How to Apply – Mountain Guide Programs

  • Joining and Applying

    Join the AMGA, and start applying for your AMGA course or exam today!

    Application instructions:

    Step 1: Join the AMGA (or log-in to your existing account)

    Step 2: Apply to Your Course or Exam

    • Sign in to your myAMGA account.
    • Click the "Apply for a Program" tab.
    • Select the discipline and course type you are applying to.
    • Select the specific date of the program you are applying to and click "apply."
    • Confirm your prerequisites.
    • Pay your non-refundable $65 application fee.
    • Download, fill out and upload your resume to your AMGA profile.
    • Upload your WFR, CPR and any required Avalanche Certification (if pertinent to your program).
    • Make sure you have updated your AMGA Health Statement and Emergency Contact information on your AMGA profile.
    • Complete all of the above steps by the applicable Application Deadline!

    To be considered for enrollment you must submit a complete application. A complete application includes the following:

    • You meet all of the prerequisites for the course or exam for which you are applying, including any previous coursework that needs to be completed.
    • You have paid the $65.00 application fee.
    • Your resume is complete.
    • You have uploaded your certification forms for WFR, CPR and avalanche education (where necessary).
    • You have filled out the AMGA Health Statement.
    • You have submitted your application by the application deadline.

     

  • Application Review

    Application Review

    Applications will not be reviewed for enrollment until after the application deadline has passed for that course or exam.

    Enrollment decisions are based on a number of factors including the following:

      • Climbing/Skiing Resume strength and completeness
      • Complete application is received by the application deadline
      • Evaluations from previous courses and exams
      • Number of programs completed in the Mountain Guide program track
      • Priority enrollment is given to scholarship recipients (must meet program prerequisites in full)
      • Priority enrollment is given to employees of Accredited Businesses (15% of spaces reserved, must meet program prerequisites in full)
      • Previous waitlist status and other factors

    If your application is complete, received by the application deadline, and shows you meet the prerequisites, the AMGA will make every effort to enroll you on a course or exam.

    However, space is limited and entrance is not guaranteed. Please note, we are often able to offer qualified applicants a space on another program that is not the program they applied to

    If we are unable to enroll you on your course or exam, you will be added to the waitlist and contacted if a space becomes available, or if we are able to add another program.

    Conditional enrollments will only be offered if there is space available.

     

     

     

  • Application and Notification Deadlines

    Application and Notification Deadlines

    • The application deadline is when your complete application is due.
    • The notification deadline is the latest date you will be contacted in regard to your enrollment.
    • Applications received after the application deadline will be reviewed on a rolling admission.
      Program DatesApplication DeadlineNotification Deadline
      SOL Mountain Lodge SGC 2022June 22, 2022July 14, 2022
      Programs with start dates of January 1 - May 29, 2023September 7, 2022October 5, 2022
      Programs with start dates of May 30 - June 30, 2023January 9, 2023February 8, 2023
      Programs with start dates of July 1 - November 30, 2023April 3, 2023May 3, 2023

  • Enrollment

    You're Enrolled!

    Once your application is approved and you have been accepted into a course or exam:

    • An acceptance letter will be emailed to you with important dates and information regarding your program.
    • Pay your $500.00 deposit (due two weeks from your date of acceptance). Log-in to myAMGA to pay your course deposit ($150 is nonrefundable if you drop out of the course or exam).
    • Payment in full is due 10 weeks before the course or exam begins.
    • At 7-8 weeks from the start of your course or exam, you will receive an email from the AMGA with important course information, including: a Welcome Letter, a Course Roster, a Logistics Packet, and a Course or Exam Manual.
    • At 1 to 2 weeks from the start of your course or exam, you can expect to hear from the Course or Exam Director with more program details.

     

  • Mountain Guide Program Payment, Transfer, Cancellation & Refund Policies

    Payment:

    • To accept and hold your space on a program, a deposit of $500.00 is due within two weeks of acceptance. Failure to pay your deposit will result in being dropped from the program
      • $150.00 of your program deposit is always non-refundable
    • Your full tuition is due within ten weeks of the program’s start date. Failure to pay your full tuition will result in being dropped from the program. 

    Transfer:

    • You can transfer from one program to another (within the same calendar year and enrollment period) if it is outside of ten weeks prior to the program’s start date. 
      • There is a $150.00 transfer fee.
    • If you would like to transfer within ten weeks of a program’s start date, the AMGA retains 100% of your tuition toward the original program. 

    Cancellation & Refund:

      • If you cancel your enrollment for any reason outside of ten weeks prior to the program’s start date, you’ll be refunded all but $150.00 of your tuition.
      • If you cancel your enrollment within ten weeks of the program’s start date, the AMGA will retain 100% of your tuition. Please note:
        • If AMGA is able to fill your space on the program with another qualified participant, we will refund your tuition less the $500.00 deposit.
      • You will receive a full tuition refund if the AMGA cancels the program prior to the program’s start date. The AMGA is not responsible for costs associated in these cases, outside of tuition.
        • Although rare, the AMGA reserves the right to change a program location at any time due to unforeseen circumstances (for example, local snow or ice conditions that make the venue unsuitable). The AMGA is not responsible for costs associated in these cases. 
      • If the AMGA cancels your program after the program has begun, you will receive a prorated refund or tuition credit.*
      • If you have to leave your program after the program has begun, for any reason, the AMGA will retain 100% of your tuition. There is no refund or tuition credit option. 
      • We strongly recommend that you purchase Trip Insurance to protect your tuition investment and other associated costs with your program.

    *this is in regard to an entire program being canceled or shut down, not an individual leaving the program.

  • COVID-19 Information

    Effective January 1, 2023 AMGA will no longer require Mountain Guide Program students, participants, or employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

    • AMGA’s vaccination policy may continue to change over time as the disease changes and recommendations from public health professionals evolve. If a change impacts your program, we will update you directly. 
    • AMGA will continue to adhere to any government requirements for vaccination.
    • Vaccination and booster upkeep remain strongly encouraged.

    This policy change is made on advice from the AMGA Medical Advisor and recognizes the evolving nature of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The AMGA’s COVID-19 Operating Plan has been updated. Field practices and program expectations described in the Operating Plan are still in place and we will continue to prioritize reducing COVID-19 transmission on AMGA programs.

  • Other Important Information

    Other important information:

    • If you work for an accredited guide service you are eligible to receive a discount of 10% off the full tuition cost for any AMGA Mountain Guide Program. You must prove you are an employee by having your employer submit a letter on your behalf to [email protected].
    • The AMGA is happy to extend a 10% discount to active military and veterans. Please submit proof of status to [email protected].
    • If you fail to pay your program deposit or balance by the applicable due dates, you may be dropped from your course or exam without warning or refund.
    • We recommend that you purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance in case of program venue changes, cancellations or if you need to drop your course due to last-minute injuries, family emergencies, or other unforeseen circumstances.
    • Prices, program dates, ratios, and locations are subject to change without notice. Prices are subject to change depending on course enrollment. If a program does not meet the minimum ratio the original cost may vary or the program may be canceled.
    • The AMGA reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a program for any reason.
    • The AMGA reserves the right to deny admission to anyone the AMGA deems unable to meet the physical, mental, social, or safety demands of our courses and exams.
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