The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences

First-Year Fellows

The First-Year Fellows program gives first-year students the opportunity to engage in public policy early in their Dartmouth careers. Each year, 20-25 students are selected for summer placement in a diverse range of policy internships in Washington, D.C. with Dartmouth alumni mentors. Students gain valuable professional experience, live with their peers, and develop leadership, writing, and critical thinking skills during the fellowships.

16X FYF

The Class of 2019 First-Year Fellows during the Civic Skills Training week in Washington, D.C. prior to the start of their eight-week fellowships.

Students with U.S. Senator Rob Portman '78

Class of 2018 First-Year Fellows being briefed by U.S. Senator Rob Portman '78 at Capital Hill during Civic Skills Training week in Washington, D.C.

At the 15X Alumni Reception in Washington, D.C.

First-Year Fellow Ray Lu ’18 with mentor Jenny Chandler ’82, Vice President and Director of Network Support and Knowledge Sharing at the National Council of Nonprofits.

First-Year Fellow Julia DeCerega '18 about to go on-air during her Fellowship at Voice of America in Washington, D.C.

First-Year Fellow Julia Decerega '18 about to go on-air during a broadcase at her Fellowship at Voice of America in Washington, D.C.

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Fellowship Includes

  • Placement in an eight-week fellowship in Washington, D.C. at a public policy organization with a Dartmouth alumnus mentor
  • Housing in Washington, D.C. provided by the Rockefeller Center with a stipend of $1,250 for living expenses
  • Civic Skills Training which covers public speaking, networking, resource mobilization, media relations, goal setting, program management, workplace skills, professionalism, and much more
  • Attendance at the Dartmouth Alumni & Friends Reception in Washington, D.C.

Application deadline is March 28, 2018

APPLY HERE

Prerequisites for Participation

  • Complete Public Policy 5: Introduction to Public Policy (PBPL 5) during the winter term
  • Complete a course conveying quantitative or qualitative social science statistical methods during the fall, winter or spring term of your first year. Options include: Public Policy 10, Economics 10, Government 10, Mathematics 10, Psychology 10, Sociology 10, Quantitative Social Science 15, Geography 11, Geography 50, Sociology 11, or Education 11
  • Participate in the Dartmouth Leadership Attitudes and Behaviors (D-LAB) program during the winter term.

Application Requirements

Your application must include:

  • Resume. Save as a PDF with your first and last name in the file name. Upload within the application.
  • Unofficial transcript. Ensure the transcript has your statistical methods course on it and your final winter term grades. Save as a PDF with your first and last name in the file name. Upload within the application.

Faculty/Administrator recommendation. Don't forget to give them the recommendation handout so they have a chance to draft responses in advance and have the URL directly.

Review the tip sheet!

For more information, contact Eric Janisch, program officer.

CST Teamwork Session with Melissa Herman

Civic Skills Training

A component of the First Year Fellows Program, Civic Skills Training (CST) provides the skills necessary to excel in internships and beyond. 

 

Current First-Year Fellows

Meet this year’s Fellows and find out where they are interning.

First-Year Fellow Julia DeCerega '18 about to go on-air during her Fellowship at Voice of America in Washington, D.C.
Class of 2017 First-Year Fellows

Past First Year Fellows

Since 2008, close to 200 students have participated in the First Year Fellows program and nearly 50 Dartmouth alumni have served as mentors.

Last updated: March 27, 2018
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