How to Apply

Instead of applications, the W&M Washington Center team uses student portfolios to get to know you better!

Click here to submit your portfolio to participate in the D.C. Summer Institutes!

Eligibility

The D.C. Summer Institutes are open to all current W&M undergraduate students—including 2025 graduates!

Deadline

The primary cycle to submit a portfolio opened on August 30th and the Priority Cycle will end on October 20th. We will accept students on a rolling basis who apply after the October 20th priority deadline. The portfolio submission portal will remain open until January 5th or our institutes are full, whichever comes first. Additional dates and FINAL deadlines can be found below.

Please contact Program Coordinator, [[ktwilson, Tyler Wilson]], if you have any questions.

Your Portfolio & Our Review Process

This process consists of three major parts:

The Online Portfolio: You will be required to create a profile and complete a personal information section, a personal statement, and a description of the type of organization at which you would like to intern in Washington, DC (the more specific you can be, the better).
A 60 Second Casual Video: You will record a brief video (max. 60 seconds) introducing yourself to the D.C. Summer Institutes Selection Committee (Please note, all videos are confidential and for the Selection Committee Only).
One Required Online Letter of Recommendation: This required letter of recommendation MUST come from a William & Mary professor (exceptions for transfer students and freshmen will be determined on a case-by-case basis) who knows your academic work and your abilities. A second, optional, recommendation from a former employer, supervisor, mentor, etc., may also be included.
- For First-Year Students ONLY: While a letter of recommendation from a William & Mary professor is preferred, you may submit a high school teacher's recommendation instead if you do not yet know a William & Mary professor well enough to ask for a recommendation letter.

**PLEASE NOTE: ONLY ONCE you have submitted your completed portfolio will a link be sent electronically to your reference to complete. It is your responsibility to warn your reference in advance that this email will be arriving and to give him/her plenty of time to complete it. Your application is NOT COMPLETE until the recommendation is also submitted.**

Priority Cycle (Closed, opening soon):
- Open: August 30, 2024
- Close: October 20, 2024
Winter Cycle (Closed):
- Open: October 20, 2024
  - Submitting your portfolio during this time will result in rolling consideration. You should hear from our office within one (1) week of your submission.
  - NOTE: No considerations will be made between December 15th and January 2nd! All submissions received after December 14th will be reviewed at the final deadline, listed below.
- Close: January 5, 2025 or Until Filled
Student Portfolio Requirements:
- Personal Information
- Resume
- Personal Statement
- Internships of Interest
- 1 Recommendation

Resources

For help preparing your resume, visit the Cohen Career Center.

ADA Accommodations

All prospective and current students with disabilities have the right to request accommodations from Student Accessibility Services when applying for and/or participating in Study in D.C. opportunities.