Washington DC and the stuff of which it is made—luncheons, amendments, speeches, lobbyists, senators, influential people of every sort—is worlds away for most college students, even those who have hopes of becoming policymakers. But at Truman, college students are given an opportunity to see theory in practice through an internship program offered in conjunction with The Washington Center (TWC).

TWC offers semester-long public and private sector internships, in the Washington DC area. Recent placements include the Student Press Law Center, Fair Vote, the Pentagon, the Department of State, the Treasury Department, and the Children's Defense Fund. A fringe benefit: Truman students receive 15 credit hours toward their degree.

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Opera and drama go hand-in-hand. But aspiring opera star Dominic Armstrong, who received his Masters in Voice at Juilliard and is pursing a second Masters in Opera at The Curtis Institute of Music, doesn't use dramatics to tell the story of how Truman gave his musical career a great start.

With firm footing in reality, Armstrong knows that making it big in music isn't handed to you; you've got to work hard. This is an ethic he learned at Truman, and one he won't abandon as he continues to fulfill his dream. "At Truman," Armstrong explains, "I was always busy. My last semester I was taking chemistry, trig, multiple music courses, and booking my calendar with auditions for conservatories. It's the busiest I've ever been."

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Most parents, advisors, and teachers advise you to base your college decision on a school's national ranking, quality, outcome stats, and financial aid package. But we all know that when it comes down to it, college students want to have fun—and want to be at a college where it's not all about Dostoyevsky, chem. labs, and study groups. At Truman, there's a blend of both academics and action. According to student Chris Reiter, "[Truman students] like to party on Saturday nights like any college student. However, on Sunday morning we're ready to study."

Here are a few Truman attractions that contribute to Truman's vibrant social life:

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In the highly competitive marketplace, recent graduates quickly learn it's not just your knowledge but your skills that make you stand out from the rest: the ability to follow through with a project, communicate clearly, assert yourself with authority, answer questions directly, make connections across disciplines, and think creatively.

Truman is lauded for getting graduates to that level of professionalism. In the 2007 edition of U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges," Truman was recognized for its research programs leading to student success. One unique program that has led to this national respect is Truman's annual Student Research Conference.

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