ASPIRE Application, Admission and Program Costs
Application Requirements
- Applicants must be rising 10th or 11th graders.
- Domestic and international students may apply; students must be able to participate fully in coursework conducted in English.
- ASPIRE is a fully residential program; commuting is not permitted.
- Applicants are required to attend all class meetings and activities beginning Sunday, July 12, 2026; late arrivals cannot be accommodated.
- A non-refundable $25 application fee is required.
- 300–500 word response (prompt available in the application portal).
- Transcript (unofficial or web printout accepted).
Admission Process
Priority deadline to apply is March 15, 2026. Rolling admission continues until program is full. For priority applicants, students will be notified by mid-April. Rolling applicants will be notified within 2–3 week of completed application. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance to the program by email. The notification will be sent to the email address provided during the online registration. Be sure to use an email address that is checked frequently.
Program Costs and Fees
- Non-refundable Application Fee: $25
- Enrollment Deposit (Non-refundable):
- $500 due within 10 days of admission decision
- Latest possible date: May 8, 2026
- Remaining Balance ($5,000): Due May 30, 2026
- Total Program Costs: $5,500
Includes orientation, guest speakers, college readiness counseling, instruction, course materials, transportation to field trips and company site visits, lodging, all meals, evening activities, weekend excursions, closing events, and roundtrip airport transportation.
Students are required to pay the full cost of the program by May 30, 2026.
If a student fails to pay the full program cost by May 30, their spot will be offered to another student, and the $500 deposit will be forfeited.
Cancellation and Refunds
All cancellation requests must be made in writing to aspire@hmc.edu by June 12, 2026. There are no refunds after June 12, 2026 (all payments final). Application fee and enrollment deposit are nonrefundable. HMC will not refund program costs, or any other program fees for students dismissed from the program or unable to enter the country due to an improper visa.
- Cancellations made between May 31, 2026 and June 6, 2026 will result in a 50% refund.
- Cancellations made between June 7, 2026 and June 12, 2026 will result in a 25% refund.
- Cancellations made after June 12 will result in no refund (as staffing, housing, meals, and materials have already been secured).