From the ROCOR Mailing List...
I have not studied at seminary, of course (though I did study at the
seminary's Music School last summer), but my brother did (he finished
and still lives in Jordanville).
I also know many Jordanville-trained clergy, as well as a few who
were not educated there. And from this perspective, I can only say
this: I believe studying at Holy Trinity Seminary and living at Holy
Trininty monastery is the very best preparation a young man could
have for service to the Church, IF, and only IF, he is serious about
it.
From all that I know, it is not easy: you are awoken early every day,
and many of those days are freezing cold days when you would rather
stay snuggled in your bed. You eat and live with the brotherhood:
that is, monastically. You don't enjoy a cold beer and some pizza
with your classmates, you get potatoes or vegetable soup and listen
in silence to a reading from the Lives of the Saints during your
meals... Life revolves around the cycles of the church calendar, and
you are expected to participate in as many services as possible --
and there is no better way to learn about the church's Typikon than
hands on practice.
During the school year, you don't leave the monastery grounds without
permission, even on holidays and weekends. Basically, your life is
quite defined by the fact that you are a seminarian. You must live to
a (MUCH!) higher moral standard than your childhood friends who have
gone off to college.
Oh, and, yes, there is a tough academic/theological curriculum, which
will be especially demanding of you if you do not know Russian (yet --
you will be taught in your first years). While there are more and
more English speakers among the faculty and monks, many courses are
given only in Russian (especially in the later years).
If you apply, you'll need to have a recommendation from a sprititual
father (priest or bishop), so I would discuss your interest with
someone. Also, if I were you, I would also try to visit Jordanville,
if possible. They welcome pilgrims, and you could talk to other
seminarians as well as the rector in person. Jordanville is lovely in
May and June, but you'll get a better sense of the challenges of life
there if you go before spring arrives (and it arrives late!).