Meet Julia Byrd | College Admission Essay Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Julia Byrd and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julia, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
To never be content with what I already know. Every business is dynamic. Every person, too. The world today is changing faster than ever. And to rest on the skills I’ve developed and be content with the status quo is simply not an option (at least, not a good one) for me.

So I make sure I’m always learning. Reading articles, blogs, and books. Listening to podcasts. Taking training from others. Being willing to be uncomfortable and challenge how I do things, even when “it’s the way I’ve always done it.” Finding colleagues with whom I can form a brain trust.

This simple decision helps me be a better writer, essay coach, colleague, friend, family member, and person.

What should our readers know about your business?
I work with high school seniors to help them brainstorm, outline, write, and edit their college admission essays. Working one-on-one or in small groups — in person and online — I lead these students to recognize their accomplishments and draw unique connections between their life experiences, values, and college and career goals. Not only do students leave with great essays, but I’m also able to ease the parent-student tension that inevitably occurs during the college search and application process.

Nothing makes me happier than when a student ends their time with me being proud of (and excited about) the essays they wrote — and to have also learned something about writing along the way that will serve them in their college career and beyond. Yes, I want them to get into the colleges of their dreams, but I also want them to realize they can do hard things. And they can do them well!

But this path isn’t always easy. The Varsity Blues scandal certainly put a spotlight on college admissions. There’s often a misunderstanding about what a good writing coach does, especially when it comes to the college application. I don’t write a student’s essay. Not by a long shot. Instead, I help students understand the prompt they’re responding to; ask questions that get them thinking about who they are and what’s important to them; and guide them in structuring, writing, and editing an essay they’re excited to submit.

My goal is to help students become better writers. I’m not doing the work for them, but I’m giving them the tools and support they need to help them succeed on their own.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Known as the birthplace of the Texas flag, Old Town Montgomery has a lot of history to offer — even some great stories about Bonnie and Clyde. I’d first introduce them to the statue of Monty, the town goat. Town legend tells of this goat hanging out near the town well in 1906, and then he learned to visit local businesses for food and the saloon for beer.

While we’re downtown, we’re definitely going to check out the Nat Hart Davis Museum to learn more about the town’s history and to see a replica of the first vellum sketch of the Texas flag. (You’ll have to ask why it’s signed upside down!)

We’d head next to Fernland Park to look at the old homes that have been relocated here. (Watch out for fire ants, though!)

Then for dinner, it’s definitely time for a steak (rare, of course) at Ransom’s Steakhouse. If the timing is right, we’ll even get to enjoy a fresh blackberry margarita with berries from P-6 Farms, right down the road, as we listen to live music.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to recognize my father — not only because I inherited a love of writing and storytelling from him, but also because I used his 1960s book on grammar and punctuation as a study guide to get my first proofreading/copy editing job. And that first job snowballed into the writing, editing, and mentoring career I have today. He ran his own successful consulting company for many years (long before it was mainstream to do so) and gave me the confidence to start my own. I miss him every day, but I like to think I’m making him proud.

Website: https://essay-coach.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/essay_coach/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-byrd/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/essaycoach