Which university offers better access to DC internships, Boston University or American University?

For a student whose priority is building a Washington, DC-based political science résumé during the academic year, American University offers more direct and frequent access to internships. Its campus is in northwest DC, and students can realistically intern with congressional offices, federal agencies, advocacy groups, think tanks, campaigns, and nonprofits while taking regular classes. AU’s location also makes networking events, policy panels, and informational interviews part of everyday campus life rather than an occasional trip.

American is particularly well suited to someone who wants to test several areas of politics before graduating, such as public policy, international affairs, government relations, or political communications. Many students structure semesters around part-time internships, and the university’s DC-focused academic culture means classmates, faculty, and alumni are often connected to local institutions.

Boston University can still be a strong route to DC, especially for a student who wants a broader Boston-based college experience and prefers a dedicated semester in Washington.

For your stated goal of eventually working in Washington, American provides the more convenient and consistent internship pipeline because DC opportunities are accessible throughout all four years. BU is more compelling when Boston itself is a major part of the college experience you want and you are comfortable pursuing DC through a structured off-campus semester.