How to Apply

Instead of applications, the W&M Washington Center team uses student portfolios to get to know you better!

SUBMIT YOUR FALL 2025 OR SPRING 2026 STUDENT PORTFOLIO

Eligibility

Seniors, juniors, and exceptional sophomores from William & Mary or any accredited four-year institution may apply for the D.C. Semester Program. There is no minimum GPA needed to apply, but GPA is considered in admission to the Program.

First Year Students

As a freshman or first-time student at W&M, you will need to have completed your first academic year before seeking participation in the D.C. Semester Program. There are no exceptions to this requirement.

As a newly enrolled transfer student, you must have completed one academic semester at W&M before seeking participation in the D.C. Semester Program. There are no exceptions to this rule. Newly enrolled transfer students may enter any number as their GPA. For the letter of recommendation, a former employer or a professor from a previous institution will suffice.

Students From Other Institutions

The W&M Washington Center welcomes participants from other institutions to apply for the D.C. Semester Program and enroll. Visiting students will need to complete the Non-Degree Seeking student application after acceptance, but before enrolling. Please reach out to Tyler Wilson for help in starting your journey with the W&M Washington Center.

Re-Applying After Rejection

There is no limit to the number of times a student can apply for the D.C. Semester Program. If you are not accepted into the Program for one semester, you may apply for the next semester.

Academic Probation, Suspension, Medical Withdrawal, or Underload

Students on academic probation during the time they are abroad are not eligible to participate in Study in D.C. opportunities. If you are on academic probation or on a medical withdrawal or underload, you must receive approval from the Dean of Students in order to participate in Study in D.C. opportunities.

Students who are on Disciplinary Probation or Deferred Suspension status are ineligible to participate in Study in D.C. opportunities during their first full semester in such status. If a sanction endures beyond one full semester (15 academic weeks), the student may petition the Director of Community Values & Restorative Practices for an exception. The Director, or designee, will make the final decision in consultation with Washington Center staff, and that decision will be final and is not appeasable.

If you do not get approval, you may NOT participate in Study in D.C. opportunities. Students are required to report to the Washington Center any changes in academic or judicial status, even after acceptance into a program, which may affect their eligibility to participate in their accepted program, even if such a change results in a financial loss.

Deadlines:

	Fall 2025	Spring 2026	Fall 2026
Early Consideration*	October 14, 2024	March 18, 2025	October 14, 2025
Priority Deadline*	March 18, 2025	October 14, 2025	March 18, 2026
Final Deadline	July 1, 2025	December 1, 2025	July 1, 2026

***Please note: Guaranteed consideration for the Semester Program is only assured when a student meets the Early Consideration or Priority Deadlines. Portfolios received after the priority deadline will only be considered IF seats remain available in the student's desired term.

Student Portfolio Review Process

Upload Your Student Portfolio: You will create a Portfolio in lieu of a formal application and to complete a personal information section, a personal statement addressing the question: "Why is the D.C. Semester Program is suited for your course of study or personal interests and how do you hope to benefit from it?," and a list of potential internships in Washington, D.C. to which you would consider applying if you are accepted to the program.
One Online Letter of Recommendation: Within the online application, you will be asked to enter name and email address for your reference. After inputting the recommender's information, you must click the "INVITE RECOMMENDERS" button. A link will then be sent to each recommender to upload their letter online (You can submit recommendation requests before officially submitting the rest of your portfolio materials). The strongest letters will include a brief testimony from professors who know your academic skills, as well as qualities such as responsibility, analytic ability, leadership, maturity and your ability to work well with others.
- If you are a W&M student, one recommendation must come from a W&M professor. A second recommendation is optional and may come from an employer or university administrator.
- A selections committee will choose finalists for interviews based on a variety of factors, including academic and extracurricular achievement, strength of the letter of recommendation, passion for the semester topic and theme, and the quality of the responses in the application.
Final Interview: If you are selected to move forward in the review process, you will be asked to sign up for a 20 minute interview time slot with the D.C. Semester Program Manager. This is an opportunity to get to know you better and understand your motivations for coming to D.C.

Please note that all of your portfolio materials, including recommendations, must be submitted by the deadline for your application to be complete. Your recommenders will NOT receive the link to complete your recommendation until you have submitted the request.

ADA Accommodations

All prospective and current students with disabilities have the right to request accommodations from Student Accessibility Services when applying for and/or participating in Study in D.C. opportunities.

Questions?

Contact Program Manager Cameron Nelson.
Connect with a student who has already participated in our program: Program Ambassadors

Note: If you are a non-W&M student, and you are interested in the D.C. Semester Program please contact Cameron Nelson for more details.