College Application Boot Camp

Finish the UC and Common Application in Five Days!

Peninsula Academy’s College Application Boot Camp is designed to help rising seniors complete their UC and Common Application in 5 days. In a small class setting with a 1:2 student to counselor ratio, each student has unlimited access to our expert college counselors and essay coaches. Our former students have gone on to attend a wide range of colleges and universities, including UCs, Ivy Leagues, and liberal arts colleges. Email us today to register and secure your spot in the classroom!

Students will walk away with: ​

• A completed University of California application form
• At least one of the four University of California essays
• A completed Common Application form
• A polished Common Application essay
• A finalized list of colleges, including Early Decision and/or Early Action
• A master plan for college application, including timelines
• An organized list of activities and awards, including descriptions

Some students will also walk away with:

• Several completed supplemental essays
• Additional or all of the University of California essays

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of students will benefit from the boot camp?

• A student who needs help organizing the application process.
• A student who needs help with essay writing. 
• A student who plans to submit Early Decision and/or Early Action.
• A student who prefers a focused learning environment. 
• A student who needs to refine his or her college list. 
• A student who has a tough time discussing college plans with parents. 
• A student who wants help telling a better story to stand out among applicants. 

What is the instructional format?

We offer a highly individualized format, with 10% of the time devoted to group lectures and discussions and 90% allocated to individualized learning and 1:1 strategy sessions. Students are set to focus on certain topics and accomplish certain tasks each day. Short group lecture starts each day and is planned intermittently throughout. Each student is pulled into a private meeting with a counselor or essay coach every hour to develop or refine ideas, make revisions, and receive encouragement. 

What is the syllabus and daily schedule?

Day 1: College list and majors, ED/EA, resume, UC essay

Day 2: Application master plan and timeline, UC form, UC essay

Day 3: Common App form, Common App essay

Day 4: Letters of recommendation plans, Common App essay, UC essay

Day 5: Common App essay, UC essay

What are the students expected to do?

Bring personal laptop, high school transcript(s), and a resume if available.

Focus and put in full efforts.

Prepare to continue working each day after daily class ends.

What is the tuition?

Tuition is $2,950. The tuition covers the 5 day instruction, group and 1:1 coaching, and access to our college application assistance portal. A non-refundable $1,500 is required upon registration to secure a seat.

How many sessions do you offer this summer? When do they take place?

We offer one session in the summer of 2019, August 5–9, 9am–3:30pm.

Where does the boot camp take place?

We will have the boot camp in Peninsula Academy classroom.

Our address is 550 Deep Valley Dr. #277, Rolling Hills Estates  CA 90274.

How many students do you assist in each session?

We limit the group to a maximum of 10 students to ensure sufficient attention to each student and unlimited access to our expert counselors and essay coaches.

Is lunch provided?

Yes. Lunch is complementary, based on students’ dietary restrictions.

I want to attend but the dates don’t work for me. What are my options?

We offer one-on-one college application assistance that suits your schedule.

Call 310-377-1297 or email us at office@penacad.com to discuss.

I am interested but I prefer to work one-on-one. What are my options?

We offer one-on-one college application assistance.

Call 310-377-1297 or email us at office@penacad.com to discuss.

I am working with a private college counselor. Should I still attend?

If your counselor is helping you with college essays and has created a plan with you to finish drafts of UC essays and Common App essays by this summer, we suggest you continue working with your counselor. If not, we encourage you to join our boot camp to jump start your college application and essays. Our assistance will complement the services you are getting from your private counselor and will enhance the strength of your application.