Information for Prospective Students
Few experiences are as profitable as the training you will receive on BYU's Washington
Seminar. Through a quality internship in Washington, D.C., briefings on current
national issues, tours, and excursions, you will gain a valuable supplement to your
education and the chance to be better prepared for your career.
For two decades the Washington Seminar has provided students from every academic
discipline the opportunity to encounter the culture and excitement of the nation's
capital while gaining important professional experience. Alumni of the seminar consider
it one of the most significant aspects of their university training.
An Overview of the Washington Seminar Program.
The Washington Seminar is anxious to provide you with a well-rounded, substantive
experience in the nation's capital. This is accomplished through:
- Placement opportunities with many government and private offices to provide you
with the best possible internship.
- Discussion sessions with students and faculty on current topics of national interest.
- Group excursions to historic sites in the Washington, D.C. area including Gettysburg,
PA and Philadelphia, PA.
- A resident BYU faculty member who monitors your internship to help insure a quality
experience.
- An orientation class to help prepare you for the seminar experience, conducted prior
to departing for Washington, D.C.
- Weekly briefings and lectures from representatives of public and private organizations
to broaden your knowledge and experience.
The Washington Seminar has a full-time, on campus administrator available to help
arrange your internship and prepare you for the program. In addition, a member of
the BYU faculty will live in Washington D.C., during the semester to monitor your
internship, provide instruction, organize supplemental activities and deal with
any problems that may arise.
When is the Seminar?
The Washington Seminar is conducted year-round, offering semester- or term-length
internship programs that correspond to the BYU academic schedule. You may choose
to participate during the Fall, Winter or Spring-Summer semester (about fourteen
weeks each), or for seven weeks during either the Spring or Summer terms. Admission
preference is given to applicants for the longer and more rewarding fourteen week
program. Application deadlines are several months before the program begins.
How much does it cost?
It is possible for you to participate in the Washington Seminar for only a little
more than the average student spends during a semester on campus. Contact the Washington
Seminar office for specific information on student expenses. Married students may
find their cost to be about 20 to 30 percent higher. The Washington Seminar collects
only tuition and rent so you are able to control the majority of your expenses while
participating in the program. To see the averages of what our past students spent,
click here.
Financial Aid
Because you may be considered a full-time student while enrolled in the Washington
Seminar, any scholarships, loans, or grants you may receive can be applied toward
your costs on this program. The Washington Seminar also administers grants that
are awarded to participants based upon their financial need. To apply for a Washington
Seminar Grant, click here.
Is there housing available?
Thanks to the generous gifts of the Milton A. Barlow family and others, in May 2002,
BYU students participating on the Washington Seminar program began living in the
newly renovated Milton A. Barlow Center located on the west end of Pennsylvania
Ave. Housing is available for single and married students participating on the Washington
Seminar. Rent for the fall or winter semesters is $1,250 for single students and
$2,100 for married students without children, and for the combination spring/summer
semester, it is $1,600 for single students and $2,600 for married students without
children. The Barlow Center does not have housing for married students with children.
Only students participating on the Washington Seminar program may stay in the Barlow
Center.
Barlow Center Dedicatory Prayer
Pictures of and articles on the Milton A. Barlow Center.
Take a virtual tour.
See pictures of the construction.
Where do I attend church?
During the program, unmarried Washington Seminar students will attend the Washington
DC 2nd Ward (YSA). Past students often say that their experiences in the ward are
among the best they had and are included in their fondest memories. More information
on the Ward can be found here. For directions to
the meeting house, click here.
Married students will attend a family ward in the Washington DC Stake. We encourage
interns to be actively involved in the ward to which they are assigned.
Interns also may, and are encouraged to, attend Institute.
Who is eligible?
Qualified BYU students from all academic fields are encouraged to participate in
the Washington Seminar. To be eligible you must be an upper-division (completed
60 credits) or graduate student with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better and be in
good academic and honors code standing with BYU. All applicants are carefully screened
and evaluated on the basis of attitude, maturity, judgment, ability to take responsibility,
and academic and professional skills. After acceptance into the Washington Seminar,
applicants are screened by potential sponsors, who make the final decision on which
interns are selected for their offices. Students who have arranged their own internships
are encouraged to apply.
Is there an orientation?
You are required to enroll in a one-credit preparatory class the semester before
leaving for Washington.
Political Science 297 is the orientation class which may be taken only by Washington
Seminar students. For those attending the Fall semester, the class is offered the
second block of Winter semester. For those attending Spring and/or Summer, the class
is offered first block of Winter semester. And for those attending Winter semester,
the class is offered second block of Fall semester. Registration for the course
requires department approval. See the Washington Seminar Secretary for details.
This course will help prepare you to have a successful internship. If you have not
completed an introductory American Government course, you can take an additional
credit of Political Science 297, which will serve as an American Government Primer.
Deadlines
We encourage you to apply as early as possible, as a rolling admission process allows
acceptance for many students well before the deadlines below, all of which are several
months in advance of the semester programs. Because there are often more applicants
for housing than can be accommodated in the Barlow Center, early applications are
best.
- Winter Semester: October 1st
- Spring/Summer Semester: November 1st
- Fall Semester: February 1st
If the application deadline falls on a Saturday or Sunday, applications will be
accepted through the following Monday, if there are Seminar openings still available.
Note that some internships have earlier deadlines (i.e. the US Department of State).
Check the Internship Database in the Washington Seminar Office (944 SWKT) for details
about specific offices.
How do I apply?
Application instructions and forms are available
online.
If you have arranged your own internship and would like to participate on the Washington
Seminar, use this application.