See what a real internship is worth
Move the sliders to estimate how a real internship shifts your admissions odds, your early earnings, and your return on the program.
Matchtern
ROI & Impact Calculator
See how a real internship changes your college admissions odds
Your Profile
Several clubs/activities with some commitment. Maybe a minor leadership role. This is where most applicants land.
Internship
Internship
Why the boost?Plenty of students have similar stats to you. 56% of admissions officers now rank demonstrated interest and real-world experience above test scores. A real internship at a real company is something most applicants simply don’t have.
Why one internship changes everything
The hardest internship to get is your first one. Most postings require “prior experience,” a catch-22 for high schoolers. Matchtern solves that by placing you directly. Once you have one on your resume, the game changes:
more likely to hear back from applications. Recruiters filter for experience first. One internship moves you past the screen that eliminates most applicants.
more interview confidence. You have real stories to tell. "At my internship at [company], I worked on..." is the answer every interviewer wants to hear.
higher chance of getting a paid internship next. Companies pay for proven talent. Your first manager becomes a reference who vouches for your work ethic.
Your first internship isn’t just an experience. It’s the key that unlocks every opportunity after it.
Ready to make the numbers real?