<p>Is anyone applying to Deep Springs this year? I am. But I haven't really gotten to work on the essays. I have written first drafts for two of them, but the drafts are really bad. I'm hoping that I can whip them in to shape by the 15th (knock on wood).</p>
<p>i'm applying too. have a pretty good essay for number #1, but struggling with the others...especially number #2</p>
<p>can you guys explain why you guys wanna go to deep springs. im just interested in what type of ppl wanna go there/what the appeal is. not putting down the school at all..just interested in knowing the type of person deep springs is attracting</p>
<p>The three pillars: academics, labor, and self-governance.</p>
<p>Academics: Deep Springs has really intense academics, where I would be able to learn in an intimate setting, with accessible professors.</p>
<p>Labor: There is a major hypocrisy in most higher education. At many colleges, the students are taught about social justice and civil equality, but outside the classroom there is a huge inequality: most of the students are white, upper-middle class, while most of the laborers (cafeteria workers, custodians, maintenance, etc.) are underpaid, uneducated, minorities. Deep Springs does not allow for this inequality.</p>
<p>Self Governance: I was class president at my school for three years, and I was given no power; the only thing I could do was fundraise for prom. At Deep Springs, the students actually have a say (a huge say) in what happens at the college. Also, I was part of a small learning community at my high school called the Civics & Government Institute, where I was able to take part in a model government. Since then, I have been fascinated with government, and the notion that I could actually be a part of an (almost) autonomous student body is wonderful.</p>
<p>Also, I am intrigued by the Deep Springs community. Everyone has to carry their weight or the community fails. If the student in charge of milking the cows doesn't wake up, no one will have milk. If a student doesn't do his homework for a class, then the whole class is affected. I would love to be given the chance to take part in such a community.</p>
<p>But, there are a couple down sides: only 26 guys, and NO GIRLS! But I think the monastic life could be endurable for two years.</p>
<p>Also, I am not sure that I could get in. My SAT scores are a little low, and it is extremely competitive. We'll see if I get past round one (knock on wood) ...</p>
<p>sufjanfan, what attracts you to Deep Springs?</p>
<p>Sorry for taking so long to respond. I've been criss-crossing Virginia the past few days, working my heart out for McCain-Palin. Can't wait till Nov. 5th so I can finally relax...</p>
<p>Deep Springs reminds me of one of my favorite books of all time: "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli. The story is set in the desert of Mica, Arizona. Basically this eccentric, nonconformist girl arrives as a new student at Mica High School, and she has to really struggle to, you know, find her place in the maze of cliques that dominates the typical American high school. </p>
<p>It's funny, because the way she finally wins everyone's hearts is by entering the school's Speech contest and giving a prize-winning speech about the way she sees the world and why she acts the way she does...that's like how Deep Springers all take Public Speaking and make speeches in front of the community every Tuesday night. </p>
<p>And then the story finally ends at the Mica High School prom, held at this upscale country club. The girl arrives, and she's the most beautiful one there, and she leads the entire school in a line dance--the bunnyhop--and they're just hop-hop-hopping away all around the tennis courts and the pools and the golf course and what-have-you. They're all smiling and laughing together, and they're having so much fun that nobody even remembers who is in this clique or that group anymore. They're all just one community of friends.</p>
<p>Finally, at an opportune moment when everyone's so engaged in the dance that they lose awareness of their surroundings, the girl quietly breaks off from the line and hops off into the desert night forever, never to be seen again. Deep Springs has a parallel to this part of the story as well...you know, the boojies, the crazy outdoor dances that the students have at night when they need to let off some steam. </p>
<p>I read this book, in like late elem. school or early middle school; I don't remember. All I know is that I was really hoping that high school would be like Mica High at the end of the book, a place where we can learn from each other's quirks instead of mocking and shunning people for their weirdnesses. My high school has turned out to be a disappointment, overwhelmed by raging cliques. Luckily, I feel like in Deep Springs, I've finally found a great approximation of the "Stargirl" mentality. It seems like here the students learn from each other equally as much as they learn from their professors, if not more.</p>
<p>A question that I often encounter regarding Deep Springs College is whether or not it is largely a community of gay scholars. I don't know the answer. A conservative educational publication (Choosing The Right College) published four or five years ago strongly hinted that this was the case, but the most recent issue or issues has been greatly toned down. What is your understanding?</p>
<p>Idk...could be true...it's my impression that most Deep Springers are straight, but I mean I'm gay so that shoots my theory right down the drain haha</p>
<p>Coldwind, watch the video at College</a> on the Range - CaliforniaConnected.org about Deep Springs.</p>
<p>Although it's a little out dated (it was made in 2004), I think it gives you a good feeling about the college.</p>
<p>Sufjanfan, I read Stargirl in middle school too. While it has always been a memorable book for me, I never drew the comparison between it and Deep Springs.</p>
<p>I think it's really cool that Deep Springs draws, from what I can tell, a diverse applicant pool: I support Obama, you support McCain; from what I gather you're a southerner, while I am from New Jersey; you're gay, I'm straight, and I am sure there are a bunch of other major differences. But there are a lot of similarities too, we are obviously both looking for a unique college experience, a place that is intellectually stimulating, and a place that allows us to do things we have never done (like to work on a farm, or to run a college).</p>
<p>Anyway, good luck with your application!</p>
<p>Thanks, I wish you good luck too. Hopefully we'll both end up at Deep Springs this summer! </p>
<p>Can I also ask, out of curiosity, what other colleges you've been looking at? I'm curious to see what kinds of other places appeal to prospective DSers.</p>
<p>sufjanfan where else are you looking for college. im interested too</p>
<p>Sure.</p>
<p>Right now I have a list of 13 schools that I am going to narrow down to 8 or 9 schools:</p>
<p>(they are grouped by selectivity, 1-2 are selective, 3-6 are very selective, and 7-13 are highly selective)</p>
<ol>
<li> Rutgers </li>
<li><p>Earlham </p></li>
<li><p>Macalester</p></li>
<li><p>Connecticut College</p></li>
<li><p>Bard</p></li>
<li><p>University of Chicago</p></li>
<li><p>Columbia University</p></li>
<li><p>Brown University</p></li>
<li><p>Deep Springs </p></li>
<li><p>Pomona </p></li>
<li><p>Carleton</p></li>
<li><p>Haverford</p></li>
<li><p>Swarthmore</p></li>
</ol>
<p>After Deep Springs, I guess my top choices would be UChicago, Swarthmore, Brown, and Pomona. I might also apply to Stanford. But as I said before, my SATs are not as competitive as I would like (superscore: Cr 710, M 750, W 670; 2130), the average DS scores are in the mid to upper 700s.</p>
<p>What other schools are you looking at?</p>
<p>But I guess statistics can be misleading when the whole school has only 26 kids.</p>
<p>Wow, we're pretty similar in SAT scores. I have a 2110 (CR: 680, M: 710, W: 720).</p>
<p>I'm looking for a small liberal arts school where I stand a decent chance of getting a merit scholarship.</p>
<p>Roughly in order of preference:
1. St. John's College
2. Bard College
3. Whitman College
4. Hamilton College
5. Davidson College
6. University of the South
7. St. Lawrence University</p>
<p>I watched the video and am wondering whether it is a two year school for 24 months or two academic years with summer breaks. Does anyone know?</p>
<p>yeah, we are. Nice list.</p>
<p>from the Deep Springs website:</p>
<p>Term 1: July 3 - August 21
Students Arrive for Orientation: July 3 by 6 pm
Classes Begin: July 7</p>
<p>Break: August 22 - September 2</p>
<p>Term 2: September 3 - October 22</p>
<p>Break: October 23 - 30</p>
<p>Term 3: October 31 - December 18</p>
<p>Break: December 19 - January 8</p>
<p>Term 4: January 9 - February 26</p>
<p>Break: February 27 - March 9</p>
<p>Term 5: March 10 - April 27</p>
<p>Break: April 28 - May 11</p>
<p>Term 6: May 12 - June 25
Classes end: June 25
Graduation for DS07: June 27</p>
<p>Break: June 28 - July 3</p>
<p>I believe that each student has to attend 11 of the 12 terms at Deep Springs. The terms that can be missed are either the 6th term of your first year, or the 1st term of your second year.</p>
<p>heaven on earth</p>