Even after one deadline extension, the full semester version of Miami University's Inside Washington Program has yet to meet quota.
Since 1998, Miami has sent students to Washington, D.C. to gain experience in the nation's capitol. What began as a three-day trip grew to an 8-credit summer course that includes an internship. Now, for the first time, Inside Washington is being offered as a full semester program for the fall of 2007.
Howard Kleiman, professor of mass communication and the coordinator of the Inside Washington Program, explained that the lower number of applications for the fall 2007 semester program compared to the abundance of applicants for the summer program was a complete surprise.
Nine students are currently enrolled, although the goal was to send 10 to 15 students on the semester program.
"It kind of fell out of the sky, no one knew it was coming," Kleiman said, noting the smaller number of applicants.
While the summer program allows students to spend eight weeks in D.C., the semester program would send Miami students to the nation's capitol for a total of 15 weeks. Although the semester program is an extended version of the summer program, the summer program will still take place next summer and has filled its quota - with a waiting list.
Kleiman said he believes the main problem with filling the quota for the semester program lies with its newness. He said that the program was introduced after many students had already made housing commitments in Oxford, and that going to D.C. required students to make a whole new set of plans for who would take their spot in the dorm or house where they were already committed to living.
"Students just couldn't find housing plans that quickly for next semester," Kleiman said.
Both the summer and semester programs will include college classes as well as an internship. The classes can fulfill requirements for a variety of majors.
He also said that while Inside Washington attempts to model its new semester program to other study abroad programs, such as Miami's Luxembourg program, these more established programs have a leg up on this newer one.
"We wanted to expand the opportunity to the school year," Kleiman said. "We modeled (it after) Luxembourg, in hopes to give the students the opportunity to immerse themselves in (the program)."
The summer program includes one class, for eight credits, while the semester program totals 16 credits.
Kleiman related the semester to "twice as much of a good thing," thinking that the extended time in D.C. would be beneficial for most.
Director of Inside Washington, Chad Pergram, said there are definite benefits to living in D.C. during the fall.
"The full semester is a little smaller and a little more intimate," Pergram said. "During the summer the city is littered with interns … during the fall, more places are looking for interns."
However, Kleiman pointed out that while there may be fewer interns in D.C. in the fall, there are more local students.
"We use Boston University for housing, and during the summer they have plenty of beds, whereas during the fall they have their own students too," Kleiman said.
Kleiman said the full semester program is a pilot program, which means that after analyzing the program, Provost Jeffrey Herbst will have to decide if the university will continue to make a financial commitment to keep it going.
The application deadline for the fall semester program has been extended until Feb. 1 in hopes of receiving applications from a few more students, according to Kleiman.
Miami senior Michelle Rose, who participated in the summer program in 2006, said that spending the semester in D.C. could help students in the long run.
"The program has great opportunities for each individual," Rose said. "Eight weeks was a great length … I don't think I would have done the semester program, only because I studied abroad, but I think it would be a great opportunity for someone who was looking for a job."
