Thinking about WHIP?

Here is a checklist to make sure you are ready.

1. If you are a freshman or sophomore, please wait.  Juniors and seniors are eligible to participate; only in exceptional cases will second-semester sophomores be allowed to enroll. Begin thinking about what kind of internship you would like to have in a year or two and then apply for your junior or senior year.

2. All WHIP students must have completed Political Science 101, “The U.S. Constitution.”  If you have not yet taken this course, please do so before applying.

3. If you meet the class-standing requirements, you should begin your application process by downloading the WHIP application, filling it out, and submitting it to the WHIP office on campus. 

• Please note that the application packet includes the following: 
• Résumé 
• Hillsdale College transcript
• Written essay
• Two letters of recommendation, one from a Hillsdale College faculty member and one from outside the College
• A statement describing internship interests and the strengths that qualify the student for the program
• An interview with the selection committee and the ability to represent Hillsdale College in a professional manner

4. WHIP has two academic terms for which applications are required. Applications for the fall term are due in early March; applications for the spring term are due in early October. Applications are not required for the summer term, as academic credit and scholarship assistance is not available for summer internships, although students may enroll in summer course offerings for academic credit.

5. After being accepted into WHIP for the fall or spring semester, you will then submit applications for a minimum of five internships. In coordination with on-campus and Kirby Center faculty and staff, you will pursue internships specific to your interests. A list of recommended internships in congressional offices, intelligence and military agencies, think tanks, and media outlets ensures that you will be directed to the best opportunities in D.C.

6. After being accepted into WHIP for the fall or spring semester, an on-campus orientation session will be conducted prior to your stint in Washington, and at the beginning of your time in Washington you will gather with all WHIP students for a day-long orientation.

7. If you are able, you may wish to consider participating in the summer component of WHIP before a fall or after a spring semester of WHIP.  No application is necessary for this component of WHIP and this additional time may be valuable in giving you a broader perspective of D.C. and might serve you well in securing a full-time job after school, should you wish to pursue this.

Any Questions? Contact Us.