Deep Springs College — Bachelor's Scholarship

Deep Springs College is an accredited two-year liberal arts college of 24–30 students, set on a cattle ranch and alfalfa farm in the high desert of eastern California.

Students pair small discussion-based classes with at least 20 hours of labor a week and run much of the college themselves, including admissions. Applications for the class arriving in July 2027 are open now.

Benefits & funding

A full scholarship for tuition, room and board, valued at over US$50,000, goes to every admitted student regardless of need or country of origin.
Students pay a small damage deposit, books, travel, medical insurance and incidentals; with demonstrated need these can be covered too.
Two years of year-round study, with periodic breaks and one seven-week term off.

Eligibility

Open to every nationality, gender and race, including DACA recipients.
You must not be over 23 at the application deadline.
Holders of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent cannot apply; transfer students without one can, and enter as first-years.
If you did not attend an English-speaking secondary school or college, you must prove English with TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo or an equivalent exam: the FAQ recommends TOEFL 98+, IELTS 7+ or Duolingo 130+, while the application form asks for TOEFL 100+ or IELTS above 6.5.

Can you apply?

Here's who can apply

Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.

Education required
High School · Bachelor Enrolled
Age requirement
≤ 23 yrs

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Application process

1
Submit the online first-round application by 1 November 2026 (essays, activities, a reading list, unofficial transcripts); there is no fee and test scores are optional.
2
If you advance, send further essays (due 10 January 2027), recommendation letters and official transcripts.
3
Spend 3–4 days on campus laboring, sitting in on classes and interviewing with a mostly student committee (virtual interviews possible); travel support is available on need.

Program timeline

First-round deadline
1 November 2026
First-round results
19 December 2026
Second-round interviews
January–February 2027
Final decisions
1 April 2027
New class arrives
2 July 2027