NYCKevin

Hey guys, so I'm interested in applying to The Mountain School of Milton Academy, a semester boarding school. It's where "high school juniors spend four months in Vermont living and working on [an] organic farm. Students take five classes, take care of the gardens and livestock, and live in small houses with their friends and teachers." If I go, it would probably be the fall semester of my junior year because I would want to take the SAT in the Spring at home.

I come from a competitive public school in NYC. In junior year, I'll probably be taking the following APs: AP Chem, AP English lang, AP U.S. History, AP Psych, and maybe AP Macro. This is their curriculum listing: Mountain School of Milton ~ Curriculum The classes I would be missing out on are AP Chem, AP Macro, and AP Psych as they don't offer it. I would also be missing out on a language study, as I learn a very obscure language at school (Russian).

Money isn't that big of an issue-- the only thing is the limited curriculum and course offerings. But environmental science is truly my passion; a large majority of my extracurriculars, internships/work experience, and summer programs are centered around environmental science.

So I guess I'm in a bit of a pickle here. Is it worth it to give up three APs during junior year for the Mountain School?

Thanks. Really appreciate the advice.

Kev

mhmm

Yes and no..........
If you are applying to the large publics that automatically give merit aid due to AP credits, then it may not be worth it.
If you are applying to a range of colleges, and are not merit aid dependent, then absolutely. Colleges look at your curriculum and see that you took as many APs that were available to you. Cant draw blood from a stone. Of course some consultants would then say that "well you should study for the AP on your own, then". Eh.
However you are following your passion, something colleges care about and potentially thats an extra rec letter on your application.
Language is a bit more problematic, but again, if you pick it up your senior year, you should be ok.
In terms of environmental study -- check out the Woods Hole Oceonagraphic Institute. I believe they have summer programs for high school students.

NYCKevin

Thanks. I'm definitely applying for LACs, particularly Swarthmore, Bowdoin, and Bates. Ivys and Top 50 schools too. Only one state school.

It's going to be difficult convincing my school though, because the school district I'm in (the NYC dept of ed) has established *very* strict guidelines for when to accept credit from outside progams. I would be seen as a transfer student.

I'm worried that if I do attend Mountain, I'll have just seven or eight APs under my belt-- when all the other applicants from my school have around ten or eleven. Will I look less competitive?

mhmm

Depends on how your counsellor with write up the profile.
I know that both Bowdoin and Bates will look at the Maine Sea Coast semester program as a plus.
So I imagine they view the Mountain School positively as well.
I do think this is a conversation you need to have with your parents and your school though to see what will and wont be allowed.