Each year, the Hertog Foundation brings together top college students to the nation’s capital to explore the theory and practice of politics in an intensive seminar setting with outstanding faculty. Political Studies Fellows take courses in a wide variety of subjects, from political philosophy to contemporary public affairs, from economics to foreign policy. In the afternoons and evenings, they have the opportunity to hear from leaders in American government and politics.

All fellows receive residential accommodations and a $2,500 stipend to offset travel and living expenses.

Image Credit: Wikipedia Commons.

Why apply to Political Studies?

Weeks I & II

Weeks III & IV

Weeks V & VI

Statesmanship

Consider the statesman’s role in democracy & whether political greatness is still possible today.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Any college or university undergraduate, or very recent graduate (2023 or 2024) not already pursuing an advanced degree, may apply to the Political Studies Program.

Admission is extremely competitive, and every year we decline admission to many highly qualified applicants simply due to lack of space. A typical competitive applicant will have:

  • An undergraduate GPA > 3.5
  • A statement of purpose that tells us how the applicant’s interests and ambitions relate to the preferred program. The statement of purpose is very important and deserves careful attention.
  • An academic writing sample that demonstrates the applicant’s powers of analysis and independent thought, and not only their ability to do scholarly research or comment on a text.

Deadline: The early application deadline is Monday, January 15, 2024. The final application deadline is Monday, March 4, 2024.

Early Decision candidates will receive priority consideration. Those who apply Early Decision are expected to participate in the fellowship if admitted and to withdraw applications from other opportunities. If not admitted in the Early Decision round, applicants may defer to Final Decision to be reviewed again.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

  1. CV OR RÉSUMÉ

  2. COLLEGE TRANSCRIPT

    Unofficial

  3. PERSONAL STATEMENT

    Describe, in 1,000 words or less, the political questions you find most interesting, your future ambitions, and how these relate to your preferred program(s).

  4. ACADEMIC WRITING SAMPLE

    12 pages maximum; double-spaced. Please send academic writing that best showcases your ability to invent and sustain a persuasive argument, no matter the subject-matter.

  5. ACADEMIC LETTER & REFERENCE

    Provide the name and contact information of a professor, mentor, or supervisor. (Letter not required for nominated applicants.)

Other Courses You Might Be Interested In

Politics & Policy Writing as Literature

Study classics in political writing & learn how to do what the authors do.

Emily Wilson’s Iliad

Should a poem both beautiful & barbaric be easy to read?

America’s Forgotten War & Confronting China Today

Study the Korean War and the lessons it offers for U.S.-China competition.

The Words That Made Us

Revisit key constitutional questions through the lens of history and law.

Ronald Reagan: The Peacemaker

Examine how Ronald Reagan confronted the Soviet Union and won the Cold War.