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11 Political Science Internships for High School Students

Political Internships provide first-hand experience in the political arena, develop critical skills like communication and research, foster networking opportunities, and empower you to actively engage in democracy. It's a gateway to understanding governance and shaping the future. If you think you’d be interested in trying one – we’ve compiled a list of ten political internships for high school students.

However, before we dive into the opportunities, here’s why you might benefit from doing a political internship while still in high school.

Why do a Political Internship in High School?

Political Internships are vastly diverse – they can constitute working with elected government officials, working with NGOs or advocacy groups, working with the press, and even constitute political research and analysis. This diverse nature can be beneficial in offering insight into different workspaces!

The most generalizable way you can identify a political internship is its impact on civil discourse, its involvement in civic proceedings, and its benefit to community and community service. Political internships can not only add an edge to your profile, especially while applying to college, by demonstrating motivation and dedication but also help you build on your passion.

With that, here’s a list of some of the best political internships for high school students to start you off.

1. Senate Page Program

While the Page Program may not strictly be a traditional internship, it follows a work-learn-mentorship model that provides you with real-world experience and is also quite prestigious. The Senate Page program is one of the longest-running opportunities for high school students interested in political internships. Pages are sponsored by their senators and will reside in Washington D.C. (living expenses, rent, and laundry will be covered). Pages are responsible for delivering correspondence and legislative material within the Capitol and Senate office buildings, preparing the chamber for Senate sessions, and more . Pages will also have some amount of coursework they are expected to complete. Note that there are only 30 positions available , so not all senators will be sponsoring/selecting a page. Reach out to your local senator if you are interested in applying to this / check if they are sponsoring a page .

Cost: No cost, annual salary of $35,116 (payments are made monthly, so close to $3000 per month that you are working)

Location: Washington D.C.

Application Deadline: Rolling

Program Dates:

Fall and Spring Sessions are approximately 5 months (Dates TBA)

Summer Session is around 3 to 4 weeks (Dates TBA)

Eligibility: Rising Junior or Senior in high school, U.S. Citizen

2. U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Headquarters Student Internship Program

Internships at Treasury give students the opportunity to collect, analyze and present policy data, as well as conduct research and summarize academic literature and news important for priority missions. This is a great program to build a solid foundation for a future career in international policy. Through these internships, you get the chance to gain research and analytical skills, and management and organizational skills through interactions with Treasury colleagues and other U.S. government agencies. You can choose to work in any one of the several offices that make up the Treasury Departmental Offices (headquarters).

Cost: Fully-funded, no stipend provided

Location: Washington, D.C.

Application deadline: Varies for all three Internship periods -

Spring Internship Period - Apply in October.

Summer Internship Period - Apply in December.

Fall Internship Period - Apply in June.

Program dates: Treasury typically offers internship opportunities in the spring, summer, and fall:

Spring Internship Period (January-May): Apply in October

Summer Internship Period (May-August): Apply in December

Fall Internship Period (September-December): Apply in June

Eligibility: Students must be U.S. citizens and must be enrolled or accepted at an accredited institution

3. Summer Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute

If you prefer learning through work, this is a good choice for you because it is a competitive internship program for ambitious high school students interested in pursuing a career in international relations. This program is designed to develop industry-specific foreign policy and relations skills and sharpen critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills. You get the chance to connect with members of the foreign relations community and attend weekly foreign policy seminars with guest speakers. You can apply to be a research intern, a special events intern, or an operations intern, and you also have the opportunity to work on a research paper for publication on FPRI’s Intern Corner.

Cost : Fully-funded, no stipend provided

Location: Remote and in-person (Philadelphia) options available

Application deadline:

Early Action: March 15, 2023

Final Deadline: April 15, 2023

Program dates: June – August 2023

Eligibility: High school students authorized for employment in the US can apply.

4. Pasquines Internship

Pasquines is a non-profit news organization dedicated to bringing the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands into the national conversations of politics, policy decisions, and the consequences of both on these American territories – as well as the reverse, where they bring matters of national consideration to the local level. They look for virtual interns throughout the year, and the hours are flexible . Interns get to hone their writing and reporting skills, they get to learn a lot about the impact of large-scale policy at the local level and work with other minds that are passionate about politics .

Cost: No cost, unpaid

Location: Remote

Program Dates: N/A, for however long you want to work with them

Eligibility: High School Student

5. Internship at Senator Chris Van Hollen's Office

As a high school student, you can intern in Senator Chris Van Hollen’s Office for a minimum of 20 hours/week. Interns have responsibilities like assisting with phone calls, supporting constituent casework, drafting correspondence to constituents and federal agencies, attending community events, meetings, and briefings, and drafting memos for staff and the Senator. If you’re looking to gain hands-on learning and an opportunity to network , this internship could be useful!

Cost: No cost, stipend provided

Location: Baltimore, Rockville

Application Deadline:

Fall 2023 internship – June 23rd, 2023

Spring 2024 internship – November 3rd, 2023

Fall 2023 – August 28th, 2023 to January 12th, 2024

Spring 2024 – January 22nd, 2024 to May 10th, 2024

Eligibility: High School Junior or Senior

6. House of Representatives House Page Internship | Washington State

Unlike the Senate Page Program, the House of Representatives House Page Internship is conducted in and with the House of Representatives. Some states conduct a house page program for the House of Representatives, and this includes Washington State. This internship program is a unique work-learn opportunity! Pages participate for one work week, assisting the House of Representatives with duties includin g serving on the chamber floor, making deliveries throughout campus, supporting member offices, and attending Page School . Page School supplements the hands-on learning experience with a classroom component geared toward understanding the legislative process. As a bonus the internship credits 20 hours of community service!

Cost: No cost , stipend provided ($50 per day)

Location: Capitol Campus, Olympia

Application Deadline: TBA, Applications open November 1st

Program Dates: One week (40 hours) between January and April (intern can choose the week)

Eligibility: High School Student (between 14 and 16 years old)

7. Ladder Internships - Non Profit Track

Ladder Internship is a selective program for high school students to work with startups, and runs during the winter!

Ladder Startups work in fields including non profits, strategy, technology, machine learning and A.I ., finance, environmental science and sustainability , business and marketing, media and journalism, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form .

As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship - the Ladder Coach serves as a second mentor and a sounding board, guiding students through the internship and helping them navigate the startup environment.

Note that as a Ladder Intern, you will engage in a coaching+work-based model - a component that sets it apart from most internships in this list. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.

Cost : $1490 (Financial Aid Available)

Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.

Application Deadline: November 26, 2023

Program Dates: 8 weeks, the winter cohort commences on December 18, 2023

Selection Rate: Selective

Eligibility: Students who can work 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!

8. Internships and Career Development - USC Center for the Political Future

The USC Center for the Political Future aims at providing USC students with real-world experience in politics, policy-making, nonprofits, and all things related to public service . This particular internship offers select high school students a summer internship program akin to a collegiate one. The internship experience entails a critical analysis that summarizes and analyzes one of USC Center for the Political Future’s annual signature events, the “Climate Forward Conference.” After watching videos of the conference, students will work on various assignments throughout the summer. Detailed information about the internship’s responsibilities and application can be found on their program details here. While this does not seem like a conventional political internship – it offers the chance to explore political research.

Location: Santa Clara

Application Deadline: TBA, based on previous years – late May

Program Dates: June 1st to August 1st

9. Internships at the Mikva Challenge

The Mikva Challenge is a non-profit that focuses on increasing youth engagement with civic politics . They routinely offer internships to youth in Chicago and Illinois to take part in helping them achieve this goal. Some of their principal internships include City-wide youth councils – which consist of young people from across the city who meet to participate in team building, leadership development, research, and the creation of policy proposals for key decision-makers in city government. But apart from CYCs, Mika also runs internships as Neighbourhood Leadership Initiatives, and as Mikva Summer Fellows. You can also reach out to Mikva outside of the constraints of available positions to intern with them. If you’re interested in the non-governmental side of political internships, such as advocacy groups and championing civic engagement, then this could be an insightful experience.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Program Dates: Flexible, TBA

10. New York City Office of the Mayor Internship

The NYC Office of the Mayor offers internships to high school students who are interested in the functioning of city government and policy. Interns apply to the department that interests them most and, if selected, will work within that department for the duration of their internship. In their positions, interns will have the chance to collaborate with staff and work on a range of projects including conducting research, attending meetings, managing incoming inquiries, analyzing data, drafting briefings, staffing events, and more . Through the bi-weekly Speaker Series, interns also get to learn more about the inner workings of the City government. Guest speakers include Deputy Mayors, Commissioners, Program Directors, and other senior staff. Interns will also come together to develop a service project. The goal is to design and execute a project that will impact the most deserving communities and uplift New Yorkers in need.

Cost: No cost, paid hourly ($15/hour)

Location: New York City

TBA for Summer term – likely to be mid-March based on previous years

TBA for Fall/Spring Terms

Summer term – June through August (dates TBA for 2024)

Fall/Spring terms – September through April (dates TBA for 2024)

Eligibility: High School Students aged between 16 and 18 years old, residents of NYC

11. Youth Council Internship at Democracy Maine

Democracy Maine is a non-partisan political organization that aims at increasing civic engagement and voter turnout in the state of Maine . They hire interns three times a year. These internships are highly prestigious, as they usually hire 3 to 4 high school interns per hiring season. The goal of the internship is to support high school students in exploring the ways they can make an impact in their communities as active citizens. Interns have some flexibility in what they focus on learning but generally the position covers how state laws are passed in a lot of detail , and the internship supports building facilitation and organizing skills. Interns are paid hourly, and work 5 hours per week. Some work that interns might engage in includes hosting events to raise awareness and create discussion on different issues, building a newsletter to communicate with past interns and Youth council members, and creating PSAs to be used in classrooms across the state.

Location: Maine

Spring Semester – TBA, usually January

Summer – TBA, usually May

Fall semester – September 21st, 2023

Program Dates: Spring (Dates TBA), Summer (Dates TBA), Fall (Dates TBA)

Eligibility: High School Student (note if you are under 15 years old you are requested to fill out a work permit application)

Another way you can explore Politics and demonstrate motivation and dedication is by conducting independent research .

If you’re looking to gain research experience alongside your internship, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs ! 

This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. 

You can find the application link here

If you are interested in doing university-level research in political science, then you could also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program , a selective online high school program for students that I founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 2100 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

Image Source: U.S. Capitol via Wikipedia

5. United States Senate Youth Program

Subject Areas: Politics, legislative process, judicial and executive process, senate, and federal government.

Cost/Stipend: This program is fully funded and does not provide a stipend. Student delegates are awarded a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship to a college or university of their choice, with a recommendation to continue studies in government and history.

Application Deadline: December 1, 2024

Dates: March 1–March 8, 2025

Eligibility: Columbia high school juniors or seniors who are legal permanent residents or citizens of the United States can apply.

The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) is a week-long educational program and scholarship sponsored by the U.S. Senate for outstanding high school students interested in careers in public service. The program aims to offer selected students an in-depth view of the Senate and the federal government, as well as a better understanding of how the legislative, judicial, and executive branches interact.

Each year, two high school juniors or seniors from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity are chosen to participate in Washington Week , typically held in the first or second week of March. During Washington Week, delegates meet with and learn from high-level elected and appointed officials, including senators, the president, a Supreme Court justice, cabinet members, federal agency leaders, and senior national media figures. You can find application deadlines for various states here .

6. Summer@Brown — Political Science courses

Subject Areas: Political science, arts, economics, philosophy, legal studies, literature, writing and communications, psychology, physical sciences, math, biological and natural sciences, business, engineering, and technology.

Location: In-person at Brown University campus, Providence, RI; Virtual; or Hybrid.

Cost:   Ranges from $2,816 to $9,870 depending on the format and duration of the course. Some financial aid is offered.

Application Deadline: May 10, 2024; TBA for 2025

Dates: 1-5 week sessions are available between June and July; TBA for 2025.

Eligibility: Students who are currently in 9th–12th grades and are between 14 and 18 years old by the start of the program, are eligible.

Brown University’s Pre-College Programs provide high school students with the opportunity to take college-level courses across a variety of fields, including biological and natural sciences, business, economics, philosophy, legal studies, literature, writing and communications, psychology, physical sciences, math, politics, arts, engineering, and technology. These programs are designed for students who want to explore college academics without the pressure of grades or credits. You can view the full course catalog here . As a Summer@Brown participant, you can select from over 300 non-credit courses and participate in community activities, college readiness workshops, and other events outside of class.

If you’re interested in political science, courses like   Power and the Production of History ,   The Political Economy of U.S. Cities , or   The Racial Politics of Skepticism can help you learn about the country’s political history, debate democracy, and understand the impact of policies on various fields. Each course involves attending classes for three hours a day, five days a week. In addition, you are expected to spend three hours on out-of-class work, either independently or with classmates. You will participate in class discussions, group projects, and individual study. Upon finishing the course, you will be awarded a certificate of completion. If you finish a course lasting two weeks or longer, you will also be eligible for a course performance report.

7. International Leadership Foundation—Youth Leadership Academy

Subject Areas: Leadership, public service, business, democracy, and entrepreneurial skills.

Location: Virtual and an optional Leadership & Business Conference in Capital Hilton, Washington, D.C.

Cost/Stipend: The participation fee is $500, which covers entrance fees, the Entrepreneurial Mindset Program, and other summer programming costs. Scholarships are available based on financial need, and there is no stipend provided.

( Note: Entrepreneurial Mindset certificates are awarded upon successful completion of the program).

Application Deadline: TBA for 2025

Dates: The 2024 dates were as follows:

  • Orientation (Virtual): June 1, 2024
  • Kick-off (Virtual): July 13, 2024
  • YLA 2024 Intensive Seminar (Virtual): July 15–July 19, 2024
  • ILF 2024 Leadership & Business Conference/Gala (In-person, optional): July 25, 2024
  • Closing Ceremony (Virtual): July 29, 2024
  • Dates TBA for 2025

Eligibility: Current rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who are active in community service and show leadership are eligible to apply.

The International Leadership Foundation’s Youth Leadership Academy aims to help high school students gain a deeper understanding of American democracy, their role in it, and the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset. ILF offers knowledge, skills, inspiration, and confidence to help students become entrepreneurial thinkers, engaged citizens, and future leaders.

The week-long intensive seminar includes sessions with expert speakers and AANHPI leaders. Upon completion, you will earn a certification from the Entrepreneurial Mindset Program through the Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative. The program also includes weekly check-ins with ILF instructors and real-life community involvement activities. This combination of civic engagement and entrepreneurial learning will equip you with the skills necessary for success in higher education, the workplace, and as active community members. The Youth Leadership Academy is designed for aspiring leaders interested in various fields, including public service, entrepreneurship, and business.

8. USC Pre-College International Relations Summer Program

Subject Areas: Peace and conflict resolution, religion in politics, global terrorism, human rights, women’s rights, and the rights of civilians in conflict zones, genocide, popular culture, and politics.

Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

Cost: $10,480   (Residential) | $7,482 (Commuter)

Application Deadline: May 3, 2024; TBA for 2025

Dates: June 16–July 13, 2024; TBA for 2025

Eligibility: Students who have completed at least the 9th grade by the program start date can apply.

The USC Pre-College International Relations Summer Program is designed to help high school students explore the causes of war and effective conflict resolution strategies. You will study the various stages of conflict and apply this knowledge to regions that have experienced war and violence. The course also covers the economic causes of conflict and the roles of individuals, popular culture, peace initiatives, governments, and international organizations.

Throughout the course, you’ll participate in active learning through simulations, role-playing, and negotiation exercises, including a Model UN simulation. Case studies will help you understand news headlines and historical conflicts. You will visit the Museum of Tolerance to study genocide and develop a case study focused on practical conflict resolution steps, which will prepare you for advanced college-level work. Additionally, you’ll analyze how popular culture—such as movies, television, music, literature, and art—can influence conflict or peace.

9. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)

Subject Areas: History, politics, literature, art, community living, democracy, and transformative justice.

Location : Cornell University, Ithaca, NY | University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI | University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Cost: Free for all accepted participants

Application Deadline: January 3, 2024; TBA for 2025

Dates: June 23–August 3, 2024 (6 weeks); TBA for 2025

Eligibility : The program is open to high school sophomores and juniors who are at least 15 years old and no older than 18 at the start of the program. Indigenous students, students of color, and those who have faced economic hardship are encouraged to apply.

The Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) offers an opportunity for high school sophomores and juniors interested in the liberal arts. This selective, six-week program is fully funded and aims to develop critical thinking while building a supportive community. TASS covers all expenses to ensure that financial limitations don't prevent talented students from participating. The program will allow you to explore how power and privilege shape social structures through courses in the humanities and social sciences. You can apply to one of two study tracks:

  • TASS-CBS (Critical Black Studies) offers seminars that delve into the history, politics, literature, art, and other intellectual and cultural contributions of people of African descent.
  • TASS-AOS (Anti-Oppressive Studies) explores systems of power and oppression, including white supremacy, patriarchy, and classism, and examines methods to foster societal change.

The program involves rigorous academic work, with three-hour daily classes led by expert faculty, featuring discussions, group work, and lectures. You will engage with books, articles, films, and art, and enhance your writing skills through essay assignments, receiving guidance and feedback from instructors. Beyond academics, you’ll participate in a public speaking program with your peers and attend guest lectures. For more details and application tips, check out this   article !

10. Yale Young Global Scholars: Politics, Law, and Economics

Subject Areas: Politics, law, and economics.

Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT

Cost: $6,500 for a 2-week session + a $75–$90 non-refundable application fee. Need-based financial aid is available.

Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis:

  • Early action deadline: October 20, 2024
  • Regular decision deadline: January 10, 2025

Dates: Residential sessions will be available in June, July, and August 2025:

  • Session I: June 22–July 4, 2025
  • Session II: July 6–July 18, 2025
  • Session III: July 20–August 1, 2025

Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors, aged 16–18 by July 20, 2025, and graduating in May/June 2026 or 2027, are eligible to apply. Applicants must be first-time participants in YYGS.

Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) is an academic enrichment program for high school students, offering an introduction to college life. The Politics, Law, & Economics (PLE) session is designed for students interested in exploring economic theories, government practices, and legal frameworks from both historical and comparative perspectives. It covers key topics such as public policy, human rights, market regulation, governance structures, international relations, and conflict resolution.

During the session, you will attend lectures and seminars on subjects such as development economics, silver democracy, equality, game theory, and using satirical techniques to make political arguments, among others. Through the PLE session, you will develop critical thinking and analytical skills, allowing you to examine social systems and contemporary issues from economic, legal, and political viewpoints. The session uses interdisciplinary approaches to deepen your knowledge and broaden your understanding of the topics, preparing you to become more informed and engaged global citizens.

11. Harvard University’s Pre-College Summer School Program for High School Students

Subject Areas: Law, politics, history, and philosophy.

Location: Harvard University campus in Cambridge, MA

Cost: $5,550 + $75 application fee. Need-based financial aid is available.

Application Deadline:  

  • Early Application Deadline: January 8, 2025
  • Regular Application Deadline: February 12, 2025
  • Late Application Deadline: April 9, 2025

Dates:  

  • Session I: June 22–July 3, 2025
  • Session II: July 6–18, 2025

Eligibility: Students aged 16–19 years old who will graduate high school in 2026 or 2027 can apply.

Harvard’s Pre-College Program is a two-week summer program designed to help high school students experience college life. During the program, you will live on the Harvard campus and take a college-level course alongside other students. For those interested in political science, courses such as Democracy, Development, and Violence: An Introduction to Comparative Politics ; The Politics of the United States Energy Transition ; The Politics of Health and Medicine in the United States ; or The Politics of Organized Crime provide insight into policy impacts across various fields.

Throughout the program, you'll attend lectures and discussions with Harvard scholars, who will help address questions related to different academic disciplines. Workshops will focus on developing essential academic skills for a smooth transition to college. Additionally, you’ll take part in social activities such as t-shirt tie-dye, arts and crafts, talent shows, dance lessons, and study breaks, allowing you to connect with fellow participants. The program also includes tours and excursions to explore Cambridge, Boston, and Southern New England.

12. Leadership Institute at Brown University

Subject Areas: Leadership, politics, social change and issues.

Location: Brown University, RI, or Virtual.

Cost: $5,498 (on-campus, residential) | $4,318 (on-campus, commuter) | $5,314 (online)

Dates: Students can choose to attend one 2-week on-campus session or a 4-week online session:

  • On-campus session:  June 23–July 5, 2024 | July 14–July 26, 2024
  • Online session: June 24–July 19, 2024

Eligibility: Students completing grades 9 to 12 who are aged 14–18 can apply.

Brown University’s Leadership Institute offers students the chance to explore complex social issues while gaining the tools to create positive change. With a range of course options, such as Leadership and Social Change ,   Women and Leadership ,   Leadership, Power, and the Politics of Language , you can choose topics that match your interests.

Throughout the program, you will examine leadership challenges related to social issues, assess the strengths and weaknesses of your leadership style, and receive guidance on addressing critical issues in impactful and sustainable ways. The program emphasizes skills like active listening, public speaking, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and teamwork. It concludes with an action plan, where you will get to choose a cause you care about and develop a strategy to address it using the knowledge and skills gained during the program.

13. University of Pennsylvania’s Social Justice Research Academy

Subject Areas: Sociology, history, politics, liberal arts, leadership, and research.

Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Cost: $9,700 program fee + $75 application fee

Application Deadline: The applications for summer 2024 are closed. Dates TBA for 2025.

Dates: 3 weeks between June and July. The 2024 program ran from July 6 to July 27. Dates TBA for 2025.

Eligibility: Current 9th –11th grade students can apply.

University of Pennsylvania’s Social Justice Research Academy offers high schoolers an opportunity to hone their critical thinking about the sociological, historical, and political aspects of inequality and resistance. The program offers a liberal arts-style curriculum that includes lectures and workshops designed to develop leadership, research, and analytical skills. You will attend daily classes and discussions led by Penn faculty and teaching fellows, along with guest lectures from experts on topics such as gun control, historical narratives, women’s reproductive rights, LGBTQ issues, the impact of poverty on children, and more.

You will complete a capstone project by developing a research question based on course topics. These projects can take the form of traditional academic papers or more creative approaches. Previous projects have examined topics like AAPI representation in Hollywood, redlining, gun violence among Black men, and the disproportionate effects of COVID-19 on minority communities. You will also visit Penn's Van Pelt Library and explore historical and cultural sites in Philadelphia, such as the National Constitution Center, Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, Chinatown, and local nonprofit organizations like the Mural Arts Program and Philabundance.

14. Annenberg Youth Academy (AYA) for Media and Civic Engagement at USC

Subject Areas: Journalism, public speech and debate, multimedia production, interviewing, communication, writing, critical thought, and ethnography.

Location: USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism,   Los Angeles, CA

Application Deadline: Applications will open in early 2025 for the summer 2025 program.

Dates: June 17–July 19, 2024; TBA for 2025

Eligibility: Students who live and attend high school in Los Angeles County are eligible to apply.

USC’s Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement is a four-week summer program that provides high school students with an introduction to college-level media communication and journalism. The academy focuses on helping students understand the role of media and journalism in shaping civic-minded leaders while enhancing skills in speech, debate, writing, and critical thinking.

Each year, 26 students from Los Angeles County are selected to participate. Along with coursework, the program offers guidance on writing college essays and provides information about USC Annenberg’s undergraduate programs and potential careers in media and journalism. You will also have the opportunity to interact with USC Annenberg’s scholars who focus on issues of gender, race, and ethnicity in communication and journalism. The 2024 program featured sessions with Miki Turner , an award-winning journalist and professor, and Rogelio Lopez , a media maker and adjunct lecturer. This free program offers foundational knowledge in media communication and journalism and provides networking opportunities with scholars and industry professionals.

15. Tufts University’s Pre-College Program—Leadership for Social Change

Subject Areas: Educational inequity, neighborhood segregation, environmental justice, community health, public policy, and grassroots social movements.

Location: Tufts University Medford / Somerville Campus, MA

Cost: $5,500

Application Deadline: May 1, 2024; TBA for 2025

Dates: July 7–July 19, 2024; TBA for 2025

Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors who are at least 15 years old can apply.

Tufts University’s Tisch College of Civic Life offers a two-week summer program for high school students focused on leadership development and community impact. The "Leadership for Social Change" program provides students with the civic knowledge and skills to analyze social issues, work collaboratively, and become effective leaders. The program begins with a mandatory orientation to review the schedule, syllabus, policies, and safety guidelines and offers a chance to meet fellow participants.

In the first week, you’ll be introduced to a social change framework and examine social inequalities through various lenses, such as education, community health, and neighborhood segregation. In the second week, you will apply your learning by researching a social issue within your community. This includes policy research, identifying stakeholders, and connecting local issues to broader systems of inequality. The program also features community organization visits, field trips, guest speakers, and interactive discussions to deepen understanding. The program concludes with a closing ceremony, where participants present their research projects.

David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.

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political science research opportunities for high school students

6 Political Science Extracurriculars for High Schoolers

What’s covered:, 6 extracurricular ideas for aspiring poli-sci majors, how do extracurriculars impact your college chances.

Political science majors can find employment in a wide range of fields, including journalism, law, marketing, education, and diplomacy. Because of the marketability of a poli-sci degree, admission to schools with prestigious programs can be competitive. To get into a selective school, you should build a strong applicant profile while you’re still in high school. 

When choosing which extracurriculars to pursue in high school, it’s important to think about your long-term goals. To that end, aspiring poli-sci majors should focus on extracurriculars that exhibit communication skills and efficient problem-solving. 

Read on to learn about the different tiers of extracurricular activities and which poli-sci extracurriculars are most likely to gain you admission to a prestigious program.

Clubs are an obvious choice when it comes to extracurricular activities. Students are drawn to clubs primarily because of the community they provide. 

Popular clubs for aspiring political science majors include:

Debate Team

Joining the debate team will help you learn how to take positions on topical issues and support your positions with detailed evidence. This is what political science is all about. You will delve into ethics, philosophy, and logistical implications of policies. 

Mock Trial 

Mock Trial is a great way for students who ultimately plan to pursue a career in law to show their dedication to their future goals. Mock Trial students learn how to effectively communicate arguments, use time efficiently, and perform thorough research. Additionally, you will learn the ins-and-outs of legal processes and criminal justice processes that are the foundation of politics.

School Newspaper

Joining School Newspaper is a good option for students interested in journalism or political office. If you are interested in running for political office one day, you can write opinion pieces where you take stances on local events. If you are interested in political reporting, you can edit the current events column.

Coalition Z

Coalition Z is a peer-to-peer network that connects high school and college students with elected officials and progressive organizations with the goal of engaging young people in politics and bringing about change. This is a great opportunity for students interested in social issues and activism.

Junior State of America

Through Civic Education and Engagement, JSA strives to teach leadership and critical thinking while encouraging students to promote the public good. Students plan and execute conventions, conferences, and political-awareness events. Goals include fighting apathy, holding political fairs, registering new voters, and increasing midterm voting rates.

Other clubs that your school may offer:

  • Criminal Justice Club 
  • Philosophy Club
  • Young Democrats
  • Young Republicans

2. Model Government

If you are specifically interested in public office and diplomacy, you should consider joining a group where you can learn about government proceedings. 

These are the four most popular model government programs:

Model Congress

Students who participate in Model Congress act like representatives and senators in order to solve challenges and learn congressional procedure. As the longest-running program of its kind in the U.S., Model Congress helps students learn research skills, public speaking, negotiation, and more. 

During the multi-day conference, participants can expect to engage in writing bills, voting on legislation, and running for leadership. Learn more about this activity on the CollegeVine blog .

Model United Nations

This activity invites high schoolers to gather together and simulate UN proceedings. During regular meetings throughout the year, participants will master their skills in diplomacy, negotiation, and public speaking. Then, they’ll have the opportunity to simulate a UN General Assembly. 

The goal is to discuss and debate important issues facing people around the globe and work with “allies” to draft resolutions. Learn more about why Model UN is the ideal EC for poli-sci and international relations majors . 

We the People Club

Created by the Center for Civic Education, We the People hosts state and national mock congressional hearing competitions for American high school students. During national finals, students testify as constitutional experts with History and Poli-sci professors serving as the panel of judges acting as congressional committees.

Youth and Government

Sponsored by the Y, Youth and Government invites high school students from around the country to participate in state-organized model government and shape public policy. 

Members have the opportunity to serve as state delegates, debate issues affecting their state, and propose and discuss bills on the floor of the legislature. The goal is to train future public servants to prioritize policy over politics.

3. Internships

There are many internships offered for students interested in politics, with the Senate Page Program being the most prestigious. Senate Pages are sponsored by individual Senators, so your application process is state-dependent:

  • Alaska — Lisa Murkowski Senate Page  
  • New Hampshire — Maggie Hassan Senate Page
  • Ohio — Sherrod Brown Senate Page  

Additionally, there are State Legislature Page programs:

  • Alabama — Alabama House of Representatives Page Program
  • Florida — Florida House of Representatives Page and Messenger Program 
  • Georgia — Georgia General Assembly House Page Program

For more information about becoming a page, look on your state legislature’s website. You must be a resident of a state to be selected as a student page in that state.

If becoming a page sounds too time-intensive to you, there are other political science internship opportunities available to you. For example, the Pasquines Internship is great for students interested in news and media. The Political Research Associates (PRA) Internship Program is great for students interested in research and advocacy.

Check out our list of 20 Political Science Internships for High Schoolers in 2023 for more.

4. Summer Political Science Programs

Political science summer programs can be very appealing to admissions officers, especially if students participate in selective and rare programs. Programs are offered through colleges and universities, government organizations, and nonprofits. 

Some popular programs include:

Telluride Association Summer Seminar

Location: Cornell University, University of Maryland, and University of Michigan

Length: 6 weeks

This highly-selective seminar teaches students the value of critical thinking and democratic community over six weeks at one of three prominent universities. Students can apply in one of two areas of study: Critical Black Studies or Anti-Oppressive Studies. 

Burd Institute on Media & Politics

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Length: 1 week

Cost: $1895 (in-person) or $295 (virtual)

Through the Burd Institute, offered by the Junior State of America, students are introduced to the complex relationship between media and politics. Students participate in discussions, complete projects, write editorial content, and create political communication plans. 

National Student Leadership Conference on Political Action & Public Policy

Location: Washington, DC

Length: 2 weeks

Cost: $3,695

This summer program focuses on model government as students run a mock Presidential campaign. Important politicians, political experts, and political advisors help students in this effort. It is a great way to learn the intricacies of the political process while meeting professionals and like-minded students.

Programs offered by colleges and universities include:

  • Georgetown University American Politics Academy
  • Emerson Politics, Activism, and Leadership Institute
  • George Washington University | The U.S. Intelligence Community and Counter-Terrorism
  • UCLA Political Science Summer Institute
  • Columbia Summer Immersion Program
  • USC International Relations Summer Program

5. Summer Leadership Programs

In addition to political science programs, students interested in political science may want to look into summer leadership programs. 

Some competitive leadership programs include:

FBI NAA Youth Leadership Program

Location: Quantico, VA

Cost: Free (with stipend)

This unique program is hosted by the FBI National Academy Associates. Students in this program engage in extensive coursework and instruction focused on the issues facing today’s youth and their individual talents.

Bella Abzug Leadership Institute Summer Program

Location: New York, NY

This institute is for female-identifying and gender-expansive youth. During the program, participants meet female leaders, learn the skills needed to win debates and influence audiences, and participate in a series of leadership-building workshops.

Bank of America Student Leaders Program

Location: Various internship locations, culminating in a week-long summit in Washington DC

Length: 8 weeks

This program provides high school students with experience working with nonprofits as interns. Students commit 35 hours each week to their nonprofit work. The program ends with a week-long summit in Washington DC where interns from across the country come together to see first-hand how nonprofits, governments, and businesses interact at local and national levels.

Subiendo: The Academy for Rising Leaders

Location: Austin, TX

Length: 5 days

Cost: Free 

Subiendo is a competitive program hosted at UT Austin for rising juniors and seniors in high school. The program introduces students to the McCombs School of Business through leadership seminars, case studies, campus visits, and tours with current students.

Some less-selective (and often more expensive) programs offered by colleges and universities include:

  • Brown University Leadership Institute
  • University of Notre Dame Leadership Seminars
  • University of Pennsylvania Wharton School – Leadership in the Business World
  • Yale Young Global Scholars
  • Cornell: Inspiring Leadership
  • Leadership Academy at Stanford
  • Barnard College Young Women’s Leadership Institute 
  • Tufts Leadership for Social Change

6. Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to give some depth to your interest in political science by showing that your goals are rooted in a care for humanity and a desire to advance society. 

That said, make sure the organization you volunteer with is specifically invested in politics, not just the greater good. While your compassion for homelessness, food insecurity, or the environment may be a part of your desire to become a politician, as a politician, you will need to care about all of the major issues.

Some places to volunteer:

  • Political campaigns
  • Non-profits
  • Public policy groups
  • Human rights advocacy groups
  • Ethics groups
  • Diversity initiatives

To discover specific opportunities, reach out to your local government office, likely the mayor’s office. While you won’t speak directly to the mayor, these types of organizations often make the mayor’s office aware of their needs.

Grades and test scores are important factors in the college admissions process, but admissions officers are also interested in who students are beyond the numbers. This is where factors like extracurriculars, personal essays, and recommendations come into play. Through extracurriculars, students can show their specific interests and, more importantly, their dedication to specific interests.

Because of the importance of dedication, our CollegeVine team recommends that students focus on 2-3 extracurricular activities that they care deeply about. If your extracurricular list shows breadth rather than depth, your admissions officer might not understand how truly dedicated you are to the field of political science or to your future goal of becoming a lawyer, journalist, or diplomat.

Additionally, admissions officers often group activities into one of the four tiers of extracurricular activities . The highest tiers—Tier 1 and Tier 2—have the most influence on college admissions and are reserved for the rarest and most distinguished extracurriculars. Lower-tier activities—those in Tiers 3 and 4—are less well-known, less distinguished, and ultimately have less of an impact on college admissions.

For example, an admissions officer is going to be more drawn to a student who was on the national board of JSA and did an internship in Washington during the summer—activities in Tiers 1 and 2—than a student who was a general member of their school’s criminal justice club—an activity in Tier 4.

As you choose your extracurriculars, think about what will stand out to admissions officers and what will showcase your dedication to the field of computer science. Additionally, put your extracurriculars into CollegeVine’s free chancing engine , which will tell you how specific extracurriculars will affect your admissions chances at specific colleges and universities.

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