McCarthy Center - USF in DC Program

Application Form

Applications for Fall 2025 semester and beyond are open! 
Please submit your application by the EXTENDED deadline of March 7th, 2025, 11:59pm PT

If you want to apply for a subsequent semester, please e-mail amvuong@usfca.edu to arrange an informational meeting about the program. 

*Note: Must be a sophomore standing or higher (undergraduates only) to participate. Can apply in advance as a first-year*
This program is a partnership between the USF Politics Department and the Leo T. McCarthy Center. 

Semester applying for (you may choose more than one option)
Are you a Getty Scholar through the Honors College?

I. LIST YOUR COURSES

Please list any courses completed or in progress that you find relevant to this program:

II. Statement of Purpose
 

Read the quotes and accompanying questions below. Statements will be evaluated according to content and writing quality.

Please answer #1 and put in the Statement 1 box. Please answer #2 and put it in the Statement 2 box. Please proofread beforehand.

  1. "There isn't a student on this campus in any major who could not be an effective force in public decision-making if they bring to the fight a personal commitment to build a more just and humane world."- Leo T. McCarthy
    Provide specific examples of how you have demonstrated a commitment to building a more humane and just world. How will this program strengthen your capacity to continue this commitment?

  2. "You need a set of convictions based on moral values and you need to be introspective every day so you're truthful with yourself about how close you are to sticking to those values." - Leo T. McCarthy
    The McCarthy Center's core values that guide our work include: diversity and inclusion, social justice, collaboration and co-determination, humility, innovation, growth and improvement, and invitational dialogue. Choose two of the values from the McCarthy Center's list of Core Values and discuss why they resonate with you. How will you incorporate them during your DC experience?

Please provide the contact information for one faculty member or employer who is familiar with your skills and abilities and can serve as a reference. We encourage you to reach ou to a reference from someone who can speak about your academic development, namely a professor or supervisor. Please do not request a letter of reference from a member of your family.

Indicate who will provide the reference in the space provided below. We encourage you to reach out to your reference prior to your application submission to let them know that someone from the McCarthy Center will reach out to them for additional information. 
 
VI. Interview Availability
 

Should you be selected for an interview the Selection Committee will reach out to you to schedule an in-person interview. 

My signature below certifies that the above information is true.

ATTENTION: Once you hit the “submit” button, a message should appear confirming that your application was submitted successfully. If you do not see this message, please either try to resubmit your application or contact us to make sure we did receive it.