We are fully enrolled Spring '21
Our 2021 spring semester is currently fully enrolled. Students interested in the 2021 spring semester may apply to our waitlist and/or apply to one of our partner semester schools in the Semester Schools Network that is still accepting applications.
Please note that we have exhausted our financial aid resources for next year and can currently only consider waitlist candidates who are not applying for financial aid.
Applications for Fall '21 and Spring '22 are due February 15th, 2021
To apply for the HMI Semester:
- Complete our online application, including responses to the three essay questions listed below. Note: our online application platform is hosted on a secure, third-party site.
- Submit your current transcript, by having your high school email it to admissions@hminet.org. Your transcript should include your most recent fall semester/trimester grades.
- Solicit two teacher recommendations, with at least one coming from a current core academic teacher (humanities, math, etc.) The second may come from any current or past teacher, mentor, counselor, coach, etc. Please ask your teachers to visit www.hminet.org/teacherrec to fill out the form on your behalf. The “Application Status” box in your online application will notify you when we have received one or both of your recommendations.
- If applying for financial aid, please have your parent(s)/guardian(s) submit a complete financial aid application by February 15.
- There is no fee to apply to HMI, although there is a $51 fee to submit a financial aid application. This fee is automatically waived for families of a certain income level and below. If your application fee is not automatically waived, but you feel you cannot afford the expense at this time, please contact us for a fee waiver.
Application essay questions (answer all three):
You may choose to answer one of the three essays with a video recording of yourself. Click here for more information about this option.
1. What do you hope to gain from the HMI Semester?
400 word maximum
2. We believe every student brings a unique perspective that strengthens our community. What makes your perspective different from that of your peers?
400 word maximum
3. Which single extracurricular activity are you most passionate about and why? This is not necessarily the extracurricular to which you commit the most time. This can be something that takes place during the academic year and/or over the summer.
400 word maximum
Meet the Admissions Office
Ray McGaughey
Lupe Bobadilla
Admissions FAQ
The HMI Semester is open to high school juniors and seniors. Students apply as sophomores or juniors to attend for one semester of the following year. As with college admissions, students drive the HMI application process. The student must write their own application essays, solicit their own teacher recommendations, and have their school send us their current transcript.
The application deadline for fall 2020 / spring 2021 has passed. We are fully enrolled for both semesters, but accepting applications to the spring 2021 waitlist. We are no longer accepting applications to our waitlist for fall 2020.
Applying to the waitlist means you can be considered for acceptance should a spot open in one of the upcoming semesters. Only students who have submitted a complete application will be considered.
Please note that we have exhausted our financial aid resources for next year and can currently only consider waitlist candidates who are not applying for financial aid.
Applications for fall 2021 / spring 2022 are due by 11:59pm MDT on Monday, February 15, 2021.
It is not too early to start your application! Simply visit our application portal and create your account and begin.
Each year, we receive approximately twice as many applications as we have spots. Applications that stand out contain well-written essays that convey a strong interest in attending HMI. We do not require or prioritize previous outdoor experience in our admissions process. No previous hiking or skiing experience is necessary–just a openness to participating in our extended wilderness expeditions. While students with strong transcripts often score highly in our selection process, you do not have to be a straight-A student to attend HMI. We do our best to evaluate applicants holistically, taking into account teacher recommendations, personal essays, and the academic transcript.
For current tuition and financial aid information, visit our Tuition & Affordability page. Extensive need-based financial aid is available.
For a list of the cities and regions we will be visiting this year, visit our Admissions Presentations page. We hope to meet you at an admissions event, or for an informal conversation over coffee.
No, but we do encourage students to submit one of their essay responses in video format.
Admissions decisions will be sent via email on Monday, March 15, 2021 at 5:00pm MDT. Applicants will also be able to view their admissions decision by logging back into their online application portal.
Enrollment agreements are due back to HMI by Monday, April 5 for both the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 Semesters.
Admissions decisions often end up in applicants’ spam folders. If you still can’t find an email from us after checking your spam folder please let us know by emailing admissions@hminet.org.
Attend an admissions event in your region
HMI travels around the country each fall/winter visiting schools and hosting evening presentations for prospective students and their families. We also offer online information sessions open to all interested students and families. Visit our Admissions Presentation page for more details.