Leland+ for College

Why Notre Dame? Essay

This is a successful essay for a Notre Dame undergrad applicant's "Why Notre Dame?" essay.

Additional Info Essay 3: Example & Analysis

A detailed breakdown of a compelling additional information essay.

Awards & Honors: Example & Analysis

A detailed breakdown and analysis of a successful awards and honors list, with tips for showcasing your achievements and making a strong impression on admissions committees.

The "Why?" Essay

A guide to mastering the "Why this school?" or "Why this major?" essay, with strategies for showcasing genuine interest, specific research, and a compelling connection between you and the institution.

Longer Essay: Harvard Examples Walkthrough

A detailed breakdown and analysis of successful "longer essays" for Harvard, with strategies for crafting your own and showcasing your intellectual curiosity.

Defining a Good Mindset & Perspective

Learn how to cultivate a strong, positive mindset and perspective to tackle challenges and achieve your goals in both your career and personal life.

Extracurriculars: Best Practices

Learn the best practices for showcasing your extracurriculars on your application, with tips for formatting, context, and standing out from the crowd.

Additional Info Essay 2: Example & Analysis

An in-depth analysis of an "additional information" essay.

How to Prioritize Content for the Additional Info Essay

Learn how to strategically use the optional "additional information" essay to address weaknesses, provide context for unique circumstances, and strengthen your overall application.

What Not to Include in the Additional Info Essay

Avoid the most common mistakes on the "additional information" essay, including using it as a third personal statement, making excuses for poor grades, or simply repeating information found elsewhere in your application.

Winning Resume/CV Bank Template

Whether you're applying to a professional position or an academic program, use this template to organize your experiences in one cohesive document.

Stanford University Admit: Excited to Learn Essay Example

Read a short essay that got me into Stanford based on this 2024 prompt: The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning.

Networking Follow-Up Strategies

The following tool is designed to offer ideas on how to follow-up with networking contacts after initial conversation to maintain relationship.

Stanford University Admit: Short Response Examples

Read the short essay responses that got me into Stanford based on the 2024 prompts.

UVA Choice Essay: Community with Quirks

This is a successful essay for an undergrad UVA applicant's choice essay about the quirks the applicant will bring to the community.

BYU College Panel: Writing Standout BYU Application Essays

In this panel, experienced admissions coaches Afton K., Christian H. (prior BYU admissions committee member), and Anna G. will share insider guidance on how to stand out as a strong applicant to BYU. From building a balanced application and writing compelling essays to highlighting your extracurriculars and values, you’ll learn what it takes to present your story in a way that resonates with BYU’s admissions committee. You’ll also hear strategies for avoiding common mistakes, strengthening your overall profile, and approaching the process with confidence. Whether you’re just starting your application or putting the final touches on your materials, this session will give you actionable insights to maximize your chances of admission.

Stanford University Admit: Letter to Rommate Example

Read a short essay that got me into Stanford based on this 2024 prompt: Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate – and us – get to know you better.

Unlocking Your Story for BYU Essay #4

This worksheet will help you turn your “ordinary” experiences into powerful stories and give you 2–3 solid essay ideas.

3 Tricky GRE Quant Questions

Example of 3 tricky quantitative GRE questions

Video Walkthrough: GMAT Data Sufficiency

Comprehensive video walkthrough of examples for GMAT Data Sufficiency questions