FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about...

Application

• Who should I get to write my letter of recommendation?
  Pick someone who can best objectively assess your skills and abilities as an individual or leader. This can be a current or former employer, professor, program administrator, etc. Poor choices would be friends, relatives, or people who've fired you.
• When is the application due?
  The application should be postmarked by February 14, 2001. This means that the complete application must be dropped in the mail on that day. Any applications that are postmarked later than February 14, 2001 will not be considered for the program. Incomplete applications (i.e. applications missing letters of recommendation) will not be considered after February 14, 2001.
• Do I have to be a Political Science major to apply? 
  No, in fact, IACPA encourages students in all fields to apply. The internship program is for all Indian American students, regardless of their choice of study. An interest in public policy is helpful, but our primary interest is in students interested in serving their communities as leaders.
• I'm a foreign student studying in the United States. Am I eligible? 
  Unfortunately, the program is currentlyonly to legal permanent residents (green card-holders) and citizens of the United States.
• I'm a high school senior attending college in Fall of 2001. Can I apply?
  Unfortunately, the program requires that participants complete a full year of college before entering the program. You will be eligible beginning next summer.
• Can graduate students apply for the program?
  No, we've discovered that most graduate students are overqualified for the work assigned to a Congressional intern.
• Can graduate students apply for the program?
  No, we've discovered that most graduate students are overqualified for the work assigned to a Congressional intern.
• Can students graduating in May of 2001 apply to the program?  
  Yes, students who will be graduating in May of 2001 may apply for this program

Internship Program

• How much is the stipend?
  The stipend amount will be $1500 for the eight-week program allotted in three installments. The third check will not been given to you until you have submitted two pieces you must write as part of your internship requirements.
• Can I accept other scholarships or internships that place me in Washington?
  You may not accept any other Washington internship, even if it is in a Congressional office. You may accept other scholarships as long as they do not create any conflict with participation in this program AND you notify the Center. Outside scholarships will not receive any recognition in India Abroad.
• Can I get academic credit for my internship?
  The Center does not offer academic credit for the program although your college or university may offer credit for this type of experience. The Center has faculty from Georgetown University on staff and we are willing to work with you to gain academic credit for your participation.
• Where will I be placed?
  Placing interns on Capitol Hill is difficult, but we do our best to find the best match for you based on the information provided in the application form. We prioritize your placement in this way:
  1. Your hometown Member of Congress of your party affiliation
  2. The Member of Congress representing your school
  3. A Member of Congress from your home state of the same party 
  4. A Member of Congress from the same party
• I am studying [x] in school. Can you place me in an office that does [x]?
  Due to the difficulty of placing interns during the summer, it is not possible to guarantee placement in a specific office or specific work. Each office has its own work agenda for interns, so you may not be able to work in your policy interest. In general, however, since Members are responsible for almost all areas of public policy, it might be possible to convince your intern coordinator to allow you to handle your special interests.
• What may be expected of me as an intern?
  Most interns are placed in Congressional offices where they will be expected to perform a wide variety of assignments necessary for the functioning of a legislative office. Assignments will vary depending on the specific needs of each office.

Living in D.C.

• Does the Center provide housing?
  No, the Center does not assume responsibility for housing in the D.C. area. Selected participants are sent a housing guide to assist them in their search. Participants are also sent a list of other interns participating in the program. Living with other interns in the program has received mixed reviews. Generally, while living with some interns in the program can be convenient, living with a large number of the participants can be a harrowing and detrimental experience.  Many have had a great experience.
• How much does it cost to live in D.C.? Will the stipend cover all of my costs?
  D.C. is an expensive city to live in. The stipend should be enough to cover most of your housing costs. Housing is generally between $350 - $650 per month depending on where you live and how many roommates you have. Interns estimated they spent roughly $60-80 per week on non-housing related expenses. This will depend on your own living habits. Going out and eating out frequently can significantly raise your cost of living.
• Should I bring a car?
  Having a car in D.C. can have its advantages if you plan to get away from the city; some malls and grocery stores are only accessible by car. Otherwise, city transportation is quite good with an extensive bus and subway system. The subway, called the Metro, generally costs $1.10 per ride; frequent rider passes may be purchased for those who use the subway regularly. The Metro, however, does not run past midnight on weeknights, and 2 am on weekends, and does not go into the Georgetown area. Housing further away from the city is generally cheaper but bear in mind that parking in the city is scarce and can be expensive.