Application Form

Step 1: Prepare

Meet with Career Services

Early in the semester before you hope to study in Washington—if not earlier—schedule a meeting with Career Services. Bring your cover letter and resume. The Career Services staff will offer advice on your application documents and help you make any necessary changes.

Research your Internship Options

Please do not wait to be accepted into WHIP before researching and/or applying to internships. Some organizations, particularly agencies that require a security clearance, may have very early deadlines.

Step 2: Apply

To apply, you will need a cover letter, resume, unofficial Hillsdale College transcript, and a short letter of recommendation from a Hillsdale College staff or faculty member.

Early Decision Applications for the Spring 2025 WHIP semester open on August 16, 2024 and close on September 13, 2024. Regular Decision Applications are due by October 4, 2024.

General Information
(First, middle, and last)
(if applicable)
(mm/dd/yyyy)
Intended Semester *
Contact Information
( ) -
( ) -
Academic Information
(if applicable)
(if applicable)
(if applicable)
(mm/yyyy)
(including current semester)
Have you completed POL 101? *

Are you a George Washington or Winston Churchill Fellow? *

Are you a member of the Dow Journalism Program? *

Are you a student ambassador for the admissions department? *

Internship Interests

WHIP students are expected to take initiative in securing their own internships in Washington, D.C., with assistance from both Career Services and the Undergraduate Program Coordinator. The more information that a WHIP applicant provides about their internship interests and career goals, the more our staff can be of assistance to you. Please be specific as you complete the following section. You may check as many of the interest boxes as you like.

(e.g. Education Policy Intern at the Heritage Foundation)






Necessary Documents

Please attach the following documents with the titles in the following format: Last Name, First Name, Required Document Name. I.e., Wheeler, Mary, Resume.

(Must be a PDF, DOC, or DOCX file)
(Must be a PDF, DOC, or DOCX file and addressed to Mary Wheeler)
(Must be a PDF, DOC, or DOCX file)
(Must be a PDF, DOC, or DOCX file)
It may either be attached here or sent directly to [email protected].

Step 3: The Interview

Shortly after you submit your application, the Undergraduate Program Coordinator will contact you to schedule an interview. Please watch for an e-mail regarding the scheduling of this interview.

Step 4: Acceptance

Within a few weeks of your interview, selection for the upcoming WHIP semester will be communicated. If you are selected to participate, the Undergraduate Program Coordinator will send information about confirming your enrollment and registering for classes during the semester in D.C. Later in the semester, there will be a short—but mandatory—on-campus orientation.