High Mountain Institute
HMI Summer Term
Four-week residential academics, leadership, and backpacking program in Colorado; the 2027 application is expected in September but exact dates and price are unannounced.
- Application deadline
- Unconfirmed — check official site
- Cost
- Last year's cycle (2026): $9,900; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
- Session dates or duration
- Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 28, 2026; Ends July 25, 2026; 4 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
- Format
- In person
- Location
- Leadville, High Mountain Institute campus and Colorado/Utah backcountry
- Stipend or pay
- Unconfirmed — check official site
Eligibility: Grades 10–12; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site
Ages 14–18; Be a rising 10th, 11th, or 12th grader and age 14-18 for the applicable cycle; Be prepared for a residential program at 10,000 feet and extended backpacking expeditions
Housing: Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site
Selection: HMI describes a typical cohort of 12-20 students; it does not publish a current applicant count or acceptance rate.
Read aid terms and conditions
Last year's cycle (2026): Need-based financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. About 40% received aid in the published cycle; average award was 70% of tuition, and aid included discounted or free gear rental, with top packages potentially covering flights.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
All requirements, expenses and sources
Expenses and aid conditions: Last year's cycle (2026): 2026 student-account deposit: $500. Returned to the family if unused; separate enrollment deposit details were not quantified on the official pages.; Travel to and from Colorado: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Flights were not included in tuition, although the largest need-based aid packages could cover them.; Need-based financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. About 40% received aid in the published cycle; average award was 70% of tuition, and aid included discounted or free gear rental, with top packages potentially covering flights.; Clarity financial-aid application fee: $65. Applies to the aid application; automatic or inquiry-based fee waivers are available for eligible families.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site
Full eligibility requirements: Ages 14–18; Requirement: Be a rising 10th, 11th, or 12th grader and age 14-18 for the applicable cycle; Requirement: Be prepared for a residential program at 10,000 feet and extended backpacking expeditions; Requirement: Complete the required application, recommendations, transcript, and interview; Requirement: If accepted, complete health, physical, risk, release, enrollment, and payment requirements; Exclusion: Prior outdoor experience is not required; Exclusion: The official pages do not state a citizenship or Colorado-residency restriction; Exclusion: Program mental-health services are limited, and backcountry groups may lack timely outside support; families must evaluate fit with HMI
Selection and application: Selection: HMI describes a typical cohort of 12-20 students; it does not publish a current applicant count or acceptance rate. Application materials: Two approximately 250-word essays; Two teacher recommendations, including at least one from a core academic teacher, under the current central admissions page; Required 15-30 minute admissions interview
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Last source check . Official source