Frequently Asked Questions
Should I send everything (transcripts, letters of recommendation, essay and application form) in one package?
Please use the online application form to submit your essay and resume. Letters of recommendation from your professors should be sent to saswans@almaden.ibm.com
Please ask the registrar at your college or university send your transcript directly to the address below:
IBM Almaden Research Center
650 Harry Road, E1
San Jose, CA 95120-6099
Attn: Sally Swanson, IBM Research Internship
Transcripts will be reviewed by the IBM selection committee.
When will I be notified about the internship?
The IBM selection committee will notify all applicants whether or not they are successful. This normally takes place in early April.
Will I get any help in finding a place to live?
IBM provides some housing assistance in two ways:
Suggestions of where to look/lists of actual openings and
Some financial assistance to offset the high cost of housing in this area. Please note that the amount of such payments varies each year, depending on various conditions (local economy, IBM budget, etc.)
The intern is expected to pay for the bulk of his or her housing costs out of the summer salary and the grant. When the housing market is very tight and rents very high, IBM may subsidize the summer housing costs to some degree.
Are there funds for travel to the internship site?
Yes. Awardees will receive a lump sum to cover relocation expenses. The amount will depend on distance.
Is laboratory biology okay as a major?
No. Computational biology is acceptable, but laboratory biology is not.
I'm a math major. Am I eligible to apply?
Yes, if you have had some applied mathematics courses. We do not do pure mathematics at IBM. Applied math for the physical sciences or computer science is fine, as is math associated with quantum computing.
What kind of project will I be working on?
The types of work possible at IBM Research is described on the following web sites.
http://www.research.ibm.com
http://www.almaden.ibm.com
Research areas are individually selected for each intern to optimize the match between the skills and interests of the students and IBM's ongoing research programs.
How much will I be paid for the summer?
Interns are paid a competitive industrial salary, which averages around $6000 for the summer. This award package is quite competitive with other programs.
What is the length of the internship?
The internship is roughly 10 weeks long and can be adjusted based on the intern's availability. The starting date is chosen to mesh with the student's school schedule and coordinated with him/her.
What about the due date?
Applications should be postmarked by February 1, 2010. You should inform your professors and the registrar at your college/university of this date, too. Letters of recommendation and transcripts may be sent separately from the application; however, your application is not complete until we have received all materials!
Will I need a car to get around?
Many of the interns at IBM Almaden do not have a car. There are housing opportunities not far from the site, public transportation, shuttles, and bike paths. Grocery shopping is either walking or biking distance for many people. If you come to IBM Almaden and do not have a car, we recommend obtaining a bicycle, as the weather is generally good in the summer (very little chance of rain).
Are students at non-US colleges and universities eligible?
We only accept applications from students attending U.S. institutions. Students may hold any citizenship, not restricted to U.S., but must be enrolled at a college in the U.S. This is because it is extremely difficult to compare grades or course programs from foreign universities.
I'm a senior and plan to attend graduate school next year. Can I still apply?
One of the main goals of the internship is to benefit sophomores and juniors as they prepare to apply for graduate school. More appropriate opportunities for seniors are available; please consider applying for one of the regular IBM summer positions, advertised on the IBM web page, or see the Society of Physics Students Summer Science Clearinghouse for more listings.
For information on other summer programs at IBM, and hiring policies in general, please see
Careers at Research.
