Once accepted, staffers come to Washington, D.C. at the end of July, for a week-long Campaign School to learn the basics of political campaigning - voter targeting, field organizing, fundraising, and press strategy from top Democratic operatives.

Think of it as extreme job training. Classroom instruction begins early in the morning, with training sessions and simulation exercises throughout the day. Then, at the end of what some would consider a typical work day, the fun really begins! Working in small groups, participants are given realistic campaign scenarios, so they can apply in the evening, the lessons they've been learning all day. At the end of the week, each group presents its campaign plan to a team of seasoned professionals who judge their work and pick the winning campaign team.

"The training was incredible! I graduated from college in May and wasn't sure what I wanted to do next. Now I am the Finance Director on a top-targeted State House race in Virginia and loving it."

Rebecca Leal, Class of '03