How helpful is College Essay Guy's advice for UT Austin essays?

College Essay Guy's advice is generally practical, and his breakdowns of essay structures—like the "montage" and "narrative" approaches—can be a good starting point, even for school-specific prompts like those at UT Austin. His resources can definitely help you brainstorm and get unstuck, especially if you're unsure how to tackle the 'Why Major' essay.

When it comes to UT Austin, though, you'll want to adapt his methods. UT's short answer prompts are unique because they expect concise, specific responses that show who you are within a limited word count. If you use a template, make sure you still inject as much personal detail and specificity as possible. For instance, instead of broadly discussing your love for psychology by referencing a general fascination with the brain, you might write about a moment you recognized a cognitive bias in your daily life and how it led you to pursue psychology courses, independent reading, or a related project at school.

For the 'Why Major' essay, College Essay Guy's advice to focus on the origin of your interest and your long-term goals does apply, but to really stand out for UT, try to go beyond the basics. Be concrete about what UT Austin specifically offers (such as a certain psychology lab, a unique course like 'Advanced Statistics in Psychology', or a research group you're excited to join). This shows you've done your homework. For example, you might write: "When I shadowed a counselor and saw how evidence-based techniques impacted real people, I realized I wanted to dig deeper into human behavior. UT Austin's emphasis on undergraduate research—especially Dr. Smith's work on cognitive resilience—makes it the ideal place for me to turn curiosity into expertise."

Many applicants trip up by following generic advice too closely and not customizing enough for UT's culture and opportunities. If you use College Essay Guy's templates, treat them as a skeleton—fill them in with deeply personal anecdotes, and connect your story directly to UT Austin. For your major, think beyond "I like helping people" or “I’m fascinated by the mind.” Maybe a family experience shaped your outlook, or maybe volunteering at a crisis line gave you a window into mental health needs in Texas.

So, bottom line: College Essay Guy is helpful as a guide, but the essays that get noticed at UT are tailored and personal. Focus on the specifics of your story and how UT Austin is the right fit for you.