College Essay Program

1 week

for 11th graders only

Overview

Overland’s College Essay Program offers rising seniors the chance to produce the essays needed for their college applications. With the guidance of a master teacher and the assistance of two Overland leaders, each of our students will have the time to create, revise and polish his or her college admissions essays while enjoying the outdoor opportunities available on the Williams College campus and in the surrounding Berkshire Hills.

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 and begin drafts for one or two supplemental essays. 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.

Highlights

Produce a polished essay for your college applications
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 2010.

Challenge Level

3 (1-10, 1 is easiest)

Start and End Location

Starts and ends in Williamstown, Massachusetts

Dates and Fees

1 Week

Sunday, June 27 to Saturday, July 3
Sunday, July 4 to Saturday, July 10
Sunday, July 11 to Saurday, July 17
Sunday, August 1 to Saturday, August 7

$1795 (airfare not included)

Itinerary

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 and begin drafts for one or two supplemental essays.

After class, we'll break for a picnic lunch that we'll make ourselves 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.

Trip Details

Our Master Teachers

Mary MacDonald has taught English and creative writing for 15 years in New York City and Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Her students have ranged from sixth graders through graduate students. Currently, she teaches at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School, where she collaborates with the Edith Wharton Restoration at The Mount to create professional development programs for teachers of prose and poetry. She holds degrees in English from Boston College and Teachers College, Columbia University.

Ben Weaver has taught high school English for six years in Berskshire 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.

Photos

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Enrollment Forms

Below is the Admissions Material packet and other information for College Essay Program.

Admission Material 2010

College Essay Program Relase Forms 2010: Over 18 Years Old & Under 18 Years Old

Prepare & Pack

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. We will provide writing materials and laptops for every student's use in class.

In preparation for your week with Overland, please spend about twenty 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 for 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.

2010 College Essay Program Writing Prompts

Afternoons will be active and fun; we will go for bike rides and hikes. 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.

Luggage

On Overland trips, we travel light. Please bring just one carry-on size rolling suitcase and one small backpack. Experience has shown that this is the only way to go. Dimensions of the carry-on rolling suitcase should not exceed 22"H x 14"W x 9"D. Use your backpack to carry essentials on the plane (do not use as additional luggage space). Your backpack will be used for carrying your materials to class, as well as for afternoon day hikes. Be sure to tag all items with your name, address and phone number.

Packing for Your Program

Please stick to the following guidelines when packing for your program; your group will have access to laundry. Bring clothes that are comfortable and suitable for outdoor activities. Overland provides linens (sheets, pillowcase, towels), a blanket and a pillow.

Clothing

Tennis Shoes or Sneakers. Comfortable shoes to wear around all day and while on day hikes and bike rides.
Waterproof Raincoat. Must be waterproof (not just water or wind resistant); GoreTex is one of the better-known waterproof and breathable fabrics but there are many to choose from.
Long Pants. One pair.
Fleece Pullover or Sweatshirt. One only.
Comfortable Shorts. Two 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. One only.

Gear & Miscellaneous

Small backpack. For everyday adventures and hikes.
Bike Helmet. Overland will provide bikes.
Toiletries. All travel size.
Beach Towel. Medium size.
Water Bottle. Any kind, to stay hydrated out in the sun.
Flashlight. Small.
Sunglasses & Hat. With visor (e.g., baseball hat).
Sunscreen (SPF 30+), Chapstick (with SPF protection) & Insect Repellent.
USB Flash Drive (any size). For saving your writing projects.
Camera/Batteries/Memory Card

Canon PowerShot SD960 IS

Journal & Pen. Optional.
Personal Spending Money. $50 is a suggested amount for souvenirs, gifts and necessities.

Note: Please do not bring any type of knife or multi-tool (e.g., Swiss Army Knife, Leatherman).

We do not permit personal electronics on our programs (for example, cellphones and iPods). We do, however, allow students who fly to their program to carry a cell phone while traveling; on arrival, Overland's leaders will collect all cell phones for the duration of the program and return them for flights home. Perhaps, a better option would be to bring a pre-paid phone card so that the leaders do not have to carry cell phones for the duration of the program.

Travel Information

Families are responsible for making travel arrangements to and from Williamstown, Massachusetts. Overland’s leaders will be on hand at the airport to provide supervision and assistance at trip start and end.

Flight Arrival: Albany International Airport (ALB) between 10am and 12pm Sunday, 6/27, 7/4, 7/11 and 8/1
Flight Departure: Albany International Airport (ALB) between 10:00am and 12pm Saturday, 7/3, 7/10, 7/17 and 8/7

Drop Off: Cole Field House, 85 Stetson Rd., Williams College, Williamstown, Mass. at 2pm Sunday
Pick Up: Cole Field House, 85 Stetson Rd., Williams College, Williamstown, Mass. at 11am Saturday

Any other special cases: please call the Overland office to coordinate, if you have not done so already.

Flight & Travel Information 2010

Program Start & End Information 2010

For Parents Driving to Williamstown 2010

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 1

CEP 2 - mail must arrive prior to July 8

CEP 3 - mail must arrive prior to July 15

CEP 6 - mail must arrive prior to August 5

Helpful Reminders

Checklist and Reminders 2010

Apply Now

We welcome your interest in joining Overland this summer!

To apply, please complete and sign the application on page 47 of the Overland catalog or download an application. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the application).

Please refer to page 46 of our catalog for important information you should know before signing the application.

Send your application and $795 deposit 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

Sorry, we are unable to accept applications by fax, and we do not take credit cards. Applications are reviewed in the order in which they arrive at our office and we cannot hold spots over the phone.

To learn about our admissions process, please click here.

Emma Lennon

Hometown: Marshfield, Massachusetts
School: Middlebury College
More about Emma »

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