Application:
Completing The TWC Application Process at UNH
Plan early! All applicants must meet with the UNH TWC Liaison, in advance of applying, to review all aspects of the application process, including reviewing drafts of your resume, essay and request statement, and to review costs, credits, and placements. Typically, students meet with the Liaison at least three times before the application is approved and submitted to TWC!
Applications will not be signed or approved without a thorough review of all supporting documents by the UNH TWC Liaison.
Application for Internship
Start your on-line application for The Washington Center at their site: http://www.twc.edu/internships/learn-more/application . You can start at any time, save it, and continue to work on it. You will not be required to complete it in one sitting. Do NOT upload any documents, however, until they've been reviewed and approved by the UNH TWC Liaison, Paula M. DiNardo.
Resume
A one-page, professional resume is required. Students are encouraged to use the UACC's resume resources, create their first draft, then to visit their walk-in Resume Review Service, offered M-F, 12:00-2:00 pm in Hood House, room 102. Subsequent drafts will be reviewed with the UNH TWC Liaison.
Statement of Professional Interest
The Statement of Professional Interest is a 100-word, no-frills statement of the skills & experiences you wish to gain through your internship. Think of it as an extended objective statement, or a very short, not-very-sweet cover letter. The audience is your future internship site supervisor, so address it broadly. They want to know right away if they have what you are looking for. A rough outline should be:
- I would like an internship in Washington DC in the area of...
- Specifically, I'd like to be exposed to/learn more about/gain skills in...
- This would assist me in reaching my career goal of...
Be direct, concise, and as specific as possible. Talk about the skills, experiences you want from your internship and why. This is not the place to address skills you already have. Do NOT name any one agency in particular, so that you are not limiting who considers your application.
Issues Essay
Pick ONE issue that you are concerned about, are passionate or knowledgeable about in your field of choice, and discuss it in 500 words. This should be written in the first person, and should contain some of your personal views or opinions. This essay serves two functions for TWC's hiring agencies:
- Primarily, it serves as a writing sample, for employers to see the quality of your writing skills, and
- It is a way of indicating to any hiring agency where you stand on issues so that you are matched with a placement that is a philosophical fit for you.
Make sure your grammar is perfect. List your full name & school clearly at the top. Double spaced with 1" margins, 500 words. If you need ideas for current policies or hot topics, try Congressional Quarterly, CQ Researcher, The National Journal, or Idealist.org.
Official Transcript
You will need ONE OFFICIAL transcript from EACH college or university you have attended. UNH offers free transcripts which can be ordered online via WebCat, or at the Registrar's Office, Stoke Hall. Simply request ONE OFFICIAL copy be sent directly to TWC (mailing address below).
Two Letters of Recommendation
You will need two letters of reference; at least ONE MUST be from a full-time faculty member. Give faculty advance notice of your request, and provide them with information on TWC if they aren't familiar with the program. Also accompany a request for a letter of reference with a copy of your resume and an unofficial transcript (available from WebCat).
Your letter writers will have the option of providing the letter by email, or sending a traditional paper letter directly through the mail. For the email option, follow the prompts on the TWC online application. For snail mail, have your letter writers print just ONE copy sent directly to TWC Office in DC. Either way: do not forget to send a thank you note to your letter writers once you've been accepted. It's also very advisable to send a note to them again once you are in DC, telling them about your placement and once more thanking them for their support.
Instruct your letter writers to submit letters on departmental stationary, directly to TWC at this address:
Enrollment Services
The Washington Center
1333 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Payment
There is a $60 application fee, assessed by TWC, after you have received the UNH Liaison's approval. You'll be expected to include a credit card number to be charged. Applications cannot be submitted without payment. Some financial assistance and scholarships may be available to pay for the program for those students who qualify through TWC or The New Hampshire State Society.
UNH Records Check
Complete a UNH Study Away Reference, to confirm that you are in good academic, financial, and judicial standing, and that you will represent UNH in a positive light. Interning with TWC is a privilege, and students with prior judicial or arrest records may not be eligible to attend.
Application Deadlines
Plan early! All applicants must meet with the UNH TWC Liaison in advance of filling out the application, to review all aspects of the application process, including reviewing drafts of your resume, essay and request statement. Students must also provide an official transcript from all colleges attended, and a completed & signed UNH Study Away Reference form.
Listed below are the regular deadlines for submitting an application. NOTE: Early Deadline is for placements that require security clearances, and possibly additional applications. Some examples are the U.S. Depts. of Justice, Homeland Security, State, Federal Law Enforcement agencies and others. CNN, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Departments of Commerce and Interior, The White House, and most scholarships are highly competitive and require applicants to adhere to the Competitive Deadline. Check with the UNH Liaison regarding the specific program in which you are interested and the appropriate deadline.
| Early Deadline Begins | Competitive Deadline | Regular Deadline | |
| Summer 2012 | September 23, 2011 | February 17, 2012 | March 16, 2011 |
| Fall 2012 | January 20, 2012 | May 4, 2012 | June 15, 2012 |
| Spring 2013 | May 21, 2012 | October 12, 2012 | November 16, 2012 |
| Summer 2013 | September 21, 2012 | February 15, 2013 | March 15, 2013 |
