Alternate Study for Seniors

Alternate Study Program Information

Many seniors find the intellectual challenge of new electives in the spring to be an exciting way of completing their Deerfield careers. Others find an Alternate Study Project the most satisfying way to finish up their time at Deerfield.

Much of the attraction of the program lies in the initiative you, the student, must take in order to plan your project. Plans must be made early if the project is to succeed, and proposals must be submitted by January 14, 2013. Submitted proposals must bear the signature of your Faculty Advisor, College Advisor and Project Sponsor. Because a project may involve extra costs to your parents, it is vital that you discuss it with them prior to submitting the proposal.

• No one-year senior or postgraduate may apply for an off-campus project, nor may any senior who has a prior commitment to the Big Brother/Big Sister program.

• Also, potential Division I or  II college athletes must remain on campus to take English.

Proposal deadlines to be met:

• January 14, 2013 by 4:00 p.m.
  Typed proposal submitted to the Office of the Academic Dean with all  required signatures ~ yours, your faculty advisor, your project sponsor
• February 15, 2013 by 4:00 p.m.
  Notification from your parent(s) endorsing your project via mail, email, academics@deerfield.edu, or fax, (413) 772-1128

Additional Off-Campus proposal deadlines:

• February 15, 2013 by 4:00 p.m.
  A letter from your off-campus supervisor acknowledging his or her willingness to work with you on this project
• February 22, 2013 by 4:00 p.m.
  A review of your diploma requirements with the Registrar
  

The application form is available below. You may want to review this information with your parents over Christmas break. Please note that all costs of the program must be borne by you, and that you may not profit financially from the project either by earning wages or by selling a product. No car may be brought on campus.

Information to Keep in Mind

Generally, all three-term courses must be completed. Only rarely can other arrangements be made, and you should take this into account when putting together your intended project.

In order to take part in the program you need to have term- or course-end grades of 75% or above in all of your courses at the end of the winter term. In addition, you must not be on restrictions due to excess accountability points at the end of the term. Similarly, final proposals will not be be accepted in January if you have any mid-winter grades below 75%.

The Alternate Study Committee is the final arbiter in the process. Any questions you may have should be directed to one of the Committee members.

Some Previous Alternate Study ON-Campus Projects:

• Internship with local orthopedic surgeon
• Internship at Bement or Eaglebrook school
• Internship at Deerfield’s Planetarium
• Tutoring at Deerfield Elementary School
• Teaching French at Holy Trinity School
• Edit and publish a magazine

Some Previous Alternate Study OFF-Campus Projects:

• Internship with the American Red Cross
• Internship with landscaping service
• Internship in a public school system
• Internship at a hearing impaired school
• Congressional internship in Washington
• Internship at MASSPORT
• Internship at an attorney’s office
• Television internship

Alternate Study Project Guidelines:

Off-Campus Projects:
Any senior who has been at Deerfield for more than one year, and has met all of his or her diploma requirements, may opt for an off-campus project, assuming no prior commitment at Deerfield, such as the Big Brother/Big Sister program. Occasionally, special arrangements are made for students enrolled in AP courses. Off-campus projects take place entirely off campus.

On- Campus Projects:
On-campus projects generally take the place during two or three class periods per day. Projects may take place off-campus but you would continue to reside at Deerfield taking 3 or 4 academic courses.

Course Periods are made available for Alternate Study Projects according to the following sequence:

1. All two-term courses that end at the end of the winter term
2. Three- and four-year seniors may elect not to take a spring term English elective, though athletes planning to play Division I or Division II athletics at college must take English
3. To create a block of available time during a specific part of the day, students occasionally switch sections of the same subject
   
   • This option is suggested and orchestrated by the Registrar only

Recommendations for Framing Good Alternate Study Proposals:

Have you met the following criteria…..

• will you be serving the community?
• will you be learning a new craft or skill?
• will you learn this craft or skill from an expert?
• will you be supervised regularly by an adult in the community?
• will you be busy for 10-weeks during the proposed time?
• will your project require an average of 8 hours per week?
• is your application complete?

Please note, while on this project, you…..

• cannot raise money
• cannot earn money
  
• cannot put yourself in risky situations without adult supervision

 

ON-Campus Forms

On-Campus Proposal
Deadlines to Meet

OFF-Campus Forms

Off-Campus Proposal
Deadlines to Meet