Internships are crucial to getting a career after college; many majors recommend having at least one internship during your time in college. Summer internships are particularly popular among college students; most students aren’t in classes, so have a lot of free time to devote to an internship. Students can even try to get an internship out-of-state since they aren’t bound by classes and college routine. As someone who has applied for 17 summer internships (so far), I’ve noticed many patterns in the process of applying and interviewing. Here are 7 things that students hoping to nab a summer internship know to be true.

1. You apply to everything you can/everything you find remotely interesting

You understand that finding an internship is extremely important and want to take any opportunity you can get. This leads to many hours of applying and sorting through jobs; you figure that applying to everything you can will increase your chances of getting an offer.

2. Many corporate positions involve multiple steps in the recruiting process

Larger companies get hundreds (if not thousands) of students applying for internship positions. Because of this, positions with larger companies often have more steps in the process than smaller companies. This can include online assessments or multiple interviews.

3. Phone interviews are more common than you think

When you think of interviews, you often think of going into an office and interviewing in-person. However, I’ve had a fair share of phone interviews. This is especially true if you are applying for an internship out-of-state, but can also happen if you are applying for an internship that’s close to you as well.

4. There are tons of opportunities out there

Looking through internship postings can be overwhelming, as there is an endless amount of opportunities out there. You don’t get discouraged if you don’t hear from places or get rejected, as there are many other positions available, and you know you will find the perfect fit for you.

5. Patience is key

It can take a while to hear back from companies after you apply, or take a while before you hear a decision after an interview. Communications can be slow, so be patient if you don’t get a response right away.

6. Culture questions are common

Aside from your skills and knowledge, companies want to make sure that you are a good fit for their culture. If you get an interview, scenario-based or behavioral questions are to be expected.

7. Perfecting your resume/cover letter is important

It’s common for internship applications to ask for a resume and/or cover letter, so companies can get a first impression of you and decide if you have the skills they seek. You spent a lot of time going over your resume and cover letter before applying to each job and may have even had them reviewed.