Northeastern or GWU for political science: which is better for internships and careers in politics?

For political science with a strong focus on internships and careers in politics or public policy, GWU has the clearer edge. Its location in Washington, DC puts students close to Congress, federal agencies, think tanks, advocacy groups, and campaign work during the academic year, which matters a lot because many political internships happen part time while classes are in session. GWU is especially appealing for students who want politics to be part of everyday college life, not just a summer experience.

A student who wants to build a resume semester by semester in government or policy spaces will usually find GWU easier to leverage. You can intern without leaving campus life behind, attend policy panels constantly, and make networking feel routine rather than occasional. For someone aiming at Capitol Hill, public affairs, international policy, nonprofit advocacy, or federal government pathways, that day to day access is hard to beat.

Northeastern makes more sense for a student who wants a very structured career model and likes the idea of longer, built in work experiences through co-op. Its co-op system is a real advantage if you value organized career support and want substantial professional experience before graduating. That said, for politics specifically, Boston does not offer the same density of national political institutions that DC does, so the most obvious opportunities may lean more toward law, nonprofits, state government, consulting, or broader public affairs than direct federal politics.

If your definition of success is deep involvement in national politics and policy while you are still an undergrad, GWU lines up more naturally with that goal. If you like political science but want a college experience with a stronger pre-professional structure and more flexibility in how you apply the degree, Northeastern is very attractive.