| Application deadline | February 1, 2027 (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Cost | Free attendance; check separate expenses (2027 cycle) | $10,200 (2027 cycle) | Last year's cycle (2026): $3,200; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Financial aid | 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) | Last year's cycle (2026): Limited need-based financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. For families with income (AGI) under $80,000; decided by the program director.; $200 tuition reductions (early application, Legacy Scholarship, siblings, returning students): $200; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Expenses and aid conditions | 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) | Last year's cycle (2026): Deposit to secure a place after admission: $300. Non-refundable.; Limited need-based financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. For families with income (AGI) under $80,000; decided by the program director.; $200 tuition reductions (early application, Legacy Scholarship, siblings, returning students): $200; Optional bedding fee: $50. Instead of bringing XL twin linens.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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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 10–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher | Grades 10–12 (provider uses rising grades) | Grades 10–12 (provider uses rising grades) |
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| Additional eligibility | 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 | Requirement: Open to rising grades 10–12; Requirement: Live in the College dormitories for the whole program (exceptions only for approved special needs) |
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| Session dates or duration | Starts June 20, 2027; Ends June 25, 2027 (2027 cycle) | Starts June 27, 2027; Ends July 24, 2027; 4 weeks (2027 cycle) | Starts June 12, 2027; Ends June 25, 2027; 2 weeks (2027 cycle) |
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| Format | In person | In person | In person |
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| Housing and supervision | Residential. Supervision and housing details: 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 | Austin, TX | Leadville, CO | Memphis, TN |
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| Selection and application | 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 | Selection: Rolling application review with course and residential capacity limits; no current acceptance rate, rubric, or 2027 capacity is published. |
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| Official sources | 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 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24 |
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