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Julia Byrd: Essay Coach

I work with rising high school seniors to help them identify the meaningful, personal stories that make for standout admissions and scholarship essays. Subscribe to my newsletter to get the latest college admission and essay writing information.

Featured Post

The Secret to a Balanced College List: What You Need to Know

Hi, Reader! One of the biggest mistakes students sometimes make in the college application process is having an unbalanced college list — either too many reach schools, not enough financial safeties, or schools that aren’t actually a great fit. (It doesn’t help that schools are always changing what they’re looking for in a student, what they’re asking of students, and how many students they’re looking to accept.) Here are some strategies for building a well-rounded list that increases both...

Hi, Reader! I know it’s not even spring break for most, but you best believe I’m already thinking ahead to summer. It’ll be here before you know it … do you know how you’re going to spend it? Colleges love to see students making the most of their summers — gaining knowledge, getting experience in fields they’re interested in, and serving their communities — but that doesn’t mean you need to spend thousands on a fancy program. Here are some smart (and sometimes free) ways to use your summer...

Just a few of my favorite tips and sites for earning college scholarship money!

Hi, Reader! Scholarships aren’t just for seniors! I mentioned last week that even junior high school students (and sometimes even younger) can earn scholarship money. So I thought that this week, I’d expand on just a few (and then give you tips on how to find and win more!). Here’s a list of just a few great scholarships students can apply for based on grade level. Now, some of these may have closed for this year’s students, but they’re great to bookmark for next year. And there are also...

Changes to 2025-2026 Common App

Hi, Reader! I know I don’t usually email twice in one week, so forgive the interruption to your inbox, but I wanted to share this information right away! The Common App has officially released its essay prompts for 2025–2026 — and good news, they’re staying the same! 🎉 However, there are two key changes coming to other parts of the application (that they've announced, at least), including: ✅ A new (optional) “Challenges and Circumstances” question. This is an edit to the former “COVID essay”...

Get started now on getting great letters of recommendation for your college applications!

Hi, Reader! A strong recommendation letter doesn’t just happen — it’s the result of thoughtful preparation. And I think I’m a pretty good guide for that journey. So let’s take those first steps together, shall we? If you are (or you have) a high school junior, now is the time to start thinking about who you’re going to ask for your letters of recommendation. Application season will be here before you know it, and the last thing you want to be doing this summer is panicking about not having...

Now's the time to think about summer planning.

Hi, Reader! We're in that weird time of year where Winter Break seems like a distant memory, and Spring Break isn’t quite within arm’s reach. It doesn’t help that we’re in that obnoxious weather pattern of 80-degree days one day, then near-freezing (or worse) the next. As you continue to make your way through second semester, it might feel tempting to put off any college planning until the summer. I get it. But … what if I told you there are a handful of things you could be doing now to make...

Hi, Reader! I was so grateful to spend all of last week with the College Essay Guy team out in beautiful Escondido, reflecting on this past application season and looking ahead to the next. I truly couldn’t have picked a better group of people to work with (and for). They challenge me, support me, and make me a better person (and essay coach)! This was the best view for doing some deep reflection and planning! With all the uncertainty in the world right now, I’m grateful to have those...

Hi, Reader! I’m getting ready to head out this weekend for San Diego, where I’ll spend the week with the College Essay Guy team to plan for the next admission season. I love the team I work with and am grateful to be able to spend the week with them learning, connecting, and planning. They make me a better essay coach — and person. All that prep to be gone for a week is why this week’s email is running a little late. Can you empathize? It seems like often, waiting until the last minute is...

Hi, Reader! Greetings from snow-covered Houston! I tell you, I was like a kid on Christmas Eve last night — I was so excited for the snow that I found it hard to sleep! I woke up several times overnight and even went outside around 3 a.m. just to enjoy the peacefulness of the snowfall. My dog, however, is less than thrilled about the whole thing and finds the snow very suspicious. Today’s snow day is giving me the chance to take it easy, enjoy this rare snowfall, and catch up on some things....

Hi, Reader! Before I dive into college-related topics, I know that I have many current and former clients and subscribers who live in the L.A. area and have been impacted by the fires. Please know my heart goes out to you and your communities right now and our Texas community is actively looking for ways to help yours. Slowly but surely, we're getting back in the swing of things here. After a month off, my son started the second semester of his collegiate sophomore year today (it seems like...