Eligibility

The Institutes are open to all current W&M undergraduates—including 2024 graduates! Institutes are also open to students in all majors and disciplines.

There is no limit to the number of times a student can apply for the Institutes.

Graduating Seniors

As a graduating senior, you have two options:

August diploma:
- Use the Registrar's Notice of Candidacy for Graduation form (pdf) to indicate that you will receive your diploma in August instead of May.
- Walk through the graduation ceremony in May.
- Successfully complete the D.C. Summer Institute courses.
- Receive your diploma in August.
- You can apply for financial aid to cover the cost of the Institute.
Post Baccalaureate Status:
- Use the Registrar's Non-Degree Seeking (pdf) form to indicate that you plan to take W&M courses after graduation.
- Use the Registrar's Notice of Candidacy for Graduation (pdf) form to indicate that you will receive your diploma in May.
- Walk through the graduation ceremony in May and receive your diploma.
- Successfully complete the D.C. Summer Institute courses.
- Financial aid does not apply in this scenario.
- (Find more detailed instructions)

Resident Assistants (RAs)

If you are an RA planning to apply for and enroll in DCSI, you will need to make arrangements with your Area Supervisor to be in D.C. by opening day (the Monday after graduation). You are not automatically exempt from your RA duties on campus because you are enrolled in DCSI. Please contact your supervisor as early as possible to make the necessary requests/arrangements.

First Year Students

Freshmen and newly enrolled transfer students may enter any number as their GPA. For the letter of recommendation, a former employer or a professor from a previous institution will suffice.

Academic Probation, Suspension, Medical Withdrawal, or Underload

Students on academic probation are not eligible to participate in Study in D.C. opportunities. If you are on academic probation or on a medical withdrawal or underload, you must receive approval from the Dean of Students in order to participate in Study in D.C. opportunities.

Students who are on Disciplinary Probation or Deferred Suspension status are ineligible to participate in Study in D.C. opportunities during their first full semester in such status. If a sanction endures beyond one full semester (15 academic weeks), the student may petition the Director of Community Values & Restorative Practices for an exception. The Director, or designee, will make the final decision in consultation with Washington Center staff, and that decision will be final and is not appealable.

If you do not get approval, you may NOT participate in Study in D.C. opportunities. Students are required to report to the Washington Center any changes in academic or judicial status, even after acceptance into a program, which may affect their eligibility to participate in their accepted program, even if such a change results in a financial loss.