Course:

Personal Statement Bootcamp: College Essay Writing

About:

Prepare your college essay with confidence. This 5-day virtual bootcamp offers guided instruction, peer feedback, and dedicated time to polish your writing—all outside school hours and accessible from any time zone. 

Who Should Apply:

High school juniors and seniors preparing college applications for Fall 2025 are especially encouraged to apply. Students in other high school grades are also welcome.

Course Description:

Craft a compelling and authentic college application essay in just five days. This virtual boot camp is designed to help high school students gain the confidence, skills, and structure needed to write an outstanding personal statement. Led by New York Times Best-selling author and award-winning journalist Larry Olmstead, the course blends live instruction, collaborative peer workshops, and individualized support—all scheduled outside of school hours and accessible from any time zone.

Whether you're just starting your essay or looking to polish a final draft, you'll receive expert guidance and actionable feedback in a supportive, small-group setting. By the end of the week, you'll have a powerful draft in hand—and the tools to make it shine.

Dates:
October 13–17, 2025

Time:
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST (does not include time for homework)

Format:
Live Zoom-based instruction, collaborative writing workshops, and individual support.

Total Engagement:
12 hours of engagement (Instruction, Feedback, and Homework)

Schedule Overview:

• Monday, Oct 13 (Indigenous Peoples’ Day):
  Kickoff session (1.5 hour instruction + 1.5 hour homework)
• Tuesday–Thursday, Oct 14-16:
  • 1 hour of instruction
  • 30 minutes of peer feedback (breakout sessions with small groups of 3)
  • 1 hour of homework

*If class size permits, there may be an opportunity to adjust the schedule to allow for individual 15-minute one-on-one consultations

• Friday, Oct 17:
  Final readings (1.5 hour session to read essays aloud, share reflections)

Instructor:

Larry Olmsted is a New York Times Best-selling author and award-winning journalist who has published several books and several thousand newspaper and magazine articles worldwide. He also does a lot of writing in the digital world, and has written and given many presentations, including on national television and a TEDx talk.  He has taught Creative Writing to graduate students at Dartmouth College (MALS), has a Master’s Degree from Dartmouth and a Bachelor’s Degree from Georgetown University, where he was a George F Baker Scholar.  His specialty is creative non-fiction and making writing more interesting, exciting, and engaging. His areas of expertise include travel, sports, food, and culture.

Platform:

Zoom (link and access info provided after registration/admission)

Cost:

$1,200.00, a payment link will be sent to you after admission to the program

Registration Deadline:

September 25, 2025

Application Requirements:

• Name
• Address and Time Zone
• Prior preparation for college essay writing (tutoring, college counseling, etc.)
• Essay prompt(s) you’re working on (Common App, UC PIQs, supplemental essays)
• Specific goals you have for this course, and anything in particular you want extra help with
• Please note any concerns about scheduling or participation.
• 500-word personal self-descriptive essay. This is meant to be a way for the instructor to learn more about your writing style and help tailor the course
• (Optional) Schools you’re considering applying to
• (Optional) Possible intended field of study

Apply here!