Cover letter for internship--mention I'm a nontraditional student or no?

LadyM

I'm applying to an internship and am pondering whether to mention in the cover letter that I'm a nontraditional student (early 30s). I can't decide if saying this outright would be an advantage or disadvantage. I have a lot of office experience and a good work history, which I feel like should be in my favor. But maybe they're specifically looking for fresh-face youths or something. When they get to my resume/work history it'll be apparent I'm not "normal" college age, but should I say something in the cover letter?

If anyone has suggestions for interview clothes for women and, even better, good clothing websites to browse in, that would also be awesome. (Keeping in mind I don't have very much money at the moment, so nothing really high-end.)

ED!

Speak to your instructor or advisor; you can certainly mention it indirectly - allude to your years of professional work experience before entering school, to which anyone would be able to infer an age range.

As for dress - what type of work is it?

LadyM

It's an office job for a municipal government organization. (Sorry to be vague, but I'm paranoid about companies and their nefarious search engines, ha ha.) Doing computer work to crunch data and so forth.

Gafoto

Internships are usually a way for companies to get people to work for them and pay them jack squat. It's also a way for the companies and employees to preview each other for hiring. You're probably going to be significantly more adept in the workplace environment than the average college student so I can't imagine they'd be unhappy.

Apogee

Everythign I've learned about job applications has told me that employers value mature employees much mroe thatn students; mroe patient, have experience, and easier to relate to (age wise). I'd definitely make mention of it.