There is no application fee. There is no test requirement. There is no minimum GPA. What we ask, instead, is that you tell us in your own words why you want to study here — and that you submit a brief writing sample we can read to understand how you think.
Neponset practices what we call open but honest admissions. We do not screen for selectivity. If you hold a high school diploma or its equivalent — or can demonstrate equivalent preparation by other means — you may apply.
What we do screen for is fit and readiness. Our seminars are demanding. We will read your writing sample and your statement carefully, and if we have concerns, we will tell you so before admitting you, not afterward.
Decisions are rolling. Most applicants hear back within three weeks.
A short online form: name, contact information, prior education, and how you heard about Neponset. Five minutes, no payment required.
A 500–1,500 word piece of your own writing on a topic of your choosing. New or previously written, formal or informal — we want to read your thinking.
One page on what brought you here, what you hope to read or argue about, and what you would bring to a seminar room.
Confirmation of high school completion or equivalent. If your path was unconventional, you may petition with alternative evidence of preparation.
Yes. Tuition is $0 for all admitted students, and our charter forbids charging tuition in the future. We do not bill for courses, fees, or registration. There is no application fee.
We do not, at present, offer financial aid for living expenses, books, or other costs of life — because we do not collect tuition to redistribute. Students are responsible for their own living arrangements.
The honest answer is: yes, the education is real, but the credential is not — yet. Our seminars are taught by working scholars and practitioners; the reading is rigorous; the assessments are graded. What we cannot offer at this time is a degree recognized by the Commonwealth or by accrediting bodies. We are pursuing both, and we will say so clearly when our status changes.
Probably not, at this time. Transfer credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution, and most accredited institutions will not accept credit from an unaccredited program. If transferability is critical to you, we would gently suggest that Neponset is not yet the right fit — and we will tell you so directly during admissions.
Our founding faculty are scholars, retired professors, and practitioners who believe — as we do — that serious instruction does not need to be tied to a payroll. They volunteer because they want to teach the way they wish they could have been taught. Faculty appointments are reviewed by our faculty senate; volunteer status is governed by our policies on labor classification.
Honestly, the kind of student who is annoyed by this question. People who want to read difficult things, argue carefully, and write with seriousness — and who are not in a hurry to be credentialed — tend to do well. People who need a degree on a timeline tend not to.
Once we are operating in physical space, we will host open seminars and information sessions. For now, we are happy to schedule conversations by video. Email hello@neponset.edu with a few times that work for you.
The form takes about five minutes. You can save and return to it. We will follow up within three weeks with next steps.