Congratulations on being accepted to the CMC Washington Program! Before leaving campus, we encourage you to follow news from prominent Washington, D.C. media outlets such as The Washington Post, The Washington Times,Politico, The Hill, Roll Call and Axios to keep up with current events. The next few months will be crucial in preparing to work, study, and live in Washington, D.C. We ask that you participate fully in this preparation process. It is important that you show strong time management skills by maintaining good academic standing in your current coursework while also meeting all requirements necessary to prepare for your upcoming semester in our nation’s capital. Lastly, remember we are here to help you, so do not hesitate to call on us.
We encourage you to:
- Revise your greeting message on your cell phone and change your privacy settings on Facebook to ensure that you present yourself professionally when prospective employers telephone or check your Facebook profile.
- Actively pursue an internship. This entails making follow-up calls to Washington, D.C. to check on the status of your application(s), maintaining regular contact with the program director, and responding to all emails.
- Get to know the group of students going to D.C.
- Actively seek housing in D.C. It is strongly recommended that you secure housing at least a month prior to the program start date.
Health & Safety
Covid-19 Health Measures
The CMC Washington Program is committed to the health and safety of our students, staff, and faculty. The program includes baseline testing and daily health screenings. We adhere to all CMC, federal and Washington, D.C. Covid-19 guidelines. The situation is evolving weekly. For updates, please contact the program director.
General Health & Safety
The health and safety of the Washington Program students is a top priority.
During orientation:
- Student interns learn about emergency preparedness and receive a safety checklist for living and working in the nation's capital.
- Students interns receive an emergency kit with supplies to use in case of an emergency.
- Students are given a list of suggested medical facilities in the DC area.
- Students receive information about mental health support services in DC. All students from the Claremont Colleges are entitled to five free sessions with a psychological counselor.
Living in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. is a vibrant local and global city. The nation’s capital is filled with monuments and museums dedicated to depicting the political, economic, and social history of the country. DC is also a global gathering space and home to many international organization headquarters and foreign embassies. The nation’s capital is home to many young people who enjoy living in the walkable city with excellent public transportation, plentiful parks, and high-caliber entertainment offered every day of the week.
Neighborhoods
Washington, D.C. is administratively divided into four geographical quadrants: Northwest (NW), Northeast (NE), Southeast (SE) and Southwest (SW) and eight wards. The most popular neighborhoods are listed below.
Capitol Hill is home to the U.S. Capitol, the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court and the U.S. Botanic Garden. The residential neighborhood is a popular place to live, particularly for those working in and around Capitol Hill.
Downtown is a bustling center for business, dining, shopping, and nightlife. Here you will find the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Renwick Gallery and the National Museum for Women in the Arts.
Penn Quarter & Chinatown features the Capital One Arena, a popular entertainment and sports center. The National Portrait Gallery, the American Art Museum, and the Shakespeare Theatre Company are also located in this neighborhood.
Dupont Circle is a vibrant neighborhood and home to many shops and restaurants. The Phillips Collection and several other prominent museums are located here.
Georgetown is home to Georgetown University. The famous historic district, which is partly residential and partly commercial, is known for its popular nightlife, restaurants, and shopping center.
Adams-Morgan has a diverse population and numerous restaurants. The neighborhood offers active nightlife and charming city streets.
Foggy Bottom is home to George Washington University, the Kennedy Center, the World Bank, and the State Department.
Cleveland Park and Woodley Park comprise the Connecticut Avenue corridor. The National Zoo and Washington National Cathedral are located in these neighborhoods.
Navy Yard earns media attention for its ballpark, where the Washington Nationals play.
The Wharf and Southwest Waterfront is known as “a playground for political staffers” with its numerous restaurants and entertainment venues, such as the second-largest theater complex in Washington, D.C.
Alexandria, Virginia is a historically preserved district with shops, waterfront restaurants, and museums. This neighborhood is about 45 minutes away from the city center and is easily accessible by the Metro. George Washington’s Mt. Vernon is about 10 miles from King Street Metro Station.
Transportation
Washington is served by three airports and an AMTRAK train station. Washington Reagan National is the closest airport to downtown Washington, D.C. and the only airport that is served by Metro.
The following airports serve the D.C. area:
Washington Reagan National Airport
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
If you travel by train, your final destination is Union Station.
WMATA, The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, operates Metrorail and Metrobus service that serve Washington, Virginia and Maryland.
The DC Circulator buses offer various options, including a bus that travels from Georgetown to Union Station. For Game Days, Circulator offers additional rides and routes.
Cultural sites
- The Smithsonian Institution
- Cultural Tourism DC
- Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
- DC Pages
- DC's Official Tourism Site
Entertainment sites
Other Useful sites