<p>UNC has an excellent political science department, and there is the School of Government on campus, which is a great resource. Most political science students I’ve known at UNC have done internships through federal and state programs, such as the one with the North Carolina Department of Administration. I don’t know as much about Appalachian’s political science department, but I know a couple of people with political science degrees from ASU who are working in state politics. Consider NC State as well. It has a well-regarded state legislative internship program through its School of Public and International Affairs. A state-level position might not be what you are looking for, but any experience in state government would be a plus on a resume.</p>
<p>The political science programs at Carolina and State are very well-respected, and I would think that ASU does well in this regard as well. So much with government internships depends on you and your initiative. If you feel more comfortable with the program at ASU, great. Do you love cold weather and snow? Skiing maybe? Then ASU might be better for you all around.</p>
<p>But that’s the thing. If you want to do anything in Washington and get past just writing letters to constituents or answering phone calls, you need to establish the networking base and become friends with everyone possible. You simply don’t get that by not being in Washington, D.C. Sure, the UNC name might get you somewhere, but at the same time, nothing is better than people knowing your name and having relationships with people. In addition, most summer internships with Senate offices are split into two sections because of demand of college kids only being allowed to do internships in the summer. That’s a day and night difference of only spending one months in Washington during the summer and spending four months in Washington during the semester. I’m sure UNC’s classes are fine, but it’s amazing that the one thing that really sets you apart - how hard you put yourself to work in DC - is pretty much ignored at North Carolina’s most prestigious state institution.</p>
<p>I’m with mich. There is a world of difference between state and federal government contacts. If you want the DC federal government experience, go to the school that offers the best opportunity to work there as an intern. State government intern experience won’t compete well with the kids who had federal internships and contacts.</p>
<p>I did not apply to NC State since it isn’t, in my opinion, widely known as a Political Science school. Right now, I am a semi-finalist for the Morehead Cain Scholarship to UNC Chapel Hill. If I get offered something similar at Appalachian and have to make the choice, I will probably go to Appalachian anyway. I already have some contacts in DC at the State Department and also in Senator Burr’s office. If I have my way, I would go to a university that would allow two internships. One in DC and one at a foreign embassy. I would love to live in Europe for a semester. Appalachian seems open to that option, Chapel Hill does not. Once again, very sad for what is considered by many to be the most prestigious state school in NC.</p>
<p>Yeah ASU is the best choice for what you want to do. Also, school prestige is not very important if you want to work for the gov’t. It’s most important if you want to start out at a prestigious firm in DC; you can still do that later on if you build experience with the govt even if your school isn’t prestigious.</p>
<p>mich – Then go to Appalachian. Nearly everyone who goes there loves it, and if it would make you happy then do it. You don’t have to defend your decision by calling UNC’s program “like preschool”. Name-calling isn’t becoming of anyone, including those with political aspirations. Most North Carolinians aren’t prestige snobs and won’t harass you for choosing Appalachian. It’s a fine school. I’ve known people who happily turned down Harvard and Stanford to go to UNC. I’ve known people who happily turned down UNC to go to Appalachian. As long as you can afford to do so, go to the school that you think is best for you and don’t go with what anyone else thinks is more prestigious.</p>
<p>I didn’t mean to make anyone mad. Just wanted to bring up an issue that wasn’t presented when the original student was making college selections. I have learned a college’s internship possibilities can make or break my admissions decision. Prestige means absolutely nothing if a university can’t deliver an academic necessity.</p>
<p>What would make you think UNC does not give you the option to live in Europe for a semester, mich? Not only does UNC allow you to participate in many independently operated study abroad programs, they also run their OWN exchange and study programs in various European countries. Honors semester in London, a program in Florence, student teaching in Germany, early childhood education in Norway, and more traditional programs in Spain, France, Italy, the UK, the Netherlands, Ireland, Denmark, Germany…</p>
<p>I don’t really want to study abroad, but I do want to intern abroad. UNC Chapel Hill 's Political Science department doesn’t allow an internship over 3 semester hours. That is why they push local internships where you also take classes.</p>
LaLalnsanity, even though this post is several years old…where did you decide to go? And are you happy with your choice? I’m having the same internal debate two years later. App vs. UNC.