of online learning. Online classes will take full advantage of cutting edge technology to make classroom time engaging, interactive, and personalized. (You can download a full course description and explanation of NYU's online learning platform here for more information on this topic.) Students will also interact with their faculty advisor on a individual basis to receive feedback on self-reflection journals.

    Students receive one unit of college credit from NYU for completing their internship and associated coursework. Students in each program will be broken into classes of 20-25 students and assigned a NYU faculty advisor.

    Please see the Curriculum or NYU Credit pages listed under each program location on this website for more details on the coursework, contact hours, example lessons, learning objectives, and other information.

    Academic credit is conferred by New York University (NYU). Official transcripts are available (for a fee) from NYU for the purpose of applying to college and/or transferring credit. Although many colleges will accept appropriate NYU credits, the decision to accept the transfer of credits rests solely with the college you attend. Discovery Internships is not responsible for the transfer/non-transfer of credit since every academic institution has its own policies about accepting transfer credit, which may further vary within a university depending on department, college, and/or the student's major. Discovery Internships cannot advise students on the individual policies of each univiersity and the process for transferring credit. We suggest you check with the registrar's office at your school.

    After the program, a grade report and transcript-request information will be sent to all Discovery Internships participants who have completed our NYU college credit course. Students make transcript requests directly to the university. It is up to the university that you attend if they will accept the credits earned. Over 90% do accept the credit.

    If you are a former Discovery Internships participant and need to access your NYU grade or transcrpit, please click here to download the instructions.

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    Is a laptop required for Discovery Internships Participants?

    All students are required to bring a laptop to campus. Most rooms are wired for Internet access. (There may be a small charge for hook-up).

     

     

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    May students receive mail and other packages?

    Absolutely. You will be able to receive mail and packages as long as your name and room number are indicated on the mail or package.  Instructions for sending mail and other packages will be available to enrolled students in your MyDiscovery account in the spring.

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    What happens if I get sick or need medical attention?

    We will help you feel better. We can take you to the doctor. Your family and your doctor complete a Medical Form before you come to campus that will inform us of any health related issues, allergies, and special food needs.  Our staff will schedule any necessary medical appointments, take you to the appointments, and help fill any prescriptions. Parents are always notified about medical visits. Please see program-specific pages for more detailed information about area hospitals and student health and safety protocols.

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    How do I get to campus?

    Discovery Internships is pleased to offer assistance in facilitating transportation via, car, bus, train or plane. Staff meet all incoming flights at baggage claim and assist with all departures. We will provide escorted transfers to and from the airport for a fee each way. All plane arrangements are made through Musiker Travel, our own travel agency, at the lowest available fares. If you are being driven to campus, driving directions will be provided one month prior to the program.

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    How will I recognize the Discovery Internships staff at the airport?

    Discovery Internships staff will be wearing Discovery Internships t-shirts and holding Discovery Internships signs.

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    How much spending money will I need?

    This will depend upon your individual spending habits. We suggest between $100-$150 for lunch during the week, and for snacks and souvenirs like college t-shirts, boxers and sweats, late night pizza, books, clothes and stuff. Most Discovery interns bring an ATM card, which can be used at cash machines on campus, and an optional credit card for emergencies.

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    May I speak with past Discovery Internships participants?

    Of course. We can provide student or parent references from past programs.

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    I'm an enrolled participant for this summer and I have a question about the program, a form, my internship placement, etc. Who should I contact for help?

    All of your enrollment forms and lots of other information about transportation, arrival, packing lists, and pretty much anything else you'll need to know prior to joining us this summer is available in your personal MyDiscovery account. You can also access the direct contact information for your Campus Manager in MyDiscovery. For any internship-specific questions, please contact your Internship Coordinator. You'll find answers to some frequently asked questions below.