George Washington University vs Fordham University for political science: which is better for internships and networking?

For political science with a strong focus on internships and networking, George Washington usually has the clearer edge. Its location in Washington, DC puts you close to Congress, federal agencies, embassies, think tanks, advocacy groups, and national nonprofits, so politics and public policy are built into daily student life. GW is especially appealing for a student who wants to mix classes with semester-time internships and make professional connections early.

At GW, that proximity matters a lot because many students intern during the academic year, not just in the summer. Professors often have policy or government backgrounds, guest speakers are common, and the school’s connections in DC can make it easier to plug into political work while you are still an undergrad. If your idea of college includes being immersed in the national political scene and testing out different policy environments quickly, GW fits that very well.

Fordham makes more sense for a student whose interests lean toward law, urban policy, nonprofit work, public service in New York, or politics tied to media, finance, immigration, and city government. Being in New York gives you access to major nonprofits, UN-related spaces, legal organizations, public affairs work, and a huge alumni base in the city. For some students, that wider New York network feels more flexible than DC, especially if they are interested in public policy but not only federal politics.

Fordham’s political science environment can be a good fit if you want a more traditional campus experience paired with access to internship opportunities in Manhattan, especially from Lincoln Center, or through trips and commuting from Rose Hill. Its Jesuit emphasis can also appeal to students drawn to ethics, service, and social justice in public life. The networking is real, but it is less centered on the federal government pipeline than what you would find at GW.