<p>Thinking about perhaps studying away for a semester junior year. I am currently a sophomore, and I want to know from other people how semester away programs are viewed. I am purely interested in doing one for my own growth (so I’ve heard from peers, it’s a great thing to do), but, does it even help for college? Some places I have researched include: The Island School, Rocky Mountain Semester and The Mountain School. Obviously, the websites are all biased. Any knowledge on these?</p>
<p>my son attended Rocky Mountain Semester – fantastic experience, he said it was life changing. The academics are top-notch. Applications are due march 1st, so you want to get moving on it.</p>
<p>We did the research on all three you mentioned – Rocky Mountain Semester was by far the best (talked to kids, parents, admin, etc).</p>
<p>I will tell you that it is always remarked on when people read his resume – and I understand that colleges look highly upon it too.</p>
<p>let me know if you want other details.</p>
<p>Great. I’d love to ask some questions -
Why did you see the CO program as the best? How was the transition academically to his home school? What is the student body like – affluent prep schoolers? How are the teachers?
Thanks so much</p>
<p>Junior year is the most important year in high school, do you think doing these programs will harm your chance in the college admission process?</p>
<p>these programs are only offered to high school juniors – and they are specifically designed to increase your chances at entering a top college, not decrease it.</p>
<p>At Rocky Mountain Semester they have college counselors from several boarding schools meet with the kids during the semester to go over colleges they are interested in, test scores needed, requirements, the time-line, etc.</p>
<p>They also do their very best to match up the curriculum – I know that Rocky Mountain semester offers math at whatever level you need, spanish or french at whatever level you are at, AP US History or History of the West (depending on whether you want to go the AP route) English of the Natural World (this is an advanced English elective – lots of analysis and writing) plus enviro science and ethics of the natural world. </p>
<p>The admin officers at Columbia and Harvard were both interested in Rocky Mountain Semester – and felt it was huge plus (akin to a study abroad).</p>
<p>I will post more later – I can’t recommend the experience enough.</p>
<p>Are Rocky Mountaim Semester and High Mountain Institute the same? My duaghter’s room mate just returned from HMI and loved, loved, loved it.</p>
<p>yes – high mountain institute is the name of the “school” and Rocky Mountain Semester is the name of the semester program (they offer summer programs and a apprenticeship program for college kids).</p>
<p>My son would agree with the loved, loved, loved it!</p>
<p>The teachers there are fantastic – as is the head (Molly). The food is great, the kids that go are great – everything about the program is worth doing it. It is life changing in the way that NOLS and Outward Bound are, but it isn’t all crammed into a 30 day trip – you have time to absorb things, digest them and act upon your new knowledge.</p>