Deep Springs College, US

I don’t know how many people have heard of this college. It’s for males only (which I’m not, by the way), but I recently got hold of a brochure by chance. I thought some guys might be interested to try.

Deep Springs College has a ranch in Califonia, and admits around thirteen new students every year. Tuition and living expenses are completely provided for, students pay only for books and travels. The college only offers schooling for the freshman and sophomore years. Students live on the ranch and tend to it to help fund the college’s expenses. They learn all sorts of stuff, like milking the cows, cleaning the stable, chopping the meat in the kitchen, apart from their regular classes. Each class has about 8 students, there’s quite focused on classroom discussion. The students have a lot of autonomy over what they do, and in the decision making process of the administration. The students also are the ones mainly acting as the college’s “admissions officers” cum interviewers.

After two years there, the students usually go on to matriculate as a sophomore or junior into top 4-year US Universities.

So the college focuses a lot on independent living, public service, hard work, team work, and creativity, and responsibility. They tend to look for students who have an unusual outlook - it’s so different from your regular college in almost every way. The bonds forged between the students are so strong that many remain close friends decades after graduation. The college has produced a disproportionate number of notable alumni relative to its small size.

The admissions process is somewhat different from that of most US Colleges. The website at http://www.deepsprings.edu/admissions states that:

“Candidates for admission are required to take the SAT or ACT and complete a two-stage application. The deadline for Part I of the application, which includes an official transcript and three essays, is November 15; all applications must be postmarked by this deadline. If, due to unusual circumstances, you feel you will have difficulty meeting the deadline, please contact the Admissions Committee.

Once applications arrive at Deep Springs, they are read and rated by a number of readers, including members from ApCom as well as Student Body and faculty recruited from the wider community. ApCom meets to discuss and vote on each application individually and decides which applicants will be invited to the valley during Term 4 in the winter for an interview.

In mid-late December, applicants will find out if they have been invited to complete Part II of the applications process. Those invited must submit Part II of the application, which includes two letters of recommendation and additional essays, by January 15. They also must schedule a three-to-four day visit and interview by the end of February. During the applicant's visit, he has the opportunity to participate in labor, to observe academics and self-governance, and to see what life at Deep Springs is like. He is also asked to discuss his application in an interview with ApCom.

Final decisions are mailed out by mid-April.”

The visit is actually a very sensible thing for both parties as some admitted students still end up turning down the school. And a misfit in the school will be very unhappy, so the compulsory trip which forms part of the application ensures that matriculating students should be happy with their choice.

Half the NUSH population is ineligible; it’s definitely not for most who are, but if you take a shine to it, you might just want to spend two years of your life in a really unconventional place.