Prep Course

     Wednesday, March 28 (5-7:30 PM)

     Tuesday, April 3 (5-7:30 PM)

     Saturday, April 7 (11AM-2PM)

All sessions will be held in the Eldersveld Room (Fifth Floor, Haven Hall)     

Ctools Site Link

Students admitted to the program can click here to access the Ctools site for MIW.  

What is the Prep Course?

The Prep Course is a three session course held before students go to Washington, taught by a doctoral student in Political Science.  It's an opportunity for students to meet each other and collaborate on internship searches and trip preparation.  

Students register for the Prep Course as part of their DC semester (even though the class is run the semester prior to their arrival).   They don't receive credit for the Prep Course until they return from DC and appear at a public Poster Session to present their research.  Instructions on class registration is covered in the Prep Course (MIW classes aren't listed in the LSA catalog).  

The Prep Course is held two evenings (includes dinner) and a Saturday morning approximately 2 months after the term starts.  Sessions are a week apart, and dates are determined at the beginning of each semester. Content covered includes:

First session

  • Introduction and teambuilding exercise
  • Current events review
  • Administrative forms, online registration for UCDC, photos, business cards, email lists and Ctools overview

Second session

  • Presentation by Career Center staff (resumes, cover letters, branding, job search strategies, interview techniques, offer and acceptance protocols, Washington dress code, office protocol)
  • Internship database review and suggestions for identifying organizations
  • Student panel with MIW alums, assign each new admit a student mentor.  

Third session

  • Research methods and online game,
  • Internship search updates,
  • Sign up for appointments with program Director to report on internship progress and for mentor assignments, 
  • Instructions on MIW course registration.  

Acceptance Form (PDF)

Participation Agreement (PDF)

Basic Health Form (PDF)

Supplemental Health Form (PDF)

UCDC Agreement (PDF)

UCDC Agreement

Students sign a rooming contract from UC which is a standard agreement that covers their stay in the Washington Center.  This agreement states the current rates and dates for the term, as well as the usual provisions in a dormitory lease.  UM students agree to adhere to the UC code of conduct in this agreement, as well as authorize the room charge to be added to the UM tuition bill.  

Admission Paperwork

Once students have been notified of their acceptance to the program (typically, within 2 weeks of interviews), they must complete a series of paperwork to finalize their participation in the program.  Admission paperwork is provided at the interview, and forms are due the first evening of the Prep Class.

 

Acceptance Form and Housing Deposit

The Acceptance Form confirms that the student is accepting the offer to participate in the MIW program for a specific term.  The form must be accompanied by a $300 housing deposit which is non-refundable if the student decides not to participate in the program.  (The deposit will be refunded after the Washington semester if there are no damages to their room.)

  • Housing Deposit checks should be made out to The University of Michigan for $300. We cannot accept checks made out to The Michigan in Washington Program!!!
  • If the student doesn't have a checking account, s/he can take cash to a local bank (for a cashier's check) or the Post Office for a Postal Money Order.   
  • We cannot accept credit cards.  :(

If a student opts to wait past the first Prep Class before submitting the Acceptance Form and housing deposit, their place in the program may be offered to a wait-listed student.  The signed form should be attached to the check and brought to the MIW office or given to the GSI at the first Prep Class.  

Basic and Supplemental Health Forms

  The Basic Health Form contains: 

  • The student's health insurance policy number
  • Two emergency contacts.  

MIW students are required to have health coverage while they are in Washington.  Students who don't have an active policy can get basic emergency coverage with a Young Adult Policy through Blue Cross of Michigan for under $100 per month.  

The Supplemental Health Form Contains:

  •  Information about medications, special dietary needs, allergies and ongoing medical treatment that may require a doctor's signature and referral to a physician in DC.  This form must be signed by the student and in some cases by the attending physician.  
  • Health information is confidential, and kept on file in the event of an emergency while the student is in DC.