White House Internship

schismmanifesto · 04-09-2009, 10:50 PM

I recently applied for the summer White House Internship and I was wondering a couple of things. First, did anyone else appy? Secondly, does anyone have any experience/knowledge about this internship. More specifically how significant would getting it be?

AwesomeOpossum · 04-10-2009, 12:21 PM

I did. so did someone else on CC (DA09), I started a thread 2 weeks ago or so about it, but it's kind of been dead for a while.

Anyway, to answer your questions.

Getting the internship is super significant. It's a bit hard to get into, since I think they only accept about 100-200 applications out of over 1000 or some ridiculous number. Also, it's the WHITE HOUSE. Think about it for a sec.

If you're writing a resume and you put down 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, as a former work address what do you think that says about you? (answer: awesome!)

Basically, A- It's a great oppotunity to work inside the White House and see how a Presidential Administration runs; B- It's a great leg up to starting a public service or political career; C- It's fun and unique (from what former interns seem to say).

I wouldn't turn it down if I got it (plus why go through all the hassle of essays and rec letters and resumes in the short turn-around time if you aren't going to accept).

With that said:

When did you go complete and get your confirmation email?

AwesomeOpossum · 04-13-2009, 06:27 PM

(I'm bumping this) Has anyone heard back yet?

apolitico · 04-13-2009, 07:54 PM

I haven't heard anything yet. I wouldn't expect to hear anything until late this week at the earliest.

AwesomeOpossum · 04-13-2009, 09:12 PM

yep, that's when I think I'm supposed to hear back (Saturday, not sure if they'll call on the weekend). I'm nervous!!

apolitico · 04-13-2009, 09:50 PM

I am trying not to think about it, so I am not disappointed. I can't begin to imagine how many people applied.

AwesomeOpossum · 04-13-2009, 10:04 PM

My guess is not as many, I mean, normally people get months to prepare applications (if you saw the website recently, the application for the fall term is already up), and we got 3 weeks. Not a lot of time to get all the necessary papers & recs etc together.

Whatever, I'll try to keep it in the back of my mind for now :P

apolitico · 04-14-2009, 01:26 AM

Looks like next Monday the 20th is the day. This is now posted on the internship page:

Application for Summer 2009 Internship

The summer application process is closed. Applicants will be notified by April 20th of their acceptance into the White House internship program. The program will begin the end of May and end mid-August.

DA09 · 04-14-2009, 08:43 AM

are they calling? emailing? sending a letter? how will they contact you to let you know whether you got it?

AwesomeOpossum · 04-14-2009, 01:14 PM

Last year people got "interview calls" where people from departments they listed would call them to see if they were a good fit. Never actually know how they knew they were *IN* though. My guess is either a call or an email. Snail Mail seems to not be their thing

Plus calls/emails are easier to confirm contact etc.

So which departments do you guys want to work in? My top three were White House Counsel, Energy & Climate Change, and Office of the First Lady (I really like planning events).

DA09 · 04-14-2009, 02:10 PM

mine were the office of the first lady, management and administration, and scheduling and advance. i like to plan too

Samrae · 04-14-2009, 03:05 PM

Okay, major question. I applied, and I got everything in (as far as I know from my references as well) on March 22 at like 2 pm. However, I have yet to receive a confirmation email. I am not sure whether to be worried or to just not expect anything. I know that some others have received one. Does anyone know what the deal is? Or am I just most likely not in the running due to some flaw either on my part or my references didn't get in on time?

AwesomeOpossum · 04-14-2009, 03:20 PM

Question:

did you email your rec letters in yourself or tell your teachers/whoever to? I got electronic copies of my letters and emailed everything myself so I know it all got in but it took I think almost a week to get a confirmation email. I know DA09 didn't get one for a while, unless they have by now (DA can you confirm this?)

Who knows. I actually got my confirmation email twice...sooooo I'm sorry but I have no idea!

Samrae · 04-14-2009, 03:28 PM

I told my recommenders when the deadline was and to confirm when they had sent it by sending me an email. All of them got back to me by the 21st of March... unless one sent it wrong or something. So I am pretty sure they all got in, or at least according to my recommenders they did. I myself made sure my part of the application was perfect (labelling wise I mean, copying the example of labelling the documents and all to avoid confusion).

I don't know, I am just worried about it, and I don't know if maybe they started sending out then stopped because they had so many applicants or something, or my stuff just didn't get in.

AwesomeOpossum · 04-14-2009, 04:37 PM

:/ no idea. I sent my stuff in early saturday morning so I don't know. I'm guessing they just got overwhelmed and never finished sending out confirmation emails