Leland+ for College

Personal Statement 1: Example & Analysis

A detailed breakdown and analysis of a successful personal statement, with an explanation of its key components and a guide to crafting your own.

Personal Statement 2: Example & Analysis

A detailed breakdown and analysis of a second successful personal statement, with a focus on its compelling narrative structure and powerful conclusion.

How to Prioritize Your Awards & Honors

Learn how to strategically prioritize your awards and honors on your application to make the strongest impression on admissions committees and stand out from the competition.

How to Elevate Your Writing

Learn proven strategies to elevate your writing from good to great, with tips on style, voice, and editing for a memorable application essay.

Extracurriculars: What Not to Do

Avoid the most common mistakes students make when listing their extracurriculars and learn how to create a compelling narrative that showcases your impact.

Additional Info Essay: An Overview

A comprehensive guide to the "additional information" essay, with tips and examples for turning your weaknesses into strengths.

Are You Ready to Submit?

A final checklist to ensure your application is polished, complete, and ready for submission to your dream school or program.

"Why X School" Essay Review: UPenn, Columbia, Yale Examples

A detailed breakdown and analysis of successful "Why X School" essays for UPenn, Columbia, and Yale, with strategies for crafting your own.

Making the Most of Alumni Networks

Tap into alumni communities for mentorship, referrals, and real-world insights that boost your career.

How to Prepare Your Recommenders

Equip your recommenders with the right info to write standout letters that strengthen your application.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Recommendations

Don’t let weak recs sink your app—avoid these common pitfalls and set your recommenders up for success.

Tips for Making the Most of Career Fairs

Make strong impressions, ask smart questions, and turn quick chats into real opportunities.

Why UChicago Essay – Economics, Research, and Community Engagement

A focused and well-researched supplemental essay outlining the applicant’s academic goals in development economics, interest in data analytics, and enthusiasm for UChicago’s research culture and civic-minded community.

Common App Submission Example– Leadership, Research, and Social Impact Profile

A comprehensive Common App submission featuring high academic achievement, extensive leadership, entrepreneurial initiatives, and a personal essay on resilience and teamwork through organizing India’s largest student-led fest.

All-Encompassing Guide To Admissions And Ask Me Anything [7/12/2026] (Recording)

For the past couple of years, I’ve advised many high school students on their college applications, helping them get accepted to many highly selective colleges and universities; Harvard, Penn, Georgetown, Cornell, and Princeton, just to name a few. I myself applied to a little less than twenty schools, with notable acceptances to: Michigan (Go Blue!), Carnegie Mellon, Lehigh, Richmond, Bucknell, and Tulane. I also earned a four year, full tuition Army ROTC scholarship (worth over $300,000), full room and board scholarships (worth over $80,000), as well as over $6,000 in national and local scholarships paid directly to me. Join me for an all-encompassing guide to college admissions where you can ask me anything! Whether you're curious about crafting compelling essays, strategizing your school selection, or understanding financial aid and scholarships, this session is designed to provide you with the insights you need. We'll cover everything from recommendations and interviews to waitlist strategies and supplementary materials. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable advice and clarity on your college journey. RSVP and secure your spot!

Applying to College in 2026? Here’s What You Should Be Doing Each Month [9/21/2026] (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

Ask Me Anything: The Personal Statement [8/27/2026] (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!

The Fatal Mistakes That Cost Students Ivy+ League Admissions [9/3/2026] (Recording)

Every year, exceptional students with outstanding grades, rigorous coursework, leadership positions, and impressive résumés are denied admission to Ivy League and other highly selective universities. The problem is not always a lack of achievement. Often, it is a series of strategic mistakes that prevent admissions officers from understanding what makes the student distinctive, compelling, and valuable to a college community. In this candid and practical session, we will examine the most damaging mistakes families make before and during the college application process. You will learn why simply collecting advanced classes, prestigious activities, leadership titles, and volunteer hours is rarely enough. Selective admissions committees are not searching for the student with the longest list of accomplishments. They are building a class and looking for applicants whose academic choices, activities, values, and personal stories fit together with clarity and purpose. During this webinar, you will learn how to: * Recognize when a student’s profile appears accomplished but unfocused * Build meaningful depth in activities instead of chasing résumé fillers * Select courses that demonstrate appropriate academic ambition * Avoid college-list strategies that create unnecessary risk * Identify why polished essays can still feel generic or forgettable * Develop a coherent application narrative without manufacturing a “brand” * Support your student without taking ownership of the process away from them We will also discuss when these mistakes typically begin, which ones can still be corrected during senior year, and how families can prioritize their limited time and energy. This session is designed for parents of students in grades 9 through 12 who are considering Ivy League universities, Stanford, MIT, Duke, Northwestern, highly selective liberal arts colleges, and other competitive institutions. You will leave with a clearer understanding of what selective colleges evaluate and a practical framework for identifying gaps in your student’s current strategy. The session will be led by a Harvard graduate, Kellogg MBA, former teacher, nonprofit education leader, and Harvard alumni interviewer who has helped guide more than 1,000 students. Families interested in more personalized guidance will also learn how individualized admissions coaching can help translate these principles into a focused strategy for their student. Register to replace anxiety and guesswork with a more thoughtful, informed approach to selective college admissions. Have a specific question about the college admissions process? DM me before the session - everyone who does is entered to win a free 1-hour strategy session.