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THE UT IN D.C./ARCHER PROGRAM,
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Fall 2008
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Spring 2009
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The application deadline for Fall 2009/Spring 2010 is expected to be mid-February 2009.
Internship Coordinators:
Please contact Katie Cook at kcook@utsystem.edu or (202) 955-9091 if you would like your internship opportunity advertised to Archer Fellows.
The UT in D.C./Archer Program was created to support qualified UT System undergraduates in the pursuit of noble public service, in the tradition of Bill Archer, the program's namesake. Chairman Archer served the 7th District (Texas) as Congressman from 1971-2001. Beginning in January 1995 he served as the Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee until his retirement from Congress. Chairman Archer is very active in mentoring Archer Fellows.
Archer Fellows, the students selected to participate in the UT in D.C./Archer Program, study and intern in Washington, D.C. during a fall or spring semester. Past internship placements include the White House, the World Bank, National Public Radio, and the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), among many others.
In conjunction with the internship, students will pursue courses in Government and Communication Studies taught by faculty from UT Austin and the Washington, D.C. community. Students will earn twelve hours of upper-division, in-residence credit in Government and Communication Studies consisting of three academic courses and three hours of internship credit. Specifically, the courses are
The UT in D.C./Archer Program is a joint effort of the UT System Office of Federal Relations, the Archer Center, and the nine participating academic campuses.
To be eligible to apply, undergraduate students must have completed 24 hours in residence at UT Austin by January 1 of the year they want to apply. They must also have a GPA of at least 3.0. In order to participate, students must have completed GOV 310L and 312L (or the equivalents) and have upper-division standing by the beginning of the semester for which they are selected. Students from all majors and all colleges are encouraged to apply.
Selection is very competitive. Applicants will be assessed based on relevant coursework, leadership experiences, and participation in internships, research, organizations, and professional and volunteer settings.
Because of the cross-disciplinary nature of the UT in D.C./Archer Program, applicants are encouraged (but not required) to participate in cross-disciplinary programs such as the Bridging Disciplines Programs. Bridging Disciplines Programs provide a strong foundation for the UT in D.C./Archer Program through cross-disciplinary coursework, research, and internships that connect to your interests. Students admitted to a Bridging Disciplines Program will be offered a stipend that can be used in conjunction with a UT in D.C./Archer Program internship.
There is one application period each year. Students apply during the spring semester for either the following fall or spring semesters. A maximum of eight students will be selected to participate each semester.
The application deadline for 2008-2009 will be in February 2008. Applicants selected as finalists must be available to interview in person in March, before spring break. Before submitting an application package, applicants are required to attend an info session or meet with the campus coordinator, Katrina Kosted, to discuss the program. Please call 232-7585 to request an appointment. The application package includes a completed application form, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, a writing sample, a transcript, and a list of three desired internship placements.
The UT in D.C./Archer Program provides the opportunity to work in our nation’s capital while making progress toward a UT degree. Home to many government, media, and cultural institutions, Washington, D.C., offers unparalleled opportunities for career development and cultural enrichment. Moreover, the program’s unique combination of academic and experiential learning allows students to combine their intellectual and professional interests in a challenging academic environment.
Additionally, each student selected for the UT in D.C./Archer Program will receive a $750 stipend from UT Austin to help offset the higher cost of living in Washington, D.C.
Archer Fellows will pay a $3,000 program fee in lieu of the usual tuition. This program fee is less than UT Austin students would pay for standard flat-rate tuition.
Archer Fellows will live in town homes on Capitol Hill as part of an arrangement with WISH (Washington Intern Student Housing). Archer Fellows will live together in homes just blocks from the Capitol and the Supreme Court. The Archer Center will select the house, assign roommates, and negotiate costs, but all payments will be made directly to WISH. The 2007-2008 cost of housing is $3,400. Meals are not included.
Students will have costs associated with books, living expenses, and transportation within Washington, D.C.
The Archer Center provides one round-trip ticket from Texas to Washington, D.C. to each student selected as an Archer Fellow.
