What happens when nature and minds meet?
Students come to HMI for life-changing experiences during a semester or summer of high school, or for a semester of a gap year. From our campus high in the Rocky Mountains to the wilds of Patagonia, our students travel into the wilderness and foster communities of shared responsibility, creating the foundation for rigorous intellectual experiences.
Whether you’re applying for our Semester, Summer, or Gap program, our application process is designed to empower students. Ready to become a Fighting Pika? (Yes, that is really our mascot.) Let’s go!
Our online application platform for all programs (Semester, Summer, Gap) is hosted on a secure, third-party site. Once you submit your initial information, you can then log back into the portal to access your Admissions Checklist.
We believe all qualified students should have access to the unique educational opportunities at HMI. We seek to meet the full demonstrated need of every accepted student, using a third-party platform (Clarity) to process applications.
Apply for an HMI Semester
Are you ready for the best semester of high school?
Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 applications are now open. Apply by March 15.
The admissions team is here to help. Start an application or complete our inquiry form and a member of the team will reach out with more information within 24 hours.
What do I need to apply to the HMI Semester?
- Complete our online Semester application, including responses to both essay questions listed below. Note: our online application platform is hosted on a secure, third-party site. Once you submit your initial information, you can then log back into the portal to access your Admissions Checklist.
- Submit your current transcript. You can submit a request through our admissions portal. Your transcript should include your most recent fall semester/trimester grades.
- Solicit two teacher recommendations, with at least one coming from a core academic teacher (humanities, math, etc.) who taught you this year or last. The second may come from any current or past teacher, mentor, counselor, coach, etc. Recommendations must come through the application portal.
- Book your conversation with the admissions team. All applicants will schedule a 15-30 minute meeting with a member of the admissions team. We make sure to build in time for students to ask questions they have about HMI!
Application Essay Questions
All essays have a 250-word maximum.
- If someone asked you to give a 30-minute presentation on anything, what would you talk about?
- We believe every student brings a unique perspective that strengthens our community. What makes your perspective different from that of your peers?
HMI Semester Admissions FAQ
The HMI Semester is open to high school juniors and seniors (ages 15-18). 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.
We typically receive about 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 an 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.
Yes, HMI welcomes and accepts international students. HMI is approved by the U.S. State Department to obtain temporary F1 student visas for international students. International financial aid may be available on a case-by-case basis. For specific questions about the international student application process, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@hminet.org or (719) 486-8200, x1.
For current tuition and financial aid information, visit our Tuition & Affordability page. Extensive need-based financial aid is available.
For upcoming program dates, visit our Tuition & Affordability page.
For our admissions travel calendar, visit the Admissions Presentations page.
Yes! All students will schedule a 15-30 minute interview with a member of the admissions team. We build in time for applicants to ask the questions they have about HMI.
Students who applied by February 15 will receive their admissions decision via email by March 15.
Students who apply by March 15 will receive their admissions decision via email by April 2.
Applicants will also be able to view their admissions decision by logging back into their online application portal.
Enrollment agreements will be due back to HMI in early April for both the Fall and Spring Semesters (specific date will be included in the application decision communication).
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.
Apply to the HMI Summer Term
- Complete our online Summer Term application, including responses to the two essay questions listed below. Note: our online application platform is hosted on a secure, third-party site.
- Submit your current transcript through our online application platform. Your transcript should include your most recent fall semester/trimester grades. Please do not submit your transcript to us directly, but instead ask someone at your school to email it so us.
- Solicit at least one recommendation from a current or past teacher, mentor, counselor, coach, etc.
- Book a time to connect with the HMI Admissions Team. This 15 – 30 minute call gives the admissions team time to get a better sense of what you’re hoping to bring to HMI, and answer any questions you have about the program.
Summer Term Essay Questions
Essays have a 250 word maximum
- We believe every student brings a unique perspective that strengthens our community. What makes your perspective different from that of your peers?
- If someone asked you to give a 30-minute presentation on anything, what would you talk about?
HMI Summer Term Admissions FAQ
We have limited space for our 2026 Summer Term cohort; applications submitted after February 15 are now being considered on a rolling basis.
To apply, visit the online portal to create your account and begin. Starting an application only takes five minutes.
For current tuition and financial aid information, visit our Tuition & Affordability page. Extensive need-based financial aid is available.
Please visit our Admissions Presentations page for more information about HMI admissions travel and webinars.
Yes. During the application process, you will be asked to book a time to meet with a member of the team. This conversation is designed to help the admissions team get to know you, as well as answer any questions you have about the program. We don’t want the interview to cause any stress.
Students who applied by January 15 will receive their admissions decisions via email by February 15.
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 within three weeks of acceptance.
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.
Apply to HMI Gap
Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 applications are open and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. A complete application will include the following:
- A complete online Gap application. You will have the option to begin your application and return to it at any point until you are ready to submit. You will receive a confirmation email from the admissions office at HMI when your application is completed. Note: our online application platform is hosted on a secure, third-party site.
- Book a time to connect with the HMI Admissions Team. This 15 – 30 minute call gives the admissions team time to get a better sense of what you’re hoping to bring to HMI, and answer any questions you have about the program.
HMI Gap Admissions FAQ
HMI Gap students are looking to discover more about themselves and the world around them, while thinking critically to address real-world problems. Our outdoor curriculum is designed to go into great depth to develop your technical skills, judgment, and experience in a variety of settings. While no experience is necessary, you should have a strong interest in being in remote and field-based environments. We interact with many different organizations and individuals throughout our journey. We ask that students be prepared to be respectful, professional, and open to differing opinions and worldviews.
HMI Gap semesters are for high-school graduates and current college students.
For current tuition and financial aid information, visit our Tuition and Affordability page.
Financial aid for HMI Gap is competitive. For priority consideration, please submit your financial aid application 4-6 months before the start of the program.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply early, as space is limited.
You can view our admissions travel schedule on our Connect With Admissions page. We hope to meet virtually, at a Gap Fair, an admissions event, or for an informal conversation over coffee.
International students can participate in HMI Gap depending on visa availability and requirements. International student financial aid may be available on a case-by-case basis. Per our financial aid policy, international students are not eligible for free flights as part of their financial aid awards.
Contact the Admissions Office
Jill Gardiner
Jill returned to HMI in 2021 almost exactly ten years after her time as a Semester 26 student. While she’s bounced around from coast to coast (Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Oregon, California), she’s thrilled life brought her back to Colorado. After getting a degree in economics from Boston University, she worked at a tech nonprofit in the Bay Area before re-joining the HMI community. She firmly believes in greeting any body of water she meets (no matter how cold!), still hopes that her dog Arlo will become a trail-running buddy, and will happily talk to you about spreadsheets for hours.
Jill returned to HMI in 2021 almost exactly ten years...
Jill Gardiner
Director of Admissions & Financial Aid
Li Platz
Li grew up in Lander, Wyoming, before heading to Massachusetts, where she received a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Williams College and explored the Berkshires on foot and bike. After graduation, she taught at a women’s university in Bangladesh before returning to the Mountain West to join the HMI admissions team. When not on the road, she can be found trail running, Nordic skiing, painting, or hosting dinners with friends.
Li grew up in Lander, Wyoming, before heading to Massachusetts,...
Li Platz
Admissions Associate
Lindsey Geer
Lindsey grew up in Atlanta, Georgia before attending Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. At Dartmouth, Lindsey studied psychology and education, and was the Director of Dartmouth’s First-Year Trips outdoor orientation program, spending lots of time exploring the White Mountains with friends! In her free time, you’ll find her hiking, reading, baking, playing cards, or contemplating getting a dog.
Lindsey grew up in Atlanta, Georgia before attending Dartmouth College...
Lindsey Geer
Admissions Associate
By email: admissions@hminet.org
By phone: (719) 486-8200 x 1
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Non-Discriminatory Statement
HMI admits students and employs faculty and staff of any gender, race, color, religion, disability-status, sexual preference, national and ethnic origin, and accords them all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students, faculty and staff of the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, sexual preference, national and ethnic origin or disability status in administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletics, and other school administered programs.