Leland+ for College
Popular on Leland+
UC Application Power Workshop: Maximize Your Essays + Activities List
Join expert college admissions coach Hillary H. for an engaging UC Essay & Activities Workshop designed to help students craft compelling and authentic responses to the University of California Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) and maximize the impact of their Activities & Awards List. In this session, we’ll explore how to choose the right prompts to showcase your strengths, align your writing with UC’s 13 Comprehensive Review Factors, and present a cohesive, well-rounded application. Students will learn how to write with clarity and purpose, make their four essays distinct yet connected, and elevate the activities section to support their narrative. Whether you're just getting started or refining your drafts, this workshop will give you the tools and confidence to write with impact.
Unlock Your Story: Writing a Powerful BYU Essay #4
Essay #4 is one of the most important—and most personal—parts of the BYU application. In this session, you’ll learn how to transform your experiences, values, and aspirations into a compelling narrative that resonates with admissions officers. We’ll cover what BYU is really looking for in this essay, common pitfalls to avoid, and practical strategies to make your writing authentic, memorable, and powerful. The session will be led by Darla T., a Leland coach with extensive experience guiding students through competitive admissions processes. She’ll share frameworks and actionable tips to help you unlock your story and approach Essay #4 with confidence.
Panel: Get Accepted to Your Dream College
Join Abigail L., Mel B., and Benito N., top Leland college admissions coaches and former admissions officers, for a panel packed with actionable advice to help you stand out in today’s competitive college landscape. We’ll cover everything from building a balanced school list and writing compelling essays to showcasing your extracurriculars and avoiding common mistakes. Whether you’re just getting started or deep in the application process, this session will give you the insights and confidence to apply strategically—and successfully. Let's get you into your dream school!
The Smart Outreach Guide: Questions to Ask MBA Alumni and Students
Guide to help users make the most out of outreach to alumni and current students of their desired program
Cracking the Common App: A College Admissions Panel
The Common App can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to tackle it alone. Whether you’re just getting started or putting finishing touches on your application, this panel will help you avoid common pitfalls, craft a standout narrative, and submit with confidence. Meet Your Panelists Amanda W. – Former Director of Admissions and Regional Enrollment Director, with 5+ years of coaching experience helping students gain admission to top universities including UCLA, Cornell, UPenn, Duke, and BYU. Alex L. – Stanford MBA and Northwestern alum, former Stanford admissions interviewer, and marketing executive with 20+ years of experience helping candidates differentiate themselves and gain admission to competitive programs. Skyler A. – Former Associate Director of Admissions at UChicago Booth and Assistant Director at Northwestern, with 10+ years of experience reading applications and helping hundreds of students gain admission to Yale, MIT, Berkeley, USC, Northwestern, and more.
BYU College Panel: Writing Standout BYU Application Essays
In this panel, experienced admissions coaches Afton K., Christian H. (prior BYU admissions committee member), and Anna G. will share insider guidance on how to stand out as a strong applicant to BYU. From building a balanced application and writing compelling essays to highlighting your extracurriculars and values, you’ll learn what it takes to present your story in a way that resonates with BYU’s admissions committee. You’ll also hear strategies for avoiding common mistakes, strengthening your overall profile, and approaching the process with confidence. Whether you’re just starting your application or putting the final touches on your materials, this session will give you actionable insights to maximize your chances of admission.
College Workshop: Three-Month Application Plan to Land Your Early Decision School
Are you a high school student aiming to apply Early Decision (ED) to your top-choice U.S. university? Join Kevin P. for an interactive session that lays out a focused three‑month plan—from now to the Nov 1–15 deadlines—so you can craft a standout ED application on time and with confidence.With over a decade of experience supporting students across the world, he will guide you through the essentials—from weekly milestones and essay drafting to coordinating recommendations, understanding ED’s binding and financial implications, polishing your activities list, and building a smart backup plan for EA/RD. Topics include: 90‑day ED timeline and task checklist (mid‑Aug → Nov 1–15): essays, supplements, testing, recommenders, and school documents Standing out fast: personal statement and “Why Us?” strategy, activities impact, and recommendation packets Readiness and backup: score strategy, financial/aid planning for ED, portal tracking, and an EA/RD contingency if ED doesn’t land
What To Think About When Thinking About College
These questions will help guide you in thinking about your college(s) "Fit." It's important to think about what matters to you outside the classroom, too, because most of your time at college is spent there.
FAFSA 101
Leland is excited to partner with CareerVillage to host this free event on navigating FAFSA! Paying for college or graduate school starts with understanding financial aid—and that means knowing how to navigate the FAFSA. In this session, Leland coach Loubna B., who has years of experience guiding students through competitive admissions and funding opportunities, will walk you through the FAFSA process step by step. You’ll learn how to complete the application accurately, avoid common mistakes, and maximize your eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study programs. Whether you’re applying for the first time or renewing your FAFSA, this session will give you the clarity and confidence you need to take control of your financial aid journey.
Stanford University Admit: Short Response Examples
Read the short essay responses that got me into Stanford based on the 2024 prompts.
How to Ask the Interviewer the Right Questions
Learn how to ask strategic, insightful questions during your interview that demonstrate your interest and help you determine if the company is the right fit for you.
Supplemental Essays: An Overview
A comprehensive guide to understanding supplemental essays, with tips on why they're important, how to approach them, and how to make them stand out.
How to Prepare for Interviews
A comprehensive guide to preparing for interviews, with tips on researching the company, practicing common questions, and making a lasting impression.
Why is the Additional Info Essay Important?
An overview of why the optional "additional information" essay is a critical part of your application, with a focus on how to use it to provide context, explain special circumstances, and showcase your achievements.
Choosing the Right Recommenders
Learn how to pick recommenders who will advocate for you and elevate your application.
Interviews: Storytelling & Tone
Learn how to master the art of storytelling in your interviews, using a confident and engaging tone to make a lasting impression.
Planning for and Succeeding in the College Scholarship Process
Learn how to find, apply for, and win college scholarships. We break down the entire process to help you get the funding you need for school.
Supplemental Essays: What Not To Do
Avoid the most common mistakes on your supplemental essays and learn how to write a compelling narrative that is specific to the school and prompt.
Optimizing for Success
Learn how to optimize your application for success with strategies for showcasing your unique strengths, crafting a memorable narrative, and making the best possible impression on admissions officers.
Best Practices for Supplemental Essays
Master the art of supplemental essays with expert tips and strategies for crafting compelling, authentic responses that strengthen your application.
