Leland+ for College

Stanford Accepted Personal Statement: Crafting a Story of Identity

A deep dive into a powerful personal statement. Learn to craft a unique, compelling narrative from your own life experiences to stand out to admissions.

Example Activity List: Honors That Land Admissions

Learn how to showcase your extracurriculars and honors to build a compelling activity list that stands out to top admissions committees.

Additional Info Essay 3: Example & Analysis

A detailed breakdown of a compelling additional information essay.

Activity List for the Common App [Prep Template]

Activity List for the Common App [Prep Template]

Honors List for the Common App [Prep Template]

Use the sheet (or the Google Sheets version) to draft your honors descriptions. Check your character count & list order before you paste to the app!

College Workshop: Three-Month Application Plan to Land Your Early Decision School

​Are you a high school student aiming to apply Early Decision (ED) to your top-choice U.S. university? Join Kevin P. for an interactive session that lays out a focused three‑month plan—from now to the Nov 1–15 deadlines—so you can craft a standout ED application on time and with confidence.With over a decade of experience supporting students across the world, he will guide you through the essentials—from weekly milestones and essay drafting to coordinating recommendations, understanding ED’s binding and financial implications, polishing your activities list, and building a smart backup plan for EA/RD. Topics include: ​90‑day ED timeline and task checklist (mid‑Aug → Nov 1–15): essays, supplements, testing, recommenders, and school documents ​Standing out fast: personal statement and “Why Us?” strategy, activities impact, and recommendation packets ​Readiness and backup: score strategy, financial/aid planning for ED, portal tracking, and an EA/RD contingency if ED doesn’t land

Panel: Get Accepted to Your Dream College

​​​​​​Join Abigail L., Mel B., and Benito N., top Leland college admissions coaches and former admissions officers, for a panel packed with actionable advice to help you stand out in today’s competitive college landscape. We’ll cover everything from building a balanced school list and writing compelling essays to showcasing your extracurriculars and avoiding common mistakes. Whether you’re just getting started or deep in the application process, this session will give you the insights and confidence to apply strategically—and successfully. ​Let's get you into your dream school!

Breaking Through: How International Students Can Shine in U.S. College Admissions

Are you an international student dreaming of studying at a U.S. university? Join Kevin P. for an interactive session where he will demystify the American college application process and share tips on how you can stand out from the crowd. ​With over a decade of experience supporting students students across the world, he will guide you through the essentials—from highlighting your unique strengths to navigating key application steps and understanding what matters most to U.S. colleges. ​Topics include: - ​Application essentials - ​Standing out ​- Scholarships & visas

UC Application Power Workshop: Maximize Your Essays + Activities List

Join expert college admissions coach Hillary H. for an engaging UC Essay & Activities Workshop designed to help students craft compelling and authentic responses to the University of California Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) and maximize the impact of their Activities & Awards List. In this session, we’ll explore how to choose the right prompts to showcase your strengths, align your writing with UC’s 13 Comprehensive Review Factors, and present a cohesive, well-rounded application. ​Students will learn how to write with clarity and purpose, make their four essays distinct yet connected, and elevate the activities section to support their narrative. Whether you're just getting started or refining your drafts, this workshop will give you the tools and confidence to write with impact.

Stanford & MIT Essay: Engineering for Global Impact

A powerful story of building a biodigester in Costa Rica and discovering a lifelong passion for sustainable engineering and social equity.

Choosing the Right Recommenders

Learn how to pick recommenders who will advocate for you and elevate your application.

Vanderbilt Personal Essay – Growing Up on Her Own Terms

A coming-of-age story about medical uncertainty, self-advocacy, and redefining adulthood through confidence, curiosity, and inner growth.

The Amy Approach: What Parents Need to Know About the College Search Process

A guide to help parents help with the college-search process

College Application Timeline Tracker

Stay organized with key deadlines and milestones to manage every part of your college application process.