Leland+ for College

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.

Letter of Continued Interest: How to Submit

Learn how to write and submit a compelling Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) to a college after being deferred or waitlisted, including what to include, common mistakes to avoid, and where to send it.

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.

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.

Gap Year: Is It Right for You?

A comprehensive guide to the pros and cons of taking a gap year, with key questions to consider before making your decision.

Extracurricular List 1: Example & Analysis

A detailed breakdown and analysis of a successful extracurricular list, with tips for showcasing your unique experiences and achievements.

Extracurricular List 2: Example & Analysis

A detailed breakdown and analysis of a successful extracurricular list, with tips for showcasing your leadership and impact.

Extracurricular List 3: Example & Analysis

A detailed breakdown and analysis of a successful extracurricular list, with tips for showcasing your impact and leadership in a community setting.

The Amy Approach: A Real Talk Guide to Picking the Right College

A step-by-step guide to picking the right college.

UC Berkeley Essay: Crafting a Personal Narrative

A deep dive into a successful UC Berkeley essay. Learn how to craft a compelling personal narrative that highlights your experiences and gets you accepted.

BYU Activities Example Essay - Piano

An essay responding to BYU application prompt about extracurricular activities, detailing a long-term commitment to piano and the lessons it taught about perseverance.

BYU "Losing Track of Time" Example Essay - Avatar

An essay responding to the prompt about a topic so engaging it makes you lose track of time, focusing on the show "Avatar: The Last Airbender."

BYU "Significant Needs in the Community" Example Essay - Coaching

An essay responding to the BYU application prompt about significant needs in the community, detailing how the student coached a youth basketball team to help improve local sports.

BYU Activities Example Essay - Leadership through United Sound

An essay responding to the BYU applicatino prompt about extracurricular activities, detailing participation in United Sound and how it developed leadership and communication skills.

BYU "Tell Us Your Story" Example Essay: Physical Difference

An essay responding to the BYU application prompt to "tell us your story," sharing a personal experience of growing up with a physical difference and what it taught about self-acceptance.

DIY Your Stand-Out Summer Program or Project that Colleges Notice

Can't afford fancy summer programs? Didn’t get around to applying to summer programs? No problem! Create a summer experience that turns heads in admissions offices ands fuels your personal interests. This workshop reveals how to design and execute impressive self-directed summer projects that both strengthen college applications and deepen your unique interests. Learn how to transform curiosity into meaningful action without expensive programs. Perfect for ambitious high schoolers seeking authentic growth opportunities that naturally translate to applications that shine.

Elevate Your Common App: Craft a Powerful Activities List

Are you applying to college and nervous about how to talk about your activities? Join Isamar, a former Stanford Admissions Officer, for this live workshop focused on helping you highlight your story through your activities list. This workshop will help you craft a powerful Common App activities list that showcases your unique interests and accomplishments beyond superficial activity descriptions. Learn 3 strategies to ensure that your application makes a compelling impression on admissions committees, captures your essence, and maximizes your chances of standing out in the admissions process. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your application! Who is leading the workshop? As a former Assistant Director of Admissions at Stanford, Isamar personally reviewed over 7,000 applications. As an admissions consultant, she coached students to gain admission to universities like Yale, Harvard, Stanford, UC Berkeley, Georgia Tech, UVA, Pomona, and more. She has supported both US and international students, as well as first-gen students. Isamar’s personalized, empathetic, and strategic approach ensures that your unique strengths and experiences shine through in your application. Her goal is for you to feel that you are applying as your best self, no matter where you’re applying. Isamar is a proud first-generation college graduate with a BA and EdM from Harvard, and an MBA from Oxford.

Ask. Me. Anything. AMA with a Former Stanford Admissions Officer

Join me for an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session to get answers to your college admissions questions. I'm Isamar, a former Stanford Admissions Officer, a Harvard grad, proud first-generation college graduate, and an experienced college admissions coach. With years working with students from all backgrounds, including US-based, international, and first-generation applicants, I'm here to help you navigate the college admissions process. My goal is to provide thoughtful, empathetic, and strategic guidance. Whether you're a high school student or parent, don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from a seasoned professional.

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!