Navigating the Dissertation

Navigating the Dissertation is an innovative interdisciplinary workshop series aimed to support doctoral students throughout the University on the dissertation journey. Workshops range in topic and helps to guide the doctoral student through all stages--before and during--of the dissertation process.

Dissertation Boot Camp, Summer 2008
May 30 (Friday) - June 13 (Friday)
Weekdays, 9AM-1PM [optional stay: 5PM]
Graduate Student Center, Third Floor

Looking for an environment where you can focus solely on writing your dissertation? Look no further. The Graduate Student Center's proud and popular Dissertation Boot Camp is your two-week writers' retreat.

As a part of our Navigating the Dissertation Series, our Dissertation Boot Camp was developed to help students progress through the difficult writing stages of the dissertation process, towards its completion. By offering an environment and support for intense, focused writing time, the Camp provides participants with the structure and motivation to overcome typical roadblocks in the dissertation process. Read about a Camper's experience in The Pennsylvania Gazette, Dissertation 'boot camp' turns slackers into scholars.

Cost: Nonrefundable $20 supply fee and a separate $50 deposit
Register for Boot Camp by bringing your payment to the Graduate Student Center, 3615 Locust Walk, along with your Penn grad ID.

Requirements:

- Each day will include a 4-hour mandatory writing session. Participants have an option to stay until 5PM.
- Each participant will have assigned desks, and must obey the Boot Camp Rules, which will be discussed on the first day of the Boot Camp.
- Boot Camp participants must bring their own laptops and all materials (e.g., books, data) that are necessary. These items can be secured in the Grad Center for the duration of Boot Camp.
- On the first day of Boot Camp, Weingarten Learning Resources Center will offer a group workshop on organization and writing. Weingarten staff will remain available on an on-call basis throughout the program, to help students overcome any habits or problems standing in the way of success.
- All participants are asked to make a serious commitment to the program. To encourage this sustained commitment, we charge a $50 deposit which is then returned, in full, upon completion. Those failing to complete the program or abide by the Boot Camp rules will lose their deposit.

Bootcamp FAQ:

A student can only attend Boot Camp once. A student cannot participate in more than one Boot Camp. So if you participated in a previous two-week Boot Camp, you cannot register again, unless there are seats left. The reason for this is twofold: (1) Boot Camp is limited to 20 students, and we are trying to accommodate as many students as possible; (2) We intend for Boot Camp to be a model that one could replicate once having participated.

It is our hope that one will continue to meet with the Weingarten Learning Resource Center advisors if needed and stick to a writing schedule with the momentum gained from Boot Camp. Because of the intense staffing and space requirements of Boot Camp, we can only offer it a few times per year and we want to spread the wealth!

What if I cannot register in person? Please ask a representative to register for you. Your representative must have your name, email, school, $50 deposit/$20 supply fee and a copy of your Penn Grad ID. If the person does not have a copy of your ID, you can send an email from your PENN ACCOUNT verifying that you will be registering for Boot Camp via proxy. Include your name, email, school and Penn ID number in the email you send to gsc@pobox.upenn.edu.

Questions or Concerns? We are happy to explain our policies and discuss the program with you. Please contact us at 215-746-6868 or gsc@pobox.upenn.edu. If you have registered, please expect to receive an email from us a couple of days prior to the Boot Camp, explaining the logistics and rules of the program.