Bootcamp21-Aug-2024

Day 1: Essay Writing, CA Prompts, and UCAS Personal Statement Presentation A three-day Bootcamp was organized by Unison World School from 21st to 23rd August. On the first day, there was an introductory session that explained the goals and schedule of the program. The students learned about the important parts of writing an effective essay, like structure, storytelling, creativity, and being true to themselves. They were also given a template to help them organize their ideas for writing a personal statement. In the midday session, students worked on developing their individual voices by examining why they were interested in their chosen subjects. They conducted college research, focusing on either one Indian institution or five colleges listed on UCAS, learning how to incorporate this research into their essays. After a brief lunch break, the afternoon session saw initial feedback provided on students' essays. The instructors highlighted both the strengths of their work and areas for improvement, offering valuable tips for refining these critical application components. Day 2: Application Review and Personal Statement Drafting Day two commenced with personalized, one-on-one reviews of each student's essay submissions from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Following this, students participated in an engaging "On-the-Spot Essay Writing" exercise, where they discussed essay prompts out loud, practiced writing with balanced perspectives, and articulated their opinions through researched arguments. This dynamic exercise helped sharpen their ability to respond to prompts under time constraints. In the afternoon, students continued working on essay prompts from previous years, covering topics such as the internet's influence, social media's impact, and the debate on capital punishment The day also saw editing and finalization of the essays for students applying to institutions like Penn State, BU, Purdue, and UCAS. Day 3: Final Preparations and Mock Interviews On the final day of the bootcamp, the focus shifted to interview preparation. The morning session was dedicated to discussing common interview questions for liberal arts colleges and providing students with strategies for effectively answering these questions. Emphasis was placed on the importance of body language, confidence, and managing challenging questions. Real-time feedback was provided during mock interviews, with attention to communication skills, content, and composure. The session concluded with overall feedback, offering essential tips for success in actual interviews. Additionally, individual consultations were offered for students to address any last-minute questions or concerns, and quizzes on general knowledge and current affairs were conducted to round off the day. The Unison 3-day Essay Bootcamp gave students clear guidance on writing essays, applying to colleges, and preparing for interviews, helping them feel ready to handle the college admissions process with confidence.