Frequently Asked Questions
Like the Bing Overseas Studies Programs, Bing Stanford in Washington is not designed to be any more expensive than living on campus. However, the quarter you spend in Washington may be slightly longer than on campus and thus, slightly higher in cost. Your financial aid package will be adjusted to take into account any difference in the cost of room and board and in the expenses associated with the distance traveled to arrive at BSIW from your home.
Washington is a city, with many opportunities, some of which cost money. Although there are many free museums and cultural activities to explore, you may spend more of your funds eating out, going to movies, etc… than you would while living on campus. Lastly, you may need to invest in business attire if you do not already own work-appropriate clothing.
None of the BSIW classes get credit automatically in any major; however, you can appeal to your department to have them count. This is entirely up to you and your department.
Classes are listed on Axess approximately 2 to 3 weeks before the beginning of the quarter. Students are allowed to shop for classes; however, all Axess deadlines must be followed.
No. BSIW classes are listed only as SIW###; they are not cross-listed in any other department. However, you can petition a department if you are seeking credit in your major or minor.
Unfortunately, BSIW classes do not count toward GERs..
Busy! Exciting! Challenging! Fulfilling!
| 7 AM – 8 AM | Wake up and eat breakfast with other students in the dining room while scanning the newspapers |
| 8 AM – 9 AM | Hop on the Metro or a MetroBus for the ride to work |
| 9AM – 9:30 AM | Arrive at internship – check in with supervisor and get to work |
| 12PM – 1PM | Have lunch with coworkers or other Stanford interns working nearby |
| 5PM – 6PM | Head home after a long day at the office |
| 6:30PM – 7:30PM | Eat dinner with other students in the dining room |
| 7PM – 7:30PM | Meet for class |
| 9PM – 9:30PM | Finish class – head to bed, watch a favorite show, do some homework, catch up on email, etc… |
| 2AM | You should be sound asleep and if you’re not you’ll certainly regret it at work the next morning |
If it’s Friday or Saturday… We may be heading to a cultural event in the evening or on a day trip in the morning.
In your application to Bing Stanford in Washington you will outline your internship preferences. During the quarter before you come to Washington, you will meet on campus with the Director to discuss your upcoming internship placement. Once you have come to a consensus on the goals for your quarter in Washington, the Director and the Assistant Director will work with you on arranging an internship. This is a combined effort and you may be asked to provide us with writing samples, updated transcripts and resumes, and other information, in addition to being prepared for interviews throughout the process. We cannot guarantee any specific placement; however, we will work as hard as possible to find you the best possible internship given your interests.
The short answer is not much. However, if you manage your time well you should have opportunities on the weekends to explore Washington. It really depends on how well you manage your time and if you make getting to know the city a priority.
Full time internships average 35 to 40 hours per week, not including commuting time. Most interns work a traditional workweek: Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM or 6 PM. Some organizations will require their interns to arrive earlier in the morning or stay later in the evening. This depends on the schedules of the key policymakers in your office and the nature of the work.
Nearly all interns are require to do some degree of administrative work – including answering phone, making copies, etc… However, BSIW interns are guaranteed to have some substantive aspect to their internship, such as:
- Research projects
- Writing letters to constituents and members of Congress
- Attending briefings and hearings around town and reporting back to office staff
- Drafting memos
- And much more!
Of course! We encourage you to reapply, especially if you originally applied for the fall quarter of your junior year.
No, absolutely not. We’ve had archeology, engineering, anthropology, STS, economics, and even American studies students attend BSIW in the winter. Your eligibility for winter attendance depends on a combination of your interests and coursework. For example: if you’re majoring in engineering and focusing on clean energy technology, then you are a good match for the winter quarter.
No. We do not accept students during the spring quarter of their senior year or their last quarter at Stanford.
Of course! Many varsity athletes have attended BSIW over the years. Your coach may be able to help you plan a workout schedule, which takes into account your work schedule here in Washington and the availability of exercise facilities. There is a small gym in the BSIW building and we also have a relationship with the Marriott Wardman Park Fitness Center, which has a much larger gym across the street. There are also many great places to run in the area.
Absolutely. We have ramps and elevators, which provide wheelchair access to the entire building. There is also a wheelchair accessible shower in one of the student rooms. We also have one single for students. To qualify for the single, the Office of Accessible Education on the main campus must grant you a single.
No! For more information on car alternatives, please visit Getting Around.
No. All majors are welcome. If you have a demonstrated interest and background in health and /or the environment, you should apply to attend BSIW during the winter quarter. Majors in the Humanities, Sciences, Engineering, and Computer Science have participated in all three quarters of BSIW.
Yes, of course. However, be sure to carefully calculate your units and develope a prudent study plan for your remaining time at Stanford. Do not count on classes to be offered every quarter or on obtaining credit in your major for all of your classes taken at BSIW or BOSP. However, if you plan carefully, you may very well be able to participate in BSIW and go abroad as well. Many BSIW students have done both.
There is no definitive GPA requirement. We take into account your major and coursework in evaluating your transcript. Please be aware that many agencies and organizations routinely request transcripts when considering applicants for internships. Your essays and letters of recommendation are also very important as we take everything including your personal statement and your letters of recommendation, as well as your transcript, into account when considering your application.
No specific courses are required. However, we encourage you to take at least one American politics or policy-relevant course before attending BSIW.
Yes. The only catch is that students must be on-campus the quarter of their application. Thus, if students plan on being overseas two quarters before they wish to attend the program (the normal application period), they must file an early application three quarters in advance.
