Tulane vs. American University: Which is better for Washington, DC internships?

American University offers substantially stronger day-to-day access to Washington, DC internships because its campus is in DC and its School of Public Affairs is built around public-service careers. During a regular semester, students can realistically intern with congressional offices, federal agencies, nonprofits, advocacy groups, think tanks, campaigns, or media organizations while taking classes. AU’s location also makes it easier to attend policy events, conduct informational interviews, and build relationships that can lead to later internships or jobs.

AU is especially well suited to a student who wants DC to be part of college life from the first year onward. Political science students can pursue internships during fall or spring rather than relying only on summers, and the university’s alumni and employer network is concentrated in the city’s government and policy ecosystem. The practical advantage is repetition: you can try one role, refine your interests, and pursue another without leaving campus or pausing your academic path.

Tulane can still be an excellent choice for a student drawn to political science, particularly one interested in the distinctive policy environment of New Orleans and Louisiana: local government, public health, environmental resilience, criminal justice, education, and community-based advocacy. Its students can certainly obtain DC internships over the summer and draw on a national alumni network, but that path requires more independent planning and usually a temporary move to DC.

Choose Tulane only if its New Orleans setting, campus culture, and local public-policy opportunities are a much stronger personal fit than AU’s. For the specific goal of consistently accessing Washington internships throughout college, American provides the clearer and more convenient platform.