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Stanford University Admit: Deferred Essay Examples
Read the deferred essay responses that got me into Stanford based on the 2024 prompts.
Stanford University Admit: Activities and Extracurriculars Example
See the activities and extracurriculars that got me into Stanford University.
How To Step From Participation to Leadership in your Extracurriculars
A step by step framework for turning extracurricular involvement into leadership and impact.
Stanford University Admit: Short Response Examples
Read the short essay responses that got me into Stanford based on the 2024 prompts.
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Resume Best Practices: Tips to Take Your CV From Meh to Magnifico!
After 15+ years of reviewing more applicant resumes than I care to count as a recruiter/hiring manager/talent leader at McKinsey and Bain, these are the core tips I coach my clients to always consider when crafting their CV.
Stanford University Admit: Distinctive Contribution Example
Read a short essay that got me into Stanford based on this 2024 prompt: Please describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests and character would help you make a distinctive contribution as an undergraduate to Stanford University.
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.
What BYU Admissions is Looking For
Applying to BYU but unsure what actually moves the needle in admissions? Strong grades matter—but they’re only part of the picture. In What BYU Admissions Is Looking For, you’ll get a clear breakdown of how to position yourself strategically for Brigham Young University. The speaker regularly works 1:1 with applicants navigating competitive admissions, and this session offers rare access to the evaluation frameworks typically shared in private coaching conversations. Who This Is For - High school students planning to apply to BYU - Transfer applicants seeking clarity on positioning - Students with strong academics who want a more compelling application - Applicants unsure how faith, leadership, and extracurriculars fit into their story What You’ll Walk Away With - What BYU weighs most heavily beyond GPA and test scores - How to present leadership, service, and character authentically - The patterns admissions see across successful applicants - The common positioning mistakes I correct in 1:1 sessions - How to align your essays with BYU’s mission and values
Roadmap to College: A Values-Based Guide to Choosing the Right College
Instead of focusing on traditional ideas of “fit,” this values-based guide invites you to reflect on what truly matters to you. Through self-reflection and journal prompts, you will identify colleges that align with your values, interests, and goals. Designed for students in grades 9-12, it offers practical steps to help you approach the college search with greater clarity and confidence so you can make intentional choices and find a college community that's authentic to you.
Writing Compelling College Essays
College essays are your chance to go beyond grades and test scores and show who you really are. In this session, top Leland coach and former Stanford interviewer Alex L. will break down what makes an essay stand out, how admissions officers read them, and why many otherwise strong essays fall flat. You’ll learn how to choose the right story, write with clarity and authenticity, and craft an essay that leaves a lasting impression.
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.
Why Getting Started Now Matters for College Applications
The strongest college applications are built over time, not rushed together senior year. In this panel, admissions experts will break down why starting early gives you a meaningful edge and what students should actually be doing now to stay ahead. You’ll learn how to think strategically about academics, extracurriculars, leadership, and narrative development long before applications open. Whether you’re a freshman, sophomore, or junior, this session will help you understand how small decisions today can shape stronger outcomes later.
Strategies for Crushing the New HBS Essays
The Harvard Business School essays have changed—and so has the strategy you’ll need to stand out. In this workshop, Leland coach Andy P. will walk you through proven approaches for tackling the new prompts with clarity and impact. You’ll learn how to identify the stories that best showcase your leadership, values, and potential, while avoiding common pitfalls that weaken otherwise strong applications. Andy will also share practical tips for structuring your essays, weaving a cohesive narrative across your application, and highlighting the qualities HBS is really looking for. Whether you’re just getting started or refining a draft, this session will equip you with actionable strategies to make your essays rise to the top.
FAFSA 101
Leland is excited to partner with CareerVillage to host this free event on navigating FAFSA! Paying for college or graduate school starts with understanding financial aid—and that means knowing how to navigate the FAFSA. In this session, Leland coach Loubna B., who has years of experience guiding students through competitive admissions and funding opportunities, will walk you through the FAFSA process step by step. You’ll learn how to complete the application accurately, avoid common mistakes, and maximize your eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study programs. Whether you’re applying for the first time or renewing your FAFSA, this session will give you the clarity and confidence you need to take control of your financial aid journey.
Video Walkthrough: GMAT Data Sufficiency
Comprehensive video walkthrough of examples for GMAT Data Sufficiency questions
3 Tricky GRE Quant Questions
Example of 3 tricky quantitative GRE questions
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.
Stanford/MIT Essays: Examples & Analysis
An in-depth breakdown of successful application essays for Stanford and MIT, with a focus on what makes them compelling and how to apply those strategies to your own writing.
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.
Personal Statement 3: Example & Analysis
A detailed breakdown and analysis of a third successful personal statement, with a focus on its compelling narrative structure and powerful conclusion.
