Founded in 1964, the White House Fellows program is one of America's most prestigious programs for leadership and public service. White House Fellowships offer exceptional young men and women first-hand experience working at the highest levels of the federal government.

Selected individuals typically spend a year working as a full-time, paid Fellow to senior White House Staff, the Vice President, Cabinet Secretaries and other top-ranking government officials. Responsibilities range from chairing interagency meetings and designing and implementing federal policies, to drafting speeches for cabinet secretaries to representing their agencies on Capitol Hill and in international treaty negotiations. Job assignments are made by the Director of the President's Commission on White House Fellowships in consultation with agency officials on the basis of interviews conducted during "Placement Week."

Selection as a White House Fellow is based on a combination of the following criteria:

a) A record of remarkable professional achievement early in one's career.
b) Evidence of leadership skills and the potential for further growth.
c) A demonstrated commitment to public service.
d) The skills to succeed at the highest levels of the Federal government, and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.