Each student prepares for the workshop, in advance, by

• choosing a topic,
• procuring (either buying or borrowing) at least 3-5 books on that topic (many if not all of which the student should read before the start of "camp"), and
• arranging for online access to other primary and secondary sources on digital databases (e.g., JSTOR, eLibrary, Gale, EBSCO, Congressional Quarterly, etc.).

Instructors work one-on-one with students, coaching them through the research and writing process: formulating productive research questions; finding and making discerning use of primary and secondary sources; taking accurate notes; analyzing evidence, formulating a provisional narrative and testing it with more research; marshaling evidence to support one's position or narrative; puzzling together a narrative structure for one's essay; documenting evidence with University of Chicago-style source citations; writing and rewriting.  

Each Sunday morning begins with a virtual meeting, via Zoom, of all students and instructors, devoted to instruction on methods required for the historian's craft. Students then exercise those methods in their own research and writing. Each student has two one-on-one conferences with an instructor on Sunday and Wednesday.

Read what past students have said about the program.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling admission based on availability.

If you are qualified, we will send you an email with the link and the instructions to register.

Deadline for applications is October 2nd, 2020, 11:59pm EDT (UTC -4).

Applications must include a Transcript and a Preliminary Research Proposal.

Make sure you have  a copy of your transcript to upload with your application.

Prepare your preliminary research proposal before filling out your application. The  proposal  must  include:

1. one  paragraph  describing  your  topic  of  interest 
   
2. three  questions  you  would  like  to  answer  about  your  topic 
   
3. a  list  of  five  sources  that  you  plan  to  use  in  your  research.  Those  sources  must  include  at  least  1  book  (not  a  textbook)  among  them.

Be prepared to complete your application in one sitting. You will not be able to save your entries for later completion.

Cancellation policy for 2020 Fall Weekend Program: [Updated 9/1/20]
Until Sep 31: 100% refund
Oct 1 – Oct 4, 2020: 25% refund.
After Oct 7, 2020: No refund will be made for any reason.

While the TCR History Camp provides first-rate personal coaching on serious History research papers, participation cannot guarantee publication. The Concord Review selects about 5% of the papers submitted. While we welcome submissions from students who have attended the TCR Summer Programs, their papers will be considered alongside other papers submitted by diligent students from many countries.

If you have any questions, please see the Summer Program FAQ or contact Steven Lee at steven.lee@tcr.org