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FREQUENTLY ASKED

QUESTIONS

How do I apply?

Click here and complete our online application. Once it’s submitted, our staff will take a look and if we think you might be a good fit for WMI, we’ll give you a call to complete an over the phone interview.

When is my application due?

Find more information about when your application is due by clicking here.

What’s the difference between the Fall/Spring Semester Programs and the Summer Semester Program?

The Summer Semester Program is a streamlined version of the full Fall/Spring Semester Programs. There are three courses in the Fall/Spring and only two courses in the Summer; fewer speakers, projects and site visits.. Read more about that here. The internship component is the same for all of our programs, however, you may find that there are more internship opportunities available in the Fall or Spring because there are fewer interns in the DC area during these times of the year.

Do I have to have a specific major to attend WMI?

No, you don’t have to have any specific major to join us in DC. We accept students in any major who are interested in working in the media and are ready to work hard to develop new skills. Want to learn more about our courses? Click here.

How many students do you usually take each semester?

We do not have a set amount of students we accept, but it is usually around 15-20 students per semester. We accept on a rolling basis, so the earlier we receive your application, the better your chances and the sooner we can begin the internship placement process. Complete your application here.

Can I still attend WMI if I’ve already graduated?

Yes, we accept recent college graduates up to one year after their graduation. If you’ve recently graduated but don’t know which direction to take your career in or find you don’t have the skills you need, WMI is a great option for experience, training and to network with professionals. Check out what some of our alumni are up to now here.

Are there scholarships available?

WMI offers some need based scholarships – please send us an email for more information. We also offer a few scholarships to accomplished SPJ, PRSSA, NABJ and NAHJ members. If you are a member of one of these organizations, please let us know. Click here for more information on tuition and costs.

Which credits will I earn from completing WMI?

Credits depend on your specific university. If you attend one of our affiliated universities, learn more about your credits here. If you attend a different university, send us an email and we can chat about your credits.

I have financial aid - can I use to attend WMI?

Yes, you can. Using a consortium agreement, you can use the financial aid you currently receive toward your time at WMI. Send us an email if you’d like to discuss this in more detail. If you’d like to learn more about tuition and costs, click here.

How do I find my internship?

It all starts with a conversation between you and our Director, Amos Gelb, to determine what you’re interested in and where you would best fit. We take the job of finding the right fit for you very seriously. Once a few leads are made, WMI makes phone calls with potential organizations and works with you to improve your resume and practice interview questions. It’s then up to you to impress your potential placement in your interview and secure the internship. Every student is guaranteed an internship, so if the first option does not work for you, we keep working until we find one that does. Learn more about the internship process here.

Are internships paid or unpaid?

The majority of the internships we place our students in are unpaid. Some internships do pay but we place interns based on the right set of opportunities not on whether there is a stipend. Learn more about the internship experience here.

Do I have to have any media experience?

Not necessarily. Having media experience will help in internship placement, but it’s absolutely not required. As long as you’re ready to work hard and think creatively about media, WMI is right for you. Many of our most successful alumni never studied media before they arrived. Read more about our academics here.

Where will I live when I’m in DC?

You’ll be living in WISH Woodley Park, though sometimes we do have to make different accommodations for our students. Read more about WISH here.

FAQ didn’t answer your question?

Send us an email at info@washmediainstitute.org! We’re happy to chat with you about any questions you might have or to give you more information about WMI.