Continuous Semesters

Sterling is one of very few colleges to operate on a year-round basis, offering full semesters in the spring, summer and fall. There is no requirement to attend Sterling year-round, but for those who remain continually enrolled there will be no increases in tuition, room, or board.

In the continuous semester system, it’s possible to complete your undergraduate education in fewer than four years, reducing tuition, avoiding fee increases, and saving  time. Full time students can attend any two semesters or they can keep going year-round. Students can apply to begin their Sterling experience in any of the three semesters.

Operating year-round is beneficial to transfer students, who often need an extra semester or two to earn their degree on time. The summer semester also affords all students the opportunity to take classes during Vermont's beautiful summer season. The nature of Sterling’s environmentally focused curriculum and frequent outdoor classes make summer a particularly fruitful time of year.

Each semester has a week-long mid-semester break, and there is a break of several weeks between each semester. All financial aid programs, including Sterling scholarships, federal and state grants and loans, are available in all semesters. Likewise, the College’s Work Program is in effect year-round, as students earn their wages in tuition credit.

Summer Semester

Summer is a glorious time of year in Vermont, with long days packed full of hard work and outdoor exploration. The Sterling farm and garden are especially busy in the summertime, as sustainable agriculture students take advantage of Vermont's short growing season and culinary students transform farm-fresh produce into delicious meals.

Summer opens up possibilities across Sterling's curriculum, from a class in whitewater canoeing to a wilderness field study program on the natural history of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Fall Semester

Many students begin their Sterling Experience with a fall intensive course called "Sense of Place" that provides a comprehensive introduction to the culture and ecology of northern Vermont.

As the maple leaves change color and the first frost approaches, students participate in the fall harvest and engage in courses such as wildlife management, human nutrition, and challenge course practicum. The semester culminates with Winter Expedition, a cherished Sterling tradition that involves a 4-day camping trip in the nearby Lowell Mountains.

Spring Semester

The spring semester begins in the depths of winter, when students balance academic work with trips to nearby ski resorts and snowshoe adventures on local trails.

The spring thaw coincides with maple syrup season, and the first stirrings of new life in the forests and on the Sterling farm. Spring courses include studio art, environmental policy and law, and research in tropical ecosystems, a popular global field studies program.