Do internships or professional experience influence admission decisions?

Yes, internships and professional experience can play an important role in admissions, particularly for business, engineering, and graduate programs where practical skills complement academic achievement. Relevant work experience demonstrates that an applicant has applied their knowledge in real-world settings, developed professional competencies, and gained insight into the field they wish to pursue.

Admissions committees also value experiences that show initiative, responsibility, and leadership, as they indicate readiness for both the academic and collaborative demands of higher-level study. Well-documented professional involvement can strengthen an application by providing concrete evidence of skills, maturity, and engagement beyond the classroom.

In short, meaningful internships or professional experience can enhance an applicant’s profile, showing both practical preparedness and commitment to their chosen field.