APPLY NOW!™ Essay Boot Camp

Session dates for the Class of 2025 will be available in late Spring 2024.

APPLY NOW! Essay Boot Camps are a great way for 12th graders to get a head start on college admissions essays. These fast-paced, small-group sessions (offered in person or live online) are typically held several times during the summer and early fall. During the boot camp (3 days, two hours per day) our college counseling team will guide students through the development of a college essay/personal statement, which can be used or adapted for college admissions.   

APPLY NOW! Essay Boot Camp students will learn about the following: 

  • the importance of clear, concise, and engaging writing 
  • common writing mistakes and how to avoid them 
  • writing an effective and engaging personal statement that can be submitted to colleges. 
  • brainstorming essay topics, including how to think about what makes them unique 
  • choosing a topic that they are passionate about 
  • researching to gather specific examples to support their claims 
  • how supplemental essays differ from the personal statement and how to approach writing them 
  • brainstorming ideas for supplemental essays 
  • specific prompts, including creating a list of the prompts students will encounter based on their current college list 

Please note: Your non-refundable payment is required to reserve your spot. Students must attend all three sessions. No makeup dates or transfers to other sessions are available. A laptop computer is required for participation. 

In-Person Sessions:  Sessions will be held at one (or more) of our four campuses located in Dallas-Fort Worth: Frisco, Plano, Coppell, and Flower Mound. 

Live-Online Sessions: These sessions will be hosted in a secure Zoom meeting room. Students will have individual conferences with college counseling team members to discuss their work using virtual breakout rooms. 

Let’s take a look at the sessions that are currently available. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today! 

SESSION 1: TBD

Dates will be announced late spring 2024.

What payment options are available? 

Pay in full:  $799 

Please note: Your non-refundable payment is required to reserve your spot. A laptop computer (with charger) and flash drive are required for participation. 

We accept cash, check or credit card (Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and Discover). 

PROGRAM FEES

$799

STUDENT AND PARENT EXPECTATIONS 

  • Sessions are student-only events. 
  • Sessions are limited to 15 students. 
  • Payment is required to reserve your seat. 
  • Payments are non-refundable. 
  • Students must attend each day of their session. 
  • No makeup dates or transfers to other sessions are available. 
  • Students must provide their own laptop and USB flash drive. 
  • Students must have good writing skills. 
  • Students must work well with strict time constraints. 
  • Students may need to further develop their essays to achieve a final draft. 

LET’S TALK COLLEGE COUNSELING

Reach out to schedule your free consultation today.

TESTIMONIALS

KD College Prep
“My wife and I wanted to thank you profusely for working with (our daughter). She picked Texas A&M, and we are all delighted with the decision. We have visited the college a couple of times and feel it was the right choice for us... We appreciate your patience with her. She could not have gotten here without your help.”
“My wife and I wanted to thank you profusely for working with (our daughter). She picked Texas A&M, and we are all delighted with the decision. We have visited the college a couple of times and feel it was the right... Read more...

Arun K. – Daughter, Class of 2023

Neha Tulane University
“(I wanted) help with writing essays and getting into my dream colleges. (I was most concerned with) keeping up with everything I have to do and meeting all the deadlines. The constant and honest feedback about my essays regardless is what I really appreciated. There was a time that writing essays just clicked, and it was much easier after that.”
“(I wanted) help with writing essays and getting into my dream colleges. (I was most concerned with) keeping up with everything I have to do and meeting all the deadlines. The constant and honest feedback about my essays regardless is what... Read more...

Neha C. – Class of 2022

My feedback can only be positive, given how much you helped me get ahead with my application process. I really appreciated how much work both of you put into helping me write the best essay possible, especially reviewing my essays twice to polish them completely. In addition, I have noticed that writing my resume has released a lot of stress off my shoulder when it comes to making sure I have all the things necessary to apply to schools.
My feedback can only be positive, given how much you helped me get ahead with my application process. I really appreciated how much work both of you put into... Read more...

Claudia A. – Class of 2020

“I shifted toward taking practice tests and going to workshops because I felt those were the best ways to apply the concepts (I was) learning in class. I started applying the tips and tricks that the teachers were showing me in class. In conjunction, those two things helped me raise my score a lot because I was not a math kid before KD or high school. The repetition and being able to practice in a non-stressful environment and simulating that testing experience is something that was very beneficial for me... “The college counseling team was super patient and honest about the work I was submitting. I know for a lot of kids, it’s hard to articulate who you are through 250-300 words. It was definitely... Read more...
“I shifted toward taking practice tests and going to workshops because I felt those were the best ways to apply the concepts (I was) learning in class. I started applying the tips and tricks that the teachers were showing me in... Read more...

Blaine W. – Class of 2021

“Both of my sons have been guided by KD College Prep counselor Steve Peifer on their journey to finding the right college for them, and we could not have had a better experience and outcome. My oldest son is now a rising junior at the University of Miami, and my youngest son is an incoming freshman at Vanderbilt University. Steve’s help in navigating the complicated college landscape and finding the BEST FIT for my two sons is what has made this resource invaluable. “What made the biggest difference for my two sons was the depth and breadth of knowledge Steve has of the many universities and colleges in the U.S. First, by getting to know my kids on a one-on-one basis, he was able to... Read more...
“Both of my sons have been guided by KD College Prep counselor Steve Peifer on their journey to finding the right college for them, and we could not have had a better experience and outcome. My oldest son is now a... Read more...

Julio M. – Parent

“Coming into this whole process, I had absolutely no idea what anything was, and your help was invaluable—your encouraging words, strategic advice, and wholesome stories and jokes really got me through a stressful time! I'm still on the waitlist at Harvard and other schools, but I've really started to immerse into the Emory culture, especially their debate team. Not having to pay for college and still attend a private institution is really a dream come true, and it wouldn't be possible if it were not for you.”
“Coming into this whole process, I had absolutely no idea what anything was, and your help was invaluable—your encouraging words, strategic advice, and wholesome stories and jokes really got me through a stressful time! I'm still on the waitlist at Harvard... Read more...

Shreyas R. – Class of 2020

“The most beneficial guidance I received during my College Counseling experience was being taught that it's completely ok to not know what I want to do with the rest of my life at 17/18 years old. Steve told me that a good school will help me find my path. Also, Steve's knowledge about what colleges were wanting to see in potential admissions candidates was a huge help... “There was not one specific beneficial moment or turning point in my time working with Steve, there were many. He encouraged me during the entire application process and brought to my attention many colleges I wouldn't have considered or heard about without his help.”
“The most beneficial guidance I received during my College Counseling experience was being taught that it's completely ok to not know what I want to do with the rest of my life at 17/18 years old. Steve told me that a... Read more...

Jake W. – Class of 2020

"My initial goals when I first started working with the KD Counseling crew was to compile a list of colleges that I would be somewhat interested in attending and fit my career goals. I think that this step I was by far the most concerned about. I didn’t know how exactly I should go about choosing which places to apply to and if I were to be accepted, if they would fit me. The team did a wonderful job considering my likes and dislikes and helped me compile a list of colleges that suited my tastes and would further my academic career. "After this integral first step, my focus turned towards time management and writing quality essays that would stand out to colleges. I got... Read more...
"My initial goals when I first started working with the KD Counseling crew was to compile a list of colleges that I would be somewhat interested in attending and fit my career goals. I think that this step I was by... Read more...

Nina H. – Class of 2020