Thesis/Dissertation Accelerator

In 2005 the University of Pennsylvania held a dissertation "boot camp" because staff felt that students should not have to pay out of pocket for dissertation coaches. Soon this idea caught on with other colleges and universities. Now dissertation boot camps are being held across North America and the world. Most of these events include mandatory morning sessions and optional afternoon sessions as well as individual consultations and help with goal setting and accountability. The KU Writing Center has decided to welcome masters students working on their theses to our event. We have also chosen to focus on acceleration and progress, rather than use a militaristic "boot camp" approach.

Application will open May 1st, 2024 at 9am and will close May 8th, 2024 at 12pm.

You may fill out an application for the upcoming TDA through our online application form. Applicants must apply by the provided deadline, and will be informed if they have been accepted within about a week. (Note that an application does NOT guarantee you a spot. This is a highly competitive program, and applicants are chosen based on a variety of factors). There are 30 spots open in the program. If you are accepted we will ask you to fill out a pre-questionnaire before the event. If you are declined, you will be put on a waitlist and notified if a spot opens up. If accepted, there is a $50 participation fee. Funding is available for those who express need through limited department and Student Senate funding.

The Thesis/Dissertation Accelerator is open to all KU graduate students drafting their masters theses, masters projects, or doctoral dissertations. Priority will be given to graduate students who are in the last years of their project. The Accelerator is particularly helpful for students who are struggling to finish their projects, to set manageable goals, and to create a plan for their careers.

Students are selected based on a variety of factors. Priority is given to students who are in their last years of their degree, who demonstrate high levels of need and commitment, and who can benefit from increased accountability in their writing process. If you have questions about the selection process please email the Student Program Manager, Graduate Writing and Support. Please note that the application process is competitive and students are not guaranteed a spot simply because they have applied.

If you are accepted into the Thesis/Dissertation Accelerator program we expect you to attend each day for the full day. With the exception of emergencies, if you fail to attend on any one of those days you will lose your spot and will not be allowed to continue in the program. We have such a strict attendance policy because this event focuses on creating accountability in order to help you reach your writing goals. Your fellow participants will be counting on you to help them move forward and create an atmosphere of committed focus and concentration. The Accelerator only works if all participants are engaged, present, and dedicated.

The write-ins also provide a time for quiet focus and writing. However, there is no application for a write-in and write-ins are drop-in style, every Friday of the Fall or Spring semesters. Students may come and go when they like and are not penalized if they fail to attend. The Accelerator is capped at 30 students for more individualized attention from KU staff, and small-group engagement. Participants of the TDA may also choose from a wide variety of optional specialized consultations. Because it lasts for four days and includes optional writing time each afternoon the Accelerator allows students to work for up to 28 hours on their writing in a quiet, focused, and encouraging atmosphere.

In addition to writing time, goal setting, and accountability check-ins, the Thesis/Dissertation Accelerator offers a variety of optional individual consultations. You may work with staff who have expertise in the following areas:  using databases to find sources, field-specific research, EndNote, Zotero, thesis/dissertation formatting, organizing and writing thesis/dissertation drafts, overcoming writing blocks, goal setting, and creating accountability.