Finish the core of your college applications before senior year begins — with guidance and direction from a former Director of Admissions.
An intensive August 2026 bootcamp combining:
8 live strategy sessions
Step-by-step Common App guidance
Essay brainstorming workshops, prompts, and guide
Insider admissions advice
Asynchronous lessons and exercises
Live Q&A with a former highly selective admissions officer
So students start senior year ahead — not overwhelmed.
Every fall, students tell themselves they’ll “work on applications once school starts.”
Then senior year happens.
Classes. Activities. Sports. Leadership. Burnout. Supplemental essays. Deadlines.
The students who feel the most confident in the fall are usually the ones who started before August ended.
Who is this Bootcamp designed for?
Students Who:
Want to complete most of the Common Application before school begins
Feel overwhelmed by where to start
Need structure, accountability, and deadlines
Want expert guidance without committing to full private consulting
Are applying to selective colleges and want to present themselves strategically
Keep procrastinating on all-things-app-related
And for parents who want fewer application-related worries (and maybe a few battles) during senior year.
The Reality of Modern College Admissions
When admissions offices review tens of thousands of applications in just a few months (and just a few minutes per application), rushed applications blend together. Students who take the time to prepare intentionally give themselves a meaningful advantage in a highly selective admissions process.
2025 Applications to Top Colleges
Learn from Someone Who Has Actually Reviewed Applications
This bootcamp is led by me - Dr. Andrew Hoffman, former Director of Admissions at Swarthmore College and former Admissions Officer at Vanderbilt University.
After nearly two decades in selective college admissions, I’ve reviewed tens of thousands of applications and understand:
what admissions officers notice
where students undersell themselves
how activities and essays create narrative
common mistakes students make
how applications are actually evaluated behind closed doors
This is insider guidance from someone who has sat in the admissions committee room and made decisions.
What Students Will Complete
By the end of the Bootcamp, students will have:
Completed their Common App profile
Developed and refined their Activities section
Strategically presented honors and awards
Understood how to use the Additional Information sections effectively
Brainstormed meaningful essay topics
Developed at least a first draft of the Common App essay
Learned how admissions officers evaluate applications
Built a roadmap for approaching supplemental essays after the course ends
How the Bootcamp Works
By signing up, your student will have access to a course module including live session invitations, recorded videos, worksheets, and other resources. Your student will also be invited to participate in AskDrHoffman’s Discord Community.
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Weekly live instruction (45 mins of instruction; 15 mins Q&A); exact dates TBA
Real-time walkthroughs of application sections
Strategic guidance from an experienced former admissions officer
Built-in Q&A during every session
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Some parts of the process are better completed independently.
Students will receive:
guided exercises
brainstorming worksheets
asynchronous lessons
examples and templates
So they can complete sections between live sessions at their own pace.
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Students will also receive access to a private Discord community where they can:
ask questions between sessions
stay accountable
connect with other students completing applications
receive ongoing guidance throughout the month
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Can’t attend every live session? Every session will be recorded and available afterward.
Live + Asynchronous Format
What Parents Say
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. Students can still benefit from completing the core application components and learning application strategy before finalizing a college list. If your student wants comprehensive feedback on their college list, contact me.
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We’ll discuss supplemental essay strategy and how colleges use supplements, but the course will focus primarily on completing the Common Application itself. If your student would like assistance with the editing process, I offer additional services (including hourly consultation).
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No problem! All sessions will be recorded and available afterward and throughout the entire course duration.
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No. The course is designed for any student using the Common Application who wants structure, strategy, and accountability.
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Students will receive brainstorming guidance and instruction designed to help them develop a strong first draft. For further assistance with and editing of personal statements, supplemental essays, scholarship essays, and others, please see my additional services.
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First, it’s uniquely led by me, a former director of admissions at Swarthmore and former AO at Vanderbilt. Most other “bootcamp” style classes are led by professionals without formal college app reading experience. Second, it’s cohort-based - meaning your student will be able to interact with others in the course - as they all complete their Common App.
The Investment.
The Common App Bootcamp
Early Bird Discount
$950
$850
Until June 30, access the Early Bird Discount for only $850, including 10+ hours of live/recorded content + Q&A sessions. All to get your Common App completed.
The Bootcamp
Are you ready to get started? Complete the form below for next steps and additional information related to The AO-Approved Common App Bootcamp in August 2026.
*The AO-Approved Common App Bootcamp is a paid service (starting at $950 USD). AskDrHoffman.com LLC cannot guarantee admission or financial aid/scholarships at any college or university.