The Kick Start event, held in spring, is a focused, one-day session where students begin drafting their Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) and Personal Statements with expert guidance, as well as starting their UC Applications and Common Applications.
The Accelerator event, offered in summer, is a two-day intensive dedicated to refining, editing, and completing these applications under the support of our team of coaches.
Through personalized coaching, tailored workbooks, and a structured plan, students should achieve polished, ready-to-submit applications by the end of the program.
Designed to simplify the college application process, the CAI transforms a stressful, months-long journey into a manageable and efficient timeline, empowering students to confidently hit "submit" on their applications.
Kick Start & Accelerator - $997
The Kick Start event is a focused, one-day workshop held from April to June, designed to help students take the first critical steps in their college application journey.
This spring session is perfect for students who want to get a head start and gain momentum as they approach the summer months.
Here’s what students accomplish at Kick Start:
#1.) Draft Your UC Applications and Common App Personal Statement: Students walk in with a blank slate and leave with strong, initial drafts of their UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) and their Common App Personal Statement.
#2.) Application 101: Through expert coaching, students learn the nuances of UC and Common App requirements, ensuring their essays align with what admissions officers are looking for.
#3.) Customized Resources: Every participant receives tailored workbooks and exercises designed to uncover their unique stories and craft compelling narratives.
#4.) Expert-Led Writing Sessions: Coaches guide students through brainstorming, outlining, and writing their first drafts.
#5.) Live Feedback: Students receive real-time guidance to ensure their drafts are on the right track.
By the end of Kick-Start, students have a solid foundation for their applications and the clarity to continue refining their essays over the summer.
⚠️ Important Requirement: Only students who have completed the Kick Start program can participate in the Accelerator event. This ensures that every participant arrives prepared with solid drafts, ready to refine and finalize their work.
Here’s what students achieve at Accelerator:
#1.) Edit and Refine: Students bring their revised drafts from CAI Kick Start and work with expert coaches to refine, enhance, and polish them to perfection.
#2.) Complete UC Applications and Common App Personal Statement: Coaches provide tailored advice to ensure students’ essays and applications are cohesive, compelling, and ready for submission.
#3.) Detailed Feedback: Coaches work one-on-one with students to provide personalized feedback on their essays and applications, focusing on clarity, tone, and alignment with college expectations.
#4.) Interactive Sessions: Small group environments allow for more in-depth discussions, personalized guidance, and ample time for questions. Each weekend cohort will have a small 5:1 student-to-coach ratio.
#5.) Submit-Ready Applications: Students leave with finalized UC Applications and a completed Common App Personal Statement.
Accelerator bridges the gap between initial drafts and submission-ready applications. This focused, structured weekend ensures that students aren’t scrambling during the fall, freeing up time for other senior-year priorities like letters of recommendation, supplemental essays, and finalizing their college lists.
Each Kick Start is a one-day event from 9 AM to 4 PM PST, including a 12 to 1 PM lunch break.
Choose the date that works best for your schedule!
April 5th - Virtual via Zoom
April 12th - Virtual via Zoom
April 26th - Virtual via Zoom
May 3rd - Virtual via Zoom
May 31st - In-Person (San Jose, Bay Area – Exact Location finalized by April 1st)
June 7th - Virtual via Zoom
June 14th - Virtual via Zoom
June 21st - Virtual via Zoom
June 28th - Virtual via Zoom
Secure your spot early to lock in your preferred date and location!
Each Accelerator session is a two-day event from 9 AM to 4 PM PST, with a 12 to 1 PM lunch break.
Select the date and location that works best for your schedule!
July 12th – 13th: Virtual via Zoom
July 19th – 20th: San Ramon (Bay Area)
July 19th – 20th: Anaheim (Orange County)
July 19th – 20th: Carmel Valley (San Diego)
July 26th – 27th: Virtual via Zoom SOLD OUT
August 2nd – 3rd: Virtual via Zoom
August 9th – 10th: Berkeley (Bay Area)
August 9th – 10th: Westwood (Los Angeles)
August 9th – 10th: La Jolla (San Diego)
August 16th – 17th: Virtual via Zoom
August 23rd – 24th: Virtual via Zoom
September 6th – 7th: Sacramento (Bay Area)
September 6th – 7th: Long Beach (Los Angeles)
September 6th – 7th: Carlsbad (San Diego)
September 13th – 14th: Virtual via Zoom
September 20th – 21st: San Jose (Bay Area)
September 20th – 21st: Irvine (Orange County)
September 20th – 21st: Mission Valley (San Diego)
Plan ahead and secure your spot to ensure availability for your desired date and location!
The two-part CAI program guides students through the most challenging aspects of college applications. It includes the Kick Start event in the spring, where students begin drafting their applications, and the Accelerator event in the summer, where students refine and complete their applications under expert guidance.
Rising seniors who want to get a head start on their college applications can use CAI, ensuring they submit polished, compelling applications by fall deadlines.
Complete the enrollment on this page or contact our team to register. Enrollment opened on Black Friday and availability is on a first-come, first-serve basis for both Kick Start and Accelerator events. You may register for Kick Start only or both Kick Start and Accelerator. No one may enroll for Accelerator only.
Due to the foundational work they completed during the spring event, students who skip Kick Start are not eligible for Accelerator. We plan to have a self-paced Kick Start curriculum that we will be releasing in July, in the case that we still have space available in Accelerator at this time.
We primarily design the events as working sessions for students, but we understand that parents may wish to attend. Our focus is on providing an optimal workspace for students, so seating may only accommodate student participants. Parents may drop off their children at the start of the session and pick them up by lunch or end of the session. If additional seats are available, parents are welcome to stay, but please be mindful that this is a focused working event for students.
Students nationwide can participate in Kick Start and Accelerator both in person in various California cities and virtually through live workshops.
Pricing for CAI varies depending on enrollment options and add-ons. Contact our team for detailed pricing and payment plans.
We offer follow-up coaching sessions and resources for students who need extra assistance with supplemental essays, interviews, or other aspects of the application process.
Kick Start is a one-day workshop held between April and June. It focuses on helping students create initial drafts of their UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) and Common App Personal Statement, while also learning the nuances of UC and Common App requirements.
By the end of Kick Start, students will: (1) Have initial drafts of their UC PIQs and Common App Personal Statement; (2) Understand the requirements and expectations for the UC and Common Applications; (3) Leave with personalized workbooks and exercises to guide further progress; (4) Submit their drafts for professional feedback and edits; and (5) Receive a detailed video response from our team within 7 days after the event, providing actionable suggestions for improvement.
Students should come prepared with an open mind, a laptop, and any preliminary ideas or notes they may have for their applications.
Designed to refine, enhance, and complete application drafts created during Kick Start, Accelerator is a two-day summer workshop (July–September) that ensures students have submission-ready materials.
Only students who have completed the Kick Start program are eligible to participate in Accelerator. This ensures that all attendees arrive prepared with solid drafts to refine.
By the end of Accelerator, students will: (1) Have polished, ready-to-submit UC Applications and Common App Personal Statements; (2) Received multiple one-on-one feedback and guidance from expert coaches; and (3) Complete their applications in a structured, supportive environment.
Each weekend cohort has a small 5:1 student-to-coach ratio, allowing for personalized guidance and in-depth feedback.
Students should bring: (1) Laptops and chargers; (2) Revised drafts of their essays from Kick Start; and (3) Notes, feedback, or additional materials for their applications.
Kick Start & Accelerator - $997