Students of Deep Springs College

Deep Springs College is the most unusual college in America. Arguably, it is also the best. It is located in such a remote place in the high desert in eastern California that its mailing address is in Nevada. There are up to twenty-six students who hire and fire the faculty, design the curriculum, select the incoming students, do all of the work on the college’s organic farm and ranch, cook the meals, work in the office, and generally maintain the school. Academically, Deep Springs is virtually unrivalled. Internationally acclaimed photographer Michael A Smith discovered Deep Springs College quite by chance after photographing in California’s remote White Mountains. He eventually went back to Deep Springs to teach for a term. While in residence he created a superb photographic portrait of the college. To accompany their portraits, the students contributed autobiographical notes as well as writings about their experiences at the school. Collectively, these writings give the reader a vivid sense of the Deep Springs College experience.