Washington Academic Internship Program (WAIP) | John Glenn

Washington Academic Internship Program (WAIP) | John Glenn
Washington Academic Internship Program (WAIP)
Washington Programs
Related Links
Semester Overview
WAIP Internships
Meet the Fellows
D.C. Team and Instructors
WAIP FAQs
D.C. Alumni Get Involved
Schedule an Appointment with WAIP Staff
Related Links
Semester Overview
WAIP Internships
Meet the Fellows
D.C. Team and Instructors
WAIP FAQs
D.C. Alumni Get Involved
Schedule an Appointment with WAIP Staff
Live, learn and intern in the nation’s capital.
The Washington Academic Internship Program (WAIP) gives undergraduate students of all majors the opportunity to live, learn, and intern in Washington, D.C. for a semester. As a John Glenn Fellow, you will gain invaluable professional experience, build a powerful network, and develop critical skills for the future, including the AI fluency needed to become a modern policy leader.
Program Details and Components
The Glenn College's D.C. team includes faculty and staff who work full-time in Washington to provide students with comprehensive on-the-ground support. He help to facilitate internship placement, housing, mentorship, professional development, policy-focused coursework, and opportunities to build networks and serve the community.
WAIPers work 20-32 hours per week at internship sites that match your academic and professional interest.
You won't just be getting coffee - You'll be working in substantive, demanding roles that have real impact.
Internships are determined before students arrive in D.C. Our staff is highly experienced at placing students at high-quality sites but we encourage students to research potential sites and identify employers of interest.
Roughly 65% of internships are paid.
Sample internship hosts:
American Civil Liberties Union
Office of Representative Marcy Kaptur
Forbes Tate Partners
NewsNation
General Dynamics
Office of Senator Sherrod Brown
FGS Global
Climate Reality Project
Office of National Drug Control Policy
U.S. News & World Report
The American Legion
Alignment Government Strategies
Learn more about the internship component, sample placement sites and internship preparation.
Once a week, students meet for weekly seminar, taught by a D.C. expert employed by Ohio State. Class meetings will consist of discussion, readings, presentations and guest speakers,
exposing students policymaking and public service in the Washington community.
Students also develop a policy paper that serves as a capstone to the program. Each student will write a research paper exploring a particular aspect of public policy that is drawn from their intellectual interests, academic preparation, and ideas and experiences gleaned from the Washington field placement.
4020: Contemporary Issues in Governance
(3 credit hours)
4021: Policy Analysis Research Paper
(3 credit hours)
4191.02: Student Internship in Politics and Public Policy
(6 credit hours)
Credit Application:
In many cases, the credits you earn from our program are able to be applied to your major or minor. Consultation with your academic advisor is necessary in order to ensure how credits are applied. All WAIP credits will fulfill degree requirements for students majoring in public affairs.
Students are able to count nine hours of WAIP credit towards the Glenn College’s
Public Policy minor
. Upon returning from Washington, a student can complete the policy minor with as few as two additional courses. Students can also potentially count the internship and/or policy paper credit towards the nonprofit studies, civic engagement, or science, engineering, and public policy minors with advisor approval. Please
contact Steve Fink
for more information and explore
public affairs minors
ain experience and exposure to professional life through the lens of Washington, D.C.
WAIPers engage in a wide range of experiential activities designed to expand their understanding of careers in public service, as well as provide robust opportunities for professional development. These objectives are accomplished through weekly professional development workshops and periodic study tours on Friday.
Fellows are also matched with Ohio State alumni and Washington professionals for formal mentorship and professional guidance.
Formal and informal networking activities are facilitated throughout the semester to help students build lasting professional connections.
Students will reflect and engage weekly to monitor their development and explore their evolving career interests.
WAIP will prepare you for the modern policy landscape through dedicated coursework and professional development opportunities focused on artificial intelligence. You will leave the program with not only valuable policy and internship experience, but also the essential skills required for today's roles in government and nonprofit organizations.
How to Apply
Undergraduate students from any Ohio State major can apply once you have 60 credit hours.
Schedule your appointment:
Prior to completing the online application, it is recommended you set up a meeting with Washington Academic Internship Program staff in order to ask questions and ensure your application is of the highest quality. Explore the
semester overview
to learn more about internship details by semester. Please
email the WAIP team
to meet with an advisor.
All meetings will be remote.
If you have any issues scheduling a meeting,
email Sarah Holbert
Schedule an appointment
Apply Now
Spring 2026: Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025 by 11:59 p.m.
Summer 2026: Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 by 11:59 p.m.
Fall 2026: Sunday, March 29 by 11:59 p.m.
Current Resume:
Among the information to be provided: academic awards, honors or fellowships received; employment history; examples of public service; extracurricular activities; language and computer skills, etc.
Personal Statement:
Indicate (in two pages, double-spaced) your reasons for wanting to participate in the program and your interest in public service, and how the program and your possible internship placement serve both your academic and professional goals. Please include how you would be an active member of your cohort, supporting your peers while seeking to learn from others’ experiences.
Writing Sample:
Writing samples should be three to five pages in length, demonstrate your analytical ability and show your writing skills to their best advantage. The sample should be pertinent to your area of general policy interest and should be no more than five pages (typed, double-spaced). If the sample is drawn from a larger paper, give the context of the excerpt.
Two Letters of Recommendation:
The deadline for recommendation letters is the same as the deadline date for the WAIP semester you wish to apply for, so it is advised that you share the recommendation letter link with your recommenders at least two to four weeks ahead of the deadline.
Recommenders will submit their letters by using
this form
At least one letter should be from a faculty member, instructor or teaching assistant who can evaluate your college-level work and academic preparation.
At least one should come from someone who can speak to your professionalism, work ethic and readiness for an internship in Washington; anyone who supervised your work and/or volunteerism would be appropriate.
Letters should be on letterhead, signed and addressed to the Selection Committee, Washington Academic Internship Program (WAIP).
Applicants:
It is your responsibility to share the
recommendation letter link
with those who will be writing letters in support of your application.
For more information, please contact Washington Program Coordinator
Sarah Holbert
at
holbert.49@osu.edu
What's Next?
After you submit your application, you will receive an email from WAIP program staff
shortly after the deadline
to inform you if you have been selected for a 20-30 minute interview with WAIP staff.
After acceptance into WAIP:
Once you are accepted, WAIP staff will work with you individually to understand your interests, connect you to WAIP alumni, and help you prepare competitive internship application materials. WAIP staff are not responsible for placing students in internships but will guide students through the placement process.
WAIP Student Assistants:
ou can connect with a WAIP student assistant who has recently gone through the program and can help guide you through the application process. These students are equipped to answer your questions about the application, internship search process and general questions about the WAIP semester.
Program Withdrawal:
Students can withdraw from the program without penalty up until 30 days prior to the start of the semester in question. The student must notify all program staff in writing of their decision not to participate, as well as inform any internship contacts or prospective internship coordinators about the decision. If a student drops out of the program less than 30 days prior to the first day of the program, they will be responsible for paying the full housing cost for the term. Fees will be automatically assessed to the student’s statement of account. Exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis.
The WAIP Experience
WAIP Story: Rachel Simroth
WAIP Story: Morgan Spry
Learn more about the WAIP experience
Upcoming Information Sessions:
Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 5:00 p.m., Zoom
Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 5:00 p.m., Zoom
Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 5:30 p.m., Page Hall
Tuesday, Oct. 21  at 5:00 p.m., Zoom
Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 5:30 p.m., Page Hall
Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 5:00 p.m., Zoom
Featured Career Opportunity: National Security
Explore how John Glenn Fellows are launching careers in one of government’s fastest-growing sectors. From cybersecurity and climate resilience to public health and AI ethics, national security careers span disciplines, and our D.C. office will help you get there.
Learn more about internships, career paths, and how we support your journey.
Because of WAIP, I…
...have a Buckeye community in D.C.
Helene Holstein
...am now a state representative!
Susan Manchester
...had the confidence and knowledge to move back to Washington and start my career.
Robert Caldwell
...know what it means to be a public servant.
Helena Rudoff
...found my purpose.
Beth Fry
For more information on this program, contact:
Sarah Holbert
Washington Programs Manager
holbert.49@osu.edu
John Glenn College Washington, D.C. Office
Contact
444 N Capitol Street NW, Suite 445B, Washington, DC 20001
glenn-dc@osu.edu
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