Admissions officers will spend 3-7 MINUTES reviewing your child's college application – if you don’t have a clue about how to make your child "stand out" from the 30,000-90,000 applications they’ll receive, this invitation is for you…
The Toughest College Admissions Year Ever??
Results for the Class of 2023's college applicants were, in a nutshell, confusing, stressful and nonsensical! Things are shaping up to be equally tough -- or harder -- for the Class of 2024...
Who Else Wants to Avoid "Admissions Armageddon?"
The world is upside down for current seniors as I write this in the early months of 2023.
The MOST deferrals ever, plus wait lists and rejections have CRUSHED top students’ dreams...
...even at their “Safety Schools!”
Admission rates at Ivy League colleges and other competitive colleges have PLUMMETED into the single digits (Boston College: supposedly 5% at the time of writing!), due largely to i. the return of the international student; and ii. test-optional policies, which created a tsunami of applications that flooded colleges in unprecedented numbers:
Common Application submissions are up a whopping 30% compared to pre-pandemic levels...
When you factor changing institutional goals, embraced by admissions directors to reflect current political headwinds, you can clearly see what caused shock, disbelief and heartbreak from coast to coast this year...
And that's just the moms!
It's bad for kids too. Really bad.
Especially for the deserving ones who worked their tails off throughout high school but lost out to "less qualified" candidates!
If you have a Class of 2024 student who's getting ready to apply to college, you should be asking yourself...
Will Your Child Get Picked Out of the Crowd Because They Submitted an Impeccable Application and Essays that "Sell"...Or Will They Risk Losing Out to Someone Who Did?
Today, more than ever, great grades and a high SAT or ACT aren't nearly enough.
This is NOT the year to be complacent. You can't just lazily sit back, relax and assume that you'll get in where you "deserve" to be admitted.
Even if your guidance counselor says that you can!
It's critically important for college applicants to put in the EXTRA work to stand out, so that they GET IN.
Here's a dirty little secret about college admissions officers: they SKIM applications. At elite Ivy and Ivy Plus colleges, admissions officers devote, on average, six minutes to review an entire application! That means transcripts, test scores, teacher recommendations, extracurricular activities, essays and more. That's it!
They read approximately 1,000 applications per year, and their eyes glaze over after a while. They're human beings, after all. That means...
Your application must "pop" from the get-go if you want a shot at getting into a top college!
It's not just the Ivies and the rest of the top 30 colleges, by the way. Last week, I met a buddy, Nick, at a local cigar bar. He's a director of admissions at a NYC metro area college. And he was EXHAUSTED.
Nick told me he read 2,400 apps last year! He averaged three-four minutes per, best guess.
Here's what this means for you and your aspiring college applicant...
Your kiddo has only SECONDS to demonstrate "THIS is why you should admit me over my other 50,000 competitors!"
Tonight, if you asked your child to answer the question, "Why should a college accept YOU?", how would they respond?
Most kids have no clue, if they're being honest.
Or they come up with a non-answer that sounds like something they think admissions officers want to hear, but could pertain to almost every college applicant!
You can guess what I mean:
"I have great grades."
I'm an extremely "hard worker."
And "passionate," of course.
Oh, OK:
“Get me the hard working, passionate kid with great grades!” said no admissions officer, ever.
While I’m on this mini-rant, here’s a fun fact:
Apparently, EVERYONE applying to college is a "leader." They're all in charge and take initiative!
I'm being facetious, but you get the point..
Most kids have NO freaking idea of how to capture admissions officers' attention, hearts and minds and PERSUADE them why they should be admitted to the school of their dreams!
That goes double for parents, who are even more in the dark than their kids.
They think things are "the same as when they applied" (even though they hand wrote their essays!).
You know, back in ancient times, when Northeastern and U Miami accepted 90% of applicants if they could write a check (or borrow the funds), and fog a mirror. Kids from my high school went there because they couldn't get into any other college.
Now, Northeastern receives 90,000 applications, admits less than 6% of applicants, and has achieved elite status.
It's a whole new world. The college process today is unrecognizable, overcomplicated and extremely confusing and stressful. But that's exactly why we're offering...
Our 8th Annual College Bootcamp
THE Place For Overwhelmed Parents to Send Their Kids to Get Their College Applications and Essays Buttoned Up and Out The Door!
Nauseated at the inevitable prospect of screaming at your child all summer (and fall, realistically) about doing those d-mn college applications? Don't worry: "Your Kid Is OUR Project, Now!" Here are the main areas covered in the Bootcamp...
Applications and Essays
Expert "insider" instruction, brainstorming and editing re: what should go into each and every essay so that it "Sells” -- and, equally important -- what to leave out! (Hint: think twice about that mental health essay!)
Positioning
"Positioning" is a marketing term. We use the same concept to help our bootcampers answer the question, "Why should we take YOU compared to tens of thousands of competitors with the same grades and test scores?"
Accountability
WE are the drill sergeant. Not you. We help bootcampers create a schedule and structure of what needs to be done, when. Your child will know exactly what tasks they must complete so they don't blow any key deadlines or opportunities.
JUST ADDED BONUS!
Personal Scholarship Jump Start Session to identify scholarships that your child is eligible for, and that are not overly competitive, which increases your odds of winning them! This is a private, customized meeting. And FREE...if you enroll before we hit our limit!
This summer, we can help your child become an "Incomparable Applicant" in the fall. Here's how....
Live Instruction
Monthly group coaching calls and four bonus Drafting Session Sunday meetings to roll up your sleeves and get the essays drafted and even done! Led by Andy Lockwood and a real live college admissions officer! All sessions run from June to October, weeknights and Sundays, 2x (or more) per month, and will be recorded if you can't make it live. We will provide the schedule of workshops by June 15.
On Demand Training
Supplement your live instruction with immediate on-demand access to our "Incomparable Applicant Master Class," a series of videos and expert, "insider" advice about the essays and applications from former admissions officers from U Chicago and other elite institutions. (Not the same old, same old you'd get from an English teacher or tutor with zero experience in college admissions.)
A Winning Gameplan
Key timelines, milestones and accountability so you never blow a deadline or wonder "What should I be doing now?", because we'll help you stay on top of EVERYTHING...you'll always know EXACTLY when everything is due.
Completely candid photo from summer of 2019. Not forced.
About Your Instructor
Andrew Lockwood, J.D. is the best selling author of several books, including College Essay Insider Secrets and How to Get Into Your Dream College Without Lying Bribing or Photoshopping and, along with his wife Pearl Lockwood, co-founder of Lockwood College Prep. Each year he personally mentors select students who gain admission to colleges such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell, Duke, Notre Dame, MIT and numerous other elite and competitive institutions of higher education.
More details...
Here's what you get when you say YES to our program...
- All the support your kiddo needs to get his/her college applications D-O-N-E over the summer, before school starts in the fall
- 2x per month live, interactive group coaching and Drafting Sessions from Andy Lockwood and an actual, real life college admissions officer, June-October (recorded if you can't make it live)
- (This means you don't have to scream or threaten your child all summer! Your kid = Our project!)
- Structure and ACCOUNTABILITY: Timeline of what needs to be done and when so nothing slips through the cracks and you and your child are not blindsided at the last minute by "hidden" deadlines that you should have known about!
- Monthly supplemental Office Hours to drop in, ask your questions (these are offered in addition to the live workshops and Drafting Sessions)
- Brainstorming and one round of edits for the 1. the Common Application essay and 2. up to three supplemental essays (must be submitted to us before October 1)
- Pre-recorded INSIDER instructional content, including interviews with former admissions officers, sample essays to model (NOT plagiarize!) so that you can immediately jump right in, or review at your convenience
- How to stand out in a “Sea of Sameness” from 50,000 competitor applicants with the same grades and same test scores, and create an application so powerful that admissions officers will (practically) crawl naked over broken glass to admit your student
- Confidence and peace of mind that you've done EVERYTHING possible to optimize your college application and avoid fatal mistakes that can automatically throw an application into the Reject Pile
- College List: How to choose colleges strategically, not based entirely on “Rear Window Sticker” or rank
- How to visit colleges (yes, this is happening now) - including the two key areas that you’ll never hear about in an “info-session” (sales pitch) or tour (sales pitch)
- A ninja way to ACE the college interview, by turning the tables on the interviewer
- How to find overlooked “gem” colleges that will give your child a great education at a great price
- Waitlist strategies (huge this year - perhaps bigger next year!)
- BONUS: Access to proprietary College Guru Software to help you create a balanced, strategic list and identify merit aid opportunities (far more powerful than Naviance because it lacks its inherent, misleading design flaws) Value: $499
- BONUS: 45 minute Fast Start Call and Pre-College Application Audit to make sure you get everything you can out of the Bootcamp, make specific recommendations that you can implement immediately and answer your questions. Value: $750
- JUST ADDED, "EARLY ACTION" BONUS: Personalized, private Scholarship Search Jump Start Session! Value: $150.
- More!
Total Value of Bonuses: $1,264
Whoa Nelly! Before you pull the trigger and enroll...
Let me be blunt...
The Bootcamp program is a series of WORKshops. Emphasis on "work."
This isn't a passive, sit on your butt class. Our Bootcampers will BRAINSTORM, DRAFT AND REDRAFT their Common Application and essays until their eyeballs and fingertips bleed!
Just kidding about the bleeding stuff, but do NOT enroll if your child is just going to sit there like a lump, unwilling to roll up their sleeves and take care of business, because...
Tuition is NON-refundable
Your enrollment represents a spot that could go to another student. Do not enroll unless your child is committed to getting things done!
Plus, your child will be in a small group, so that we can meet individually with everyone. If he's a dud or otherwise a bad influence, that will affect the energy in the room. We don't need any Negative Nellies around to poison the rest of the class.
Call or email us with any questions BEFORE you enroll: 516-882-5464 or [email protected].
The Investment
OK, let's talk turkey. There's a former admissions lady who gets $16,000 for a week-long (that's it!) bootcamp.
There are other, similarly-priced options that take place in other countries at beach resorts. I'm serious.
To be fair, 1:1 college advisory clients pay $12,000 to work with Lockwood College Prep, and $20,000 and up to work privately with Andy Lockwood. Those programs stretch out over a year or two, though.
Our private clients fork over these amounts unblinkingly because of the RESULTS they achieve - admission to the top colleges in the country, not to mention generous merit scholarships.
But obviously, these amounts aren't within reach of most families, and I wanted to create a more budget-friendly way for you to receive similar guidance.
Tuition for the Bootcamp is nowhere near $20,000. Or $12,000.
It's not even half of $12,000 if you sign up before the "Early Action Scholarship" deadline!
The best deal is the 1-pay option -- 5,995, but you can also spread out your tuition in 5 easy, monthly payments of 1,299.
Pick the option that works best for you, before the tuition increases or we run out of spots!
(Limit 12 students. Seats are first-come, first-served. We've sold out every year.)
WAIT, I've Got ANOTHER Bonus For You (if you're one of the first 6 to enroll)...
Here's an EXTRA "EARLY ACTION BONUS" worth $750: 3 Hours of 1:1 SAT or ACT Private Tutoring with our Head Tutor, Marissa U! Limited to the first 6 to enroll (she's busy!)
Gee, it almost looks like they're having fun! Of course they're not. But they're getting sh*t D-O-N-E!
The Final Countdown
Time flies - before you know it, summer will end and school will start up again. Then, November 1 and other application deadlines will be here...also before you know it!
Our Bootcamp will be your child's LAST CHANCE to focus on college applications before they get back to school and wrapped up in regular classwork, clubs, sports, extra-curricular activities, socializing, etc. If you thought they were distracted over the summer, just wait...
It's much better for you, your relationship with your son or daughter and everyone if you take care of this now!
Or you could stretch things out until Thanksgiving, or longer. Yuck!
Enroll today and you'll get your kid away from Snapchat, Instagram, the Dreaded Tik Tok and other distractions...
...You'll say "buh-bye" to them, maybe actually relax for a few hours (crazy idea!)...and by the end of the summer they should have completed their applications, Common Application essay and up to three supplemental essays.
And the best part...
Without doubling your anxiety meds, skyrocketing your blood pressure or even breaking a cold sweat!
Yes, Andy! I'm in! I want to secure a spot!
Client Successes
I needed help with my essays and I knew my English teacher would be useless. Thank you!
Julia Petrini, admitted to Brown, Penn
Hi Andy, I just wanted to let you know that I was admitted to Stanford REA yesterday. Thanks to you and the rest of the team for all the help so far!
Kevin Martin, admitted to Stanford, Princeton, Brown
...the Cornell admissions person said that this was an incredibly competitive year and their applications really stood out! Guess who made all this possible? We are so grateful to you!
Julie Pareles, twin boys admitted to Cornell
I know a lot of college planners who promise results but don't deliver. In your case, I got real results. Other parents thank me for recommending you.
Dr. Dennis O'Hara, Superintendent, Islip School District
Thank you for your help with everything, especially the applications and essays!
Victorian Jakobsen, admitted to Vassar
We used Andy for the applications and essays. The whole thing was overwhelming, don't try this on your own!
We will be back with our younger daughter.
- Joe Iannone
Owner, Avellino's Pizzeria Garden City, NY
Sorry for the late text but it's Ivy Day! Looks like Jared is choosing from Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth and Amherst! It's a good day!
Patty Schwartz, Wantagh, New York
From the moment I walked into your office, I felt an enormous weight lifted off my shoulders.
Thank you for all that you have done for my precious girls.
Beth Sova, Scottsdale, Arizona
The Duke admissions officer said it was the best application she read.
Sophie R, Duke University, Class of 2023
Frequently Asked Questions/Answers
When are the bootcamp sessions? We will conduct 2x per month, live group coaching workshops over the summer, end of June to the beginning of October, weeknights. This includes four College Essay Drafting Sessions on Sundays, 10am-2pm, in July and August. These are blocks of uninterrupted time to get essays done and live feedback from Andy and his team.
We will finalize and distribute the schedule by June 15. Recordings available if you can't make it live. We will also have supplemental Office Hours throughout the summer for kids to drop in, ask questions, get feedback.
PLUS, when you enroll you get instant access to recordings of last year's Bootcamp, including on-demand college essays and applications advice straight from former college admissions officers...
...PLUS PLUS a live, "Fast Start" online kickoff class that takes place after June 15 (after most kids finish with APs, finals, etc.)
Where is the bootcamp? The group instruction (2x per month, June-September) is online, and the office hours (1-2x per month, June-September) are in the office and online. The College Essay Drafting Sessions (Sundays) will be online and in the office. You’ll get a meeting invitation before each session.
How long is the bootcamp? Block out an hour for each session, but they could go a little longer, or possibly shorter. (Recordings available).
How is the Bootcamp different from your other programs? The Get College Ready Bootcamp is a focused summer group coaching program that "fast tracks" the college application process.
In contrast to our Comprehensive, individualized college advisory program, the Bootcamp provides limited essay editing (one round of comments on the Common Application essay and up to three supplemental essays if submitted to us by September 1). If you need more editing we can work out a package, if our editors have capacity.
College Advisory clients receive unlimited help with essays and personalized, 1:1 coaching, it's not a group program..
Finally, unlike our comprehensive college advisory program, the Bootcamp does NOT include financial aid consulting or preparation of the FAFSA and other forms or career counseling.
College advisory program fees for 11th graders range from $12,000-20,000 (the high end is for And's select, private clients) if we have availability. If interested, email [email protected]).
What should my child bring to the bootcamp? If he or she has an outline or draft of the essay that would be a great start, but not necessary.
Can parents come to the bootcamp? No way (are you serious?)!
Will you write my kid's essay for him? Stop.
My kid has no idea what to write about for his college essay, is this a waste of money? That's probably the BEST reason to sign up.
Our high school offers a bootcamp. What's the difference between that and yours? My answer, based on years of experience, is that you won't get instruction or feedback from real life admissions officers at your high school session, which is typically run by English teachers who are basically GUESSING what good essays look like, as they have never "been in the room where it happens." Plus the scope of our instruction is probably five times the content provided by the school, and our program runs from the end of June to the beginning of October. Most high school bootcamps last one week.
My kid isn't motivated to do the work at the bootcamp, can I dump him on you? Please DON'T. Kids need to come with a good attitude, we're running a small, collegial group. One bad apple can run the bunch. This is not the place for whiners or slackers, we are doing WORK.
Do you prorate the Bootcamp if we miss part of it? No, but we will have recordings of each session to help you catch up.
What is your refund policy? Our refund policy is that. after June 15, there are NO REFUNDS, because this is a small group class and the spot you take represents a seat that could have been sold to another family.
If your child spends each session playing video games or otherwise blowing off the advice, instruction and homework, that’s unfortunate, but it’s a “you problem.” Not ours. We're coaches, but we can't "cut" any students. We can only lead them to water but cannot make them drink.
Again, please don’t sign him or her up if they’re not going to roll up their sleeves and get them fingers a clickin’ and a clackin’!!!
Note: If a genuine last minute emergency comes up that prevents participation we MAY, in our discretion, decide to partially credit you, but you will have to pass our patented BS Detector test.
If you have doubts about your child's level of commitment, you should probably take a pass on this offer. If you'd like to set up a call or meeting with you and your child, enroll first, then email or call us to set up the interview.
If in our opinion your child is not going to be a good fit (and it's not yet June 15) we will promptly and cheerfully return every last dollar of your tuition, because it will prevent you from wasting money and us from wasting time on an "uncoachable" student.
Another forced photo of kids being tortured in the summer of 2017. Feel the awkwardness!
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More Client Reviews and Results
Questions?
If you have any questions or need clarification, email or call [email protected] / 516.882.5464 and either I or someone on my team will get back to you as quickly as possible! Otherwise, sign up today while we still have room!
See you on the inside!
