How does GW compare with the University of Michigan for access to Washington, DC internships?

The biggest practical difference is that GW makes Washington internships part of an ordinary school-week routine, while Michigan makes them a planned summer or semester-away experience. From GW’s Foggy Bottom campus, students can reach federal agencies, think tanks, advocacy groups, embassies, and many downtown offices by walking or Metro. That proximity makes it realistic to take a part-time internship around classes, attend evening policy events, and build relationships over multiple semesters.

GW’s location also lowers the friction of applying broadly: an interview, a one-day event on Capitol Hill, or a few hours of work each week does not require travel or a leave from Ann Arbor. For government and public policy students, that can be especially valuable early in college, when shorter internships and informational meetings help clarify interests. The tradeoff is that DC opportunities are highly competitive, and being nearby does not remove the need for strong applications and proactive networking.

Its academic and extracurricular resources can prepare students very well for DC work, but Ann Arbor is too far away for most students to hold a typical DC internship during a normal term. A Michigan student can absolutely reach the same employers, but will more often do so through a summer internship or remote work.