When is the Dissertation Boot Camp?
July 31-August 11, 2023
What is Dissertation Boot Camp?
The Graduate School and the Writing Place developed the Dissertation Boot Camp to help you make fast and significant process with your dissertation writing. Therefore, at boot camp, you will spend most of your time writing. However, and perhaps most importantly, boot camp is a chance for you to learn more about yourself as a writer. As such, you will also be given the opportunity to participate in optional workshops and receive feedback on your writing and writing process from boot camp facilitator Meaghan Fritz, Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Cook Family Writing Program and Graduate Writing Fellows from the Graduate Writing Place.
Where is Dissertation Boot Camp?
To accommodate as many students as possible, we will offer dissertation boot camp in two modalities this summer: in-person and online. Students who choose the in-person modality will work in the Graduate Writing Commons during the boot camp hours. Those who choose online will work together in a Zoom platform. All participants will be able to attend workshops and one-on-one writing consultations.
Why should I participate?
Dissertation Boot Camp will help motivate your writing by affording you a designated time to write each day, and by providing academic and community support throughout the writing process. Over the course of Northwestern’s previous boot camps, over 300 students from more than 50 different departments and programs at Northwestern have participated. In evaluations, all of these students agreed that they were more productive during boot camp than they would be writing on their own. Now more than ever, when the isolating process of dissertation writing has become even more cut off from opportunities for collaboration and community in departments and programs across NU, the Dissertation Boot Camp will help you to achieve your writing goals in an encouraging, supportive environment.
What can I expect?
If you are accepted into Boot Camp, you will commit to daily writing sessions Monday-Friday, from 9:00a.m.-1:00p.m. During this block of time, the Writing Program will offer various (optional) daily breakout sessions for conversation with fellow boot campers. Meaghan and other Graduate Writing Fellows will also be available for writing consultations.
How much does it cost?
Dissertation boot camp is free!
Who is eligible to apply?
If you have advanced to PhD candidacy (passed your dissertation proposal), completed most of the research/data collection for your dissertation, and finished at least one chapter draft (or you and your advisor agree that you have done enough research/writing to profit from the dedicated writing time), you are eligible to apply.
Additionally, you must obtain permission from your advisor to participate.
How do I apply?
Interested applicants should complete this Google form and arrange to have your advisor send a brief email to nubootcamp@northwestern.edu endorsing your participation in Boot Camp (this need not be a letter of recommendation).
Applications are due Friday, May 19.
Questions?
If you have any additional questions, please contact Meaghan Fritz at meaghan.fritz@northwestern.edu.