Sessions I and II are identical. Open to rising seniors only, both Branson and non-Branson students.

Session I: June 16-20, 2025 (excluding Thursday, June 19, for Juneteenth holiday) — Class enrollment capped at 42 students.

Session II: August 11-15, 2025 — Class enrollment capped at 48 students.

Both sessions meet: Monday through Friday (except Thursday, June 19, 2025), 9 AM to 3 PM

Cost: $1,330 early-bird pricing; $1,450 after March 31

This course includes lunch.

Instructors: Matt Lane (Director of College Counseling), Matt Chan (Associate Director of College Counseling), and Branson humanities faculty members.

Course Description: Acknowledging the growing number of students who are applying to colleges and universities early, Branson is excited to offer a week-long, intensive college-essay writing workshop, with a focus on the Common App essay. Comprehensive in its scope, the workshop is geared towards rising seniors who want to enter their senior year with a great head start on their college writing. Taught in conjunction by the College Counseling, English, and history departments, this highly interactive workshop will allow motivated students to finish the course with a final draft of their Common Application essay and tips for completing other college writing expectations.

The course begins with a look at the components of a successful application essay and each student proceeds through a series of individual and group activities designed to identify a strong essay topic. Each day, students are able to work with a different instructor, and at the end of the week, their writing will have received feedback from three to four instructors. In addition to the primary goal of completing the Common Application main essay, instructors will also provide tips and tricks for other components of the college application process (e.g. list-building, the role of demonstrated interest, the UC application, etc.)

NOTE: Many of the students in this course are Branson students.