How to Apply

If you are interested in Campaign Semester, attend one of the informational workshops scheduled in both fall and spring. There, Professors Dreier and Freer will explain how to identify swing and battleground races, and how to select and contact a campaign. The workshops will cover such topics as travel, housing, and financial aid, and former Campaign Semester participants will be available to share their experiences. You should also meet with Professor Dreier and/or Professor Freer individually to discuss which campaigns you want to work for and to get their approval.

Students identify a campaign they wish to work on in consultation with the program faculty advisors. You do not need to know exactly what campaign you will work on at the time of application. While the program officially begins on the first day of classes at Occidental, some previous participants have chosen to start work on their campaign before the first day of classes. This allows for deeper engagement with the campaign, shows initiative, and often allows students to progress within the organization more quickly.

On the Campaign

• The experiential component is a 10-week practicum (first day of classes at Occidental to Election Day) working on a campaign in a "swing" or "battleground" state or Congressional district.
• Students are primarily responsible for securing campaign sites, with the assistance of program faculty.
• Activities on-site include the regular work of the campaign as determined by the on-site staff (e.g. volunteer coordinator or intern supervisor) and negotiated between the student and the site. Campaign work is highly variable and includes a wide range of tasks, large and small.