As a thought experiment, imagine that it was an option. How would your company instruct the recruiter? Working through that problem is harder than harvesting internet tips and anecdotes. It requires understanding the business case and evaluating it in business terms. The possibility that your company isn't ready to hire interns is not ruled out by your descirption (it isn't proved either).
That's a really good approach. I hadn't thought about it that way. I think the issue is more with me as an interviewer than with the organization as a whole. We've been pretty successful with our hires in the past. Thank you for the replies. They have been quite helpful.
