UW–Madison vs. George Washington University: Which Offers Better Access to Internships?

For political science and public policy internships during the academic year, George Washington University offers more immediate access. Its Foggy Bottom campus is in Washington, D.C., within reach of federal agencies, congressional offices, think tanks, advocacy organizations, international institutions, and policy-focused nonprofits. That proximity makes part-time internships alongside classes a routine part of the student experience rather than something that usually requires a summer move or a special program.

GW students can pursue opportunities on Capitol Hill, in executive-branch agencies, and with policy organizations using the Metro, while university career resources and department connections are built around the D.C. internship ecosystem. The alumni network is especially useful because many graduates remain in government, public affairs, law, consulting, and nonprofit work in the city. For a student hoping to test several policy environments before graduation, the density of employers creates more options for informational interviews and semester-long roles.

UW–Madison has meaningful advantages of its own, particularly for Wisconsin state government and state-level policy. The Wisconsin State Capitol is close to campus, so students can intern with legislators, state agencies, the governor’s office, campaigns, and public-interest groups during the year. UW–Madison’s larger alumni base and strong academic resources can also support public-policy exploration, but its most extensive federal-policy access often comes through summer internships, alumni outreach, or Washington-based study and internship opportunities rather than daily proximity.

The distinction is not that UW–Madison lacks relevant internships; it is that Madison’s nearby opportunities are concentrated in state and regional government, while GW places students inside the country’s largest federal-policy job market. For an applicant specifically prioritizing frequent, in-semester exposure to national politics and public policy, GW has the clearer edge.