Leland+ Content Library

How To Write Outstanding Law School Application Essays

Your law school application essays are arguably the most important aspect of your law school applications. To have the best outcomes and plenty of options at the end of the process, you need to craft compelling essays with solid narratives that paint a picture beyond your numbers. We will talk about different essay prompts and how best to tackle them, why it makes sense to have two 'main' essays instead of just one, how to handle optional essays and the dreaded 'why' essays.

Top 5 Tips for Your Law School Application

Join Indrani as she goes over her top 5 tips to help you put your best foot forward as you apply to law school! A great law school application requires research, authenticity and hard work, and Indrani will help you strategize. She will go over the importance of the LSAT, putting together a thoughtful school list, who should submit letters of recommendation, how to go about writing your essays and the optimal timeline for getting it all done!

Columbia Business School: Sample Essay 3: Why CBS?

Example of a "Why CBS?" essay that got the applicant into Columbia Business School.

The Amy Approach: Navigating the Grad School Search

Graduate school is an exciting opportunity to deepen your knowledge, build your expertise, and shape your career path. This guide breaks the process down into clear, manageable steps.

Law School Sprint Kickoff [8/3/2026] (Recording)

The path to law school is far less mysterious when you know what actually works. This kickoff session is for anyone beginning the law school application process and looking for a clear roadmap to success. You'll gain a high-level overview of the admissions journey, learn what separates standout applicants, and discover the biggest opportunities to strengthen your candidacy before you apply. Join live to hear from a panel of law school admissions experts who know what it takes to earn admission in today's competitive landscape. They'll share current admissions trends, common mistakes they see applicants make, and practical strategies you can use throughout your application journey. It's the perfect way to kick off the sprint with the insights and confidence you'll need for the sessions ahead.

Choosing Your Target Law Schools

Selecting the right law schools is one of the most important steps in shaping a successful application strategy. In this session, UCLA Law Alum and Law Review Editor Michael S. will guide you through factors to consider, including program strengths, culture, location, and career outcomes. You’ll learn how to match your profile to schools where you’ll be both competitive and fulfilled, and how to prioritize applications to maximize your chances of admission. By the end, you’ll have a clear framework for identifying and targeting the schools that align best with your goals.

MBA Recommendation Memo Example for Harvard Business School and Stanford GSB

This memo provides context to the recommenders for the applicant's MBA applications to Harvard Business School (HBS) and Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB), outlining her aspirations, important program components (social impact, global perspective, academic rigor), and key qualities sought by the schools.

Example- A Law School Diversity Statement Beyond the Obvious

This essay uses a unique, personal story about a multinational family and cultural identity to craft a memorable and effective diversity statement.

Example Resume - Current Law School Student Applying to BigLaw

See how this resume frames founding a zero-waste business, internships in energy and tech, and a legal fellow role to break into BigLaw.

When You Should (and Shouldn't) Go to Graduate School

A candid guide to evaluating whether grad school aligns with your goals, including factors to consider before making the leap.

Sample T14 Why School Essay that Got Offer & Scholarship

This is a real example of the why Duke Law essay. Applicant was accepted to Duke with $$ scholarships.

Building a Dental School Personal Statement That Stands Out

A compelling dental school personal statement goes beyond listing shadowing hours and coursework, it clearly conveys your motivation for dentistry, your readiness for clinical training, and the experiences that shaped your commitment to patient care. In this session, you’ll learn how to structure a focused narrative, highlight meaningful experiences, and avoid common pitfalls that make essays blend together. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining a draft, you’ll leave with practical strategies to craft a personal statement that feels authentic, polished, and memorable.

AMA with a Former Dental School Admissions Committee Member

Curious what really happens behind the scenes in dental school admissions? In this open AMA session, hear directly from a former dental school admissions committee member about how applications are evaluated, what makes candidates stand out, and the common mistakes that raise red flags. Bring your questions about personal statements, DAT scores, interviews, school selection, and more, and leave with insider insights to strengthen your dental school strategy.

How to Make Your Law School Application Stand Out

​Applying to law school is competitive—and crafting an application that truly captures your strengths and story can be challenging. In this session, expert Leland coaches and law admissions specialists Anna G. (Harvard Law School), Kevin P. (Duke Law Grad), and Conor A. (Harvard Law School) will walk you through exactly what top law schools are looking for and how to position yourself as a standout candidate. ​You’ll learn how to craft a compelling personal statement, highlight meaningful experiences, and present a cohesive application that showcases your unique strengths. By the end, you’ll have actionable strategies to make your law school application memorable and maximize your chances of admission.

The Resume That Lands You at Harvard Business School

A deep dive into a successful Harvard Business School resume. Learn how to highlight your experience and skills to get noticed by admissions committees.

"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.

Top 5 Tips for the Dental School Admissions Process

Dental school admissions are competitive, and success requires more than strong grades and a solid DAT score. In this session, we’ll break down five high-impact strategies to strengthen your candidacy, from building meaningful shadowing experiences to crafting a compelling personal statement and preparing for interviews. Whether you’re early in your journey or applying this cycle, you’ll walk away with practical, actionable guidance to approach the dental school process with clarity and confidence.

Study in China’s #1 School: Schwarzman Scholars Application Guide

The Schwarzman Scholars program offers a fully funded master’s experience at Tsinghua University, designed to develop future global leaders with deep insight into China’s role in the world. In this session, you’ll learn what makes a competitive Schwarzman application, how to position your leadership story, and how to navigate the program’s unique essays and interview process. Whether you’re early in your research or preparing to apply, you’ll leave with a clear roadmap to strengthen your candidacy for one of the world’s most prestigious scholarship programs.

Making Your “Why This School” Essays Impossible to Ignore

“Why this school?” is one of the most common—and most poorly executed—application essays. In this session, expert Leland coach and former AdComs at Chicago Booth Tim F. will break down what admissions committees actually look for and why generic answers fall flat. You’ll learn how to research programs deeply, connect your goals to specific resources, and write essays that feel personal, credible, and impossible to ignore.