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Cornell University

Cornell Brooks Public Policy

Fall and Spring

Fall 2024 & Spring 2025 Applications Now Open!

About Cornell in Washington:

In Cornell in Washington (CIW), you’ll work part-time at an internship in D.C., take a full load of Cornell courses, and have signature D.C. experiences.

D.C. is arguably the best place in the world to have an internship; there are abundant opportunities for any interest.  Following are examples of where CIW students with specific interests had their internships:

  • Government: Executive Branch, Congress, and a wide range of government agencies.
  • Law: Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, D.C. Public Defender’s Office
  • Economics: President’s Council of Economic Advisors, the Congressional Budget Office, Treasury Department, World Bank
  • Social justice: ACLU, Amnesty International, Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division
  • Health/medicine: American Public Health Association, Centers for Disease Control, National Institutes of Health, Red Cross
  • Environment: Environmental Protection Agency, Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, National Park Service
  • International Affairs: State Department, Peace Corps, Council on Foreign Relations
  • Media/communications: CNN, C-SPAN, NBC, Fox News, NPR, Voice of America, New York Times, Washington Post
  • Arts: National Endowment for the Arts, National Portrait Gallery, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Phillips Collection, Corcoran Gallery

In addition to your internship, you’ll take a full load of Cornell courses. All students take a required course, which involves an independent research project and helps build a cohort experience. Elective course offerings vary semester-to-semester, but all take advantage of our location by being taught by DC experts, including guest lectures by policymakers, and/or visiting relevant DC locations.

On the weekends, CIW offers signature DC experiences, such as visiting Smithsonian museums, attending a game of one of the local professional sports teams, and attending a performance at the Kennedy Center.

Students live in comfortable apartments (each with its own full kitchen and private bathroom), and take their classes, in the Cornell owned-and-operated Wolpe Center, in the lovely and centrally-located neighborhood of Dupont Circle.

Many alumni have said that their semester in CIW was the most transformational, the most influential for their career, and/or their favorite at Cornell.  Come join us and simultaneously jump-start your career and experience the best that D.C. has to offer!

 

Eligibility

The Cornell in Washington fall/spring semester program is open to all Cornell undergraduates in their second-semester sophomore year or later. Students from any Cornell college or major are invited to apply.

You must be in good academic standing and have the demonstrated intellectual interest and personal maturity to participate in the program.

Acceptance is on a space-available, first-come, first-served basis.

Before choosing any courses, check with your advisor or department about how CIW credits and courses will apply to your major.

ILR students

ILR students may participate in Cornell in Washington. ILR students may participate in off-campus programs beginning their junior year. Inform Brigid Beachler of your plan to join CIW (607.255.2266, bk30@cornell.edu).

International Students

International students who are in paid positions should apply for CPT work authorization. While a student is enrolled, an international student’s internship cannot be more than 20 hours per week.