Boston College vs. American University for Washington, DC internships

American University offers the more direct, day-to-day path to Washington internships because students live in DC and can intern during the academic year while taking classes. Its School of Public Affairs is closely connected to the city’s government, policy, advocacy, campaign, and nonprofit ecosystem, and AU’s Washington Semester Program gives students a structured internship-centered option. For a student who wants to begin building a DC network early and repeatedly, that location matters.

Boston College can still lead to substantive Washington experience, particularly through its Washington, DC Semester Program. BC students also pursue summer internships in DC and draw on a strong alumni network, including graduates in government, law, public policy, and public service. The difference is that DC is typically a planned semester or summer destination rather than an ordinary part of the weekly college routine.

AU fits students who want policy work embedded in their undergraduate life: attending events after class, interviewing for internships locally, and potentially holding part-time roles with congressional offices, agencies, think tanks, or advocacy organizations during multiple semesters. BC may fit a student who prefers a traditional residential campus and a broader Boston-based college experience, but still wants one especially focused DC term.