Welcome
Welcome to the Parents page! Below you'll find answers to frequently asked questions about the Washington Program. To see first hand how past students evaluate the Washington experience, click here to watch our streaming videos and request a free hard copy of the program DVD.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Washington Program?
The Program's mission is to enhance undergraduate education, support graduate and faculty research, increase UC Davis visibility in the nation's capital, and link Washington, DC alumni with our students and campus. Students are able to gain professional experience through internships and work with faculty members in small seminar courses while earning 15 units of credit toward graduation. Living in Washington, DC is a new and exciting experience for Washington Program participants. Known for its international atmosphere and cultural diversity, Washington, DC is a unique and stimulating environment. Although the Program is academically intense, students are able to take advantage of a variety of activities offered through the UC Center. Come join us!
How do we learn more about the Program?
Program Staff are have to communicate with parents and students via email, over the phone, or in person. We are also able to mail interested parties a copy of our program DVD with detailed information on all aspects of participating in the Program and living in Washington, DC. Please contact Joaquin Feliciano for a free copy of the DVD. Students are also welcome to attend our Information Meetings each quarter or stop by our office on the second floor of South Hall.
How do students apply to the Program?
Detailed application instructions are found on our website.
When going through the application process, where students find help?
Campus Staff and Student Advisors are available to help! Please visit the second floor of South Hall for drop-in advising or to set-up an appointment.
Is the UC Davis Washington Program competitive?
The UC Davis Washington Program is a competitive program. Physically we have limited space in the UC Washington Center and can only accept 43 students during the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. During the Summer Quarter, we can only accommodate 30 UC Davis students in the Center. We operate a waiting list based on the student demand and qualification of the applicant pool per quarter. Students who are not admitted based on qualification or space limitation are encouraged to meet with Program staff to discuss a subsequent application. To ensure student's success in this rigorous program, we do have a competitive application process guided by strict admissions criteria, which is outlined on the web site.
How many units do students receive for the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer Quarters? How much is tuition?
During the Fall, Winter and Spring Quarters, students receive 15 units of credit; 7 units for your internship, 4 units for the Research Seminar, and 4 units for the Upper-Division Elective Course. University tuition fees for the Washington Program are the same as a quarter on campus.
During the Summer Quarter, students have the option of enrolling in a 7-unit course to supplement their internship. Students who take the course offering, pay the summer sessions rate per unit plus an application fee, just as they would on campus. Alternatively, students may elect to enroll in the internship only option with transcript notation. The internship-only option has a program fee of $200; no other university fees must be paid.
In addition to tuition, how much does the quarter in Washington, DC Cost?
While it depends on a student's spending habits, a quarter in Washington, DC will be about $2,000–$3000 more than a quarter in Davis. The housing cost is approximately $2500-$3000 for the entire quarter. Tuition fees are the same as if the student was enrolled in classes here in Davis. Additional costs for food, travel and entertainment will be different for every person depending on spending habits.
Is Financial Aid/Awards available for Washington Program?
Yes - If the student is currently receiving financial aid, their financial aid package may be increased by $2500 to help defray the higher cost of living in Washington, DC. If they are currently not eligible to receive financial aid, the higher cost of living in Washington, DC may change their eligibility status and make them eligible for financial aid during the quarter that they participate in the Washington Program. Financial aid is available in on a more limited basis in for the summer program. Please contact Lorie Trapani in Financial Aid for more information. To help defray costs, the Washington Program provides some additional financial aid and awards, most of which are need based.
Where do students live?
Particiapants live in the UC Washington Center, an eleven-story building located six blocks away from the White House and two blocks from Dupont Circle. The building opened in Fall 2001, and is extremely safe, clean, and accommodating. The Washington Center building has laundry facilities, vending machines, an ATM, a computer lab, a lounge with a big-screen television, and classrooms for the elective courses and research seminar.
Who do students live with?
UC Davis students live with other UC Davis students, four per apartment. There are two bedrooms in each apartment, and two beds in each bedroom. There is one bathroom per apartment, a fully equipped kitchen, and a living area with a table and chairs, a couch and a television. Students select their own roommates/apatmentmates. Each floor in the Center will have students from all eight campuses and there are approximately 275 UC students housed in the Center each quarter.
Is the UC Washington Center safe?
The safety of our students in Washington, DC is a top priority of the Program. Please read the about the UC Center building features below and contact program staff with any questions or concerns.
Building Access
The UC Washington Center has developed a system of building security, which includes a card key for access and picture identification. This system is in place to help ensure your safety while at the Center. Also, Washington, DC as the Nation's Capital and a city of global importance is a focus for events, which may require students to prove their right to access the Center and the surrounding neighborhood. Their Center picture identification ensures that they will have this access.
Card Key Access
The front door of the building serves as main access for our residents, faculty, staff and visitors. Center residents will receive a card key that provides access to the building's main entrance and floors that are available for their use. They will be required to carry this card key with them whenever they leave their apartment. Under normal circumstances the building is unlocked during the hours of 7:30 a.m. -6:30 p.m. M-F. At all other times they will need their card key to enter the building. The card key is required at all times to use the elevators and exit the stairwells.
All guests to the Center must sign-in at the Security Desk and will be issued a Visitor's ID. There are areas within the building (including office space on floors 2 and 3) that have limited public hours of access. An appropriately coded card key is required for after hours access to these areas. The UC Washington Center reserves the right to close the building to any non-resident or guest and to ask them to leave the building at any time.
Washington Center Picture Identification Card
A UC Washington Center picture ID is provided to all residents, faculty and staff at the start of their time at the Center. Faculty and staff are required to wear the ID card while in the building. Residents, faculty and staff are required to carry their card key and Washington Center picture ID when leaving the building. The Washington Center picture ID card is required for re-entry into the Center and must be shown to the Security Duty Officer upon re-entry to the building.
For additional information on safety and security, click here.
What do students do about their apartment in Davis while they are in Washington, DC?
Many students sublease their apartment in Davis while they are in Washington, DC. Program staff are happy to discuss various options with both parents and students.
Do students need a car, or is it easy to get around Washington, DC ?
Transportation in Washington, DC is very convenient and geared towards people without cars. In fact, driving there can be a nightmare! The Metro system (subway) is extremely convenient, safe, and runs from very early in the morning until very late at night. The Metro can take students all around the city and its outlying areas, like Virginia and Maryland. Taxis are in abundance in the city, and are always an option when you do not feel like walking. In addition, the Amtrak is very accessible, as well as different Bus companies like Greyhound, for trips to New York and Philadelphia.
Will being a Washington Program alumnus benefit my student in the future?
In a word, YES! The networking opportunities that they will have while working in their internship will be invaluable. After living in Washington, DC for a quarter, they will feel like they can live in any big city. After successfully completing a quarter of study, research and work, students will feel accomplished and confident that they can succeed in both professional and academic settings. There are many opportunities for Washington Program Alumni to reconnect through alumni events, which further develop their network of colleagues and professional associates.