Undergraduate Internships to get accepted into MFE program

[Nathand]

My question is what importance do undergrad internships play in the application process for MFE programs? Looking at some of the programs' websites they specifically say they prefer work experience/internships. Assuming all things equal for competing applicants, are finance internships a critical deciding factor? Are internships in other fields such as engineering worth anything?

 

[mhy]

Look at it this way: An MFE is designed for someone who intends to stay in the financial industry in one form or another. In other words, people doing MFEs are expected to be devoted to the industry, at least for the short-medium term. What does having an internship at a financial firm say about a potential applicant's aspirations and motivation?