Admissions Timeline & Process

Welcome and thank you for your interest in the Chesapeake Watershed Semester!

Our goal is for the The Chesapeake Watershed Semester application process to be highly personalized, so potential applicants and families may reach out to our CWS Program Director, Brad Hirsh, at any point during the process at bhirsh@gunston.org or at 410-758-0620 x. 5201

Application Process

The eighth cohort (CWS8) of the Chesapeake Watershed Semester is seeking motivated, engaged, and curious students who have a keen interest in expanding their worldview through real-world problem solving. A desire to explore the new and unknown are essential, and you will join other students and faculty to form a learning community during your time at the Chesapeake Watershed Semester. Admission is determined by a review by our admissions team of student essays, teacher recommendations, transcripts, and suitability for success in a small cohort program. 

  • Rising 11th and 12th grade students at Gunston are eligible to participate in the Chesapeake Watershed Semester.

    Important: acceptance to The Gunston School DOES NOT guarantee admission to the Chesapeake Watershed Semester. Similar to external applicants, candidates are evaluated on several criteria:

    1. authentic articulated interest in joining the Chesapeake Watershed Semester;

    2. the ability to navigate successfully in a small cohort model program;

    3. academic and extracurricular achievement;

    4. and the capacity to balance a rigorous academic and expeditionary learning program.

    Since Gunston has access to the academic records of all current Gunston students, it is not necessary for internal applicants to submit a transcript. However, all internal applicants admissions materials must include:

    1. The Chesapeake Watershed Semester Application Form

    2. An admissions essay that explains the applicant’s interest in joining the Chesapeake Watershed Semester

    3. One Letter of reference

    4. An admissions interview with the CWS Program Director

  • Rising 11th, 12th grade, and Gap Year/Postgraduate students at schools outside The Gunston School are eligible to participate in the Chesapeake Watershed Semester. Like Gunston students, external candidates are evaluated on several criteria:

    1. authentic articulated interest in joining the Chesapeake Watershed Semester;

    2. the ability to navigate successfully in a small cohort model program;

    3. academic and extracurricular achievement;

    4. a flexibility and openness to joining a new school community;

    5. and the capacity to balance a rigorous academic and expeditionary learning program.

    External applicants materials must include:

    1. The Chesapeake Watershed Semester Application Form

    2. An admissions essay that explains the applicant’s interest in joining the Chesapeake Watershed Semester

    3. Two Letters of Reference

    4. An official copy of a student’s transcript from their current/most recent school 

    5. An admissions interview with the CWS Program Director

    6. A tour of Gunston’s Campus with a candidate’s parent(s) or guardian(s)

Timeline

Applications for the Chesapeake Watershed Semester are open to rising high school juniors and seniors, as well as interested gap year and postgraduate applicants. Students can participate in the program either as day students (within commuting distance of The Gunston School), or as residential boarding students who reside with host families. For several decades, Gunston has hosted residential students (both domestic and international) through skilled, vetted, and experienced host families.

Important Steps in your CWS Application:

September

Read through the Chesapeake Watershed Semester website.

Reach out to Brad Hirsh, Director of CWS with any questions at bhirsh@gunston.org

Email Brad Hirsh in order to sign up for the Virtual Information Sessions in October & November.

October

Attend a CWS Virtual Information Session. (Attendance is encouraged, but not required in order to apply to CWS)

November

Begin to prepare your application for CWS.

Reach out to the Director of CWS for a tour of campus and an individual discussion.

December

For Early Decision, make sure to complete your application by December 15.

January

For Regular Decision, prepare your application.

We are now accepting applications for Fall 2026. Early applications should be sent in by December 15 and regular applications should be sent in by February 1. Once you have completed the application on the CWS website, your application will be sent to Brad Hirsh at bhirsh@gunston.org, and he will present all applications to the CWS Admissions Committee

February

Apply for the Regular Decision Deadline on February 1st

Once You Have Applied:

  • You will receive an email confirming your application from the Director of CWS.

  • Your application will be reviewed by the Chesapeake Watershed Semester Admissions Committee.

  • You will be informed of the Admissions Committee decision. Early Decision Applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision by January 10, 2026. Regular Decision Applicants will be notified of the Committee’s Decision by February 15, 2026. Admissions will continue on a rolling basis until the cohort is filled.

  • If you have any questions, please reach out to the CWS Director.