Begun in the spring of 1980 with six students and "borrowed" locations for classes and housing, the Cornell in Washington Program now occupies four stories of 2148 O Street, NW, with the classrooms, computer facility, and administrative offices on the first floor and housing for up to 57 students on the top three floors.

Envisioned as an opportunity for Cornell students to gain a "window on Washington," over the years the program has become Washington's "window on Cornell." And, given the addictive nature of being in the Nation's Capital (it's called "Potomac Fever"), many CIW alumni end up in Washington, DC. We've named the phenomenon "Cornell in Washington: The second generation," in which former CIW participants now serve as internship supervisors for current students.

As one of our former directors said, "CIW is the Cornell of your dreams." It's a residential college with small classes, easy access to faculty, one-stop shopping for all administrative matters--and no long lines, individualized guidance from tutors, and unlimited information and support from staff. We've been doing this for a long time and we constantly make changes to improve the experience for students.

Cornell faculty members, who commute from Cornell, have the opportunity to teach a highly motivated group of students and to use the vast resources in Washington for their own work. Washington professionals, who are appointed as adjunct faculty, share their expert knowledge and practical experience with students. Graduate students, who serve as tutors, benefit from the intense teaching experience guiding students through a major research project and the chance to complete their own dissertations.

With our years of experience, other colleges and universities often consult us as they begin developing their own Washington programs. The faculty and staff have accumulated a great number of years working for CIW, which is a testament to both the quality and atmosphere of the program.