<p>Posting for a friend here, whose S spent a gap year abroad in a semi academic program, in a county where the family has dual citizenship. After the gap, S returned, had some needed surgery last year, rather than going to the school intended for his return, and then spent the winter months working in a ski resort. He has decided to return to the other country for college, applied for a program, but has still not heard definitively whether he was accepted. The wait is making him quite anxious, but in the style of many 19/20 year olds, is not doing well with his future being undefined, yet is not willing to let go of this dream enough to plan an alternative. My friend would like to help him develop a ‘Plan B’, which would probably be a college in this country. If there is a need for ‘Plan B’ it would suddenly become imperative in the next few weeks. </p>
<p>His interests include outdoor education, and folkschool type programming. He has a few credits with top grades from his gap year, fluency in a second minor language. HS GPA 3.2, ACT mid 20s, competitive swimmer. He feels he needs a structured program, one with a socially cohesive campus. </p>
<p>So, any ideas on outdoor, yet structured schools still accepting applications?</p>
<p>Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, part of the UMASS system, is still accepting applications for the fall. I’m not sure about their outdoor education program, but it’s in a beautiful part of Massachusetts (near the NY and Vermont borders) and seems to have somewhat of an “alternative” feel</p>
<p>I believe The Evergreen State College is still accepting applications for fall. It sounds like it may be just what the youngster is after. [The</a> Evergreen State College - a public, liberal arts & sciences college in the Pacific Northwest](<a href=“http://www.evergreen.edu/]The”>http://www.evergreen.edu/)</p>
<p>Evergreen and “structured” and “socially cohesive” in the same sentence? I thought Evergreen was very into designing one’s own major and was very diverse on many planes.</p>
<p>Dragon mom, I don’t know that much about it, aside from the popularity with outdoor sorts of folks, which this guy certainly is. After looking at the website, well, maybe not enough structure, but they can decide for themselves. </p>
<p>However, my D could get her M in Teaching there, so might be a valuable look for me personally.</p>
<p>Another gap year with some NOLS programs and then St Johns? I am just trying to think outside the box. Another great outdoors type school is Northwrn Arizona. Their website says he could still apply for next spring, but then that brings up the socially cohesive thing…no freshman class bonding thing.</p>
<p>Last year College of Idaho was calling and calling and calling…</p>
<p>and they are still on the space available list from NACAC and I like Northern Michigan very much. I like Western State College of Colorado alittle better than Mesa and they are still showoing on the list. All of these are outdoor schools in neat locations. NMU and Western both have education.</p>