Illinois-in-Washington offers resources to help students identify internship opportunities, prepare strong application materials, develop professionally, and make the most of their time in Washington, D.C.
If you have outstanding questions about internships or the IIW program, please contact us at illinoisinwashington@illinois.edu, or schedule a Zoom meeting using this LINK.
Living and Networking in Washington
Find resources to help you prepare for life in Washington, connect with Illinois alumni and professional organizations, and identify opportunities to explore the city outside of work and class.
Internships and Internship Search Resources
Looking for an internship in Washington, D.C.? This page includes general internship boards, federal and congressional resources, and organizations that regularly host interns in areas such as public policy, advocacy, media, research, international affairs, and STEM.
Application and Career Resources
Prepare for the internship search process with resources on résumés, cover letters, interviewing, networking, letters of recommendation, and careers in public service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Illinois in Washington?
Illinois in Washington is a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign program that allows students to live, intern, and take UIUC courses in Washington, D.C. during the fall, spring, or summer term. More information about the program can be found HERE.
Who can participate in Illinois in Washington?
Illinois in Washington is open to UIUC undergraduate students from all majors. That said, students must meet the program’s academic and enrollment requirements to participate, which are available on the IIW Application & Information page.
Do I need to be a political science major?
No. Students from any major may apply. While many internships relate to government and public policy, students can pursue opportunities in a wide range of fields, including law, media, health care, education, international affairs, nonprofits, STEM, business, and the arts.
Can I participate during the summer?
Yes. Illinois in Washington is offered during the fall, spring, and summer terms. Course requirements and schedules differ somewhat between the academic year and summer session.
That said, students should keep in mind that summer internships in Washington are generally more competitive because applicant pools are larger. Students should consider both the advantages and drawbacks of each term when deciding when to participate.
When is the application due? Is there a benefit to applying early?
Application deadlines vary by term. Please visit the Application and Information page for current deadlines and application materials.
From an admissions standpoint, there is no advantage to applying early. However, students are encouraged to apply as early as possible, since completing the IIW application may help them begin gathering materials that will also be needed for their internship search.
Does Illinois in Washington place students in internships?
No. Students are responsible for applying for and securing their own internships.
That said, the Illinois in Washington staff are willing and able to provide significant guidance throughout the process, including sharing internship opportunities, suggesting organizations based on students’ interests, and reviewing application materials.
How many internships should I apply for?
Students should plan to apply broadly. Although the number of applications will vary by field and term, applicants should expect to submit multiple applications rather than relying on only a few highly competitive positions.
That said, as a general guideline, students applying for fall or spring internships should plan to submit approximately 20–35 applications, while students applying for summer internships may need to submit 40 or more.
Are internships paid?
Some internships are paid and some are unpaid, and compensation varies widely by organization, field, and term. Students should carefully review internship postings and consider their financial needs when evaluating opportunities.
Illinois in Washington students should not have to choose between receiving academic credit and being paid for their work. Because the program does not require an employer to provide academic credit or complete related paperwork, students are encouraged to accept monetary compensation whenever it is offered.
What types of internships are acceptable for Illinois in Washington participation?
Illinois in Washington students may pursue internships in a wide range of fields, including congressional offices, federal agencies, political organizations, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, think tanks, media outlets, law and public-interest organizations, international affairs, education, health care, business, and STEM-related fields.
To qualify for program participation, an internship must provide meaningful professional experience, align with the student’s academic or career interests, and meet the program’s scheduling expectations. During the fall and spring semesters, internships generally require at least 30 hours per week and should last at least 12 weeks. During the summer, internships generally require at least 30 hours per week and should last at least 10 weeks.
Most students complete internships in person in Washington, D.C. Hybrid internships may be acceptable when the position provides a substantial in-person component and its schedule can be accommodated alongside IIW coursework. Fully virtual internships or positions with unusual schedules should be discussed with Illinois in Washington staff before a student accepts an offer, so the program can determine whether the placement meets participation requirements.
What courses will I take while participating in Illinois in Washington?
During the fall and spring semesters, students enroll in at least 12 credit hours. This includes PS 125: The Washington Experience, PS 491: Illinois in Washington Internship Seminar, and one additional 3-credit course. Students are encouraged to take PS 321: Principles of Public Policy, but another approved online UIUC course may be used instead.
During the summer, students enroll in at least 6 credit hours through PS 491: Illinois in Washington Internship Seminar, which is offered as a 6-credit course.
More information can be found on this page: https://washington.illinois.edu/iiw-program/course-curriculum/
Will I remain a full-time UIUC student while in Washington?
Yes. Fall and spring participants enroll in at least 12 credit hours. Summer participants enroll in at least 6 credit hours.
Do Illinois in Washington students have to live in program-sponsored housing?
Generally, yes. Students are expected to live in Illinois in Washington-sponsored housing while participating in the program. The main exception is for students whose internship provides free housing.
Will I have roommates?
Most students share an apartment with other students. Students may request to live with a particular student through the Roomsie platform, although requests cannot always be guaranteed. Private bedrooms may be available at an additional cost and are subject to availability.
What is included in IIW housing?
Apartments are furnished and include basic kitchen items. Students should plan to bring or purchase bedding, towels, toiletries, professional clothing, and other personal items.
More information on housing can be found on this page: https://washington.illinois.edu/iiw-program/housing/
Can I arrive early or stay in Washington after the program ends?
IIW housing dates generally follow the UIUC academic calendar. Housing is typically available beginning about one week before the start of the term and remains available until about one week after the term ends.
Students who need to arrive earlier or remain in Washington after the scheduled housing period may be able to make arrangements directly with the housing provider, depending on availability. Additional housing costs may apply, and students should make these arrangements as early as possible.
What costs should I expect, and is financial assistance available?
Illinois in Washington students pay regular UIUC tuition for their enrolled coursework, applicable University fees, the Illinois in Washington program fee, and housing costs. Students should also budget for travel to and from Washington, meals, local transportation, books and supplies, and personal expenses.
Students may use the same types of financial aid available to them while studying on campus. Depending on their circumstances, students may also be able to request additional loan funding to help cover IIW-related expenses.
The Department of Political Science offers scholarships for continuing students, including some that may support internships and off-campus academic experiences. Students are also encouraged to explore University-wide scholarship opportunities.
For a more detailed breakdown of expected costs, please visit our Costs and Financial Aid page.
How do I get to and around Washington, D.C.?
Students are responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel to Washington, D.C. The main airports serving the area are Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
Most students do not need a car while participating in Illinois in Washington. Washington is well served by Metro, buses, rideshare services, and walkable neighborhoods, and students typically use public transportation or other local options to travel between housing, internships, and class meetings.
For more information about travel, transportation, housing, and daily life in Washington, please visit our Housing and Living in Washington, D.C. page.
Additional Resources
Illinois in Washington Student Blog
Read reflections from current and former Illinois in Washington students about internships, classes, housing, and life in Washington, D.C. in the Illinois in Washington Student Blog.
Undergraduate Research Resources
- Office of Undergraduate Research at Illinois
A good starting point for students interested in getting involved in research, finding opportunities, and learning how undergraduate research works at Illinois. The office also provides information on funding, workshops, research programs, and presenting or publishing undergraduate work. - How to Get Started in Undergraduate Research
Guidance for students who are not sure how to begin identifying research interests, connecting with faculty, or finding a project. - Undergraduate Research Funding
Information about funding opportunities that may help support undergraduate research. - Present and Publish Undergraduate Research
Information about presenting research, publishing work, and sharing projects with broader audiences. - Council on Undergraduate Research
National information about undergraduate research, professional development, and student research opportunities. - Posters on the Hill
A national undergraduate research poster session in Washington, D.C. Students interested in applying should speak with IIW staff and their faculty mentor well in advance.
Career Development and Application Materials
- University of Illinois Career Center
Career coaching, document reviews, mock interviews, job-search support, professional-development resources, and career exploration for Illinois students. - Career Coaching Appointments
One-on-one career guidance for students who want help clarifying goals, planning a search, or preparing for applications. - Resume, Cover Letter, and LinkedIn Reviews
Feedback on résumés, cover letters, personal statements, and LinkedIn materials. - How to Write a Resume
Illinois Career Center guidance on tailoring a résumé, emphasizing relevant skills, using strong action language, and avoiding common formatting problems. - How to Write a Cover Letter
Current guidance on writing a focused, position-specific cover letter rather than relying on a generic template. - Interviewing Tips
Guidance on preparing for interviews, responding to common questions, and communicating your experience clearly. - Mock Interviews
Practice interviews and feedback through the Illinois Career Center. - Building a Professional Network
Guidance on informational interviews, networking conversations, LinkedIn, and contacting professionals or alumni. - Professional Portrait Lab
Free professional headshots for Illinois students, which may be useful for LinkedIn and other professional profiles.
Public Service and Career Exploration
- Go Government
A practical starting point for students interested in federal careers, public service, and the federal hiring process. - USAJOBS: Students and Recent Graduates
Official information about federal internships, the Pathways Program, and opportunities for students and recent graduates. - U.S. Department of State Careers
Information about civil-service, foreign-service, fellowship, and student opportunities with the Department of State. - Congress.gov
The official federal legislative-information website. Students can track bills, identify committee jurisdictions, and learn about current congressional activity. - House Committee Directory
Useful for students identifying House committees related to a policy area or potential internship interest. - Senate Committee Directory
Useful for students identifying Senate committees related to a policy area or potential internship interest. - GovTrack
A user-friendly tool for following legislation, congressional activity, and committee work. - Occupational Outlook Handbook
A useful starting point for exploring careers in policy, public affairs, communications, law, research, nonprofit work, and related fields.
Living and Getting Around Washington, D.C.
- WMATA New Rider Guide
A practical guide to using Metro and Metrobus, including fares, transfers, trip planning, accessibility, and SmarTrip payment options. WMATA also has specific guides for visitors, airports, train stations, bikes, and service alerts. - WMATA Trip Planner
Plan Metro and Metrobus routes, check schedules, see real-time arrival information, and review service alerts. - Capital Bikeshare
A bike-share option for getting around D.C. and nearby areas. Students can use the system map, app, and pricing information to determine whether it is useful for their commute or exploring the city. - District of Columbia Public Library
Public-library branches, study space, events, digital resources, and local programming. This can be useful for students who want a quiet place to work outside their apartment or internship site. - Library of Congress Events
Current lectures, concerts, exhibitions, workshops, tours, film screenings, and special events. The site is updated continuously and is far better than linking one old “Live! at the Library” page. - Smithsonian Events
Current museum events, lectures, tours, exhibitions, and programs across Smithsonian institutions. - National Gallery of Art Calendar
Exhibitions, talks, films, performances, tours, and other programming at the National Gallery of Art. - National Archives in Washington, D.C.
Information about visiting the National Archives, exhibitions, research access, and public programming. - National Mall and Memorial Parks
Visitor information, park updates, ranger programs, and resources for exploring the National Mall and memorials.
Networking and Professional Organizations
- Greater Washington, D.C. Illini Club
Illinois alumni events and networking opportunities in the Washington area. Use the club’s active local website or current social-media page once you confirm the best official link. - Illinois State Society of Washington, D.C.
A D.C. network for Illinois-connected professionals and residents. Confirm the active site before publishing, since the current website did not load reliably during my check. - Women in Government Relations
Professional-development and networking opportunities for students interested in advocacy, public affairs, government relations, and policy. - Young Government Leaders
I would not include this one yet. Its official site did not load reliably during my check, so I would not publish it until you verify that it is active and student-facing. - National Association of Colleges and Employers
Keep only if you want one general career-readiness resource. I would not link random old NACE articles; use the organization’s broader career-readiness material or leave it out entirely.