I can trace my obsession with getting words "right" all the way back to kindergarten, when I ignored my teacher's instruction "to sound it out," and badgered an adult volunteer to tell me the proper spelling of ballet.
Since then, in one form or another, I've been involved with helping other people get their words right. As an undergraduate at Harvard, I worked as the assistant editor of the Let's Go France guide, overseeing and editing the content of six student researchers, and at the Harvard Writing Center helping students with their essays, theses, and dissertations.
After earning my AB in English Literature and Language, magna cum laude, from Harvard in 1996, I studied at Oxford University on a Rotary Ambassadorial Fellowship and Overseas Research Grant, earning my M.Phil. in Literature of the English Renaissance in 1998.
I went on to work as an assistant editor at Pearson Education's Prentice Hall division, then as Assistant Editor at the Ecco Press (an imprint of HarperCollins), shepherding 20 titles from manuscript to publication annually. Freelance work followed, writing and editing for Pearson Education, HarperCollins, Random House, and Simon & Schuster.
I received my MFA in fiction writing from the University of Washington in 2005, where I also taught English composition and beginning fiction writing. In 2006, I taught fiction writing as an adjunct professor in the UW's Creative Writing Department.
Most recently, I taught "Look at Me: Mastering the College Essay," a 3-day workshop at BARN (Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network) — drawing on years of working with private clients on how to write engagingly about oneself, introduce narrative detail into brief pieces, and cultivate genuine pleasure in the writing process.
My work with student clients runs the gamut. Some students come to me with personal statement drafts that are in excellent condition and require minor revision. Others come without any idea what they want to write about or how to begin writing. I see my time with students as both an opportunity and a personal responsibility: it's my job to help students think creatively about themselves and their formative experiences and to guide them to ways of expressing ideas in writing that authentically reflect their lived experiences. My overall approach as a writing guide tends to be low-key; the college application process is difficult enough without additional stress as far as the personal statement or writing piece is concerned.
During my first face-to-face session with a client, I talk with them about the information they've shared in their questionnaire — a document I email prior to our initial meeting. This initial conversation helps me learn more about the student's areas of interest and gives them the opportunity to ask me questions or raise concerns. In-person meetings really help me develop an understanding of each student's past writing experiences, their unique backgrounds and personal histories, and their feelings about upcoming essay deadlines. It sets the tone for how I approach the first set of prompts I design for them.
After every meeting with a student client, I follow up with a new round of writing prompts based on what we've discussed. I use these writing prompts to help students shake off any stress or pressure they associate with writing much-longer college application essays. For these brief assignments, I ask them to explore themes that will enrich their longer essays with engaging details or consider their experiences in light of other aspects of their lives or larger contexts.
For some students, these prompts serve as a way into their personal statements. They can use the content of their prompts to "cut-and-paste" and sculpt them into a full-length essay. For others, these prompts enable them to create a miniature library of writing they can refer to as they embark on the process of writing an essay on a different topic altogether.
Some of my students' essays have grown fully-formed out of individual prompts I've assigned. Other students have constructed their essays using multiple prompts as the "evidence" for the central focus or theme of their essay. I design student prompts strategically to guide them to examine patterns and areas of overlap or interest in their lives. Through these repeated, iterative prompt explorations, my student clients generate a fair amount of written material for us to assess together, as we evaluate what details would enable them to write their most compelling and meaningful essay.
Thank you so much for your incredible support and guidance throughout our child’s essay-writing process. Your insights and thoughtful feedback have been invaluable, and I can’t tell you how much we appreciate the care you put into working with her. We’re so grateful for all your help and encouragement, and for the warmth you brought to this whole process.
— A grateful parent
I feel like your name has come up a lot as we talk to our friends about your skilled guidance with our child on his essay. I imagine we’ll have a lot more opportunities to pass your name along once our daughter is finishing her junior year. When our child interviewed for an accelerated program at Creighton, one of the first things they mentioned was how much they enjoyed his essay. You are so, so good at this and I hope I can send some students your way!
— A grateful parent
Our daughter loved working on her college essays with Julie. Her main essay was entirely her own voice and ideas, thanks to Julie’s skilled reading and conversations about editorial decisions. Julie kept her on a good timeline so she wasn’t rushed at the last minute. She was thrilled to be accepted by her first choice school!
— Christina, parent of Occidental ’28 first-year student
Our son wasn’t sure he needed assistance with his essays, but Julie quickly won him over with her encouragement and advice. Soon, he was building time into his hectic schedule for her input on his essays. He got in almost everywhere, including his first choice. Possibly best of all: Julie helped keep the peace in our house!
— Ros, parent of Pitzer ’28 first-year student
A few carefully chosen resources to support your essay writing journey.
This website is your (almost) one-stop shop for reviewing the essay requirements at hundreds of American colleges.
The “perfect” college essay doesn’t exist. These essays that worked from Johns Hopkins reveal the refreshing range of the genre.
It’s never too late to find the precise word that will make your essay stand out.