Fordham vs George Washington for political science: which is better for internships and politics careers?

For political science with a strong focus on internships and politics careers, George Washington usually offers the more direct pipeline. Its location in Washington, DC puts students close to Congress, federal agencies, think tanks, advocacy groups, embassies, and campaign work during the school year, which makes part-time internships much easier to build into a normal semester. GW is especially attractive for students who want politics to feel embedded in daily life, not just something they study in class.

A student who wants constant exposure to public policy and government work will likely find GW easier to turn into a resume quickly. You can be in classes with students interning on the Hill, attend events with policymakers, and apply for semester internships without needing to relocate for the summer. That kind of day-to-day access matters if your goal is to test different areas early, such as legislative work, international affairs, public policy, or political communications.

Fordham makes more sense for a student who wants a strong political science education in New York and is open to a broader route into public service. New York offers internships in city and state government, nonprofit advocacy, law-related settings, media, and public interest organizations, so there are real opportunities, especially for someone interested in urban policy, criminal justice, immigration, or political journalism. Fordham can work very well for politics-adjacent careers, but it is not as naturally centered on federal politics as GW.

Fordham may also appeal more to someone who wants a more traditional campus feel while still having access to a major city, depending on which campus experience they prefer. For pure government and political internship volume during the academic year, though, GW has a noticeable edge because DC is the workplace itself. If your priority is getting hands-on political experience early and often, George Washington is the clearer choice.