What is GSA thesis bootcamp?
GSA Bootcamps are highly successful in motivating students and giving them the tools and support to stay productive. On average students write 11,000 words and one memorable occasion, a student at a boot camp wrote 25,000 words. GSA helped students write 1,085,168 words in 2016. Participants have given GSA Bootcamps 4.97 out of 5.0 satisfaction rating and surveys show students gain a 25% average boost in confidence in working towards submission of their thesis. 85% of students who attended a boot camp go on to submit their thesis.
Thesis bootcamp is a structured, focused writing event. It takes place on a weekend on site in the 1888 Building at the University of Melbourne. It will involve being in the same room as other people and focusing on a writing target. It does not involve researching and the work that participants should select to write up is work where all research, data collection or design has already been completed.
Participants will need to be on site at the University of Melbourne from Friday 4pm - 8pm, back on Saturday 9am - 8pm, and back on Sunday 9am - 8pm. They must bring their own laptop or writing materials.
The pre-camp information session is recommended to prepare for the weekend.
Applying for thesis bootcamp
Please apply for the session you will be able to attend bearing in mind the following priority considerations given to applications:
- Those who have never attended a thesis bootcamp;
- Those who have finished research, experiments or design and are in 'write up' phase of their candidature or at the end of their degree;
- Those who are undertaking interdisciplinary projects;
- Suitability for the program and demonstrated committment.
Weight is given to compelling reasons for applying and for candidates who are focusing on tasks that involve writing up rather than researching (e.g. a discussion chapter or introduction rather than a literature review). In applying, applicants need to acknowledge that they will attend and complete prescribed tasks. Space for these thesis bootcamps is limited. The final decision about who can attend a thesis bootcamp is at the discretion of GSA.
Timeline for October bootcamp:
9pm 10 September 2017 - Applications for Thesis Bootcamp close
Friday 15 September 5pm - Shortlist of attendees created; all candidates notified; waiting list created.
Friday 29 September 1pm - Pre-camp info event to prepare thesis bootcampers for the gruelling weekend.
From 4pm Friday 13 October to Sunday 15 October - Thesis Bootcamp Event. NB. candidates will leave to spend the night at home by 8pm and start at 9am.
Time commitments
Successful applicants are expected to commit to the program (which is roughly 28 hours) and the pre-camp information session.
Who thesis bootcamp is for
Thesis bootcamp is for those who are in a write-up phase of their thesis. This suits later stage candidates, but a candidate who is writing up for confirmation may still find the bootcamp useful. However, the successful candidate will not be using the weekend to conduct research and will understand that the event is for generative writing.
Pricing
Please be advised that successful applicants will be charged a small fee to reflect the significant cost of running this event.
We charge for two reasons:
- To encourage graduate students to value our courses and minimise non-attendance of registered students
- To recoup a portion of costs in order to expand programs and maximise program delivery with our limited budget
Registration for Thesis bootcamp will be conducted online and payment will be via Eventbrite using a credit card or PayPal account.Thesis bootcamps costs are significant, and we fully cater the event for the duration of a weekend.