June 5–10, 2023 | Washington, D.C.

Gather with fellow student writers for a week of training, coaching, and learning.

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ABOUT VERITAS INSTITUTE:

The Veritas Institute is a week-long formation experience for students interested in being public Christian voices after college. It trains students to communicate the plausibility of religious faith in the modern world and familiarizes them with relevant professional pathways. Accepted students attend for free.

The question we will be exploring this year is Is there such a thing as the good life? We hope you will join us.

2022 Veritas Institute

What To Expect

The 2023 Veritas Institute will take place at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., from Monday, June 5th to Saturday, June 10th.

This year's theme is “Is There Such a Thing as the Good Life?" Scholars, journalists, and other Christian leaders will explore with you the craft of writing and discuss how Christianity interacts with questions about human nature.

Why You Should Attend

The Veritas Institute includes opportunities to:

Meet, think, discuss, write, edit, pray, and explore Washington, D.C. with fellow students from across the country

Learn from top scholars about the plausibility of religious faith in the modern world

Receive direct coaching from top notch writers and editors on crafting a piece of writing

Hear from successful professionals about career pathways for being a Christian public voice after college

A Duke '23: "Veritas Institute helped me take time out of a busy summer to think about the big questions of life. In particular, it gave me the space to think about virtue, human flourishing, and intellectual humility. Learning from top scholars and journalists was truly a privilege. I feel better equipped to communicate effectively about science and virtue from a Christian perspective."

A Williams '23: "I am a better writer today because of The Veritas Institute, which connected me with a professional editor who gave me personal feedback that sharpened my writing and challenged my ideas."

A Yale ‘21: “Honestly, I think the institute was pretty life-changing in the sense that it has been the culmination of a long process of thinking about writing and the role that it has in my life. I came to the decision that reading widely and writing for the public audience is genuinely a thing that I want to make a part of my lifestyle moving forward, even if I'm unable to do it full time.”

Writing Cohorts

Students are put into writing cohorts with other student attendees to receive coaching throughout the week and form friendships with their peers. These cohorts meet with a top editor or writer to learn about the craft of writing and journey through the week together.

Countdown to the Institute

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Speakers + Coaches

Speakers

Over the course of six days, our session speakers will explore and discuss how Christianity interacts with questions about human nature. Past speakers include Ross Andersen, Lydia Dugdale, Jennifer Herdt, L.M. Sacasas, Praveen Sethupathy, Roz Picard, Zena Hitz, Karin Öberg, Christine Emba, Miroslav Volf, Christian Miller, Tyler VanderWeele, and more!

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Christine Emba

The Washington Post

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Dhananjay Jagannathan

Columbia University

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Adam Keiper

The Bulwark

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Ari Schulman

The New Atlantis

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Meghan Sullivan

The University of Notre Dame

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Michael Wear

The Center for Christianity and Public Life

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Peter Wehner

The Trinity Forum

Writing Coaches

Writers and editors from well-known publications will lead our writing cohorts, share their expertise, and provide direct feedback to attendees. Past writing coaches include Caitrin Keiper, Samuel Matlack, B.D. McClay, Leah Libresco Sargeant, and Mene Ukueberuwa.

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Tara Isabella Burton

Freelance Writer

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Caitrin Keiper

Plough Quarterly

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Samuel Matlack

The New Atlantis

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Leah Libresco Sargeant

Freelance Writer

Veritas Institute Schedule

We look forward to a meaningful week together as we explore the question, "Is there such a thing as the good life?" Please note that this is only the current draft schedule and some of the details may change before the week begins.

Monday
JUNE 5TH
3:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Arrival and Check-In
5:30 p.m.
Dinner + Introductions
7:00 p.m.
Opening Session
8:30 p.m.
Writing Cohort: "Getting to Know You"
Tuesday
JUNE 6TH
8:00 a.m.
Breakfast
9:00 a.m.
Devotional
9:30 a.m.
Break
10:00 a.m.
Core Content Seminar One
11:30 a.m.
Break + Lunch
1:00 p.m.
Writing Seminar One
2:30 p.m.
Break
3:00 p.m.
Writing Cohort Meeting (Led by Writing Coaches)
4:30 p.m.
Break
6:00 p.m.
Dinner
7:00 p.m.
Guest Discussion
Wednesday
JUNE 7TH
8:00 a.m.
Breakfast
9:00 a.m.
Core Content Seminar Two
10:30 a.m.
Break
11:00 a.m.
Writing Seminar Two
12:30 a.m.
Break + Lunch
2:00 p.m.
Free Time
5:00 p.m.
Dinner Offsite
Thursday
JUNE 8TH
8:00 a.m.
Breakfast
9:00 a.m.
Core Content Seminar Three
10:30 a.m.
Break and Lunch
1:00 p.m.
Writing Seminar Three
2:30 p.m.
Break
3:00 p.m.
Writing Cohort Meeting (Led by Writing Coaches)
4:30 p.m.
Break and Optional Prayers
6:30 p.m.
Dinner
7:30 p.m.
Guest Discussion
Friday
JUNE 9TH
8:00 a.m.
Breakfast
9:00 a.m.
Core Content Seminar Four
10:30 a.m.
Break
11:00 a.m.
Writing Seminar Four
12:30 a.m.
Lunch and Break
3:30 p.m.
Field Trip: Monuments Tour
Saturday
JUNE 10TH
8:00 a.m.
Breakfast + Closing Session

Frequently Asked Questions

More information to come.

Veritas Institute FAQs

Basic Information

What Is Veritas Institute?

The Veritas Institute is a week-long formation experience for students interested in being public Christian voices after college. It trains students to communicate the plausibility of religious faith in the modern world and familiarizes them with relevant professional pathways. The Veritas Institute is run by the Augustine Collective, a department at The Veritas Forum. During the Institute, students interact with Christian scholars and writers, share experiences with peers from other campuses, and experience a time of learning, training, and encouragement.

Why should I apply for Veritas Institute?

To meet, think, discuss, write, edit, and pray with fellow students from across the country? To hear from and interact with fantastic speakers? To receive direct coaching from top notch writers and editors on crafting a piece of writing? To learn about professional pathways for being a public voice? To explore Washington, D.C.? Pick your reason! Whatever brings you to the Institute, we’re thrilled to have you apply.

What’s the schedule?

The final schedule is still to come, but you can see the current draft schedule above. It will conclude the morning of Saturday, June 10th. The week will consist of a mix of content sessions, writing workshops and seminars, office hours, free write time, and field trips. 

Speakers and coaches include Meghan Sullivan, Dhananjay Jagannathan, Leah Libresco Sargeant, and Caitrin Keiper, with more to be announced. The theme is “Is there such a thing as the good life?"

Where is the Institute being held?

The Catholic University of America (CUA) will host this year’s Institute (as a location; the University is not otherwise engaged in sponsoring the program). The University is just a short metro ride from many of D.C.’s main attractions. 

CUA is located at 620 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, D.C. 20064.

What will it cost to attend the Institute?

This is no fee to attend, and all meals provided on site are free. Lodging at CUA (in a dorm building) is also covered. The cost to you of your travel will depend upon the following:

- If accepted students submit a reimbursement form before the travel receipts deadline (to be announced), they will receive 100% reimbursement for the cost of their primary method of travel. Travel reimbursements can be submitted at a link to be provided.

- If you do not submit your reimbursements by the travel receipt deadline, then you will be responsible for the full cost of your own travel.

Meals en route or any meals, snacks, coffee, etc not provided as part of the official schedule will not be covered.

Any souvenirs or other incidental costs you incur in D.C. will not be covered.

Please note the following transportation costs will also not be covered: 

  • - Ground transportation from your summer location to an airport, train station, or bus station
  • - Ground transportation from a D.C. airport, train station, or bus station to CUA
  • - Ground transportation from CUA to a D.C. airport, train station, or bus station 
  • - Ground transportation from an airport, train station, or bus station to your summer location

If you are flying or taking a train or bus into D.C., please plan accordingly. The metro (subway) in D.C. will be much cheaper than a taxi/Uber/Lyft. CUA is very close to the Brookland-CUA metro stop on D.C.’s red line.

What important dates should I be aware of?
  • -Monday, December 19th, 2023: Application Opens

    -Monday, February, 27th 2023 11:59 pm EST: Application Closes

    -Thursday, April 6th, 2023 11:59 pm EST: Travel Receipts for Student Purchased Travel Due

    -Monday, April 10th, 2023 11:59 pm EST: Final Admissions off Waitlist Issued

    -Monday, June 5th, 2023: Conference Begins
How can I apply for the Institute?

You can apply for the Institute by clicking on this link

The application deadline is Monday, February 27th at 11:59 pm ET (email augustine@veritas.org to inquire about submitting a late application).

Can I arrive late or leave early?

Our general expectation is that student attendees stay for the entire duration of the week. If you have any concerns about staying for the whole week, please do let us know at augustine@veritas.org and we can discuss it with you further.

Can I cancel after applying?

If you have been accepted to the program, you will receive an email asking you to confirm your spot. At that point, you can withdraw your application if you are not able to confirm your attendance. However, if you do confirm your spot, we consider it a firm commitment that you will attend and we would strongly ask that you not cancel after that time unless for a genuine emergency.

Please note that if you do cancel for any non-emergency reasons after purchasing your travel, we will not reimburse you for any travel you purchased and we will ask you to return any money received for your travel reimbursement. Of course, if a true emergency arises, such as a medical or family situation, you should cancel and we will still reimburse your travel. Please email us at augustine@veritas.org if this situation applies to you.

Travel Logistics and Cost

How will I be getting to the Institute?

In general, we would like attending students to prioritize travel options in the following order:

  1. 1. Driving personal cars (we will reimburse gas and parking costs by receipt)
  2. 2. Bus (unless timing isn’t feasible given Institute events)
  3. 3. Rental Cars (unless a train is less expensive)
  4. 4. Train (unless a plane are less expensive)
  5. 5. Plane (reserved for students that are too far for other forms of transport)

We are asking students to book the most affordable option available to them, but this will be on “the honor system”—we do not need to confirm the option before you purchase any tickets.

If you need to come to the conference from a location outside the U.S. or there is some other reason you expect your travel to be especially expensive, please contact us at augustine@veritas.org in order to confirm that this is possible.

How much will my travel cost?

- If accepted students submit a reimbursement form before the travel receipts deadline (Thursday, April 6th, 2023) then you will receive 100% reimbursement for the cost of your primary method of travel. Travel reimbursements can be submitted here.

- If you do not submit your reimbursements by the travel receipt deadline, then you will be responsible for the full cost of your own travel

Please note the following transportation costs will not be covered:

  • - Ground transportation from your summer location to an airport, train station, or bus station
  • - Ground transportation from a D.C. airport, train station, or bus station to CUA
  • - Ground transportation from CUA to a D.C. airport, train station, or bus station 
  • - Ground transportation from an airport, train station, or bus station to your summer location

If you are flying or taking a train or bus into the D.C. airport, please plan accordingly. The metro (subway) in D.C. will be much cheaper than a taxi/Uber/Lyft. CUA is very close to the Brookland-CUA metro stop on D.C.’s red line. 

How will my travel be purchased?

We ask each student to purchase their own travel, and then submit a reimbursement before the travel receipts deadline (Thursday, April 10th, 2023vided to admitted students. If you are unable to front the cost of your travel, please let us know and we can purchase it for you.

Location, Lodging, and Meals

Where is the Institute being held?

The Catholic University of America (CUA) will host this year’s Institute (as a location; the University is not otherwise engaged in sponsoring the program). The University is just a short metro ride from many of D.C.’s main attractions. 

Campus location: 620 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20064

What will I have access to at CUA?

At CUA, you will have access to the classroom spaces we will be using and your dorm room. In addition, you will have guest access to the dining hall, the library, and a modest gym space. 

How does lodging work?

Lodging will be in Opus Hall at CUA. Students will be placed in a four-bedroom suite, with each student getting his or her own bedroom. Each suite has a bathroom and a living room. A linen set (two sheets, two towels, pillow, and pillowcase) will be provided but if you would like additional bedding you can bring your own. The rooms will have WiFi access and an air conditioner unit. Free laundry machines are available on the lobby level (first floor). 

If you have any questions about the lodging, feel free to be in touch.

Is there a dress code? What should I bring?

For most of the week the dress code is dressy casual. You should also bring your own toiletries (toothpaste, shower soap or body wash, hand soap, shampoo, etc). You may also wish to bring a water bottle, a notebook, and other items you’d want for a week-long program of this kind. We will make at least one more casual trip off site, so make sure to bring some clothes for walking around as well. You will want to bring one business outfit as well.

I have a special medical or dietary circumstance. Can you accommodate that?

Yes. The application for the Institute asked for this information, but if you did not provide it at that time please let us know at augustine@veritas.org.

Will there be any COVID regulations at the event?

We do not currently expect any such regulations.

Schedule

What's the schedule?

The final schedule is still to come, but you can see the current draft schedule above. It will conclude on the morning of Saturday, June 10th. The week will consist of a mix of content sessions, writing workshops and seminars, office hours, free write time, and field trips. 

Speakers and coaches include Meghan Sullivan, Dhananjay Jagannathan, Leah Libresco Sargeant, and Caitrin Keiper, with more to be announced. The theme is “Is there such a thing as the good life?"

How does the writing portion of the event work? What are the writing deadlines?

Students will be placed in a genre cohort (essay, review, narrative piece, and interview) based on their preferences expressed in the application, as far as we are able to accommodate them. No advance work will be required for the writing portion. During the week, students will receive coaching on how to come up with ideas for their writing and refine ideas/pitches. A formal pitch will be due ~one week after the conclusion of the Institute (Monday, June 19th, 2023 by 11:59 pm EST) to augustine@veritas.org.

Students may choose to then develop their pitch into an article for submission to a campus or national outlet. This step is optional. If students do choose to draft an article, we will arrange for a writing coach to provide feedback on the draft (one time only). To take advantage of this step, students must submit the draft by Thursday, August 31st, 2023 at 11:59 pm EST to augustine@veritas.org. Promising drafts may receive support from Veritas Institute staff in submission to national outlets.

How can I prepare for the Institute?

Any necessary preparation, pre-work, and pre-reads will be announced to attending students.

Other Questions

What should I do if I have further questions?

With any questions, please email the Augustine Collective team at augustine@veritas.org.

Apply for Veritas Institute

Space is limited for this week-long training, so we encourage you to apply early.
If you have any questions, please email us at augustine@veritas.org.
Application Deadline: February 27 (email augustine@veritas.org to inquire about submitting a late application)

APPLY NOW