Originally Posted by dyna mo

that's exactly right. but the knowledge level of an intern is not that much and more importantly, the deal is the intern in return gets experience, skills, contacts, resume juice, et al, on&on, etc.

just like academia, a football player gets a better chance at a college with a significant atheletic program already in place and a system that works and wins. if he's good, his contribution gives back to that system by his contributing to the team/system winning.

same at a higer level at the college,
with alumnis, etc. the earning potential of alumnis goes a long way in determining the *value* of a college. not to mention all the work students provide profs, who are more researchers at the university level than they are instructors.