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 $3,000 stipend to offset travel and living expenses.

The courses below are from the 2025 Political Studies Program. More courses and faculty for 2025 will be announced soon. 

Why apply to Political Studies?

Weeks I & II

Virtue & Power

Reflect on the ethical dilemmas implied by the pursuit of power.

Weeks III & IV

American Political Thought

Engage key texts that have helped shape the political idea—& political ideals—of America.

Weeks V & VI

Ideas & Public Policy

Debate policy ideas & explore what is required for an idea to become politically impactful.

Statesmen & Tyrants

Consider statesmanship, what elevates it above ordinary political leadership, & separates it from tyranny.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Any college or university undergraduate, or very recent graduate (2024 or 2025) 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: Applicants who apply by the Early Decision deadline (01/13/25) will receive priority consideration. Early Decision applicants 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.

The Final Decision deadline is February 24, 2025.

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

The Writings of Booker T. Washington

Study the moral vision & subtle statesmanship of Booker T. Washington.

Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War

Discover what Thucydides can teach us about the permanent questions of political life.

Saul Bellow’s Ravelstein

Read a novel about the essential human things: faith, reason, love, friendship, poetry, & philosophy.

Generalship: High Command in War

Examine what it means to command at the very highest levels of war with a former CENTCOM commander.

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.