APPLY NOW!™ Essay Boot Camp

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 

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! 

DOWNLOAD SESSIONS SCHEDULE

(All times Central Standard Time – CST)

SESSION 1: Online CLOSED

2:00 – 4:00 pm

  • Saturday, May 24
  • Wednesday, May 28
  • Saturday, May 31

SESSION 2: Online

2:00 – 4:00 pm

  • Tuesday, June 3
  • Friday, June 6
  • Tuesday, June 10

SESSION 3: Online

12:00 – 2:00 pm

  • Saturday, June 7
  • Saturday, June 14
  • Saturday, June 21

SESSION 4: Frisco CLOSED

4:00 – 6:00 pm

  • Thursday, June 12
  • Monday, June 16
  • Thursday, June 19

SESSION 5: Plano (In Person)

11:30 am – 1:30 pm

  • Friday, June 13
  • Tuesday, June 17
  • Friday, June 20

SESSION 6: Online

2:00 – 4:00 pm

  • Monday, June 23
  • Thursday, June 26
  • Saturday, June 28

SESSION 7: Online

2:00 – 4:00 pm

  • Tuesday, July 8
  • Friday, July 11
  • Tuesday, July 15

SESSION 8: Frisco (In Person)

6:30 – 8:30 pm (2:00 – 4:00 pm on Saturday)

  • Wednesday, July 16
  • Saturday, July 19 (2:00 – 4:00 pm)
  • Wednesday, July 23

SESSION 9: Coppell (In Person)

4:00 – 6:00 pm

  • Thursday, July 17
  • Monday, July 21
  • Thursday, July 24

SESSION 10: Online

2:00 – 4:00 pm

  • Monday, July 28
  • Thursday, July 31
  • Saturday, August 2
  • Sessions are student-only events. 
  • Sessions are limited to 15 students. 
  • Payment is required to reserve your seat. 
  • Payments are non-refundable. 
  • Students will need to complete 1 – 2 hours worth of pre-work before the first meeting.
  • 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. 

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. See all Student & Parent Expectations below.

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

PROGRAM OPTIONS

APPLY NOW! Essay Boot Camp

Class of 2026 Sessions
$ 799 One-Time Fee
  • Small group boot camp session (3 days, two hours per day)

APPLY NOW! Advantage

11th Grade (Class of 2026) College Counseling
$ 2,399 One-Time Fee
  • Everything included in the APPLY NOW! Essay Boot Camp
  • 16 Lessons Covering the Admissions Process
  • Two 1:1 College Counseling Sessions
  • Aptitude Assessment, Interactive Labs, Office Hours, and More!

PROGRAM FEES

$799 $749*

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 will need to complete 1 – 2 hours worth of pre-work before the first meeting.
  • 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. 

*The $50 discount is applicable only on new APPLY NOW! Essay Boot Camp registrations for Class of 2026 students. Cannot be combined with any other offer, promotion, or discount. Offer valid for paid registrations received between December 9, 2024 – February 26, 2025.

LET’S TALK COLLEGE COUNSELING

Reach out to schedule your free consultation today.

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TESTIMONIALS

KD College Prep
“They were very helpful and laid out necessary planning stages that helped me with success.”
“They were very helpful and laid out necessary planning stages that helped me with success.”

Pavan G. – Class of 2025

KD College Prep
“I am incredibly grateful for KD. Their team helped me throughout the entire college application process, from revising my essay to formatting my activities list. Particularly my essays—they were very methodical and careful with revising it to make it the best it could be! Thank you to Ashley, Idris, Kimberly, Will, and the rest of the KD team!”
“I am incredibly grateful for KD. Their team helped me throughout the entire college application process, from revising my essay to formatting my activities list. Particularly my essays—they were very methodical and careful with revising it to make it the best... Read more...

Rin H. – Class of 2025

KD College Prep
“I love KD! They helped me a lot by preparing me for college. I feel like I went into the application process more confident and knowledgeable. KD explains everything clearly and thoroughly, making even the most complicated aspects easy to understand. They are patient, dedicated, and genuinely invested in your success. No matter how many questions you have, they take the time to ensure you feel completely prepared. Their support goes beyond just guidance—they truly care about your journey and do everything they can to help you achieve your goals. I’m incredibly grateful for their help!”
“I love KD! They helped me a lot by preparing me for college. I feel like I went into the application process more confident and knowledgeable. KD explains everything clearly and thoroughly, making even the most complicated aspects easy to understand.... Read more...

Pranavi B. – Class of 2025

KD College Prep
“Both Ashley and Idris were very resourceful, and they helped on every step of the process. Having someone with strong experience look over my essay and application helped me very much.”
“Both Ashley and Idris were very resourceful, and they helped on every step of the process. Having someone with strong experience look over my essay and application helped me very much.”

Afseen I. – Class of 2025

KD College Prep
“The KD Experience really kept me on track with a specific deadline to ensure I was never behind and always ahead of the college application curve!”
“The KD Experience really kept me on track with a specific deadline to ensure I was never behind and always ahead of the college application curve!”

Jihan K. – Class of 2025

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