Frequently Asked Questions & Application Instructions
Please review this page carefully before submitting your application.
Many common application issues can be avoided by following the instructions below. We strongly encourage both students and parents to read this page before applying.
At the bottom of this page, you will find the link to the application form.
Application Instructions
Important: Please Read Before You Apply
Pay particular attention to:
Using your personal Gmail account (not a school email address)
File format requirements
File naming instructions
Session selection instructions
Failure to follow these directions may delay the review of your application and could negatively affect your admission decision.
Deadlines
Please pay close attention to the admission deadlines for the specific program and session to which you are applying.
Application Checklist
You must complete the application form in one sitting. The application cannot be saved and returned to later.
Before clicking Apply Now, please have the following ready:
Personal Gmail address
Parent/guardian email address
Current school information
One PDF file containing your most recent school transcript or school report, including teacher comments if available
Current history teacher's name and email address
Preliminary Research Proposal (PDF)
First-choice session selection
Second-choice session selection (optional, but strongly recommended)
Please review all session dates and meeting times carefully before submitting your application.
Student Email
Please do not use your school email as your primary contact. Instead, use a personal Gmail account that you check regularly.
TCR History Camp uses Google Classroom for assignments, announcements, forms, and camp communications. A personal Gmail account helps ensure that you receive all important information and can access camp resources without difficulty.
Important: All application updates, admission decisions, and camp-related communications will be sent to your primary email address.
For the 2026–2027 admission cycle, your primary contact email should be Google-friendly and remain active throughout the admission and enrollment process.
How should I contact TCR History Camp regarding my application?
When contacting us regarding your application or camp participation, please include:
Camp session
Application ID number
Student name
Example: 2026 Fall Weekend #1234 John Doe
Using this format helps us process your questions more efficiently.
Is there anything I should know before submitting my application?
Yes. Please read all application instructions carefully before submitting your application.
Pay particular attention to:
Email address requirements
Required file formats
Upload instructions
Session selection
Failure to follow application instructions may delay the review of your application and could affect your admission decision.
Preliminary Research Proposal
As part of the application, students must submit a Preliminary Research Proposal that includes:
One paragraph describing the historical topic you would like to investigate
Three questions you would like to answer through your research
A list of five sources you plan to use
At least one of the five sources must be a book (not a textbook).
This proposal helps us understand your interests and readiness for the program. Your final research topic may change as your project develops.
File Upload Instructions
Transcript or School Report
PDF format only.
Upload one PDF file containing your most recent transcript or school report. If teacher comments are available, please include them in the same PDF.
Required filename format: FirstNameLastName_SessionName.pdf.
Example: WilliamFitzhugh_2026FallWeekend.pdf
Preliminary Research Proposal
PDF format only.
Required filename format: FirstNameLastName_SessionName_Proposal.pdf
Example: WilliamFitzhugh_2026FallWeekend_Proposal.pdf
How will I receive my Application ID number?
After you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email containing your four-digit Application ID number.
Please save this number for future reference. Your Application ID helps us identify your application, session selection, and admission status.
Can I apply for more than one session?
Yes. Applicants may select up to two session choices on the application.
Because each session has different dates and meeting times designed to accommodate students from around the world, applicants should review session schedules carefully before applying.
When selecting a second-choice session, please choose a session that you would genuinely be willing to attend.
Some sessions may reach capacity before others. Choosing an appropriate second-choice session may improve your chances of beginning your history research and writing project during the upcoming academic year.
Admissions & Eligibility
Who is eligible to apply?
All current high school students and rising 9th graders are eligible to apply for the high school history camp.
However, we also recognize that age and academic ability do not always align. We welcome applications from younger students who demonstrate strong academic readiness, especially with a recommendation from a current history and/or English teacher.
In fact, we have had rising 7th graders attend our in-person camp—and they had a fun and productive experience.
When should I expect a decision?
Applicants will be notified of our decision approximately two weeks after each application deadline (Early and Regular).
Should I apply early?
What's the difference between Early and Regular deadlines?
Yes—we strongly recommend applying early.
At TCR History Camp, we take the teacher-student ratio seriously to ensure that every student receives close, personalized attention. At the same time, we aim to build a cohort of highly motivated history enthusiasts.
Year after year, we receive more qualified applications than we have spots available—often during the early application cycle. For that reason, applying early gives you the best chance of securing a spot and planning your summer schedule around TCR History Camp.
May homeschooled students apply?
Absolutely. We welcome applications from homeschooled students and are happy to work with motivated learners from all educational backgrounds.
Many homeschooled students have participated in our camps in the past and have thrived in our intellectually engaging and supportive environment.
Do I need a recommendation letter?
A recommendation letter is optional and considered supplemental.
You are only required to provide the name and email address of your current history teacher in the application form. We will contact the teacher directly if additional information is needed.
If you would like to submit a recommendation letter, please ask your teacher to email it to historycamp@tcr.org.
Please include the following in the subject line:
Student name
Application ID number
Is financial aid or a scholarship available?
The Concord Review is a small nonprofit organization dedicated to publishing exceptional history papers by high school students.
While we unfortunately do not have the resources to offer formal financial aid, we do our best to assist students with demonstrated need whenever possible.
In past years, we have been able to support a limited number of students per session, particularly students receiving free or reduced lunch or those already receiving aid from their schools.
If you believe you may qualify, please contact us to discuss available options.
About the Program
Does TCR History Camp have a theme like National History Day?
No.
Unlike National History Day, TCR History Camp does not assign a specific theme. Students are free to choose their own research topics based on their interests, as long as the subject is historical and meets the academic standards of The Concord Review.
We do not tell students what to write. Your topic, your work.
Can I write a TCR-caliber history paper during the camp?
Probably not—at least not a finished one.
The camp is designed to guide students through the entire process: choosing a topic, conducting research, organizing evidence, and producing a substantial draft.
Most students spend additional months revising, expanding their research, and strengthening their writing before reaching a level suitable for submission to The Concord Review.
Does participation in the summer program guarantee publication in The Concord Review?
No.
Participation in TCR History Camp does not guarantee publication in The Concord Review.
All papers—whether written by camp participants or independent students—are reviewed under the same rigorous editorial standards.
There are no exceptions to this policy.
Online vs. In-Person Camp
What is the main difference between the online and in-person camp?
The online and in-person camps follow the same syllabus and a nearly identical daily schedule.
The primary advantage of the in-person camp is the immersive environment. Students can devote the full two weeks to reading, research, discussion, and writing with fewer outside distractions.
For online participants, we strongly recommend avoiding major outside commitments whenever possible. However, the online format can be an excellent option for student-athletes, musicians, and other students who maintain daily practice schedules.
What's a typical day like?
9:00–10:00 a.m. — Group session
10:15–11:00 a.m. — Seminar discussion
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. — Individual conferences with instructors
For in-person camps, research, reading, and writing continue through the afternoon.
Both online and in-person camps follow the same academic curriculum and schedule structure.
How many students are in each camp session?
TCR History Camp maintains a 1:5 teacher-to-student ratio in both online and in-person formats.
Online cohorts are generally limited to approximately 15 students.
For in-person camps, please refer to the individual session page for enrollment limits.
Will we be supervised outside of meetings and conferences? (In-Person Camp)
We treat students as fellow scholars and expect them to be responsible and independent.
With parent permission, students may have limited freedom during designated times. However, staff members supervise students throughout the day, and residential staff supervise students in the dormitories during evening hours.
All participants must follow campus policies and curfew requirements.
Admitted Students
When will I receive my Google Classroom invitation?
All admitted students will be invited to a Google Classroom that serves as the central hub for camp announcements, assignments, forms, and preparation materials.
Online Sessions:
Students should expect to receive their Google Classroom invitation approximately one month before the session begins.
In-Person Sessions:
Because we begin collecting camp forms and information earlier, admitted students will receive Google Classroom access well before the summer.
Early Admission students: late January
Regular Admission students: late March
Please ensure that your primary email remains active and accessible.
Before joining Google Classroom, please update your Google Account display name to match your legal name or the name you would like printed on your Certificate of Completion.
What is the cancellation policy?
Please review the refund and cancellation policy listed on your specific session page, as policies may vary by program and location.
The Concord Review eBook Subscription
(New for the 2026 – 2027 School Year)
As we begin the 2026-2027 school year, all applicants to TCR History Camp are required to purchase a one-year subscription to The Concord Review eBook as part of the application process.
In 2027, The Concord Review will celebrate its 40th anniversary. For four decades, our mission has been to encourage young people to develop a lifelong appreciation for history through reading, research, and writing.
Today, when short-form content dominates so much of students’ attention, reading thoughtful nonfiction is more important than ever. For students interested in writing a history research paper, reading published essays by other high school students is one of the best ways to understand what excellent historical writing look like and how a research paper is developed.
Please read the subscription instructions below before beginning your application.
At the end of the form, you will be asked to choose one of the following options:
Become a new subscriber to The Concord Review eBook.
If you are already a subscriber, apply your purchase toward extending your subscription.
Purchase a gift subscription for someone else.
After making your selection, you will be directed to PayPal to complete your payment. Once your payment has been processed, you will automatically return to the Wufoo confirmation page.
You will receive a confirmation email similar to the following:
Thank you for your interest in our program. We sincerely appreciate your application and will notify you of our decision no later than two weeks after the application deadline. Your Entry ID is ####.
Information about your eBook subscription (or the gift subscription recipient’s subscription) will be sent within 1-2 weeks.
The example shown below demonstrates the first option (new subscription).
Ready to Apply?
Please review the session page carefully before applying.
When you are ready, click the Apply button below and complete the application form.
We look forward to reviewing your application.