Apply for the Washington Semester Program

We are now accepting applications for the Fall 2024-Spring 2025 academic year. See below for additional details.

UPCOMING DEADLINES - UPDATED

Fall 2024 - February 1st, 2024 by 5:00 PM CST
Spring 2025 - May 1st, 2024 by 5:00 PM CST

*Please be aware that deadlines for some internships in D.C. may pass before the Semester Program deadline. We encourage you to note deadlines for internships such as the State Department, White House, and U.S. Supreme Court and plan accordingly.

SUBMIT AN APPLICATION: APPLY HERE

FACULTY/EMPLOYER RECOMMENDATION FORM (send to two Baylor staff or faculty members to complete your application)

Program Dates

Fall 2023 Cohort:

Move-In: August 17th-20th
Orientation Week (Mandatory): August 21st-25th
Program End Date: December 8th
Move-Out: December 9th-10th

Spring 2024 Cohort:

Move-In: January 12th
Orientation Week (Mandatory): January 15th-19th
Program End Date: May 2nd
Move-Out: May 3rd-11th

Application Instructions

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible for the Baylor in Washington Semester Program, students must:

Be a Baylor University undergraduate student
Be entering at least their sophomore year during their intended semester in Washington
Have a GPA of at least 3.0

Baylor undergraduate students from all majors* are eligible to apply for the Program!

APPLICATION MATERIALS:

All application materials are to be submitted using the application form linked above. There is a menu for adding attachments after logging in using your Bear ID credentials.

Resume
Cover Letter
- The cover letter should clearly communicate why you're interested in this program and how this experience will advance your educational and professional goals. In other words -- "why you?" and "why Washington?" This is your chance to tell us not only what you have done, but why the experiences on your resume make you a good fit for this program. How has your time and experiences at Baylor up to now prepared you to represent Baylor University in Washington, D.C.?
Two recommendations submitted through this recommendation form
- At least one recommendation must be from a Baylor faculty member
Degree Audit (Unofficial is acceptable)
An academic writing sample from your time at Baylor
Permission to access student conduct records*

*Due to the nature of this program, applicant records maintained by the Student Conduct Administration office are subject to review at any time to ensure that program participants are in good standing with the University. Any past offenses will be considered and program participation will be determined at the discretion of the program directors based on this review. If a student is accepted into the program and the program directors learn of past or new offenses after-the-fact, acceptance into the program and any offered scholarship funds can be revoked, as determined at the discretion of the program directors.

Selection Committee

All applications will be reviewed for approval by the Baylor in Washington Semester Program Committee, which consists of the following individuals:

Dr. David Corey, Professor of Political Science in the Honors Program, Assistant Director of Baylor in Washington
Dr. Matthew Lee Anderson, Assistant Director of Baylor in Washington, Postdoctoral Research Associate with Baylor's ISR
Dr. Dave Bridge, Associate Professor of Political Science and Undergraduate Program Director
Dr. Ivy Hamerly, Senior Lecturer of Political Science and Director of International Studies
Dr. Andrew Hogue, Senior Lecturer & Director of the Philanthropy and Public Service Program
Mollie Moore, Director of Programming and Development for Baylor in Washington
Beth Butler, Program Manager for Baylor in Washington
Natalie Terry, Senior Academic Advisor