Leland+ for College

Stanford University Admit: Deferred Essay Examples

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

Stanford University Admit: Common App Essay Example

Read the Common App essay that got me into Stanford based on this 2024 prompt: Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Stanford University Admit: Activities and Extracurriculars Example

See the activities and extracurriculars that got me into Stanford University.

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.

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.

Application Power Hour: Standout Resume, Essay, & Recommendation Tips

Applying to college or graduate school can feel overwhelming - but with the right approach, you can make every part of your application shine. In this power-packed hour, you’ll learn how to: - Build a resume that shows who you are and what you’ve accomplished. - Write an essay that’s authentic and memorable. - Secure letters of recommendation that strengthen your story. Whether you’re just getting started or polishing your final draft, this session will give you the tools and confidence to submit your strongest 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.

Cracking the Common App: A College Admissions Panel

The Common App can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to tackle it alone. ​Whether you’re just getting started or putting finishing touches on your application, this panel will help you avoid common pitfalls, craft a standout narrative, and submit with confidence. ​Meet Your Panelists ​Amanda W. – Former Director of Admissions and Regional Enrollment Director, with 5+ years of coaching experience helping students gain admission to top universities including UCLA, Cornell, UPenn, Duke, and BYU. ​Alex L. – Stanford MBA and Northwestern alum, former Stanford admissions interviewer, and marketing executive with 20+ years of experience helping candidates differentiate themselves and gain admission to competitive programs. ​Skyler A. – Former Associate Director of Admissions at UChicago Booth and Assistant Director at Northwestern, with 10+ years of experience reading applications and helping hundreds of students gain admission to Yale, MIT, Berkeley, USC, Northwestern, and more.​​​

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.

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.

GMAT or GRE: Which Test to Choose and How to Decide

GMAT vs GRE - which test to choose and how to decide

Unlock Your Story: Writing a Powerful BYU Essay #4

​Essay #4 is one of the most important—and most personal—parts of the BYU application. In this session, you’ll learn how to transform your experiences, values, and aspirations into a compelling narrative that resonates with admissions officers. We’ll cover what BYU is really looking for in this essay, common pitfalls to avoid, and practical strategies to make your writing authentic, memorable, and powerful. ​The session will be led by Darla T., a Leland coach with extensive experience guiding students through competitive admissions processes. She’ll share frameworks and actionable tips to help you unlock your story and approach Essay #4 with confidence.

Comprehensive Guide to Letters of Recommendation

​Letters of recommendation can make or break a graduate school application—but too often, applicants underestimate their importance or don’t know how to manage the process strategically. In this session, we’ll cover everything you need to know: whom to ask, when to ask, how to prepare your recommenders, and how to ensure your letters complement and strengthen the rest of your application. ​You’ll also learn how to approach potential recommenders with confidence, provide the right context and materials, and avoid common pitfalls. With clear guidance from Jennifer P., a Harvard master’s graduate and experienced coach, you’ll walk away with a roadmap to securing strong, authentic recommendations that highlight your strengths and align with your overall story.

Mastering the Verbal SAT: Key Techniques for Every Question Type

​Struggling with tricky SAT verbal questions? Want to boost your Reading and Writing scores with proven strategies? In this session, expert coach Jessica F. will walk you through the exact techniques top scorers use to approach every question type with confidence. ​By the end, you’ll have a toolkit of practical strategies to tackle the Verbal SAT section with clarity and confidence—no matter your starting score.

New SAT: Functions Question

A review of how functions work for the SAT.

AFOQT Math Formulas Sheet

You don’t need to memorize hundreds of formulas — you need to understand when and why to use each one.

How to Stand Out as a Computer Science Major

Learn why Computer Science has become one of the toughest majors to enter, and get actionable strategies to make your application rise above the crowd

MBA Recommender Packets

A step-by-step playbook for setting up recommenders for success and turning your recommenders into your strongest advocates.

How to Ask the Interviewer the Right Questions

Learn how to ask strategic, insightful questions during your interview that demonstrate your interest and help you determine if the company is the right fit for you.

Activity List for the Common App [Prep Template]

Activity List for the Common App [Prep Template]