The Hinckley Institute has been connecting students to internships with a variety of offices and industries in Washington, DC since 1965.
Deadline for 2025 Summer Semester is 1/15/25.
How To Become an Intern
Before we place you with an intern host office, you first have to apply to be a Hinckley DC Intern. These are the steps you will need to take during and after you click the Apply Now button to start your application.
Update your résumé, submit a writing sample, and write a cover letter addressed to the Hinckley Institute.
Writing Sample:
It needs to be at least 4 pages demonstrating your best writing, such as a school paper. It should NOT be something new.
Cover Letter:
Since you won’t have a specific job description to work with, include the following in your cover letter:
-Why you want to do an internship
-How an internship applies to your academic and professional goals
-Your skillset and past experiences that will help you to be a successful intern
Please refer to the Career and Professional Development Center’s website for more information on how to format and write a compelling resume and cover letter.
Students are required to contact the Center for Disability and Access (CDA) if they require special accommodations for field education. Please note that field education may require a CDA letter separate from classroom accommodations, and this process should be initiated as early as possible.
You will also need to upload a photo. If you do not have a good quality photo, you can have one taken at the Marriott Library's Free Headshot Program.
Once you begin the application process, you will be asked to submit:
Two Letter of Recommendation (can come from an academic or professional source).
A copy of your transcript. You can obtain this from CIS or the University Registrar
Prior to your interview, research three host offices that you’re interested in.
View D.C. host office list.
View all intern offices sorted by discipline.
There’s no need to be nervous, but it will be a professional interview.
Research scholarship and loan opportunities.
You might be surprised by how much financial aid is available!
Meet with your academic advisor and determine how your internship credit should be applied. You’ll need to register for at least 3 credit hours and no more than 12.
After you are accepted to the DC Intern Program, you will be set up with host office interviews and need to complete the following:
Update cover letters to address potential host offices. Career Services is a helpful resource.
Accept interview requests and prepare for them.
Make sure to respond to any requests within 24 hours.
Most of these will be conducted remotely via phone or video call.
Update and check-in with Gina Shipley on your placement process.
Register for HNKLY credit hours.
All Hinckley Internships are accredited. Students register for 3, 6, 9, or 12 credit hours of HNKLY 4902 (undergraduate) or HNKLY 6922 (graduate). Honors students can also enroll in 3 credit hours of HNKLY 4922 (honors). Permission codes for enrollment will be provided after the placement process.
Research and book travel.
Flights:
Students may fly into Reagan National Airport, Dulles Airport, or BWI Airport. From there, you can take a bus from Dulles and Amtrak or Super Shuttle from BWI. Reagan National is located at a Metro stop, D.C’s subway system.
City Transport:
Visit the Metro website for a complete listing of Metro fares and pass options, we recommend the weekly pass.
Park Place Apartments:
Through Summer 2023, Hinckley Interns will be housed at the Park Place Apartments at 850 Quincy Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011. The apartments are next to the Georgia Ave-Petworth Metro Station. They are two-bedroom, two-bathroom units with kitchen, family room, and laundry. Apartments are fully furnished and have kitchen basics. Other amenities include sky deck, wi-fi, and a gym.
Students are required to purchase renters insurance in the minimum amounts of $15,000 (contents) and $100,000 (liability) for the time you are living in at the Hinckley housing in Park Place Petworth. Personal policies in these amounts average $15.00 per month and can be bought online or over the phone.
Fall 2023 and Onward:
New Orrin G. Hatch Center
Starting in Fall 2023, Hinckley Interns will be housed in the new Orrin G. Hatch Center, located at 1529 18th Street, NW Washington, D.C. This new location will be able to house up to 50 students across five floors. There are 8 single bedrooms, 14 shared double bedrooms, and 5 shared triple bedrooms. The Hatch Center will be fully furnished and have kitchen basics. Other amenities include student lounges, a terrace, and wi-fi.
Attend intern orientation at the Hinckley Institute.
Take note of the academic requirements. In addition to the internships, DC interns must complete five assignments during their internship, submit weekly check-ins, and write a policy paper at the culmination of their internship.
Tuition:
Students can see what their tuition costs would look like by consulting the University of Utah Tuition Calculator
Fees:
Students are additionally responsible for paying all fees associated with tuition— including the Hinckley Student Fee ($300). Unlike the vast majority of internship programs, the Hinckley Institute secures host office placement for most students and arranges prospective interviews on your behalf. This is an intensive process that requires our program managers to consult with students, determine the best-fit for internships, pitch your strengths to various organizations, as well as arrange prospective interviews on your behalf.
Scholarships and Funding
The Hinckley Institute provides scholarships to all interns working in Washington, DC. The cost of housing at the Hatch Center in D.C. will cost you significantly less than a semester on main campus.
Student Testimonials
Students who participate in a DC internship through the Hinckley Institute have the incredible opportunity to live and work in the nation's capital while earning real-world experience and college credit.
“My experience as a Hinckley Intern in Washington D.C. was transformative. During my time at the National Park Service interning as a communication specialist, I had the opportunity to expand my network, gain new skills and add real-life experience to my resume. Being a Hinckley intern has provided me with a competitive edge and I feel confident heading into a career in the field of strategic communication and social impact. As I reflect on my time in our nation’s capital, I can’t help but to feel immense gratitude towards the Hinckley Institute and those supporting it. Ultimately, internships are investments in your future and the Hinckley Institute is instrumental in getting students full access to these investments.”
“Interning at the Smithsonian through the Hinckley Institute enhanced my college experience and career path dramatically. I did more than grow my network — I made life-long friends and my internship ended up turning into a full-time position! … I would highly recommend stepping outside of your comfort zone and taking advantage of the opportunities that Hinckley offers! The skills I gained while interning at the Smithsonian through Hinckley help me get into a master’s program at Columbia University.”
“I am so happy that I had the opportunity to be an intern in Washington, DC! Having never done an internship before I was a little nervous about how everything would go. However, the Hinckley Institute did a wonderful job at informing what would occur during my internship and making it an easy transition. I had the opportunity to intern for Health and Human Services on the Strategic Planning team. There I had wonderful supervisors that gave me insight on projects, papers, and also navigating DC. I also made great friends as I interned for HHS and got to know the other Hinckley interns. I am grateful for the memories I've made and for the Hinckley Institute having offered such a wonderful experience that students can be a part of.”
“I secured an internship through the help of the Hinckley Institute with the American College of National Security Leaders in Washington, D.C., a non-partisan group of retired Admirals, Generals, Ambassadors, Senior Government Executives, and Foreign Service Officers. Throughout this internship, I was mentored by a retired Rear Admiral and president of the ACNL, along with the numerous other fellows, who aided me in exploring countless career opportunities within government service and ultimately guided me to apply and secure an internship with the United States Southern Command HQ (USS UTHCOM) in Miami, FL. My Hinckley internship completely changed the direction of my career, transitioning from public accounting to government service and allowed me the opportunity to currently work at USSOUTHCOM in Counter Narco operations and with the 22 Security Cooperation Offices (SCOs) at our embassies in Latin and South America.”
"For my final semester at the U, I decided to complete a National Hinckley internship in Washington D.C. This was one of the best experiences of my entire collegiate career. I had the opportunity to work with an incredibly diverse and professional staff at the Mitchell Group, participate in United Nations Young Professionals conferences, and immerse myself in constant political discussions. As a marketing major, the office also provided advertising opportunities and a chance for me to be a part of revamping their company image. This allowed me to practice the branding and marketing lessons I have learned the past 4 years. I was able to grow, not only as a student, but as a member of our national and local community. Thanks to Hinckley I understand the impact I can have if I am determined and open to new experiences."
“Spending the summer as a Hinckley Intern in Washington D.C. is one of the best decisions I have ever made! I interned at a nonprofit and specialized in communications and media, and as a double Political Science/Film & Media Arts major, I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to directly blend my two majors and gain experience in both. Through an internship, you truly gain valuable on the job experience, as well as expand your knowledge about a variety of real-world issues. I now know how to be more prepared to enter the workforce, what to study in my undergraduate program, and what aspects I desire in a career! I'm very thankful for my my internship experience with the Hinckley Institute.”
"When I first heard of the Hinckley Institute of Politics, I struggled to see a place for myself as a Psychology major because I thought that their internships were designed for Political Science majors. That could not have been further from the truth. First, every aspect of Psychology and mental health is inherently political. Second, I was able to work with the Department of Health and Human Services to develop skills in policy writing, health promotion, and even getting articles published in peer-reviewed journals. Whatever your career aspirations are, there is a Hinckley internship that will help to launch you to success."
"Being a National Hinckley Intern was an amazing experience for me! Coming from a background as a Pre-Medical student in Biomedical Engineering, I was able to see how politics and policy touches all fields of work directly as an intern on capitol hill. The Hinckley Institute gave me the tools I needed to enable me to enjoy my work as an intern for the US Senate and spend a semester in Washington DC. I recommend that students of all disciplines consider a Hinckley Internship, no matter what your expertise is, you will be able to offer a valuable contribution to those you serve!”
“My Hinckley internship was undoubtedly the most pertinent, and dear to my heart, experience in my undergraduate career. The Hinckley Institute of Politics enabled me to expand beyond my Accounting skillset and provided me with opportunities to become the caliber of applicant strongly considered by law schools all over the nation. Additionally, I built friendships and working relationships with individuals I hope to keep throughout the rest of my life, while pushing me to polish my professional presence and impact. The Hinckley Institute of Politics is also responsible for introducing me to the area of law I plan to study: international business, in order to work in the International Development sphere.”