If it's an unpaid summer internship, you do NOT need an OPT; however, if you graduate from your current course of study in Summer and want to work after graduation then you need one and yes, it takes a long time for one of these things to come through. Be careful when applying for the OPT because to the best of my knowledge, they are available for students after you complete a course of study i.e. if you get one right now while you are still in school, you may not be able to apply for it after you graduate from your current program. If your foreign student advisor is of no help then, your other options are to either call the local USCIS office or talk to a lawyer.