In writing her college essay, a recent alumna described Maine Coast Semester as an “intellectual Galapagos.” Although our campus is a 400-acre saltwater peninsula in northern New England instead of a tropical archipelago, the description struck me for its sophisticated depiction of our school, where growth and change mark the student experience.
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           Imagine a life lived with boldness, amid the rugged beauty of Maine. At Maine Coast Semester you will abandon the confines of the classroom – go beyond lectures and books and learn to read the world. Along the way you’ll connect with students from all walks of life and make great friends. Live adventurously as you explore the outdoors, get your hands dirty, challenge your mind and break free. Make a difference in your life and the world. WELCOME
Just as flora and fauna arrived on the Galapagos from lands far away, so do our students. In a typical year, we welcome students from fifty-two schools and twenty-one states. Selected on the basis of their intellectual energies, strength of character, and creativity, students arrive with a diversity of traits and backgrounds to face this challenging new environment. They must quickly learn to live as a small academic community, not unlike finches landing on uncharted islands. With an average class size of eight, high standards, and close working relationships with our talented faculty, students often feel the “intellectual spirit” of learning for its own sake and the confidence of living and working in a close-knit community. With an unusual breadth of resources, students can find a niche at Maine Coast Semester too. Recent pursuits include studying carbon dioxide emissions trading, building a solar iPod charger, volunteering in our non-releasable wildlife facility, and making mozzarella cheese from our own farm milk. However, in contrast to the famous finches, our students must depart their “intellectual Galapagos” after four months. When they do, we hope they leave with a strengthened ownership for their education, an awareness of their place in nature, and an understanding that they can make a positive difference in their world. I hope that you or someone you know will apply. Life is never the same for those who join us. Willard Morgan
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"I’m taking all the classes I would be taking at home, and I’m working just as hard, but the atmosphere is different. I call my teachers by their first names and, because the community is so small, know them outside the context of the classroom. The emphasis here is not on grades, but on learning."
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