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Julia Byrd: Essay Coach

Got an application question? I'll answer it!

Published 2 days ago • 3 min read

Hi, Reader!

If UT is on your list, your supplemental materials are due tomorrow, Oct. 22. So if your resume is still sitting in a Google Doc called "resume FINAL final v3," today's the day to finalize and submit it.

And if you've already sent everything in? Go do something that doesn't involve a screen. You've earned it.

Now, on to what I really wanted to tell you about this week.

Got an application question? Send it my way, and I'll answer it for free.

You Ask. I'll Answered. (On the Internet.)

Every fall, the same questions land in my inbox and come up on calls. So I built a page where I answer them publicly, and the next student with the same question doesn't have to wait on me.

A few that are up now:

  • What time do I actually have to submit on deadline day?
  • Is it a red flag if I don't check "Plan to Continue" on my Activities List?
  • Will em dashes make my essay look AI-written?
  • Can I write about the same activity in my personal statement and a supplement?

👉 Read the answers here.

Got a Question? Send It My Way

  • Anything application-related is fair game: essays, the Activities List, deadlines, the parts of the Common App nobody explains.
  • I'll email you the answer. I'll also post your question and answer on my site (anonymously, of course), so someone else with the same question can hear the answer.
  • A few honest caveats: I'm one person, and it's deadline season. I'll answer as fast as I can, but I can't promise same-day. (Ask me now, not the night before.) I also can't provide specific feedback on an essay here.
ASK YOUR QUESTION →
✏️ Quick Writing Tip
When you paste your essay into the Common App, it'll probably show up all in bold, so select everything and unbold it. You also can't use both bold and italics, so if you're looking to emphasize a word, you'll have to pick one. Indents won't stick either, so leave an extra line between paragraphs so your reader isn't staring at one giant wall of text. Then check the preview before you submit.

Upcoming Webinars & Deadlines

See my full calendar here.

Webinar
University of Michigan: Inside the Admissions Office (Expert Admissions Webinar)
Date: 2026-10-21
Deadline
UT Austin EA Supplemental Materials Due — Fall 2027
Date: 2026-10-22
Webinar
Financing Your UC Education (Free Webinar for Students & Families)
Date: 2026-10-22
Deadline
SAT Registration Deadline - November 7, 2026 Test
Date: 2026-10-23
Deadline
ACT Initial Score Release - October 17 Test
Date: 2026-10-27
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I know I just told you to get off the screen, but I'm off to see "You Can See Everything" on the big screen today. (A movie theater screen doesn't count. I've decided.) I'm totally intrigued, even though I don't know much about Elizabeth Olsen or Theranos.

Happy Writing!

Julia

Julia Byrd
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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.

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