Prospective Students

The program primarily accepts sophomores and juniors. However, we review all applications and in some instances applications from exceptional first-year students are accepted. Students are assessed on a combination of academic performance, work experience, leadership potential, and well-defined professional interests that can link closely to the scope of the Washington Program.

Deadlines:

The deadline for Phase I of the program has passed. If you are interested in applying for Phase II, please contact the Director or Fellow for more information on when to apply.

How much does the program cost?

The cost of the program is based on summer tuition rates. Depending on how many credits the student will be completing, tuition ranges from $1,600-$2,400. These costs are subject to change. The student is also responsible for housing during the week-long summer class, housing in DC (if needed), transportation to and from DC, and any other additional costs.

How does housing work? Does the program supply housing?

The program itself does not supply housing for students who do not live in the DC metro area, however the Directors and Fellow work with any student who needs housing to find them a suitable solution. In some cases a housing subsidy may be available from the college.

What about transportation to and from DC?

This is left up to the student. Most students in the program choose to take the Metro into the city, if they live close to a Metro station. Others in the past have driven, or have taken the MARC train.

Can you explain the different kinds of internships?

There are three main types of internships: federal government (Phase I of the program), nonprofits (Phase II), and Capitol Hill (Phase II). There are two application phases of the program during the school year.

The first phase, which takes place in the Fall semester, focuses on students interested in interning in federal government agencies such as the State Department, Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Phase II takes place in the Spring, and is for students who are interested in applying to internships at nonprofits or on Capitol Hill. These internships typically have later deadlines. There are many internships on Capitol Hill in both the House and the Senate, working in either a legislator’s office or for a committee.

These internships are great experience for students looking to work on the Hill someday. Students can also intern at nonprofits, which vary in size and function. These internships can often give interns more autonomy. There are many other internship options all over DC, and students are welcome to search on their own for opportunities that interest them.