Which school offers better access to political internships: University of Michigan or American University?

The biggest practical difference is location: American University puts you in Washington, D.C., where congressional offices, federal agencies, think tanks, advocacy groups, and political organizations are accessible during a normal semester. For a student who wants to intern repeatedly while taking classes, AU has the more immediate advantage.

American’s School of Public Affairs is built around the D.C. policy environment. Its location also makes informational interviews, speaker events, and short-term opportunities more practical because students are already in the city. That proximity can be especially valuable for exploring several areas of politics, such as legislative work, campaigns, public affairs, and nonprofit policy.

Michigan offers substantial resources of its own, particularly through its political science department, the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, student organizations, and a large alumni network. Its academic environment may offer a broader traditional campus experience and excellent preparation for policy careers, while summers can be used strategically for internships in Washington, Michigan state government, or elsewhere.