Farm Schools Cost $40K: Students Learn to Raise Pigs and Harvest Corn for College Admissions
Students pay $40K to learn farming, escape screens, and boost college applications with hands-on experience.
POLICY WIRE — New York, USA — High school students are trading summer camps for farm life, as families invest thousands of dollars in agricultural programs designed to set their children apart in the competitive college admissions process.
At Vermont’s Mountain School of Milton Academy, students spend a semester immersed in farm work, including mucking out pigs, harvesting crops, and chopping wood. The program, which costs nearly $40,000, combines traditional academics with hands-on learning and enforces a strict no-tech policy. Participants also take part in wilderness trips and community activities that emphasize sustainability and real-world skills.
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Some students, like Max Sherman, find the experience enjoyable, while others, like Cassie Scott, appreciate the connection to nature. Meanwhile, programs such as Olney Friends School in Ohio integrate farm work into science curricula, teaching students about biology, chemistry, and environmental science through practical tasks. Experts like Stephen Turban argue that these programs can enhance college applications by demonstrating initiative, research skills, and real-world problem-solving abilities. However, some admissions consultants caution that expensive, non-academic experiences may not always benefit applicants.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
