Tulane vs George Washington for political science: which is better for internships and government careers?

For political science with a serious interest in internships, networking, and government or policy careers, George Washington usually has the clearer edge. Its biggest advantage is not just that it is in Washington, D.C., but that the school is deeply built around that location: students intern during the semester, professors often have direct policy or government experience, and alumni ties in federal agencies, Capitol Hill, nonprofits, think tanks, and advocacy work are especially visible. If your goal is to be in the middle of political activity while you are still an undergrad, GW lines up very naturally with that plan.

GW tends to fit the student who wants politics to be part of daily life, not just a future career goal. You are more likely to be surrounded by classmates who are chasing Hill internships, campaign work, policy research, and government-related student organizations from the start. That environment can be energizing if you want constant access to events, speakers, networking, and part-time work during the academic year rather than waiting for summers.

Tulane makes more sense for a student who wants political science within a broader college experience and may be interested in public service, law, local politics, or policy work shaped by community engagement. New Orleans offers meaningful opportunities in city government, advocacy, nonprofit work, and issues like education, criminal justice, coastal policy, and public health. Tulane also has a strong service-oriented culture, so it can be a very good place for someone who wants hands-on civic involvement and a less overtly careerist political atmosphere.

For federal government pipelines, though, GW is typically the more direct route. Being in D.C. makes it much easier to build a resume semester by semester, meet people in the field regularly, and turn one connection into the next opportunity. That matters because early political and policy careers often grow through repeated exposure and relationships as much as coursework.

Tulane is not a weak option, but for the specific goals you named, GW is the school that more consistently converts location into access.