Leland+ Content Library

How to Approach Grad School Essays and Personal Statements

​Your essays and personal statements are some of the most important parts of your grad school application—and often the hardest to get right. In this session, Michael G. (Schwarzman Scholar) and Elijah D. (Gates-Cambridge), and Erika C. (UPenn M.S.) will walk you through how to craft authentic, memorable essays that make admissions committees take notice. ​By the end, you’ll have a clear framework for approaching your essays with confidence and a roadmap for writing compelling personal statements that stand out before deadlines hit.

Ace Your AMCAS Before It Opens

Getting ahead of AMCAS can make a huge difference in your medical school application. This session is designed to help you prepare strategically before the application officially opens. In this event, you’ll learn what to work on early, how to organize your experiences and personal statement, and how to avoid common mistakes that slow applicants down. Whether you’re applying this cycle or planning ahead, you’ll leave with clear next steps and a stronger start.

Mastering the MCAT: C/P Strategies from a Top Scorer

The Chemical and Physical Foundations section of the MCAT challenges students to integrate scientific concepts with data analysis and critical reasoning under time pressure. In this session, you’ll learn high-impact strategies for approaching C/P passages, prioritizing key information, and avoiding common mistakes that cost points. Whether you’re building your foundation or fine-tuning your approach, you’ll leave with practical techniques to improve accuracy, efficiency, and confidence on test day.

What Makes a Competitive Medical School Application

Applying to medical school is competitive, and it’s not always clear what admissions committees actually value beyond strong grades and test scores. This session is for applicants who want to understand what makes an application truly stand out across academics, experiences, and personal narrative. You’ll learn how admissions readers evaluate activities and clinical exposure, what differentiates compelling personal statements, and the patterns admissions committees see across successful applicants.

MCAT Vitals: Strategy and Study Scheduling

​Preparing for the MCAT is about more than just content review—it’s about having the right strategy and a study plan that works for you. In this session, expert MCAT coach Elijah D. will break down how to build an efficient, personalized schedule that maximizes your prep time and sets you up for success on test day. ​You’ll learn proven strategies for mastering each section of the exam, balancing practice with review, and avoiding the most common pitfalls students face. Whether you’re months away from test day or just getting started, this event will equip you with the tools and confidence to approach the MCAT with clarity and focus.