Stanford in Washington

The Bing Stanford in Washington (SIW) Program provides highly qualified Stanford undergraduates with the unique opportunity to live, work, and study in the nation's capital. By integrating academic coursework with hands-on professional experience, the program delivers a deep, practical understanding of public policy-making while allowing students to leverage Washington, D.C.’s unparalleled cultural, political, and historical resources.

Designed primarily for students in their junior year or the first two quarters of their senior year, SIW serves as a vital bridge between academic theory and real-world policy application, preparing students to become informed leaders and active participants in public service.

Academic Programs and Policy Internships

The cornerstone of the Stanford in Washington experience is the integration of professional public service with structured academic seminar study:

• Full-Time Policy Internships: Students spend their days working directly within the organizations, departments, and agencies that shape national and global policy. Students work collaboratively with our office to find internships that are tailored to their individual interests. Some previous internships include the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the White House, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Smithsonian Institution, the World Bank, and Federal Agencies including the Departments of State, Justice, Treasury, Education, and Health and Human Services (HHS), think tanks, non-governmental organizations, and advocacy groups.

• Expert-Led Seminars: Alongside their internships, students complete a rigorous course of study consisting of specialized, 3-to-5-unit seminars taught by policy experts and Stanford faculty members.

• Admissions and Timing: The program is selective, and because of the coordination required for high-level internships, students must complete their applications two quarters in advance of their intended term in Washington.

Program Initiatives and Policy Seminars

Academic life at the SIW Center is dynamic and responsive to contemporary political and social shifts. Key elements of the educational experience include:

• Diverse Seminar Offerings: Course topics are updated regularly to reflect current events and student interest. Past seminar topics have included Congressional Oversight and the Press; Economic Growth and Development Policies; Critical Global and Domestic Health Issues; Policy-making in the Washington Community; and Criminal Justice Policy.

• Policy Community Engagement: SIW regularly hosts prominent guest speakers, analysts, policymakers, and civic leaders from the Washington community, offering students direct access to off-the-record discussions, networking, and professional mentoring.