College Prep Camp
June 6 – 9, 2027 (Sunday – Wednesday)
College Prep Camp (CPC) is designed for rising seniors in the Class of 2028 who want a strong start on the college application process. Students will receive clear direction on college search, personal statements, and supplemental essays, along with individualized feedback from our experienced counselors and admissions professionals. They’ll leave CPC with real progress made and their biggest questions answered.
And because it is the Lair, we’re building in plenty of downtime too. Students can swim, hang out with new friends, play games, and enjoy the mountains while balancing work with fun.
Bonus: Friends who attend together each receive a 10% discount, even twin siblings!
If you have questions and/or would like to schedule a 30-min. conversation with our Senior Admissions Advisor, Ken Gonsalves, please complete this short intake form and Ken will reach out to you.
More About CPC
In the College Search Program, students get to build a smart, personalized college list without the usual stress spiral. We break down what colleges are really looking for, help students identify campuses that fit their vibe, and turn the whole search process into something that feels less like guesswork and more like clarity.
The Writing Program is where the magic happens. Students jump into their Common App essays, UC prompts, and scholarship responses with guided workshops, real-time feedback, and plenty of creative sparks. We help them find their voice, shape their stories, and write essays that actually sound like them, not a robot, not their parents, and definitely not ChatGPT.
By the end of camp, students walk away with major progress on their applications, a clear plan for the rest of the process, and a confidence boost that actually sticks. Plus, they’ll pick up a few new friends and bragging rights for being “ahead of the game” before senior year even starts.
Meet Your CPC Program Leads
Jason McConnell is the founder of My EdPrep and a former board member of the Cal Alumni Association, bringing extensive experience in college admissions, mentorship, and student development. Renowned for his creative writing expertise, Jason brings 15 years of experience helping students discover powerful essay ideas and craft compelling narratives. Jason also guides students in building meaningful extracurricular activities that reflect their strengths and goals. He blends professionalism with a grounded approach, empowering families with structure and confidence throughout the college planning process.
Haley Friedman guides high school students and their families through the college admissions process including college search and what to expect on applying to college. Haley also provides clear direction and support on college entrance essays and personal statements. Getting to know each student and guiding them on their unique path to college is Haley’s passion. Learn more about Haley Friedman.
Ken Gonsalves served as Senior Assistant Director in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at UC Berkeley, where he evaluated thousands of applications and mentored prospective students navigating the path to college.
Upon graduating from Cal, Ken first started his career at UC Berkeley in the Transfer/Re-entry center before moving on to OUA. Over his 21-year tenure, Ken established a reputation for his in-depth understanding of admissions evaluation and his dedication to helping applicants share their authentic stories.
His work has extended beyond Berkeley. As the Senior Admissions Advisor with My EdPrep, Ken continues to support students in achieving admission to universities that best match their academic and personal aspirations.
Ken combines his institutional insight with his passion for mentorship—guiding students and families through every stage of the admissions process.
Booking, Rates, & Accommodations
In 2026, College Prep Camp was $1,795 per student; 2027 rates are TBA. Taxes will be itemized separately on your Lair reservation when your booking is confirmed. Our reservation system will open mid-January.
Register with one or more friends (or a twin) and each student receives a 10% discount! Each family should create its own account and register its own student as the camper in the tent they book. Don’t worry about choosing the same tent; we’ll take care of placing same-gender friends together after registration. In the Special Request box, simply include the name(s) of the friend(s) your student would like to bunk with and let our office know (lair@alumni.berkeley.edu). Once we have that information, we’ll apply the 10% friend discount to each family’s account and make sure the friends end up tented together.
All students bunk in classic tent cabins at Camp Oski (see our accommodations page). When booking, select any Oski tent for your student. Before camp, we will make changes to accommodate friends attending together and make sure everyone has at least one bunk-mate. This means that the tent you book may not be the same tent your student is ultimately assigned.
Camp Oski's classic tent cabins are set under the pines and around shared firepits.
Have Questions About College Prep Camp?
Contact the Lair
Phone: 510.900.8255
Email: lair@alumni.berkeley.edu
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