College Essay Program

1 week

for 11th graders only

Overview

Overland’s College Essay Program offers rising seniors the chance to spend a week on the Williams College campus producing the essay needed for their college applications. Each of our students will have the time to create, revise and polish his or her essay while enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding Berkshires.

We’ll spend every morning writing and revising under the guidance of a master teacher and two Overland leaders. College admissions essays—most of which are personal essays—are a new challenge for many rising seniors. Each student will start by reflecting on his or her own experiences, values and relationships. These reflections will become the basis for a number of essays that tell the writer’s unique story. We’ll refine these rough essays into a personal essay for the Common Application. Each student will focus on producing an essay that reflects who they are, what they care about and the dreams they have for their future.

In the late afternoons, we’ll head outdoors for an hour or two to explore the Berkshires on foot. In the evenings, we’ll turn our attention to improving our essays. At the end of the program, each student will have a terrific head start on one of the most challenging tasks of senior year and will have had the chance to enjoy a productive and fun week in beautiful Williamstown.

“Our expectations were exceeded. Suzanne came home with an excellently crafted and passionate essay.” Karen Kleine, Westport, Connecticut

Highlights

Produce a polished essay for your college applications
Enjoy small classes (12 students) led by a professional master teacher
Two Overland leaders provide assistance with all aspects of coursework
Live on the Williams College campus

Grade

For students who will finish grade 11 in June 2012.

Call us (413-458-9672) to check on current availability.

Start and End Location

Starts and ends in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

Accommodations

6 nights total.

All nights are spent in a dormitory on the Williams College campus. Linens, towels, blankets, and pillows are provided. Students will have access to laundry.

Dates and Fees

1 Week

Sunday, June 24 to Saturday, June 30
Sunday, July 1 to Saturday, July 7
Sunday, July 8 to Saturday, July 14
Sunday, July 15 to Saturday, July 21
Sunday, July 22 to Saturday, July 28
Sunday, July 29 to Saturday, August 4

$1995 (does not include airfare)

“Caroline was so enthusiastic about it and was so pleased to have her college essay written!” Susanna Brown, Laguna Beach, California

Itinerary

Day 1 Trip Start

We'll arrive in Williamstown in the afternoon and begin with an easy hike in town to stretch our legs and prepare for the week we'll spend in Williamstown. Our master teacher will join us in the evening to introduce the curriculum and collect our pre-writing.

Days 2 - 6 in the Classroom

Each day we'll start out by having breakfast together in a Williams College dining hall before meeting with our master teacher who will lead us through the process of writing essays. Each student will start by reflecting on his or her own experiences, values and relationships. These reflections will become the basis for a number of essays that tell the writer's unique story. With brainstorming, writing and revising, we'll refine these rough essays into a personal essay for the Common Application.

After class, we'll break for a picnic lunch that we'll make ourselves, as a group, and then continue working on our essays for several hours under the guidance of our Overland leaders. In the late afternoons, we'll head out on great hikes and bike rides in the beautiful Berkshires, and we'll cool off in local swimming holes. The evenings will consist of eating dinner together in a Williams College dining hall. After dinner, we'll share our writing, and we'll also take advantage of the many cultural opportunities during the summer in the Berkshires. Before bed, we'll come together for dessert circle, a time to reflect on the day's work and activities. We'll celebrate on our final night with a dinner out in Williamstown as we enjoy the company of our group and look back on a week of productive writing and enjoyable afternoons spent outside.

Day 7 Trip End

Transportation will be provided to the Albany airport for flights home and those wishing to pick up students in Williamstown should arrive at 11am.

“The writing instructor for Jenna’s camp was excellent! Jenna so enjoyed her and she has left a lasting impact on Jenna’s writing and future motivations. Mary is a parents’ “wish come true” – she gave Jenna confidence motivation and a fondness for a teacher who really makes a difference in a teen’s life.” Janet Gordon, Chesapeake, Virginia

Trip Details

A laptop is provided for each student to use during the program. If you have old essays or writing samples you'd like to bring with you, please bring those documents on a flash drive or in hard copy. Students will move all documents that they've worked on during the College Essay Program from their Overland laptop to their flash drive to bring home at the end of the program. We ask that students leave their personal laptops at home. As with all Overland programs, all personal electronics (cell phones, iPods, Blackberries, laptops, etc.) will be collected at trip start by the leaders and returned at the end of the program.

Our Master Teachers

Ben Weaver has taught high school English for eight years in Berkshire County, Massachusetts; he currently teaches at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School. Before teaching high school students, Ben taught for 10 years at the college level at Williams College, Colorado College and Rhode Island School of Design. He holds a Ph.D. from Duke University and a B.A. from Columbia University.

Pete Golding has taught English, history and humanities for 22 years at various independent schools within the United States and overseas. He has taught all high school grades during his career, mostly juniors and seniors for the past decade. This summer, he will conclude three years of teaching English in New Orleans and, after teaching Overland's College Essay Program, start teaching humanities at the Tesseract School in Arizona. He holds a B.A. in History from Bowdoin College and a M.A.L.S. in Humanities from Wesleyan University.

Photos

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Enrollment Forms

Enrollment Forms 2012

College Essay Program Release Forms 2012 for students over 18 years old

College Essay Program Release Forms 2012 for students under 18 years old

Prepare & Pack

Writing Prompts for all College Essay Program students

In preparation for your time with Overland this summer, please spend thirty minutes responding in a spiral bound notebook to our writing prompts. Many of these prompts have been drawn or adapted from the supplemental essay prompts you will encounter as you prepare your college admissions applications. Please bring the completed prompts with you when you travel to Williamstown. Your notebook will be collected the first day you are here and will help us to better direct you with your college essay. Writing prompts for the 2011 College Essay Program will be available in the near future.

2011 College Essay Program Writing Prompts

Preparing for Your Program

We'll spend mornings in class, writing individually and with fellow students, under the direction of our writing instructor and Overland leaders. Overland will provide writing materials and laptops for every student's use in class. Afternoons will be active and fun; we will go for bike rides, hikes and will possibly visit swimming holes around Williamstown.

We encourage you to get out for some walks and rides this spring. The more you prepare, the more you'll enjoy your program and the better able you'll be to hike and ride safely this summer. Once your program starts, commit yourself wholeheartedly to your group and all of its activities.

Packing for Your Program

On Overland trips, we travel light.
Please stick to the following guidelines when packing for your program and bring clothes that are comfortable and suitable for hiking, biking and other outdoor activities.
Your group will have access to laundry daily.
Students are housed in a dormitory on the Williams College campus and Overland provides linens (sheets, pillowcase, towels), a blanket and a pillow.

Packing List 2011 as a PDF

Luggage

One carry-on size rolling suitcase or small duffel bag.
Dimensions of the carry-on rolling suitcase should not exceed 22"H x 14"W x 9"D.

One small backpack.
Use your backpack to carry essentials on the plane. Your backpack will be used for carrying your materials to class, as well as for afternoon day hikes.

Clothing

Sturdy Sneakers
Comfortable shoes to wear during the day and while on day hikes and bike rides in the afternoon.

Waterproof Raincoat
Must be waterproof, not just wind or water resistant. Gore-Tex is one of the better-known waterproof, breathable fabric brands, but there are many to choose from. Ponchos are not acceptable.

Long Pants
One pair.

Fleece Pullover or Sweatshirt
One only.

Comfortable Shorts
Three pairs; comfortable to hike and bike in.

Shirts
Four short-sleeve shirts or tank tops; two long-sleeve shirts.

Underwear
Seven pairs.

Socks
Six pairs.

Pajamas
One pair.

Bathing Suit
Optional.

Gear & Miscellaneous

Small Backpack
For carrying materials to class and for afternoon day hikes.

Helmet
Overland will provide bicycles for all students; please bring your own helmet. Students will not be allowed to ride a bike without a helmet.

Toiletries
All travel size. Students will have the opportunity to resupply, if necessary.

Beach Towel
Medium size for swimming. Towels for showering will be provided.

Water Bottle
Any kind.

Flashlight
Small with appropriate batteries.

Sunglasses & Hat
With a visor (e.g., a baseball hat).

Sunscreen (SPF 30+), Chapstick & Insect RepellentTo stay comfortable and protected outdoors.

USB Flash Drive
At least 1GB. For saving your writing projects to take home.

Digital Camera & Extra Batteries
Great for documenting the trip. Make sure you bring a large enough memory card (1 to 4 GB).

Spending Money
$25/week in cash or with a debit or ATM card for souvenirs or personal necessities.

Personal Journal or Book
Optional.

Please Note: A laptop is provided for each student to use during the program. If you have old essays or writing samples you'd like to bring with you, please bring those documents on a flash drive or in hard copy. Students will move all documents that they've worked on during the College Essay Program from their Overland laptop to their flash drive to bring home at the end of the program. We ask that students leave their personal laptops at home.

Cell Phones, Electronics and Personal Property

Please note the following important policies:

Our programs offer the opportunity to strengthen independence and self-reliance. To maximize these benefits, we do not permit phone calls to or from our students (except in the case of emergency).

If it is important for your son or daughter to be able to call you while en route to Overland, we recommend that you purchase an inexpensive phone card that your son or daughter can use at any airport pay phone.

If you feel that it is necessary to send your son or daughter with a phone, please do not send an expensive smart phone like an iPhone or BlackBerry. Send an inexpensive prepaid cell phone instead. On arrival we will collect all phones but we have found that safeguarding these phones is problematic given that our programs move from place to place. Despite our best efforts over $25,000 in phones have been lost, damaged or stolen in the last two years alone. We regret that due to the expense involved in replacing these items, we take absolutely no responsibility whatsoever for phones, electronics or personal property brought by students and we will not make any reimbursements for lost, damaged or stolen phones, electronics or personal property.

Communications

To maximize independence and self-reliance, we do not permit phone calls, emails or text messages to or from our students (except in the case of an emergency).
Your child will call home with our phones and assistance on arrival and departure if he/she flies to his/her program.
In the case of an emergency, we will make sure you are in touch with your child as soon as possible.

Cell Phones

Cell phone use is prohibited on all Overland programs.
Any phone brought by a student will be collected by us on arrival and returned at departure.
If you decide to bring a phone, do not bring an expensive smartphone (e.g., iPhone or BlackBerry); instead bring an inexpensive prepaid cell phone (better yet, bring an inexpensive prepaid calling card).

Personal Electronics

We do not permit personal electronics (e.g., iPods, Kindles or iPads) except for digital cameras.
We do not permit emergency response or GPS tracking electronics.
Any electronics brought by a student will be collected by us on arrival and mailed home or returned at departure.

Personal Property

Overland is not responsible for any student’s personal property—including but not limited to: phones, electronics, cameras, equipment, bicycles and clothing. Please schedule all expensive items on your homeowners insurance policy to ensure that your child/ward’s personal property and equipment is covered against loss, damage or theft.

No Reimbursements for Lost, Damaged or Stolen Phone, Electronics and Personal Property

Despite taking precautions, some phones, electronics and personal property brought by students (and collected by us) have been lost, damaged or stolen. We regret that due to the expense involved in replacing these items, we take absolutely no responsibility whatsoever for phones, electronics or personal property brought by students and we will not make any reimbursements for lost, damaged or stolen phones, electronics or personal property.

Questions or concerns? Please call us. Your understanding and cooperation are appreciated.

Travel Information

Drop Off: Cole Field House, 85 Stetson Rd., Williams College, Williamstown, Mass. at 2:00 p.m. Sunday
Pick Up: Cole Field House, 85 Stetson Rd., Williams College, Williamstown, Mass. at 11:00 a.m. Saturday
Flight Arrival: Flight Arrival: Albany Intl Airport (ALB) between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon Sunday
Flight Departure: Albany Intl Airport (ALB) between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon Saturday

For any special cases, please contact Overland to make arrangements, if you have not already done so.

For students who drive to the start of the trip, we’ll meet on the Williams College campus. Students who fly to the trip start should fly into the Albany, New York airport where Overland staff will be on hand to meet you, help you collect your baggage and transport you by 15-passenger van the 42 miles to Williamstown.

At the end of the trip, students can either fly home from Albany or be picked up in Williamstown. Overland staff will be on hand to assist all students with flights or pick-ups.

Flight & Travel Information 2012

Program Start & End Information 2012

For Parents Driving to Williamstown 2012

Mail Stops

Throughout the week, students may receive mail sent to our Williamstown office, addressed as follows:

Mail Notes:

1. On the lower left corner of the envelope, please write "Hold for [Student's Name]/CEP __".
2. If you will send mail or packages vis UPS or FedEx, please use our street address (63 Spring St) instead of the PO Box.

Student’s Name
c/o Overland Group CEP __ (please fill in student's section number here)
PO Box 31
Williamstown, MA 01267

Please write the student's name and CEP section number on the envelope/package and make sure it arrives prior to the date listed below to ensure delivery to the group:

CEP 1 - mail must arrive prior to July 4

CEP 2 - mail must arrive prior to July 15

CEP 3 - mail must arrive prior to July 25

CEP 4 - mail must arrive prior to August 5

Helpful Reminders

Checklist and Reminders 2011

Apply Now

HOW TO APPLY

You have two choices. You can apply online with a credit card by clicking the link below.

Apply Online

Or you can download the 2012 Overland Application as a PDF (you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader).

Then mail your completed one-page application and $795 deposit check to:

Overland
P.O. Box 31
Williamstown, MA 01267

For overnight mail via UPS or FedEx, please use our street address:

Overland
63 Spring Street
Williamstown, MA 01267

Applications are reviewed in the order in which they arrive at our office and we cannot hold spots over the phone.

Learn about our admissions process.

Nate Barker

Hometown: San Carlos, California
School: Williams College
Leadership: College Essay Program
More about Nate »

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Nate Barker was born and raised in San Carlos, California, and is a junior at Williams College where he majors in English and anthropology. Currently, he is studying primarily the Spanish language, but also Spanish literature and art history in Madrid for the fall semester. In addition to being a year-round varsity rower, a sport which he enjoys for its outdoor competition and camaraderie, Nate also sings in the Ephlats, the oldest student-run a cappella ensemble at Williams. In his spare time, Nate enjoys playing the piano, being creative with a camera and backpacking. Before leading for Overland, Nate coached learn-to-row camps near his home. In 2011, Nate led College Essay Program. He writes, "One of the highest points of my summer is when a student of mine had a 'lightbulb' moment of realization. Because I led an essay writing program, I worked with high schoolers on one of the most frustrating aspects of school: writing. After spending hours and hours on the same draft, the same piece of no more than 750 or so words, each student inevitably was quite frustrated. If the student wasn't at some point frustrated, I knew that he or she had not been trying hard enough—I know this from experience. But for the ones who were stumped and frustrated two thirds of the way through the 10 days, the end was the complete opposite. I remember one student in particular with whom I had been talking a lot. He had not settled on a topic until well after the others and had continued to have trouble deciding where to take his essay. He left the classroom one morning quite frustrated, as we set out for a bike ride. Later that night, when we returned to the classroom, I expected to find him just as lost. However, when I approached him and asked him how it was going, the expression on his face as he looked up changed everything for me. He was smiling. He had finally achieved something special in his essay. He eagerly gave me his computer, so I could read what he had written. All of the time he had spent on the essay, all of the effort and heart he had poured into it had produced a final product worthy of his personality. And that was it—that look on his face as he told me he had done it. As I walked away from talking with him a few minutes later, I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. This moment made my 24-hours a day, seven days a week leader position worth it. And this moment occurred a few more times during the six weeks. I can still see those smiles on their faces—so wide and so gleeful. It was infectious."

“I am thrilled to be a part of Overland this summer. I know from experience that leading a group of students can be one of the most rewarding adventures in life. I am even more psyched to be leading Overland’s for writing is a passion of my own. I have benefitted from the commitment, imagination and integrity of the leaders in my life, and I aim to accomplish the same with Overland.”

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