Submission of the DiLA Application, which includes the submission of a resume, application essay, copies of your Government ID, DragonCard, Health Insurance Card, as well as a hard copy signed and notarized Drexel Release and Liability Waiver and the $1,000 Program Fee. All items must be submitted correctly and on time. Application for summer 2025 coming fall 2024.

If your application is approved you will proceed to the interview round, where you will meet one on one with the Program Administrator, Elizabeth Kitchens and attend a group workshop. These will take place between Thursday, November 2, 2023 through Monday, November 6, 2023.

Students who are accepted past the interview round will begin their internship search. Students who fail to display the needed level of commitment may be cut up until Friday, January 12, 2024, at which point the participants will be finalized.

Students in a major within the Cinema & Television Department will carry a 15-credit load during their summer in L.A.: six (6) credits in internships and nine (9) in classes. Classes will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. PST, three evenings a week, and will be taught off-site in a nearby classroom space.

Note: Classes taught in LA do not replace required courses. Students still need to make up any classes required for your major taught on campus during the summer. Please see your Program Director with any specific questions or concerns

Students enrolled in Drexel in L.A. are expected to work weekday internships. Some students work two internships simultaneously. Historically, most internships are unpaid. However, some unpaid positions lead to paid work.

Students will work very closely and collaboratively with the DiLA Program Administrator Elizabeth Kitchens to find an internship. They must keep consistent contact with the Program Administrator until placed in an internship and stay connected afterwards should problems develop. All students complete a professional résumé and cover letter by a specific deadline. 
Job listings and leads will be regularly made available to students throughout January to May months. Students are expected to also conduct their own research to find additional job leads and follow through on any provided leads or opportunities.

It is important to note that we cannot guarantee an internship. Because students interview on their own for internships, we cannot control an employer’s interest or desire to “hire” a particular student. Along the way we can guarantee assistance with honing résumés and cover letters, providing interview practice, and access to internship lists and arranging interviews. Impressing the employer and closing the deal is up to the student.

Note: Internship grades are submitted by internship supervisors. At the end of the term, supervisors complete a form that assesses interns in several categories. The average of these ratings is converted to a letter grade.

DiLA endeavors to provide students with exposure to a range of activities representing many aspects of Los Angeles. In past years, these have included: