Inside Washington Seminar
Define your role in shaping democracy.
We invite you to Washington, D.C. for an immersive week with college students from across the country to discuss hot-button issues in policy, media, business and politics. You’ll interact with experts and public figures, explore different career paths and go behind the scenes of organizations in the city where history is made.
This bipartisan program is one of the best ways to understand the impact of the political process and see how each of us can help shape democracy as citizens, students and professionals.
Seminar Components
Plenary Sessions
These morning sessions, attended by all participants, will feature some of the most distinguished speakers and public figures in D.C. Past speakers include Chuck Todd, former moderator of NBC's Meet the Press; Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan, former Mexican ambassador to the US; Mara Karlin, former Assistant Secretary of Defense, Strategy, Plans and Capabilities; and Michael Steele, former chairman of the Republican National Committee.
Educational Briefings
We'll help you explore Washington, D.C. like no tourist ever could, taking you into government agencies, think tanks, embassies, media outlets and more all around the city. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how our nation’s capital works. Examples of past educational briefings include CNN, US-Asia Institute, American Security Project, Federal Election Commission and the CATO Institute.
Small Group Discussions
Faculty from all over the country lead these sessions allowing for candid give-and-take discussions to help you digest the information you've heard throughout the day. We encourage respectful debate and foster an open environment where you can confidently express your thoughts.
Housing and Living
Participants will stay in TWC’s furnished housing in NoMa, a cosmopolitan neighborhood full of unique restaurants and nightlife. You’ll be within walking distance of the National Mall and the best that D.C. has to offer (not to mention essentials like grocery stores and the Metro).
Housing
Most participants share a 2-bedroom/2-bath apartment with three other participants in our modern academic and residential building. We'll provide everything you need, most of what you'll want and even some perks you might not have expected.
Each apartment is fully furnished and includes:
- a full dining set (pots, pans, dishes, silverware, coffee maker and toaster)
- refrigerator
- microwave
- dishwasher
- iron and ironing board
- vacuum cleaner
- mop and broom
- washer and dryer
- wi-fi
What to Pack
As you are packing, please be aware that linens will be provided for seminar participants. The linen package includes a bath towel, hand towel, wash cloth, sheets, a blanket and pillow. If you tend to get cold at night, we encourage you to bring an extra blanket. Please be prepared to pack the following:
- personal toiletries
- government-issued identification (preferably a Real ID, passport or acceptable alternative)
- small folding umbrella
- business professional attire for academic sessions and site visits
- casual attire for evenings and weekends
- laptop (optional)
- notebook and pens
- clothes hangers
Housing Services
Our housing is managed by a dedicated housing services team to ensure you have everything you need to live comfortably.
We want every student to be able to maximize their experience, so we offer reasonable accommodations to students with documented disabilities. TWC's housing is ADA accessible, and wheelchair accessible apartments are available to participants who need them. We also allow documented service animals and emotional support animals.
Academic Credit
Our seminars are designed to qualify for academic credit at many colleges and universities. However, TWC does not grant academic credit.
Please consult with your campus liaison or faculty advisor to see if you may be able to earn academic credit for your experience. If you need help identifying your campus liaison or faculty advisor, please contact info@twc.edu.
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Eligibility
To be eligible to participate in this seminar, you must meet following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program. Recent graduates may be considered on a case-by-case basis
- If accepted, commit to attending and fully participating in the Inside Washington Seminar in Washington, D.C. from January 6 - 14, 2026.
- Be in good standing at your college or university.
- Maintain a GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Students with lower GPAs may be considered.
- Get approval from your campus liaison or a faculty sponsor.*
*If you need help identifying your campus liaison or faculty sponsor, email info@twc.edu.
Seminar Cost
The cost of this seminar is $2,295 which includes housing. A $200 deposit is required upon acceptance.
Many students participate as part of a group with their home institutions, so billing arrangements vary from school to school. If you are participating as part of a group, you will need to confirm your actual cost of attendance with your campus liaison or faculty sponsor. If you aren’t sure who to contact, email us at info@twc.edu.
Scholarships
Full and partial scholarships may be available for eligible students, particularly those demonstrating financial need.
To be considered for a scholarship, accepted students meeting residency and other eligibility requirements must commit to attending and fully participating in the Inside Washington Seminar in Washington, D.C. from January 6 - 14, 2026. Students must also commit to upholding TWC’s Seminar and Short-Term Policies (including the Student Code of Conduct) before and during their program experience.
Dates and Deadlines
This seminar will be held January 6 - 14, 2026, but no TWC programming will take place over the weekend! You'll be free to explore D.C.
- Application Deadline: Friday, October 24, 2025
- Check-In: Tuesday, January 6, 2026
- Check-Out: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
How to Apply
The application for the Inside Washington 2024 seminar has closed. To learn more about future seminars, sign up below.
Policies
To review policies regarding admissions, billing and refunds, visit the Seminar and Short-Term Policies page.