Cornell in Washington

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
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Hi guys! Here comes another fairly specific question that you may not be able to answer, but maybe you can still give me some ideas!

I’m considering doing the Cornell in Washington program, where you go to Washington, D.C. and take classes from Cornell professors while also doing an internship there. I don’t want to do it for a full semester, so I was considering doing their summer program. However, the summer program isn’t covered by my tuition and so it would cost a lot of extra money that I don’t have. I’ve scoured their website for anything about scholarships, but I haven’t found anything. So does anybody know how I could get a scholarship to do this, either through Cornell or otherwise?

I’m definitely not set on this program; in fact, the most interesting thing about it to me is just the internship part (although at least through this program I would be with some other Cornell students and I would feel less isolated). So I’m also considering just trying to get an internship in Washington, which is scary to me for a number of reasons: I’ve never lived in the city, I’ve never been by myself for so long, I’m not set on a major related to government (it’s only just something I’m considering), and I’m not sure how to even start looking for an internship when there are so many options out there (and possibly I’m getting a late start?)

If any of you have any insight to any of the various things I just mentioned, please let me know! Thanks everyone!

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Hello Ranza,
Have you spoken to anyone in the Cornell in Washington program office about your concerns?

Another place to go for advice is the career office. Make an appointment to talk to a career counselor, as they should be able to give you some contacts for internships, possibly with some Cornell alums who are working in whatever policy area you are interested in. They may also be able to suggest housing options.

There are tons of college students from all over the country who descend on Washington for the summer, most of whom have never lived there before. It can be pretty easy to get to know other interns, and DC is a fairly easy city to navigate, with a good metro and bus system. Good luck!!