Read about the 2009-2010 First-Year Fellows
The First-Year Fellows Program provides you with opportunities to engage meaningfully in public policy early in your Dartmouth career. Up to twenty students who have successfully completed the introductory public policy and research method courses will be selected as First-Year Fellows. First-Year Fellows are placed in internships with Dartmouth alumni in Washington, D.C., serving in policy positions where the supervisor is willing to take on a significant mentor role. Prior to beginning their internships, students participate in the Civic Skills Training. This intensive, expense-paid, five-day program in Washington, D.C., is an important advantage for these students, providing them with training in public speaking; networking; writing press releases and op-eds; and policy briefs, networking, and project management. Panels with Dartmouth alumni are also arranged to provide students with exposure to career paths following Dartmouth, as well as how to get the most out of their time on campus.
A critical component of the Civic Skills Training is that students are trained in project management and asked to identify a project to complete during their internships. They work with their supervisors on tangible substantive projects that address the needs of their organizations and can be completed within the eight-to-ten weeks of their internships. The Rockefeller Center provides ongoing support to students, assisting them in identifying on-campus resources relevant to the projects they have identified, and organizes a mid-summer gathering of all First-Year Fellows in Washington, D.C.
Take Public Policy 5: Introduction to Public Policy during the Winter Term.
Take a statistical methods course (e.g. ECON 10, SOCY 10, MSS 10, GOVT 10) during the Fall, Winter or Spring terms of your first year.
Apply to be a First-Year Fellow during the Spring term of your Freshman year. See application deadline on the Rockefeller Center Calendar. See Application Process information below.
Participate in the special Civic Skills Training after Spring Term.
Intern in Washington, DC, during the summer after your first year in a congressional office, policy think tank, executive branch agency, or advocacy organization with support from the Rockefeller Center, and Dartmouth alumni serving as mentors.
Complete final report and program evaluations at the end of your internship experience.
Attend a debriefing session when you return to Hanover.
“The First-Year Fellowship program gave me access to an summer I could not have created on my own. The training, institutional support, and camaraderie of the other fellows turned what could have been a run-of-the-mill internship into a holistic policy experience. Now back on campus, identifying as a Rocky First Year Fellow gives me confidence that I spent my off-term wisely.” Michael Fields ‘11
There are TWO parts to the application process:
Enroll in the blackboard organization “Rockefeller Center Student Applications.”
All application information, deadlines, and required forms are available on the blackboard site.
Submit all of your application materials as “assignments”.
Complete a First Year Fellows Application [pdf]
Complete a written proposal
Provide a copy of your resume
Submit your electronic materials via email to Rockefeller Student Programs.
Printed copy of completed First Year Fellows Application [pdf].
Printed copy of written proposal
Printed copy of resume
Faculty Recommendation Form [pdf] and/or Letter
The entire application, including the faculty recommendation, must arrive at the office of Suzanne Todd (Room 101, Rockefeller Center, Hinman Box 6082) by 4 PM on Friday, April 10, 2009. Interested students can confirm receipt of all required supporting documents by sending an email to Rockefeller Student Programs during the week following the deadline. The selection process also includes an in-person interview. Applicants will be contacted to schedule these interviews following the initial review of applications by Rockefeller Center staff.
Sadhana Hall, associate director for Student and Public Programs
Danielle Thompson, assistant director for Student and Public Programs
