CU Boulder vs George Washington for DC internships: which has better access and opportunities?

George Washington gives you much easier, more direct access to DC internships. It is in Washington, DC itself, and that matters a lot for government, policy, think tank, campaign, and nonprofit work because many internships happen during the semester, not just in the summer. Being able to commute across the city for part-time work, networking events, and informational interviews is a real advantage that CU Boulder simply cannot match from Colorado.

A student who wants internships woven into everyday college life will likely find GW much more aligned. You can take classes and intern in the same semester, attend events at agencies or advocacy organizations after class, and build relationships over time instead of trying to compress everything into one summer. That steady proximity is especially useful in fields where hiring often happens through referrals, repeated contact, and showing up in person.

CU Boulder makes more sense for someone who likes the school for other reasons and is willing to pursue DC opportunities in a more deliberate, less immediate way. You could still target DC internships for summers, apply to national programs, and build policy experience through campus organizations or local government work, but it will take more planning and travel. Boulder has strengths of its own, especially if you are also open to environmental policy, aerospace, science policy, or western regional issues, but it is not the easier launch point for day-to-day DC career access.

If your top priority is being close to federal agencies, Capitol Hill, public affairs firms, embassies, and national nonprofits from the start, GW has the clearer edge.