Leland+ for College
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College Application Timeline Tracker
Stay organized with key deadlines and milestones to manage every part of your college application process.
Interviews: Storytelling & Tone
Learn how to master the art of storytelling in your interviews, using a confident and engaging tone to make a lasting impression.
The Interview: What Not to Do
Avoid the most common mistakes in your interviews, from poor body language to unprepared answers, to make a lasting and positive impression on your interviewer.
Supplemental Essays: An Overview
A comprehensive guide to understanding supplemental essays, with tips on why they're important, how to approach them, and how to make them stand out.
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.
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.
Blank Page to Clear Outline: Get Unstuck on Your Personal Essay
Feeling stuck on your personal essay? You're not alone. Trust, you are not the only senior who keeps putting off writing their application essay. You're sure you'll be able to finish once you start. You just need to put something - anything - on the page, but going from 0 to 1 feels harder than going from 1 to 100. And advice like "just start!", "show who you are," "brainstorm some ideas," isn't working, right? Join Isamar V., a former Stanford admissions officer and college application coach, in this workshop where she will guide you as you complete 3 exercises to go from a blank page to a clear essay outline in 1 hour. Get your pen and paper (or laptop) ready because this isn't just a lecture. You are going to put in the work in this workshop. If you have no idea what you want to write about --> You'll leave with several ideas, topics, and stories to choose from If you have an idea or story but don't know if it's good --> You'll leave with personal reflections to make it good If you have a story that you're excited about, but just haven't sat down to write --> You'll leave with an outline If you already have an outline, but just no written draft --> You'll have a dedicated hour to write You'll also get some tips for how to go from outline to a first written draft. Whether you're just starting or need a fresh perspective, the goal for you is to feel unstuck and excited to write your story.
Why Notre Dame? Essay
This is a successful essay for a Notre Dame undergrad applicant's "Why Notre Dame?" essay.
The Amy Approach: A Real Talk Guide to Picking the Right College
A step-by-step guide to picking the right college.
Ask Me Anything 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. Note: Feel free to ask about any college admissions topic, regardless of your target school. This AMA is not exclusively focused on Stanford admissions.
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.
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.
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
GMAT or GRE: Which Test to Choose and How to Decide
GMAT vs GRE - which test to choose and how to decide
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.
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.
Additional Info Essay 1: Example & Analysis
Learn how to use the optional "additional information" essay to strengthen your application and address weaknesses.
Best Practices for Supplemental Essays
Master the art of supplemental essays with expert tips and strategies for crafting compelling, authentic responses that strengthen your application.
Letter of Continued Interest: What to Write
Learn how to craft a powerful Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) by focusing on key components like reaffirming your commitment, providing meaningful updates, and showcasing why you are a perfect fit for the college.
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.
