THE WASHINGTON CENTER
The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars is an independent, nonprofit organization serving hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States and other countries by providing selected students challenging opportunities to work and learn in Washington, D.C. for academic credit. The largest program of its kind, The Washington Center has 70 full-time staff and over 40,000 alumni, many of who are in leadership positions in the public, private and nonprofit sectors in the United States and around the world.
If you are applying to any program, except the Postgraduate Professional Development Program (PPDP), you must:
· Be enrolled in an accredited college or university as a second semester sophomore or above during the term of your internship.
· Maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. If your GPA is below 2.75 your application may be considered with a third recommendation letter. Applicants with GPA’s lower than 2.75 are encouraged to apply early.
· Applicants to our Sophomore Exploration Program must have a GPA of at least 3.25. The application refund policy noted above does not apply even if a third letter is submitted. Placement requirements and deadlines may change on short notice. Higher GPAs (minimum 3.0) may be required for placement sites such as the U.S. Departments of Justice and State, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Cable News Network (CNN).
· Receive academic credit from your college or university for your participation in the internship program. The Washington Center (TWC) does not grant academic credit.
· Receive the endorsement of your campus liaison or of a faculty sponsor if your campus does not have a campus liaison. All applications need the endorsement of the sponsoring home institutions.
When completed, your application should consist of the following items and be placed in the following order:
· Application form, with all required signatures
· Résumé
· Internship request statement
· Issues essay
· Two letters of recommendation (a third is required if GPA is less than 2.75)
· Transcript
· Application fee. You will receive a full refund of the application fee if you meet the minimum requirements (including 2.75 minimum GPA) and submit a complete, on-time application but are not accepted. Otherwise the fee is non-refundable.
· Application fee is $60 for students attending schools in the United States, $125 for international students attending schools overseas.
· Applicants to our Postgraduate Professional Development Program pay a $250 non-refundable deposit at the time of application (in lieu of an application fee). The deposit will be refunded if you are not accepted into the program. Secure the application and supporting documents with one paperclip. Do not use and staples!
| Term | Early Deadlines Begin | Competitive Deadline | Regular Deadline |
| Spring Semester and Quarter 2010 | 5/26/09 | 9/28/09 | Semester: 11/13/09 Quarter: 1/15/2010 |
| Summer Term and Quarter 2010 | 9/28/09 | 2/01/10 | 3/12/10 |
| Fall Semester and Quarter 2010 | 1/22/10 | 5/03/10 | 6/18/10 |
James McKusick, Dean of the Davidson Honors College, acts as UM campus liaison to the Washington Center program.
WASHINGTON INTERNSHIP INSTITUTE
The Washington Internship Institute, an educational nonprofit organization, prepares college students and recent graduates for their future. During a semester or summer in Washington, DC, students learn about themselves and their fields through substantive internships, academic enrichment seminars, site visits, and shared housing. They become engaged and informed citizens and leaders who are equipped to make a difference in the world.
Please submit the following items to WII:
· Completed application form
· Two (2) professional recommendations (at least one must be from a faculty member or administrator, and the other may be from an employer; letters of recommendation may be substituted for the form provided)
· Official transcript(s) of all college work
· $50 non-refundable application fee (make check or money order payable to “Washington Internship Institute”)
· A copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR), if you are applying for a need-based WII scholarship
| Semester | Suggested Deadline* | Program Dates |
| Spring 2010 | Dec. 1, 2009 | Jan. 20 - May 7 |
| Summer 2010 | March 1, 2010** | May 26 – Aug. 6 |
| Fall 2010 | Jul. 1, 2010 | Sept. 2 – Dec. 11 |
Andrew Knap is the Coordinator for Enrollment and Outreach at WII.
LIVE.LEARN.INTERN.
Spend a semester in Washington, D.C. and gain the experience and insight you need to succeed. Serve as an intern in the nation’s capital this fall or spring while taking classes at Georgetown University.
Designed for undergraduate students interested in U.S. politics, American government and journalism, Capital Semester serves as a great way to kick-off your career in politics, journalism, lobbying, government, or the nonprofit sector.
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Capital Semester allows students to spend 15 weeks earning 12 transferable course credits at Georgetown University while gaining valuable work experience at a top D.C. organization.
As part of the experience, Capital Semester students attend exclusive briefings at various sites around Washington, such as the White House Complex, the U.S. Capitol, State Department and Federal Reserve. Students meet leaders and government officials, hear from policy-makers at regular guest lectures, and interact with D.C. professionals through networking activities.
Students may apply to one of two tracks – Public Policy or Political Journalism. Internship placements and academic study will correspond with the chosen track.
With a single application, students are enrolled at Georgetown, housed in a furnished residential building, and are placed in a competitive internship for a fall or spring semester.
All applicants must submit a complete application consisting of the following items:
- A completed Application for Admission form. (Must be submitted through our online application system Apply Yourself)
- One letter of recommendation from a faculty member including a professor, dean, or advisor. Additional letters may be submitted and can be from supervisors or others who know you well and can attest to your suitability for this program. No letters from relatives please. (May be uploaded into our online application system Apply Yourself faxed, or mailed)
- An official transcript from your home university. If you have previously attended any other colleges or universities, you must send a transcript from each of these schools unless the grades are reflected on your current transcript. (Must be mailed in a sealed envelope)
- Proof of economics prerequisite (macro and microeconomics is recommended) – should be provided in the online application and listed in official transcript. This may be waived with Institute Staff permission.
- A typed, one-page professional resume that includes information about any professional experience or activities you have been involved in that would illustrate your interest in politics, public policy, international affairs or journalism. (Must be uploaded into our online application system Apply Yourself)
- 250-500 word writing sample on the following topic: "Identify the most important economic, political or social issue facing your country. Please explain its significance and offer at least one solution." (Must be uploaded into our online application system Apply Yourself)
- 400-500 word Statement of Purpose answering the following: “State your reasons for applying to the Institute, and what you would gain personally, professionally and academically by attending.” Part 2: ”Describe the type of internship that is a good fit for your skills, interests and experiences. Please be as specific as possible." (Must be uploaded into our online application system Apply Yourself)
- A non-refundable application fee of $45. You may pay your application fee online with Visa or MasterCard, or you may choose to mail a check or money order payable to The Fund for American Studies.
- Students applying for the Political Journalism Track must submit 2-4 samples of journalistic writing. Published news articles are strongly preferred, but assignments from journalism classes will be accepted. (Must be uploaded in the online application system Apply Yourself)
Early Deadline - October 1, 2009
Final Deadline - November 1, 2009
Fall 2010 Deadlines:
Early Deadline -March 1, 2010
International Student Deadline -April 1, 2010
Final Deadline -June 1, 2010
