Free webinar series
Applying to college can feel overwhelming — but it doesn't have to be. The early bird™ webinar series brings together experienced counselors & former admissions readers to guide you through every step of the college admissions process. From building your college list to writing standout essays or understanding financial aid, each session is designed to give you clear, actionable insights so you can plan smarter, reduce stress, and move forward with confidence.
Our webinar series is designed for students in grades 8–12 and their families who want a clearer, more strategic approach to college admissions. Each session is hosted live on Google Meet and scheduled across April and May, with convenient time slots to fit your schedule.
Each session is:
Whether you're just getting started or refining your application strategy, these sessions will help you move forward with confidence.
Webinar #1
What actually matters from 8th–12th grade & discovering your best-fit college
Friday, April 17
1:00 – 1:45 PM ET / 10:00 – 10:45 AM PT
Hosted by: early bird™
Learn what truly matters at each stage of high school and how to start identifying colleges that align with your goals, strengths, and interests.
Webinar #2
Insights from former UC Berkeley, Notre Dame, Columbia, and Duke admissions readers
Tuesday, April 28
7:00 PM – 7:45 PM ET / 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM PT
Hosted by: early bird™
Go behind the scenes of the admissions process and learn what actually stands out to top universities.
Webinar #3
Creating impactful summer plans and extracurriculars
Thursday, May 7
7:00 PM – 7:45 PM ET / 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM PT
Hosted by: early bird™
Discover how to make your summer meaningful and aligned with your long-term goals.
Webinar #4
Why starting early can save you thousands
Tuesday, May 19
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM ET / 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM PT
Hosted by: early bird™
Understand the basics of financial aid, scholarships, and how to plan ahead to reduce college costs.
Webinar #5
How to make your college applications shine
Thursday, June 3rd
7:00 PM – 7:45 PM ET / 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM PT
Hosted by: early bird™
Learn how to craft compelling essays that reflect your authentic voice and stand out to admissions officers.
Co-Founder
Carrie Jorgenson, a co-founder of the early bird™ college platform, is a college admissions expert with a wide experience across K–12 schools, university admissions, and private counseling.
She has supported over 1,000 families through the college planning process and has reviewed more than 2,000 applications while working in the admissions offices at UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz — giving her a deep, inside understanding of how admissions decisions are made in practice.
Carrie founded early bird™ to make college planning more accessible, transparent, and less stressful for students and families. Her work is driven by a belief that every student deserves the clarity and support needed to find their best-fit path — not just those with access to private counseling and guidance.
Co-Founder
Jessica Shearon, a co-founder of the early bird™ platform, is a technology & product leader with 25+ years of experience building & scaling products used by millions at companies including Apple, USAA, and Poly/HP.
Her path into this work is deeply personal. At sixteen, Jessica was on her own without a clear support system. She rebuilt her education from the ground up, ultimately becoming one of the first women in her family to graduate from college, giving her insight into how complex and inaccessible the college journey can be.
Jessica brings a systems-thinking approach to the early bird™ platform, and is the driving force behind the product, focused on building intuitive, scalable tools that help students find their best-fit path — without insider access.
