American University vs. William & Mary for political science: which is better for an undergrad student interested in politics and government?

The biggest practical tradeoff is immediate access versus a more traditional campus academic environment. American puts you in Washington, DC, where politics is part of daily life and internships during the semester are much easier to build into your schedule. William & Mary offers a very strong undergraduate-centered political science experience and an especially strong academic reputation, but it is in Williamsburg, so hands-on government access is less built into everyday life.

For internships and proximity to politics, American has the clearest edge. Being in DC matters a lot for undergrads interested in Capitol Hill, federal agencies, think tanks, advocacy groups, campaigns, and policy nonprofits. At American, it is much more realistic to take classes while interning during the semester, and that can shape both your resume and your network early.

For academics alone, William & Mary is extremely compelling. It is known for strong teaching, serious students, and a political science department that is well respected, especially for undergraduates who want close faculty interaction, strong writing and research training, and a more classic campus feel. It also has unusual strength in government-related study because of its history and nearby state-level opportunities in Virginia, though those are not the same as being in DC every day.

In terms of being known for politics, both are respected, but in different ways. American is closely associated with politics because of its location and the number of students pursuing government, international affairs, public policy, and related internships. William & Mary is often viewed as more academically rigorous overall, and its alumni network in law, public service, and government is substantial, even if less visibly tied to the DC political scene on a day-to-day basis.

If your priority is combining political science with constant real-world exposure and frequent internships, American is probably the more practical choice. If you want the stronger traditional undergraduate academic setting and are comfortable being more intentional about finding off-campus opportunities, I would lean William & Mary.