I may or may not be interested in semester schools (Chewonki, Mountain School, etc…). Does anyone know what affect this has on your college resume? Do colleges see this as a good thing or a bad thing? Thanks!
Three of my kids have attended a semester school (Conserve School, check it out, awesome opportunity if you are interested in conservation and stewardship). Two of those kids have applied to colleges. I can say without hestitation that it has been a benefit to the process. Colleges see that you have lived away from home, that you have put yourself out there to do something unusual, and that you have a special skill set from your experiences. Highly recommend!!
We had recommended another student to attend and he applied and was accepted. Later, he decided not to attend because he wouldn’t have been able to take AP US History. SO many students take APUSH, not so many go to a semester school. It will make you stand out as a student. More importantly, you will probably have the time of your life!!
You should never do something, in my opinion, simply to have something look good on your college resume.
That being said, and having a child who went to a semester school, I think it’s viewed as a good thing.
It shows that you have initiative, are willing to go outside your comfort zone and makes you a interesting candidate for college admissions. When the AO is looking at a stack of resumes, all identical with strong grades and APs scores and all that, a semester school experience provides something unique and interesting.
Applying for the semester schools is also good practice for college applications - you need letters of rec, transcripts, personal essays, etc.
Good Luck to You!