Leland+ for College

How to Nail the “Why Us” & Other Supplemental Essays [9/13/2026] (Recording)

Your personal statement tells colleges who you are. Your supplements show them why you belong at their school. At selective colleges, the “Why Us” essay is one of your biggest opportunities to stand out—and one of the easiest places to blend in. Too many students write a generic essay: great academics, great location, great community, felt like home. That essay could have been written for any school. I’m a Stanford- and Columbia-educated writing coach, and in this livestream I’ll show you what a strong “Why Us” essay is actually asking you to do, the mistakes that can undermine an otherwise strong application, and how to write supplements that are so specific and personal that no other applicant could have written them. We’ll also tackle other supplemental prompts you’re likely to encounter, including community, identity, and extracurricular essays. Bring your college list—you’ll leave with a clear strategy for researching each school and turning what you discover into compelling, highly specific essays.

How to Get Into BYU: Insider Tips from Admissions Experts [8/18/2026] (Recording)

The BYU admissions process is just as unique as it's university and the coaches on this panel have guided dozens of students through the application to admission. You'll learn straight from the insiders what the admissions committee is looking for in your essays, how you should approach the activities list, what your recommenders need to know, and so much more. Be sure not to miss this opportunity to get advice and insight specific to the BYU application process.

The Common App Mistakes That Sink Strong Applicants [8/4/2026] (Recording)

Even highly qualified students can weaken their applications by making avoidable mistakes that distract from an otherwise strong profile. This session is designed for college applicants who want to understand the most common pitfalls in the Common App and how to present their experiences more effectively. You’ll learn how to avoid errors in your activities list and essays, identify weak spots before submitting, and make sure every part of your application reinforces your overall story. Attending live gives you the opportunity to ask questions about your own application and get real-time guidance on areas that may need attention. The speaker works closely with applicants and will share the patterns they see across successful candidates, along with the mistakes they most often see holding strong students back. If you want to submit a stronger, more polished Common App, it’s worth joining live.

AMA MIT Graduate | College Application Process [7/10/2026] (Recording)

I am here to answer any and all questions you have about the college application process!

Personal Statement Office Hours — Ask a Stanford & Columbia Writing Expert [8/30/2026] (Recording)

Have a personal statement topic but don't know if it's the right one? Stuck on your opening? Worried your essay sounds cliché—or simply doesn't sound like you? Bring your questions, ideas, or draft to this live office-hours session. I'll answer your questions and offer practical, personalized guidance on the spot. We'll talk about what makes a personal statement memorable, how to find the deeper story beneath an obvious topic, how to avoid the most common essay traps, and how to make your writing sound authentic rather than “admissions-y.” You can come with a question, a rough idea, a partial draft, or a completed essay. You don't need to submit anything in advance. By the end, you'll have a clearer sense of what is—and isn't—working in your essay, along with concrete next steps for making it stronger. This is an interactive session, so come ready to participate!

The Standout College Essay: How to Find the Story Only You Can Tell [9/10/2026] (Recording)

Many college essays fail the same way: they sound impressive, polished — and interchangeable. A standout essay does one thing instead: it tells the story only you could tell. I'm a Stanford- and Columbia-educated writing coach, and over 8+ years I've built a process that gets students to that story — the one that makes an admissions reader stop and pay attention. In this working session I'll show you what admissions officers are really looking for, the four qualities every standout essay shares, and then we'll do a live brainstorming exercise together to start uncovering your story. Bring paper and a pen — you'll leave with a real thread to pull. Key takeaways: What admissions officers actually look for · The 4 qualities every standout essay shares · A live exercise to uncover the story only you can tell · Different essay types: how to choose your structure.

Personal Statement Office Hours: Advice from an Oxford Grad [8/23/2026] (Recording)

Join Zuwena V., a Master's graduate from the University of Oxford and an expert admissions and writing coach, for live virtual office hours to tackle the hardest part of the application process. Bring your personal statement drafts, outlines, questions, or prompts for live feedback, advice, and guidance on your master's and undergraduate applications! Together, we'll cover structure, flow, fit, and how to tell your story for maximum impact. Drafts will be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis. Spaces are limited; register now to save your spot!

Core Values: Your College Essay Superpower [6/19/2026] (Recording)

What makes a college essay truly unforgettable? More often than not, it comes down to one thing: a clear sense of the applicant's core values. As someone who has coached 150+ college applicants—with clients admitted to all 8 Ivy League schools, Stanford, UChicago, and more—I know that students who understand their core values write stronger essays, build more cohesive applications, and approach the process with greater confidence. In this webinar, I'll show you what core values actually are (and what they're not). We'll explore why they matter across your entire application (not just your personal statement), and how to identify and use yours to write college essays that only you could have written. Whether you're working on your personal statement, UC PIQs, or supplemental essays, this webinar will give you the tools to make every essay feel unmistakably yours.

Elite College Admissions Q&A [8/15/2026] (Recording)

Join me for a Q&A session on the college admissions process.

Make Your Voice Heard: Use Your Story to Stand Out in College Admissions [9/9/2026] (Recording)

Your college application should give admissions officers a clear sense of who you are, but finding the right way to tell your story can be challenging. This session is designed for college applicants who want to use their experiences and perspective to create a more distinctive, authentic application. You’ll learn how to identify the experiences that best represent you, turn them into compelling stories, and use your voice effectively across your essays and application materials. Attending live gives you the opportunity to ask questions about your own story and get real-time guidance on how to present it effectively. The speaker will share practical best practices from working with college applicants, including what makes a story feel genuine and what can cause an otherwise strong essay to lose its impact. If you want your application to communicate more clearly who you are and what makes you distinctive, it’s worth joining live.

What Smart College Applicants Are Doing Differently This Fall [8/24/2026] (Recording)

The strongest college applicants don't just work harder. They make smarter decisions long before they submit their applications. This session is for students who want to maximize their chances of admission by understanding what's actually helping applicants stand out this fall. You'll learn the strategies top candidates are using, the common mistakes to avoid, and the practical steps you can take now to strengthen every part of your application. Join live to hear from a college admissions expert and Stanford graduate who has helped students navigate today's increasingly competitive admissions landscape. The speaker will share current admissions trends, proven application strategies, and actionable advice you can immediately apply to build a stronger, more compelling application.

Ask Me Anything: The Personal Statement [8/13/2026] (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 5 Traits of Memorable College Applicants [7/1/2026] (Recording)

Memorable college applicants aren’t always the ones with the longest resumes, they’re the ones who present themselves with clarity, purpose, and authenticity. This session is for students who want to understand what actually makes an application stand out at highly competitive schools. You’ll learn the five traits that consistently show up in strong applicants, how admissions readers evaluate potential, and how to highlight your strengths in a more compelling way. Join live to ask questions about your own application strategy and hear directly from a former Harvard admissions officer. The speaker has reviewed countless applications and now coaches students through the admissions process, giving them a unique perspective on what resonates most with top schools. Expect practical guidance and insights similar to what’s discussed in 1:1 admissions coaching conversations.

Investment Banking Networking Guide

A practical, step-by-step guide to investment banking networking, covering target bank selection, cold outreach, networking calls, follow ups, relationship building, and converting conversations into recruiting momentum and interviews.

College or Med School Admissions: Ask Me Anything 👀 [9/12/2026] (Recording)

Confused about what actually matters in the admissions process? Join me for an interactive, no-fluff conversation about college and medical school admissions — and bring your questions! We’ll break down what makes an application stand out, how to approach essays and personal statements, what admissions committees are really looking for, and common mistakes that can hold applicants back. By the end of the livestream, you’ll have: A clearer understanding of what makes a competitive application Practical strategies for strengthening your profile Guidance on essays, activities, interviews, and overall application strategy A better sense of how to approach the admissions process with confidence Answers to your specific admissions questions Whether you’re just getting started or already deep into the application process, come ready to ask questions and get honest, actionable advice. Bring your questions — nothing is too basic, too specific, or too “is this going to hurt my application?” 👀

Law School Recommendation Sample

This is a real letter that one of my law school recommenders shared with me. I ultimately got into multiple T14 law schools with full merit-based scholarships.

Resume for College Applications

This is a sample resume. You can create your own resume by following this format and send it to universities. It should be a maximum of 4 pages and match the information on the common app. For more information, please setup a free consultation with me and I can answer any questions you have about this.

The Personal Statement That Got Me Into Every Top Law School!

This is the personal statement I submitted during my own application cycle, when I was admitted to every law school to which I applied, including Harvard, Columbia, Yale, U Penn, U Chicago, and more. It shows how the strongest essays find the magic in the mundane—using close observation and precise detail to turn an ordinary experience into a story only one unique applicant could tell. I share it as an example of how to write the rare personal statement that an admissions officer cannot shake.

High School Success

An comprehensive guide designed to help students navigate high school, build strong academic and extracurricular habits, and prepare for higher education and beyond.

CASPer and AAMC PREview Guide

This resource provides a comprehensive overview of the CASPer and AAMC PREview exams, two of the most widely used situational judgment tests in health professions admissions. It covers the format, timing, and core competencies each exam assesses, along with sample scenarios and answer strategies, the STAR method for structuring responses, and practical strategies for managing pressure on test day. The guide closes with guidance on preparing through practice with an experienced admissions professional.