Leland+ for College

Choosing the Right Recommenders

Learn how to pick recommenders who will advocate for you and elevate your application.

Vanderbilt Personal Essay – Growing Up on Her Own Terms

A coming-of-age story about medical uncertainty, self-advocacy, and redefining adulthood through confidence, curiosity, and inner growth.

Ask Me Anything | Applying to STEM Grad Programs [9/16/2026] (Recording)

Applying to a STEM graduate program this cycle? Planning to apply to STEM graduate programs in the future? Want to learn what makes a strong application? Join me for an AMA and get actionable insights, regardless of where you are in your graduate school journey. Bring your questions about finding the right programs, strengthening your application, writing compelling statements, navigating admissions, preparing for interviews, or anything else on your mind. All questions are welcome!

What's Your College Admissions Strategy? [9/17/2026] (Recording)

Join me for a special livestream where you learn how to create a winning college admissions strategy and how to make sure your essays, resume, and interviews support the story you're telling to admissions officers. As a former Harvard admissions interviewer and Founder of Ivy League Potential, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you navigate this critical journey. I've guided hundreds of students to success in gaining admission to top universities worldwide. This session is your chance to get personal insights and ask any questions you're struggling with. One livestream attendee will win a free 30-minute consultation (valued at $250). Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot. Let's make your college dreams a reality!

Q&A for Elite College Admissions [9/20/2026] (Recording)

Ask a recent Columbia alumnus all your college admissions questions!

The 2026 Common App & College Essays: Ask Me Anything [8/27/2026] (Recording)

Are you gearing up for the 2026 college application season and feeling overwhelmed by the Common App and college essays? Join me for an exclusive Ask Me Anything session where we'll dive into every aspect of the college application process. As a former Harvard admissions interviewer and Founder of Ivy League Potential, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you navigate this critical journey. I've guided countless students to success in gaining admission to top universities worldwide. Whether you're seeking advice on crafting compelling essays or creating a winning strategy for your applications, this session is your chance to get personal insights. One livestream attendee will win a free 30-minute consultation (valued at $250). Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot. Let's make your college dreams a reality!

What Top College Admissions Officers Look For [7/7/2026] (Recording)

College admissions can feel like a black box when you're trying to understand what actually makes one applicant stand out over another. This session is designed for students and families who want a clearer understanding of how applications are evaluated and what admissions officers prioritize throughout the review process. You’ll learn how admissions readers assess academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and personal storytelling, as well as the common traits that appear across compelling applications. Attending live gives you the opportunity to ask questions directly and get real-time answers about your own admissions strategy. The speaker has extensive experience evaluating applicants and will share the patterns they see across successful candidates, along with what they look for when reviewing applications in practice. If you want a better understanding of how admissions decisions are made and how to strengthen your candidacy, it’s worth joining live.

Writing a College Essay That Doesn't Sound Like Everyone Else's [9/16/2026] (Recording)

The best college essays don't just tell admissions officers what you've done. They reveal something about who you are that the rest of your application cannot. This session is for students who want to write a personal statement that feels authentic, memorable, and distinctly their own. You'll learn how to find a compelling topic, develop a unique personal narrative, and avoid the common traps that make strong experiences blend in with thousands of other essays. Join live to hear from a former admissions officer at Northwestern University who evaluated more than 2,000 applications each year. The speaker will share firsthand insights into what makes an essay stand out in the admissions process, along with practical strategies for turning your experiences and ideas into a story admissions readers will remember. Bring your questions and leave with a clearer approach to writing an essay that sounds like no one else's.

Ask Me Anything: The Personal Statement [8/7/2026] (Recording)

Join me, Chris, for an engaging "Ask Me Anything" session focused on crafting the perfect personal statement for your college applications. With a rich academic journey through UC Berkeley, NYU, and Harvard, and experience as a Creative Writing and Personal Statement Coach, I've helped over 60 students gain admission to their dream schools, including Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Brown. Whether you're just starting your application journey or refining your essays, this is your chance to get personalized advice on essays, editing, school selection, and more. Don't miss out on this opportunity to make your application shine—RSVP now to secure your spot!

What BYU Admission Officers Actually Want to See From You [7/14/2026] (Recording)

Getting into Brigham Young University takes more than strong grades and test scores. The strongest applicants understand how to present a compelling story that shows character, potential, and alignment with what the university truly values. This session is for students applying to BYU who want a clearer understanding of what stands out in the admissions process. You’ll learn what admissions officers actually pay attention to, how to strengthen your overall application, and the subtle factors that can help you rise above other qualified candidates. Join live to hear from a BYU graduate with deep admissions expertise and firsthand experience earning full-tuition and full-ride scholarships. The speaker will share the patterns they see across standout applicants, common mistakes to avoid, and practical ways to position yourself more competitively. Expect actionable advice and insider insights you can immediately apply to your application.

BYU Applications Open Today! Let's Get Started Together [8/26/2026] (Recording)

Opening your BYU Application when it opens on August 26? You've come to the right spot. We'll talk through the best ways to start your application and how to create a timeline that gets your submission in by the priority deadline. Parent of a BYU hopeful? This is a great session to join to learn how to partner with your student on this next big step.

Applying to College in 2026? Here’s What You Should Be Doing Each Month [8/10/2026] (Recording)

In this session, former admissions director, Loubna Bouamane, will walk students and parents through the real college admissions timeline from May through December — including what actually matters each month if you're aiming for competitive U.S. universities. We’ll cover: How to build a balanced college list strategically When students should start essays (and why waiting until September is risky) How extracurriculars and summer activities should be positioned What admissions officers notice early in the review process Common mistakes students make over the summer Testing timelines, recommendation strategy, and application planning How to avoid creating an application that feels overly polished or AI-generated This session is especially helpful for: Rising seniors applying in Fall 2026 International students navigating the U.S. admissions process Families targeting selective colleges and universities Students feeling overwhelmed or behind