Students must submit application materials before the deadlines listed below.
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Application
Prior to applying, students are strongly encouraged to visit the University of Kentucky's Career Center for feedback on their application materials.
Deadlines
Summer 2025
Applications Due - January 31, 2025
Interviews - As scheduled, through February
Placement - February through April
Orientations - End of April
*For summer term, priority consideration is given to graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who have secured summer fellowships and/or paid employment in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Undergraduates who are actively applying for summer internships or who have secured internships, fellowships, etc. not affiliated with WilDCats at the Capitol are also eligible for consideration.
Fall 2025
Applications Due - March 31, 2025
Interviews - As scheduled, first two weeks of April
Placement - May/June/July
Orientations - August
Spring 2026
Applications Due - September 22, 2025
Interviews - As scheduled, last week of September/first week of October
Placement - October/November
Orientations - November/December
Required Documents
A completed WilDCats at the Capitol application must include the following:
- Completed WATC Application
- Short Answer Essays
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Transcript
- Letter of Recommendation from a UK Faculty Member (Faculty should send letters to wildcatsintern@uky.edu)
Selection and Placement Process
1. Submit A Completed Application
A completed application includes: an application, two short answer essays, a cover letter, a resume, a transcript, and at least one letter of recommendation.
2. Steering Committee Interview
Candidates will be invited to participate in a 30-minute interview with a panel of university faculty, staff, and student government association leaders. After interviews are complete, the panel will then select who will advance to the next step in the process.
3. Securing An Internship
If selected, participants will work closely with the steering committee in securing an internship for the semester. The program cannot guarantee selection into the internship of your choice as this is entirely up to the hosting organization. Keep in mind that certain organizations (White House Internship Program, State Department, etc.) have their own application process and deadlines that you will have to navigate on your own before applying to this program.
4. Pre-Departure Orientations
You will be required to participate in several mandatory orientation meetings before your departure. These will address what is expected from you during your time in the program, as well as what is expected from your hosting offices/organizations.
5. Depart For Your Internship
Once you arrive in Washington, DC, participants will meet for one last orientation to kick off the semester!