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I am fascinated by this opinion piece. I've never heard of this little college. Does anyone have experience to share?
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Founded in 1917 by the business magnate LL Nunn, Deep Springs might be the country’s most selective college and it is certainly the smallest, admitting just 12 to 15 students a year. The entire student body fits into three Chevy Suburbans.
At this private two-year college, where most students transfer to top schools upon graduation, we are also expected to look after a fully operational ranch and about 300 head of cattle. Students live on site and do much of the necessary manual labour, from shoeing horses to delivering calves. We also clean, garden, butcher, mend fences, milk the dairy cows, feed the animals, maintain the farm vehicles, cook for the entire college (twice a day, every day) and wash all the dishes...
Every Tuesday night...six or seven students take their turn at a podium to give an intensely personal, moving, funny speech as part of a mandatory class in public speaking. Students look forward to the annual spring holiday called Shakespeare Week when we read, discuss and perform the Bard’s plays for 72 hours straight. Last year I directed a production of Antony and Cleopatra, and this year I’m doing Hamlet.
We also read long, puzzling books, pen in hand. Each semester’s classes are wildly diverse and intensely challenging. Recent offerings include: black holes and special relativity, Heidegger’s history of philosophy, abstract algebra, horsemanship, public speaking, welding, Maimonides’s Guide for the Perplexed and the art of the gun. Most of them require at least six hours of reading per session, and showing up without having done the reading is unheard of. Even practiced readers are forced to rapidly expand their attentive capacity. Reading, and only reading, for hours and hours — this is our bread and butter.
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‘I study at an exclusive US college. We can’t drink, use wi-fi or leave during term’
www.thetimes.com
Hidden deep in the California desert is a university where internet is banned and students are taught the meaning of life. Ruby LaRocca reveals why she loves it5 hours ago
Yep. My high school boyfriend attended. It's a very intense place, but he had an amazing experience there. Very intellectual. At least back in the day, students helped choose the professors and they were chosen partially based on interests of the current group. They also had a say in admissions because they wanted students who would fit into the community well. I know he was in favor of the shift to co-ed though it was still all male when he was there. The alum network is incredibly strong.
I learned about it when I was in high school, nearly 50 years ago, and thought about applying, but didn't for a variety of reasons. But I have followed it ever since, and I've met a few alumni. I should add that it is an intensely secular school in many ways. The few alumni I've met are very smart, curious but skeptical about religion, interesting in many ways. Given the size of the school (25 or so students and only for 2 years), it has produced an outsized number of MacArthur Fellows, Rhodes Scholars, etc.
Interesting. We examined the route of sending our 3 to (more) sequestered institutions like Christian colleges, but they decided to attend state schools and live at home. Daughter is at VCU and son is going to UVA in the fall.
I wanted to apply, but it used to be only for men. So, reading this is interesting.
Yes, I've heard of it. I think it is a tragedy that it went co-ed.
I've seen job ads for teaching at this school - once my kids are grown, it would be amazing, I think!
Yes, and the students aid in faculty selection. A pretty great experience all around for the right student.
Sounds a whole lot like a ranch homeschool lol
60 minutes did a segment on Deep Springs College: youtu.be/6MxqQGPc1gc?si=L5SnkE7TNs_JlLjz
I remember reading an article about this place maybe 15 years ago and felt the same way...SO intrigued!!! It sounds like such a unique and amazing place, and I'd love to know what the alumni are doing today.. inspiring article!
Yes, my husband, in his endless search for affordable college options, found it. There are a few things that are "unusual" like naked parties but it definitely would be a good fit for some. As article says, many graduates end up going to prestigious universities afterwards and having a prominent careers.
Back in the 90’s, when we were researching colleges, my dad found this place and was utterly fascinated by it.
Except for the reading, it sounds like the kind of place they used to send troubled teens.
Two of my classmates went there, which is remarkable since it is such a small school. It would have been my top school, but at that time it was for men only. I'm glad it went co-ed now. All students go on full scholarships, too!
I saw a 60 Minutes piece on this school several years ago — it is fascinating.
I remember coming across this school years ago. I don’t remember the reason why I came across it though. It sound intriguing that’s for sure.
One of my state senators went there. That's how I first heard of this school.
I’ve heard of them! In my youth it was men-only.
No, but thanks for sharing this. Kind of sounds like our homeschool, actually......
It's giving me cult vibes.
No! But wow....
I have heard of it, and I love the concept!
The not being allowed to leave during term gave me pause…..
Sounds like my homeschool co-op!
Gosh. Can I go? I already have a bachelor's and master's degree, but this two years seems like the education I missed!
