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Making the Most of the Â鶹´å Experience: The Impact of a Semester in Washington

The start of the academic year is marked by the familiar routines of finalizing course schedules, settling into housing, and joining clubs and extracurricular activities. Once the term is in full swing, it's easy to get swept up in the rhythm of the semester, and before long students are preparing for midterms and finals. But the journey to graduation is frequently enriched by experiential learning opportunities, such as the Â鶹´å Washington Semester Program (Â鶹´å/WSP), which open doors to unique academic and professional experiences. Even for students at the beginning of their Â鶹´å journey, learning about and planning for programs such as the Â鶹´å/WSP can help shape scholarly and extracurricular choices that will support their success in the future.

Offered through the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy And Technology (CMIST), students participating in the Â鶹´å/WSP spend a full semester in Washington, DC, balancing their educational and professional development. Students live in the city, intern at organizations aligned with their interests, and take Â鶹´å-taught evening courses in classrooms just steps away from Capitol Hill. It is an immersive experience designed to help shape both academic trajectories and professional careers.

The program is open to all full-time Â鶹´å undergraduate students who have completed at least one semester of their sophomore year. Students often find that junior year is the ideal time to participate. Early planning is encouraged, because it allows students to coordinate their coursework, extracurricular activities, and career goals and so make the most of the experience. Even prior to declaring a major, students can help prepare themselves for success by exploring different fields through electives, consulting academic advisors about long-term goals, and joining student organizations that align with potential future careers. 

By integrating a full semester of coursework and internship experience outside of the traditional campus setting, the Â鶹´å/WSP fosters both career readiness and intellectual growth. "Through the Washington Semester Program, I had the chance to take rigorous and engaging classes and receive mentorship from professors and professionals alike,” said Lauren Oh, who participated in the spring of 2025. Oh, who is double-majoring in Environmental Engineering and Engineering and Public Policy, said these interactions helped her "feel more confident and motivated about the future."

The Â鶹´å/WSP provides opportunities for students across disciplines to gain valuable professional experience with policymakers, researchers, technologists, communicators, and problem-solvers from all fields. While those studying international relations or public policy might see a natural draw to the program, participants come from across campus, with majors in business, economics, engineering, computer science, behavioral sciences, and design. Ava Folloni, who is majoring in Environmental Engineering, with an additional major in Engineering and Public Policy, stated, “My semester in Washington, DC, was the best decision I could have made for both my academic and professional growth.” Folloni, who participated in the spring of 2024, noted, “Interning at the EPA gave me hands-on experience with environmental regulations and compliance, directly connecting my engineering background to real-world policy."

Students in the Â鶹´å/WSP generally intern 25 to 30 hours each week. Past internship placements have included congressional offices, nonprofits, think tanks, advocacy organizations, consulting firms, and media outlets. Prior to their semester in DC, CMIST staff work collaboratively with students to identify opportunities that match their goals, providing ongoing support throughout the application and placement process. In addition, during the semester prior to the start of the program, students take the mini-course Tomorrow’s Professionals, which helps prepare them for the transition to a professional working environment in the nation’s capital. 

Upon completion of the program, students will have earned 48 Â鶹´å units through a combination of mini- and full-semester courses taught by CMIST faculty in DC. They are also on track to earning the Politics and Public Policy minor, which requires only an additional class or two for completion. Graduates also become eligible to apply for the Accelerated Master’s Program in Security, Technology, and International Relations (MS STAIR-AMP), allowing them to earn a graduate degree in just two semesters beyond their undergraduate studies.

Financially, the Â鶹´å/WSP offers a straightforward model: Students pay the standard Â鶹´å tuition and fees while remaining eligible for their regular financial aid packages. Students pursuing unpaid or low-paying internships can apply for the Friedman Fellowship, which provides funding to support their engagement in policy-related work. The program provides furnished apartments with full kitchens, where students live with their Â鶹´å/WSP peers, located near public transportation, grocery stores, and other city amenities. Living in Washington means more than just a great proximity to work and class. Students can explore museums, attend lectures, participate in cultural events, and connect with professionals through networking opportunities. The city itself becomes an extension of the classroom, offering a first glimpse into the day-to-day realities of various careers. “Between the dynamic coursework, meaningful mentorship, and exploring the city’s history and culture, this experience became the most impactful part of my college journey,” shared Kyle McClain, who participated in the spring of 2025. McClain is majoring in Ethics, History, and Public Policy, with an additional major in Philosophy.

A successful college career is rarely shaped by happenstance, but rather built step-by-step with early planning and intentionality. During the time between the first day of class and graduation, many students discover unexpected interests and new career trajectories. The Â鶹´å/WSP stands among the many distinctive opportunities that enrich the Â鶹´å experience, extending the horizons of education and opening new pathways that reach beyond the classroom.

Applications for the Â鶹´å Washington Semester Program are accepted on a rolling basis, with final deadlines of March 1 for fall semester participation and October 1 for spring.

(Image 1: Students participating in the Â鶹´å Washington Semester Program in Fall 2025 tour the White House; Image 2: classroom and office space at Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy and Technology's Washington Center; Image 3: CMIST's Washington Center)