Real Voices Essay Coaching Award

The 2026 Real Voices Essay Coaching Award will open on April 1, 2026. Applications will be accepted until September 30, 2026.

Join our mailing list below, and we’ll notify you as soon as the application is live.

In our 2025 cycle, we received over 800 applications from students across the U.S., each sharing a powerful story and a unique voice.

Free, one-on-one college essay coaching for a student with a powerful story to tell.

The Real Voices Essay Coaching Award provides five hours of free college application essay coaching. The award is open to:

• High school seniors applying to four-year colleges for Fall 2027 admission

• Community college students applying to transfer to a four-year university for Fall 2027 admission

Every student deserves the chance to write a powerful, personal college essay - no matter their background or ability to pay.

That’s why we’re offering the Real Voices Essay Coaching Award: five hours of one-on-one coaching—completely free—for a student applying for admission to a four-year college or university.

Whether you already have a draft or don’t know where to start, this award is designed to help you reflect, write, and revise with confidence.

2025 Winner

We’re thrilled to announce that the 2025 Real Voices Essay Coaching Award went to Lucy Duku, a senior at Mansfield Timberview High School (Arlington, Texas), whose application stood out for its honesty, resilience, and creative vision. Lucy received five hours of personalized coaching this fall, during which she developed an outstanding Common App essay about her unique background and several excellent supplemental essays. She worked closely with one of our tutors, Sarah Stoller, PhD.

“The Real Voices Essay Coaching Award propelled me into building a personal statement and supplementals that beautifully and authentically captured who I am. The one-on-one coaching sessions not only increased the ease of my college application process, but they were fun too! This is an opportunity I will deeply cherish forever and recommend to all.”

— Lucy Duku, 12th Grade Scholar, Mansfield Timberview High School (Arlington, Texas)

What You’ll Get

• 5 hours of personalized college essay coaching via Zoom

• One-on-one sessions focused on your Common App essay, UC PIQs, or other personal statements

• Thoughtful feedback, brainstorming, and line-level editing - all at your pace

• A supportive, honest process that helps you sound like you - not a brand

• Coaching from a published author with a PhD from UC Berkeley

• No cost to apply or participate

Who Should Apply

We’re looking for a high school senior or community college student who meets the following criteria:

• Is applying to a four-year college or university for Fall 2027 admission

• Has strong potential and motivation

• Would benefit from outside support

• May not otherwise be able to afford private essay coaching

We especially encourage applications from:

• First-generation college students

• Students from low-income households

• Students with compelling personal stories to tell

How to Apply

To apply, just complete the short form below. You’ll be asked to briefly share the following:

• A few sentences about your background and goals

• A personal statement idea (if you have one)

• A short note on why you’re interested in the award

Application Opens: April 1, 2026
Application Deadline: September 30, 2026
Winner Announced: October 1, 2026
Coaching Dates: October 2026 (before November 1 college deadlines)

This award is valued at $1,500 in professional coaching services and is offered at no cost to the student.

By applying, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Scholarship Terms & Conditions.

FAQs

Q: Is this really free?
A: Yes, there’s no cost to apply or receive coaching if selected.

Q: Can I apply if I’ve already started my essay?
A: Absolutely. Whether you’re starting fresh or mid-draft, we’ll meet you where you are.

Q: Will you choose more than one winner?
A: This year, we’re selecting one student. In future years, we may expand the program.

Q: Can community college students apply?
A: Yes. The award is open to community college students applying to transfer to a four-year university.

About Real College Essays

Real College Essays is a boutique coaching service run by published authors with PhDs. We’ve helped students get into Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and top UCs - not through gimmicks, but by helping them write honest, reflective essays that sound like them. Founded by Ben Urwand, a former UC Berkeley instructor and author of The Collaboration (Harvard University Press), the service is grounded in real writing and real thinking.