| Application deadline | Unconfirmed — check official site | February 1, 2027 (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Cost | Catalog terms: $3,095–$9,540; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Free attendance; check separate expenses (2027 cycle) | $10,200 (2027 cycle) |
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| Financial aid | Catalog terms: Need-based tuition scholarship: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Limited and competitive; for admitted Summer College, College Prep and Academy students.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Need-based financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. About 40% of students receive aid; average award is 70% of tuition; awards include free or reduced-price gear rental and top packages include flights. (2027 cycle) |
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| Expenses and aid conditions | Catalog terms: Pre-college fee (credit programs): $780; Optional housing (credit programs): $2,542; Residential College Prep fee (College Prep seminars): $1,726; Application fee: $50. Non-refundable; waived for applications received by the early-bird deadline.; Need-based tuition scholarship: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Limited and competitive; for admitted Summer College, College Prep and Academy students.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | On-campus boarding: $0. Covered by program funders.; Food: $0. Covered by program funders. (2027 cycle) | Summer Term 2027 student account deposit: $500. Returned if unused.; Need-based financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. About 40% of students receive aid; average award is 70% of tuition; awards include free or reduced-price gear rental and top packages include flights.; Clarity financial aid application fee: $65. Only for aid applicants; automatically waived below a certain family income, or on request. (2027 cycle) |
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| Stipend or pay | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Eligibility | Grades 8–12 when applying; check the provider's rules for graduating seniors | Grades 10–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher | Grades 10–12 (provider uses rising grades) |
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| Additional eligibility | Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 8–12 when applying; Requirement: Good academic standing; Requirement: Minimum 2.0 GPA for the Academies; Requirement: Summer College open to current 10th-12th graders with at least a 3.0 GPA | Residency: Texas high school students; Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 10–11 when applying; Requirement: Students enrolled in summer school during the program dates cannot participate (full-time attendance required) | Ages 14–18; Requirement: Open to rising grades 10–12; Requirement: Willing to spend extended periods (10 days) outdoors in wilderness settings; no previous outdoor experience is required |
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| Session dates or duration | Catalog terms: 1–8 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Starts June 20, 2027; Ends June 25, 2027 (2027 cycle) | Starts June 27, 2027; Ends July 24, 2027; 4 weeks (2027 cycle) |
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| Format | In person / Online | In person | In person |
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| Housing and supervision | Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Location | Washington, DC | Austin, TX | Leadville, CO |
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| Selection and application | Application materials: Personal statement; Recommendation letter or School Official Reviewer Form | Selection: McCombs describes desired qualities but publishes no current applicant count, cohort size, acceptance rate, fixed GPA cutoff, identity quota, geographic quota, scoring rubric, interview process, or waitlist policy. Historical cohort figures must not be treated as a future guarantee. Application materials: Essay(s); One letter of recommendation | Selection: HMI describes a typical cohort of 12-20 students; it does not publish a current applicant count or acceptance rate. Application materials: Summer Term application with two essay questions; Two teacher recommendations (at least one from a core academic teacher); 15-30 minute interview with the admissions team |
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| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-10-24Source 5 · checked 2026-10-24Source 6 · checked 2026-10-24 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-08-20Source 3 · checked 2026-08-20 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-08-22Source 5 · checked 2026-08-22Source 6 · checked 2026-08-22 |
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