Complete Your Common Application in One Week This Summer

Expert Advice–Individualized Attention–Stress Reduction

Interactive and Online

Your high school senior will receive comprehensive, expert guidance on completion of the Common Application. The College Spy team, acknowledged experts in the field of college admissions, will walk your student step-by-step through every part of the Common Application, including the college essay.

Students will have opportunities to ask questions throughout the sessions and interact directly with the instructor and with the other participating students. Students will be provided with detailed resources to help them understand the application process and stay organized with tasks and timing.

Who will benefit from Boot Camp?

Current high school seniors who want expert guidance in completing their Common Application.

Families who want to assure that their student is motivated and moving forward with the application process.

Parents and students who want to eliminate stress by avoiding a last-minute crunch as applications come due.

Boot Camp Includes:

• The Common Application

  Students will fill out the Common Application during boot camp.

• The College Essay

  Students will brainstorm topics and write a first draft of their college essay. The instructor will review each student’s draft and provide individualized feedback and advice.

• Extracurricular Activities

  Students will learn which activities to include in their applications and how to describe and highlight them in order to stand out in the applicant pool.

• Application Deadlines

  Students will receive advice on whether to apply early action, early decision, regular decision, rolling decision or single-choice early action.

• Standardized Testing

  We will cover SAT and ACT scores in the wake of COVID-19 and how to decide whether to apply under a test optional policy or submit scores.

• Letters of recommendation

  All students will be prepared to ask two teachers and their counselor for letters of recommendation this fall. Advice on which teachers to ask to maximize their chances of acceptance will be provided.

• Demonstrated Interest

  Students will demonstrate interest to colleges on their lists, a key strategy in receiving an acceptance letter.

• Application Logistics

  Students will learn the parts of a college application and how, when and by whom each part gets submitted to colleges.

The College Spy Boot Camp Instructor

Michelle McAnaney, founder of The College Spy, is an expert in college admissions and has helped hundreds of students and parents successfully navigate the college admissions process. She has visited over 250 colleges and shares her first-hand college knowledge with her clients to ensure they find the right fit. Michelle has more than 20 years of experience as a college admissions consultant and school counselors. She is delighted to share her expertise with you.

How does Boot Camp work?

We will meet in an interactive Zoom workshop each day of boot camp. Each session will last two and a half hours. Students will make offline progress between sessions with specific, but manageable, “homework” assignments and then raise their questions and receive feedback on their progress at the next session. There will also be working time during each session to allow students to complete sections of the application and work on their essay, allowing for immediate questions and feedback.

Summer 2025 dates will be announced in the spring.

For more information on The College Spy Boot Camp, contact Michelle McAnaney at michelle@thecollegespy.com or 800-207-4305.