<p>I was wondering if someone could give us advice, since I am only familiar with engineering related internships & etc. This is my first time posting, and hopefully someone might provide some insight.</p>
<p>I have a younger sister who just started college. She got the news that she was accepted for a (prestigious?) white house internship. If she takes it, she'll take off her freshman spring semester to work there (not sure what as this is one of the questions we have).</p>
<p>There seem to be a few drawbacks. She's not the greatest academically, she's one of those very Right brained people - very creative (won national awards in journalism, artsy, left handed, etc.) and so she's not very strong at things like studying math and the sciences. My parents were concerned that interrupting her academic schedule so early on in college might not be worth it--we dont really know the pros of the internship at the White House! Also, the internship is not paid.</p>
<p>My family really doesnt know any pros regarding the White House internship. Any thoughts? is it worth it to my sister academically/fiscally in the future?</p>
<p>How about your sister talking to her academic advisor to see what the school thinks about internships, and how much it would set her back for graduation. Also, is the internship something she applied for (if not, may be bogus), and something she wants? Would her school give her credit? Is it in her major field?</p>
<p>my sister is undeclared at this point, which is incredible. yes she did apply for it directly through the white house gov site, and has gotten back official confirmation from white house staff.</p>
<p>she is more concerned with the prestige i think, than how it will relate to her career (undecided major, but is leaning towards doubling in international business + a language, probably mandarin chinese).</p>
<p>i will tell her to consult with her advisor, that's a pretty good suggestion.</p>
<p>With her leaning towards international business and language, from what I know it would be a good experience as long as your family can afford it, and it won't put her back in school. If she gets credit through the school, it won't even be as if she was taking time off and getting sidetracked--more like a class in another place. Things she has to check with are her dorm contract (if she can get out of it for spring), if she'd still get medical coverage from your parents even if she isn't a full time student, and what kind of housing/transportation they have there. Just a few things I thought of. Best of luck!</p>
<p>My older sister, a grad from Emory University, interned at the White House in the Fall/Winter of 2004, right after she graduated. She was taking a gap year between university to graduate school, and she loved everything about the internship. It is indeed an extremely prestigious internship, and you get to rub elbows with some of the most high profile people in the league of politics. The internship also guarantees a meeting with the President and Vice President as well as a photo with them. It is of course, an outstanding thing to have on an application for grad school or college.</p>
<p>In your sister's case however, I believe it was a little misguided to apply for such a lengthy internship right in the middle of her freshman year. The pros of it of course is the prestige of the program, but there are many cons. While in DC, she will have to pay for her own housing, mode of transportation -- everything. My sister had to literally move to an apartment Bethesda in order to participate in the program, and she is still there to this day because she loves Bethesda and the D.C. area very much.</p>
<p>If you have further questions, my sister or I would love to answer them. :)</p>
<p>The White House internship program is really structured. There are opportunities to attend lectures by high-level officials including names like Condi Rice and Dick Cheney. Regardless of your political beliefs, it is a really neat experience. My friend interned with Dick Cheney's office and the connections she's made have been invaluable for her future.</p>
<p>I'm an international affairs major. I have not interned at the White House, but I have always considered it and see many benefits and pluses in the internship.</p>
<p>Depending on what your sister does, she could have an amazing experience, but she has to put in the work to meet people, talk to supervisors and network. I also question whether or not your sister will be ready especially for being a freshman.</p>
<p>She applied -- which tells me she has an interest in the internship which is more than just a fancy.</p>
<p>And, why would she turn down something which will be an "experience" and which will deliver her to places which most any other job or internship cannot?</p>
<p>Plus, getting away from school delivers perspective otherwise not seen -- she may become a more focused/serious student after being around grown ups and doing grown up things. </p>
<p>This is a no-brainer, unless the application was thrown out for mere folly.</p>
<p>Your sister should definitely take the internship. If she doesn't, she will regret it the rest of her life. The internship will give her direction and purpose.</p>
<p>I vote for taking the internship. It's a chance that won't come around again. She has barely started school, so it won't much matter if she has the feeling of starting over again when the internship is over.</p>
<p>I'd take it. While her Spring semester will be taken out, her summer opportunities are opened for her. Since work experience is highly valued everywhere, she will open up her more opportunities.</p>
<p>As a freshman digging for internships can prove to be immensely difficult and having this given to her, she should not only take it but seize it and exploit any possibilities that will certainly open till her.</p>
<p>Teach her the importance of networking prior to going there though. It will give her a leg up into whatever career she should choose.</p>
<p>Hopefully I am not too late to give an opinion. Coming from a grad out in the job market, internship experience is highly desired by employers. In addition to a degree now, most employers, (at least in my field) want 2 years experience just out of school. </p>
<p>I think she should definately take it. They wouldn't have offered it to her if they didn't think she was qualified and could handle it.
If she needs to find housing in that area for the duration of her stay, she might try <a href="http://www.Sublet.com%5B/url%5D">www.Sublet.com</a>. On this site you can sublease from people and choose the duration of stay at the property. You can also look for singles or sharing with other rentors. Just tell her to be careful!</p>
<p>UPDATE:
Thank you to everyone who replied. I had no idea I would receive so many more responses to my post after the first two replies...it was very helpful.</p>
<p>as an update, my sister did in fact accept it and she is loving every minute of it. she tells me that she loves what she is doing for the white house and each day that she has gone has been a good experience for her. we figured it was a no brainer to accept the internship; after all it is the White House!</p>
<p>My daughter recently applied for the White House internship for this summer - has anyone else here applied? If so, have you heard back from the White House yet?</p>