Selection is conducted on a rolling basis through the following four-stage process.
Stage 1: Online Application (Due January)
Students apply online through SurveyMonkey Apply. Applicants will be asked to describe their policy interests, relevant experience, and internship goals.
Stage 2: Interviews (Early February)
Applications are reviewed for eligibility and overall fit for the Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows program. Selected applicants are invited to participate in interviews in early February.
Stage 3: Hiring Pool (March-April)
Following interviews, strong candidates are invited into the hiring pool for rolling consideration for both university-secured or self-secured internships.
Internships
University-Secured Internships (Identified by USC Program Staff)
University-secured internships are arranged by the USC program, typically with California elected officials or agencies in Los Angeles, Sacramento, or Washington, D.C. Candidates in the hiring pool are invited to apply directly to a university-secured internship on a rolling basis until those positions are filled. Host offices make final hiring decisions and the program supports up to one Schaeffer Fellow in each university-secured internship. Hiring timelines vary.
Applicants who agree to interview with a university-secured internship host office are expected to accept an offer if extended.
Prospective 2026 university-secured internships include but are not limited to (list subject to change):
- California Department of Justice, Attorney General’s Press Team
- California Natural Resources Agency, Office of Expo Park Management
- Office of Congressmember David Schweikert (AZ-01)
- Office of U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (NM)
- U.S. Space Force – SpaceWERX
Self-Secured Internships (Identified by Applicants)
Self-secured internships are independently identified and pursued by applicants. Each year, the program supports several Fellows who secure offers from government offices, contingent on background checks or clearance processes (if required). Review “Resources” for helpful links to identify internship opportunities.
- Internships with think tanks, non-profit organizations, or political campaigns are not eligible.
- Be patient. Program staff prioritize placement of university-secured internships before reviewing candidates with self-secured offers. Candidates are responsible for providing program staff updates on their internship search progress.
Stage 4: Final Selection (April)
- Each year, USC selects ten Schaeffer Fellows based on a combination of the application, interview, and confirmation of a qualified government internship. The goal is to build a diverse cohort that reflects different government levels, policy interests, and academic fields.
- Final selections are made on a rolling basis through early April. We strive to notify applicants promptly and maintain close communication throughout the process. However, government hiring timelines vary, and applicants should expect a period of waiting.
- If you are in consideration for other summer programs, please notify our staff. In certain cases, you may be unable to participate in another program in tandem with the Schaeffer Fellows program.
- The only required action at this stage is to continue in the hiring process. You must have an internship to be offered a Schaeffer Fellowship, however, receiving an internship offer is not a guarantee of a Schaeffer Fellowship. Priority is given to candidates placed in university-secured internships before extending offers to those with self-secured internships.
Stage 5: Schaeffer Fellows Program Begins
If selected, Schaeffer Fellows are expected to participate fully in all program requirements, including the following:
- Early May: USC welcome lunch for newly selected Fellows
- Mid-May: Schaeffer Fellows Virtual Orientation
- Late May: Internships begin (by the first week of June)
- Late June: Schaeffer Fellows Summit in Washington, D.C.
- September or October: Fall Recognition Event at USC