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

George Washington is the better choice for political science if internships and political career access are your priority. Its biggest advantage is location: being in Washington, DC puts you close to Congress, federal agencies, think tanks, advocacy groups, courts, and national nonprofits during the school year, not just in the summer. For a student aiming at government, law, or policy, that creates far more day-to-day access to relevant work and networking.

That location shapes the academic experience too. GW’s political science and related public affairs offerings are built around DC-facing opportunities, and students often connect coursework directly to internships, guest speakers, and policy events happening nearby. It is much easier to attend panels, informational sessions, and employer events when the institutions you care about are a Metro ride away.

Another concrete difference is the alumni and employer network. GW has a long-established presence in federal government, campaigns, international affairs, and policy organizations, so the school name shows up often in the exact spaces political science students target. That does not guarantee outcomes, but it does make networking more natural because many graduates are already working in those circles.

Adelphi can still work, especially if you value a smaller-campus environment and want to build toward law school from a more personal academic setting. Being near New York also offers access to state and local government, nonprofit, and legal internships. But for political careers specifically, the center of gravity is much more in DC, and George Washington benefits from that in a way Adelphi really cannot match.